Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Not to much longer until another is done. Time passes to fast. When the Holidays come around is when you realize how much you miss your loved ones and you are one of them. Just wanted to let you know you are so deeply missed still and always will be.

Anonymous

November 13, 2008

Josh
Thanks for the blessing

Anonymous

October 23, 2008

Josh,

Montana lost another hero. Please welcome him and continue to watch over us. I miss and love you!!!

Melody Zuhoski
Aunt of Deputy Joshua T Rutherford

August 28, 2008

Happy birthday, we are going to have a party for you. The playground is going to be dedicated and with a lot of help we are going to have a barbeque afterwards. I hope you enjoy it. Miss you

Anonymous

August 15, 2008

thinking of you as always

cousin m
cousin

July 30, 2008

Josh, Mike and I went to D.C. last month for our vacation, and I went to the National Law Enforcement Memorial to see your name engraved on the wall. I left you a note to let you know how much you are loved and missed. What a beautiful memorial it is. We wanted to go to the museum, but it was closed due to the fact that they are moving to their new location. Maybe next time. I miss you very much. Please watch over us from above. I love you my nephew!!

Melody A. Zuhoski
Aunt

July 8, 2008

Josh,
I've never wrote on this before to you, never really could. I miss you alot and think of you every so often. You were my first FTO and showed me the ropes at Blaine County. You took me under your wing and showed me true friendship, you also helped me out alot with trying times in my relationship with Ang. I deeply appreciated everything you did. It's been just a little over 5 years since your departure. And almost 5 since I've been in Law Enforcement. It affected me more than I like to admit. The last few years I've spent maturing and bettering myself. And I was also looking for my true calling in life, i think i missed it when i left Blaine County.
I spoke with Pat the other day, it felt good to talk with him. I asked about Loren and Glenn as well. I really miss all the guys at times, especially you. It seems like yesterday Colby was calling me to let me know what happened...Anyway Pat asked me to send an application to him, and i think i would like that. I deffinately feel ready and confident. Put in a good word for me with the Man upstairs, keep watch over me and wish me luck.
You were a great friend and Officer Josh. I know I will see you again someday. Have some good jokes lined up for all of us too, you always did have a great sense of humor.And I will always remember...6 is better than 5 :)

Shaun (former deputy BCSO)

June 26, 2008

life gets me down and it helps to think you are there watching over us all. i wish things were different and i could've been there to see you this summer but hopefully someday we will meet in a better place.

cousin

June 15, 2008

Josh I miss you and I hope your watching my back I have some choices coming up that are major. I miss being able to call and bounce things off of you. God bless.

Officer JC
Friend

June 5, 2008

Josh,

Five years ago today I was waiting for you to get back from the state crime lab in Missoula. I would or could not believe that you had really been murdered until I saw your body. Everything was so surreal as we waited for your return. The sun was shining, your lilacs were blooming and the air was filled with there scent. Today here in your home the conditions are the same except now I have now accepted that you are truly gone. My heart feels like it has been taken out and stomped on. I miss you so much that sometimes it is hard to breath.

I have tried to make you proud of me. I have just finished the fourth semester at your alma mater. My grade point is pretty decent. Two more semesters and then I will transfer to North Dakota state. I will have achieved my dream of being a nurse at the age of sixty two. Every thing I do is in honor of you.

Thomas has been here. I think sometimes its hard for him to be in the house without you in it.

This hurts som much so I will end this with "I am one day closer to you"

Love, Mom

May 31, 2008

Well tomorrow will be another year that has come and gone. It sure does not seem like you have been gone that long. You are still dearly missed
DC

May 28, 2008

Wow Josh, I cannot believe that in just 3 days it will have been 5 years. Seems like just yesterday that I was awakened in the middle of the night with that horrible call from your Grandma Ruby telling me of what had just happened. Life just does not seem fair but for all things there is a reason. I am not sure to this day what the reason for your death was except maybe for you to keep watch over all of us. Just the other day at my work we were talking about hero's and I was telling my co-workers who my hero's were and you topped the list. So you are never forgotten, even after 5 years. A hero to me, always!
Aunt Kerri

Kerri
aunt of Dpty Josh Rutherford

May 26, 2008

five years almost and it seems like it was yesterday. keeping your boys in my thoughts and prayers and always thinking of you.

cousin

May 2, 2008

Josh,
I went to watch Thomas at the grand march at Dodson's prom. I had to remind him that the last time I was there that you were a sophomore and he was in Berta's belly.
You would be so proud of him. He looks so much like you. Maybe I will pick out your and his mom's prom pictures and share that memory.

They are going put new playground equipment at city park and dedicate it to you. I know that you have this under control. It brings up so many feelings. I know that it is a good thing for Harlem. Lorri, your loan officer on the house wrote a grant. Jenny Jones is going to fund it totaly. I didn't know that people had such big hearts. Life sure send suprizes.

I know that you have been here this week. I thank you. I just miss you so much son.

Teague came over and played scrabble with Tom. I had to tell them the story of the game. Teague beat us. Please watch over him. It was such a blessing to have them here at the same time.

Love Mom

April 27, 2008

Hey school guy! I know, I know who everyone will think the school guy is. I have made so many people laugh telling them what we said that day. That was an awesome comeback I never saw it coming. I been thinking about you alot like usual. Miss you and love you. Later Bro.

Cory

April 24, 2008

Wanted to stop in and leave a reflection to say that you have not been forgotten. I know that those that love you carry you in their hearts and think of you each and every day and do everything in their power to keep your memory alive. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones, protect them from harm. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 24, 2008

I MISS YOU

April 14, 2008

Josh,

I don't even know where to begin. It has been such a long time since I have even looked at all the wonderful things people have written about you. I can't believe it will be 5 years this May since you were taken from us. My hatred for the man that killed you has not eased. I thought in time, I could forgive but that is something I cannot do, at least right now.

Mike and I were in Wolf Point over the weekend and went had dinner with him. It was such a nice visit. I haven't done that very much lately either. I used to go there and see grams all of the time, but never made it over to see your dad. Grams lives here in Laurel now, so Mike and I have decided that next time we go to Wolf Point it will be to visit your dad and Moon. We will be going to Wolf Point in June, to catch the train for Washington D.C. I have never been and have always wanted to go, so that is our vacation this year. I am going to find your name on the wall. I want you to know how much I miss seeing your smiling face. I wish that I was given the chance to get to know you better. One day we will meet again and we can catch up. Watch over us my nephew.

Melody Zuhoski
Aunt of Joshua T. Rutherford

March 25, 2008

Josh, I just returned from the Academy and ran into some old instructors taht used to work with you up there. It is hard to believ ethat you have been gone almost five years, Your Aunt Mel and I are preparing for the annual trek to the Memorial Ride, this year in Missoula. Mel still has her days where she misses you and I can see it in her eyes, the pain of not having you here. You will be forever a inspiration for us and a HERO to all. Keep watch over us and help your family as May approaches. God be with you

Sgt. Mike Zuhoski
Laurel Police Department

March 18, 2008

Josh,

wow, it's been like 3 years since i've been on here, was thinking about you the other day. I miss visiting with you you, you always made me smile or laugh when i was having a bad day. i can't believe its going to be 5 years since you have been away. I know you are here in spirit though. watch over your mom, she needs you to guide her and keep her safe. Your boys are growing so fast! and of course..they have that handsome look like their father. been thinking of joing the army and being a MP. as my father was also in the law enforcement way back in the day..lol. but, my friend, i miss you very much, and pray for you and your family alot.

Georgette Cole
Friend

March 7, 2008

hey josh it's been a while since i've been here. hard to believe it's coming up on 5 years already. life doesn't seem fair sometimes when i think about what happened. everyone misses you and i think of you often.

cousin

March 2, 2008

I miss you so much, I thought the years would make it easier. I know that you know my pain. I have felt your spirit so many times especially when I was sick and laying alone thinking that I was going to die.

I will try to do better.
Mom

January 26, 2008

Well another year has almost come to an end...where does the years go. It seems like they go by so fast and we miss so much in life. Spoke with your mom last month and she sounds well. Keep watching over her. Miss you
DC

December 28, 2007

Happy Holidays

December 25, 2007

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 11, 2007