 | Probation Officer Eugene T. (Tal) Groover Jr.
Georgia Department of Corrections
Georgia
Friday, July 9, 2004 |
Your heroism and service is honored today, the fifth 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.
Rest In Peace.
Phyllis Loya Anonymous
2009-07-09
You are remembered today Sir of Your untimely death. Thank You Sir for Your Service. God Bless You and Your Family. J Mullens
Federal Bureau of Prisons
2008-07-09
"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
2007-12-26
I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of P.O. Grover. I was a Counselor attending
the training session, when the tragic event occurred.
I only knew him briefly, but he striked me as an
individual who gave 110% percent in whatever endeavor
he attempted. C.I.U./C.O. I. Burnett
New York State Department Of Correctional Services
2007-11-07
To the widow of PO Groover:
God had a plan for you beloved husband. Now PO Groover is looking down on you from above passing the time away until he sees you again. You and your family will be in my prayers during one of the hardest days of the year.
2007-07-09
Dear family of Officer Groover,
I just wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers today, on the second anniversary of Tal's death. Jordan talks often about our trip to Oregon and the friends he made there. Tell the boys he says hello and hopes they are doing well. Take care and God bless you all.
Lori, Jeremy and Jordan
Kernersville, NC Lori Johnson Rowley
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson, FCSO, NC, EOW 11/11/04
2006-07-09
You are remembered on the second anniversary of your untimely death. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04
2006-07-07
Dear Tal,
I didn't get a chance to know you because I worked in the north part of the state. I heard your wife speak at this Summer's G.P.A. conference about how great your loss has been. May the LORD JESUS CHRIST continue to comfort your family here on earth as they eagerly await seeing you again. Thank you for your many years of service to our precious State.
P.O. Herrera State Probation Officer
Georgia Department of Corrections
2005-09-16
Hagen and Reed,
Just letting you know that I am glad I got to meet you in Oregon. I know you miss your step-dad as much as I miss my grandfather. I lost the paper with your number on it, so I haven't called. If you still have mine, call me.
Take care, Jordan Jordan McAlexander
Grandson on Fallen Hero, Sgt. James Johnson, NC
2005-08-03
Thinking of you on the first
anniversary of your death. Our hats
are off to you for your 22 years of
dedicated service. So sorry you
didn't get to enjoy the retirement you
so richly deserved. Our hearts go
out to your families, both at home and at work. God bless all on the
journey to healing.
Lynn Kole
Washington State
2005-07-10
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Tal's during this very emotional and traumatic times of your lives. May God grant each of you the strength to continue on and for Concerns of Police Survivors to assist in the rebuilding of your shattered lives. Roger Parker
Concerns of Police Survivors - Georgia Chapter
2004-08-22
I would like to thank all of you who have been so kind to share your condolences. We lost my father so suddenly on July 9, 2004. He was not only a great law enforcement officer, but a great father, husband, and friend. Our lives will never be the same and there will always be a missing piece. Thank you all for everything. Jennifer Groover
Daughter of Tal Groover
2004-08-21
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY 911 DISPATCHER, ERICA TOLSON
LANCASTER/GARRARD 911
2004-08-16
Farewell for now my Brother. We are grateful for your faithfulness and dedication to duty. Rest assured that your loved ones are never alone for we are but a phone call away.
Bob Johnson VA-VI Bob Johnson U.S.Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.
2004-08-04
“When God made Peace Officers….”
When the lord was creating Peace 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 Peace 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 their uniform.
They have 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.
They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have 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 the 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 they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”
“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work 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 civil service paycheck.”
The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.
“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.
This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They 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 Peace 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 sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.
Anonymous
Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
2004-08-04
To Probation Officer Groover family, friends, and the Georgia Department of Corrections. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Officer Groover for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace. Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland
2004-08-02
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH
OFFICER GROOVER, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.
GOD BLESS... PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
2004-08-01
My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Tal did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Tal be the last to die this way.
Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Probation Officer Groover's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.
Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Tal is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Tal was well respected and well loved.
Thank you Probation Officer Groover for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.
Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness! Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)
2004-08-01
My thoughts and prayers to Officer Eugene (Tal) Groover, his family and to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
You will never be forgotten!! Sergeant Damon Cole
Double Oak Police Department, Texas
2004-08-01
Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Probation Officer Groover for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.
For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.
IF I KNEW
If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.
2004-08-01
The officers of the 67th Precinct Anti-Crime Team with to extend their condolences to the friends, co-workers and family of Officer Groover. 67th Precinct Anti-Crime Team
New York City Police Department
2004-07-30
Thank you for those 22 years, Tal. May God bless and be with your family in their time of sorrow. Jessica Combs
Charlton County S.O.
2004-07-29
My prayers and condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of PO Grover. Patrick J. Donohue
NYPD
2004-07-29
I would like to extend my condolences to Officer Groover's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Georgia Department of Corrections. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Officer Groover, your duty here is done.
Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office
2004-07-29
Rest easy Brother ! Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.
2004-07-29
 Return to top
No Reflections may be electronically reproduced without permission from the ODMP. Please use this contact form for further information or to report violations. | 
