Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am currrently in college, majoring in Criminal Justice. My father is a small town law enforcement officer in Escambia Co., Alabama and there have been multiple times that I have wondered if he is okay or not or if God will allow him to come home one more time. I wonder when is it going to be time for him to step down and for my time to rise up will be. I pray that it will never happen while on duty. I grew up in a police dept. and around law enforcement and I have a great love and passion for the duty. I guess you can call it a "calling." I've seen officers come and go. I feel somewhat connected with officers everywhere. I pray for Officer Houts family and also for God to give his family strength and a sense of pride that when the time came to give the ultimate sacrifice, he did not run. He greatly upheld his loyalty and duty and faced it like a true hero. May God bless you in this time of loss, not only to Officer Houts family but to the brothers he served with.

Chris Hicks, future law enforcement off.
Brewton Police Dept.(Family)

October 9, 2006

Keith.
Though i did not know you, we shared a brotherhood beyond what most understand. Relax up there, you're job here is done.

Keiths family- My Prayers are extended from my family to yours. May god send his comfort and peace. Take care. be proud of Keith.

Officer
Phoenix Police Dept.

October 8, 2006

i wish to express my sincere condolences to the famiy, friends, and co workers of Ofc. Houts. I know all too well the pain and anger you are feeling now as the Reading Police Dept. recently lost one of our own. From reading the reflections left by friends and colleagues, Ofc. Houts sounds like he was a wonderful man and dedicated officer. It is a shame that the citizens of Montgomery have lost someone who was willing to go the extra mile to keep them safe. To Ofc. Hout's family, yours is a painful and difficult journey ahead and my thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find some comfort in the fact that Ofc. Houts was so highly regarded by those that knew and worked with him. God be with you.

monica
reading pa dispatcher

October 8, 2006

You are a hero.

October 8, 2006

When I saw Keith's story on the news, I thought, "Please, God, not another one." And I also thought he looked so much like one of my officers. Yes, I call them "my" officers, because they are. I feel responsible for them, even though I can't control what happens out there. So my prayers are with Keith's family most of all,and friends and fellow officers, but also with the dispatchers of Montgomery PD. May God bless and comfort all of you.

Heather Henderson, Dispatcher
Cullman PD, Cullman AL

October 8, 2006

It is once again that I grieve the loss of a fallen hero. My prayers are with Officer Keith's family and with all the MPD family. Officer Keith, you will not be forgotten! I am glad to know that you are now in the kingdom, dear brother. May God give much grace to the Houts family and to MPD. To the Houts family, press on and God bless you all.

Traffic Officer Tom Williams
City of Los Angeles DOT

October 8, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the Family, Friends, and Co-workers of Ofc Houts. Your service will never be forgotten, and all your brothers and sisters in blue will continue the fight that you fought so well. The good Lord needed another true hero to walk the streets of heaven, and be a Guardian Angel to all Police Officers everywhere. God Speed brother.

Motor Officer W F Schrader
Lakeland Florida Police Dept.

October 7, 2006

May God Bless your family

T.Williams
MPD

October 7, 2006

I am a Pennsylvania State Trooper, a soldier of the law.

To me is entrusted the honor of the force.

I must serve honestly, faithfully, and if need be, lay down my life as others have done before me, rather than swerve from the path of duty.

It is my duty to obey the law and to enforce it without any consideration of class, color, creed or condition.

It is also my duty to be of service to anyone who may be in danger or distress, and at all times so conduct myself that the honor of the force may be upheld.

Rest in peace Officer HOUTS, we'll take the watch from here.

Tpr. Bart JOSEFOWICZ III
PA State Police

October 7, 2006

"TOO SOON BROTHER" I THINK ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY EVERYDAY. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE PAIN AND GRIEF YOUR FAMILY HAS DEALT WITH, BUT THEY WERE STRONG THROUGHOUT. YOU WOULD BE PROUD. YOUR FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS HAVE ALSO HAD IT TOUGH, BUT WE'LL PRESS ON, ALBEIT HEAVY HEARTED. YOU WILL BE MISSED. SEMPER FI!

ARMSTRONG 1662
MPD

October 7, 2006

Rest easy brother, I watched your funeral on t.v in such saddness and disbelief as the laid to rest a man who was truly a hero. I didnt have the honor of meeting Officer Houts but I know it would have truly been an honor. Your funeral ceremony was sad but was also nice. U paid the ultimate sacrafice and crossed the thin blue line but you also touched so many lives, thanks for your service and dedication u will be deeply missed....R.I.P Officer K.E Houts

Correctional Officer L.Maynard
WV Division of Juvenile Services

October 6, 2006

The Legacy of a Fallen Officer



When you left this world without us,

It made your brothers all feel blue

With pride running through our veins,

We Salute and Honor you.



It broke our hearts to lose you;

You did not go alone.

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.



The city stood together weeping

The days after you passed away.

Today, as we gather in your memory,

We all take a knee and pray.



For I know the soft warm breeze,

Your breath from Heaven sent,

You whisper: An oath you have sworn,

A city you must protect.



And though you have answered your final call

You urge us, please, go on.

But that is hard to do at times

For we know that you gave all.



Now we all must say Goodbye

With sadness and regret.

But know that you have touched our hearts

So deeply that, NEVER, will we forget!



Little did we know that day

That God would call your name.

Our Thin Blue Line is broken

And nothing is the same.



But you left us many memories,

And your strength will be our guide.

Although we may not see you,

You are forever, by our side.



And as we gather here to pay our last respects

We stand here side by side.

As I look around I see your Legacy

Are those you left behind.





In Memory of Officer Keith E. Houts

Detective E.M. Planer
Montgomery Police Department

October 6, 2006

As a Montgomery resident, I simply want to say "Thank You".
I was driving down the interstate yesterday(the very one that had carried Officer Houts to his final resting place the day before)I began thinking about his wife & family. Now that the funeral is over and everyone else has gone back to their lives. What happens to them? Just like everything else, this story will fade and something new will happen. But they will still be suffering this unbearable pain. I know that they are strong in their faith and love for the Lord. I pray they will receive the love,support & understanding they need & deserve to get through this unimaginable time. My greatest hope for his family is that someday they find their heart filled with peace and can talk about Keith with laughter instead of greif and pain. You are in my prayers.

October 6, 2006

As a former police officer in Montgomery and assistant
director of the Montgomery Police Academy and the
Alabama Advanced Criminal Justice Academy, I am saddened
by the tragic loss of Officer Houts. Three of my brothers
died in the line of duty while I was with the MPD-Officers
George McGaughey, Bobby Ussery and Billy Noble.
This reminds me of the anger, hurt and frustration we felt
so many years ago. But, from all I have heard Keith Houts
was a honorable, professional police officer. Cut down
so early in his career, he will serve his fellow officers
as a model for dedication and service. His memory will
not be lost, but every MPD officer will long remember that
dreadful day. To his family, God Bless and thank you for
your courage during these trying times. I suspect Keith
died doing what he really wanted to do and for that, each
of you can have some peace.

Tom Leonard
MPD 1974-76 Reserve 1978-89

October 6, 2006

My Condolences to your Family and Brothers in Blue that worked with you.You are a True Hero Brother, may GOD BLESS your Family and please watch over us from Heaven....til your fellow brothers meet togehter..Rest in Peace.

Patrol Deputy T.Pena
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office,Texas

October 6, 2006

A Badge Beside the Wings
In Memory of Officer Keith E. Houts

I awoke last night shaking;
Covered in a mix of tears and sweat.
I looked at my nightstand, at my badge;
And thought of the day we met.
Everyone calls me tough,
I learned early that men don't cry;
But you can call me a boy all you want
If I could erase the day he died.
I knew early on that I wanted to be an officer
In the academy I gave it my all;
But shooting ranges and push-ups
Will never prepare you to see a brother fall.
I felt a shiver down my spine
As the words froze on the radio;
He was a son, husband, soldier and friend,
Now he is a true hero.
I know the dangers of my job,
But my courage will never sway;
Because I'll think of my fallen brothers when I put on my uniform each day.
With these men I don't share blood,
But no less, its deeper some would say;
But I ask God to keep my brothers safe,
Every single night when I pray.
I wish I could see the angels faces when they crowd around to see,
He held his badge to his chest, and proudly said "Montgomery PD."

citizen of Montgomery

October 6, 2006

Keith, it seems like yesterday I was talking to you in the parking lot about the night you had on 3rd shift. So eager to fight crime and get the job done. That's what I will always remember about you. One of the "Go Getter's". 90 to nothing to help one of your fellow officer's out when the stuff hit the fan. The nicest person anyone could ever meet. Would give you the shirt of his back if you needed it. Thought of himself last and everyone else first. A man of the highest integrity and the biggest heart. It was an honor to work with you. I personally will never forget you.
You are deeply missed here at the PD. Watch over us all and we will meet again, Brother and Friend.

To the Houts family, my heart goes out to you. Make GOD bless you in your time of need.

Det. R.D. Carson / Robbery Homicide
Montgomery Police Department

October 6, 2006

My thoughts and prayers to those who knew and now miss Officer Houts.

May God lay His healing hands upon the family.

Retired Captain Joe L. Gilliland
Danville, KY PD

October 6, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Montgomery P.D

Fallen but never forgotten.

Officer B. Laurie #1251
Haltom City Police Tx

October 6, 2006

Keith,

Although we never met, you were my friend. Friends look out for each other. Friends help one another. Friends would lay down their lives for each other.

I would have gladly done any of those things for you. And although we never met, I KNOW you would have done the same for me.

You were my brother. My brother in law enforcement. My brother in the cause. As brothers we fought for the same beliefs and the same results.

Keith, I was in Montgomery that day you stopped that car. I ONLY WISH I could have been close by. I wish I had known what was going to happen. You know my friend, my brother, I would have gladly taken the fight with you, for you.

Rest my friend. One day we WILL meet.

God Bless you and your family and thanks for protecting me, a fellow law enforcement officer, in your city that day.

Officer Steve Lampley,
Blountsville Police Department (AL)

Officer Steve Lampley
Blountsville Police Department (Alabama)

October 6, 2006

May god bless you and your family in this time of need. My prayers go to each of you and the officers of the MPD. Rest in peace .

Cpl Jean-Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit

October 6, 2006

This has been a very painful week for the city of Montgomery. Thank you Officer Houts for your service to our city and to our country. To the Houts family, hold strong to the fact that Keith had a personal relationship with his Creator and he is now alive and well in the presence of God. I just watched a recording of Officer Houts funeral service and it was a wonderful testament to his life, his service to others and his relationship to Christ. God Bless the Houts family and his fellow officers at MPD.

Eddy Luckie
Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center

October 6, 2006

Houts..you will never be forgotten..by me or anyone else in the Montg Police Dept. I will for sure think of you everytime I get on Ch 1. I will hope and pray that you look over these guys for I truly believe you'll keep them safe. You make me really proud to be part of this family. Thanks to Barbara for making this man the person he was today..for teaching him his morals to make him the police officer he was. Thanks so much Ashley for sharing him with us. I know he will forever be looking down on you and will love you till you are together again. Keith, I just want you to know how honored I am to have worked with you I appreciate every person you arrested for DV and how you helped to clean up our streets..Thanks for being one of Montgomery's finest and for being such a great guy.....fallen but not forgotten

Dispatcher Hayes
Montgomery Police Dept

October 6, 2006

Rest in Peace my brother in Blue. I was in Montgomery going through SNCOA when this incident took place. When I heard what happened..my thoughts and prayers went out to you and your family. You will be missed but never forgotten. We will take over your watch from here.

Officer Tim Keawmanee
Abilene Police Dept

October 6, 2006

To the family of Officer Houts,

I know what you are going through, we all share the same pain. He will live in your hearts forever.

HERO...you may rest

October 5, 2006