Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The park was busy on Saturday and everyone kept asking why our flag was at half staff. All day I answered, "We lost a ranger" and I told them about Suzanne Roberts and how she died doing her job. They said they were sorry, they gave me thier condolences. I'm sure it was the same at parks all across the country. Even those who never knew Ranger Roberts will remember.

Seasonal LE Ranger
National Park Service

September 21, 2004

Sooz,
I just cannot believe it, I cannot believe that you are gone. I still remember when you were promoted to the position of law enforcement ranger, you smiled and said "now I get a gun". You told everyone and we gave you a hard time about it for years. I will miss that smile so much. I will miss your ability to make others smile. I will miss your compassion. I remember walking into the lift locker room at the end of the day, upset over some trivial thing. You would take one look at me and say "and what can I do for you", I would always find myself talking to you about whatever ailed me and you always listened and convinced me that everything would work out in the end. I always felt better after talking to you, you were so genuine and you cared about everyone. You had that compassion for everyone you came into contact with, regardless of if you were meeting them for the first time or if you had know them for years- nobody was able to walk away from you without a smile on their face. Suzi, you have touched so many lives and each and every one of your friends and relatives was blessed to have known you.
I would like to offer my condolences to Suzi's parents, her siblings, nieces and nephews. To Peter, you have my heartfelt prayers- for the loss of Suzi and also for the loss of Drew. I hope you will be able to find some comfort in the love of friends and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Anonymous
Former WP Resident

September 21, 2004

~The Dash Between The Years~

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning ... to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the "dash" between those years. (1900-1970)

For that "dash" represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars...the house...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our "dash".

So think about this long and hard
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.


And be less quick to anger,
And show our appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your "dash"?

September 21, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Park Ranger Suzanne E. (Suzi) Roberts and the United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Suzi... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

September 21, 2004

God Bless you for your service, Suzi Roberts. May God hold you closely, and heal the pain in the hearts and eyes of your loved ones, friends, and co-workers.

Deputy Sandra Shofner
Broward Sheriff's Office

September 20, 2004

Sooz,

You always were the best of the best, no matter what. Thanks for the memories and inspiration. I'll miss your humor and strength. Goodbye for now.

Anonymous
Colorado

September 20, 2004

As a former NPS Law Enforcement Ranger and the survivor of a trooper killed in the line of duty, my heart breaks in many ways for your family & friends. Being a seasonal ranger was the best job I ever had and some of my best friends were met while I was working with NPS. There are many difficult days ahead of you as you try to continue your life without Suzi but know there are others out here who care & will keep you in our prayers. I hope Suzi had as much fun living her life as a ranger as I did. God bless you!

Denise L. Jones (Former NPS Ranger)
Survivor of Trooper Calvin E. Taylor

September 19, 2004

Ranger Roberts, Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Rest Easy !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

September 19, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SENT OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH RANGER
ROBERTS, HER FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

September 19, 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 Suzanne did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Suzanne be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Ranger Roberts' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. 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 Suzanne 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 Suzanne was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Ranger Roberts 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 - EOW (01/03/03)

September 19, 2004

Suzie,
I only knew you for the few weeks you were on detail here at Independance N.H.P. But I'll never forget how you helped to make standing post more bearable. My heart goes out to you, your family, and your other park service family.

M. Moore Park Ranger (LE)
National Park Service, INDE

September 19, 2004

We are deeply saddened at Suzi's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

September 18, 2004

farewell for now Suzi.Thank you for your service and dedication to duty. Rest in Peace and know 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.

September 18, 2004

We extend our depest sorrow and heartfelt prayers to the family and friends of Officer Roberts.

PO S.Harris #396
Cicero PD,Gang/Tactical Unit

September 18, 2004

The members of the 67th Precinct Anti-Crime Unit with to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Parker Ranger Roberts.

Having just lost two Detectives from our precinct last week, we know all to well what you are going through right now.

Stay strong. The law enforcement community is with you.

67th Precinct Anti-Crime Unit
New York City Police Department

September 18, 2004

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

September 18, 2004

You will be remembered Suzanne Roberts.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

September 18, 2004

Ranger Roberts,

Thank you for your years of dedicated service. I am praying for your family and the United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. I know you are at the top of the mountain looking down, watch over the rest of us... Rest in Peace Sister...GODSPEED

Officer
NC

September 18, 2004

God Bless You.

September 17, 2004

sooz;

It seems like just yesterday that we were in Franklin, North Carolina learning to do what Rangers do.

You have made the ultimate sacrifice doing what Rangers do, making it safe for others.

Rest in peace and I'll see you when I get there.

US Ranger Chris Figge
NPS - Ozark National Scenic Riverways

September 17, 2004

I am so sorry to hear of the tragic loss of Suzi Roberts. I would like to offer my condolences to her family and friends. I must have visited her new patrol area about a month before her transfer there and just missed meeting her. I am also a former NPS LE Ranger, working seasonally as well as permanently. I also worked at Rocky Mt. NP. I'll bet that she loved her work and was dedicated to protecting the land and the visitors. God bless her and all of us left behind still working in law enforcement and please keep us safe.

MaryPat King, LEO
U.S. Forest Service, Forests in Florida

September 17, 2004

To Park Ranger Roberts family, friends, and the United States of the Interior-National Park Service. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Park Ranger Roberts for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

September 17, 2004

May God continue to watch over your family and friends and anyone who knew and loved you. May you watch over the rest of us from heaven and help to keep us safe until we are ready to join you there.

Detective
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Dept

September 17, 2004

In loving memory of Suzi Roberts:
We mourn your tragic death. You gave your life in service much too
soon. I have been to that location
in Hawaii. I bet you loved your job
there in paradise. I hope you knew
the Lord and are serving Him in a
better Paradise. God bless all
those who will miss your presence
forever. Thank you for your supreme
sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

September 16, 2004

As a former memeber of the U.S. National Park Service I am deeply saddened to learn of Park Ranger Roberts untimely passing. Her actions on that day are just valliant as any who have served and sacraficed...she was perorming her duty with the safety of the public first in her thoughts and actions. In 1973 Ken Patrick also lost his life while doing his duty in the Park Service and I wish to continue to honor his service and sacrafice as we mourn the loss of Park Ranger Roberts. God bless you both in your travel home.

OMY/COP/WPD
9/16/04

Chief of Police / Olen M. Young
Wauneta PD Nebraska

September 16, 2004