Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The policeman stood and faced his God,which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?
The policeman squared his shoulders and said.
"No, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a Saint."
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk is rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
though at times I shook with fear,
and sometimes, God forgive me, I've 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 never expected or had too much, but if you don't...I'll understand"
There was a silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"

G. HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

May 6, 2004

On behalf of the Pittsfield Police Dept., we offer our condolences to the family and friends of Sgt. Gilbert. God Bless.

Officer Rodney Minoty
Pittsfield Police Dept. ME

May 5, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you

shannon
concerned citizen

May 5, 2004

God Bless You
Rest in Peace
Our prayers are with you.

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton Co. Texas Pct. 2

May 5, 2004

To the family of the missed Sgt. Gilbert God bless you!! To Sgt. Gilbert you were always an inspiration to me and I will tell you why. I always looked up to you and thought that I would hope to be one day just like you. You see I think we both had the same thoughts when it came to bad guys. I think I am just a younger version of how you were Sgt. We both also had the same thoughts about being able to go home safely to see our families. It was a real pleasure to have worked with you the time that I did sir and I know one day we will be working together once again in heaven. I will truly miss you and to me you are a hero sir. I thank God for allowing us to cross paths. GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!

S/A Beltran
Henry County

May 5, 2004

Rest in peace brother. May God bless you and your family from now to eternity.

Ofc Roger Bell
Marietta Police Dept - GA

May 5, 2004

My family would like to extend our sympathy to the family, friends, & co-workers of Sgt James Gilbert for their loss. You're in our thoughts & prayers.

Gail M Pabst
aunt of a fallen officer

May 5, 2004

Brother , Thank you for your sacrifice. We'll take it from here. Rest easy, we have the watch

Senior Trooper
Georgia State Patrol

May 5, 2004

Rest in peace knowing that you did a Job Well Done.....

1942
PPD

May 5, 2004

Rest now brother, we will take it from here.

"Blessed are the peacekeepers, they shall be called the children of God"
Mat: 5:9

Post #1 Griffin

Trooper
Georgia State Patrol

May 5, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Sergeant James Gilbert. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

May 4, 2004

I enjoyed working for you when you were evening watch SGT, several years ago. I learned from you when you were LT over training. I would now like to take this time to say thank you for all you did for me and all you did for our department. We as a department will suffer a great loss, but GOD will gain a fine supervisor who will walk in the streets of heaven. You will always be missed.

Officer Jeff Maddox
Henry County Police Department

May 4, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Sgt GIlbert. You will never be forgotten.

Maddox
Henry County 911

May 4, 2004

Another officer lost to soon. Rest in peace brother you have done a fine job and we got your back. To the family and friends of Sgt. James Gilbert you are in my prayers. To the members of the Henry County Police Department keep up the good work and besafe.

Cpl. Bryan Taylor
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Tampa, Fl.

May 4, 2004

Rest in peace Brother In Blue.

Tfc B L Mims #975
Georgia State Patrol

May 4, 2004

TO: The family;loved ones;friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER:--- O,gentle Lord! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty,I ask your protection from all mental,physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work,endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties.Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think that no one really cares and that I am taken for granted.Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers,and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely ,after my tour of duty,to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer;and after my tour of duty is over here on earth,may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those that serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE*** Sent to you by the father of First Class Officer J.D.Koeppen,Capital City Raleigh NC and Trooper D.C.Koeppen,NJ State Police.

Chief (retired) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

May 4, 2004

I had the great honor of working with Jimmy Gilbert. He was one of the greatest guys you would want to know. He was always in a good mood and had a smile on his face. He had the ablity to put a smile on your face as well. I will truly miss Jimmy Gilbert.

Steven Goodman
Newnan Police Dept.

Officer Steven Goodman
Newnan Police Dept.

May 4, 2004

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the Henry County Police Dept.

Former Henry County resident

May 4, 2004

God's Rest Brother

Senior Trooper (Ret)
Oregon State Police

May 4, 2004

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 Henry County Police Department.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

May 4, 2004

On behalf of all the officers of the City of Durand Police Department we have your department and the family of Sergeant Gilbert in our hearts and prayers. Take Care and Be Safe!

Officer Luis Lopes-Serrao #47
City of Durand Police Department, WI

May 4, 2004

Jimmy,

You are a better man than I am. I never met anyone more dedicated to law enforcement than you. Every time I think of all the bad guys we arrested and hearing you yell, "How 'yall doin'", it makes me smile. I never met anyone so geniunely excited about arresting someone. When you pulled out your handcuffs you had a look in your eye that made you seem like a little kid on Christmas morning. You were always there, regardless, just because you didn't want to let us down. You're a little bit country, I'm a little bit rock-n-roll. (MWC) Morning Watch Central. Jimmy, I'm sorry for leaving. One day we will be on the same shift again building a case to put the devil in his place and we will kick in the doors to Hell, yell out How yall doin, and take everyone to jail. Rest well my brother.

Snook

May 4, 2004

Growing up in a law enforcement family, my heart sinks anytime I hear of the death of an officer. This one hits terribly close to home. Sergeant Gilbert undoubtedly passed by my home thousands of time over his career, standing watch over me and my family, always ready to serve if crime found its way to my doorstep. There are no words to express the depth of my gratitude for his willingness to serve in spite of the known dangers. My most sincere condolences to his wife, his children and the Henry County Police Department family. My prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Donnie Chaffin
Hampton, GA

May 4, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your wife and children and the men and women of the Henry County Police Department Sergeant James Gilbert. Thank you sir for your service.

Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City P.D. Clare,Mi.

May 4, 2004

Sgt Gilbert and Henry County PD,

May God be with all the members of the Henry County PD and the Gilbert Family. We at the St Johns County Sheriffs Office also lost a loved one on this same somber day. All of our prayers go out to all of you, and I know I now have another guardian angel watching over me. Sgt patrol the streets of heaven, as we continue to the fight on earth. God Speed brother, you are gone but never forgotten. You are a true American Hero.

Dep W F Schrader II
St Johns County Sheriffs Office

Deputy W F Schrader II
St Johns County Sheriffs Office

May 4, 2004