Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Tom Ballman was a kind-hearted, thoughtful individual. I've known Tom since we were children - we lived in the same neighborhood and attended the same schools. He always had an infectious smile, so warm and sweet. During one summer in high school, Tom volunteered to participate in a musical show that traveled to rest homes and churches simply to brighten the spirits of others. That's how he chose to spend his time because that's the type of person he was. He clearly continued his service to others throughout his life, and for that, I will forever be grateful. He's a role model and hero, and my deepest sympathies go out to his family.

He will never be forgotten since he lives indelibly in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known him.

Kristin B.
Childhood friend

February 10, 2008

I am so truly sorry that this tragedy occurred. My deepest condolences to the family of Officer Ballman...He is a hero forever.
God bless you.
Mother of Sheriff in Sacramento

February 10, 2008

Rest in peace brother. We've got the watch from here. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers who all mourn the loss of yet another hero.

Motor Officer Dominick Marraccini
Easton Police Department, Easton, PA

February 10, 2008

Our thoughts & prayers are with you all. Rest Easy.

Cindy, Arkansas
sister of slain Officer Randy Basnett, eow 9/24/1976

February 10, 2008

Thank You!

Craig Szczuka

February 10, 2008

Thank you for your service and sacrifice to your community and to law enforcement. I promise to never forget your commitment, dedication and the way you simply seem to enjoy working with the Explorer program. You always seemed to turn chaos into harmony at all of the meetings. May God bless your family and brothers and sisters at Kirkwood PD. Thank you and Godspeed my friend.
Mike Mainieri

Patrolman M. Mainieri

February 10, 2008

Rest in peace Officer Ballman. Thank you for your service.

Officer RM Taylor
US DOJ

February 10, 2008

Rest in peace, Sir.

Deputy
Michigan

February 10, 2008

Officer Ballmann, My heart goes out to you and your family. Just know that you are a hero. Watch over your family because it is the hardest thing they will ever deal with. Thank you for your survices.

Stacy, Friend of fallin officer Schultz

February 10, 2008

Tom, In the short time that I knew you it was easy to be your friend. You were a very brave man and great instructor. Your fate was a shock to all of us. My prayers will go out to you and your family. Rest in peace.

Kurt Roettering
Des Peres Department of Public Safety

February 10, 2008

Rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

February 9, 2008

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.

Dispatcher Ted Smith
Martin, TN Police Dept.

February 9, 2008

I never had the pleasure to have met you in my lifetime.. I would have given you a big hug and thanked you for what you do to protect citizens from danger. My dad retired from our local police dept. I know what goes with the job.
Often times you go unthanked... and you always go above and beyond your job. Hugs Tom Ballman you are America's finest you walk amongst the best now.
BA

BA

February 9, 2008

Sleep easy with God, Tom. We thank you for your Service, Sir. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Sr. Corporal Trey Pellizzari
Texas Dept of Public Safety/Commercial Vehicle Enforcement--Rockwall

February 9, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and the entire Kirkwood Police Department and community. To lose officers to such senseless violence is truly a tragedy. They will both be remembered as pillars of the community and outstanding police officers. Rest in Peace my brothers.

Trooper
Illinois State Police

February 9, 2008

T. Balls,

You have had such a positive impact on my life. Thank you for all you have taught me about Law Enforcement, especially defensive tactics. You will be greatly missed by the Explorers.

The St. Louis area will not be the same without you!

"We Rise, We Fall, as One"

Rest In Peace

Explorer Rachael Niehaus
St. Louis City Explorer Post 9269

February 9, 2008

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Madison Police Department, Alabama

February 9, 2008

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Police Officer Tom Ballman and family, and the Kirkwood police department family. They all suffer this loss as well as the community.

Officer Timothy Reardon
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Police

February 9, 2008

Rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

Trooper
Massachusetts State Police

February 9, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of P.O. Ballman and to the Officers of the Kirkwood PD. We understand the feeling of a loss of a Friend, Brother and an Officer. We think of you with a heavy heart. Godspeed RIP P.O. Ballman


In Memory of
Ofc Jeremy P Chambers
Cahokia PD
EOW 4-24-06

Cris Burch
Cahokia FD

February 9, 2008

Tom,

I've known you since the Academy Class 3-98. You were such a fantastic class commander and friend. You are a great police officer, family man, and overall a great friend. My heart was completely broken when I heard the news. Brother, you will be missed greatly and heaven has gained a awesome person and police officer. For now you walk the beat in Heaven. Godspeed Tom ! I will miss you brother !

P.O. Shaun Kummer
Florissant Police Department

February 9, 2008

May the Lord God bless you and keep you all close during this difficult time...know that your brothers and sisters across this nation mourn with you as we have all suffered a tragic loss...the men and women of the Cameron, Missouri Police Department send our condolences to the family and friends of Police Officer Tom Ballman...the Kirkwood Police Department is in our thoughts and prayers....rest in peace our brother....

Chief Corey Sloan
Cameron, MO Police Department

February 9, 2008

May the Lord be with the family and friends of Police Officer Ballman today and the days to come..You are a Hero and will never be forgotten..Rest in Peace...

Joyce
Sister of Officer John P Harris EOW 8/19/1994

February 9, 2008

It is a tragic thing to lose an officer to a coward with a gun, but an even greater tragedy to not remember who he was, what he's done, and what he stood for.

We will love and miss Officer Tom Ballman; he was a husband, a father, a mentor and a friend.

He served and protected his country and community, going above and beyond. Tom Ballman you've kept a watchful eye on us, rest now knowing you instilled your values and skills in us so when the time comes we can give our best to those we love as you did for us. As we said in academy "we rise and fall as one"

“There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.”
Washington Irving

The thoughts and prayers of many explorers and officers in Wisconsin go out to Tom Ballman's family and friends.

MCSO Explorer Megan Rosa
Milwaukee, WI

February 9, 2008

Rest in peace Officer Ballman, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your service.

Cpl Jean Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service

February 9, 2008