Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We are so sorry to hear of this loss. We pray he rests in peace and for those who survive.

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

June 22, 2005

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Deputy George Griffin, and the White County Sheriff's Department. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Deputy Griffin, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

June 22, 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

June 22, 2005

Rest in peace, blue angel. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who mourn your loss.

Michigan

June 22, 2005

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Deputy Sheriff Griffin and to all the personnel of the Whihte County Sheriff's Department who worked with him.

Sgt Paul C. Huber
Swiss Army, MP Service

June 22, 2005

God bless! You will live eternal in our hearts. My prayers are with you, your family and our brothers & sisters on the beat.

Corporal Todd Garzon
Mansfield Police Department, AR

June 22, 2005

Deputy Griffin, may you rest in peace. Let God watch over your family and co-workers from here, may they find some kind of peace.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Rest easy, sir we have the watch.

ROSS COUNTY OHIO SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
CHILLICOTHE OHIO POLICE DEPARTMENT

June 22, 2005

God bless you sir!

Deputy Daniel J. Luffman
Monroe County (NY) Sheriff's Office

June 22, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May they find comfort and peace from unexpected places - as we did. May they find and welcome the support that is out there for them. Rest in peace.

Sister-in-Law
Sgt. Michael Scarbrough EOW 2-9-05

June 22, 2005

Rest easy Brother. You have served well. We have the Watch now. May God bless you and your Family including the White Co. S.D.

Police Officer
Newark NJ Police Dept.

June 21, 2005

Thank you for your service Deputy Griffin. Rest in peace.

June 21, 2005

My heartfelt condolences to the family and to the White County Sheriff Dept for the loss of a love one and follow Deputy.

Thank you Deputy Griffin for your service to the community and for ajob well done. R.I.P

Cpl Barry W Cannon
Center Hill Police Dept, Center Hill Fla

June 21, 2005

Rest in peace Brother George, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham Retired
Sand Springs Okla Police Department

June 21, 2005

God bless Deputy Sheriff George Griffin, his family, and the White County Sheriff's Department

Corporal P.R. Oliver
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

June 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 ***

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

June 21, 2005

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Corporal Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, OR

June 21, 2005

Rest in peace sir. God bless.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept.

June 21, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS OF DEPUTY GRIFFIN. MAY HE ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU SERVED WELL, NOW MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS.

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

June 21, 2005

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

June 21, 2005

You will not be forgotten! God Bless You.

B. Devaney
Prince George's County Police MD

June 21, 2005

Deputy Griffin,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you , friends and family at this difficult time. God bless.

Broward County Multi-Agency Police Honor Guard, Florida

June 21, 2005

Deputy Griffin, thank you for your service and sacrifice. You will never be forgotten. To the family, friends, loved ones, and coworkers he had to leave behind, my prayers are with you now and always. It is a long hard road you will face in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. Unfortunately, it's a path you probably never expected and definitely didn't ask to travel along. Please just know you have an extra special angel watching out for you. Hold on to the memories to get you through the tears and heartbreak. It won't be easy, but they will bring peace to your soul when it seems to be splitting into a billion pieces.

Jessi Garger
Fiancee of Cole Martin
Chatsworth, GA P.D.
E.O.W. 4/25/03

June 21, 2005

May God bless the family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Griffin. My heart and prayers are with you all in this terrible time of loss. Rest in peace Deputy Griffin and thank you for your dedication and service.

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

June 21, 2005

Gone but not forgotten, rest in peach Deputy Griffin...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

June 21, 2005

On behalf of your law enforcement family here, our hopes and prayers are with your family and your fellow officers.

Officer Luis Lopes-Serrao
Kronenwetter Police Department

June 21, 2005