Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Tatoian, may you rest in peace. My family offers its' deepest condolences to Trooper Tatoian's family,friends, and The Missouri Highway patrol. You will forever be honored as a hero and none of us will ever forget the sacrifice you made to help an injured officer. This world is blessed to have had you to protect it. The badge I wear will forever honor your memory. God bless you. Trooper Tatoian is a hero because of how he lived his life. Keep heaven safe and watch over us as we carry on. Thank you for your service and dedication, you are a miracle sent from god!

Police Officer M. LaFramboise
Independence Mo. Police Department

April 21, 2005

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you, son."

Officer Dave Carroll
Choctaw, Oklahoma

April 21, 2005

For anyone that ever worked around Ralph and got to know him, you will always remember his smiling face and positive attitude. He made work fun and enjoyable and served with great pride. His loss is a great loss to his family, friends, co-workers and to all citizens of the state of Missouri. I feel truly blessed that I knew you and will miss the times we spent together while working an accident scene or the many times we spent shooting the breeze. Rest in peace my friend, you are already missed.

Loren Godsil
St. Louis County Police

April 21, 2005

Trooper Tatoian, Rest in peace as you patrol the Highways in Heaven.

Officer Tim Tumbrink
St.Louis Metropolitan Police Department

April 21, 2005

My heart hurts for Ralph's family and friends. Once again another fine young officer has been taken from us so suddenly leaving all with a terrible sense of loss and pain. I pray that in time you can treasure all of the wonderful memories and be comforted in those. Love and prayers to all of you

Mother of officer Kevin Lamm - EOW 1-1-9

April 21, 2005

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER OFFICER. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND THE DEPARTMENT. ALOHA AND GOD BLESS.

POLICE OFFICER
HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT

April 21, 2005

On behalf of The Plattsburg Missouri Police Dept., we would like to send our deepest sympathy to family, friends, and relatives of Trooper Ralph Tatoian. God Bless You All.

Plattsburg Missouri Police Department

April 21, 2005

God Bless you and your family. Rest in peace troop.

Trooper Chris Gatewood
Florida Highway Patrol

April 21, 2005

To his family and friends, I am very sorry to hear about you loss. Just always remember he is watching over you every minute of the day now. The officers that lose there lives will never be forgotten. I will pray for your family. Officer Tatoian tell Brad we all miss him and love him.

Friend of the late Officer Brad L. Schul

April 21, 2005

My heartfelt prayers to the family and his follow Officers.

Thank you Trooper Tatoian for your service to the community and for a job well done. R.I.P

Corporal Barry W. Cannon
Center Hill Police Dept. Center Hill, Fla

April 21, 2005

To the family of Trooper Tatoian,
May God be with you and comfort you during this very difficult time. Thank you Trooper Tatoian for your heroism in keeping the state of Missouri a safer place.

Citizen in Louisville, Ky.

April 21, 2005

Trooper Ralph Tatoian,
May you rest in peace brother, and may God bless you, your friends, your family, and your co-workers and give them the strength they need to deal with this tragic incident. Thank you for your dedicated service and know that you'll never be forgotten.

Detective James Burden
St. Charles, Illinois Police Dept.

April 21, 2005

Rest in peace Troop. May God be with your family and friends.

Trooper
Delaware State Police

April 21, 2005

My the Heavenly Father by the family and friends of Trooper Tatoian. We will keep you all in our prayers and hope that the Lord comforts you in this time. Go easy our brother - may you be at peace.

Chief of Police
New Athens PD, Illinois

April 21, 2005

TROOPER TATOIAN YOUR TIME OF PROTECTING OTHERS IS OVER,BUT YOUR NEVER EVER ENDING REWARD IN HEAVEN HAS JUST BEGAN!! SO I SAY REST IN PEACE MY FALLEN BROTHER FOR YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR STATE AND COUNTRY WELL!! YOUR THANKLESS JOB AND SERVICE HAS NOT GONE WITHOUT NOTICE!!! MAY YOU WATCH OVER THE REST OF US WHILE WE TAKE THE WATCH FROM HERE.

C.W.HOLLEY#282 PATROLMAN
CITY OF LOWELL POLICE

April 21, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Tatoian wife, childern, family, and the Trooper family. Rest in peace Brother.

Detective Ryan Streck
St. Charles County Sheriff's Department

April 21, 2005

Godspeed Trooper Tatoian! Rest assured your family will be well taken care of...

Mark Holthaus
Washington State Patrol

April 21, 2005

We wish to express our sense of loss, sadness and solidarity with Trooper Ralph C. Tatoian's family, friends and colleagues. We must once again walk in the shadow of a hero and carry on with the business that still lays ahead. All of our shifts today will be dedicated to this faithful servant and to all who knew and loved him at this most difficult hour.

OMY/COP/WPD
4/21/05

Chief of Police/Olen M. Young
Wauneta PD

April 21, 2005

my heart breaks again for all this young hero has had to leave behind. no words can take away the pain and heartache. just know that you all have a personal guardian angel now. you will remain in my thoughts and prayers. my fiance, cole, will welcome trooper tatoian into heaven. God bless you all.

Jessi Garger
Fiancee of Cole Martin EOW 4.25.03

April 21, 2005

Trooper Tatoian,
May God and the Angels watch over all of you at this very difficult time in your lives and may Ralf's memory always live on.He will never be forgotten!When you need comfort remember his beautiful smile and strong hugs.

A concerned citizan "Sister of a police officer"

April 21, 2005

Rest in peace brother. We now have the watch. May God be with your family.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department

April 21, 2005

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

DISPATCHER
PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI TRIBAL POLICE

April 21, 2005

My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Trooper Tatoian and to all my friends with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

My family and I hope they are all able to find some peace and comfort in the knowledge that Ralph's new assignment will bring him the peace and comfort of the Lord as they both watch over us.

Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge
U.S. Secret Service - San Antonio

April 21, 2005

Former LEO now in other law enforcement. Feel the Prayers, I bid your family peace.

CSO William Corley
US FDA

April 21, 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

April 21, 2005