Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Cunningham - Three weeks ago, I stood in the State Assembly chambers when your name was one of almost 250 read off during a motion regarding next month's Police Memorial Week. You are not forgotten.

Thank you for you service to the people of Vail and the state of Colorado. May God grant you eternal rest and may His perpetual light shine upon you.

Chief K. Moreland (Ret. Sgt.)
Palmer Lake, CO PD (Ret. LAPD)

May 7, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

May 6, 2010

RJC I think of you often and I miss my dear friend. Thinking of you today especially on your birthday. XOXOX

Allyson Hunt
Friend

January 6, 2010

Ryan, it has been a long time! I think of you and Karen often. You were an amazing man. I miss the friendship we had with you and Karen. Families are forever, I'm so thankful for that knowledge. Karen is one of the strongest woman I have ever met, I still remember her comforting us after we heard the news. Your memory lives on in all the lives you have touched. Thank you!

Magali Cromar
Old friend

December 19, 2009

I think of Ryan often, and I am sure Ryan is continuing to do the Lord's work...

Del Sharp
Friend

November 13, 2009

I was talking to Halle this morning from Iraq, and as often happens while doing so, you came to mind. Ryan, you should be so proud of her. She wrote a short story book at school and was so excited about it. She was proud because her classmates wanted her autograph because she did such a great job. I am sure you are with her every day. She is turning into such an amazing young lady. She is going to go far in life.

Keep watch over her my friend. She knows and loves you and we talk of you often. I showed her the leather bracelet you were wearing the morning you passed on. She held it and asked if it was really yours. When I told her it was, she held it for the rest of the day.

You are forever missed my friend.

IPA Kris Lulloff - Baghdad, Iraq

November 13, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 8th 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 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 6, 2009

RYAN, REST EASY BROTHER.....

TROOPER CLIFF FISHER
FLORIDA HWY PATROL/TROOP L

June 11, 2008

YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 7, 2008

Hey Ryan. We were good friends growing up in Utah, before you moved to the east coast. You could burp the alpabet and I broke my foot on your trampoline. You moved, but our families kept in touch, we saw each other whenever we could. We both decided to serve missions at the same time. We both came home from our missions, went to school, and we both apparently didn't learn anything because we jumped into law enforcement with both feet. It's funny how our lives started together as neighborhood buddies, and has mirored each other in our lifes choices since then. You died in the line of duty just after your first year of service, I learned of your death in my first year of service. It was at that moment, hearing of your widowed wife and child, as I looked at my wife and newborn, that I realized we had decided not on a career, but in a way of life. You dedicated your life to uphold what is dearest to all of us, and gave your life in its defense. I still go to work willing to fight the good fight, and I remember you, my friend and brother, who fought the fight with me in this life and I'm sure your still fighting it in the next. My prayers are with your family and I know your with me every time I have to go and do the things others refuse to. Thank you Ryan, you were always an example.

Detective Mike Fullwood
West Jordan Police Dept. Childhood Freind.

December 27, 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

December 9, 2007

You will never be forgotten Ryan! God Bless the Cunningham family, friends and the Vail PD.

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD Fla.

September 25, 2007

Cant belive that it has been 6 years... you are missed and we continue on.... Miss ya

May 10, 2007

Hello,
It has been nearly 6 years now since your death. We grew up together in Pensacola, Florida and my heart still aches of an old friend and an old crush I once had when I was 14 years old. Everyone had a crush on him but he ended up dating Tiffany. I will always remember the memories of our friendship; I still have all your letters from your mission many years ago. They really uplifted me and I admired your good works: Spreading the Gospel to all who opened their hearts to the truth. Thanks so much for including me as your dear old friend. Thank you that it was a blessing to have met a wonderful man who influenced my life. You will always be in a special place in my heart. God bless his wife, Karen and his little girl Halle. It's such a blessing that "Families can be Together Forever".

Sincerely,
Liza Strickland

Liza
old friend and admirer

March 25, 2007

I don't know you and I never had the chance to meet you, but your wife is my best friend. She is an amazing mother and friend. She is stronger than anyone I have ever know. She is taking such good care of Halle and is doing wonderful things with her life. I am thankful for the knowledge that families are forever. I know that I will have the opportunity of meeting you at some point in the future and I am excited that You, Karen and Halle will be together again.

K.M

January 13, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

September 14, 2006

I can't believe it has been 5 years tomorrow. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday, and sometimes it is a million lifetimes away.
I went to the State Capitol on Wednesday to watch them adopt the Memorial Police Week Resolution and it was so neat! I know you would have just gotten the biggest kick out of it.
Halle is getting so smart and we talk about you every day. She even takes her vitamins like you did- with food instead of water. Funny how she is so much like you. Her favorite part of the memorials every year is all the flowers she gets to hold. She hates the gun salute, though she tries to be a big girl about it. You'd be so proud of her. She also loves to hear about Ed the lizard and how you got one of his teeth stuck in your knuckle. Those were the days...

Someday we'll be able to tell you about all the things we have done, places we've gone and people we have met. Till then, know that we miss you and love you and think of you all the time! Forever, K

K

May 5, 2006

Ryan-
Just remembering you today. I miss you more than any words can ever describe. My brother, my best friend. I know you are watching over us all and laughing, "Carpe Diem!" Not a day goes by that I don't miss you.
Ricci

P&P Officer Ricci Cunningham-Cross
Sister

April 24, 2006

The passage of time has not made us forget you, Ryan ~ you will always be our brother in arms, and you will remain in our hearts and our thoughts forever. Thank you for watching over us and keeping us safe.

God Bless You, 204.

Officer Jackie Ogden
Vail Police Dept.

July 15, 2005

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

April 28, 2005

It is hard to understand how fast time moves on. It has been almost 4 years since I lost you brother. Ryan, I have kept my promise and I know you watch over us all. Halle is growing to be such a strong and beautiful girl. She still looks so much like her dad. We talk about you often, and she knows you. As I say goodbye to another fallen brother on this site, I ask that you receive him and show him the way.

Investigator Kris Lulloff
Douglas County Sheriff (Ret. VPD)

April 11, 2005

Ryan,

Not a day goes by that I don't think about you in some aspect. You were very instrumental in my life. I've got 2 months until I can go to the Post Academy, and it's thanks to you and the other members of the Vail PD. I still remember the last time we spoke (the night you gave me my application for the VP2 program, and the night before you moved on). We had some good times together my friend! Basically I just want to thank you for everything you did for me during your life, and after. I'll definitely be thinking about you in the months to come! Thanks again Ryan, and God Bless You!

And to Ryan's family: Thank you for raising such an upstanding son, and role model. My prayers are with you all...

Cadet Alexander Hall
Boulder County Sheriff's Office

March 16, 2005

dearest ryan,

i woke up to a dream about you this morning... so strange to see your face so cleary even though we had lost touch for a while. so i googled your name online to try to find you, and all i could find were memories. and as i write this, i still can't believe you're gone...

i am at work right now, tears in my eyes and trying to keep it together.

you were my first love, my best friend and my whole world for a year until your parents decided to move to florida from connecticut... do you remember that day they drove you over to my house to say good-bye to me?

we kept in touch, even after you moved to colorado, and after last night's dream i just wanted to maybe find you, see how you were doing, say hi and catch up. i was thinking about the time we went on that class trip and i squirted ketchup in your face by accident. and now, to read your story, to know that you had been a police officer, and a father...

but hopefully someday, somewhere, we can have that chat, and catch up, and watch the sun rise, and the earth spin, and the stars swirl away until forever.

i love you, ryan jay cunningham.

my love and prayers go out to your family, and you will always be in my heart.

pamela sapio
childhood friend

December 13, 2004

I had the honor of serving along side Ryan as a police officer. His unbelievable contributions as a person, a friend, and police officer will always remain in my thoughts. Your courage carrys on in all who work this job, God Bless, We Miss You!
C. Bettis - Vail PD

Detective
Vail PD

June 29, 2004

I had the honor of working with Ryan at Vail PD. He touched all who knew him with his professionalism and kindness. Ryan, I know you are now patrolling the heavens and keeping it safe. See you some day my brother, I miss you.

Agent Paul J. Barben/Ex-Vail PD Peace Of
Lakewood Police/Ex-Vail PD

June 19, 2004