Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I want to express my sincerest sympathies to the family of Det. Rice. I had a similar encounter while visiting in-laws while out of town on vacation, and too was unarmed. Sometimes we're so conditioned to be on-duty, with take home cars and hours and hours of overtime, that we sometimes lose sight of just how dangerous our jobs are. I encountered this gang banger, with my family waiting nearby in the vehicle as I exited, because it was a natural reaction to do so, despite being out of my state jurisdiction and being unarmed; it's the sense of protecting others that makes us react before weighing all the odds and dangers first. We've lost far more than our share of officers here and know how difficult it is to deal with, but want the family (real and police) to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Det. Sgt. David Beaty
South Bend Police Dept., Indiana

My thoughts and prayers go out to Det. Rice's family, both at home and at work. I am sorry for your devestating loss. God bless all of you in law enforcement.


BLOOD UPON THE SHIELD

Confrontation in an alley. The Centurion does not yield.
But this time the good guy loses;
there is blood upon the shield.
And the mournful sounds of bagpipes
play out across the land,
drowned out by the sobs of a lonely young wife
and a child too young to understand.
While the killer pleads his case in court,
the thin blue line is one man short.
and we're one step close to society's fall;
another cop's name is engraved on the wall.
Another state funeral, with an army in blue,
and we know it could've been me and it
could've been you.

We all look ahead to what the future has in store,
front line troopers in a country that's at war.
At war with itself and at war with its cops and we're out
there every day 'cause the battle never stops.
It's not the way it is on TV shows or like
we learned in school; no cool music in the background,
no playing by the "rules".
We're disillusioned warriors,
but for right we'll always strive.
We just pray that at the end of our stress-filled day
we'll get back home alive.

You stand out on the corner
ignoring the insults and the stares,
close to the point of believing that no one really cares,
when a six year-old boy walks over after watching
you for awhile, reaching out to shake your hand,
on his face a friendly smile. To him you are a hero,
a protector of our land, and he wants
to learn about you,
as a cop and a man.
And when he asks you why your badge is covered
by a black elastic band,
tell him about our Brother--
A cop who made a stand.

By: Randolph Liebec

Telecommunicator Jennifer Dixon
Illinois State Police District 7

My condolences go out to DET. Rice family and friends and to his Department. What a shame it is when a Cop goes on vacation and gets killed, maybe this time the coward will get the chair. He never should have been out in the first place. But thats our justice system at work, A Cop is never on vacation, once you put that Badge on for the first time it's 24/7 just like they tell you at the Academy. You are now in a better place DET. Rice, a place in the thin blue sky.

PTLM. Mike Walker
Providence Police Department,RI

MAY GOD BLESS HIM AND THE FAMILY HE HAS LEFT BEHIND, IF ONLY WE HAD A FEW MORE LIKE HIM.

DEPUTY RON VOSHELL
LUCAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

You made the ultimate sacrifice. You will be remembered

Don
Wannabe

May God Almighty take care of Kevins family , he did not deserve this, we will pray every day for all the pocive officer who go out there day and nite to protect our Communities May God give them strength and courage to combat
evil.Amen I can not stop thinking of Kevins family what they must be going tru - my Heart go out to the Rice Family as well as my prayers

Anonymous

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Go with God, Tubbs. You make your dash count.

Anonymous

Kevin Rice Was my training officer ,he was a good Police Officer and he is going to be missed, his memories stay with me .

officer peraza
rockford,police dept

I am sorry for your loss. Although I did not know Kevin, just by hearing the circumstances behind his death I can tell what kind of character he had. He unselfishly went to investigate suspicious activity on his free time. Not many officers this day will do that. IF there is anything I can do please let me know. My prayers are with you.

Todd

Police Officer Todd A. Ramljak #133
Elmwood Park PD

This terrible event proves that officers are on duty 24/7. I am pleased that RPD chose to recognize Detective Rice's murder as an on-duty occurrence. It would not have been right for a man who was doing what came naturally to a law enforcement officer to have been killed in the process and not have his actions acknowledged as in the line-of-duty. I am grateful that there are officers among us like Detective Rice. Just as he was here among us, he shall walk a beat on heaven's streets. To the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Rice, you have my deepest sympathy. Godspeed, Kevin.

Officer Donna C. Hillier
Purdue University Calumet Police Department Hammond, IN

Senseless, but the crime wont go unpunished. Your bravery was such that stood out, you went way beyond the call of duty, for family, and community. Rest in peace sir, the real tour begins now.

Scott Parker
Harris County Deputy Constable (Former)

Kevin you were my partner, my friend, and my brother in blue. You will be missed by all but never forgotten. You were the best and you had a true love for the job and because of that love you made the ultimate sacrifice.

You are in a better place now watching over us all. I know you will be watching over the rest of us on RPD as we continue with the battle. God bless you and watch over your family.

Anonymous

TO THE FAMILY OF KEVIN RICE, PLEASE KNOW THAT GOD DOES EVERYTHING FOR A GOOD PURPOSE. YOUR HUSBAND GAVE HIS LIFE DOING GOOD THINGS. WE WILL ALL SEE HIM AGAIN. I GREW UP IN ROCKFORD, SOME OF IT ON THE WEST SIDE. I MOVED OUT WEST 21 YEARS AGO, BUT MY HEART WILL ALWAYS BE IN ROCKFORD. TO THE ROCKFORD MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE.....KEEP YOUR CHIN UP AND CONTINUE TO MARCH. GOD BLESS." BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS;FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD." MATTHEW 5:9

TOM RHODES
SAN DIEGO PD

My wife and I were truly saddened and enreaged when we heard of Det Rice's death. We learned of his death after the memorial services had been completed, unfortunately. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Det Rice. Hopefully one day the media will realize that no matter what the size if the department, the killing of a police officer IS a newsworthy event...

Anonymous

Rest in Peace Brother

Anonymous

My sincere condolences to the Rice family and the Officers of the Rockford, IL Police Department. I am greatly saddened by your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. May God give you the strength and courage to get through this difficult time, and the years to come. Although our brotherhood has suffered a tremendous loss, we know that Kevin is now safe in Gods arms guarding the gates of Heaven. God Bless you Kevin, 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

This is truly a loss to the law enforcement family. May god be with Kevin and his entire family from this day forward. Just know that Kevin and his family are being thought of by complete strangers, like me, and you will all be remembered by his brothers in service.

Sgt. Aaron Davis
Harrington City Police Dept

MY HEART HURTS WHEN I READ OF KEVINS PASSING. AS AN OFFICER MYSELF I OFTEN REFLECT ON OUR CAREER CHOICE AND WONDER WHO IN THE WORLD WOULD CHOOSE A CAREER WHICH REQUIRES A VEST AND GUN. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS LIKE NO OTHER CAREER AND I AM PROUD TO BE A "LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER". WE DO IT BECAUSE WE HAVE THE WILL TO HELP OTHERS. TO THE FAMILY I PRAY YOU UNDERSTAND KEVIN GAVE HIS LIFE DOING WHAT HE LOVED.

OFC. J. TOSTA
TURLOCK PD CALIFORNIA

To the Family, Relatives, Friends, and Work Colleagues of Detective Kevin Rice,


Our prayers certainly go up for you as our sincere love and condolences go out to you. May you find peace and comfort in the Lord Jesus in this difficult time and in the days to come.



In His Name,

Chaplain Jack H. Lainer, Jr.
Longview Police Department (TX)

Chaplain
Longview Police Department (TX)

REST IN PEACE...

detective Vlatko Novak
MUP RH, Zagreb, Croatia

Kevin you were my FTO as you were to many on our Deptartment. You cared deeply about your family, friends, and your neighborhood and tried to make a difference. You leave behind a large hole and we do not know where to start to rebuild. You will be sorely missed by all that knew you. We will hold our heads high and carry on thinking of you as you would have wanted us all to do.

Anonymous

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE RICE FAMILY. YOU HAVE TO WONDER WHY SUCH BAD THINGS HAPPENS TO SUCH GOOD PEOPLE? JUST REMEBER WEEPING ONLY LAST FOR A NIGHT; JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.

Words cannot express my deepest feelings of sorrow for you and your family, I pray that Gods love will always comfort you. You give true meaning to the words that "you're never really off duty" you saw a possible crime and investigated. My heart felt thanks to you my friend for doing the job. God bless.

Police Officer Tim Pappas
Cincinnati Police/SWAT

It is so sad to think that someone so young would leave us so soon. My heart goes out to the family of this fine officer. I hope there can be some final justice done here and this piece of garbage from society will no longer have the opportunity to do this again.

Anonymous

I've worked with Members of the Rockford Police Department in the past and I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of Officer Rice. May he R.I.P.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
FBI Detroit