Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

August 9, 2007

Dear Sergeant Sottile,

I often find it hard to understand all of the hate and pain that goes on around us everyday. The senseless acts of violence seem to come without end. I remember the emptyness that I felt when I heard what happend, and I couldn't help questioning why God would allow this to happen. I know all of us feel the same pain and emptyness, and I pray that the Lord blesses your family, as well as our little town, for on the night of January 12, 2007 our little piece of heaven on this earth was turned to hell by one senseless cowardly act. But I know that with the conviction and compassion of this community we'll will survive.
God bless you Sergeant Sottile and Godspeed.

Let all who come after you know: That as long as there are good people willing to stand up for what is right, then their is indeed hope for the future.


Zachary Birge
Lake Placid, Florida.

July 13, 2007

Sgt. Sottile is one of the best people I have ever met. The FHP and everybody who knows him has suffered a great loss. I am proud to have known you, and learned from you. God bless you and your family.

Deputy RJ Longo
Orange County Sheriff's Office, FL.

July 11, 2007

I haven't spent a lot of time this year reading the memorials of the fallen officers, mainly because it saddens me that so many great men and women have fallen. It's a terrible thing that so many great lives were cut so short. As a fallen officer survivour, my heart goes out to all those that knew and loved Sergeant Sottile, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in this journey that you walk and that Nicholas will not be forgotten here in Winnipeg.

Sergeant Sottile, thank you for helping to make this world a safer place. If you run into my late fiance Dennis up there give him a hug for all of us down here. It's been just over four years and we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne
"Forever Loving & Missing 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

July 2, 2007

any man who would be so willing as to risk his life or shead his blood, for the sake of all that is good and just, is as noble as any king who has ever walked the face of this earth.

Godspeed and God bless

June 29, 2007

I don't know what I can say to express how sad I am for your loss. I know that Sgt. Sottile was a good man if he was on FHP. I never appreciated how much my father did and how fortunate I was to have him come home from his shift each night. I only hope that you are able to find comfort in the words and support here. I have always been proud to be part of FHP family and respect those that serve, but until I read this I did not know how fortunate I was. God bless you and give you strength.

Donna
Trooper's daughter

June 27, 2007

Dear Nick....Time goes by and I know things never change. I was there that day at your funeral as a dignatary on behalf of Commaander Tom Knight. I was honored to be there since I handle some of the Tampa Bay Bucs and brought them with me: Chris Hovan #95, Jason Maniecki #90 and Dan Buenning #72. When Tom Knight introduced us to all your fellow troopers outside under the white tent before the service, we felt privileged to have known of you. We could feel the loss and the hurt your fellow boys sustained. Some shook our hands while most hugged us for support to help fill the void. We in Tampa, will always miss you. You served our community well and for that, we are forever grateful. When we caravaned down to Sebring in Trooper cars, you could feel the loss the community sustained as you entered Lake Placid and Seabring.

At graveside we stood in formation as well with your boys 2 rows back as your family marched in slowly with overwhelming grief, and I began once again to realize what life means to me. It gave me a reality check not to take life for granted. When they played taps, I do not think there was a dry eye in the cenetary, including my own. There was one Trooper there that stands on the sideline at every Bucs game with me here in Tampa who was trying to hold back the tears like me. I have more respect for law enforcement than you know now and for you making that initial sacrifice to give me freedom and for that Nick, I am forever grateful. God wanted you now and he set you free. I thank you my brother.

Sincerely,

David C. Williams,
Citrus, Sarasota and Polk County Special Deputy
3226 Bayshore Blvd. N. E.
St. petersburg, Florida 33703
1-727-647-5963

David C. Williams
Citrus, Polk and Sarasota Special Deputy

June 8, 2007

I can still remember nights at 7-11 in Lake Placid hanging out as a kid. Local cops like Nicky would stop to get something to drink. Nick was always a decent man when you said hello to him.
That was the early 90's. Later in life I became a patrolman in Wauchula, FL and can still remember getting pulled for something I definately deserved a ticket for. I remember Nicky clipping the corner of my Florida driver license instead of a ticket when I explained my dad would kill me. Instead of a citation, I got a stern warning and Later meeting Nicky at the 7-11 without being judged by him.
I too have been that cop that has had to make a descision to hard time a kid for a dumb mistake or be that type of an officer that has had a break or two in his day.
This goes out to those officers who hung out on those nights at 7-11, but especially you Nicky, a good man, father, officer and one who set the presidence for others to follow in their careers. You made the difference in more ways than you'll ever know.
May God Bless your family.

Michael Stone
Highlands County Sheriff's Office

May 29, 2007

The memory of a good person is a blessing.
Proverb 10:7

God bless your family and friends. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

May 15, 2007

Rest in Peace brother! Heart felt condolence to your family!

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside, CA PD

May 13, 2007

Rest in peace Sgt. We'll take it from here.

Ofc. Michael Cavett
Gainesville Police Department

May 4, 2007

In Valor their is hope...he goes on

May 4, 2007

My prayers are with Sergeant Sottile's family. May the sweet peace that only God can give caress you each day. He surely was a fine man. Words cannot tell you how much I respect each and every member of his family for the sacrifice they gave along with his.

Darla GibbonsMeyers, sister of fallen officer Lindell Gibbons, end of watch March 23, 1985

sister of another fallen officer

April 16, 2007

Sergeant. Your great sacrifice should never be considered in vain, every day we carry on in the knowledge men like you were taken before your time and we never forget. Rest in Peace.
Robbie Colcott
Victoria Police, Australia

Senior Constable Robbie Colcott
Victoria Police, Australia

April 6, 2007

My deepest sympathies to you and your family in your loss. Words seem so little during these days, but know that you are being remembered by officers and their families across the entire nation. I am praying for you daily, that God will give you just what you need at exactly the time you need it in order to get through every day. We don't understand life sometimes, but we work our way through it, one day at a time, with God's strength and grace.

Sincerely,
Carla H. Lyon, widow of Asst. Chief Deputy Keith Lyon, EOW 05.09.06, Knoxville, TN

April 5, 2007

Each time another brother dies in the line of duty it leaves a pain in my "heart" that is indescribable. After 24 years of service he should have been able to enjoy his earned retirement. May you rest in peace.

Sergeant M. Kahn, Retired
Metro-Dade Police Department

March 24, 2007

I do not know you. But My heart goes out to family of the fallen officer.

Prayers are being lifted up for the family and friends.

One of my friends Son was also killed in a Traffic stop in Orlando. Orange County Sheriff Deputy Michael Callin.

Something that no one can take away from is all the memories of your life. Remember those on the days that you are feeling a little low and don't know where to turn.

Cry, Laugh and Share with your family and friends.

Take care my friends..

Nancy Beauchamp IL.

March 17, 2007

Sgt Scottile:

I am very sad to learn of your passing so needlessly. I salute your service and that of your son who carries on in your footsteps. Your sacrifice to the State of Florida is not forgotten. My thoughts remain with your family, friends and colleagues. God Bless.

Former NC Trooper

Chief J.A. Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist. LEO

March 2, 2007

Time to Learn

The hand is cold
that once held mine.
I can't believe you've really left this world behind,
I can't wait,
I can't hope,
I'll get over this in time.

"It takes time to learn
when someone's gone for good,
their not coming back
like you wish they would.
In the empty hours,
when you miss them so,
then it's time to learn
to let them go."

Your last hours
we never knew,
we never had the chance
to say goodbye to you,
Words unsaid and things undone,
we just begun
and now we'll never see them through.

I heard these words sung on a cd - Yes it takes time to learn, maybe a lifetime. May time easy your pain and may God give you a special measure of comfort.

Mother of officer Lamm EOW 1-1-98

February 27, 2007

Rest in Peace Brother, You made the ultimate sacrifice. For that you will not be forgotten. May God bless you and watch over your family.

Officer Levesque
UPD

February 23, 2007

Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten. God bless your family and friends during these troubled times. Mahalo for your many years of service and your sacrifice.Mahalo and Aloha.

DS2/WALL
Hawaii Sheriffs

February 20, 2007

RIP Sgt Sottile.

February 18, 2007

The men and women of the Mississippi Highway Patrol send our condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Sottile. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve. Sergeant Sottile, thank you for giving the ultimate sacrifice so that the world would be a safer place. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Trooper
Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop J

Trooper
Mississippi Highway Patrol

February 14, 2007

Rest in peace brother. Your sacrafice will never be forgotten.

Officer Tim Kittredge #15369
California Highway Patrol

February 9, 2007

To the family and loved ones of Sgt. Nicholas Sottile and his fellow officers with the Florida Highway Patrol:

On behalf of our family, I want to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Sgt. Sottile was brutally murdered in the line of duty. His valor and courage will never be forgotten.

In reading the loving reflections left by family and friends, it is obvious that Nick was an amazing man who touched many lives in a positive way. I can see that he is so loved and will be missed by so many. Especially touching to me are the reflections left by his fellow officers to say how much they admired hin for his work ethic, for being a good family man, and for his enjoyment of life.

The circumstances of Nick's death were heart breaking and I know caused much anquish for all those affected.
May his family be comforted by the support of fellow survivors who share this painful journey with them, and by their law enforcement family.

May Nick's spirit continue to soar and his memory continue to inspire. May God hold Nick, his wife and children, and his other family members in the warmest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years if distinquished service Nick gave to his community and the citizens of Florida, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 12, 2007.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater of the Pittsburg, Ca PD eow 4/24/05

February 4, 2007