Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Ted Duke Horton

Franklin County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

End of Watch Friday, May 14, 2004

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Ted Duke Horton

Rest Easy Brother Ted, the Watch is Ours Now and Yours was with Honor. Our Thoughts and Prayers are
with your Family, Friends and Co-Workers.

APD #128
Altoona Police Dept. Altoona, Pa

June 4, 2004

Deputy Ted Horton, His Family, and Members of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department:

There is little that can be said to ease the pain in this time of sorrow. At times like this, I pray that the gentle hand of the Lord reach out and touch each and every one of you with his healing touch.

In the beauty of the lilies,
Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom
That transfigures you and me;
As he died to make men holy,
Little us live to make men free,
While God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet
That shall never sound retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men
Before His judgment seat;
O be swith, my soul, to answer His;
Be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

Rest is peace my brother until the last day when we will all be reunited in the final roll call.

Lt. Stephen Jackson
Bicycle Patrol Unit, Baton Rouge PD

June 4, 2004

Dep. Horton,

You truly are a hero. Your brothers in blue could only wish to be as strong as you. My prayers are with you and your family and all the members of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. RIP.

Ofc BM Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY

June 4, 2004

It was three weeks ago that you were taken from us Ted but you are still missed just as much. Regardless of the situation you could make anyone smile at any time...and you are still doing that with the memories we have in our hearts and minds...you will never be forgotten Ted Horton and please know that if any of us can do half the job you did we will be exceptional officers.

Patrol Officer Adam Carlson
Franklinton Police Dept

June 3, 2004

Deputy Horton,

Rest easy brother..job well done. GODSPEED.. and I will be praying for your family and the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.

Officer
NC

June 3, 2004

The world may never know that you gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep its sons and daughters safe, but I do, and all of your brothers and sisters in blue do. We all share with your loved ones the deep sorrow of saying goodbye to a part of our family. May God Bless the Horton family, the Franklin County Sheriff's Dept and everyone else who gives so much for the service of others.

Officer R.A. Murfitt
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

June 2, 2004

My deepest condolences to the Horton family and the deputies and staff of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department over the tragic loss of Deputy Sheriff Ted D. Horton. Once again a brother officer has been taken from the thin blue line. Ted now patrols the streets of Heaven with St. Michael and his angels. May our brother Ted rest in peace. Never forget the fallen hero!

Ofcr. Dan Winger
LBCCPD, Ret.

June 2, 2004

Rest in peace sir.

Shannon
concerned citizen

June 2, 2004

My heart and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Horton. May God be with you all in this time of such great pain and loss.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee D. Azure
EOW 08/06/02

June 2, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Horton


Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

June 2, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Ted Horton's family, friends, and co-workers with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.

God bless our brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

June 2, 2004

Rest in Peace. Protect us from above.

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

June 2, 2004

Thank you for all that you did and all that you stood for. You will be greatly missed by all of your brothers and sisters, who will try to fill the void left by your loss. Sleep well and hold your head high knowing that you did all you could and we will not forget your supreme sacrifice. God Bless.

Hampton Patrolman
Hampton Police Division

June 2, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your wife, and then men and women of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. You will never be forgotten Deputy Ted Horton.

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

June 2, 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 spiiritual 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 who 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

June 2, 2004

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

May God be with Deputy Horton and his family in their time of grief.

"I am my brothers keeper"


109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

June 2, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

June 2, 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

June 2, 2004

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, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was 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 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'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 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 your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 2, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Deputy Ted Duke Horton. 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.

June 2, 2004

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family.


LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

June 1, 2004

MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS ALL WHO LOVE AND WILL MISS YOU IN THIER LIVES. YOU SERVED WELL. REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

June 1, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Sheriff Horton's wife, family, friends and co-workers. I pray God's grace and comfort for you. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

June 1, 2004

Ted you will always be missed by all of us.

J.T.Amos III
Franklinton Police, Franklin County NC

June 1, 2004

Yet the life of another hero is taken too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Horton. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

June 1, 2004

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