Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The Final Inspection

The officer stood and faced his God.
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, how shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek? To church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, " No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
because all of us who carry badges 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 tough.

But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
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 silence all around the throne where the saints often trod.
As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his GOD

"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"
Amen

Rest In Peace brother

Cpl Foster
Louisa Co Sheriffs Office

August 25, 2006

Rest in peace brother. May God be with your family in this difficult time.

Deputy NJ Smith #420
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office

August 25, 2006

Thank you sir, for the enormous sacrifice you made to keep the community safe. Rest in peace and God bless your family. Your memory will not be forgotten.

Melissa
Virginia Tech Student

August 25, 2006

To Eric: Rest in peace my brother, we've got the watch. You fought the hard fight for your fellow man. Now it's time to rest. We will meet again my friend.

To Eric's family, friends, and co-workers: You are in our prayers constantly. If my department or I can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to ask, we are just a phone call away. We are here for you.

Sergeant Jason Slaughter
Radford City Department of Police

August 25, 2006

I worked with Eric when he was with my department. I answered many calls with him. Eric was always proffessional and it was a privledge to work with him. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He was and allways will be a brother officer.

I knew him in life and one day will be with him again in death. He was a true hero.

Master Officer Victor G. Mitchell
Charlottesville Police Department

August 24, 2006

Rest in peace my Brother

Deputy Corbin M38
Madison County Sheriff's Office, Rexburg Idaho

August 24, 2006

REAT IN PEACE BROTHER LET HYLTON SHOW YOU AROUND WHEN YOU GET HOME.

SGT. BRANDON GALLIMORE
CALLOWAY CO. S.O.

August 24, 2006

Sad to hear of your passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, fellow MCSO officers, and friends. Rest in peace!

Tammy Duncan
Montgomery Co. Resident

August 24, 2006

Mrs. Sutphin,
I had the pleasure of working with your husband at the Albemarle County Police Department, but for only a short time. It doesen't take years of working with someone to realize what a great person they are and how dedicated and proud they are of their organization, their profession and most of all, their family. Eric was always in a good mood, he spread happiness and cheer into everyone's life and he touched everyone who knew him in some way. I do not think I ever saw him in a bad mood, and I know he loved his family and his job very much.
Ordinary people run from danger and fearful situations, extrodinary people run towards them so others will be safe and can live free without fear in our great society. Eric was without a doubt one of the extrodinary ones. The Commonwealth of Virginia and the world has lost a great person, I feel lucky to have known Eric and I would like to thank you for sharing him with the rest of us for the last 13 years.
When you allowed your husband to take a job in law enforcement, you adopted a very large extended family, and today we all share in your grief and sorrow and extend our hand out to your family in your time of need. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of thousands of Officers, Deputies, and Troopers around the world, and that we are all thinking of you and your family. May God bless you and your family, and may your husband rest in peace and never be forgotten, because he was a true American Hero. Thank you...Thank you...Thank you!

Trooper Kevin Frazier
Virginia State Police

August 24, 2006

Corporal Sutphin is a hero in every since of the word. May he rest in peace. I know that he is watching and proctecting his family, friends and co-workers. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers

Susan Meece
Citizen of Virginia

August 24, 2006

Please accept my deepest condolences for this tragic loss. Corporal Sutphin's sacrifice demonstrates the highest degree of love and valor and is a reflection of what the man must surely have been like. May God bless and keep you all during this difficult time.

Mrs. Sutphin, I cannot begin to imagine the pain you must be in. Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Chaplain Sumner
Louisa County Sheriff's Office

August 24, 2006

My deepest sympathies to the family, friends and coworkers of Corporal Sutphin.

Dispatcher
Roanoke City 911

August 24, 2006

No one can imagine the feeling on that Monday morning, when I heard that a Montgomery Co. officer had been shot. It was like no other feeling in the world, waiting to find out the name of the fallen officer. When my phone rang, and I heard my son say, "I'm allright", it was such a relief. Although I felt so relieved, I still felt the numbness of how close to home Eric's shooting had come. This week has been so hard for all of the families involved, but it has been just as hard for those that worked with him. I know that all of the officers that were involved with the search, all question why it had to be him, but also realize how it could have been any of them.
May God bless all of Eric's family and his co-workers. What a senseless loss it is for the whole community.
Thank all of the officers for laying their lives on the line every single day for all of us.

Mom of a fellow officer
Mother of a fellow Montgomery Co. officer

August 24, 2006

Your record speaks for itself.....and it says volumes....A real "Cops-Cop"...rest in peace my brother...may God watch over your family and bring them peace during this heart breaking time.......HTN

Sgt HTN (Ret)
Camden County Major Crimes NJ

August 24, 2006

In relation to others, I knew Cpl. Sutphin for a short time. But the man I came to know exemplified qualities that are rare even for the best of us. Eric will go on serving as an example for how we should live our lives. Both professionally and personally. He lived a life of duty and was always willing to fulfill anything asked of him. Eric made service and sacrifice for others seem easy.
The world will be a lesser place without him. And though his body may be at rest now, the spirit that would shine through in averything he ever did will continue on with all of us. I feel fortunate to have ever known you, and honored to call you a friend.

Ofc. R.D. Hawkins
Christiansburg Police Department

August 24, 2006

If the evil in this world believes it can take one of our own and through this terrible loss crush us, they are wrong. It is an honor to have Corporal Eric E. Sutphin wear the same badge that I humbly wear. His amazing courage and sacrifice will stand as a benchmark to others to stand in a way that will honor his memory. His ultimate sacrifice, and that of his family will be remembered always, our hearts and prayers go to you in this terrible time, God Bless you and keep you close to his heart.

Deputy Sheriff
BCSO

August 24, 2006

Our deepest sympathy goes to Tamara, Rachel, Emily, his family, friends and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Words cannot express the pain and sorrow we feel for you.
Eric will be missed by so many people in our community. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

NO REGRETS
We may never understand it
the risks these brave ones take
but very rarely we see a bit
of the difference their lives make.

Some do it for the action
others find it a callin'
all find the satisfaction
and few become the fallen.

Being an officer is what he loved
to him as good as it gets
law was what he always dreamed of
he would have no regrets.

And though it saddens all of us
to lose him in this way
as an officer he knew he must
live life to the fullest everyday.

Montgomery County Treasurer's Office

August 24, 2006

To Corporal Sutphins Widow, children, parents,
As the sister of a fallen officer my heart goes out to you. Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayer. May God lend you and your family strength, and guidance. Eric is a hero and a blessing to all that knew him. I'm so sorry for your loss and I know how hard it is for you now and will be for you in the future. God Bless

Lynn Vick
Sister to a fallen officer

August 24, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric’s family and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office during this trying time. Eric will be greatly missed by our office and it was a pleasure working with him over the past few years.

The Montgomery County Magistrates Office
Chief Long and the Magistrates of the 27th Judicial District

August 24, 2006

I GIVE MY CONDOLENCES TO OFFICER SUTPHINS FAMILY AND FRIENDS
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS POEM WITH YOU I HAVE LOST BOTH MY PARENTS AND WHEN I LOOK AT THIER PICTURE IN THE FRAME ON MY WALL IT HELPS A LITTLE.


IN OUR HEARTS

WE THOUGHT OF YOU IN LOVE TODAY
BUT THIS IS NOTHING NEW
WE THOUGHT ABOUT YOU YESTERDAY
AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT TOO
WE THINK OF YOU IN SILENCE
WE OFTEN SPEAK YOUR NAME
NOW ALL WE HAVE ARE MEMORIES
AND YOUR PICTURE IN A FRAME
YOUR MEMORIE IS OUR KEEPSAKE
WITH WHICH WE'LL NEVER PART
GOD HAS YOU IN HIS KEEPING
WE HAVE YOU IN OUR HEARTS.


REST IN PEACE BADGE #18



A VIRGINIA CITIZEN

PATRICIA KING
CITIZEN

August 24, 2006

Today Cpl Sutphin will be laid to rest after taking watch for so long. Now it is our turn as his brothers and sisters to take his watch and pick up where he left off. You will always be remembered for your ultimate sacrifice. You, your family, your friends, and your department are in my prayers.

Deputy Rachel Cocke
Bedford County Sheriff's Office

August 24, 2006

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

August 24, 2006

To the family of Cpl. Sutphin - I just wanted to say I'm very sorry for your loss. I know all to well what it's like to lose someone in the line of duty. I know your pain right now is overwhelming but I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and when you're ready I'm willing to help you in any way I possibly can. Just know your HERO will never ever be forgotten and he will forever be missed and loved by the entire community and Law Enforcement Family. May God be with you in these rough days ahead.

Just call the Radford University Police Department if you need ANYTHING and I'll be there for you.

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

August 24, 2006

My heart goes out to the family and gratitude to a man I never knew, but knew him through my Son-in-Law who had ridden with Cpl. Sutphin on bike patrol before. I have worked with a lot of Police Officers as part of Programs in our area and can honestly say, " Every Officer I have met or dealt with is a special person and dedicated to what they do! They all face the fact of dealing with this situation every day and pray it never happens, but all too clearly we know it can happen anywhere anytime!" My thoughts and prayers go out for this family and all the Officers involved. From the bottom of my Heart, "Thank You All!" May God richly Bless and Keep Guard over and around the Officers and all their families. WE are Proud of you all!

Jim Clifton Va Citizen
Father in Law of Police Officer

August 24, 2006

You courageously walked down the dirt path of Huckleberry Trail and ended up walking the streets of gold in heaven. As someone posted earlier, a hero walks towards the danger when others are running away. YOU a truly a hero and to have done that twice...I know God greeted you with "Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter".
To the men and women of the MCSO, as you hurt and grieve know how impressed we are with your professioinalism and the way you worked to capture the suspect. Just goes to show "It's not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog."

U-#351
Chesterfield County, Va Police Dept

August 24, 2006