Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of Sgt. Jimmy Gilbert. We thank him for his tireless efforts in serving and protecting the Henry County community, making it a safer place for their citizens and children.

Roger Parker
Concerns of Police Survivors - Georgia Chapter

June 16, 2004

We are truly saddened at Jimmy's loss.
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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.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

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

June 11, 2004

Jimmy will always be remembered as a wonderful law enforcement man and a genuine family man. He had a heart of gold and always helped anyone in need no matter if he had worked all night and something needed to be done Jimmy was available to lend a helping hand. May God bless his family and friends.

June 9, 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 Jimmy did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Jimmy be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Sergeant Gilbert's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. 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 Jimmy 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 Jimmy was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Sergeant Gilbert 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)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry, Davis Co. Iowa - EOW (

June 6, 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

May 17, 2004

Jimmy,
on behalf of the Butts County Fire Dept.
We thank you for your years of protection and service.Your memory will
not fade but be a inspiration to all
public safety personel that will here
about your dedication to your profession.Rest easy now, we will soon
meet again.Your firefighter brothers.

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC B.cochran
BUTTS COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

May 17, 2004

Sgt,
It is hard to explain the large whole of emptiness that you have left in our hearts here on MWC(morning watch central), but is easy to explain what such a great leader, supervisor, and friend you were to all of us. Im going to miss all those good times spent on the road blocks, roll call, and down at the Dennys. Its amazing at all the knowledge that you have given me even in ways of getting on my "behind" about some things. I always knew that your #1 goal every night was to take care of us and made sure that we went home safely. I cant thank you enough. Your impression will last a life time in our hearts here at the department and especially on "MWC". Rest in peace brother, we'll miss you.

UPD
Henry County Police Dept.

May 15, 2004

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Sgt. Gilbert.

A Police Dispatcher

May 13, 2004

Jimmy, It has taken me a while to gather the courage to leave this for all of our brothers in blue. I thank the good lord for bringing you into my life. You were a friend to most a supervisor to many and to me a beacon of light in a dark time. You were a mentor a confidant and a true friend. I thank you for the lessons taught and the memories shared. I hope that in suffering your loss I will become more of the officer that you told me I am capable of being. I will strive to live up to the challenges that yopu pose to all of us when you said "do your job, be a professional no matter what is going on". Jimmy our loss is heavens gain. Go in peace to the lord.

David Martinez
Henry County Police Department

May 13, 2004

Jimmy, I will always remember our days working the jail together. I will miss you, but I know one day, we will walk the beat together again.

Deputy Todd Duffey
Henry County Sheriff's Office

May 13, 2004

Rest easy my Brother. Though I did not know you, I have met many that did and all were proud to have known you. I was honored to take part the escort last week. My prayers are with you, your family, friends and department. Thank you for serving.

Motor Ofc. C.H. Spurlin #237
Gwinnett County Police, Georgia

May 13, 2004

I can never thank you enough for the knowledge and leadership you have provided to me and our Department.
You always made me laugh no matter what the conditions were, or what assignment was at hand. Our loss is indeed Heavens gain. Rest Easy Sgt, looking forward to the 59.

Officer Jeff Owen
Henry County Police Department

May 12, 2004

I did not know Jimmy but I have heard nothing but good things about him. The family should be proud of your reputation and being well liked by other agencies!! GOD BLESS.......

Trooper
Georgia State Patrol

May 11, 2004

Jimmy,
I can not tell you what your lost has meant to me and our department. I will miss those days on the range teaching with you and I will miss your passion for training. I will miss your smile and the times that we shared working Morning Watch. Rest easy brother for we will not forget you or your family.God Bless you and your family.

Thank You Jimmy,
Sgt. M.A. Cash

Sgt. M. A. Cash
Henry County Police Department

May 8, 2004

Jimmy, at last you can finally rest for there aren't any bad guys to be caught where you are now. I will always remember you and your enthusiasm for doing the job right. You touched the lives of many people and doubt that you even realized it.

Captain Keith Nichols
Henry County Police Department

May 7, 2004

Jimmy, I'll miss your easy going sense of humor and your positive attitude. You were a good trainer, a good officer and a man. We're all poorer now that you are gone.

Deputy Jason Mitchell
Henry County Sheriff's Office

May 7, 2004

Thank you for your many years of service. You are in my prayers during this difficult time.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman
California Highway Patrol

May 7, 2004

I lost a great Sgt. and a good friend. It will not be the same working without your knowledge, experience, and friendship. May God bless you and your family.

Officer D.B. Gibbs
Henry County Police Department

May 7, 2004

rest in peace brother in blue, we will take it from here.

Ptl. Ivan Davis
Lakeland Police Dept. Ga

May 7, 2004

Jimmy Gilbert was a person that would truly give you the shirt off of his back and do for others before himself.Jimmy was a wonderful family man and a faithful christian.

To Jimmy, you will be missed and remembered always. I would like to thank you for the times you helped me during our friendship. It's comforting to know that your with god in heaven waiting for family and friends.It was a pleasure working with you."Concrete Man"

Officer B.B.Thornton
Henry County Police Dept.

May 7, 2004

Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Rest in peace Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Detective Bronson Painter
Macoupin County Sheriff's Department

May 7, 2004

Sgt. Jimmy Gilbert, over the majority of your law enforcement career I had the pleasure to not only know you but also work side by side with you. We spent much time together not only in the streets and back roads of Henry County but in the hallways of the county jail. We spent much time together talking about our kids and families and I know how hard you worked to provide for their needs. To now see how great of a job you have done with your two oldest children (Allison & Austin) is proof of how much you loved them and wanted the very best for them. Tuesday night I had the GREAT honor to sit at your home and Austin came out to offer me a coke and we had a great conversation. There is no doubt that your family is strong and that Pat will take care of them while you are away. They all will have support and a strong shoulder to lean on in the days and years ahead from not only your co-workers with the PD but the SO also. Regardless of the color of our uniforms or the shape of our badge we are ALL brothers and sisters in the LORD and law enforcement. You were not only a great officer but a great friend, father, & husband who will truly be missed but never forgotten. As we continue the job down here you can rest and know that your life will live on in our hearts. Until we “59” (meet officer…) again our prayers and love will be with you and your family.

Maj. David C. McCart
Henry County Sheriff’s Office
McDonough, Georgia

Several memorial funds have been set up to benefit the Gilbert family, which includes wife Patricia and three children, teens Allison and Austin, and toddler Sarah.

Major David McCart
Henry County Sheriff's Office

May 6, 2004

You are the reason I do what I do.
Thank you!

Police officer
Gwinnett Coounty P.D.

May 6, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH SGT.
GILBERT, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

May 6, 2004

Godspeed to a Brother in Blue...

Neighbor
FAMS Atlanta

May 6, 2004