Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family and fellow brothers and sisters,i extend my deepest condelonce to you in this time of tragedy. I was on duty at the time the BOL was put out and it always makes your heart sink when you hear those words. Rest in peace and God speed brother. Your never forgotten.

Deputy Mansell
Washtenaw County sheriff Dept

May 10, 2005

I previously worked out of our Chicago office and returned home to Battle Creek on my days off to see my wife and kids. Every week I left my family in Battle Creek to pull my shifts in Chicago knowing that the Battle Creek Police Department was watching over my family. I thank you all for your service.

Our prayers and deepest sympathy go out to the Detective Brann's family and the men and women of the Battle Creek Police Department. May God touch each of you with his love and comfort you in this most tragic of times.

Always remember that LaVern was

Chosen by God
Annointed by God
and now, Called Home by God.

Alexander McLellan, Senior Special Agent
Immigration & Customs Enforcement - Detroit

May 10, 2005

I have just read that the person responsible for your death has been captured early this morning. He can no longer hurt anyone again. Thank you for wearing the badge, and paying the ultimate sacrifice. Another blue angel is among us. Rest in peace.

Anon.

May 10, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of this department, our deepest sympathy to the family and co-workers of Detective LaVern Brann. Rest in peace brother, we now have the watch.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, NY

May 10, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of Industry Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Detective Brann. Having lost Deputy Michael Arruda this past year (EOW 06-15-04), we know all too well the pain and reality of losing one of our own. Take comfort from knowing your extended law enforcement family grieves with you.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

May 10, 2005

He's not at large anymore...We caught him about 5 hours ago. He was taken into custody during a tense situation. The handgun was still on him too.
My deepest thoughts go to your family, friends, and co-workers during this difficult time.
Salute.

Corporal
Dearborn, MI P.D.

May 10, 2005

No words can be said to take away the immense pain the family of Detective Brann is experiencing. May God wrap His loving arms around each of you. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with you all. We are so very sorry for your loss.

Up North Michigan

May 10, 2005

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Detective LaVern Brann. 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 of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

May 10, 2005

I pray your family and friends will find strength and comfort from these reflections. May your spirit have a joyous homecoming and may you eternally “Rest high on the mountain”.

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

May 10, 2005

We are so sorry to hear of this brave mans loss. I'm sure he will be missed. Rest in peace and our thoughts and prayers are with you all........

Chief of Police Charles R. Orth
Larned, Kansas Police Department

May 10, 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 ***

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

May 10, 2005

the alabama state auxiliary espresses our sincere sympathy to the family and fellow officers.....god bless all of you.

mary mc intyre president-national trust
alabama state fraternal order of police auxiliary

May 10, 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

May 10, 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

May 10, 2005

Somebody killed a Policeman today,
and part of America died.
A piece of the country he swore to protect
will be buried with him at his side.

The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,
just as if he had gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half-mast,
to his name they will add a gold star.

The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
with counsel demanding his rights;
While a young widowed mother, must work for her kids,
and spend many long, lonely nights.

Yes, someone killed a Policeman today,
maybe in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort, behind our locked doors,
a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks the beat, on a dark city street,
and he stands by each rookie's side.
He answered the call.....of himself he gave all,
and part of America died.

P/O Dan Bailey (Ret)
Norristown Police, Pa

May 10, 2005

Detective Brann, you have served your country and your community with honor and pride. We will carry on from here. To the family of Detective Brann you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Please remember that you all are now part of a much larger family. To the men and women of the Battle Creek City Police Department hold your heads high as you ALL carry on. Be careful and watch each others backs. Rest in Peace Brother from one suit wearing cop to another.

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

May 10, 2005

God bless Detective LaVern Brann, his family, and the Battle Creek City Police Department

Corporal P.R. OLIVER
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

May 10, 2005

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

May 10, 2005

To the family of Det Brann and BCPD, I send my deepest condolences. I had the opportunity to work with Det Brann while employed with BCPD and he was truly the best and will be truly missed. May God be with his family and his extended family, BCPD through this terrible tragedy.

PSO Caroffino,
KDPS

PSO
KDPS

May 10, 2005

Rest well detective, you will never be forgotten.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

May 10, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow officers of Detective Brann tonight. Rest in peace, my brother..............

AZ Narc
Yuma SO

May 10, 2005

Sir, although none of us know you on a personal basis, we all know the feeling of loss. We too have buried a "brother" in blue not so long ago.

May God bless your family and your co-workers so that they too may find some peace out of something so terribly uncalled for and unnecessary.

Rest easy, sir we will take it from here.

ROSS COUNTY OHIO SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
CHILLICOTHE OHIO POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 10, 2005

May you rest in peace, Detective Brann. Your service is appreciated, and you will not be forgotten. Even though I did not know you, my prayers are with you and your loved ones. May they take comfort in knowing that you are in a better place.

jason

May 10, 2005

To the Battle Creek City Police Department and family, you have my deepest sympathy. My you all be strong as you come to terms with the tragic loss of Detective LaVern Brann. Hold his memories close to your heart and not his death. Cheerish the LIFE of this hero...Detective LaVern Brann, I salute you.

Ofcr. Jones
Los Angeles Airport Police

May 10, 2005

Thank you for your years of service, you are a true hero; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

May 10, 2005