Officer Down Memorial Page

A great brother in blue that has fallen, you're still missed. I regret not getting to know you better and only knowing you in passing. Keep Heaven safe for those of us waiting to get there!

Frank M. Piepho
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
December 8, 2010

Sam was one of the most dependable people I have ever met. He was a friend to all. He left this world doing what he loved the most; helping others. I love you my brother, please keep looking out for us from above. RIP..

OFC. J Wolsey
Friend
November 25, 2010

Life with Sam was never dull or normal. We had some amazing times hanging out together, camping, target practicing, or just doing whatever random thing we did.

I sure miss you man...

Eugene V. Golden
Friend/Brother
November 24, 2010

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God"
Matthew 5:9
We will take it from here my friend. Rest in Peace.

Deputy Jesse Vega
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
November 14, 2010

To the entire Franklin County SO and family I am so sorry for your lost. Rest assured Deputy Smith died doing something he so much loved. Words cannot express the emptyness when we loose someone we love so much but rest assured Deputy Smith is now working a special beat above and watching over all of us doing what we love. RIP brother we will take it from here.

Deputy Jeremy Trostle
Saline County Sheriff's Office
August 9, 2010

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
August 8, 2010

May God lay his healing hand upon the family and friends of Deputy Smith and may they know you will never be forgotten. Thank you Deputy Smith for your dedicated service to the people of Kansas and the United States.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
August 2, 2010

I had the honor of getting to know Sam while in the academy at KLETC. Sam had achieved his dream of becoming a deputy and was loving every minute of it. Sam had a way of bringing smiles to the faces of everyone around him. It was a pleasure to know him.

To Sam's family, friends and the Franklin County SO, I send my deepest condolences. I hope that you can find strength in those around you and in memories of him.

Sam you will not be forgotten. God speed brother. We'll take the watch from here.

Officer Heather Pate
Bonner Springs Police Dept
July 31, 2010

Rest easy my Brother In Law, your watch on earth is now over. God's love and mercy be with your Family, and loved ones now that your gone.......

Sgt. John L. Gulledge (Ret.)
Escambia CO Sheriff's Office Pensacola FL.
July 31, 2010

R.I.P Young Man.....The citizens of Franklin County and the State of Kansas thank you for your Service.

Jacob Mackler
Shawnee County Sheriffs Office
July 31, 2010

RIP Deputy Smith.

Ofc. Ben Micheel
PVPD
July 30, 2010

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Department, Columbia, SC
July 30, 2010

rest in peace

L Lawrukiewicz
Meade Co. Sheriffs dept
July 30, 2010

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain; but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.


Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of US Marshal
July 30, 2010

Rest easy brother.

Trooper
Michigan State Police
July 29, 2010

God Bless the family and friends of Deputy Smith. May the Department heal inspite of this untimely death of their hero. Deputy Smith gave his life trying to be sure someone else was safe. Another American hero gone too soon.

Mom of CO Springs Officer
Colorado Springs Police Department
July 29, 2010

Rest in peace brother... Thank you for your service.

Anonymous
July 29, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and family memebers that are left behind and cannot follow. Rest in peace my brother in blue...we will take it from here.

PFC Adam F Laser
Westminster City Police Department
July 29, 2010

My heartfelt condolences go out to Deputy Smith's friends, family, and co-workers. A life cut too short. Thank you for your service. You will be missed.

Anonymous
July 29, 2010

For Deputy Sheriff Samuel A. Smith:

The call for help from the public is always an emergency to the person making the call. As law officers, we respond to these calls with the intent of providing the best possible service. Each of us places the response time proportionate to the urgency of the call for help. It is an individual decision no matter what policy might exist.

We regret that our brother Sam would be involved in a crash that would take his life. We respect that he was simply doing what we all do - providing the best possible service to a citizen calling for help. This alone makes him a hero among heros.

We pray for Sam's family, friends, co-workers and all who care about him. May they be ready to support one another as the needs arise.

I am proud to render Deputy Samuel Smith a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennylvania State Police
July 29, 2010

Deputy Smith,

Rest in peace sir.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft
July 29, 2010

We are so sorry for your loss of Sheriff Smith. Our hearts are with you all as you honor and mourn him. We thank him for his sacrifice. With many thoughts and prayers.

Colorado Springs Police Department Wives
July 29, 2010

My thoughts and prayers go out the family, friends, and co-workers of Sam. Sam you achieved the goal of becoming a deputy so you could keep the citizens of Franklin Co. safe. Now you can be assured your fellow brothers/sisters in blue will continue what you started. And now you can watch over them from above. RIP young man and thank you for your service.

Officer Scott Davies
Beloit, Ks. PD
July 29, 2010

Rest in peace bro', we'll take it from here.

PO JA Bottillo
Troy NY PD
July 29, 2010

God Bless you young man.

Rick F.
Ret. CO
July 29, 2010