Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Special Agent Leonard Hatton

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Government

End of Watch Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Special Agent Leonard Hatton

Brother, May God bless you and your family. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI New York

August 25, 2003

I was able to hear your wife speak and accept an award on your behalf at the FBI Agents Association Convention in Orlando, FL on July 20, 2003.

She's doing well and so are your children. They are making their way in these difficult times.

The FBI Agents Association salutes you! Rest In Peace.

SA Darin L. Paul
FBI Agents Association

Lenny,
I just learned of your death tonight over a year and a half late - the Director of the FBI was on Larry King live and mentioned what you did.
Your act of heroism is of no surprise to me. When we were Lieutenants together at 3rd Amtrac Battalion, you always impressed me with your enthusiasm and "Gung Ho" attitude.
When you decided to get out and become an FBI Agent - I knew you would do great. I still have my picture of you / the officers of the Battalion - now I can show my 3 kids what a true hero looks like.
Semper Fi Marine!
Steve Cote
Colonel, U.S. Marines

Colonel Steve Cote
United States Marine Corps

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Author Unknown

Rest in Peace.....Forever

Jolene Witkin
Civilian

Our deepest sympathies to the wife and children of S.A.Leonard Hatton. May God hold you in a special place and watch over your family forever.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

I did not know this Agent or the others who lost their lives on September 11th. They are TRUE AMERICAN HERO'S. GOD bless the FBI and all of the families associated with them. I have prayed that the joint effort of the Military, FBI, CIA, Secret Service, and any other Law Enforcement agency involved will rid of al-quida and Osama Bin Laden.

" THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO MAN PURSUETH BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ARE BOLD AS A LION" - Proverbs 28:1

Recruit Don Reichhardt
60th Crater Criminal Justice Academy
Prince George, Va.

God bless you and your family. You are an American Hero, not only to me or your family, but every citizen of this great country. Rest in peace.

Chief Explorer

YOU ARE STILL REMEMBERED OFFICER. REST IN PEACE BROTHER IN BLUE

Anonymous

It was late one Tuesday evening,
Before a mother could sit down,
To tell her only child about
The terror that hit downtown.

She looked into the eyes of her son
God, she loved him so,
She felt her heart begin to break
And the hurt begin to show.

She gathered all her strength and courage,
as her story she began to tell.
"Baby don't cry, but I'm afraid daddy
Might be under a building that fell."

The boy looked back at his mother,
His eyes made not one blink.
And the mother's tears began to fall.
What would her baby think?

You see, his dad is a Policeman,
And his hero from the day of his birth.
He loved his dad more than anything else
That could ever inherit this earth.

The mother's head began to drop,
Her forehead resting on palm.
She thought her son would be upset.
Instead, he was very calm.

The boy leaned over towards his mom,
And put his hand upon her head.
In her ear he began to whisper,
And this is what he said:

"Mommy please don't cry,
I knew daddy wasn't coming home.
I talked to him just a while ago,
But it wasn't on the phone.

He told me that he loved me,
And he promised we'd meet again.
He told of his new home,
And the job he was to begin."

"God is building an army,
And there are many angels needed.
That, is where daddy and the others went.
They weren't all defeated."

It was then, the mother lifted her head.
The tears streamed down her face.
And she could feel her husband's presence,
As it filled her heart with grace.

It was then she knew her son was right.
He was in God's great army now.
She also knew her son was safe,
That he'd be kept from harm somehow.

So, evildoers of the world beware.
An army is on the way.
Bolstered by new angels,
Who left the towers that day..

Their commander has never been beaten.
His power has never been matched,
And if evil thinks He was almighty before......
Well, the surface has just been scratched!

9-11-02 - 1 year anniversary
We will NEVER forget!
GOD BLESS!

Anonymous

even though it has been a year, you are still our true hero!
the pain is still there and as time goes by it may get easier. each year you will always be remembered!

911 dispatcher
tn

THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

911 dispatcher
tn

In Charlotte, NC -- every year on the Monday night after the Thanksgiving holiday we have a special lighting ceremony at our Police Memorial for "Project Blue Light". During this lighting ceremony, we honor all of our living officers, and we honor the memory of those officers who have gone before us and given their lives in service to this country. OUR LAW OFFICERS ARE THE TRUEST AND PUREST REPRESENTATION OF WHAT KEEPS AMERICA FREE. This year during our lighting ceremony, we used an excerpt from President Lincoln's Gettsyburg address -- where President Lincoln had gathered with others to honor dead civil war soliders - and set aside a final resting place for them. Though it is rather long.....I have included a most important part of that excerpt here. It has been slightly paraphased. Hope everyone can understand it -- I believe Mr. Lincoln's words and intentions provide an honorable euology for all those who perished on September 11, 2001 -- and his words PROVIDE IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS TO US.

“It is all together fitting and proper that we should do this (much like what we do tonight). But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.” And in a larger sense how true Mr. Lincoln's words continue to ring. Those whose names lie etched into this Memorial, those who we light candles for tonight, and those who perished on 9/11 – their struggles, their triumphs, their sacrifices have consecrated places such as this, far above our powers to add or detract. The way they have lived their lives, is testimony enough. They have all fought the good fight. Their battles are done. They have given their last good measure to sustain Liberty, Freedom, Justice, and Truth for us and our prosperity. And may we as Americans, never allow their sacrifice to be forgotten. And may we always hold their memory forever dear.

The World will neither long remember nor recall what we say and do here tonight, but we must make sure that those who have gone before us, that their unfinished work is completed. It is for us, the living to be dedicated to that task, to finish that work which they have so nobly advanced. From the honored dead, we must take increased devotion to the task before us, the protection of Liberty, Freedom, Justice, and Truth.

"It is for us to be highly resolved that their lives have increased purpose and meaning. That their passing has not been in vain. That this great nation, conceived in Liberty and United under One True God – this government of the people, by the people, and for the people – that it can not, it must not, but above all, it shall not perish from the face of this earth."

--- We can all honor those who perished on 9/11 by keeping America Free -- and ensuring the survival of Liberty. Freedom and Liberty are what they stood for.

Chuck Spell
United States Treasury Department

To the family,Friends and Colleagues of Special Agent Leonard Hatton:

On behalf of the 1500 members of the New York State Supreme Court Officers Association I wish to express Our Heartfelt Condolences for the loss of Special Agent Hatton. Special Agent Hatton will always be remembered as a Father,a Friend, a Colleague and a HERO.Agent Hatton will not be forgotton. His sacrifice was not in vain. Because
of HERO'S like Agent Hatton the lives of 25,000 people were saved. GOD BLESS AGENT HATTON AND HIS FAMILY!

James T.Carr
President
N.Y.S.Supreme Court
Officers Association

Senior Court Officer James T.Carr
New York State Courts

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Anonymous

Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for all that was lost. Your courage, along with all of the others, will never be forgotten! Thank you from all of us in blue.
You will always be "the thin blue line" between good and evil.Blessed are the peacekeepers, For they shall be called children of God!

Officer Michael Davis
Darien Police Dept.,Georgia

GOD BLESS YOU. HE WAS A HERO AND SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!I AM SO SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES. I NEVER KNEW YOU OR HIM BUT I CRY FOR YOU.

jennifer sokolowski

God Bless Special Agent Leonard Hatton.
May he rest in peace.

anonymous
Des Moines Police Department, Des Moines Iowa

SA Hatton, I'm not sure what to say of you and the others who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. You served your country, your fellow citizens, and other officers well. Rest In Peace.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
Federal Bureau of Investigation

I never knew him I never had seen him in a mall or anywhere. But yet, when i heard on CNN that an FBI Agent had been killed along with the many NYPD officers. I broke down and started to cry. God bless you. God bless the FBI God Bless the USA.

Jr. FBI Special Agent Chris Chappell
Federal Bureau of Investigation

I have never met any of the 70 Law Enforcment victims of this attack, yet I miss you all. You are all shining examples of our profession. I commend your bravery, dedication and selfless acts.
I can't put into the words the way I feel about this and I think that there are not words enough to describe this tragedy.
We miss you all and will try to live up to your memories.

Maintiens Le Droit.
(Keep the right)

Cst G.S. AITKEN
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Constable Gregor AITKEN
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Your death will be avenged and your heroism, bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten!

My Prayers are with all the friends and family of all the officers who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
I lost my brother tragically, Det. David Taylor, Greensboro PD, On August 7, 2001. I was in NY for my fiancee's Mother's funeral the first of Sept. I was stranded there for 3 weeks due to this atrocity. As I watched the events on TV, I cried for all those who lost their lives. But was especially emotional about the Police Officers and the Firefighters and their families, as I had just recently suffered a tragic loss myself. As I walked through the streets in the days following the attack, I cried with pride as I saw the officers on duty on all the corners in the city. I knew how hard it was for them, knowing they had lost their friends. On the Sat. following the attack I was at St. Patrick's for mass. The last 2 people to go up and take communion were 2 NYPD officers, again I cried. I hope all of you are getting the support that my family and I got when we needed it, from the Deparment. I know the comforting words and even the funny stories the officers tell us about my brother helps. I know that our loved ones who are gone from here, had a higher calling and are happy and at peace in Heaven. Hopefully we can all feel that same peace one day! God bless All of you! And God bless America!
Tracy Taylor
Thomasville, NC
Sister of Greensboro Det.David L Taylor
EOW 8/7/01

TRACY TAYLOR

Thank You

Anonymous

To the survivors of Special Agent Hatton, we want you to know how that your next months will be hard but your strength will be amazing. Although our stories are different our pain is similar. The family of survivors is a strong one allow them to support you and again find the goodness in people and your way in life. Thank you for sharing your loved one with the world, what a gift you have given others. Not only is Leonard a hero, so are you. His memory will carry you through when you think you can't take it one more minute. We pray that God will give you peace.

Colby & Angela Matteson
Brother of fallen officer Brad Matteson FWPD eow 10/5/2001

"Last Inspection"
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 got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept 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 here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
but if you don't...I'll understand
There was 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

Anonymouse

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.