Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It is with great sadness that I thank the family of Deputy Fiorentino for his 26 years of service in law enforcement. The nation has lost a hero.

Joe Blake, Corporal
LaPorte, IN Police Department

March 21, 2014

Deputy Del Fiorentino. Thanks you for your service and RIP.

DET LT TOM BRAWLEY, RETIRED
COCONINO CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE< FLAGSTAFF,ARIZONA

March 21, 2014

"When God Made Police Officers"


When the Lord was creating Police Officers,
he was into his sixth day of
overtime when an angel appeared and said,
"You're doing a lot of fiddling
around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order?
A Police Officer has to be able to run five miles through
alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter
homes the health inspector wouldn't touch,
and not wrinkle his uniform.
"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car
all day on a stakeout, cover
a homicide scene that night, canvass the
neighborhood for witnesses, and
testify in court the next day.

"He has to be in top physical condition at all times,
running on black coffee and half-eaten meals.
And he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said,
"Six pairs of hands... no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems,
"said the Lord, "it's the
three pairs of eyes an Officer has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded.
One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket
before he asks: "May I see
what's in there, sir?"
(When he already knows.)
Another pair here in the side of his head
for his partner's safety.
And another pair of eyes here in front that
can look reassuringly
at a bleeding victim and say:
"You'll be all right ma'am."
(When he knows it isn't so.)

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve,
"rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a
model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol
car without incident and feed a family of five
on a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the police
officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the
elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings
in its sleep; detain, investigate,
search, and arrest a gang member on the street
in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate
the legality of the stop... and still,
it keeps its sense of humor."

"This officer also has phenomenal personal
control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell,
coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder
victim's family, and then read in the daily
paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the
rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger
across the cheek of the police officer. "There's a leak,
"she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to
put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades,
for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the
American flag, and for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber.

"I didn't put it there," he said.

Rest in peace my friend. You were my role model and inspiration. I have a leak! My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, friends and department.

Lieutenant Troy F. Fry
San Bruno Police Department

March 21, 2014

"When God Made Police Officers"

When the Lord was creating Police Officers,
he was into his sixth day of
overtime when an angel appeared and said,
"You're doing a lot of fiddling
around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order?
A Police Officer has to be able to run five miles through
alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter
homes the health inspector wouldn't touch,
and not wrinkle his uniform.
"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car
all day on a stakeout, cover
a homicide scene that night, canvass the
neighborhood for witnesses, and
testify in court the next day.

"He has to be in top physical condition at all times,
running on black coffee and half-eaten meals.
And he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said,
"Six pairs of hands... no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems,
"said the Lord, "it's the
three pairs of eyes an Officer has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded.
One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket
before he asks: "May I see
what's in there, sir?"
(When he already knows.)
Another pair here in the side of his head
for his partner's safety.
And another pair of eyes here in front that
can look reassuringly
at a bleeding victim and say:
"You'll be all right ma'am."
(When he knows it isn't so.)

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve,
"rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a
model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol
car without incident and feed a family of five
on a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the police
officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the
elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings
in its sleep; detain, investigate,
search, and arrest a gang member on the street
in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate
the legality of the stop... and still,
it keeps its sense of humor."

"This officer also has phenomenal personal
control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell,
coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder
victim's family, and then read in the daily
paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the
rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger
across the cheek of the police officer. "There's a leak,
"she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to
put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades,
for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the
American flag, and for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber.

"I didn't put it there," he said.

Rest in peace my friend. You were my role model and inspiration. I have a leak! My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and department.

Lieutenant Troy F. Fry
San Bruno Police Department

March 21, 2014

May the family's fond memories help them through this difficult time.

Patrol Officer (former)
Greeley Police Department

March 21, 2014

RIP Sir.

Citizen, South Africa

March 21, 2014

Thank you for bravery and your service. Deepest sympathy and prayers to family and friends. You are hero and your sacarfice will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Sgt J Walter
Richmond PD Virginia

March 21, 2014

Rest easy brother, you have stood your watch with pride and professionalism. Go to the promised place where you can look down to see your brothers continue what you have started. Thank you for your service. May the light of Christ ease the pain on the ones you have loved, and those who have loved you in return.

Sean D. Creamer, Chief
TPSU; New Bern NC

March 21, 2014

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Psalms 37:39-40
Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Paul Schanno- Honor Guard Member
State of MN Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

March 20, 2014

My deepest condolences. Thoughts and prayers goes out to his family and the Mendocino County Sheriff's Department. "We Stand With You. We Grieve With You. Thin Blue Line..."

Deputy J. Reymundo # 1531
San Francisco Sheriff's Department

March 20, 2014

May you rest in peace Deputy Fiorentino.

Det./Sgt. Allan Jones
Lincoln Nebraska PD/ Retired

March 20, 2014

Thank you for your bravery & courage on our behalf. We understand that you were quite a light in the lives of many. We will always remember your life and all that you have given. Sending our thoughts to your family at home and at the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

Cover Your K-9 Team
The Police & Working K-9 Foundation

March 20, 2014

My thoughts and Prayers tonight are for the family, friends and fellow officers of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office over the loss of Deputy Sheriff Ricky Del Fiorentino. God Bless you Officer Fiorentino for your many years of service in protecting the people in your jurisdiction. Rest in Peace Brother.

Ed S.
Grateful Citizen

March 20, 2014

Rest in peace brother, you have earned the ultimate right to watch down on the rest of the law enforcement community. Your passing will not go without every peace officer having heavy hearts to losing a fellow brother. God bless you, your agency and most importantly your family.

Retired Sergeant Mark J. Gibbon
Fort Irwin, Ca. Police Deaprtment

March 20, 2014

Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

S. I. Dake, Lt./IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

March 20, 2014

GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY, & FRIENDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNSELFISH SERVICE.

James P. Waggle
Civilian

March 20, 2014

Being a law enforcement officer in any department is dangerous work . Having been the resident deputy in Covelo for 7 years, I know how sparse the deputies in Mendocino County are. It is so tragic when any law enforcement officer is injured or dies at the hands of criminals. As a working enforcement officer, my heart and prayers go out to the family, friends and the entire Mendocino County Sheriff's Department. Ricky will be missed as an friend, member of his community and as a peace officer.

Investigator E. R. Scotty Baker
California State Fire Marshal

March 20, 2014

Rest in peace brother, bless your family and the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

TFC Widener L.
Connecticut State Police

March 20, 2014

RIP Deputy Del Florentino

Police Officers
Scottsdale Police Department

March 20, 2014

My heartfelt thanks to the Fort Bragg Police Officer who ended the terror caused by your murderer. You both are heroes.

Though you leave a gap in the rolls of the Mendocino Sheriff's office, you can never really be replaced. So long as those who know and love you best keep you in their hearts and minds, you will never truly be gone.

God Bless and may you forever Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

March 20, 2014

RIP

Stephen Bruet, PPO II
NC Department of Public Safety

March 20, 2014

Deputy Sheriff Ricky Del Fiorentino rest in peace you are
now a member of an elite group The Thin Blue Line
of Heroes. There is no greater sacrifice that one can give
for his fellow man. To the Family I salute your lost loved one,
and pray for you during the days to come. Ricky Del will be in
the company of heroes forevermore.

The Thin Blue Line of the Fallen are Standing at attention
in their class “A“ uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass,
They are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement.
All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others,they welcome you to this hallowed place.
As you march down the Thin Blue Line of the Fallen, all eyes are
focused on you as if to say it will be ok you’re with your eternal
partners. A salute follows and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well. Now come join the ranks, another member
of The Thin Blue Line has come home.



Your Brother in Law enforcement

Dr. stan phillips Usa Ret, Ms, Bs
Walnut Grove Ms Police, Lt. retired

March 20, 2014

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place.
As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say “it’s OK, you’re with your eternal partners.”
A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.
Officer Jim Weaver (#11452), Los Angeles Police Department retired
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Retired)
Jerome County, Idaho

March 20, 2014

May the good lord welcome you with open arms, for you have done your job well.

Chaplain Douglas J. Maykowski
Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge #187 Mt. Clemens Michigan.

March 20, 2014

Our deepest sympathies goes out to the friends and family of Deputy Del Fiorentino. We would like to thank him for his 26 years of service in law enforcement. May he rest in peace.

Zone Five Academy Session 56
New York State Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy

March 20, 2014