Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace my brother.You are gone, but not forgotten. Much thanks to the Suffolk County Police department and all that gave support in this tragic time.

Police Officer Eric J. Weiss
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police

July 19, 2004

The policeman stood and faced 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 a badge
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 got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time 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 judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

It is accidents like these that make every DUI arrest that much more important.

R.I.P Brother, we have the watch from here.

A Brother In Blue

July 19, 2004

Farewell my Brother. You rest now among the Heroes of Heroes.We are grateful for your faithfulness and dedication to duty. Rest assured that your loved ones are not alone. We are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

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

July 18, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
concerned citizen

July 17, 2004

Phil, you will always be our side and in our hearts. You proved to us that you can make a difference. God knows you touched so many lives. We have lost a member of our family. You were always there with words of advice and encouragement. You made the ultimate sacrifice. Im going to miss you. So as we pickup the pieces of our broken hearts we will never forget Officer Felice "Phil" Taldone Sheild #1230. May God protect you now and keep you safe and warm like you did for so many others.

Constable Joseph Felitti
Patchogue Village

July 16, 2004

May God Bless you and your family.
Rest in Peace

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton Co. Texas Pct. 2

July 16, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Constable Taldone's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Patchogue Village Office of Public Safety. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Constable Taldone, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

July 16, 2004

To Constable Taldone 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 16, 2004

My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the family, friends and fellow officers of Constable Taldone and I would just like to thank Constable Taldone for the years of service and dedication to our profession.

Deputy Regina Gillespie
Buncombe County Sheriff's Office

July 16, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Constable Felice Taldone's wife and children, this family, friends and men and women who worked with him side-by-side. My prayers are for all of you who walk minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour and day-by-day, as that is as far as you can see at the moment. I also send my hug and love to all of you to let you know that many of us are here for you, at any time, night or day...please call.

Debra Noyes, Northeast Region Trustee
National COPS, Inc.

July 16, 2004

Another HERO lost to a senseless act! May GOD bless the family and friends of Constable Taldone. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

July 16, 2004

Constable Taldone,

Rest in Peace Brother....We work hard to take drunk drivers off the road, then something like this happens, makes us more determined. We will continue the fight. My prayers are with your family and the Patchogue Village Office of Public Safety.

Officer
NC

July 16, 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 Constable Taldone 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 16, 2004

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER. Dear Lord, be with me on my beat this day and every day. Grant that each weary block I walk, may ease a brother's way. Let me be kindly to the old, and to the young be strong. But let me triumph over those whose acts are cruel or wrong. And when my own last summons comes and I stand in your court, Lord, may my rest with You be long, My punishment be short."............ REST IN PEACE.

PO
SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE DEPT. NY

July 16, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 16, 2004

Officer Felice (Phil) Taldone, I've worked with you for six years as a brother officer. You and I were partners in the early years. You learned from me and I learned from you. I spoke with you an hour before the senceless tragic event that claimed your life. You were an attribute to yourself, the community and most of all your family. Your professionalism and devotion to duty will be missed not only by fellow officers, but the community you served. You see Phil, you did make a difference. Peace be with you.In solidarity, always Constable Richard De Betta/1228

Constable Richard De Betta
Patchogue Village Public Safety

July 15, 2004

My family would like to extend ur condolences to the family, friends, & co workers of Constable Felice Taldone. You're in our thoughts & prayers. God Bless.

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

July 15, 2004

Rest in peace. May God bless you and keep you in his arms.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 15, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS OF THIS GREAT OFFICER. A HERO FOR SURE. GOD BLESS AND REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. YOU SERVED WELL.

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

July 15, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

July 15, 2004

Rest assured you are not forgotten. You served your village well and your legacy will live on. Your family and you will forever remain in my prayers.

Brother of West Palm Beach Police Officer Thomas J Morash #1334 EOW 10/17/03

Police Officer Patrick Morash
Suffolk County Police, NY

July 15, 2004

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

July 15, 2004

Today we mourn as yet another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Constable Taldone. 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

July 15, 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

July 15, 2004

The policeman stood and faced 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 a badge
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 got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time 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 judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

July 15, 2004