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

July 6, 2004

Another sensless tragedy. With a heavy heart we offer our prayers and condolences. May god give you comfort. GODSPEED Brother.

Retired Correctional Corporal

July 6, 2004

To Mrs. Winder and her children; our hearts go out to you, our prayers are with you.

Brian, keep watch over us, and we'll watch them. Rest in peace

Mustang OK

July 6, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 6, 2004

Being one of the first officers to respond to the scene that night, I was really at a loss for words. I found this poem which seems appropriate:
"The Final Inspection"

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 foward 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 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 awful tough.

But I never took a penny that was't mine to keep...

though I worked a lot of overtime when bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God foregive 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 to 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 judgement of his God.

"Step foward now, policeman. You've borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on heaven's streets.

You've done your time in hell."

-Author unknown

P/O James Krawczyk
Housing Authority of Baltimore City Police

July 6, 2004

My family would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of P.O. Brian Winder. We know the pain you're suffering is tremedous and want to let you know you're all in our thoughts & prayers. May God watch over all of you in each & every day.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

July 5, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless you Brother Winder.



Ofc.D.Sewell
Baltimore County Police Pc09

Police Officer First Class
Baltimore County Police COT Unit

July 5, 2004

Rest in peace my brother

Reserve Officer
Spokane Police Dept

July 5, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
concerned citizen

July 5, 2004

Brother, like all the rest of these fallen heroes, it killed me when I read the incident that took your life. You gave it all brother and my hear goes out to your family. Hold it down up there for the rest of us and we will be there to join you one day. Thank You for all the many things that you did for your community and our country... Rest in Peace my Brother....Well done..

Sergeant
Amory Police Dept.

July 5, 2004

Step forward now policeman, you've bourne your burdens well....Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets....You done your time in Hell.

Brian, I came to Baltimore on vacation the day you gave your all, god bless you and rest in peace brother. Baltimore has lost a hero.

Patrolman Steve Vallance
Auburn Police Department

July 5, 2004

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. God Bless

Police Officer
Chicago Police

July 5, 2004

I hate writing in this way again because it's always the worst time due to the lost of another brother. My heart goes out the Officer Winder family, and his fellow officers. It hit me like a ton of bricks when i heard of the shooting. But to his family i know it will be hard trying to live with out him. But you have the love of all the brothers in blue behind you for support always. Officer Brown, s USPPD5 Anacostia Station Washington, DC

PVT
U.S. PARK POLICE Anacostia station Washington, DC

July 5, 2004

Brian,
God bless you for doing your job and giving the ultimate sacrifice. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May the sun rise to meet you and wind always be at your back.

Ofc. B.C. Moore
CCPD-Cobb COunty,Ga

July 5, 2004

Rest in peace my brother, you will not be forgotten. This man was a hero.

Patrol Officer
Birmingham Michigan

July 5, 2004

To Officer Winder family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you

God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl 11/6/86

July 5, 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. 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,Trooper D.C.Koeppen,NJ State Police and Cadet Officer A.M. Koeppen,Wilmington NC.

Chief (retired) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

July 5, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Brian, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

July 5, 2004

My heart and prayers are with the wife, children, family, friends and coworkers of Officer Winder. May God be with you all in this terrible time of loss. Officer Winder may you rest in peace and thank you for a job well done. May the children of this fine officer know always what a true HERO your dad is always.

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

July 5, 2004

Brian,
You gave the altimate sacrifice. Thank you for protecting Baltimore City. You are truly a brave soldier in the fight. Keep watch over the rest of us as we carry on the legacy.

Oficer Cory Eslick
Anne Arundel County

July 5, 2004

To the Winder family as well as the family that had worked with Winder, and his friends, I would like to send my deepest sympathy. I have been through what your department is going through with the loss of Deputy Bill Davis EOW 11-03-03. It will get better as long as family friends and coworkers keep in mind that on Brian's beat now that there is no crime, just the constant watch that he now helps to provide over all of us left behind. May we all feel a little safer, sadly kowing that we will have one more officer to watch over us and protect us from things that we can't see. Again My Deepest Sympathy.

Deputy Sheriff Troy Wellman
Moody County Sheriffs Office SD

July 5, 2004

Officer Winder has been called by God to walk a beat on the streets of Heaven. Rest in peace now brother, we have the watch now.

To the family and friends of Officer Winder our prayers are with you.

Officer
Lititz Borough Police Department

July 5, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Winder for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

July 5, 2004

Rest easy brother, The watch is ours now.

Officer
Atlanta Police

July 5, 2004

Rest in peace brother, and may your family find strength through there faith, and there blue family that will always be with them.

officer Tom Bowden
Metro Nashville Police Department

July 5, 2004