Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The Lord has called you and your partner Home, we will carry on the watch.

Chief Jay Stripling
Lumpkin, GA Police Department

September 12, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Patrick did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Patrick be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Detective Rafferty's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Patrick is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Patrick was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Detective Rafferty for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry, Davis Co. Iowa - EOW (

September 12, 2004

MY BROTHER. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND THOSE THAT MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU. YOU ARE A HERO. YOU SERVED WELL. THANKS FOR 15 YEARS OF SERVICE.

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

September 11, 2004

Detective Rafferty, Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest Easy Brother!

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

September 11, 2004

For the Family & Friends and Fellow Officers - You are in our thoughts and prayers, God Bless you.

Police Family
Newark,CA

September 11, 2004

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

September 11, 2004

My condolences to the family members of both detectives. The law enforcement family across the world is proud of two heroes that gave their lives to a profession that is very dangerous and exciting at the same time. Dangerous because of this unfortunate incidents, and exciting because we have the opportunity to help people in crisis. They died attempting to put away a dangerous criminal. May god bless them.

Detective Arteaga
Miami Dade Police Department

September 11, 2004

God Bless You. Keep a watch over the rest of us continuing the fight.

God be with your families.

September 11, 2004

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
This was written by an unknown author.

Jim Moore
New Orleans PD, Retired

September 11, 2004

Det. Rafferty, may God bless you and watch over your wife and children.

To the New York City Police Department, we all mourn your loss.

Brother, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI New York

September 11, 2004

Nerves of steel and a true Hero

Godspeed

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., CA

September 11, 2004

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time. Thank you, Sir, for your many years of protecting and serving. May you rest in peace.

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

September 11, 2004

To the family of Detective Rafferty, your pain is felt all across the country. You do not mourn alone. Our prayers are with you all. May Detective Rafferty rest in peace.

Michigan Citizen

September 11, 2004

DET Rafferty was one of the best street cops in the Department. God Bless him, DET Parker and their families.

John Cappelmann
NYPD

September 11, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and co-workers of Detective Rafferty

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

September 11, 2004

To the family, friends and fellow officers of Detective Rafferty. We send our comfort and love to all of you during this difficult time.

The family of Dave Grant EOW 5/31/04
Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Dept.

September 11, 2004

Rest in peace Detective Rafferty. You will never be forgotten.

Ashley Drury
Clare, Michigan

September 11, 2004

Rest in Peace Officer, your watch is done.

Blessed are the peacekeepers for they shall be called children of GOD.

To your family, YOu are all in our hearts, and prayers.

Colorado Firefighter/EMT

September 11, 2004

Once again, we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Rafferty. 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

September 11, 2004

My heart and prayers are with the family, friends and New York City P.D. in this terrible time of loss. May God be with you all. Rest in peace Detective Rafferty and thank you for a job well done. May you and Detective Parker continue your watch on much safer streets now.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

September 11, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen officer's families, friends and our brothers and sisters in blue. God Bless them and all of you in during this tragic time...........

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

September 11, 2004

god bless you Det.Rafferty,may you rest in peace...

skip roberson

September 11, 2004

Rest Easy Brother Patrick, 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

September 11, 2004