Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I first met CAPT.Bernal in 1997 when I started at the academy as a prehire.I was assigned to the academy doing jobs for the staff.I was told to see CAPT. Bernal because he needed some items picked up from D.C..I went into see him and he gave me a sticky note with what he needed picked up.We started talking about where I was from and what i used to do before coming to Virginia.I told him I was from N.Y.and I was a firemen.we then some how got into talking about motorcycles.That was it,,,after about an hour of talking about motorcycles i said I better get to D.C. to pick up his things he wanted. As I was getting ready to leave he started smiling and saying I already had 3 strikes against me starting the academy...1.I was from N.Y. 2.I was a firemen and 3.I ride a Honda. After I finished the academy and went to my duty assignment the CAPT got transferred to Traffic division and now was in charge of our Motor Squad.I kept in touch with CAPT. Bernal for the next couple of years and finally got my chance to go through the process for the Motor Squad.While in front of the board the CAPT.said that I already had 3 strikes against me for this positon...The CAPT.then told the board that I was from N.Y.,,I used to be a firemen and I ride a honda...CAPT.Bernal then just started laughing.A month later I was in our motor school and riding with CAPT.Bernal on the day he was killed in FrontRoyal VA. CAPT.TOMMY BERNAL was a inspiration to me and everybody he worked with..He will be missed but NEVER forgotten.I'm sure he is patroling heaven on his motor.

PFC C.J.WOLFERT
FFX COUNTY

In memory of Captain Tommy F. Bernal
Inspired by Officer Jeffrey Snodgrass
Written by a Dove

BEHIND THE SHIELD

Look, What did I see?
Listen, What did I hear?
Sniff, What did I smell?
Feel, What did I touch?
Taste, What is this taste?

I was a soldier always alert.
Most saw me as just one in a Blue shirt.
I lived with my senses extremely high.
Survival was the way for me to get by.

Not many saw the other side,
My life, my children, my lovely Bride.
My committment was steady,
and I stood at the ready.

I stood between good and evil, part of a line that is Blue.
Many did not see the second line with a red hue.
It drained from the Blue just like pouring rain.
It was the Blood of an Officer who had been slain.

There is but another wider line along side.
They are the tears of those I have left behind.
I died with honor as I willed it to be.
I made a difference...I hope there are some that can see.

It would have been easier if what I wore,
Were a soldier's fatiques and fought in a war.
But, the Blue and the Gray,
Were colors I had worn to say,

That my love for this country
Was shown by taking care of the fray.
Many didn't see the difference between me and the criminal,
And that what I represented was something much more than minimal.

Each day I drew my strength from within,
And from my Brothers and Sisters who shared in the Din
Of the fight against crime to be Icon and "Sir".
That balances the Warrior with the Peace Officer.

We are the Hawks patroling the asphalt skies.
Doves are protected by our vigilent eyes.
The Freedoms we have, caused us a blood sacrafice,
We willingly strove daily to maintain Freedom at this costly price.

All that We ask in return for giving in our way
Is the respect that we have earned at the end of our day.
When all is said and when there is a moment without clatter,
We want you to recognize that it was us and we mattered.

I see from the other side and through time's haze
You, my friends, now live in different days.
I wish I could be there serving beside You.
But destiny has called me to be a Guardian of Blue.

F.D.N.Y. were just letters before.
Now I can see to you that they mean much more.
Fight, Forever Defend, Never Yield.
That is the New Motto behind the Old Shield.

This has been quite a year
Since that day I left here,
Many are now joining the Guardians of Blue.
Our motto reflects the times just as you.

F.D.N.Y. were just letters before.
Now we stand with you as you fight your new war.
Fight, Forever Defend, Never Yield,
That is OUR motto behind Our New Shield.

Anonymous
Citizen

I met Tommy several times, unfortunately it was at Police Funerals, he was a very caring and professional man.

Tommy you will be missed! God Bless You......

Sgt. Dave Munyan
Baltimore City Police Dept.

I WORKED FOR THE FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A DISPATCHER AND AN OFFICER 1981-1984. I DON'T REMEMBER, BUT I PROBABLY MET YOU SOMETIME DURING MY TENURE THERE, BUT I DO REMEMBER YOUR NAME. I WAS SADDENED TO SEE YOUR NAME AS I UPDATED THE BOARD HERE AT WORK FOR FALLEN OFFICERS. NOW YOU ARE WITH GOD AND LOOKING OVER US AS WE CONTINUE YOUR WORK. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF CAPTAIN BERNAL. GOD BLESS.

DEPUTY DAVID MCCUEN
PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FLORIDA

I had the pleasure in October 2000 of being the only Toronto Officer at your Rodeo. I must say that your motor squad is the most impressive group of Police Motorcycle officers that I have ever come across. I hadnt met Cpt. Bernal but I am sure that he was a fine officer. I was unable to attend the funeral but my thoughts are with you guys.

Detective Constable
Toronto Police Service

I was saddened to hear about another law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.

Last month I lost my partner in a motorcycle accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Captain Bernal and the law enforcement officers that served with him.

Sergeant Tobey Whitney
Fruita Police Department (Colorado)

I am saddeded by the death of Captain Bernal. I have been a police survivor for eight years, since my first husband Virginia State Trooper Jose' M. Cavazos was killed in the line of duty. I wish I could relieve some of the pain and sorrow his wife and sons will carry.
I convey my respect for Officer Bernal's career and to a family that supported him.

Linda Cavazos Dixon

Linda Cavazos Dixon

Dear Captain Bernal:

I just like to say THANK YOU, for working with COPS KIDS, as a police survivor I attend the Memorial in DC, both my children went to Fairfax Academy this year and enjoy it very much..Once again THANK YOU and May God Bless you always...


Terry Miyares
widow
Officer Emilio Miyares
Hialeah Police Dept., Florida
E.O.W. 11/6/86

Terry Miyares,
Hialeah Police Dept.

Thank you for being you. We will not forget all that you have done for us and the Dept...FXPD/216

Anonymous

Capt. Bernal, I just got back from your funeral and I wish you could have seen all the officers there to honor your life. I didn't really know you but you are my brother. Your accident has struck all of us very hard. Our agency has been so lucky to not have to go through losing one of our own. I hope we never have to again. Sir may God welcome you home and know your brothers in blue and grey will never let your memory die. Save us all a spot in Heaven. Your Brother, J.W. Snodgrass

PFC J.W. Snodgrass
Fairfax County Police Dept.

Captain Bernal,

I founded the ODMP six years ago and have been adding heroes like yourself to its pages every few days ever since. However, until I attended yours today, I had never even been to a law enforcement funeral. I would like to thank you for protecting Fairfax County - my home town - and for being such a brave officer.

Your funeral was attended by thousands of officers from around the country - and I even saw a cruiser from Ontario, Canada, there. I will never forget watching your funeral procession go down I-66 (which they closed for you) while standing on the Jermantown Road overpass.

Again, thank you for your years of service to Fairfax. May you rest in peace, Captain Bernal.

Chris Cosgriff, Chairman
The Officer Down Memorial Page

It is with heartfelt sympathies that I write to the family and the Fairfax County S.O. I recently lost a close friend in the line of duty. Time will heal, but WE WILL NEVER FORGET OUR FALLEN COMRADES. We have one another to hold us up and each other for comfort. Rest in peace, Brother.

Deputy Belia Fessenden
Pinal County Sheriff's Department/AZ

You are not forgotten! We will continue to do the job in your honor and in memory of you and all who laid down their lives so that we could live in a civilized society. We are stronger because of you. Rest in peace.

PTLM. M.W. LUDLOW
PALMYRA POLICE DEPARTMENT, NJ

To the family and fellow officers, of Cpt. Bernal, I am greatly saddened by your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. May God Bless you and help you find the strength and courage to continue with life. Our brotherhood has suffered a tremendous loss, Cpt. Bernal is now safe in Gods arms guarding the gates of Heaven. God Bless you Cpt. Bernal, for all that you have been and for all that you have meant, to the people whose lives you have touched..."

Sergeant Richard Lopez
United States Capitol Police

YOU WILL BE MISSED CAPTAIN,,YOU WERE TRULY AN INSPIRATION,,

PFC JH URIE
FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPT

My deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the family and the other officers.

Police Constable Tim Burrows
Toronto Police Service-Toronto Canada

rest in peace capt., your tour has ended.

Anonymous

I am absolutely stunned. I was just with the Captain in May for the COPS Kids gathering at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Facility and he was telling me that he was thinking of retiring soon. The Captain was an outstanding gentleman and a great friend of the COPS Kids program. He was totally unselfish in his efforts to do whatever he could to make life better for police line of duty death survivors, and in particular the children. Policing has lost one of its finest and he will be sorely missed. God Bless.

Officer Bill Brown
Weymouth, MA PD Motor Unit

To the family of Captain Bernal

How sad to hear of another officer killed. Today someone called me and let me know about Captain Bernal death, it hit home as I have a guest at my house very close to my family who works for Fairfax and I am the one who is going to tell him about the Captain's death...sorry and may God Bless your family and your friends.

Terry Miyares
widow
Officer Emilio Miyares
Hialeah Police Dept., Florida
E/O/W/ 11/6/86

Terry Miyares,
Hialeah Police Dept.

All police officers feel a Terrible sadness when a fellow officer loses his life. The sadness never ends.Pray for his family and friends who will suffer the loss the most. Rest in peace . kenny

Deputy Sheriff Kenny Hetrick
Ottawa county Sheriffs Dept

I met Tom a few year back when we were going through MSF Motorcycle Instructor School. Immediately, when I entered the classroom on the first day, I knew I was not alone. Another brother of Law Enforcement was there. We bonded in the class and became good friends. Don't be fooled we always had remarks about the other's agency but, it was clear being a Cop was all that matter.
Tom, was just a few years older than me and always encouraged me to move up the ranks. He would say how good it feels to make a difference, maybe not on the front line, but, being the one who made things happen.
Tom's life was in my mind the way it should be. A loving family that he talked of often (I should say, all the time!), a job he did for the love of it and proudly serving his country and his community.
I think if I could see through my tears tonight, I would write all night long. I hope somehow Tom knows how much he effected my life. A Friend, a peer and a mentor.
I will miss the comfort of knowing you were only a phone call away.
Good bye my friend.
Mike

Sergeant
Metropolitan Police Department Washington DC

Tom, My prayers go with you and your family.

Lt. Mark Farmer

Sorry to hear about another death of a law enforcement officer. Rest in peace bro.

anonymouus