Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

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

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have 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 the 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 they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work 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 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 elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They 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 paper 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, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

March 21, 2005

Drew, I remember when you first started with Suffolk, I remember when you graduated from the academy and I remember you on patrol and the excitement you showed. I will never forget your smile, how proud you and your family were and the times we spent together. Your service to the city will never be forgotten, you and your family will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace.

Sgt. Allan K. Iversen Jr.
Suffolk Police Dept.

March 21, 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

March 21, 2005

MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND THANKYOU FOR BATTLE ON AMERICAS STREETS. YOUR WIFE AND FOUR LITTLE ANGELS WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOU IN THEIR HEARTS

D/S LUIS GUTIERREZ
MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

March 21, 2005

Officer Henley,

Thank you for your service. Rest in peace.

Officer M.Fontaine
California Dept of Corrections

March 21, 2005

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

March 21, 2005

Officer Henely was a good man and it was a priveledge to have known him. He along with his family are in my prayers. He will truley be missed.

Officer Nathan McGanty
Chesapeake Police Dept

March 21, 2005

Rest in peace for you are now 10-42. God Speed.

Leo wife
georgia

March 20, 2005

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Patrolman William A. Henley and the Suffolk Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done William... 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 & Pooky - Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

March 20, 2005

Rest in peace brother. May God watch ove yur family.

Officer D R Wilson
Norfolk Police Department

March 20, 2005

Patrolman Henley,
I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of Suffolk County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

March 20, 2005

While it is no consolation for your loss, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Patrolman Henley.

While I did not have the privilege to have known him personally, I am certain that he has found a place in heaven through his selfless service to those he swore to protect.

Rest in peace my friend; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Anonyomous

March 20, 2005

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Patrolman Henley and to all the personnel of the Suffolk 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

March 20, 2005

In honor of Oficer Henley, thank you for you service to your community. You are not forgotten.

M. Bartholme
Fairfax Police Department

March 20, 2005

Our condolences to the family and friends of Officer Henley for this time of tragdey. A-Squad will dedicate its shift in your memory. Godspeed,Sir!

A-SQUAD
W.P.D WOODBRIDGE CT

March 20, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS THIS GREAT HERO. MAY THE ONES THAT GRIEVE AND HURT OVER HIS LOSS BE COMFORTED BY THE LOVE OF GOD. MY BROTHER, MAY YOU ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED. YOU SERVED WELL, NOW REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS.

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

March 20, 2005

My heart and prayers are with the wife, children, family, friends and coworkers of Patrolman Henley. May God be with you all in this terrible time of loss. May the children of this fine officer know always that their dad is a true hero who will not be forgotten.

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

March 20, 2005

Thank you and God bless you, Patrolman Henley, for your noble service in defense of others. You are a hero and will always be remembered by your brothers and sisters in blue. Rest in heavenly peace, brother.

Deputy Sheriff Karl C. Gwynne
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, FL

March 20, 2005

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Patrolman William Henley. 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 communities. Your job is a difficult one and we truly appreciate all you do. God bless each & everyone of you.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt off allen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

March 20, 2005

Im so sorry to hear the news of your death. God bless you, your family, friends and co-workers. PLEASE WATCH OVER US

Det Tony Brisinte
Orange County Sheriff Orlando FL

March 20, 2005

To the men and women of the Suffolk Police Department, please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. We will keep the family, wife and children of Officer Henley in our prayers. We are so very sorry; he was much too young to lose his life. God's peace be with all of you.

Michigan

March 20, 2005

God bless sir, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

March 20, 2005

I would like to extend my condolences to Patrolman Henley's family and friends, and to the men and women of Suffolk Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Patrolman Henley, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

March 20, 2005

God Bless You, Brother and may God watch over your family and your brothers and sisters who serve Suffolk as well. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Retired
Air Force Office Of Special Investigations/Wayne County, NC, Sheriff's

March 20, 2005

My God be with your family.

March 20, 2005