Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My prayers are with you. May God bless you. I am so sorry for your great loss. Thank You Officer Tatoian for all you have done for the citizens of Missouri.
Hugs,
Tina C.
An Officers Mother

A Mother of a Police Officer
St.Louis, Mo.

April 26, 2005

When I was a very small boy my “granny” took me to the Missouri Highway Patrol Headquarters in Jeff City. It was because of the visit that I had there, that I always wanted to and finally realized the dream of becoming a police officer.

I, unfortunately, never had to pleasure of meeting Trooper Tatoian in his short time on this earth. I have no doubt that it will be a much sadder place without him. My condolences to your family, friends, and the co-workers left behind. Rest in peace with the knowledge you and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Detective Dana Cornelison
Salinas Police Department, Salinas, California

April 25, 2005

god bless rest in peace the family of det william rolniak jr(eow 2-4-04)

April 25, 2005

“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

April 25, 2005

Rest In Peace

Darin Paul, Special Agent
FBI

April 25, 2005

Trooper Tatoian, you have served your country and your community with honor and pride. We will carry on from here. To the family of Trooper Tatoian you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Please remember that you all are now part of a much larger family now. To the men and women of the Missouri State Highway Patrol hold your heads high with pride as you all carry on. Watch each others backs and stay safe. Rest in Peace, Troop.

Detective First Grade Robert F. Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department/Homicide Branch

April 25, 2005

Rest in peace Trooper Tatoian. Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Trooper
Ohio State Highway Patrol

April 25, 2005

Heard about you through an email today. My heart breaks hearing about another beloved brother's sacrifice. Rest in Peace, we show you Out of Service. Your family is in our prayers.

God Speed.

Officer
Federal Heights Police Dept., Colorado

April 25, 2005

To the Tatoian family,
Words simply can not express how I feel at this moment. We have lost another of Missouri's finest. The pride that I felt at the funeral can not be explained. We are so very proud of Ralph and all that he stood for! Always remember that you are all MSHP Family and we will always be here for you no matter what. We love you all!!

Sgt. Cody H. Fulkerson
Missouri State Highway Patrol

April 25, 2005

I pray for your family. May they find peace. Thank you for your dedication to us all.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Sergeant
Ohio State Patrol

April 24, 2005

Rest in peace sir.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept

April 24, 2005

Our heart's broke when we heard the news of another young, loving, father, husband and friend taken way too soon.

I know that Bob,Nick Sloan and so many other brothers and sisters in blue were there to meet Ralph when he went to his final resting place. He is in good hands!

We will be there for your family as so many others were there for us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all through this devastating time.

Stanze Family; Officer Bob Stanze EOW 8/

April 24, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Tatoian. May God watch over you, your family, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Trp Tim Wolfenbarger
Tennessee Highway Patrol

April 24, 2005

Thank you Trooper Tatoian for giving your life to try and save my friend. I will always be grateful to you for that and I know that he will too. Please watch over us and keep us all safe down here. You are a hero. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Fellow sister in blue

April 24, 2005

The men and women of the Cameron, MO Police Department share in the grief with the loss of Trooper Ralph Tatoian. The members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol are in our prayers. May your family take solace in the many wonderful messages and memories displayed at the ODMP in Trooper Tatoian's honor!!

Until we meet again brother.......

Chief L. Corey Sloan
Cameron, MO Police Department

April 24, 2005

Although your watch has come too an end, rest easy my brother knowing that the battle will rage on and that your sacrifice was not in vain, nor will it ever be forgotten.

God bless you and your family.

PC Christopher Ferko
Toronto Police Service, Canada

April 24, 2005

Ralph & family,
I leave this with a heavy heart knowing the long days to come for your family. I went to Holy Cross with you but was a few years younger and I know your sister from Rosary. I have not seen you in a long time but my heart sank when I heard your name on the news. I remember seeing your parents at my cousin PO Nick Sloan's funeral just a little over a year ago. I hope that my Aunt, Uncle , and cousins can be a shoulder for your parents and sister, and Kirsten for your wife. They know exactly what your family will be dealing with in the months and years to come. God Bless you for your sacrafice. You will never be forgotten. Look over your family they are in my prayers. Tell Nick "We love Him!"

Michelle Burdzy Gantner

April 23, 2005

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Trooper Ralph Tatoian. 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.

james bowens

April 23, 2005

The men and women of the Calgary Stampede Protection Services extend our prayers for the family and friends of Trooper Ralph C. Tatoian.

officer Slawomir Wojtas
Calgary Stampede Protection Officer

April 23, 2005

GOD BLESS OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY

TROOPER J. W. MILLER
MISSISSIPPI HWY PATROL

April 23, 2005

Rest in Peace Brother

Eric Newbury
California Highway Patrol

April 23, 2005

Hearts and prayers for the family and the extended family of Tpr.Ralph Tatoian, May God hold and comfort you all in this most difficult time. With Heart felt sadness, We here with the Detroit police department,send our condolences. GOD BLESS..

P.O. JAMES MARKHAM
DETROIT P.D. 9th Precinct

April 23, 2005

Godspeed, Sir.......

Wife of a Sgt
Macomb County Sheriff Dept, MI

April 23, 2005

Rest easy brother, may God bless you and watch over your family.

Patrolman in MO
WPD

April 22, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Detective Jason Gill
Sedgwick County Sheriff-Kansas

April 22, 2005