Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fellow officers of Deputy Timothy Graham. Working for the Federal Government, I have often been detailed to southern Arizona. During my time there I enjoyed the excellent working relationship our departments shared. It saddens me that we have suffered this incredible loss.

God bless and watch over the family and my brothers and sisters in the southwest.

Senior Patrol Agent Robert Partain
United States Border Patrol, Orlando, Florida

August 14, 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 Timothy did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Timothy be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Graham'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 Timothy but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Timothy 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 Timothy will continue to watch over us all as only he can.

Thank you Deputy Graham 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 and all those who loved you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

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

August 14, 2005

God speed hero. We will forever honor your memory. May you rest in peace.

Police Officer M. LaFramboise
Independence Mo. Police Department

August 14, 2005

G-d Speed My Brother

uc
odps Inv Unit

August 14, 2005

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

August 14, 2005

I was told there was a website where fellow officers could leave their condolences for the passing of Timothy Graham. As I read your reflections I needed to pause for a moment to accept the magnitude of what is going on and dry a tear. By the time I came back to the computer, someone else had left another reflection.
Being the sister of his wife, Sherry Graham, I have been blessed with the privledge of knowing Tim. As I read the memories of people who knew him and the condolences of those who didn't, I realize that he had the same effect on everyone. It was so easy to be near a man who radiated such warmth, generosity, and good humor. He was so proud to be a member of the law enforcement brotherhood. It is quite touching to read that his brothers and sisters in law enforcement were blessed to feel that warm glow, also.
As witness to the strength of the law enforcement's bond among it's members, I stand in awe and gratitude. You are kindly watching over the loved ones that made Tim's heart shine even brighter: his wife, Sherry, his mother, Judy, his stepsons, Jackson and Patrick, and his brothers and sisters in his law enforcement family. These two humble words come with the sincerest appreciation, thank you.

Julie Switzer

August 14, 2005

I also served with PCSO and know first hand the quality of character of the staff there. I am sure Deputy Graham will be missed greatly by his peers, and the public in general. His love of his fellow man was typical of one who not only got along well with neighbors, but with everyone he contacted. I never had the pleasure of serving with him, but from what I have learned in this short time, I would have been proud to have done so. I grieve for his loss, and also for the family and friends left behind. My family offers prayers and support to this extended family in Pima County and additionally offer any support needed to get them through these next days. Please accept the heartfelt condolences from all of us in Northern Arizona, both active and retired, and our families. We will all be together again someday...
Fraternally;
Former Chaplain, Lodge 19
Fraternal Order of Police
Phil Whitehead
Prescott Valley, AZ

(Retired Deputy) Phil Whitehead
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office

August 14, 2005

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you, son."

Officer Dave Carroll
Choctaw, Oklahoma

August 14, 2005

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Deputy Graham as well as to the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Rest in peace Deputy Graham, you are gone but will never be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

August 14, 2005

I was working in Comm the evening we lost Deputy Graham. It is hard to explain the relationship a dispatcher shares with deputies. Although we do not see them on a daily basis, we speak to them constantly, joking, laughing, and sometimes we become annoyed with one another in the course of the shift, however we always have their backs. It is truly a sibling/family relationship. Dispatchers become protective of officers, having to know
where and what their status is throughout the shift. The dispatcher was very concerned with the call from the very beginning, as she knew something was wrong with the suspect and was extremely concerned the call would go bad. I cannot express how this call felt so different from the moment C999 went out, we all sat and time seemed to stand still as we waited to hear C4. We continued working, dealing with incoming calls, but as time went on our hearts began to sink. When we were advised that Graham had passed the feeling was surreal and awful. A deputy who was a close friend of Graham recently told us that he died doing what he loved. I take comfort in that but still feel terrible for the families of Deputy Graham and Dawud Abusida. However to know that such men walk among us gives me hope and faith in the good this world still holds. Sometimes we lose sight of that when working in law enforcement. Mr. Abusida's actions were that of a true Muslim, unselfish and caring. These men were heroes in every sense of the word, and will be greatly missed. May God comfort and keep their families and friends.

DISPATCHER
PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

August 14, 2005

On behalf of the the Green Valley Fire District and the Santa Cruz Valley Firefighters Association we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Timonthy David Graham. Our Prayer's are with you and your brothers and sisters of the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Captain Ken Shultz
Green Valley Fire District
SCVFFA Local 4125

Captain Ken Shultz
Green Valley Fire District

August 13, 2005

Tim, I never got to talk to you very much but I do appreciate the work you did for us at the jail, particularly when you responded to the front desk to serve orders of protection for citizens requesting it. Such a tragedy and a shock to us all. I knew something was wrong when a PCSD unit went Code 3 right out of the jail's secure lot and we heard soon after that you were down and only learned later that you didn't die alone. I will NEVER forget you and Mr. Abusida, taking action to protect and serve. God bless you and we will meet one day in the sky. Good work, my brother. We have the watch now.

PSSS Casey P. Jennings
Pima County Sheriff's Dept.

August 13, 2005

May God bless and comfort Deputy Sheriff Graham's wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian K. Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

August 13, 2005

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and department of Deputy Graham and to the family of the courageous citizen who aided him. May both of these heroes rest in God's peace.
Mary Kay Balchunas, mother of
S/A Jay Balchunas, EOW 11.5.04

August 13, 2005

My condolences to Deputy Graham's family and his co-workers. We will never forget and his family will never walk alone.

Ofcr Nick Aussems (Retired)
Tucson Police Department

August 13, 2005

Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes.

Be at peace Brother.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Graham.

Ofc. Scott Bachman
Baltimore County (MD) PD

August 13, 2005

I remember the first day I met you Tim. There was a lot of us there that day when we went to take the test to join PCSO. We made it all the way through the process and started the academy together. I'll never forget the smile and positive attitude you always had! You were always someone, that anybody in the class could talk to. I am so very happy that I was able to spend those 16 weeks of SALETC and 4 weeks of post basic with you. Because now I know how great of a person you are. PCSO, Tucson, and the rest of the world has lost one of the best men I have ever known! Thank you for all you did and for your ultimate sacrifice brother. You will be loved and missed by all of your brothers and sisters. Rest in Peace...

Ofc De La Ossa
UAPD

August 13, 2005

To the family, and friends of Deputy Graham, I offer my deepest sympathies for your tragic loss.
"In valor there is hope . . ."

Ofc. Joshua Strassman
Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia

August 13, 2005

Thank you for your sacrafice. Rest easy brother.

PO2 Michael Wilhelm
The George Washington University Police Department

August 13, 2005

You are in my my prayers during this difficult time.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

August 13, 2005

Thank you Brother for your service . May you rest in peace.

Sgt L Fear ( Ret )
Oblong Il Police Dept

August 13, 2005

AMERICA AND ARIZONA LOST ANOTHER HERO, DEPUTY GRAHAM DID WHAT ANY OF US IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD DO, TRY AND HELP PEOPLE IN NEED. HE DIED A HERO, TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND CONFORT YOU.

SERGEANT WILLIAM M. RILEY
ARAGON GA POLICE DEPARTMENT

August 13, 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.

Cpl. Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, OR

August 13, 2005

RIP BROTHER

Reserve Deputy Enriquez
MCSO Montgomery County TN.

August 13, 2005

Two heroes were lost this day under such tragic circumstances, Deputy Graham as well as the good samaritan who stopped to offer assistance. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and co-workers of both these fine men; may they both rest in peace.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11/05/04

August 13, 2005