Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

“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

My thoughts and prayers to the family, God Bless and thank you for your service

Bryan Carlson, Officer
Oakland Police

May 17, 2004

Tony,
It's been more than twenty years since we met. I'll always remember that grin. It didn't matter what type of day you were having, that grin always brightened the room. You were an outstanding flight engineer, who spent numerous hours teaching others what it meant to be a flight engineer. But you taught them more than that, you demonstrated to them honesty, integrity and caring. Those are gifts your students will take with them forever. Godspeed my friend.

Charles Davis, CMSgt (ret.) USAF
Hughesville Maryland

CMSgt (ret.) Charles Davis

May 16, 2004

Served His Country Well

Tony's 20 Years in the US Air Force was spent much like his six years in the MD State Troopers; helping people. As an instructor while assigned to the 512th SOS Kirtland AFB, NM, he gave instruction to many students on helicopter flight engineer rescue operations and no doubt that those students have saved countless lives and now they too are instructors teaching the trade that Tony helped teach them.

Rest in Peace Tony
"That Others May Live"

Chief Master Sergeant Anderson
US Air Force

May 16, 2004

May you rest in peace my brother. God be with you and your family.

Deputy Ashlie Hunt
Peoria County Sheriffs Auxiliary

May 15, 2004

Rest Easy Brother, You will not be forgotten. MY prayers are with you and your family.

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La

May 15, 2004

Another fine officer taken before his time... May God guide your journey as you patrol Heaven's beat. :)

Officer Candidate Jamie Hughes
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

May 15, 2004

My deepest condolences to the Jones family.
You will not be forgotten.
Your extended family, the Illinois State Police

Trooper T. Ryan Tippet
Illinois State Police

May 15, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

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

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

May 15, 2004

The brotherhood extends further than some realize. My thoughts, wishes and prayers are with you and your family in your time of need. Watch down on us from above.

Steve Cabral
Sullivan's Garage

May 15, 2004

Trooper Jones, May the Lord bless you, your family/loved ones, and the women and men of the Maryland State Police. God speed to our brother for he has truely is our hero. We will continue the war against evil knowing that you'll be watching over your brothers and sisters in blue.

Steven Guibord, Chief/Naples Police, Utah

Jackie Guibord, Inv./Ret/SISB/Provo Police, Utah

Chief Steven Guibord
Naples Police

May 14, 2004

The riders of the 2004 Police Unity Tour learned of your sacrifice late on Sunday May 9th and you were in our thoughts and prayer's when we began our ride to Washington for Police Week. God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

May 14, 2004

God bless the blue angels.
Those willing to go, everyday into the valley of the shadow.
and those who now find peaceful shelter on the other side.
You are forever in our hearts and prayers.

ACooper
Emt

May 14, 2004

Just wanted to take the time and send my condolences. May God be with you and your family.

Brother Sewell BCoPD PC09

PFC Dale Sewell
Baltimore County Police COT Unit

May 14, 2004

you can go 10-42 now. Rest in Peace

Explorer Chris Chappell
US Park Police

May 14, 2004

Sincere condolonces to the family,friends and co workers of yet another fallen hero. Policeman you've carried your burdens well,now go yo pass through heavens gate. Forever remembered as a hero.

Police Officer John Zito
Stroud Area Police, Stroudsburg PA

May 14, 2004

My prayers go out to Trooper Jones family, friends and fellow officers. Trooper Jones may you rest in peace with the lord. My daugther and I would like to thank you for serving our country and state.Thank you for making the world a better place.

REGINA AND BRIEL LAMARTINA

May 14, 2004

Jones,

It seems like just yesterday we were standing tall in the academy. No matter how tough it got, you would always crack that smile to show things were okay. You will be missed and all the good times we shared won’t be forgotten. Rest in peace my brother. Class 110, The Best There’s Ever Been.

TFC Hunt
MSP

May 13, 2004

I did not know TFC Jones, but he was a Brother all the same. My thoughts and prayers go out to his Wife and Children.

Officer J. Bateman
DoD Police

May 13, 2004

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

May God be with Tropper Jones and his family in there time of grief

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

May 12, 2004

I will always remember you and the times we talked, either at Court or Backing each other up. You are not the only one that I have lost in the line of duty. You not only served your Country but also thought that was not enough and continued to serve. I pray that God will take care of your family as he will take care of you in Heaven. You will be missed by your brother officers.

Sgt. Skipper D. Hamm
Prince George's County Police, Md

May 12, 2004

Bless you brother. You have gone to where we have yet to go. You are Blessed for now you see Him as He is. Rest in Peace & the knowledge that your loved ones are never alone. We are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson, U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police

May 12, 2004

My deepest sympathies to the Jones family and to the Maryland State Police. God Bless my brother.

Officer Schrade
US Dept of Veterans Affairs

May 12, 2004

My thoughts & prayers go out to the family, friends, and co. workers. Rest in peace my brother, your watch is done.

SFC Michael H. Brunson
Branchburg Twp. PD NJ

May 12, 2004

Rest in peace TFC Jones your work here is done. We don't understand why but someday we will meet. To TFC Jones family and the Maryland State Police our thoughts and prayers are with you from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol family.

Trp. Steve Nabors
Oklahoma Highway Patrol

May 12, 2004