Sergeant Patrick Joseph Riley Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Arizona Friday, March 11, 1994  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Patrick, as I sit here looking at your picture I still cry and my heart still breaks from losing you. It seems like just yesterday not 15 years ago that you were taken from us so suddenly. I pray for the safety of all Law Enforcement Officers and especially one that is so dear to me and that is your nephew. He always said he was going to follow in your footsteps and he has indeed done that. You are so missed and loved. Kim

Anonymous

2009-03-10

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-04-07

It is hard to believe that Pat has been gone for almost 14 years.
Pat was a wonderful man and husband. I was always so proud of him. He was very good at his job and I can tell you that he loved his job and all of the people he worked with.
I am remarried now. I know Pat would definitely like my husband, I am sure they would make each other laugh!
Even though I am remarried, Pat is still very much a part of my life. That will never change.
His picture is up in our home and my husband and son know all about him and feel they know him.
I have had so much support from so many people through the years. Pat would have been proud of you all!
Pat is still very much missed, I always think about him and smile. He would love that!
Laurie

Laurie
Wife
2008-02-19

"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
2007-11-14

It's hard to leave reflections because there's not much that I remember about you. I was only 7 when you died and now am 21. But I miss you just as much as I did then. My most vivid memory is of our family playing in the swimming pool. With you and my dad throwing AJ back and forth. Or you swimming into the deep end with me or AJ on your back. I miss you so much and think of you often. I wish you could see me now. I wish you could be at my wedding in a couple weeks. I know you would be really proud of me and I know you would really like Brandon. Laurie will be there and I know she will think the same even though I know she is happy with Jim and their son.

I love you, miss you and look forward to the day we meet again.

Melynda Coffey
Niece
2007-08-29

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Riley. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

2007-03-14

Dear Pat...
You have touched SO many peoples lives...
One of which was your niece Christina; whom you had never had the chance meet in person. But, through so many phone conversations... You teased her so, that she couldn't be in Law Enforcement, "that she was just a Little Girl !!! "
You proded her into finishing school early, getting 2 scholarships and going to college for Law Enforcement.
She became a Level III Peace Officer all before the age of 18 and now is a Correctional Officer for a Sheriff's Dept.
We are so PROUD of her for this, Thanks to You!!!
To honor you for this, she has given her first born son the middle name of Patrick.
Though, she has chosen to spell it differently to show that he & she are both individuals.
The meaning behind it is still the same.
He knows, he was named after his Poppa's brother,
his Uncle Patrick...
We love you... We miss you...
Brian & Nikki

Brian & Nikki Riley
Brother + Sister-in-Law
2007-03-06

I miss my dear son so much but I know he is in a better place. He was doing what he loved, serving the citizens of Arizona, when he lost his life. He always thought of others before himself. He was a twin and it has been very hard for all of us. We will all be together again someday soon.
Claudette Riley
Mother

Claudette Riley
mother
2007-01-10

My dear brother, I have missed you so much and there isn't a day that goes by that you are not on my mind. I miss all your practical jokes and your wonderful sense of humor. I remember your graduation from the academy and remember wishing you had chosen a different profession. You were such a good cop and made such an impression on your little nephew that he is now a deputy sheriff. Merry Christmas little brother...you were in all our thoughts and hearts during this season. All my Love, Kim

Kim Riley
Sister
2006-12-31

As of our retirement--my husband and I--from MCSO in 1999, your picture was still hanging in District IV for all of the young deputies to see. They missed out on working with a wonderful sergeant. I know you and my beloved husband, who died almost two years ago,and all of the other law enforcement officers who have died before and after both of you, are helping God in Heaven. God Bless all of you, and the families that were left behind. Please watch over all of our young men and women who are in law enforcement now and in the future!

Retired secretary
MCSO/District IV-North
2004-09-04

Pat, I still think often of you and Laurie and miss you both. as I know your whole extended family from MCSO Homicide do....

2004-03-31

You are not forgotten...............

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ
2004-03-16

In memory of out fallen Brother. Never to be forgotten.

ALEA Class 292

2003-08-24