Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

WE WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY OUR SYMPATHY AND SADNESS TO MARY AND HER CHILDREN. FRANKIE WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL PERSON , ALWAYS SMILING, AND ALWAYS WILLING TO CHAT AND LISTEN IF YOU HAD A QUESTION OR FOR THE SIMPLE FACT OF CONVERSATION. NEALS FONDEST MEMORY OF FRANKIE WAS AT A BALLGAME AT DRHS WHERE HE AND FRANKIE SAT AND TALKED THE ENTIRE TIME, LAUGHING AND JOKING WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT THE BALLGAME BECAUSE EACH ONE OF THEM WAS ROOTING FOR THE OPPOSITE TEAM. HE WAS SUCH A KIND AND WONDERFUL PERSON WHO TRULY LOVED HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN AND FOR THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT TO OCCUR WAS JUST SENSELESS. HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED AND WE PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE MARY AND HER CHILDREN THE STRENGTH THAT THEY NEED TO ENDURE THIS DIFFICULT TIME IN THEIR LIVES.

KIM & NEAL GUILL
FRIENDS

My thoughts and prayers go with his wife and family. Please don't ever feel like you are grieving alone. Your friends and community grieve with you. He was a wonderful, wonderful man who is certainly in a much better place than we are. We can still feel safe knowing that his prescence is with us, watching over us all. He is God's #1 deputy now. We will all miss him, but as long as we remember him in our hearts, he will never really die. GOD BLESS YOU

Anonymous

It is so hard to believe that he is gone but we know that he has gone on to a better place where he can be looking down on us.

I still feel like he is going to walk through the office doors or be sitting at a table working on a report, look up, see one of us and say, " hi how are you today, dear?" It is a great loss to our family here.

Becky Teaford - Records Manager
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office

My thoughts & prayers go out to the family of Deputy F. L. Betterton and the Pittsylvania Co Sheriff's office, as well as the entire law enforcement community. Frankie will be missed by all, but never forgotten.

Chief B.R. Marr
Town of Hurt Police

FRANKIE WAS A CHRISTIAN FRIEND WHO WORE HIS LOVE FOR GOD AS WELL AS HIS PITTYSLVANIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE UNIFORM WITH GREAT PRIDE AND HONOR. HE KNEW NO STRANGERS, LOVED ALL HE MET AND WAS ALWAYS READY TO LEND A HELPING HAND. MAY WE HONOR FRANKIE BY TRYING TO LEAD A LIFE LED BY HIS ULTIMATE EXAMPLE. "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS" JOHN 15:13

DEPUTY H HARMON & EVIDENCE TECH T HARMON
PITTSYLVANIA CO SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Our prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers.
He is truly an "American Hero". His death will not be in vain, his killer will be brought to justice and will pay for this senseless crime. We will never forget the sacrifice that has been made.
To the family - Although his life was cut short, cherish the time you had with Frankie and remember the good things he brought to your lives.

Anne Eanes & Cindy Eanes

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family Of Officer Betterton during this time. May God be with each one of you.

Uncle Of Mississippi State Trooper
Paul Denham
E.O.W.
12-27-99

Danny Gibson

We are all so saddened by the loss of Frankie B. My husband was Frankie's FTO when he came to work at Pitt. Co. We also went to church with the Betterton family. We will miss the silly laugh that was a part of Frankie, the wonderful friend that he was to us all, and each day we will greet with sadness to know that Frankie is no longer with us. God bless you Mary and kids. We know the days ahead will be long and hard, but your community will be behind you every step of the way. Thank you, Frankie, for leaving a lasting impression on each of our lives. We love you and will truly miss you for a lifetime, but we will see you again one day in heaven. Love to you all!!!

Krystal Davis, Wife of Mark L. Davis, 54
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Department

I DID NOT KNOW DEPUTY SHERIFF FRANKIE BETTERTON ON A PERSONAL BASIS BUT I AM SURE THAT I HAVE DEALT WITH HIM AT SOME POINT IN TIME DURING THE 7 YEARS I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED BY COMMONWEALTH RADIO SERVICES, INC. AND HAVING HAD CONTACT WITH SEVERAL OF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY'S SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES I FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE ALL A PART OF MY FAMILY. MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES GO TO DEPUTY BETTERTON'S FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW OFFICERS. I AM DEEPLY SADDENED BY THIS TRAGEDY AND I SINCERELY HOPE THAT EVERY CITIZEN REALIZES JUST HOW MUCH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO SERVE AND PROTECT US. I HAVE A BROTHER WHO IS A DANVILLE CITY POLICE OFFICER AND I DO KNOW HOW MUCH HE DOES TO SERVE AND PROTECT US. DEPUTY BETTERTON WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AND PROTECT US IN A MUCH SAFER PLACE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW OFFICERS.

BECKY PROCTOR
COMMONWEALTH RADIO SERVICES, INC.

BECKY PROCTOR
COMMONWEALTH RADIO SERVICES, INC.

From your brothers and sisters of New England our deepest sympathies go out to Deputy Frankie Betterton's family and Department on their lose.
Ride With Pride.

Stuart Jackson, President
New Hampshire 1/ Blue Knights

Frankie Betterton was one of ours, He served on the board of directors and an Assoc. Firefighter. Frankie's number will always be retired in the firehouse. Unit 64 will always be in are hearts. We will be missed as a firemen, police officer, and a brother.

Firefighter Thomas David Rigney II
Brosville Vol. Fire Department

Dear Betterton family,
I wanted to let you know that through this tragic loss to family friends and co-workers God is going to wipe away the tears. Romans 14:8 tells that we live to God and if we die we die to God. The first thing that the news said through this whole tragic event was that Officer Betterton was a Christian. What a testamony to the Betterton family that all those recognized Officer Betterton as a Christian and a Police officer. I believe that through this many will come to know Christ as Savior and though I never knew Officer Betterton I believe He would want his memory to bear that He knew Christ and served Him. My family and I promise you our prayers as you go through this time of loss.

God Bless you

Dave Moquin

Lt. D M Moquin
Liberty University Police Dept.

We have lost another hero. We shall never forget. As a cop's wife, I extend my deepest sympathy to the Betterton family and friends. May you all find peace and comfort.

L. Haley
Danville, VA

L. Haley
Danville,VA

I knew Frankie Betterton As a Chatmoss Employee and A Deputy.I was even stopped by him once for a minor detail about my county decal.He was a Gentleman,a caring Deputy and I man I had great respect for.Im so sorry for his family,and hope they take comfort in the fact that Frankie meant so much to so many people.God Bless you.

John D.Moorefield
None

Oh Lord, while I'm on my beat
May I know that you're with me,
And protect me as I go to guard
Other's lives and property.
Help me to ignore those who scorn
And show me no respect,
But be mindful of all citizens
I've sworn that I'll protect.
Be with my fellow officers
And guard their safety too.
May I always put my duty first
In the work that I must do.
May I not disgrace the uniform
But bring pride to the badge I wear.
That I'd be a good policeman, Lord
Would be my only prayer.
Amen.

Our sincerest thoughts of sympathy and friendship are with you. God Bless.

Jaynae Carpenter, Dispatch Supervisor
Baldwin County Alabama 911

God bless this family, this man, his friends and co workers.

D/S Barry Hill
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Florida

My thought's and prayers go out to the Betterton Family, the Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff's Office and the entire law enforcement community. We have all suffered a great loss, and although Frankie's watch has come to an end, he has started a new watch under a new sheriff, his job now is to watch over us all!!

Deputy Clayton W. Myers
Caswell Co. Sheriff's Office (NC)

I didn't know Deputy Betterton on a personal basis but our paths had crossed. He was a brother law enforcement officer but most of all a brother in Christ. God Bless you and your family Mrs. Betterton we can't imagine your pain and sorrow but it is deep felt by all law enforcement and our families.
Deputy F.L. Betterton is 10-42 in this sinful world and is 10-41 in the Arms of The Lord.....
We are praying for you and your family.
Romans 8:28-29

Master Deputy M.B. Hill & Family
Danville Sheriff's Office

Master Deputy M.B. Hill
Danville Sheriff's Office

My condolences goes out to Frankie's family. He was a hero. My prayers goes out to his family and friends. Police officers are here to serve and protect, he still is serving and protecting us, but in a better place, may God Bless Him and his family.

Anonymous

I had the pleasure of working with Frankie and always admired him for his professionalism and the way he carried himself. Frankie loved his job and always walked tall to show that he loved his job. I will never forget the distinctive laugh that he had, because the first time I ever met his son was in a local restaraunt that I was in and Frankie was there to but I didn't know it when a young man approached me at the table I was sitting at which was Frankie's son and he said to me I heard you are the meanest Deputy in Pittsylvania County and I remember looking at the young man kind of puzzled and all of the sudden I heard that distinctive laugh a few tables behind me and before I turned around I knew who it was it was Frankie.
I never got to work on the same shift with Frankie but every time I came out on my days off to work extra duty assignments if I conducted a traffic stop I didn't have to call Frankie because he would always be there right behind me backing me up, though I know he will still always be there riding in my patrol car right beside me backing me up.
You will never be forgotten, Rest in peace my brother.
For we all miss you dearly.

DEPUTY JACOB A. SPARKS
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

God be with your family and friends, and with your fellow officers who hold you so near and dear to their hearts and give them strength and courage to see you off as the hero you are. May they know that you will be still be there for each and every one of them...just watching from a safer place. Thank you for watching over my son through the years you worked together. You will live forever in his heart.

Carla Kearin, San Jose, CA
Mother of Master Deputy Chris Anderson

To the Betterton Family:

Our family sends it's condolences to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this trying time. May the Lord be with each of you.

Corp. Davis and family

CORP. B. J. DAVIS, SR.
AUGUSTA CORRECTIONAL CENTER

My deepest sympathy goes out to family and co workers of Deputy Betterton.

Brandon Brooks - Explorer
Danville - Pittsylvania County Law Enforcement Explorer

My prayers go out to Deputy Bettertons family.I never met Deputy Betterton , but the loss of any officers life effects all of us.Let us not forget and God Bless his family and fellow workers.

Mike Lovern Fraud Investigator
Danville Social Service