Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I write this with reflection to what we do every day and not think twice about it. We never thought when we woke up that morning that we are putting our lives on the line, but some of us do not return home. We do it because we love our fellow man and at times, it costs us our lives. I am sure that every person listed here would not have it any other way, but to give our lives protecting others. God Bless you and your family and we will take over now, rest in peace.

Special Investigator
AZ

August 23, 2006

God bless you and your family in their time of need. May you rest peacefully; your brothers and sisters in blue will continue the watch from here...

Justin W Yohe, T/Comm Oper II
Indiana State Police Ft Wayne

August 23, 2006

It's just a cop

The funeral line was long
There are an awful lot of cars
Folks came out of restaurants
They came out of the bars

The workers at the construction sites
All let their hammers drop
Someone asked "What's all this for?"
And they said "Aw, just a cop."

Some chuckled at the passing cars
Some shed a silent tear
Some people said, "It's stupid."
"All these policemen here."

"How come they aren't out fighting crime?"
"Or in a doughnut shop?"
"Sure is a lot of trouble,
For someone who's just a cop."

They blocked the intersections
They blocked the interstate
People yelled and cursed,
"It's gonna make me late!"

"This really is ridiculous!"
"They're making us all stop!"
"It seems they sure are wasting time,
On someone who's just a cop."

Into the cemetery now
The slow procession comes
The woeful Taps is slowly played
There's a loud salute from guns

The graveyard workers shake their heads
"This service is a flop!"
"There are lots of good words wasted,
On someone who's just a cop."

Yeah, just a cop to most folks
Did his duty everyday
Trying to protect us
'Til they took his life away

And when he got to Heaven
St. Peter put him at the top
An angel asked, "Who was that?"
St. Peter said "Aw, just a cop!"

The Judgment:

The officer stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
As brightly as his brass

"Step forward now, Officer,
How shall I deal with you?"
"Have you always turned the other cheek?
And to your faith been true?"

The officer squared his shoulder and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those 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 were steep."

"And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I 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!"

You might be "Just a cop" to some of those you protected, but to those of us in the know, you are a brother....and will ALWAYS be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.

Rest in Peace Lieutenant Gary Dudley and Officer Gary Martin

Jessica
Wife of L.E.O

August 23, 2006

Dearest Family of Lt.Gary Dudley,
As a mother of a precious son who also gave his life to and for law enforcement my heart breaks for you. This life offers no reason or explanation for why or how things happen. We just have to hold dear to our hearts forever the love that our loved one gave to us and this world by their very presence and life. Our daughter rode in the Unity Tour this year for her brother..........Your life and sacrifice because of your devotion to your brothers and sisters in uniform will never be forgotten.

Matt's Mom Forever

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Fallen Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse E.O.W.9/16/04

August 23, 2006

How ironic you died while raising money for families of those officers killed in the line of duty. Rest in peace and may every bicycle ride after this one be in memory of you.

Deputy Probation Officer Cory Walker
Jennings County Superior Probation Departmetn

August 23, 2006

How senseless and unexplainable a tragedy when doing good. It hurts in the pit of my stomach. May you rest in peace Lieutenant Dudley.

Carol Espinoza
Mother of Officer Isaac Espinoza, SFPD
EOW 4/10/04

August 23, 2006

Thank you for your service, God bless you and your family.

DHPD, Mich

August 23, 2006

On behalf of the men and women of the Virginia State Police may I extend our condolences to the family of Lt. Gary Dudley and to our brothers and sisters serving with the Indiana State Police.
May he never be forgotten.

Master Trooper
Virginia State Police

August 23, 2006

Lt. Dudley and Chief Deputy Martin shall not be forgotten for the sacrifices they have made. May they go forth to serve God and forever be an inspiration to the rest of the law enforcement family. RIP brothers.

Corporal John McMahon
Utah Highway Patrol

August 23, 2006

My heart and prayers are with the families, friends and coworkers of all the riders. These true heroes will not be forgotten. God bless.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

August 23, 2006

My familys heart felt thoughts and prayers go out to the Dudley family. I first met Gary during the arrangements for one of our officers (Det./Sgt. Tom Cochran) in the line of duty death, January 2005. Gary was a soft spoken,very professional person. You could tell he really cared for others. That showed even more as Gary assisted me in setting up a Bike Tour sponsorship, at our local Krogers store. Gary rode from 10AM to 6PM June 30, 2006 and we raised over $900.00... You could see that Gary took the bike tour very serious, and what it meant to the survivors. My last conversation with Gary, was at Shelbyville August 12, during Indiana C.O.P.S. picnic event. Gary and I were speaking of the bike tour, and playing ball with my Police K-9 Rico. It was such a shock to hear the news of this traggic event.
Gary I thank you for all that you have done, and say that you will never be forgotten.

K9/Ptl. Doug Taylor
Lawrenceburg (Indiana) Police

August 23, 2006

Another bright day in heaven as our creator stood up to welcome home another brother in blue. One more to protect those who have gone home.

To your family and friends I pray your find some peace in knowing you share a moment in time with such a great person!

Rest in peace! You will be missed by all!

Lieutenant
Texas

August 23, 2006

MY BROTHER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU DID NOT DIE IN A GUN BATTLE, BUT YOU DIED HELPING FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. THIS IS WHAT LIFE IS REALLY ABOUT. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS AS WELL AS THE RETIRED OFFICER'S FAMILY ALSO. MAY THEY KNOW THAT THE ONE THEY LOVE AND WILL MISS IS A HERO. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL, NOW MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

August 23, 2006

Your tour of duty has ended by having given the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you for your service to our state in the career you chose to do
in the spirit of the ISP motto, 'Integrity, Service and Professionalism'.
You will not be forgotten by those whose lives you touched.
Thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and your
fellow troopers as they mourn the untimely losses of both you and
your police brother, retired Lake County Police Chief Gary Martin.

† Rest In Peace, Lieutenant Dudley, May God Bless You †

Jeffrey Williams
Highland, Indiana

August 23, 2006

Bless you sir..what a terrible shame..Thank you for your service.
Karen Perrucci
Sister of Ofc. Gary D. Pagano EOW 9/14/1982

August 23, 2006

Lt. Dudley and Chief Martin, thank you for your lifetimes of service to your state and communities. You are both heros and made the ulimate sacrifice so that other law enforcemnet officers can live. My prayers go out to you and your families.

Brother in Blue (retired)

August 23, 2006

May God be with the friends and family of Gary Dudley. I only knew him for a short time from the 2006 Illinois COPS ride but he was great to be around and a great man. He will be greatly missed by all thoughs that knew him.

Officer James Doss
Springfield Police Department Il

August 23, 2006

To the family of Lt Dudley...how horrific....riding for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice....my heart goes out to you...

To Lt Dudley...it was a great thing that you were doing...riding with the other supporters...I have had the priviledge of being at the Police Unity Tour opening ceremonies in Chesapeake VA the past two years as the riders left for DC for Police Week... this year I was there when they arrived at the Memorial...I was so proud and grateful to each and every rider...for what they had given...their time...their energy...their heart....so I thank you for your time, energy and heart.....God Bless you....my deepest prayers and love to your family...Chrissy

Chrissy Henley, surviving spouse
William A Henley, Suffolk PD VA, eow 3/19/05

August 23, 2006

God bless the family of Lieutenant G. Dudley and to all the brave members of the Indiana State Police for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Trooper
New Jersey State Police

August 23, 2006

An Angel In The Sky Must Leave His Place Of Rest,
Gently Tucking His Wings Beneath His Armored Vest.
For Duty Has Called, There Is Much Work To Do
Little Did He Know, This One Is Dressed In Blue.

Arriving On The Scene, He Knows Just What To Say,
"Follow Me, Fallen Brother, I'll Show You The Way."
"Your Duty Has Ended, Your Work Is Now Through."
"Come Hang Your Hat Beside Mine, I'm A Cop, Too."

Rest in Peace Brother.

Patrolman
Cynthiana Ky

August 23, 2006

No greater love hath man,,then to give his life for another,,,,,your death will not have been in vain for your heart was true! God Bless you and your family Lieutenant Dudley

Officer Thomas Wiederhold #1890
Fort Worth Police,Tx

August 23, 2006

Not only did you died a Hero but you were riding for the (COPS) families of Heroes that like you have died in line of duty, as a surviving spouse of one of those Heroes, I would like to say THANK YOU and God Bless you and your family.

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, Fl 11/6/86

August 23, 2006

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

August 23, 2006

Lt. Dudley,
Thank you for your committment to COPS, unfortunately now your family joins COPS as well. My deepest sympathy to them, your friends and co-workers. May you rest in peace and always be remembered a true hero.

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

August 23, 2006

Lt. Dudley,

My heart goes out to your families today, both your immediate family and your police family. Please accept my sincere condolences. I am so sorry for your loss.

I wad compelled to visit Troopers' Patrick & Beal pages after seeing that you gave your life riding for COPS. I was nearly overwelmed to see that you had written beautiful messages to both of them. It is now our turn to honor you and tell you all of the things that we perhaps did not share with you in life. Although we were never formally introduced, I would like to think that yours is one of the hands I shook at the "end" of the Unity Tour in DC '06 as you arrived at the memorial.

I am humbled by your sacrifice. Rest peacefully Sir!

Dispatcher
Sterling Hgts Police Dept, Michigan

Friend of Mark Sawyers EOW 6-5-04

August 23, 2006