Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Investigator Tepe.

While I did not have the privilege to have known him, I am certain that he has earned his seat in heaven. Rest in peace my friend, those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin, blue line.

Anonymous

September 26, 2003

You made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. We are proud of you and thankful for all of your service. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers in the Ford County Sheriff's Office.
AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

September 26, 2003

My prayers go out to all of Bret's family and friends. Bret made an impact on a lot of lives. He will always be remembered as a hero and a brother in blue.

K9 Deputy Chad Harmon
Grant Co. Sheriff's Dept. (KS)

September 26, 2003

MAY GOD BLESS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS DURING THIS SAD OCCASION. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

September 25, 2003

To the family, friends and coworkers of Investigator Tepe... I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you all. God bless Bret, you will not be forgotten.

Miriam, wife of Deputy James Slater
EOW 8/29/03 Spokane WA

September 25, 2003

Rest in peace Brother Bret, you will not be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs PD OK

September 25, 2003

God Bless You and your family
Your watch has ended Brother, rest now
the watch is ours.
May your family and friends find strength in God.

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Constable Pct 2

September 25, 2003

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF INVESTIGATOR BRET D. TEPE.

Anonymous

September 25, 2003

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Investigator Bret Tepe's family, friends, and co-workers with the Ford County Sheriff's Office.

God bless. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

September 25, 2003

To the wife, kids, family, friends and coworker may God be with you all in this terrible time of loss. May you kids know that your dad is a true HERO.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure, EOW 08/06/02

September 25, 2003

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Bret did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Bret be the be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Investigator Tepe's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Bret is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Bret was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Drakesville, IA)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

September 25, 2003

I am Mamawolf aka Marilyn Robinson from the chat room SUPPORT OUR OFFICERS-WOLFPACK FAMILY.
In our chat room we tell all members and the new ones that come to our room to walk up to any person in uniform (Professional Safety Personnel) and thank them for keeping us safe 24/7 by putting their lives on the line so we can lay our heads down at night and sleep safely.
Our deepest condolences and sympathies to all the family, and friends and all of his brothers and sisters in law enforcement.
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.

But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from Heaven. Here I dwell with God above.

Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just enternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.

Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through

God picked me up and hugged me and he said,'I welcome you.

It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.

As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.

I need you here badly, you're part of my plan.

There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.'

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.

And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight.

God and I are closest to you....In the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.

Because you are only human they are bound to bring tears.

But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.

Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.

If I were to tell you, you would not understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.

I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you, and many hills to climb;

But together we can do it by taking one step at a time.

It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you to;

That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain;

Then you can say to God at night...."My day was not in vain."

And now I am contented...that my life was worthwhile.

Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low:

Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;

I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go...from that body to be free.

Remember you're not going...you're coming here to me.

I will always be with you!
We know that they do their jobs well, and with pride and because they want to not because they have to.
GOD BLESS THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND HIS SISTERS, AND BROTHERS THAT ARE GREIVING AT THIS TIME.
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL
BLESS YOU ALL
MAMAWOLF AKA MARILYN ROBINSON
SUPPORT OUR OFFICERS-WOLFPACK FAMILY

Marilyn Robinson
Support our Officers WolfPackFamily

September 25, 2003

MAY GOD BLESS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THIS TIME OF GRIEF.

DAVID BEASLEY, DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
SUMNER COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, GALLATIN, TENNESSEE

September 25, 2003

Our sympathy to the family of Tepe and Ford County Sheriff's Office. Having recently lost a deputy in a auto accident it is a heart wrenching experience. Know that Tepe was doing what he loved to do and that God has wrapped his arms around him and taken him home.

Lt. Gary Smith
Spokane COunty Sheriff Office, Honor Guard Unit

September 25, 2003

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

September 25, 2003

Yet another hero has had their life taken too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Investigator Tepe. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

September 25, 2003

I was saddened to hear of the loss of another fine officer.
The profession we have chosen is a dangerous one, yet we gladly take the path to serve willingly.
I will always keep you and your family in my prayers.

Officer Michael Howell
KCKS Police Department

September 25, 2003

We feel your loss here in Florida. May God bless you and your family. May His angels protect your loved ones now and in the years to come. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

Virtute Et Armis

Inv. John Creamer
Tallahassee Police Department

September 25, 2003

My heart goes out to Inv. Tepe's family and his brothers and sisters at the Ford County Sheriffs Office. Your watch on earth is done my brother, no you can walk your beat in the heaven's above. Someday we will meet again.

Patrolman Elizabeth Tatum
West Memphis Police Department

September 25, 2003

My heart goes out to Inv. Tate's family and his brothers and sisters at the Ford County Sheriffs Office. Your watch on earth is done my brother, no you can walk your beat in the heaven's above. Someday we will meet again.

Patrolman Elizabeth Tatum
West Memphis Police Department

September 25, 2003

Rest in peace brother in blue.
The watch is ours now.

God bless your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

September 25, 2003

God bless you for you service and sacrifice. May God be with your wife and children during this time of heartache.

Ofc. Kevin Yankovich #1335
Columbus Police Dept.

September 25, 2003

Lord be with this man and his family and friends in their time of need. Rest in peace, Brother in Blue. The watch is ours now.

officer

September 25, 2003

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family.

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

September 24, 2003

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Investigator Tepe for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

September 24, 2003