Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

ALL of our Officers, both Civilian and Military, are grieving over the lose of Officer Timothy Laird. Condolences and prayers for his loved ones, Police family, and Friends. Officer Laird....you did, "Protect and Serve". All of us thank you for your commitment. We, (all Police Officers), know why you responded with dedication. Our sincerest best wishes to Officer Laird's wounded brothers for a speedy and complete recovery. All of you are our MENTOR'S.

Detective
NAVAL WEAPONS STATION, CHARLESTON, SC

August 18, 2004

Rest in peace my brother, may all of your fellow officers recover from their wounds. May your family find their peace in such a senseless loss of someone so special in life to them, Peacemakers are children of God and he has called you home much to early but know he has placed you in his heaven for those special people call cops.

Sergeant Jim Arrington Ret.
Baltimore County Police

August 18, 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

August 18, 2004

Rest in peace, brother. You left your pain and suffering here and are with the Good Lord. You'll be missed.

Patrolman
Independence, Missouri

August 18, 2004

I pray for peace and comfort for your family and friends and hope they find strength in you act of bravery and courage. Go rest high on the mountain!

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

August 18, 2004

Our condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Laird. Rest in Peace Brother.

Patrol Division
Logansport Police Department

August 18, 2004

Officer Laird, Rest easy brother. You are a true warrior and hero.
God bless you and your family.

A Texas streetcop

August 18, 2004

Our Greatest Fear
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again, I hold back a tear.
They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary,
but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.
They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.
To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?
They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.
Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
too many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
" Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.

August 18, 2004

To the family,friends and co-workers of officer Laird,your family of LEO's are here for you for we have lost another Hero in the line of duty.You will not be forgoton Brother!You did your job with pride and you didnt back down.We pray for you and the other officers that were wounded.God Bless!

Cpl.David Hazlett
Berry hill PD/Nashville,Tn.

August 18, 2004

Our city has lost another hero. Rest in peace Office Laird. Your work is finished.

Indianapolis Citizen

August 18, 2004

Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called Chilren of God. Rest in peace.

LEO Wife
Asheville NC Police Dept

August 18, 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

August 18, 2004

You are a true hero. It is an honor to stand, next to men like you. Thank You. God speed.

Indianapolis Airport Police

August 18, 2004

On behalf of the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Industry Station, our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Timothy Laird. Having recently tragically lost Deputy Michael Arruda (EOW 06-15-04), we know all too well the pain and reality of losing one of our own. Please take comfort from knowing your extended law enforcement family grieves with you.

God bless, Officer Laird. RIP.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

August 18, 2004

Rest easy brother, you will be missed.

Detective K. Resler
Clearwater Police Department

August 18, 2004