Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Florida Highway Patrol. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Sergeant Sottile deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. No greater love has a man than the will to give his life for another. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Sergeant Sottile is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

SA Thomas Doyle
FBI New York

January 12, 2007

Rest in peace brother. You will be missed. Thank you for your dedication, service and sacrifice. You are a true hero. My sympathy to your family, friends and department.

Deputy Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office

January 12, 2007

My heart and prayers go out to my fallen Brother, his wife, daughter and son. I am a native of Lakeland (Polk) fla and heard the news from my sister that still resides there. My law enforcement family here are with you all in your time of need and may God Bless and Keep us all.

Det. R.L. Brewer
Dekalb County Police (Atlanta, Ga.)

January 12, 2007

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

January 12, 2007

To Nick and Family,

My heart goes out to you all. You will all be in my family's prayers.

As for Sgt. Sottile, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sincerely,

D/S Brandon Clark
Former FHP, Class 110

D/S Brandon Clark
Osceola County Sheriff's Office

January 12, 2007

May God bless your family, friends and department. Rest in peace.

Officer Dwight Rackley
Louisville Metro Police, KY

January 12, 2007

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Capt. Shannon Yates
Collins Fire Dept. (Mississippi)

January 12, 2007

To the Sottile Family,

Our hearts grieve for your family during this time of tremendous sadness. Sgt. Sottile made the ultimate sacrifice guarding our homefront. We will continue to keep you in our prayers.

Sincerely,
William and Melody Kinghorn (former FHP troopers)

Melody Hartwell Kinghorn
former Florida State Trooper

January 12, 2007

I am truly sorry for the loss of such a brave soul. Truly God awaits with open arms for such a Valiant warrior.

State Trooper D Osborne/K-9 Coco
Tennessee Highway Patrol

January 12, 2007

Rest in peace, my brother.

PJN, Deputy
Cook County IL Sheriff's

January 12, 2007

To protect and serve every day of your life...even if it means to give your life. You fulfilled your oath, and now we will handle the rest. Our hearts are heavy, our souls are weak, but our determination to find these cowards has never been stronger. We will bring them to justice for your family and we will not rest unitl that day is done..thank you for who you were and what you represented. Please watch over us all...

Your Fellow Brother

USAF Security Forces PAFB

January 12, 2007

The Final Inspection

The policeman stood to face his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his boots were shining, just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Policeman. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders 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 awfully tough.
"But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got to steep.."
And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
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 got 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 policeman waited quietly, for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Policeman. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat in Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell."

*Author Unknown*

Fellow Trooper
Florida Highway Patrol

January 12, 2007

Rest easy with the Lord. Please protect us from the kinds cowardly people you unfortunely encountered today. Have comfort in knowing that we will not rest until "true" justice is served. Thank you for being an excellent example of "Florida's Finest".

To the family: Please allow our "Brotherhood" to assist with anything you all need. Take great pride in knowing that your "Hero" touched many lives throughout his time. He will not be forgotten.

Courtesy * Service * Protection

Trooper
Florida Highway Patrol

January 12, 2007

I will pray for you family, and pray for the much needed justice for them, Sgt. Sottile, you have made this place we live in a better place to live. I wished I could tell you thank you in person. One thing for sure all those you touched and helped will not forget you. To you family it will never be the same with out you, but they can all be proud of you, and everything you did. From this Florida craker, thank you for all you did, and enjoy being with our lord. May God be with your family.

January 12, 2007

Your murder(s) will be brought to justice and you and your family will be at peace. Guard the throne of God, brother, and may your sacrifice never be forgotten!

Michael
Philadelphia Citizen

January 12, 2007

All my thoughts and prayers go out to the Sottile family, friends and co-workers. I met Nick along time ago when I was working for a local PD in Highlands County. Nick was one of a kind, and would go out of his way to help anybody (including a young rookie). Nick, I was blessed to have known you and work with you, and will never forget those times. You have served the State and Highlands County for 24 years, with honor, dignity and respect. Rest in Peace my Brother, until we meet in heaven. I know you will be a Guardian Angel to all the Officers who will continue the fight in your honor. May God Bless your Family. God Speed Nick, a true Hero.

Motor Officer W F Schrader
Lakeland Florida PD

January 12, 2007

Rest in peace Brother, You will not be forgotten

Cpl. Tony Brisinte
Orange CO SO ORLANDO

January 12, 2007

My deepest condolences to the Sottile family and to the Men and Women of the Florida Highway Patrol. Nicky I'm so glad I was able to come to the 30 year reunion and spend time with you. You will be deeply missed but you will not be forgotten brother.

MPO Bobby Atterberry
King County Sheriff's Office

January 12, 2007

Sgt. Sottile, Thank you for your service and your ultimate sacrifice. You are and always will be a hero to the citizens of Florida. God bless you and your family. You and your family will be in our hearts and prayers.

Wife and mother in law of Florida LEO's.

January 12, 2007

Sgt Sottile has given the ultimate sacrifice, like so many who have gone before him, he will be honored by those he left behind.
I have had to deal with a situation similar to this in the past week as a dispatcher, and my heart goes out too the FHP dispatch and the family of Sgt Sittile. His watch has not ended, it has just moved to another place.... Rest in peace Sergeant

Crystal, Dispatcher
Tipton County 911, TN

January 12, 2007

Thank you, Sergeant Sottile, for your service to the people of Florida and the United States. Your dedication and efforts are appreciated and will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Hero!

Janice Brown
Conway, Arkansas
civilian

Janice Brown
civilian

January 12, 2007

Rest in peace Brother. You will never be forgotten.

Corporal Albert Pratts
Florida Highway Patrol

January 12, 2007

--"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." -- Maya Angelou

Aloha Trooper Nick Sottile,
Thank you for your service and dedication to your community and your country. You and all officers that continue to lay your lives on the line and pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe, will NEVER be forgotten.

I personally pledge, (after one of Hawaii's own, Honolulu Police Officer Steve Favela, lost his life in the line of duty protecting our Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush), to become a continuum, a keeper of the ODMP light. That light is in the form of an ODMP tribute. People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, profession, education, and geographical location can share here. That "LIGHT" comes from within the heart and soul of every person who cares to share a word or two on behalf of each and every fallen officer. Every fallen officer is an hero. The ODMP; Officer Down Memorial Page gives us a place to come together and share our feelings as one family. May we find comfort as we give comfort to the families who have lost a loved one.

As we say in Hawaii, “We are`Ohana.” We are family. God Bless this fallen hero. May we embrace him as one of our own family member; our `Ohana. No one will ever be able to replace you for you were unique and very special. No one; not in this lifetime. May God allow you to rest in His Divine peace.

Trooper Nick Sottile, I wish you, your loved ones, your fellow officers, and friends, peace and love beyond all understanding.

--- May this Hawaiian prayer give all those who read it comfort. ---

THE PEACE OF " I "
KA MALUHIA O KA "I"

Peace be with you, All My Peace,
O ka Maluhia no me oe, Ku'u Maluhia a pau loa,

The Peace that is " I ", the Peace that is "I am".
Ka Maluhia o ka "I", owau no ka Maluhia,

The Peace for always, now and forever and evermore.
Ka Maluhia no na wa a pau, no ke'ia wa a mau a mau loa aku.

My Peace " I " give to you, My Peace " I " leave with you,
Ha'awi aku wau I ku'u Maluhia ia oe, waiho aku wau I ku'u Maluhia me oe,

Not the world's Peace, but, only My Peace,
The Peace of " I ".

A'ole ka Maluhia o ke ao aka, ka'u Maluhia wale no,
Ka Maluhia o ka "I".

Moana V.C. Molale Private Citizen-Hawaii
Malama o La`a kea (Keeper of the Light)

January 12, 2007

I pray for the family and the other members of the FHP. I know that you are going through a hard time right now, and I pray that the Lord will watch over you, and guide you catch the suspects involved. As the son of Col. Walker of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, I know what it is like to lose a Trooper, having laid Trp. Calvin Jenks to rest just 2 days ago. May you go with God Trooper Sottile, your watch is over, and we can take it from here.

Sgt. Chris Walker
Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office

January 12, 2007

Rest in peace brother, your killer will be found.

Deputy Sheriff J.B.
Polk County S.O.

January 12, 2007