Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ray brought a lot of laughter to his friends. Ray is still missed by many of his friends. I treasure the experiences Ray sharded with me and the education he provided to me as a new deputy. Ray enjoyed fishing and sharing his off time with family and friends. Ray was taken that night for a reason unknown to his friends but his memories are still with us. He is truly missed by all at the camp.

Deputy Bruce Dowdy
Brevard County Sheriff's Office

April 24, 2007

Deputy Sheriff Warner, thank you for your service. Continue to watch over your family and your brothers and sisters in uniform.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

July 25, 2006

11/03/04

Gone but not forgotten. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County Illinois Sheriff's Dept.

November 3, 2004

Ray -

I didn't really know you. I was only introduced to you a couple of times during my 4 1/ 2 years of employment as a
Telecommunicator with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

I wasn't on duty at the time of your death; however, I heard
the whole call on the radio - from the start to the finish. I
couldn't believe what I was listening to. This was the first,
and hopefully last time, I heard such a horrible thing.

I hope you are resting in peace. It's been over 7 years
since I left BCSO but I wanted to let you know - you will never be forgotten. From time to time, I STILL remember June 13, 1996.

As a former co-worker, I'm sorry it has been this long after your death for a reflection to have been left. It was only
recently I was told of this website.

I hope your family has been able to heal from losing you
in such a horrible fashion.

Barbara Arnovitz
Rockledge Police Dept.

January 14, 2004

The Policeman stood and faced his God.

Which must always come to pass.

He hopes his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

Step forward now, Policeman.

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To my church have you been true?

The Policeman squared his shoulders and said,

"No, Lord, I guess I didn't.

Because those of us who carry badges

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays

And at times my talk was rough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the streets are tough.

But I never took a penny

That wasn't mine to keep.

Though I worked a lot of overtime

When the bills got just to steep.

And I never passed a cry for help

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had to much,

But if you don't I'll understand.

There was silence around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the Policeman waited quietly,

For the "Judgement of his God."

"Step forward now, Policeman."

You've borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in hell.

(Anonymous Author)

Anonymous

Ray, I didn't know you, I started working at BCSO after you died. But you have not been forgotten by your coworkers. There were many people who loved you and miss you to this day. I thought you should know that.

Have you ever wondered what dispatchers think of you?

It's hard for us to understand the hell that you go through.

You told me once that you have been a cop for many years.

You briefly talked of good times, but never of your fears.

Every day you prattle on, your chatter fills the air.

I sometimes wonder if you have a clue who's in my chair.

My nerves seem wrapped around my throat; I wait for your "10-4."

I breathe a little better when I hear your voice once more.

Life would become difficult for those you left behind

If you were cut down needlessly by a fool who lost his mind.

I imagine that it's on your mind each time you draw your gun.

I think about it every day before my work is begun.

I see the black band on your badge and it gives me a chill

To recognize the darkest evil lives in this world still.

I force myself to smile when I know you're watching me.

I'm hoping that you'll never ask, "Is that a tear I see?"

It troubles me to think that I may not hear you again,

You're much more than a cop to me - you have been my friend.

If anything should happen, I would miss you every day.

I promise you I'll do my best so harm won't come your way.

But sometimes I don't have control; it's then I say a prayer.

Help me, Lord, to keep them safe - let them know I care.

Don't let them know I worry, just let them be all right.

I pray that You'll be with them throughout the day and night.

Lord, if their lives are ended by bullet, crash or knife,

I ask that You would be there with their grieving husband or wife.

Let their children be comforted, knowing until the end

It was the good of all mankind their parent did defend.

There's never time to say this when I'm on the radio,

But I have two things to ask of you, old cop, before I go.

I really do respect you; you've survived the job this long.

Please answer when I call you, and forgive me when I'm wrong.

June 5, 1998

Dispatcher Michele Hriciso
Brevard County Sheriff's Office, FL

Rest in peace. We have the watch now.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

I WORKED WITH RAY FROM 1983 TO 1983
HE WAS A GOOD COP..!! HE WILL BE MISSED

DEPUTY SHERIFF JEFF SCHACKART
BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFF