Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Cpl. Eric E. Sutphin, his family and his fellow officers with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Cpl. Sutphin’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Cpl. Sutphin and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff

August 21, 2009

Went by your memorial the other week. Brought back memories of experiences shared. Rest assured you are not forgotten!

Rob Heide
ACPD 1987-2006

July 27, 2009

Thinking of you and Tamara today on your wedding anniversary!

Sara Snow
friend

July 5, 2009

You are still much in the thoughts and hearts of your friends. We spoke about you last night and remembered good times and how you loved life.

Friend of a friend

May 23, 2009

As we approach National Law Enforcement week, I wanted to salute this true American hero. Your memory will always
be honored and revered. Rest In Peace, Eric and continue to watch over your beloved family.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

May 9, 2009

In our thoughts always.

Anonymous

March 27, 2009

Thought of you today.

Anonymous

March 17, 2009

Eric, still thinking about you and your family. Rest in peace brother. May God bless you and I know someday we will meet again and laugh about all the good times we had working together and catching the bad guys and on the midnight shift.

FMR Officer Tommy C. Farrer (CP66)
Charlottesville Police Department

March 8, 2009

I think about you and our times together on a daily basis.

Lieutenant Mike Wagner
Freind/Partner

December 18, 2008

Eric, I can't believe its been two years since your death. I think about all the good times we had on patrol just about every day. Your friendship is greatly missed. I mention your name every time I come in contact with a fellow officer that we worked with. God bless you brother, rest in peace and keep watch on all men and women who choose to keep us safe.

FMR Officer Tommy Farrer
Charlottesville Police Department

August 22, 2008

I can't believe it's been two years. I seems like not long ago when you were giving me a hard time for handing over warrants for you to serve. I miss that.

SPO A Cornwell
Radford City police Department

August 21, 2008

Miss you....

Arielle
Friend

August 21, 2008

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones and close friends today. Continue to watch over all of them, protect them from harm. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

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

August 21, 2008

Thinking of you on this day of your passing. Another sad anniversary. I would like to have gathered with your family and friends at your resting place this morning. You are missed.

Joy
Friend

August 21, 2008

Eric,

It is hard to put into words how you are missed. It has almost been two years since the day you were taken from us. I find myself reliving that day every day since. We have been to the trial, and most recently the formal sentencing. We are comforted to know that justice has been served and that he will face the ultimate punishment for his crimes. Just know that we miss you dearly and that you will never be forgotten. You were and still are an inspiration to our shift, the Sheriff's Office and to the profession.

Deputy J.L. Crane
MCSO

August 10, 2008

Eric, Justice was served today, Morva got the death penalty. Rest in peace brother and keep watch on all the Officers on duty. God bless you and your family and friends.

Former Officer Tommy C. Farrer
Charlottesville Police Department

June 23, 2008

It's the end of Police Week 2008. Your photo and bio were placed at the memorial so all who passed could read of your sacrifice and know of the young family you were taken from. You are remembered.

May 18, 2008

Eric while I sat in the court room in Abingdon at the trail of the madman, William Charles Morva, whom I nicknamed Charles Manson, I was drawn to these words I put down.
I met your precious family of whom you were so proud. Your lovely wife, Tamara and sweet mother, Jeaneen, whom I met before. Someday we hope to meet your precious little girls Rachael and Emily.
Sunny and I wanted to be there; we had to be there, we prayed that somehow you would know we were there and Eric, we will be there for them, all they need to is call us.
You will never be far from our Heart and please RIP in the arms of God.

Two good men are laying in a cold grave
And four young children are without their father.
They cannot be replaced in those four precious lives.
Who is going to be there to hold or embrace them?
The heart broken wives, the lost hopes and dreams
Stolen, leaving an unbearable desolation.
Who is going to be there to hug that precious child
kiss away the hurt, brush away fears?
How much more pain will the mother endure, forever
for the life of her son, snuffed out far too soon?
.................OH GOD give us strength

I told a young lady that whatever the verdict is;
God's Will, will be done. And So Eric, it will be.
We never know what our purpose on this earth is; but
we must trust in Our God, for He knows. And You will
have your Crown in Glory.
Sunny and Mickie Martin

Mr & Mrs Sunny B. E. Martin
Eric's God Father

April 12, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 3, 2008

God bless the jury that gave your wife justice.

March 14, 2008

Eric,

The jury came through today and justice was served. They gave Morva the death sentence. Keep watching over us.

Kenny Hay Former Communications Officer
Smyth County Sheriff's Office

March 13, 2008

Eric,

Morva is now on trial. May the jury find this dirtbag guilty and make him pay for this terrible crime.

Kenny Hay Former Communications Officer
Smyth County Sheriff's Office

March 10, 2008

You were my hero; you saved me from a beast and delivered me back to a world more sane. Thank you for watching over me those few months-that seemed like a lifetime and protecting me till the end. I will always love you and you'll always be in my heart.

February 26, 2008

CPL. SUTPHIN I CAN THINK BACK ALL THE TIMES THAT WE HAD WHEN I WOULD COME OUT TO RIDE WITH YOU AND HANG OUT OVER AT THE CPU OFFICE AT ACPD AND YOU WOULD JOKE AROUND WITH MIKE,ROGER AND ALL THE GUYS OVER THERE YOU WERE A GREAT OFFICE, GREAT DEPUTY AND GREAT FATHER WE ALL WILL MISS YOU R.I.P. MY FRIEND

DEPUTY D.N.JACKSON
CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

October 20, 2007

I met Eric when he was selling houses during the period in which he had left the Department after he was shot. I was a mortgage banker and we worked together for a brief time. My husband, Randy and my good friend, Jim, both who work for our local government, dealt with him also on building inspections and zoning requirements, etc. They held him in the highest regard, saying that he was always professional, courteous, and extremely pleasant to deal with. I thouroughly enjoyed the time that we worked with one another, and I was saddened when he left to go back to being a police officer. I definitely regret that I didn't have the opportunity to know him better on a personal level as our relationship was primarily of a business nature. I've found that, in general, when people pass on suddenly, it seems that all you hear about them is extraordinarily good. And I always wonder if that person was really that well regarded while they were on this earth or if people are just compelled to say great things once they're gone. I can honestly say that in Eric's case, that he was indeed that highly regarded on this earth by so many people--I hope that he knew what a positive force he was on others. I believe that he is an example for all of us in how we should live our lives--he has a wonderful spirit and such a kind, gentle way that made everyone feel so comfortable with him. May we all remember and honor him well by following his example.

Kelly
business associate, citizen, and friend

September 28, 2007