Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Pat,

I would always admire you for being the person that you were. I remember a story about when you were driving and it was BELOW freezing and you stopped to help a man that was stuck in the snow and pushed a car for 2 miles. Leaving your car with it's hazard lights on in the middle of the street. I think that you did and always will have the heart of an angel.
There are so many things about you that many can't explain. You always put others first before yourself even if it hurt or if they were wrong. You were the best Police officer not only because of your fairness but because of your heart. So many love you and will always keep you in the biggest place of thier heart. To your family,Fiance and friends. I just wanted to send these. I hope they help and my prayers are with you all.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that
which has been your delight.


Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love,
the things you are, the things you never want to lose.

Every evening I turn my worries over to God.
He's going to be up all night anyway.


God bless,

A friend

May 2, 2005

1 corintians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends

Officer Righi-Barnard, thank you for your service and dedication. You will be missed and never forgotten. May your family, fiancée, and everyone who loves you stay strong in the memories and love you shared with them.

I lost my fiancée, Scott Stewart, in August of 2002. There not a day that goes by without him in my heart and mind. I understand the pain your love must feel from being ripped from you to soon. The support and love from others who know my pain have helped tremendously.

To your fiancée Shannon, if you ever feel the need to reach out to others who know your pain, please contact me and other fiancee’s and significant others. A search on yahoo groups will bring you to us. Just enter the below as it is. I will be in DC for Police Week this year. I hope to meet you in the significant other seminar.

I’m so sorry you and Patrick’s family had to join our “survivor” family.

Always remember as long as your heart beats Patrick will be with you. He’s there everyday in your heart.

Big Hugs,
Monica
Fiancee Scott Stewart EOW 8-11-02 Detroit

April 28, 2005

Hey baby-
I know it has taken me a long time to leave a reflection but it has been hard to admit that you are not coming back. Every day when I wake up, I think ,is this real? Unfortunately it is, it's been almost 5 mos. since you were taken from us. You would be so proud of your mom, she has been a trooper through all of this. She is definitely an inspiration for me to stay strong. I have spent some time with your friends Spider, Shane, Brett, Trent and Todd. They are really great and I love hearing all of the stories about you at Eastern. I definitely think it was a good thing we met after college, it sounds like you were crazy! That's one of the things I loved about you though, was your crazy sense of humor. I miss your lopsided grin and the way you would laugh at my stupid jokes. Nobody thought I was as funny as you did. You made me feel special and that is what I miss the most!
I have to keep telling myself that you are in a better place and are completely happy up there! It's the only way to get some sort of peace from this. No worries in heaven, right?
Oh, National Police Week is in 2 wks. Your mom, Trent, AJ and I are all going out for the ceremony. It is going to be hard but at the same time such an honor. You would be so proud of all the great things that are going on because of your courage and unselfishness. They started a scholarship fund in your name for 4 students each year to attend the Police Academy. They said with the amount of money they raised at the benefit, it will be going for a long time. How awesome is that! Well, keep watching over me and help me stay strong through the days ahead. I love you and miss you so much!

Shannon Raya
S/O of Officer Patrick Righi-Barnard

April 26, 2005

Well Pat next week is Police Memorial Week in Illinois. I will see your mom and family.
I think of you often Pat. Keep an eye out for us. Til we meet again.

Kevin Wright Sergeant
Orland Hills/ Markham PD

April 25, 2005

Patrick lent me his name tag one day while we were PPO's attending the Police Academy in Chicago because I had forgotten mine at home. It was the first week of the Academy, and he didn't even know me yet. He didn't want me to get gigged. He was always looking out for others.

Sgt. JJ McCulloh
Northfield Police

April 22, 2005

Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for another.

reneé lee greco webmaster, Stop & Frisk

April 21, 2005

Patrick,
Wishing your family the blessings and strength they will need to deal with your tragic loss. I met your mother Cathy, and fiancee Shannon. They are two wonderful women and had the most wonderful things to say about you and what a terrific person you were. You will be missed by all, but they will forever feel the pain with your loss. However, one thing to remember that is often said, it is not how these Officers died, it is how they lived. Rest in Peace My Friend.

MCM - S/O to Chicago Police Officer Brian Strouse EOW 30 June 2001

MCM - Police Officer
Chicago Police Department

March 31, 2005

Your tour of duty has ended by having given the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you for your service to your department and community.
You will not be forgotten by those whose lives you touched.
Thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and
your fellow officers as they mourn your untimely loss.

† Rest In Peace, Officer Righi-Barnard, May God Bless You †

Jeffrey Williams
Highland, Indiana

March 13, 2005

Pat's memory will live on inside of all the Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers he knew. I spoke with Pat's mom today and she asked me to share some lyrics I wrote shortly after hearing of Pat's Death.

"Shine on my Friend, Shine on,
Through our lives you'll carry on"
and in the darkest night,
be our guiding light,
Shine on my friend, Shine on"

We had some great times, and will never forget you!!!!

Keith Ryniak
Fraternity Brother

March 10, 2005

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO, A COP JUST DOING HIS JOB, TRYING TO KEEP THE CITIZENS SAFE. BROTHER GO PATROL THOSE STREETS OF GOLD. WE WILL CONTINUE YOUR QUEST FOR JUSTICE. TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY, PLEASE TURN TO GOD FOR STRENGHT AND CONFORT.. R.I.P. BROTHER..GOD SPEED.

Sgt.W. M. Riley
Aragon Ga police Dept.

March 2, 2005

God will watch over you on your eternal patrol.

Captain Matthew Halstead
Cherokee Sheriff's Office, GA Explorer Unit

February 28, 2005

GOD SPEED WARRIOR

STATE TROOPER D OSBORNE K-9 COCO
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL

February 26, 2005

My heart goes out to all your family members. May God watch over all of them and help them through this very difficult time.

Robert Gordon, father of Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Robert Gordon, Asst. Chief, Retired
Riverside PD, IL

February 26, 2005

Rest in Peace Brother. We are proud you are one of us and appreciate your faithfulness and dedication to duty. Be assured your loved ones are never alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

February 25, 2005

God bless you, your family, and your co-workers during this difficult time. Thank you for your service.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Ofc. Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

February 25, 2005

Officer Righi-Barnard, Thanks for your dedication to our profession. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. You and your family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Brother !

Dep. P. Sperandeo, Off Amy Sperandeo
Jefferson PArish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Dept, LA

February 25, 2005

RIP brother we will take it from here

Reserve Deputy/D.O Doug Crisp
Lyon County sheriff dept kansas

February 24, 2005

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 Patrolman A.M.Koeppen, Wilmington North Carolina.

Chief (retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

February 24, 2005

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Officer Righi-Barnard and to all the personnel of the Burbank Police Department who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

February 24, 2005

My thougths and prayers are with Officer Righi-Barnard's family, friends and co-workers. God bless you all. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

February 23, 2005

On behalf of the men and women with the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Patrick Michael Righi-Barnard's family, friends, and co-workers with the Burbank Police Department.

Rest in peace our brother in blue. The watch is ours now.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

February 23, 2005

Rest in peace sir.

shannon
concerned citizen

February 23, 2005

IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, MAY GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR CO WORKERS, PLEASE WATCH OVER US.

DETECTIVE TONY BRISINTE
ORANGE CO SO ORLANDO FLORIDA

February 23, 2005

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 judgement 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

February 23, 2005

Burbank officer Righi-Barnard, of Crestwood, was killed early Thanksgiving morning while he was helping a stranded motorist on Interstate 55 near downstate Lexington. He was on his way to celebrate the holiday with his family in Tremont, Ill.

Righi-Barnard, who was off-duty at the time, is the first police officer from Burbank killed while active with the department. He had been with the department for about 10 months and had worked for the Markham Police Department for about six years.

February 22, 2005