Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our deepest sympathy to Deputy Betterton's family and Co- workers.

Gracie Adams
Gretna Insurance Agent - Gretna Va

I would like to send my deepest sympathy to Deputy Betterton's family. I did not know him personally. However, I am very familiar with Dr. Mary Betterton. He served Pittsylvania County with honor and dignity and will be sadly missed by this community and his family and friends. God be with you! God bless!

Jean Cook
Pittsylvania County Citizen

Having a brother & cousins in other depts. in the state of VA. I know how the family and dept. feels and my prayers are with both. He a angel in heaven.

Tidwell Family

A truly nice person who will be missed by all who knew him.

Jack Garrett
WAKG Radio

I met Dep. Betterton on 5/15/02, yet when I heard about the incident on the news I immediately recalled him. His face and voice came to me clearly. He left an immpression on everyone that met him.
You are gone, but never will be forgotten.

Lt.
Chesterfield County Police, Special Police Unit

Deputy Betterton,

Although I never met you, I feel like I have lost another brother. And the world has lost another hero. To lay down your life protecting the citizens of your community, is the true definition of a hero. Your watch is now over. Rest in peace hero, and watch over us as we continue our sworn mission. God bless you and your family.

Officer Brent Wagner
Henderson Police Dept. NV

To Deputy Betterton family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you.

God Bless you.

Terry Miyares
surviving spouse
Officer Emilio MIyares
Hialeah PD<, FL
1959-1986

terry Miyares, COPS GR National Trustee
Hialeah Police Dept, (SOUTH FLORIDA COPS)

To the family, I am so sorry for your loss. Officer Betterton is truly a hero. My utmost respect goes out to him and to all police officers who serve their communities with dedication in the face of danger.

D.Taylor

My deepest sympathies go out to Deputy Betterton's family. You all are in my prayers.

Wanda Yeatts, resident
Pitts. Co. Gen. Reassessment

The members of the Danville, Virginia Police Department are sadden at the death of our brother, Frankie Betterton of the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Department. Our thoughts and our prayers are with his family and the members of his department.

His efforts as a law enforment officer made Pittsylvania County a better place and we all felt safe because of his presence. His kind, gentle manner will always be remembered by all who knew him.

We shall miss you, Frankie, but we will never forget.

T. Neal Morris, Chief of Police
Danville Police Department

I worked with Frankie from the time he was employed until I left the Dept. in January, 2002. I was a criminal investigator with the Sheriff's Office and worked in Frankie's district. Frankie was an outstanding officer who represented this profession with pride and honor. Frankie always made my job as an investigator very easy.

I will always remember that if you spent any time with Frankie if it was work related or meeting at a local diner for a meal, somewhere in the conversation he was going to talk about his family. Our prayers are with the Betterton family and his department.

Special Agent Jimmie Lipscomb
Virginia Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for the Betterton family. After recently dealing with the tragic death of two good friends in a car accident, I have come to understand God is the only person who can truly comfort us in times of sadness. Deputy Betterton-Thank you for your commitment and service to our county. We all know you are still watching over us and serving us from above. God be with your family and friends, and especially our Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Department.

Anonymous

It is with great concern and saddness that I read of another of our nations police officers being taken from us. When will we learn to stand up for one another, rather than hate each other so much? It is not just one community who suffers a loss when this happens, it is a loss to our nation. Many thanks for this policeman giving his life to protect others. Many thoughts for his family and friends.

Concerned citizen from Gainesville, FL

Anonymous

This is very difficult to come to this site, and from experience, know the struggles everyone involved will face. My prayers always include the family, and "extended family" of the officers/deputies struck down in the line of duty. All of America loses, another hero gone....Rest in Peace, Sir, you're patrolling streets of gold with God's finest....watch our backs...Isaiah 40:31

JV Jackson
FCPS Divisiion Of Law Enforcement Lexington, Kentucky

THIS IS WHAT FRANKIE WOULD WANT US TO DO/// SO FAMILY AND FRIENDS DONT MOURN ME FOR TOO LONG GET ON WITH LIFE TAKE CARE OF THINGS BE BRAVE AND PROUD AND STRONG I'LL SURELY MISS EVERY ONE ABOUT THAT I WILL NOT LIE BUT AS LONG AS YOU REMEMBER ME .I DIDNT REALLY DIE ..... YOU WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED

The Jordan's
friends

Sir, I want to thank you for your service to your community and to this great country of ours. I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to your family from all in the Law enforcement community. I can truly say that your sacrifice will never go in vain and everyday you and all other heros like youself will be remembered forever. God bless you.

Ofc. Steven Willis
Austin Police Dept.

TO the family of Deputy FRANKIE BETTERTON and the men and women of the Pittsylvania county Sheriff's Office:
My heartfelt sympathies go out to you all. You will be in my prayers as you pass through these most difficult days ahead. Pittsylvania county, the Commonwealth of Virginia and society shall be forever indebted to the family of Deputy BETTERTON and fellow law enforcement officers of Pittsylvania county.
May the memory of this ultimate sacrifice never be forgotten. Stand proud of your HERO!

Officer Joe Berney
RUPD, Virginia

Frankie was my patrol brother for two years. I'll never forget what good times we had on night shift. Him laughing at some rediculous joke I had and then saying "You so crazy." I called him when I made an A in a college class and like the father figure he was he told me how proud he was of me. I used to love to hear him make a traffic stop. Frankie, I'll miss the early morning coffee runs, the late night sillyness of laughing at anything because we were tired, the fussing about court days and the meetings at the clinic. You will never know the impact you had on me. God how I miss you. 6-4 is 10-42 Cecom, God he is 10-41 and 10-4 in your service. Rest in Peace friend.

Deputy Dean P Cumbo
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office

God bless you for the work that you did, and god bless your family in this time of tragedy.

Deputy Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

God bless you and rest in peace brother.

Cpl. K. E. Bish Jr.
Va. State University Police

Frankie was a great friend.. He was always there for his friends when ever they needed him. He wanted to be a deputy for many year and and in 1999 he got his chance. He served Pittsylvania County well. He will be greatly missed. I love Frankie as if he were a part of my family.

Gracie Gunnell
Chatmoss Cablevision

I have had the pleasure to attend college with members of the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office. One could never ask to be in the company of a more down to earth group of men and women. I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers of sympathy in such a troubled time. Also, extented the thoughts that Officer Betterton was doing what he loved to do unfortunatly his time had come to move on to a higher level of authority. May god be with your law enforcement family in such a troubled time and may he give you direction in understanding for guided closure and piece of mind. A special prayer goes out to my special friend Dr. Mary Betterton and family, Major Garry Goodson, and also, the entire Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office. May God be with you all. -Amen-

(Vice- Chairman) Malcolm G. Booth
Animal Control Advisory Board (Caswell County,NC)

Many men spend a lifetime wondering if they have made a difference. Police officers like Deputy Betterton have never had this problem.

Anonymous

I'll never forget the way Frankie signed on with the radio. The mic would key, you would hear a short pause, then in a deep growly sustained voice -- six foooouuuur Ce-com---- 10-41. I worked on Frankie's shift, matter of fact the next district over. I usually saw him two or three times a night, either I was backing him up or he would back me up. He was and still is a great man. Although I may never be able to hear his voice or shake his hand I will still see his face, but most importantly he will still be backing me on every call I answer.

Master Deputy Chris Anderson
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office

once again it is shown that those in law-enforcement, risk their lives to save ours...
you will always be remembered Deputy.
from Riverside, California

citizen of U.S.A.