Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Christy Jo Dedman

Metro Nashville Police Department, Tennessee

End of Watch Monday, July 19, 2004

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Police Officer Christy Jo Dedman

Thinking of you and all of your friends on this day. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and close friends and they journey through life. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

July 19, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the sixth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 19, 2010

Christy, It's coming up on 6 years since you left us and today I talked about you with other agents who didn't have the privilege to know you as I did, when you worked for us. You spent many days and evenings helping me at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in the training of new Detectives and Officers. To this day, whenever I'm there, your spirit is always with me. You and I talked a lot over the years...about family, friends, your dreams of becoming a Police Officer, and we shared so much laughter in between. Your smile and positive attitude was so contagious. There is no doubt you would have been a future leader in the department. I saw that in you. As time passes we hurt a little less....but always know, my thoughts and the thoughts of your law enforcement family will always be about you.... Christy, you will never be forgotten.

Special Agent Mike Breedlove
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

June 11, 2010

Dear Christy as we celebrate your 5th anniversary of your passing, I just wanted to let you know you are still on the mind of all of your co workers and people in the community. May you rest in peace...

Anonymous

July 19, 2009

Thinking about you and your wonderful family today. You will never be forgotten!

Officer Kristen Chipoletti
VPD (Nashville)

July 19, 2009

Dear Christy,

I just wanted to say that there is not a day that goes by that my mom doesn't think of you. You were very special to her and the day you died broke her heart. She misses you so much and I know that Nik misses you too. You were a good friend to him. I only got to know you for a short time, but I am glad that I did and you will never be forgotton. Rest in peace.

Madge Gentry
friend

June 23, 2009

Thinking of you and your family this day.

Anonymous

July 19, 2008

Christy,

I went to DC and visited the LE memorial. I found your name on the wall and stood there thinking about you. I'm sorry that I did not get the chance to meet you. I worked your wreck as a Crime Scene Investigator and pushed my emotions aside as I tried to do my job. As I stood there and looked at your name on the wall a rush of emotions came over me. I will never forget you. Rest in peace Sister.

Det. Chris Brennan
MNPD

July 18, 2008

Christy, even though we have never met, your sacrifice is a constant remider of the dangers that every one of us in Law Enforcement. As I read what happened, I can't help but think of my first brush of death, I faced a month back.

I was working a crash scene on the reservation, and on one of the side roads I saw a truck approaching. I let my partner know I was going to make contact with the driver of the truck and see if he had known anything about the acciident. As the truck got closer I had shown my flashlight in it's drirection to have them come to where I was at, and all of a sudden the driver punched the gas and veered the truck towards me. I didn't have time to draw my weapon, but I dove into the ditch, being narrily missed by at least 2 inches.

It angers me that people have no regard for other's lives, and will go to great length's to avoid jail.

What you have done, is very real, and I only hope and pray that you see this, and will be a guardian angel for each and every fellow sister and brother in our profession.

God Bless You so much!!!!!!!!!!

Officer Michael Sparks
#10 L-2

Officer
Quinault Nation Police Department

July 8, 2008

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

REST IN PEACE!

Sgt. Meshia Thomas
UTPD

June 6, 2008

I was coming back from Memphis today with my two teenage sons. I began talking to them about that fatal night on I-40 when you were taken away from us. As I reflected and shared my story with them I found myself getting very emotional. I want you to know that for me no day goes by that I do not encounter a small reminder of you. I may drive past that missing piece of concrete wall with the cross on the interstate or I say or do something that reminds me of you. But today I learned that even though times slowly goes by the thought of you never fades. I live each day as though you are watching over me. Thanks for the back up. RW

February 4, 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

January 30, 2008

Officer Dedman, thank you for your brave service to our city. You are not forgotten. May you rest easy. My continued prayers are with you and your family.

Deputy Sheriff Wilfert
Davidson County Sheriff's Office Nashville TN

December 8, 2007

Rest in Peace... We have the watch now. Please keep us safe from your new beat in heaven. God Bless your friends and family!

Supervisory Special Agent (LT)
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

August 15, 2007

Dear Christy,

I sat by your Mom in a group session in Washington in 2005 and she put her arm around me to steady me as we shared about losing our precious sons and daughters. I know they love and miss you more than ever, time does not make it easier, only when we are all back together. Someday...oneday....only then.

With Loving thoughts,
Matt's Mom Always

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/2004

July 19, 2007

thank you for your service. There are so few women officers, even today. I am glad you broke into a field which is mostly male and proved women can handle the job like men can. You are sadly missed.....Rest in Peace

July 19, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Dedman on the anniversary of her passing. May God continue to comfort you all.
Heros are never forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

July 19, 2007

I see my only reflection was written in 2004, but when I
came to this site I remembered your face. It's easy to
see from these heart warming reflections that you were
definitely one of Metro's finest! I am happy that you
found your calling and served with class. May those who miss you feel the presence and comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

July 19, 2007

Christy Jo,
I pass the crash site regularly and I say a little prayer for you and your family every time. I thank you for everything you did to make Nashville a better place for us all. I know the night of the crash, you were displaying your way of life by helping others in need. The "family in blue" is very proud of you and will always miss you. Your new tour of duty is to keep heaven safe for us all.
Walter

Sgt. Walter Hughes, Retired
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

July 6, 2007

You are remembered on National Peace Officer's Day.

May 15, 2007

Just to let all who post messages know we thank them for their reverence. I was Christy's detail Lt. we have got the section of I-40 where Christy was murdered named in her honor, also a section of Hwy 100 in front of her parents home. Also we have erected a large black granite monument and two black granite benches in the front of the Precinct in her honor. As I drive by the crash site daily I see the chunk of concrete missing at the top of the retaining wall damaged by the crash, and remember a bright young energetic officer. She was always in great spirits and tried to go the extra step on every call. We have kept in very close contact with her parents and brother who are fantastic people, it's easy to see where Christy got her beaming personality. Her parents bring food to the details here at the Hermitage Precinct on a very regular basis and visit with the B detail that Christy worked on. Not many of the old detail is left, a lot of them have been promoted or moved on to other assignments. Two have been promoted and came back as Sgts. I only hope the new ones on the detail can carry the burden of serving the public as well as Christy displayed the 5 1/2 months she was on the B detail. I will remember all officers who lost their lives that I have know here but none as much as Christy who had just began a career she wanted and deserved.
Duane

Lt. Duane Williamson
Metro Nashville P.D.

May 1, 2007

Thinking of you today. Your picture stills hangs in the office. We miss you. You will never be forgotten!

Sgt. Jason Beddoe
MNPD

April 25, 2007

I don't know why, but even though we never met, your story, face and dedication struck a cord within my heart. May you rest in peace.

March 24, 2007

officer dedman, i followed your story and it broke my heart to see such a beautiful person taken away. my father was a patrolman who was shot and killed in the line of duty in stanford ky. i heard about you on the news and it just broke my heart. when the driver that hit you was slapped on the wrist i couldnt believe that he wasnt being punished. a few weeks later he was arrested for wreckless driving at a market that i frequent. i was so glad that he messed up and this time they punished him more. i have worked the majority of my adult life as a truckstop employeee, cooking and waiting tables. i hear these "professionals" bragging about breaking the speed limits, having a legal and nonlegal log book. i have heard them brag about how much cocaine they use, how they even take horse steroids to make their deadlines on time. something has to be done to take those type off of the road. maybe god is going to use you for that example i believe god has a reason for everything. thank you for your service. god bless you and your family. i see and read about alot of officers that have fallen. i think you are special. the only reason this happened is to wake people up and to save innocent lives. you will be vendicated.

kimberly kidwell
daughter of fallen stanford ky officer

March 4, 2007

Rest in peace, BLUE ANGEL! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

November 4, 2006

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