Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Eventhough it has been over twelve years since we lost Sowa, I can still remember the calls and the talks we had on the morning watch. It makes me smile everytime I think about Sowa lecturing me on my driving skills. I always thought I was the better driver.

Officer Tina Martin
Atlanta Police Department

November 18, 2009

Thank you for your service. God bless you and your family.

Officer
Georgia

October 30, 2009

Just wanted to let you know you were in my thoughts.

-Christian

Anonymous

October 13, 2009

It has been twelve long years since you lost your life....It seems like it was just yesterday but life has gone for all....So many young men and women have lost their lives for reasons just like yours....not necessary at all...we think of you so often and your family is always in our hearts and prayers.....your were one special young man....and a good cop......

Anonymous

October 4, 2009

Hey Son! I know you don't want me telling your age but imagine you would have been forty years old this July 22nd. How time flies....It has been almost twelve years since your were taken from us and it seems just like yesterday...You are always in our hearts and never, ever forgotten.....Love you so much......mom

mother

July 9, 2009

I worked with John for a year or so on the morning watch from 11.00pm to 7.00am. John and I ate dinner just about every night. I know he loved his wife and family because he talked about them all the time. I'll just say this, John was a good man. I miss him and think about him and his family all of the time. The world was and still is a better place because of him.

Officer Greg McLaughlin
Atlanta Police Department

November 3, 2008

I can't believe it has been 11 years. This is the first time I have left a reflection, but please know that you are thought of often. I stopped by the police memorial on Sunday (10/12/08). I went to your name, on the wall, and said a prayer for you and your family. You are missed so much and you will never be forgotten.

Angela Hamby

October 14, 2008

Its been 11 years now Rick. I still can't believe it. I wish I got their sooner. I'm so sorry.

Sgt. J Bentley
Atlanta Police Department

October 13, 2008

It has been 11 years today. We still miss you. Much love.

Anonymous

October 12, 2008

Well son it has been eleven long years since you were taken away from all of us....In all these years you are in my thoughts each and every day....I wonder what it would have been.....I think of all the times when you were growing up and always wanted to be that special COP....all the time....

We all love you and miss you.....

Mom, Jamie, Kim and family

christine
mom

October 8, 2008

Please keep an eye on things around here, getting tougher by the day

prissy

August 22, 2008

Although I didn't personally know you, I knew Pat C. very well. Her and Carole (my niece) would come to my house when they were in Savannah. I always like to think that you may have asked God to spare Pat before you died. When I go to GSPSTC for training, I always reflect on your name of the wall of honor. Rest in Peace brother.

Joe Williams
Law Enforcement Officer

August 15, 2008

Over the last eleven years I have thought about you often. I was thinking about you tonight and came across this link when I googled your name. I'm sorry had not seen this site before; if so I would have written much sooner. I've spent the last hour reading what everyone else has left and fought back the tears as I read the reflections. I know that you know Alan and I were with you that night. My memories of that night have been forever etched into my mind. I was tormented often, following that night, about whether the outcome would have been different if we were only able to get there sooner. Alan and I worked with you only a short while but I never forgot how you welcomed us to the precinct and our watch. I've since left the PD and work for the federal government. The pay is great but does not come close to the fun we had on patrol. Alan left the PD too and is currently working as a government contractor in Afghanistan. I've gotten married and shared with my wife the friendship and partnership we had and the tragedy surrounding the events of October 12, 1997. I hope you keep an eye on Danielle, your mother, sister and your cousins Jolene and Jeff; my thoughts are with them. I will never forget that night. I will never forget you. You are in my thougths always; Keep watch over us.
-Christian

Christian Whyte

July 2, 2008

hey there, just got a email from your mom, looks like one day soon, we will be in atlanta again. i hope it is sooner than later. gotta run for now,,, just remember to keep a eye on us!!!! hugs

theresa clement aka prissy
catholic charities of the diocese of baton rouge

May 23, 2008

Well son, it has been eleven long years and today when i went online to view some reflections prissy has not forgotten you....she is a wonderful person and though so highly of you...as a mom it has been such a hard eleven years and i truly miss every minute and every day of your life...you would have been 39 years hold now and i wonder everyday what life would have been like for you....i truly do, but i now you are in a better place and that you watch over me each and every day....i love you rick and always will....rest in peace my son.....mom

christine roth
mom

May 9, 2008

well buddy it has been awhile since i have written and im sorry about that. I have been doing some work with Special Victims Unit for the FBI lately and that has kept me busy but a good busy. It is hard to believe that is now close to 11 years ago when we got that call, and we were all at Grady for hours and the only contact i have now are some from Vwap, couple of the judges and and old Brown, still doing good, retired from Vice after God knows how long!! lol... was about time.
Well Lawlwer still sits in jail, constant appeals and they are not getting better aout that kind of stuff in Ga. Your mom tells me your wife remarried so I hope she is happy. I guess this will always be the darkest day in my life, more so than all that happened at Fulton county. That was crazy, but different even though i knew them all,, I guess it was just cuz we used to joke around in the courthouse. welll sweetie, gonna let you go for now. Dont worry about mom, or sister they are doing fine, your mom moved and is happy in her new place but you know all this already. Who would ever had thought that all these years later just because of the simple question of Campbell i would still be in touch with mom and family, still trying to get that dummy in the ground.. anyway, know you are loved by so many and missed by more, llove me

prissy
vwap

March 16, 2008

I never had the chance to meet you, but i have had the chance to meet your mother. It was in passing and i found out she lives in my town where i work. She talked so highly of you and brother i know your gone now, but i promise that i will try my best to keep a check on your mother and say a kind word. I hope and pray if something ever happens to me, someone would do the same. We have a bond like no other, that only other officers would understand. So rest easy bro, and when its my turn to go, we will patrol the streets together. Ill buy the coffee.
Officer K.R. Crumpler
Pinehurst,NC

Senior Patrol Officer K.R. Crumpler
Pinehurst Police Dept.

February 22, 2008

Rick I heard of your passing recently. It had been 15 + years since I heard your name. I was and am deeply saddened. I will always rememeber you as the guy in basketball practice with a smile on your face.As I look at your picture I still see that guy. Rest in peace my friend.

Michael Handzel
High School classmate

January 17, 2008

Rick, its been 10 years. That seems incredible, and yet you are in our thoughts all the time. On the anniversary of the day we lost you I want you to know you are missed, loved and thought of. I am so glad we got to meet you and know you even for such a short amount of time. Thank you for being a part of our lives. You will always be in our hearts.

October 12, 2007

On the anniversary of your passing we remember you and thank you Sir for your service.

This writer is pleased with the killer sentance

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 10, 2007

"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

October 8, 2007

Well son, it has been a long ten years. Friday will be the tenth anniversary of your death...It seem like it was yesterday...You just cannot believe how your nephew Andy is doing in college and Angela is into so many sports...You would be so proud of them...Your sister is great as well and all of us talk and think about you every day....You are never out of our thoughts, that's for sure...Your sister went to the American Police Hall of Fame and she left you a teddy bear that says "I LOVE YOU BRO", so hope you feel that special wish in your heart from her....She loves you so much.....and of course Jamie and I love ya a bunch too.......

CHRIS ROTH
MOM

October 4, 2007

Rick, I have kept you and Danielle in my prays for a long time and will continue too the rest of my life. I still can think back to the days when my wife, you, Danielle, and my twin brother would go to six flags together, and all the hanging out we did. As we went through the academy together our friendship grew as we both were strangers to a new city, but we were able to fulfill our dreams of becoming police officers. I miss you buddy, sorry I have not written before, but believe me when I say you are always in my thoughts. I now have two kids and they have seen the memorial picture I have of you in our house, and they have asked about it. I tell them what the caption I have ingraved under it, "A Friend, A Pal, A hero". I ended up leaving Atlanta and moving back to Minnesota, but I'm still an officer. I'm having a hard time writing this due to all the memories I have, good ones and the bad one. But I want you to know Buddy, I was later at your side.......and I know your still at mine watching over me. Miss you buddy!

Jeremy Graves
Duluth Police Department, MN

September 28, 2007

well buddy,, havent been here for awhile,, sorry about that,,Yesterday i got the bad news of two more down in bastrop la.
one in particular, kept a close eye on kellie when she was going thru her teenager stage.
got a email from ur mom the other day,, things are well, as can be expected.
talked with brenda muhammed, from VWAP not long ago and she told me that the Arse is stil there , still appealing,, Im sorry ,, he should be long gone by now.
well, just wanted u to know im thinking bout ya,, wish u were still here,,, but know u are in a much better place.
I finally got out of the craziness of the crime commission and law enforcement related stuff altogether and am now with Catholic Charities usa,, just got a promotion and am now the Immigration Outreach Specialist,, great title right? pay sucks but we were never in it for the money were we???
well im going to write on chucks site now,, but wanted to come by here first,,,
still missed by so many,, prissy

August 21, 2007

HAPPY 38TH BIRTHDAY MY BELOVED SON....YOU ARE SO SADLY MISSED BY ME, JAMIE AND KIM AND HER FAMILY....IT HAS BEEN A LONG TEN YEARS SINCE YOU LEFT US, BUT I KNOW THAT YOU ARE WATCHING OVER US EVERY DAY.....YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES.....LOVE MOM

christine roth
mom

July 23, 2007