Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The Policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, officer. How shall I deal with You?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my Church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Cause those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep,
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I've never expected or had too much.
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod.
As the officer waited quietly for the answer of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer, you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's Streets. You've done your time in Hell."

-Author Unknown-

J. Freeman
Rowlett Pd Texas

February 23, 2004

Over 300 Officers,Deputies,Parole-Probation Officers, and every K9 unit available in the L.A. area set-up and held a HUGE perimeter to track down and eventually catch the monster that did this to you. To LAPD my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Dispatcher
R.S.O.

February 23, 2004

God Bless Officer Lizarraga, his friends, and both families (his and the agency). May you,Officer Lizarraga and all of our officers taken from us in the line of duty watch over those that are left until we are called home.

Ofc. C. Westberry; Marion Co. S.O.
I.M.O. Dep. B. Litz EOW 2/7/04

February 23, 2004

Aufrichtige Anteilname - REST IN PEACE

Ret. Detectiv Hans FRIES
Germany

February 23, 2004

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Officer Lizarraga and to all the personnel of the Los Angeles 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 23, 2004

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Lizarraga.

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 23, 2004

God Bless you Officer Lizarraga.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, friends and fellow officers.
You have served your Department with pride and dignity.
Rest in Peace Brother, the watch is ours.

Sheriff Steve Brown
Lunenburg/Queens Co. Sheriff's Office, Bridgewater, N.S., Canada

February 23, 2004

Liz...Watch our six. We'll watch after your family.
- A Newton Brother

Anonymous

February 23, 2004

Ofc Lizarraga Family and L.A.P.D.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your Loved ones. A TRUE HERO is what you are and always will be. I know you are looking down on all of your "brothers" as we continue the fight you fought with such Pride. Until we meet on Heavens Beat, we will all continue the battle with "our angel" Ricardo Lizarraga at our side. God Speed.

Dep W F Schrader II
St Johns County Sheriffs Office

February 23, 2004

Bless the peacemakers that keep us safe. Such a loss to have him leave us at such an early age. I share in the pain of his family, friends and large law enforcement family. Each moment on earth is precious. Bless you, brother. You are in a far better place.

Detective Terry Sonntag
LASD, Retired

February 23, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of our fallen "brother". Rest in peace Ricardo.

Anonymous

February 23, 2004

To this Officer’s, family, friends, and department – May God bless and watch over you as you enter through this difficult journey. I can understand first hand your pain, and sadness, as I am a fiancée of an Officer who recently passed away. Police Officer Daniel Starks (E/O/W 10.25.03) of the Ft Myers Police Department, FL. Please know that our thoughts, and prayers are with you always, and our prayer is that you will find comfort, and peace knowing that your loved one is with God. This officer died protecting others, and that is the ultimate sacrifice. You will continually be thought of and prayed for daily.
God Bless you Officer Ricardo Lizarraga. Stay low..be well.

Jessica Ruhl

February 23, 2004

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FELLOW COLLEAGUES AT NEWTON,
HOW SHOCKED I WAS TO HEAR OF SUCH NEWS. I AM SO DISGUSTED BY THIS COWARDLY ACT BY THIS HEARTLESS MAN AND I KNOW THAT JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED!
I CAN ONLY OFFER MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND MY PRAYERS DURING THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE SORROW I FEEL AND HOW TRULY SORRY I AM. MY HUSBAND IS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DETECTIVE AND I FEAR FOR HIM EVERYDAY AND THIS HAS HIT CLOSE TO HOME. I HOPE THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FIND SOME PEACE AND COMFORT KNOWING THAT OFFICER LIZZARAGA IS NOW IN HEAVEN AND IN THE HANDS OF THE LORD WATCHING AND PROTECTING ALL THOSE WHOM HE LOVED. MAY HE CONTINUE TO LIVE THROUGH ALL THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES THAT YOU WILL FOREVER CHERISH. MAY GOD BLESS OFFICER LIZZARAGA, HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE JOYCE, HIS FAMILY AND FELLOW COLLEAGUES AT NEWTON. CONTINUE TO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND STAY STRONG.
OFFICER LIZARRAGA--
PLEASE WATCH OVER MY HUSBAND AND YOUR ENTIRE LAPD FAMILY AND KEEP THEM SAFE. THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING AND SERVING OUR CITY. YOU WILL BE MISSED.

WIFE OF LAPD DETECTIVE
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 23, 2004

Rest in peace brother in blue,we all mourn the lost.

Watch Commander Alvin Dumas
Bishop State Community College Campus Police Dept.

February 23, 2004

Ricardo, we never met however that will never matter. you unselfishly gave your life to assist someone in need. Every minute of every day you served as a buffer between the right and the wrong, for this we all thank you, and we will miss you greatly. God bess you and your family.

Sgt. Carlos De La Roca (RET)
L.A.P.D

February 23, 2004

WE SEND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY....AND THE L.A.P.D.

MAJOR
DURHAM CO SHERIFFS OFFICE

February 23, 2004

Officer Lizarraga,

While on duty in Los Angeles I was the beneficiary of a great deal of assistance and professional courtesy from the LAPD, and so you are in my heart as a member of family. I am deeply moved by recent events, and I applaud your brothers and sisters in their apprehension of the monster who ended your watch.

You left us with your legacy of courage and compassion- a celebration of the stellar reputation which you helped to forge for your department.

Your memory will never diminish.

Deputy Ross Mueske
U.S. Marshals Service

February 23, 2004

On behalf of the Pittsfield Police Department, we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Officer Lizarraga. God Bless.

Officer Rodney Minoty
Pittsfield Police Dept. ME

February 23, 2004

Another brave soldier in the never ending war on criminals in our country has been killed by a cowardly enemy. May the ruthless criminal responsible for this murder be brought to justice and sentenced to the most severe penalty. 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 and your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Poice

February 23, 2004

A Brother Warrior has fell and died today in battle.

This Brother Warrior has made the ultimate sacrifice.

He has given his life for his Fellow Warriors, his family and friends too.

Brother Warrior, pass your sword to us, so we can keep your spirit alive.

You, my Brother Warrior will not be forgotten.

God Bless you, your family and your friends.

We honor and respect all of the Fallen Warriors who have gone before us.

We ask you, Brother Warriors to guide us, protect us and pray for us.

We will meet again my Brother Warriors.

For this time not to fight another battle, but to live in eternal peace.

God bless all of the Warriors, past, present and future.

Sgt. Chad McDaniel
Seminole County Sheriff's Office (FL)

February 23, 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 23, 2004

I pray that you live in the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. May Christ's love and promise of eternal life be a source of healing, comfort and joy for the Lizarraga's family and loved ones. You will always live in the hearts of the LAPD family, and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sergeant II Herman L. Kaskowitz
LAPD, Central Traffic Division

February 23, 2004

A coward dies a thousand deaths, a soldier dies but one.

May God be with Ofc. Lizarraga and his family.


"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

February 23, 2004

I am sorry for your loss. Its a tough job and people like Ricardo make the differance between bad and good.

Sgt. D. Zimmerman
DHHS/ DMAT/SAR

February 23, 2004

Rest in peace.

Sr.Cpl Hunt
Dallas PD

February 23, 2004