Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace my brother for you have fought the fight and won the battle. May God keep you and be with your family.

Det. R.L. Williams, Jr.
Rocky Mount, NC

May 9, 2005

Atlanta has seen a rash of violence recently including the courthouse shooting. APD and FCSO are true heros in this city. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Tim Gravitt
Atlanta Citizen

May 9, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ON YOURE JOURNEY

GOD BLESS

Andrew Caruana
Raleigh Police Department (N.C)

May 7, 2005

I WOULD LIKE TO SEND MY REGREATS. I HOPE THAT HIS FAMILY IS DOING OKAY.I THINK THE MEMORIAL PAGE IS A GOOD THING.
IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO HEAR OF AN OFFICERS
DEATH. BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANYTIME.MY GOD KEEP YOUR PERSONAL SAFE.

CPL. TOMMY E. JOWERS
VALLEY PD VALLEY,AL 36854

May 7, 2005

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time. Thank you for serving and protecting. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

May 6, 2005

My prayers go out to Officer Cross, his family and the Atlanta Police Department family. I truly understand your pain as my agency lost an officer, Tommy Scott, on April 29, 2005. Officer Cross made the ultimate sacrifice and I appreciate his service to the community. May God bless his spirit and comfort all of those left behind.

Lieutenant Carolyn Smith
Los Angeles Airport Police

May 6, 2005

I attended the funeral services of Officer Mark Cross and like all funerals, especially the men and women of blue, I could not hold back the tears. To see those pictures of him and his family around the church made me think about this profession. To see Chief Pennington pin that badge on his son as he walked off the stage was a great feeling of how appreciated Mark was to the Atlanta Police Department. To see his son stand beside his Daddy's casket, wearing his red dog uniform while saluting, not knowing what was really happening made me break down. I didn't know Mark, like many other police funerals I attend, I attend to say Thank You to the slain officer. Being an officer for many years myself, I feel it's with great dignity that we pay respect to slain officers for their sacrifice to the community. Rest in peace Officer Cross, you did well during your 6 year tenure with the Atlanta Police Department.

Chief Damon Pierce

May 5, 2005

As I debated whether to send a reflection, I begin to look at my high school pictures and came across Mark's. Same smile. Nothing changed, (except the bald head). It dawned on me that Mark and I were no different. Married, with two children. Both have jobs that can be demanding and time consuming (his a little more dangerous)! But where is it that we differ? He moved to Atlanta and I stayed in Chicago? No. Mark and I differ because he died for what he believed in. The ultimate sacrifice!! Regardless of what his surroundings may have said or the danger he knew that he would encounter, Mark died for his belief, to serve and protect his community which leads me to this conclusion. What am I willing to die for? I am willing to die for the gospel of Jesus Christ in which His ultimate sacrifice at the cross saved me. If you are not 100% sure that you are going to make it to the Kingdom of Heaven, ask Christ into your life. His death was and is the Ultimate Sacrifice.
P.S. Mark, I now know my purpose in life. Thank you and I love you.

Dante' H. Burress

May 4, 2005

Mark,
I only met you one time while I was a recruit in zone3. I remembered you as a fine man who talked to as a friend even though I was new to the department at the time. You walked into the precinct wearing the classic RED DOG uniform and admired you more that any police chief in the country. Mark, I know that you are looking down at your brothers right now, you are sure that we will look after "Gem" and your children as if they were are own, because since you were part of my family in the APD, they will always be. God speed Mark A. Cross. Go patrole the streets of heaven, you have served your time in hell

Police Officer
Atlanta Police Department Z-5

May 4, 2005

REST IN PEACE BROTHER, EVEN THOSE OF US WHO DIDN'T KNOW YOU LOVE Y0U AND YOUR FAMILY. I PRAY THAT YOUR FAMILY WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU STOOD FOR.

HOO-YA!!!!!!!!!!

Officer Zane Beard
Scottsboro Police Department

May 4, 2005

Officer Cross, Rest in peace, thanks for your service and your sacrafice. You will always be remembered and loved by all those who have worn blue!!

Police Officer
Littleton PD

May 4, 2005

Mark, I know your looking upon us right now. As your class coordinator, I remember your smile, your bravery, your humbleness and most of all, your honor. I was honored to coach you as well as be coached by you. You and your family are in my prayers. God speed my brother.

Investigator M. K. Clayton
Atlanta Police Department

May 3, 2005

Rest in peace brave warrior....you're sacrafice will not be forgotten.

PSO GREG MAGNAN
KALAMAZOO DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY

May 3, 2005

AS DISPATCHERS, WE COME TO KNOW THE OFFICERS AS IF WE ARE WORKING IN THE FILED WITH YOU. WE ALL WORK IN A OCCUPATION THAT IS SOMETIMES OVERLOOKED. CROSS, THANKS FOR YOUR KINDNESS OVER THE RADIO AND DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB ON THIS EARTH, FOR GOD HAS BETTER THINGS FOR YOU NOW. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS... ATLANTA PD DISPATCHERS

APD 911 COMMUNICATIONS
ATLANTA PD

May 3, 2005

I will never forget the pain we felt on that day we had to say goodbye to you, a fellow officer and one of our brothers in blue. You are a hero. You are not gone from Atlanta Police, for you will be in all of our hearts, everyday, on every call we answer. My heart goes out to your family, your partners ,Griffin and Sperl, and the whole reddog unit. Rest in peace, my friend. With all my heart, (your nickname for me) "oops"

Officer / Zone 1
Atlanta Police Department

May 3, 2005

Rest in peace brother in blue 10-7

Watch Commander/A.Dumas
Bishop State College Police Dept. Mobile,AL.

May 2, 2005

My family feels your pain and your loss. Officer Cross is a hero. You are all in my prayers. I am so sad everytime we lose another family member in law enforcement. I am thankful for the job that these men and women do everyday, I just wish that there were not so many tragedies. Too bad the good guys are the ones paying with their lives. Unfortunately, these are the times in which we live. Thank God that there are those still willing to go out everyday, and enforce the law and keep some sort of order in a disorderly society. Thank you Officer Cross for your service and your sacrifice. Blessed are the peacemakers, for their's is the Kingdom of Heaven. Rest in a much deserved peace.

Brandy Mapp
Cousin of fallen Officer C. Haist 2/16/05

May 2, 2005

I had the greatest opportunity to work with the most funniest brother i know- Mr. Mark Cross. I knew him as a father first and then a husband. Mark loved and talked about his wife "Gem" so much that i didn't think he had anything to else to talk about. God gave me the greatest opportunity to know Mark and i will forever cherish that . My heart is very heavy for the loss of Mark but rest in peace my friend. I love ya

Gaston

Police Officer Tommie E. Gaston
Atlanta Police Department

May 2, 2005

RIP BROTHER, YOU HAVE EARNED WINGS. WE TAKE THIS JOB TO PROTECT AND SERVE AND PUT OURSELVES IN HARMS WAY WITHOUT THINKING TWICE. IT IS OFTEN SAID THAT A MAN IS NOT A HERO FOR HOW HE DIED, BUT HOW HE LIVED IS WHAT MAKES HIM A HERO.

DETECTIVE GARY MYRICK
SUFFOLK POLICE DEPT, VA

May 1, 2005

I first heard about Mark while he and my fiance (Officer Jay Rollins) were in the police academy together. It was soon apparent that he and Jay were going to be great friend 's from that point on. I soon met Mark and his wife Gem (who was pregnant with Thai at the time)...and began to spend time with them at various sporting events including our season falcon seats together. One of the greatest memories of Mark that I have was his great love for his son Thai...who often came to the falcon games with us...(Thai also kept me company, as I was not the huge sport fan that Jay and Mark were). Mark was a fun dad...always patient, and very attentive. Another great memory of Mark was that he was a great friend to Jay. Mark's friendship was and is a great gift that Jay and I will treasure forever.

You will be greatly missed.

Jabari Hill

May 1, 2005

My heart goes out to Officer Mark Cross' family and co-workers. I look st this page everyday and I hurt every time I see an officer die in the line of duty. It is hard to believe that we live i such a society where a bad guy will just shoot an officer for no reason. God bless Officer Cross and his family.

SFC William L. Farrell
US Army Military Police Ret.

May 1, 2005

MARK WAS A TRUE WARRIOR AND GOOD FRIEND. IN ALMOST TWO YEARS WITH MARK IN RED DOG, I CAN HONESTLY SAY I NEVER SAW HIM HIM HESITATE AND NEVER SAW HIM FLINCH IN THE FACE OF DANGER. HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

J.S. GUNTER
ATLANTA POLICE (RED DOG UNIT)

April 30, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER
CROSS, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE - BUFFALO, NEW YORK

April 30, 2005

Upon the markers of their graves
Our heroes etched in names we save
For all the life they gave with pride
To keep the peace within life's stride

To honor serve and do their best
To keep us safe through any quest
They gave up what was theirs to share
Their spirits shall be always near

No fear within the hearts and minds
To keep us safe within our times
The glory that is ours to see
Those special hearts of bravery

They have walked where no man dare
Their lives in danger with no care
For they have given all they could
For their courage we have stood

In awe of every one who gave
His life for others who they saved
So we will know their contribution
Their firm resolve and resolution

For those they left with hearts so broken
In every whispered word that's spoken
We bow our heads in confirmation
In every word life's revelation

Those who stand within their shoes
Will follow courage as they choose
And give to all the best they had
They carry on with spirits glad

We will know that they walked through
With colors bright and hearts so true
No Island stands alone they say
For heroes they are born this way

Protecting those with loyalty
A glimpse of so much royalty
Within the years of courage bound
These officers have earned their crown

Upon the earth we shall remember
The special goals and all their thunder
That proves a hero came our way
Who left their hearts on earth to stay.

~ Francine Pucillo ~
(c)Copyright November 16, 2004
In Memory of all those lost in the line
of fire with courage, strength and love.

ASST.CHIEF BILL (PUTT)LINDER
E.O.W. 10/10/04

CHIEF BILLY CUREINGTON
WISNER POLICE DEPT. WISNER,LOUISIANA

April 29, 2005

Rest in peace brother! Kudos to the 3rd officer!

Mark Holthaus
Washington State Patrol

April 29, 2005