Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dink,
I was just thinking about you recently. I miss our talks we had. You were always one to make me smile no matter the circumstance. Thanks for being part of my life.

Tony Holstein

April 18, 2008

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year:)!

Susan

January 3, 2008

"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 31, 2007

Well, Hello! I just wanted to tell you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. You know that I think of you every day and I really wish you were here. Thank you for allowing April to be happy again. She is a good person and deserves the best. I love you
Susan

M.O. Susan Wall

December 25, 2007

Frank, just wanted to wish you a happy Thanksgiving and to let you know I still think about you every day. I miss you and wish you were you still here. I hope your family is well and doing good. You will forever be in my thoughts and in my heart. I LOVE YOU BROTHER!

Senior Patrol Officer S.P. Abbacchi
Smithfield Police Dept. NC

November 19, 2007

Frank,

My birthday is Sept. 4th and not one goes by now without thinking about you brother. You left such an impression on me after we met. I can still here your laugh and it always makes me smile.

Rsrv. Deputy
Wake Co. Sheriff's Office

September 12, 2007

Frank,

Just wanted you to know I think of you often. I hit the blue lights for a few seconds anytime I drive past your spot late at night. I still laugh when I think of your capstun mishap outside the PSC. Until we meet again, rest easy brother.

D-932
WAKE S.O.

September 11, 2007

Deputy Sheriff James,
It has now been four years since your EOW. We are remembering you and your loved ones, and of the sacrifice you were called to make. You are never forgotten.

Pennsylvania citizen

September 6, 2007

Just thought I would drop a line to you. I miss you man and wish you were here on the unit.

Bradford
Wake S.O. K9 Unit

September 5, 2007

Frank,
It's hard to believe it's been 4 years since your passing. I think of how much fun we had in OS1 and I still tell all of my friends what a great person you were. I share your story with all of my trainees, not to scare them, but to make them understand how precious life is. So even though you're not here, you're still making and impact on those you left behind and the ones you don't even know. I miss you everyday and wish the best for your family. Rest easy brother.

Senior Patrol Officer S.P. Abbacchi
Smithfield Police Dept.

September 5, 2007

Four years have passed since your EOW and you have not been forgotten by those that love you dearly. Continue to keep watch over them and protect them from harm. Also, watch over those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You are a true hero.

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

September 5, 2007

Dink,
I can't believe it's 4 years now. I think of you regularly. Travis is growing so fast. I'm so proud of him and I'm sure you are too. I just finished reading "90 Minutes in Heaven" and as Don described what heaven is like, I couldn't help but to think what a wonderful place you're in. Until we meet again, my brother. I love you.

Tony Holstein

September 4, 2007

Well, Hello!!! I was just driving around the BIG town thinking about you and remembering the good ol' days. Everytime I drive by one of our 25 locations, I get this big grin on my face and laugh out loud. We had some great times 25ing. When I am around Apex Village, I remember that wonderful speeding car that flew by us and you looked at me and said, "you better go get that car, cause they're probably drunk". You were just excited to do HGN since you had just went to school for it. Boy, what a night. Thanks to you, I had my hands full that night and then I had FBI calling me. All thanks to you.
It doesn't seem like it has almost been 4 years since you left this precious world, leaving behind a beautiful wife, son, mother, and a boat load of family and friends who love you dearly. It still saddens me that you are not here. Help me stay strong and watch over me... until next time
Love always

Susan

August 2, 2007

Hey Frank

The NC Department of Justice published a NC Fallen Officer Honor Roll book. It's dated 2006 but we were just given a few copies last week. It made me think of you and I just wanted to say Hello. Everything is OK here. Still working on those dreams. I'll get there and when I do you'll be one of the first to know. Keep watching over April and Travis...Talk to you soon

Joy ECO I
Cary Police Department

May 23, 2007

Frank was a good friend and I proudly served with him onboard U.S.S Nashville LPD-13 during the gulf war. Hope all is well with the family.


Jack Maize
(formerly MM3)

Lt. Jack Maize Jr.
SWFD Adair Co, Mo.

April 26, 2007

FRANK:
I HAD JUST LEARNED OF YOUR PASSING ON 4/25/2007 AND IT SADDENS ME. YOU WERE A GREAT FRIEND. MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. WE HAD ALOT OF GOOD TIMES AND HAD A BROTHERLY BOND ON THE USS NASHVILLE AND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR COUNTRY WITH HONOR BOTH IN THE NAVY AND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT FRIEND AND BROTHER YOU WILL BE SADLY MISSED AND WE LOVE YOU.
LT T.W.HIXENBAUGH KWSO,VIRGINIA

LIEUTENANT TIMOTHY HIXENBAUGH
KING WILLIAM SHERIFF'S OFFICE

April 26, 2007

I'll miss you Frank. You always had a smile on your face.

David M. Harmon
Shipmate USS Nashville

April 26, 2007

Frank,

I do not not know how to start, Tim and I were talking tonight as I was driving to Little Rock from Tulsa. I told him that he needed to locate you since I had tracked you down the last time we lost contact. I was not expecting to have to speak to you through a memorial page. I feel like I have just lost a brother, we had a lot great times in VA and the various other ports that we visited. The days of fishing amd hanging out on the beach still are fresh in my memory. We looked out for each other, I just wished I could have been there for you this time. I will post a note to the Nashville LPD-13 web site so your other friends will know to keep you in their prayers. Take care my friend,
Your buddy and friend,
Mark McGhee

MM1 Mark McGhee
Navy and Friend

April 26, 2007

Three years to the date after your EOW, I would enter Basic School Police Academy to start a lifelong dream of becoming a Police Officer. I'd consider it an honor to start my career where you left off. Rest easy Deputy William Franklin James II, we'll finish the job for you.

Patrol Officer

April 20, 2007

Sir,

I did not know you but, during March 12-16th, 2007 I sat next to your picture in Officer Survival. Next to your picture was a polaroid of the August 2003 class that you attended. I am in-debt to you for your service and will always have you in my thoughts as I drive each and every day. I only hope that there is a special place that lawmen fallen reunite and that someday I can meet you there. thank-you again for touching my heart.

OFC. Benjamin Cox
Fayetteville police Dept.

March 16, 2007

I just wanted to say hello. For some reason, the past week I have been thinking about you and I can't get you off of my mind. I guess you know that Durham PD has lost a brother due to an automobile collision. By reading the reflections that others have left, he seemed like a funny guy. You two will get along perfect. Please be with his family and Durham PD as they go through this and welcome him with open arms and show him around. Keep watching over me....
Love Always

Susan

February 20, 2007

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year:) What a busy month,huh? Even with all the craziness going on, you were still number one on my mind. I hope you liked what I did for you on the 2nd. I did not see it while it was being lit, but while the reverend was saying a prayer I looked up at it and then I said my own little prayer. Then after all the madness was over I walked over to the candle and looked at it, as if I could see you in it. But unfortunately, I didn't see you. As I was looking through my pictures, I happened to notice this one individual picture. It is a picture of my and Greg standing infront of Barclay with the moon up above the roof and you can also see a star. I pointed at the star and said, "I knew Frank was there." I felt you behind me telling me not to do it(joking:)I know if you were still here you would not have missed it. Man, we all had so much fun. All the cops sat around and talked about the old days. If you would have been there, you would have had many, many stories to tell. I hope you saw April. She was so pretty. I am glad she was a part of mine and Gregs day. However, it would have meant the world to me if you would have also been a part of it. I miss you like crazy. I know that I will see you again one day, but that day will be way down the road. Keep watching over me, like always.
Love Always
Susan

Susan

December 27, 2006

Frank,

I know I have not written a reflection. I feel ashamed. I was just thinking about how we got off to a rocky start in the academy. I think it is because we both have pretty strong personalities. I think of what good came out of it. We both overcame it and became pretty good friends. Probably in my best interest. You were bigger than me. I remember as we were both awaiting to see if either of us were going to make the K9 Unit. We talked about it when we saw each other. I made it. It has been going well. I got a Bloodhound at the begining that didn't work out as well as I thought it would. I now have Tusca. Cardona quit about a year ago and the Sheriff put Tusca with me. Its been going well. I just thought that I would drop a quick note to you and hope that April and your son are doing well. I am glad I had the pleasure of knowing you even if it was cut short. Rest easy buddy.

Deputy Sheriff Dave Bradford
Wake County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit

December 10, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving, buddy! I hate that my reflection did not send on September 5th, but at least you know what it said. I wanted to re-send it but you know that I have been busy as a bee with work and the special day. It is almost here and I only wish that you could be there. Everytime I think about it, I think of you because I would love for you to be apart of my special day. I have to make sure that I look at the candle and say a special prayer for you to let you know that I am still and always will be thinking of you. Like always, keep watching over me and help keep me safe.
I love you always
Susan

Susan

November 23, 2006

Frank, just thinking of you and your family. My prayers are with them always. Its hard to beleive three years have passed since you have gone. We miss you, take it easy brother.

LT McCollum
USMC friend

November 12, 2006