Officer Down Memorial Page

Keith, you were a true friend, an outstanding human and the right kind of cop. Always one of the star troops. I will always miss you my friend!

Tim Gage (Ret.)
Former Sgt and friend
February 15, 2012

RIP Sir, never forgotten

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)
February 15, 2012

Never forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada
February 15, 2011

It is hard to believe you left us 10 years ago. Hearing your name still causes me to choke up and brings a tear to me eye. I think about the off duty jobs we worked together and how patient you were when I was a rookie. Godspeed and safe journeys brother. I pray daily that your family finds peace.

Anonymous
January 24, 2011

Nine years ago we were devastated. Time has helped but will never make it go away. Many still ask why.
Your family is in our prayers and your sacrifice as well as theirs is never far from the hearts and minds of TCSO.

Your life and sacrifice are not forgotten....not in 9 years and not ever!

Cpl Miller
CPPD
February 15, 2010

Thinking of you and your today

Anonymous
February 15, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service.

Rest In Peace and I'll see you on the other side.

Sgt Don "Boots" Jensen

Don P Jensen
Milwaukee Wisconsin Police, Retired
February 15, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
February 15, 2010

This is for Berna...I have watched you through the years and seen your pain. I thought with time, the pain would be less, but I imagine it's just as real today as it was almost 9 years ago. I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers and just know you still have a family here at TCSO that thinks about you and loves you very much. I will continue to remember Keith and his life and love for you and all his boys. Keep hanging in there Berna.

SSM
TCSO
January 28, 2010

Keith, Seems like only yesterday that we were going through doors together. The team still thinks and talks about you alot. You are a true warrior in every sense of the word and we are better because of you.

Annonymous
December 9, 2009

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
February 25, 2009

We never forget.

Didn't know what to say -- and still don't. 2/15 is a date I will never forget.....just don't know what to say here, the words never sound good enough.

I try to tell your story to the new officers I train -- to add prayers for your family and to ensure that you are never forgotten.

Take care of the new ones who are just arriving with you....we do our best to hold their families up.

RIP

Cpl Miller
CPPD
February 23, 2009

To Deputy Keith Ruiz, his loved ones, and his fellow deputies:

On this the eighth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart is with all family members and friends who call you beloved. They are all in my thoughts and prayers today. I can see from the loving reflections left by your loyal friends that you were an amazing man who is loved and missed by all those whose lives you touched.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Keith. I am so humbled by your valor and service.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Keith gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 15, 2001.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05
February 15, 2009

Thinking of you and your family today, Bernadette continues to fight for what is right, she does not understand the word NO, and quit is not an option. Most people do not understand that when an officer is killed, they directly or indirectly save the lives of others. We will continue to work to make life on earth a living hell for criminals, as we live it everyday.


il resto il mio coraggioso pacificamente
may the brave rest peacefully

Anonymous
February 15, 2009

"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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
March 5, 2008

Seven years have passed since you were called away from duty and you have not been forgotten. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are thought of ever single day by your loved ones and they carry you close to them in their hearts. You are a true hero and heroes never die. Thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcement.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/06
February 15, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVCIE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE, GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU

VANDENBERGHE
MNCHESTER, NH
February 10, 2008

It's Feb 1 again and that means that another year has passed since you were taken from us. I know that pain is not as fresh as it was even 6 years ago as we approached that final "first"....that first year without you.
You are truly missed at the SO -- there are so many new faces that never got the opportunity to meet you or work with you. But there are those whose memories will never fade.
I know you watch down on us all. There are too many rookies for you to welcome to shift in Heaven. It stinks from down here but somehow, knowing that you are there to help them out makes it a little less painful. Thank you for watching over us no matter what our shift might bring.
You are not forgotten! You are a HERO today as you were everyday! I continue to pray for your family, especially in the days leading up to the anniversary of your call to God's force. You are missed and you are loved.

KM
CPPD
February 1, 2008

Deputy, it was a sad day when we all stood to say goodbye to you. There was a moment, when a little boy was on the steps of the chapel, and he looked right at me. For some reason, I thought of JFK's son, having to waive to his father's casket. At that instant, I stood a little straighter, sir. I dont know if that little boy was part of your family, but I hope he somehow knows that we all stood there, together that morning, for you.

Rest in Peace

former Austin Police
December 2, 2007

You sir, Keith Ruiz, were mentioned in one of my classes recently by a professor who had you in one of his CJ classes many years ago. Then tonight I attended the annual Bobcat Pause, a campus memorial of sorts for those who walked these halls before us. I couldn't help but have that odd reminiscent smile, although I never knew you personally.

I had the pleasure of meeting Berna and the kids this time a few years back at another memorial event. But the one I struck it up the most with was Matt. Within a few years of each other agewise, we were also the same age as each other when we lost a parent LOD.

Now in college, we ran into each other again through a mutual friend we never knew we had. It's been great to get to know him yet again, and although we never speak about our sad commonality, I know he tries every day to walk and talk like you did.

He's a strong young man and a guardian to all of us, friends and family alike, around him, just as I imagine you were. He wears your badge around his neck every moment of every day, as do I of mine. Looking at your picture above is like looking at him. I can only imagine who he will become, as it is more than obvious he looks up to everything you and Berna have done to make him and the boys who they are.

M
March 28, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones today. Six years have passed and you have not been forgotten nor will your loved ones ever let that occur. You are a true hero and heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over all your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
February 15, 2007

Kieth,
You & Kenneth are like brothers to me. Your parents even joked that is was their "adopted son" we hung out so much. We sure had some good times. Stories still come up from time to time. Many of them were Broken Spoke stories. I know your in a better place right now but I just wanted you to know that Anne and I think of you all the time. Every year on our wedding anniversery we brouse through our wedding album and with our fail, Anne comments about about how handsome you looked in those pictures. Rest well my friend and we'll think of you again and again.

Civilian, Steve Sifuentez
Good Friend
February 14, 2007

Keith,
The years have passed and you are still being though of by friends and family. The world was a better place with you around. I pray for God to comfort your childrens hearts.

Sgt Scott Moore
White Oak PD
May 22, 2006

It's been 5 years and some days.....yet, no amount of time will erase the pain of your family. Your family in brown continues to honor you and your memory. Though we never met, I know that you and my husband worked together that day. Your family is always in our prayers.
You brought joy to so many. You are not forgotten. Continue watching over all of your brothers and sisters in brown (and blue). Help them to fight when they are in need and offer an added measure of protection. For you are an angel in the command of St. Michael.

February 27, 2006

Keith it has been 5 years since you have passed. I will always miss your laugh and the way you and John would make all of us laugh. You always did the best Forest Gump ever. I pray for Berna and the boys......I will never forget you.......xo Melissa

Melissa Vrba Walker
Former TCSO Employee
February 16, 2006