Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Richard Allen May, Jr.

East Palo Alto Police Department, California

End of Watch Saturday, January 7, 2006

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Officer Richard Allen May, Jr.

Richard,

I met your dad tonight in Washington, DC. He was a really standup guy. I also met a lot of people affected by your passing. You have no idea how much you were loved and how your father has kept your legacy alive and much you are missed.

While I am mourning the loss of my own friend, you were an influence in my life through y9ur father and the people of the San Fransisco PD who came here to honor your memory. There are so many people who loved and honored you!

To Mr May....if you are ever in florida or if you ever want to talk, my e-mail is [email protected]. The few mibutes I had with you and the drink we shared were so moving. You and your family will live in my memory! i am so sorry for your loss. It is so unfair!

Jim

Sgt James Harris
Tampa Police Department

May 15, 2007

Hi,
Happy Birthday!! You would have been 40 years old today! (5/9/07)I can't believe you would have been 40 and I can't believe you aren't here to celebrate it. We all miss you so much. I always told you you could get your boat when you were 40. I wish you were here so you could get it. I love you and miss you more than ever. We honored you and all the other fallen officers last week in Sacramento and Saturday we leave for Washington DC to honor the whole nations fallen officers. It's going to be hard to see your name on that wall. George and Shante are going. They are taking good care of us. You would be proud. I Love you.

May 9, 2007

I've not had the courage to acknowledge in writing that you're really gone till now and I still find it almost impossible to do. I miss our bi-weekly calls, no matter how far we lived from each other, and just the fact that I could call you anytime for anything. You’re still my best fiend and I miss you every single day!

March 17, 2007

Hey your girl turns 15 today! She is amazing! You would be so proud!! Never thought she would ever have a birthday without you! She misses you! Watch over her....
Thanks,

Sarah
Deanna's mom

February 27, 2007

Ofc. May,

I just watched a 2007 Marine special with a LT. Gen. (Christmas) I met and had chow with in '94, out of all the Marines in the world, he was on this documentary. I will never forget what a nice man I thought he was, he stood well over 6'0" and I could see patience and experience in his eyes as he sat across from a once scrawny PFC (me). Its a small world and, like Officers, we are everywhere...brothers and sisters simply doing our jobs the best way possible and at any cost. We are the elite. No one else wants the job and only we can honestly say that we volunteer for and enjoy it. Semper fi, bless you and yours. I apologize for your loss but thank-you for your service.

Ofc. P. B., former Marine
SFPD, BAYVIEW MIDS

February 26, 2007

Can you lay your life down, so a stranger can live?
Can you take what you need, but take less than you give?
Could you close every day, without the glory and fame?
Could you hold your head high, when no-one knows your name?
That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say.

We say goodbye, but never let go.
We live , we die, cuz you can't save every soul.
Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who;
Will never look back, and never never let go.

Can you lose everything, you ever had planned?
Can you sit down again, and play another hand?
Could you risk everything, for the chance of being alone?
Under pressure find the grace, or would you come undone?
That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say?

Diana May

February 19, 2007

Although I did not know you, I do know your daughter Deanna very well. We became almost best friends at camp this past summer, and although she doesn't talk about you much, I can tell she really misses and loves you very much. You've raised a beautiful daughter, and I am glad to be friends with such a wonderful and brave person as her.
I pray for her and for courage that I'm sure she gets from you.
I just wanted you to know that she still loves you very much, and always will.


feels like a friend

February 13, 2007

I miss you

friend

February 10, 2007

Your service and dedication to the public is not forgotten.
You and your family are in our prayers.

Rick Olson
Department of Justice

January 18, 2007

Rich I miss you and all good times we had.Your smile was the BEST, and I can remeber the last time you smiled at me. It took me a long time to write here. I`ve thinking about you on the one year and how much your girl`s miss you, We all know they will be taken care of and you will watch over them.They need a good angle looking down on them with your smile.Send us lots of rainbows so we can (and your girls) remeber you.Miss you more than you ever know.

FRIEND

January 12, 2007

Diana,
Just wanted you to know that you were in our thoughts & prayers during your first of many heartbreaking anniversary dates without your husband Rich. I know the pain you feel as the 2nd anniversary of my husband Tom Cochran is fast approaching this month as well & it doesn't seem to get any easier. I remember meeting you & your daughter at COPS Kids camp last summer & hope it helped the both of you half as much as it helped me & both of my kids. You struck me as a strong beautiful woman & I know your husband is with mine watching down on us although I know that all you feel is the pain of his loss.
Me & Jess sent you & Deana an e-mail & hope that it is of some comfort. I apologize it took us both so long. Know that you are not alone - and that your husband is the truest form of a HERO there is. Now, let justice prevail to your satisfaction on the coward who took him from you.
God bless you & your family.
Sincerely,
Jo'Nee Cochran
Spouse-Det/Sgt Tom Cochran
Lawrenceburg, IN

Jo'Nee Cochran - Spouse
Det/Sgt Tom Cochran LPD, IN EOW: 01-26-05

January 12, 2007

You and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers as the first anniversary of your EOW has just passed. Please know that your sacrifice has not been forgotten and you will always be remembered as a hero.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

January 9, 2007

Diana,

I was thinking of you and your family yesterday. So much time has passed now, but while the pain may not go away, neither will your memories. They will get you and your family through.

You are always in my prayers.

Erin
Wife of a CSPD Officer

January 8, 2007

I think of you everyday. You will always be in my thoughts. I'm so thankful that you were part of my life. I miss you.

friend

January 7, 2007

Officer Richard May,

I can not believe its been one year since you were taken away from your family, friends and from the police department. Yesterday I attended a Memorial service at the Saint Francis Of Assis Church.
A group of teens from the community made a mosaic frame with a picture of you in the middle.

I thought that its was a great symbol of affection that you brought to the teens in the community. Thats the reason why I Thank you For being a great Role Model that you were as partner, teacher and a friend. God bless you.
We placed the Mosaic picture frame in the briefing room in the corner were every briefing meeting we had you would always stand while at briefing. Thank you so much Offcier May, God bless you


East Palo Alto Police Department

January 7, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this first anniversary of your end of watch. You are a true hero and heroes never die and you will never be forgotten. Wrap your wings around your loved ones and protect them from harm and also help them with their grief as I know it has been a long rough journey for them so far. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 7, 2007

Dear Diana ~

My thoughts are with you today. I'm sure you can't believe that tomorrow is the one year anniversary of Rich's passing and I'm sure inside you are still begging for this to not be true. It is all so unfair.

Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Do your best to get through the next few days......that is all anyone can ask.

Warmly ~
Carin E. Sollman
wife of Officer Jesse E. Sollman EOW 3/25/05

January 6, 2007

Officer May,

On the upcoming year since you were taken from all your family and friends, just know you are not forgotten and are still missed by all your brothers and sister in blue. To Officer Mays wife, just remember you are still family to all of us, and just know he is watching over you and your children, protecting you always.

K9 Officer Frank Charmoli
Guadalupe Police Department

January 5, 2007

Everyday I thank the Lord that such men as yourself are here on earth. It just might be possible that officers are angels from heaven, sent down to watch over us and protect us. Once their services are required in heaven with the Lord, they are taken from us. I am grateful that such individuals still exist who selflessly put their lives on the line. For they not only work each beat by themselves or with a partner, their loved ones also clock in when they do. Such a profession is not easy, nor does it promise great riches, doing what is right is enough of a reward to make this job worthwhile. My full sympathies go out to the family of Officer Richard May, for they too have paid the ultimate price in loosing such a great man. May the Lord keep them safe and watch over them, just as his angel, Officer Richard May, watched over us.
Rest In Peace.

January 3, 2007

We at STRIKE Tactical Solutions mourn the death of this Law Enforcement Officer. He died for justice so that others may live in relative peace. Our sincere condolances to Richard's family and friends.

Warrant Officer Henk Iverson
South African Police (Retired)

January 2, 2007

Dear May Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this holiday season. The Fire families and Police families have always been close and losing Richard hit all of us hard. May God be with you and bless you through these difficult times.
Respectfully,

Mark Zamparelli

Mark Zamparelli, Firefighter
Menlo Park Fire Protection District

January 1, 2007

It's coming up on the 1 year mark of Richard Mays end of watch. I didn't know Richard that well, I only met him on a few calls, but I know he was a good man and a great police officer. All the Firefighters here at Menlo Fire think very highly of the EPA police department and all their officers. I just wanted to let all the friends and family know that we haven't forgot about Rich. Every station has a picture of him on the wall to remember him by. I wish the family a great year and a safe one to all the officers out there as well.

Sincerely,

Seth Johnson
Menlo Park Fire
#113

Firefighter Seth Johnson
Menlo Park Fire District

January 1, 2007

Hi Dear,
Well, today was Christmas, our first one without you. You had to work last Christmas and I think the one before that. So maybe in my mind I was just thinking you were at work. But I still remember the Christmas' when you were here and we would stay up late playing santa.
I miss you so much. I'll never get use to you not being here! In thirteen days it wil be one year since that evil monster took you from us.
Your baby and Brittany both really liked what santa brought them and all their other gifts.
I know you are watching over us.
Remember, Forever has no end, I love you...

December 26, 2006

May Family and Friends,

Blessed wishes for a safe holidays and new year, Semper Fi.

Ofc. Patty Brown, USMC
SFPD BAYVIEW MIDS

December 25, 2006

Hey there, a year ago today was my last day at PHS and the last day I spoke with you in person. I met you at the PD to drop off some cookies I baked (those chocolate chip ones that you bugged me for) and once I got there I realized I had forgotten them. I had to have my mom drop them off at Dave's house so he could bring them to work with him on Christmas Day. You and Shante made fun of me for being such a ditz and I made you guys promise to look out for my last trainee, Sabrina, and to keep an eye on my white shepherd.

I went by the PD today, dropped off some cookies, and had sometime to catch up with Shante and some of the other guys. It’s hard to believe a year has gone by. I have this voicemail from you on my phone and every 2 week I have to re-save it, I’m always afraid that I am going to delete it by accident.

I know it must be so hard for your family right now. I will keep them in my thoughts through out this holiday season and in the New Year.

andrea

December 25, 2006

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