Officer Down Memorial Page

I still can't believe you are gone! I have so many fond memories of you Tom; playing softball, going to the driving range and breaking your driver, karaoke, or just hanging out. I miss you dearly but have peace knowing that you aare in a better place.

Scott Wilson
Friend
March 13, 2012

Thinking of you and your family today. I will never forget this tragedy.

Kathy McEntee
Sister of Sgt. Bill McEntee
February 7, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 4th 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.

Time never diminishes respect and you will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your mom for sharingi in her reflections her devotion to you. I share her anguish in losing a beloved child which surely has to be life's greatest sorrow.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
February 7, 2012

Thinking of and praying for you, Cindy and your entire family today. You are never forgotten.

Jayne McEntee
February 7, 2012

Tom,
It is hard to believe fours years have passed since that terrible day. I was honored to have known you through explorers and have put many of the lessons you taught me into practice in my own career. Rest easy now, Officer Ballman. We have The Watch.

Deputy Ethan Doerr
Vinton County Sheriff's Office, OH
February 7, 2012

Tom,
Four years have passed and we will never forget your sense of humor, your zest for life, your pride in service to country and community, and most of all that we were blessed with the opportunity to have had you in our lives and for that we will always honor your memory.

Amy & Roger
Friends
February 6, 2012

Another Christmas is coming and my heart is so heavy. Putting up the Christmas tree was very hard and a tearful event. The music of the season which you loved just tears me apart.
I don't think I could ever make you understand just how much
your leaving has broken my heart.
You are my only son and I miss you so very much. I know you are in the Best Place but I wish you were back with me just so I could put my arms around you and tell you how much I love you.
I miss you my Son. Always, all my love Tommy

Sue Carol Neely
Mother of Officer Tom Ballman
December 4, 2011

I just successfuly graduated from the 2011 St. Louis Area Law Enforcement Exploring Association Training Academy, and had the great pleasure of being awarded the "Tom Ballman Award for Best Overall Explorer". Having lost a father myself I can safely say that Tom Ballman sounded like an exceptional man who stived for nothing short of perfection, persistance, and sincere dedication to not only his career, but to the ones he loved also. I try to strive for all of these aspects and characteristics in not only my workplace but with the individuals I encounter on a daily basis. Being commemorated after such an exceptional man is truely a great honor, particularly when that same man is a role model to many of those around him, to those he had never even met.

Parker Smith
St. Peters Police Explorers
July 30, 2011

We went to the Fritz Foundation event Friday and there was a great turnout. Cindy has honored your life well.

It's hard to believe it has been three years since you were taken from your family, friends, and community.

You'll never be forgotten.

PO Dan Retzlaff
Brentwood PD MO
February 7, 2011

My heart is heavy with sadness and my eyes overflow with tears. How could it be 3 years since you were killed? Sometimes it seems like forever since I've seen you and like today - 3 years! Impossible.
I surely didn't think I could make it this long after you died and here I am still sad and longing just to hear a word from you or be able to see and touch you.
You were a wonderful son and my whole life changed 3 years ago today. This whole family mourns for you.
Needless to say just how much I miss you my son.

Love you forever and ever.

Mom

Sue Miller-Neely
Mother
February 7, 2011

Thinking of you and your entire family today. You are deeply missed - and never forgotten. Continue to watch over your family.

Jayne McEntee
February 7, 2011

To SGT Ballman (US Marines), You were a smart and courageous leader. You taught us to do our job well. You made us laugh until it hurt and you will always be in my thoughts. Thank you for your service.

Corporal Eli Wheeler
United States Marine Corps 1st Batalion 5th Marine Reg. Dragon Plt
January 19, 2011

Tom,

I cannot say anything that would be different then that of anyone else but I can say this...

As you know I am working in the department that you told me would be the best department for me. You showed me the way and you believed in me from the beginning! I miss you more every day and wish you were still here as many of us do. Every call, traffic stop, and every time I pass el indio I think of you. You were the one who gave me direction and showed me that there was more to just arresting people to this job.

I wish you were here to see me now, you would be proud.

Miss you!

Anonymous
October 28, 2010

Happy Birthday My Son:

This would be your 40th Birthday. Oh how we would have loved to have a big party with lots of people, food and of course, beer. But as it turns out, there will be no party here. We are putting a 40th BD balloon and flowers on your tombstone and also at your station on the Memorial walk in KW. Thanks to Jill, Scott, Tony and on the walk, thanks to Karen & Larry Armstrong.

I am still in Texas and soooo sad that its hard to perform any tasks on my job. Tears keep coming as people send emails acknowledging your 40th.

I remember 40 years ago and the excitement of having a baby boy after two baby girls. Wow it was wonderful. But on Feb 7 2008 the wonderful turned to horrific! You were such a good person and a wonderful son and wonderful father, husband and brother. I always ask, "How could this have happened to you"? But its what you always wanted to be - a policeman. Taking the good with the bad is so hard to swallow.

I'm coming to St. Louis for your Fritz Memorial Golf Tournament - the 2nd. Know it is filled and will be great.

Honey, I think of you daily and pray to and for you. I will always love you.................

Mom

Sue Miller-Neely
Kirkwood, Mo
October 4, 2010

Well today is the day I have been thinking about for many months. Today is Toms 40th Birthday. I remember how excited his father & I were when we had a boy after two girls. Today is the day I would have hoped we would be attending a 40 Party for Tommy. Bringing gifts to him. But instead we are putting flowers and balloons on his grave and on Toms KW Memorial. My heart is so heavy today and the tears flow freely. I miss my baby boy sooo much. Only another parent who has lost a child would understand. Tom I hope you are having a day of golf and drinking beer and eating birthday cake on the Other Side. We on this side are flying the flag at half mast and doing anything to ease the pain of your loss.

I will always love you more than life itself my baby.

Tommy, Happy Birthday.

Your Mom

Sue Miller-Neely
Mother of Fallen Officer, Tom Ballman, Kirkwood, Mo.
September 29, 2010

Hey Tom,

We lost another brother in blue from St. Joseph's MO yesterday in a training accident. It brought me here. It never gets any easier to come to work and not see you in the office. I miss giving you crap about that dam mini-van you drove, I also miss hearing you give me crap about my truck!!!

How great would it be to see you again, and spend time just talking smack and laughing till it hurt, then laugh because it hurt.

I miss ya brother!!!

Will-

Ptn. Will Haskell #270
Kirkwood MO Police Department
September 16, 2010

Oh Honey: you have another Brother there with you. A new St. Louis police officer having arrived there a short while ago. I know all of the Thin Blue Line was there to greet him and you are huge in numbers.
As you know, I miss you constantly and still do a lot of crying. But I know you are thrilled with where you are with you Heavenly Father. Wish I could give you a kiss but my prayers are the best I can do.
Will Miss you forever....................Mom

Sue Carol Miller
March 25, 2010

Well last Sun was Feb 7. It is the worst day in my life! and this year is no exception. I couldn't sleep and when I did it was like watching a newsreel of Feb 2008. I miss you so much Tom. This is year 2 and it sure hasn't gotten any better. I just cry sad tears. No one should bury their child - their only son............

I know your life is wonderful where you are. You certainly deserve it honey. You are a wonderful son, husband, father, brother and friend. Heaven received a good soul when you arrived.

I think of you everyday. I miss you constantly. I love you honey.

Mom

Surviving Mother of Officer Tom Ballman
Mother of Fallen Officer, Tom Ballman, Kirkwood, Mo.
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 8, 2010

His ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by the law enforcement family. May the Lord continue to comfort all who mourn his tragic loss.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister & granddau. of LEOs
February 7, 2010

Tom- I just wanted to let your family know we are thinking of them as the anniversary of losing you approaches. It was so nice meeting them all and I hope to see them again. Thanks for everything that you did for the community.

Kelly Sloan-Brown
Officer Nick Sloan's sister - EOW 1/30/04
February 6, 2010

Please know you and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers on this unfortunate anniversary. I think of you often and I smile thinking about all the laughter that must be going on up in heaven. Keep a special watch over your family. You are never forgotten.

Jayne McEntee
February 5, 2010

Hi Tom - I was thinking about you and your family today. I know the anniversary is coming up and it still hurts. I want to watch the video of my brother's funeral and hear you sing again. I haven't been able to do that, but I remembered something you said to my daughter when you two were practicing to sing for a memorial mass for Bill a year later. You told her she had the voice of an angel. Well, that was you. You have the voice of an angel. I will listen to you sing. I've enjoyed spending time with Cindy and your family at the various events throughout the year. They will be in my prayers.

Kathy McEntee
sister of Sgt. Bill McEntee
January 24, 2010

Well Tom, you and Bill have been gone now for almost two years. I received a card from the Marine Corps League concerning some type of fundraiser and I will try to make it in your place. I look around the department and realize that there are some people still hurting and there are some that will ever get over losing you and Bill, even though they may not show it. The void you two left will never go away, no matter how hard we try to move on. I just wanted to stop by and let you know that you are never far from my thoughts. Your perpetual smile and laughter will always be missed. I miss our interaction over our military lives and who was better, the Marines or the Army and I still smile when I think of our conversations. Rest easy Tom, we are trying ...

Lt. Cliff Pope
Kirkwood - Fellow Officer
January 23, 2010

I had the honor to meet your family over the weekend. I can't believe how strong your wife is...to deal with what she has, I don't know that I could have done so myself. Your children helping their mother decorate for Christmas..thinking to myself how hard it must be for them. When the news broke about the shooting all I could do was pray for all those involved and the praying will continue for your family. You would be so proud of them. You have such a beautiful family and I wish them nothing but the best in life. I thank you for doing the Duty of protecting others, for being strong and fighting the daily war. God Bless you, your family and friends.

Anonymous
November 23, 2009