Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Chestnut,
Your dedication and commitment to your job, family, and to life itself can never be summed up in words. Your actions certainly spoke louder about the kind of person you are remembered for being during your lifetime.
Born and raised in Maryland what that man did to you and Officer Gibson felt like someone coming into my backyard uninvited and did the unthinkable. I watched your service on television with a heavy heart. I cried. The pain of someone so noble and personable to the community and his family being lost is undescribable. However, your service...it was simply amazing. A celebration of your life was carried out and it seemed as if the President of the United States was being buried that day. It was easy enough to know that someone just as important if not more was being remembered that day.
Thank you JJ for striving to make the world a safer place for so many people. You're looking down and I just know there's a smile on your face. Godspeed Officer. I salute you.

Jonathan
A thankful person

May 22, 2006

Rest in peace brother, may God bless you and your family.

Patrolman

February 24, 2006

I recall the day you lost your life. It was all over the media. Sadly, to the media, the loss of you and Det. Gibson seemed to be a footnote to the story of a man with a gun entering the Capitol. However, to those of us 'on the job', your loss WAS the story.

Your service to your country was to be admired. Thank you, God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Ptl. Jim Leahy Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

November 15, 2005

Thank you for your service you are a true hero.

Explorer Chris Chappell
Maryland State Police

March 7, 2005

Rest in Peace Officer Chestnut.

Chris Chappell

August 15, 2004

Officer Chestnut, I just came from a police academy graduation of new U.S. Capitol Police recruits, here at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia.

You would have been so proud . . . your wife was the speaker and addressed the class. She was wonderful . . . her words were filled with wisdom and love. I felt that she enriched my life . . . she has a special presence about her, as I'm sure you did. Thank you Officer Chesnut for your many years of military and police service . . . you are a true warrior. I will touch your name on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington, D.C., when I visit in the Spring. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer).

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)

March 2, 2004

Our hearts go out to the family of Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson. You can be very proud of them for their service to our country and their fellow man. May God bless you both and guide both of your families and coworkers through this most difficult of times. Be proud of them always. You served us well......RIP brothers.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

February 19, 2004

The policeman stood and faced his God. Which must always come to pass. He hoped 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 ain'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 awfully tough.
But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep. Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though ar times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many 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 Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't- I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgment 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."

Author Unknown

Jason Choate
Criminal Justice Major Bluefield State College

Lament on the Death of an Officer

He protected our streets

He protected us all

Yet one hateful man

Has caused him to fall

He wanted to keep us safe

To protect us from what is bad

He was not just a cop

He was somebody's Dad

Now his wife and children are crying

Did anyone care while on the floor he laid dying

How do you tell his children

Daddy was killed because he was a policeman

What immeasurable cost

A life, yes a life was lost

He sacrificed his all

He will be another name on the wall.

The media in their lust for a story

Did give us the details gory

Does anyone understand the pain

Caused by this man being slain

To many, a policeman is a target,

But I will never forget

The sacrifice he made for me

He died trying to keep me free

Dear Lord above I pray

Protect our policeman everyday

And let us never forget

Those who have prematurely left.

By Kelly Stallings on July 28, 1998

I am the daughter of a fallen officer.  I know that this poem is a little
bit harsh, but it angers me when an officer is senselessly slain.  I wrote
this poem in memory of Officer Jacob J Chestnut and Special Agent John
Gibson.  My continuous prayers are with their families as well as all of
the families of fallen officers.  I will never forget them.

Kelly Stallings

THE TEARS OF OUR NATION

It was a typical day in our nations capital.

The law makers were making laws.

The visitors were visiting,

and the police were policing.

But something would change.

Two families would be torn.

The law enforcement community would be thinner,

and tears would be seen throughout America.

Two brave officers would give their lives.

Two brave officers would save the lives of many.

A greatful nation will pay their respects,

While their heros will lie in eternal rest.

The law enfocerment community will come together.

The citizens of America will mourn

While the flag drapped casket of two brave officers ,

will be given a final salute by all.

The time has come

to let these brave men go.

The time has come.

the let them walk the beat on heavens streets.

Written by:

Kayhla Brown

Dedicated to Officer J.J. Chesnut & Special Agent John Gibson

Killed in the line of duty 24 July 98

A day our Nation will never forget

Kayhla Brown
Baltimore, MD