Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Putt's family and friends. God Bless You, Putt....you'll forever be riding with us all.

Chief Mitch Bratton
Grayson Police Dept. Grayson, LA

October 14, 2004

Thanks to the all friends and law enforcement officers that have been such a source of support for our family this week. It was truly moving to see so many of you from all over Louisiana and Texas at the funeral today. Thank you officers for continuing to protect us in your jobs everyday. We'll miss you Uncle Putt...

Amy Linder Weems
Niece of Putt Linder

October 14, 2004

Pride Integrity and Guts

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don't even know me, hate me because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don't even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don't think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a "game."

Since my job's base pay isn't the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts on holidays, and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don't they realize that I to must pay taxes, have a mortgage car payments and kids in collage as well?

Don't they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special "tools" to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I "beat someone down", and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I "gunned someone down" or that I "shot and killed" somebody, and not that I defended myself. Don't they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

When I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.


And to the ones who don't know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life.

You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a "pig," but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone's rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will not break.

What, you ask is my job, I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you, nothing at all because it is my job and my hope, of being the one who makes the difference.

Officer Dave Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

October 14, 2004

My condolence to the family of Chief Linder and to members of the Wisner Police Department. You are remembered Brother.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

October 14, 2004

I pray for comfort and peace for your family and friends and hope they find comfort in the heart felt reflections from your extended family. You will never be forgotten! Go rest high on the mountain, and may your spirit have a joyous homecoming.

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

October 14, 2004

To family, friends and fellow officers. Please know that we are thinking of you and hold you close in our hearts.

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

October 14, 2004

My prayers are with you, your family, and co-workers. Chief Linder, may you rest in peace.

Deputy Charles McGovern, Jr.
Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office

October 13, 2004

May God hold you in his hands and guide you to better place. We'll take it from here my brother.Bless your family and friends.

God, protect all us who protect others, amen

Deputy George Mastics, Jr.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Dept.

October 13, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Assistant Chief of Police Bill (Putt) Linder and the Wisner Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Bill... 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

October 13, 2004

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
JOHN 3:16

Sgt.
Frankfort Police

October 13, 2004

Rest easy. God bless you.

Trooper
Florida Highway Patrol

October 13, 2004

To the family and co-workers of Chief Linder. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart grieves with you. I loss my husband Officer Brian D. Winder on July 3, 2004. Today is your 11th wedding anniversary Oct. 10th. I will keep the family and your agency in prayers forever. May GODS PEACE BE WITH BE YOU! Lorrie Winder

October 13, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Putt, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

October 13, 2004

Another one of God's servants had been killed in the name of the lord. Rest in peace Cheif. You will not be forgotten. Friend of slain NOPD officer Latoya N. Johnson, William Torres

Police Officer I William Torres
New Orleans Police Department

October 12, 2004

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Assistant Chief Bill Linder.
You're in our thoughts and prayers. May God watch over all the brave men and women in law
enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday as they serve & protect their communitites.
Your job is a difficult one and we truly appreciate all you do. God bless each & everyone of you.

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

October 12, 2004

Rest in peace sir, u served your country, community and your department well.

Trooper Denis McGuckin
Michigan State Police

October 12, 2004

On behalf of my family, I wish to extend to Assistant Chief Linder's family and to the Wisner Police Dept. Our heartfelt prayers and sympathy. I pray that God holds you tight during these trying times.

As a wife of a law enforcement officer and it my nightly prayer that all our LEO's stay safe.

In memory of my brother Patrick
Peggy Dreher

Peggy Maher- Dreher
Sister of Patrick Maher EOW 8-2-03

October 12, 2004

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

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

October 12, 2004

To the family,friends, and co-workers of Asst. Chief Linder, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Chief Linder will ride with all of us.

CPL J. KING
Alexandria, La P.D.

October 12, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends. Im sorry to lose a brother of the service.....

Patrol Officer Paul Creekmore
Naperville Park District Police

October 12, 2004

America has lost another true hero. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Assistant Chief Linder's family, friends and fellow officers. May God grant them peace and understanding. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County Illinois Sheriff's Dept.

October 12, 2004

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Assistant Chief Linder. 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

October 12, 2004

To the family of Putt Linder:
I never had the privilege of meeting Putt in person, I have met his nephew, Jim Zachary and his brother, Houston Linder. I have been friends with these men for the past 30+ years and find them to be upstanding citizens, family men and men of God. I am sure that Putt was the same caliber of man as his brother and nephew. My prayers are with his family in this time of sorrow. Sincerly, Jerry Conner

Jerry Conner
Family Friend

October 12, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Asst. Chief Linder. Rest easy Brother knowing that we will continue on in your memory. May God bless and comfort each of you during this very difficult time.

Jimmy Bartley
Beaumont, TX Police Dept.

October 12, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill,his family and friends as we mourn his sacrifice . God Bless.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

October 12, 2004