Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

July 1, 2025

RIP Officer Ernest Coleman.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

August 18, 2022

Officer Coleman,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Charlotte. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 1, 2022

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 1, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Coleman.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 9, 2019

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

Patrol Officer Coleman was a good Friend of mine.
I know him from when I was with Charlotte PD

He was working at a Convenience store right across from where I once lived off of East way Drive. (Fountain Square Apartments)

We would get together for a few years bring in the New Year
I miss those fun times and I miss him

RIP my follow Officer in Blue
Sincerely
SGT JD Wilson Retired/Active Reserve
CCSO

SGT JD wilson
Cabarrus County Sheriff Office

December 5, 2014

Words fall short of gratitide for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I, too, am honored to send a letter to "Deny Parole" to the undeserving coward as further evidenced by the infraction record since being incarcerated. No, I do not want him walking the streets of North Carolina ever.

North Carolina Citizen

March 14, 2013

I am honored to have sent a "No parole" letter, so your cowardly killer remains locked up and denied the pleasure of living in a world that you made safe for all of us.

Billy Russo (Det., Ret.)
Nassau County Police Dept. NY

March 11, 2013

Rest in Peace Brother. I was honored to sign and send a letter to the NC parole board asking them to deny parole for the outlaw who did this terrible thing.

Peacekeeper, SMSgt, USAF (Retired)
USAF Security Police

March 10, 2013

God Bless

Dave

March 8, 2013

I was honored to send off my 'No Parole' letter today for you, my brother in blue. Thank you for your sacrifice and may you forever, rest in peace. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!

My prayers continue to be with your family, friends and co-workers.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

March 8, 2013

RIP Brother of the Badge! God Bless you, your Family, Friends and Department. My "No Parole" letter is Off today and maybe we can keep the POS who did this to you in prison. Thank You so much for your service.

Bob Reed
Retired Police Officer, South Lake Tahoe Police Department

March 8, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my beloved fallen officer. . My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 20, 2012

A "No Parole" letter for the thug that killed you has been sent. You will never be forgotten!

Kristi Porter
Surviving Adult Child

March 21, 2012

Officer Coleman, we will never forget your brave service and ultimate selfless sacrifice. You are a true American Hero!!! May God watch over and comfort your family and friends as they continue to bare the pain and sadness that never truly goes away...

Family of
Sgt. Howard K. Stevenson EOW 1/9/05

March 15, 2012

Officer Coleman, Thank you for standing strong to keep those you served protected. Blessed are the Peacemakers! You will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace with the Lord.

Frank May - Brother to Fallen Officer
Sgt. M.T. May EOW 2/18/12

March 15, 2012

Thank you for your service. Rest in peace Officer Coleman

Laura

March 15, 2012

Ernest,
I was one of the first to arrive on the scene and stood by you until medic took you away in front of the store that night. One of my many memories I'll take with me when it is my time and I'm in hopes to see you again, you are a fine person. You are one of the very reasons I got into training to help other officers. Peace eternal brother,
Ken

Ken Hancock
CMPD (ret)

November 12, 2009

Happy Father's Day! You will always remain in our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers.

Tracie
Daughter

June 21, 2009

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR CHOSEN PROFESSION.
YOU'RE THE TRUE HERO....... GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY.....

CPL. JW LOWDER
UNION COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

January 12, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 26, 2007

MY BROTHER, YOU LEFT US 25 YEARS AGO. YOU ARE NOT, NOR WILL YOU EVER BE FORGOTTEN FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO STILL MISS AND LOVE YOU. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

July 1, 2007

Ernie and I graduated from recruit school together in 1980. I simple stumbled on this web-site today but I am so glad I did. I remember Ernie vividly from rookie school as being such a nice and decent man. He was a good recruit and had the right attitude and temperment I thought for this job. We had a few laughs while we were being trained together. I still have my recruit graduation picture proudly framed on my office wall and look at it occasional and recollect those times. I was working the night Ernie died. I was so saddened over his death however I knew where his heart was which gives me peace. May God be with you Ernie. And to the family, please know that I think of Ernie when I look at that picture with fondness. He was a good man!

Police Officer II Daniel Allen Hepner
Charlotte City Police Department

November 16, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

June 25, 2006