Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace! You will not be forgotten. Not only does your family and friends grieve, your brothers and sisters in blue grieve for you as well. Keep a watch over the rest of us. You have done your time in hell.

Ofc. K. Moses
MTSU.PD, TN

February 17, 2004

It is a sad momment when I hear of a fellow officer has given his/her life in the effort to keep the community and others safe. We will continue your fight with you now watching us from above and rest to sure that we will never forget what you have given for us. To your family I give my deepest condolences, Rest in peace and take your place walking heaven's beat.

Patrol officer II
Asheboro PD NC

February 17, 2004

I am deeply saddened by this tragic news. Another of the best people on earth has fallen to an evil murderer. I hope the community will show its outrage, as well as appreciation for this officer's sacrifice. My deepest sympathies and prayers to the family, friends and brother/sister officers of Lt. John FINN. Rest in Peace brother.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

February 17, 2004

Our hearts go out to all of you, family, friends, and LEO brothers and sisters of Lt. Finn. We have recently lost a dear friend and brother at our agency and it breaks my heart to see today several more souls added to the memorial. Stand tight in support of each other...God bless you all....

Master Deputy
Marion County Sheriff's Office, FL

February 17, 2004

What do cops think?...only Bosco knows.

John, as you now know, Jesus Loves You, so do we!

John 3:16

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond,Va Police

February 17, 2004

You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.

Anonymous

February 17, 2004

What a tragic loss.

My regards to the family and fellow law enforcement officers who will miss this officer for the rest of their lives.

May God lay His blessings on you all.

Captain Joe L. Gilliland (retired)
Danville Kentucky Police Department

February 17, 2004

We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up. Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house."
May God be with your family and friends in their time of healing.

debra
lexington so s.c.

February 17, 2004

John - Your sacrifice and dedication to law enforcement will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, blue angel.

Investigator Gloria Coppola
New York State Police

February 17, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

February 17, 2004

God I just want to take all of you officers and put you in a full body Kevlar wrap!

This is just so sad.

Rest in peace brother, we'll see you on the flip side!

Anonymous

February 17, 2004

Rest in Peace Lt

P.O. M.Rodriguez
Howard County, MD

February 16, 2004

You are with God, and Your Family Now and Forever. God bless the Albany Police Department and all their families.

State Trooper
New Jersey State Police

February 16, 2004

My sincere condolence. You are remembered Brother.

Senior Trooper (Ret)
Oregon State Police

February 16, 2004

Rest in Peace. Protect us from above.....

PO E. Falkowski
Syracuse Police Dept

February 16, 2004

My prayers and deepest condolences are with
your Department, and especially with the friends
and family of your fallen friend. GOD BLESS this HERO.
Stay strong, stay focused, and make SURE that Lt. Finn
will never be forgotten.
Mike Bradford; Tallahassee Police Dept., Ret.

Invest. Mike Bradford-Ret
Tallahassee Police Dept

February 16, 2004

Rest in peace.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

February 15, 2004

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Lieutenant Finn and to all the personnel of the Albany Police Department who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

February 15, 2004

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Lieutenant Finn.

While I did have the privilege to have known him personally, I am certain that he has found a place in heaven. Rest in peace my friend; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

February 15, 2004

Another HERO is gone!

Rest in peace brother. We will continue the fight.

In memory of Lieutenant John Finn, and all the fallen HERO'S, please light a BLUE LIGHT in a window of your home and let it shine 24/7!!

RJF
CPD, NY

February 15, 2004

Sir, we now know that you are in a much better place, away from the pain and suffering here on Earth. May you walk the streets of high above wearing your new badge with pride and valor because you are a true hero among us. And to Mr. Finn's friends and family I ask that you please remember that you are still a part of OUR family and we are with you always. Our deepest thoughts from all of us here at the Osage County, KS Sheriff's Office.

Your Brothers and Sisters
Osage County, Kansas Sheriff's Office

February 15, 2004

We are truly saddened at John's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

February 15, 2004

As a community who just lost a law enforcement officer, my heart goes out to the family and friends of Lt. Finn. God Bless and keep you close to Him.

The Last Inspection
The patrolman stood and faced his God,
As must always come to pass;
He hoped his shoes were shining
As brightly as his badge.

"What do you say, patrolman?
How should I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek,
To my church have you been true.

The patrolman squared his shoulders,
Said, "No sir, I guess I ain't,
Because them who carry badges
Don't always act like saints.

I had to work most Sundays,
And my language, I know was rough;
There were times when I was violent,
Because the streets are pretty tough.

But I never took a single dime
That I had no right to keep,
Though I worked a lot of extra jobs,
When the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though I sometimes shook with fear,
Sometimes, God forgive me,
I've cried unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the gentle people that I served
Who never wanted me around,
But when they was scared or hurt.

And if you have a place for me,
It won't have to be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if not -- I'll understand."

There was silence then at the throne,
Where so many saints had trod,
As the patrolman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, patrolman,
You've carried your burdens well,
Come join now (italicize: my) honor guard,
You've done your tour of hell."

"The Last Inspection"
Copyright 1988 by Sgt. David Hunter (Ret.)
Knox County Sheriff's Dept.
Knoxville, TN

Sharon Duncan, RN
City of Ocala

February 15, 2004

Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss.May our Father hold you tight and wipe your tears away. Rest in peace Lt Finn.

Teresa Goss
Shadco. Jax.Fl

February 15, 2004

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

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Lieutenant Finn'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 John 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 John 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 say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Deputy Sheriff Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/01/03)

February 15, 2004