Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

What a terrible loss. My heart and prayers go out to your family and your co-workers. You are a special breed. GOD SPEED BROTHER!

Sr. Dispatcher, Justine Stickley
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Tampa Fla.

November 24, 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 judgment 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

November 24, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are of Phillip, his family and friends as we mourn his sacrifice. Rest In Peace, God Bless.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

November 24, 2004

A Policemen's Prayer

When I start my tour of duty God,
Wherever crime may be,
as I walk the darkened streets alone,
Let me be close to thee.

Please give me understanding with both the young and old.
Let me listen with attention until their story's told.
Let me never make a judgment in a rash or callous way,
but let me hold my patience let each man have his say.

Lord if some dark and dreary night,
I must give my life,
Lord, with your everlasting love
protect my family

Sergeant Michael J. Kuchinsky
U.S. Secret Service/UD

November 24, 2004

TO: The family; loved ones; friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER:--- O, gentle Lord ! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE *** Sent to you by the father of Detective J.D.Koeppen, Raleigh North Carolina; Trooper D.C.Koeppen, New Jersey State Police and Cadet Officer A.M.Koeppen, Wilmington North Carolina.

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

November 24, 2004

We have lost another member of our family. To put this into words is sometimes hard. To close our eyes and remember our fallen friends and family members in our thoughts and heart, brings our family closer.

And there are no words for that...
Rest in peace.

Cpl. Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol

November 24, 2004

My sincerest condolences go out to all the Lebid family; and my prayers for the brother who will soon continue to carry the Secret Service torch upon his graduation.

Special Agent
FBI - Tallahassee Resident Agency

November 24, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Special Agent Phillip Lebid. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

November 24, 2004

May God be with you. You served us well. Go rest in peace, Brother; Go rest in peace.

I have you 10-99, Good night Sir...

Deputy
Michigan Sheriff Dept

November 24, 2004

I did not know you, Sir, but my heart goes out to you and your family. You have done your duty, and now it's your time to rest with the other Angels in Blue. You will forever remain in the hearts of other, "For it is in death that we live forever"-unknown

Melissa S.
Friend of Jake Laird EOW 8/18/04

November 24, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Agent Lebid for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

November 24, 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 Phillip did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Phillip be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Agent Lebid's 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 James 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 James was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Agent Lebid 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.

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

November 24, 2004

Dearest Phillip - It is with a very heavy heart that I sit and leave this reflection. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones. There must be someone very special in Heaven that needs protecting, and that is why God chose you! I know you are "dancing" with the angels. You were such a kind and caring person - and you touched my heart. Thank you for shining your light so bright here on earth. Rest in peace now James....#261 you are clear to 10-7

Lisa Ann Lewis - Communications
Ft Myers Police Department

November 24, 2004

The Secret Within


I saw your picture, I don't like the reason
To be writing this down, this Holiday season
So young, in your life I read
You had such a future, to look ahead

In another place, and another time
If we had met, you could have been a friend of mine
Such a kind soul, from the lines written down
A great loss, not having you around

I pray for your family, may God ease their hearts
From the pain of losing, a gift cut short
I pray that their tears, with a thought will fade
When they think of the smiles, you have made

I am proud of you, for doing your job
This honor in life, no one can rob
Stand tall with knowing, your spirit can rest
For in this life my brother, you have done your best

I question this always, from your job at hand
What makes a person, take this brave stand
To have the heart, for our safety to defend
Then God whispered, "It's the secret within"


by danny b. bourg

Danny B. Bourg
Citizen with family in law enforcement

November 23, 2004

Rest In Peace Brother.

Cpl. D. Johansen
Federal Reserve System Police Services

November 23, 2004

Our prayers go out to Agent Lebid's family, friends and fellow officers. May God grant them understanding during this tragedy. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace sir.

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

November 23, 2004

GOD BLESS YOU AGENT LEBID, YOUR FAMILY AND ALL OF YOUR FAMILY IN THE SECRET SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERIVCE.

DETECTIVE A. BRISINTE
ORANGE CO SO ORLANDO FL

November 23, 2004

S/A Lebid, thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten.

Providence, RI

November 23, 2004

We are sorry to hear about your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Ryan & Amy Caldwell
Marion, Ohio

November 23, 2004

I don't know where to begin, other than you have touched us in such a way that it cannot even be explained. I have had the honor and priveledge to have worked with you and you are greatly missed. You will never be forgotten and will always be a part of me.

We worked midnights together and we would always meet up towards the end of shift. You would usually fall asleep and I would sit and listen for the radio if they called us. When the call came I would answer and tell them we were both 51. Then I would have to reach over and grab you to wake you up "Hey Phil we got another call." And off we'd go.

You were so happy and proud to go to the Secret Service and brother we were proud also. Although I wish you would have stayed you still had strong support and encouragement.

Even though your not patrolling the streets here on earth you are in Heaven patrolling the gates. And brother one day I will meet you there, grab you and say "Hey Phil we got another call." (Can't wait for that!)

Sean Hoover
Ft. Myers Police Department

November 23, 2004

Rest in peace brother!
I offer my condolences to Special Agent Phillip Lebid’s family, and to the Tampa Field Office.

Kevin Selent, Miami Field Office
USSS

November 23, 2004

Rest in Peace Special Agent Lebid; may the Lord guide and watch over your family in your absence. No one knows why the good die young, but our loss is Heaven's gain.

Son of Police Officer

MJG

November 23, 2004

Thank you for your sacrifice S/A Lebid. May you rest in peace.

Linda
sister of S/A Jay Balchunas EOW 11/05/04

November 23, 2004

Thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. While you leave us here on earth you are in good company up in heaven.

You are 10-7 sir, goodnight.

Aimee - A4259 - Dispatcher
Phoenix Police Department

November 23, 2004

"When God Made Peace Officer's"

When the Lord was creating peace officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You've done a lot of fiddling around on that one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the specs on this order?

A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scalewalls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch and not wrinkle his uniform.

"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses and testify in court the next day."

"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has 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 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 he already knows what it is and wishes he had taken an accounting job. Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety. And another pair of eyes in the front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all right, ma'am', when he knows it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching His sleeve, "rest and work on this 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 a 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 the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search and arrest a gang member in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop... and still it keeps its sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He 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 newspaper 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, for justice."

"You're a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put the tear there.", He said.




Author unknown

November 23, 2004