Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Vincent P. Cila

Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts

End of Watch Friday, July 22, 2005

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Trooper Vincent P. Cila

When I start my tour of duty God
wherever crime may be,
As I walk the darkened streets alone,
let me be close to Thee.

Please give me understanding
with both the young and old.
Let me listen with attention
until their story's told.

Let me never make a judgement
in a rash or callous way,
but let me hold my patience,
let each man have his say.

Lord, if some dark and dreary night,
I must give up my life.
Lord, with your understanding love,
protect my children and wife.

Trooper
Connecticut State Police

July 26, 2005

God Speed Trooper Cila, our thoughts and prayers are with your family and your brother's and sisters of the Mass State Police.

Detective K. Dietenhofer
Rochester, NH, PD

July 26, 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-workters of Trooper Vincent Cila. Having lost Deputy Michael Arruda last year (EOW 06-15-04) and more recently Deputy Jerry Ortiz (EOW 06-24-05), we know all too well the pain and reality of losing one of our own. Take comfort from knowing your entire law enforcement family grieves with you.

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

July 26, 2005

Trooper Cila,

My prayers are with you and your family. God speed my brother. On Angels wings you now fly.

Former Trooper
Georgia State Patrol

July 26, 2005

I am sorry to hear about your passing. May God bless your family. Rest in peace.

Kevin Cannon
Brother of Keith Cannon EOW 5/4/05

July 26, 2005

God Bless you. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family, and the Massachusetts State Police.
Ours is not a chosen profession but a calling.
Matthew 5:9

Patrolman Ed Kraft
Grove Police Dept. Oklahoma

July 26, 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

Officer Shawn Eckhart
Federal Law Enforcement

July 26, 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 25, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Vincent did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Vincent be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Trooper Cila's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through these tough times, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (Dennis' department will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Vincent but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Vincent will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all lucky to have had him be a part of your lives, even for a short time. I pray that Vincent will continue to watch over us all as only he can.

Thank you Trooper Cila for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

July 25, 2005

Goodbye Friend............ You will be missed by many and you will never ever be forgotten....... REST IN PEACE

A Friend

July 25, 2005

God Bless you Brother Vincent from a former Bostonian... You are now serving as one of God's elite protectors... You will never be forgotten.

Ptl. Alan Altman
Clarksville, TN Police Dept.

July 25, 2005

my deepest sympathies go out to family, friends, and close brothers in blue. rest easy brother, the watch is ours now.

Officer
Atlanta Police

July 25, 2005

I have family in Mass. and I know they feel your loss. My sympathy goes out to Trooper Cila's family, friends and commrades with MSP. God speed Vincent, we will continue the watch.

Police Officer
Seattle Police Department

July 25, 2005

Being a motorman is what you loved. Unless you have been one, no one knows the feeling. Being involved in a crash in 1996, I was fortunate enough to continue, but not on what I loved to do...ride. You are on the ULTIMATE motor squad now. Rest easy Brother and watch over us. I will look forward to seeing your Ultimate motor wings. Until we meet...

Corporal Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol - St. Augustine

July 25, 2005

I pray that your family and friends will find strength and comfort in the reflections left by your fraternal brothers and sisters. May your spirit have a joyous homecoming and may you rest in peace, “High on the mountain”! From and ex-motorman to another-I know the freedom you expierienced!

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

July 25, 2005

Tpr Cila,

Thank you for your years of service and for setting an example to your fellow troopers and citizens in general. You will not be forgotten. God bless you and your family.

Your Brothers in "Green."

Detective Trooper
Vermont State Police

July 25, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the Cila family and my brother officers during this difficult time.

Officer Natthew Stavro
Wilmington Police Dept.

July 25, 2005

My deepest sympathy to the Cila and Campbell families for yet another unbelievable tragedy. You will all be in my prayers. Vinnie and Bobby were the very best our profession was blessed to have.

Tpr. Armand Ouellette (MSP Retired)
Orange County Sheriff's Office (FL)

July 25, 2005

My heartfelt prayers go out to Trooper Cila's family & fellow troopers. May you feel comfort from the Lord, family & friends.

Sister of fallen officer, Tennessee State Trooper Todd M. Larkins, EOW 7/8/2005

July 25, 2005

My deepest sympathy to the family of Trooper Cila and the Massachusetts State Police. Rest in peace, brother. We have the watch now.

Trooper
Vermont State Police

July 25, 2005

My condolences to the family and brother/sister Troopers of Trooper Cila. May the memory of your bravery, heroism and sacrifice remain forever.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

July 25, 2005

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO, TROOPER CILA GO RIDE THAT MOTOR ON THOSE GOLDEN STREETS OF HEAVEN. MAY GOD BLESS THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY. R.I.P. BROTHER.

SGT. W. M. RILEY
ARAGON GA POLICE DEPT.

July 25, 2005

Trooper Cila,
Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. You and your family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Brother !

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

July 25, 2005

Rest easy brother, The watch is ours now.

Officer
Atlanta Police

July 25, 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 25, 2005

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