Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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 Officer Owen Fisher. Having lost Deputy Michael Arruda last year (EOW 06-15-04) and now Deputy Jerry Ortiz (EOW 06-24-05), we know all too well the pain and reality of losing one of our own. Take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you.

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

July 19, 2005

Owen, I am sorry that this happened. It is a sad time at the Flint Police Department and throughout the police community. I know your tenure was short, but apparently God needed your for an extended tour in his neighborhood. God Bless you and your family.

Sgt. Rick Hetherington
Flint P.D.

July 19, 2005

As I sit here and prepare my uniform for the days to come. I know that this heartbreaking task will not be easy. I have only known you for four short months, but you are my Brother. I will miss you Owen. We will meet again one day for the Final Roll Call. Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called son of God. Matthew 5:9

Brother Officer
Flint P.D.

July 19, 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

July 19, 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

July 19, 2005

My family sends their deepest sympathy to the friends and family of Officer Fisher. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the difficult days ahead.

Kathy Fettig
mother of Officer Jennifer Fettig, DPD
EOW 2-16-04

kathy fettig

July 18, 2005

Mr. and Mrs. Fisher
I was deeply saddened by the news of Owen's untimely death. He was a fine young man of good character and up bringing. He truly wanted to make a difference in his community.
As a former instructor of his, I will always remember his enthusiasm and dedication to his goal of becoming a Flint police officer. I will never forget how excited he was to share the news with me of his appointment. The world is a lesser place as a result of his loss.
Owen was the kind of person we need in law enforcement. I hope all of his fellow officers will honor his memory by doing their jobs as though they deserve the sacrifices of those officers who have gone before them. My heart felt condolances go out to you. Respectfully,
Jeff Shouldice

jeff shouldice, Program Coordinator
Kalamazoo Valley Community College

July 18, 2005

OFFICER OWEN FISHER,

You gave the ultimate sacrafice, your life. God has a better plan for you. Thank You for serving with us on earth, please continue to protect us from the heavens. You will be missed.

You, your family, and the Flint Police Department will be in my prayers. GOD be with you all.

Dep Mike Soltis
Ingham County Sheriffs Office

July 18, 2005

My family and friends will pray for your family. You served your community in a way most people would not begin to understand. The work you preformed will last forever and will not be forgotten. You my friend are a true hero and for thagt i know you are resting in a house not made from hands.... eternal in the heavens.....

Deputy Sheriff Bryan Enderle
Glades County Sheriff Office

July 18, 2005

Farewell Brother...Though your career tour was a short one it was indeed an honorable one. We are proud to call you Brother and grateful for you dedication to duty. Be assured your loved ones are not alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

July 18, 2005

My deepest sympathies to the Fisher family and to the Flint Police Department......Warriors and heroes live forever.....

Sgt John H. Boismier
Woodhaven PD, MI

July 18, 2005

Although you were taken from us after a short career, you are not a rookie, you are a hero. God bless you and keep you.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 18, 2005

Officer Fisher,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Flint.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

July 18, 2005

Officer Fisher may you rest in peace. To the family and co-workers of Officer Fisher my thoughts and prayers are with you.

God Bless!

Det. M Mills
Kent county Sheriff Dept. MI

July 18, 2005

We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

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

July 18, 2005

Owen, the day you graduated from the Academy, I gave you this to hang on your locker. Today, I will say these words out loud in your honor:

The Police Officer's Prayer
Lord, I ask for courage
Courage to face and conquer my own fears
Courage to take me where others will not go
I ask for strength
Strength of body to protect others
Strength of spirit to lead others
I ask dedication
Dedication to my job to do it well
Dedication to my community to keep it safe
Give me, Lord, concern
For all those who trust me
And compassion for those who need me
And please, Lord, through it all - be at my side.

You are now at the Lord's side, rest in peace.

Julie Yunker

DSgt Julie Yunker
Kalamazoo Law Enforcement Training Center

July 18, 2005

Owen, You only worked with us for a short period of time, but you are greatly missed. Your smile and enthusiasm for the job made me remember why I became an officer. As you know, you and your family are in our prayers.
Take care brother.

Ofc. Mark Peck
Flint Police Department

July 18, 2005

God Bless and Rest in Peace Brother. My Prayers are with your Family, Friends and Fellow Officers. May you watch over and guide them.

RetPaState Narcotics Agent II DiMiceli
Pa Office Of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations

July 18, 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

July 18, 2005

Heroes Live Forever. God Bless You and rest in peace brother.

P.O. Chris Welby
Bridgeton, MO PD

July 18, 2005

RIP BROTHER

Reserve Deputy Enriquez
MCSO Montgomery County TN.

July 18, 2005

In Valor there is Hope. Rest in Peace brother. You and your family are in my prayers.

P.O. Chris Welby
Bridgeton, Mo PD

July 18, 2005

Rest in peace Officer Fisher. Our heart & prayers go out to you, your family, and fellow Flint Officers.

Sgt. Rogers
Grosse Pointe Farms Dept. of Public Safety

July 18, 2005

Officer Fisher,
You and your family are in our prayers. Your time as an officer will not be measured by months but by the sacrifice you've made. Rest Easy Brother !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo, Off. Amy Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Dept. LA

July 18, 2005

How terrible- another officer giving his life at such a young age. I will be praying for your family and friends as they start the grieving period and probably the hardest thing to go through in their lives. You were taken from them way too early. Thank you for what you have done; you will never be forgotten.

July 18, 2005