Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina
End of Watch Saturday, March 7, 2026
Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
I had the pleasure of meeting Kaleb before he attended BLET when he was 20 years old. He was full of questions about the profession and I happily spent time with him giving him answers, and later instructing him in BLET. I’ve known Kaleb’s father in law, Chad, for nearly 30 years and I know that both families are so heart broken to lose this fine young man. My heart break for them and I pray that God wraps his hands around both families as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
Captain Sammy Peddycord (retired)
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office
March 8, 2026
Heavenly Father, God of Life and Death, You are with us from the moment we are conceived to the moment we leave this earthly life. We know from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Chapter 13, that America’s Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty.
Lord God, it is my desire that the family, friends, and comrades of all America’s Fallen Peace Officers will find encouragement, hope, comfort and peace from this prayer.
Now, our hearts feel heavy with grief because of the loss of another American Peace Officer that leaves us feeling so alone once again. There are moments when the grief feels overwhelming, and we find it difficult to move forward. But we know You see our pain and feel our loss and sorrow.
Lord God, hold us in Your loving and most capable arms and comfort us with Your presence. Let us feel Your peace in the midst of our heartache and Your quiet assurance that we are not walking this path alone. Wipe away our tears and remind us of the hope we have in You. You are our refuge and our strength, our ever present help in trouble. Teach us how to carry this loss of another American Peace Officer without losing hope. Help us to release our emotional pain into Your merciful and compassionate hands, trusting that You are working even in our most difficult moments. When our grief feels too much to bear, fill us with the courage necessary to face each day and the faith to keep moving forward.
Thank You, Lord God, for Your unfailing love and for being the God who sees us, holds us, and walks with us as we endure the spiritual assaults of Satan, the calamities of nature, and the wickedness of sinful humanity.
In commemorating the death of this fallen hero, help us also to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say but is simply the transition from this earthly life to the heavenly life yet to come. This assurance was guaranteed to all believers upon the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise God! We look forward to that life to come with joy and anticipation.
Lord God, if You are willing, have Your warrior servant, Michael the Archangel, “Your Defender and Protector Against Evil”, who successfully defeated Satan and his fallen angels in heavenly battle because of his unwavering faith and courage, according to the Book of Revelation Chapter 12, welcome America’s Fallen Peace Officers into Your Eternal Light and comfort their loved ones and all those left behind who mourn.
Finally, Lord God, we place our trust and sorrow into Your loving and most capable hands and rest in the hope that You will ultimately bring “Beauty from the Ashes”. In Christ Jesus’ mighty and holy Name, and by His Power, Authority, and Sacrificial Blood, I believe and pray. Amen.
Jesus taught them: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV)
Jesus taught His Disciples: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NIV)
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, NACM
Ordained, Independent CGOM Clergy; Conferred #36526
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
“Good Shall Triumph Over Evil”
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA
Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)
March 8, 2026
Psalm 15
God bless.
Rest in peace brother.
Correctional Officer Paul Schanno
Hennepin County (Minneapolis)-Adult Corrections Facility
March 8, 2026
RIP Brother..... My thoughts are with your family, friends and the members of your agency during this most difficult and tragic time......
LT. Joseph Ward, Ret
Jackson, NJ PD
March 8, 2026
Rest in peace my brother in blue prayers for you and your family May God rest your soul
SPO Tony Gomez
Des Moines Iowa PD retired
March 8, 2026
Rest in Peace my brother.
Captain (Ret.) Bernard Flint
Department of Defense / Police Division
March 8, 2026
Rest, brother.
Sgt. Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police
March 8, 2026
God rest your soul, Deputy Mitchell. May your family, friends, colleagues, and community find the strength and resolve to carry on in your physical absence and continue to spread the goodness to which you were so selflessly committed. You were among the best humanity has to offer. Your dedication to service and your ultimate sacrifice shall not be forgotten.
Investigator Christopher Port (Ret)
California Highway Patrol, Valley Division MAIT
March 8, 2026
Thank you for your service Deputy. May God's grace bring peace to your family and fellow deputies during this tragic time. Rest in peace brother.
Sgt Wm C Elliott (retired)
Campbell County Sheriff's Office VA
March 8, 2026
Rest peacefully my brother
Captain Greg Kouba, Victoria Co. SO, Tex
Victoria County Sheriff’s Office, Texas
March 8, 2026
I am heartbroken over the loss of this young man. I pray for his family and friends. God put your comforting hands upon them especially his wife and small child and the one on the way
Retired Captain Terry Dalton
Stokes County Sheriff’s Office
March 8, 2026
God rest his soul.
Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired
March 8, 2026