Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hollywood,
I thank God that he placed you in all of our lives. You are absolutely the most positive person that I have ever known. You make those around you better individuals. You always walked around with that perpetual "grin" on your face that enlightened all of our hearts. You loved your job, you loved us, you loved your life. I take solace in the stories of the last times I was around you. That is exactly how I wish to remember you. Wood, your watch is over. Ride off into the sunset, cowboy...

Officer Dwayne English
Joliet Police Department

August 23, 2004

Rest in peace officer. To the family, please know that there is a BLUE ANGEL in Heaven watching over you all.
You are all in our hearts, and prayers.
Colorado "First Due".

COLORADO EMT/FIREFIGHTER

August 23, 2004

Our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family, friends, and fellow officers of Jon. You are and always will be the best of the best. You will forever be in our hearts and our "Hollywood" will continue to make us smile. We love you Jon!

Ofc. and Mrs. Shawn West
Joliet Police Department

August 23, 2004

The men and women of the Illinois State Police extend our thoughts and prayers to the family of PO Walsh and to the Joilet Police Department.

Illinois State Police

August 23, 2004

Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends, and fellow officers of Jon. He was and always will be the best of the best. You will forever be in our hearts and not a day will pass that we won't think of our "Hollywood" and smile. We love you Jon.

Ofc. and Mrs. Shawn West
Joliet Police Department

August 23, 2004

Jonathan you were a breath of fresh air, your caring nature and your desire to serve the public as a whole was very evident. You whisked into our lives and then you left, but not without leaving a lasting impression on those individuals who you came in contact with. Our prayer’s and deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jonathan’s, god bless.

Rayette Norlock, Administrative Secretary #409
to the Chief of Police
Burr Ridge Police Department

Administrative Secretary, Rayette Norloc
Burr Ridge Police Department

August 23, 2004

To the family, friends and cowoerkers of Police Officer Walsh, my deepest sympathy. Unfortunately, I know that no words can or will bring comfort at a time like this. But, please know that so many of us feel your pain and grieve with you. May God bless you and help you.

"You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." PSALM 10:17

Officer Walsh, rest in peace!

Rosa Waters
Mother of Michael Waters
EOW: September 11, 2003

August 23, 2004

You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

August 23, 2004

My heart goes out to the friends and family of officer Walsh. May god bless you all.

Patrolman, Mike Cruze
Edinburgh, Indiana

August 23, 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 23, 2004

Walsh, what a guy. I sit here typing still not believeing this is real. Ever since day one, three and a half years ago when Kevin got hired, you have been a great friend most importantly to him, but also to me. You befriended us right away and that always has meant so much. A few weeks ago I saw the check that you gave Kevin for your guys trip to St. Louis. I saw what you wrote on the memo line. I laughed and rolled my eyes. I was going to give you a hard time about it next time I saw you....
Thank you for sharing your life with us. Everything about you will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Please try not to break too many hearts in heaven!
Love you always, Mar-Bear.

Mary Kroeger

August 23, 2004

Officer Walsh,
It is evident by the many loving reflections left for you that you truly were a wonderful person. Thank you for giving the ultimate sacrafice to protect us. You truly are a HERO. May you hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant" from the Lord. You now serve us in a better place.

To the family of Officer Walsh, my heart and prayers go out to you during this very difficult time. Having lost a good friend in the line of duty in 2000, I know how hard this is. Just remember that there is a reason to get up everyday, even if it is just to talk about Jonathan or look at his picture. His memory will live on in many people as I can see by these reflections.

To the coworkers my prayers are with you and thankyou for the job that you do. You all are HEROES!

A Dispatcher

August 23, 2004

When I first saw another officer was taken from us my heart sank and I could only think of the pain your department was going through, but when I started to read the reflections I began to cry with an even heavier heart without a question this young officer was loved and had touched so many lives in such a short time. We grieve with each of you I am so very sorry any agency has to go through this. I can see why Officer Walsh was called Hollywood...peace be with all of you.

Grand Prairie Police Dept, Tx

August 23, 2004

To the Family, Friends & Fellow Officers of Jon....
A fine young man was robbed Friday of a life that could have been filled with so much more. You already have lived far more in your short life span than most people do in a whole life time. As a mother of a police officer, who never failed to say whenever I saw him in his uniform "BE SAFE OUT THERE",
we can only hope those small words stay with you and protect you guys out there on the streets, watching the world for us and keeping us as safe as you can. May God be with You, your Family, your Friends and most of all, your Fellow Officers who will miss you the most. Keep Jon in your hearts and your soul and let him be the motivation you need to keep going when the going gets tough...
We love you all.........

Bev Sepulveda
Mother of Officer Kevin Sepulveda # 174

Bev Sepulveda-Mother of Officer Kevin Se

August 23, 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 Walsh. Having recently tragically lost Deputy Mike 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 Walsh. Rest in peace.

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

August 23, 2004

I pray for comfort and peace for your family and friends during this painful time. Rest well our fallen brother and Go rest high on the mountain!

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

August 23, 2004

OH GOD MY HEART BREAKS SO BAD FOR THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF YOUNG SO YOUNG OFFICER WALSH. REST IN PEACE SIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE KNOWN THIS OFFICER. TAKE CARE...

Leo Wife

August 23, 2004

I truly believe that when our time has come to go be with the Lord, we will go no matter what we are doing or where we are. May our Lord bless and keep the family, loved ones and friends of our brother Jon. I just lost my wife on July 21 after 31 wonderful years so I can somewhat relate to your pain. He would want you to be strong and to go on. God help you, and all of us to do just that, go on and on until we see our loved ones again one great day.
May the love and peace of Christ sustain you.
Gary

SRO Practitioner Gary Willis
Johnson City, TN Police

August 23, 2004

Godspeed and my condolences to Jon's family and "extended family," the Joliet Police dept.

-John
Former Chicago Ridge Police Cadet/Part-timer

John Anderson #89
Norridge Police Communications

August 23, 2004

I remember seeing you in the jail and i told you "I wanna be just like you"..
you laughed and said "I wanna be just like Ross"....big smile on your face. You were too good to me. you were the MAN....I love you, I wish I could be just like you.

Patrol Officer Ross #310
JPD

August 23, 2004

Jon, I will miss you but never forget you. You were a careing and loving person and a great officer. You will be missed by all. Rest in peace brother.

Officer Stephen Camarda #251
Joliet Police Dept.

August 23, 2004

Thank you for your service Ofc. Walsh. My deepest sympathy to your family and the Joliet Police Dept.

Ptl. Chris Slager
South Bend Police Dept.

August 23, 2004

My heart and deepest sympathy goes out to John's family and friends. John was a great guy besides being an excellent police offcer. I'm glad I had the opportunity to work with him and become his friend when he was at Palos Hills police dept. There are some great stories with him that I tell often and will never forget. God Bless.

Sgt. Scott Becker
Palos Hills Police Dept.

August 23, 2004

i want to express my sympathy to the police dept and the city. Here in Indianapolis we are dealing with an officer death as well.. we are all sad and pray for his family and friends.

Jennifer Leath/control operator
Marion County Sheriff's Department

August 23, 2004

Officer Walsh, just reading these postings shows what type of a leader and true brother you really were. You are an inspiration to officers throughout the United States. As a former Waukegan, Il officer and current officer in Nevada, I went to the academy with some of your Joliet brothers. I know what great cops you guys all are. God Bless you for sacrificing your life for the protection of others. My condolences go out to Officer Walsh's family and the Joliet Police Department.

Ofc. D. Burgess
CCSDPD Las Vegas, NV

August 23, 2004