Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I met Officer Ballman when he gave the Kirkwood Tiger Cubs and their parents, including my 7-year son Jared, a tour of the police department on December 20. I was highly impressed by his professionalism, enthusiasm and the way he interacted with the kids. He displayed a remarkable combination of warmth and strength. His passion for the job and for people was very evident, and a group of boys left the police department that night knowing the police are our friends and that they are there to help and protect us.

He talked to the kids about everything on his belt, explaining what it was and why / how each thing was used. For example, in explaining what pepper spray is, he said that as a police officer it's his job to help people so he hopes never to have to use it, but sometimes a bad guy might want to fight him - and if that happens, it's his job to win the fight. He then told the boys what a bad guy is thinking when he is fighting a police officer, both before and after the pepper spray is used. First, he explained, the bad guy is concentrating on winning the fight, and he thinks "I'm fighting a police office, I'm fighting a police officer, I'm fighting a police offer" but after the pepper spray is used the bad guy is thinking "I'm fighting a . . . OW, MY EYES HURT!" - all the boys laughed (my son repeated the line for weeks) and that, he explained, helps distract the bad guy and gives the officer enough time to win the fight.

He answered even personally painful questions with grace, including the question "Have any Kirkwood police officers been killed?" He told the boys two had, one in 1898 and another, his good friend Sergeant McEntee in 2005. He then showed the kids a picture of him, told them what a great man he was, how much he missed him and how he will always remember him.

For our town's 143-year police officer death toll to double 7 weeks later, and for Officer Ballman to now be on that list, is an incomprehensible tragedy.

To Officer Ballman's colleagues, friends and family, please accept our family's deepest sympathy and know that you are in our prayers. The finest tribute we can offer Officer Ballman is the tribute he offered his friend: you too were a great man, we will miss you and you will always be remembered.

Frank Goudsmit
Kirkwood citizen fortunate enough to have met Tom

February 9, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE P9OLICE

February 9, 2008

I know several of your friends and I can tell you that you will be missed. Thank you for your service. God Bless and keep you.

M. Schumacher / Ranger
St. Charles County, Missouri

February 9, 2008

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Police Officer Tom Ballman as well as to the Kirkwood Police Department. Rest in peace Officer Ballman, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch, CTO
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

February 9, 2008

February 7, 2008 was a tough day for the Law Enforcement community. I know every day that one more Hero takes their place on ‘The Wall’ is a tough day. Families, friends, find their world suddenly torn apart. That thin Blue Line made thinner yet again.
I turned on the morning news that day as a press conference in reference to the tragedy in Los Angeles was starting and they announced that Officer Randy Simmons had been taken from us. Unbelievably, I ended the day by turning on the evening news just as a press conference announced the tragedy in Kirkwood, MO., two more Heroes taken (Sergeant William Biggs and Officer Tom Ballman)
I don’t always post a reflection… I wish I could, but I do check this site everyday. Each time there is a new face; I say a prayer for that Hero and all that have been touched by his or her life.
To the families and friends of Officer ‘Randy’ Simmons, LAPD, Sergeant William Biggs and Officer Tom Ballman, Kirkwood, MO.PD: My condolences. Please know that you are not alone . . .
To my brothers and sisters in Los Angeles, Kirkwood, MO and all of you who still stand the line, in this time of loss, realize that our brothers have left us with a gift, a reminder that tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone…
I post the following poem in Honor of all of those Heroes who have taken their place on ‘The Wall’ and in particular for the three most recent members of our family to join the eternal Thin Blue Line.


BLUE AUTUMN
By: Marc A. Turner Copyright/2000

That day was like others nothing special at all
We passed one another said hi in the hall
We took it for granted that nothing would change
But then, time seemed to gel, it felt surely strange

Suddenly the news struck with lightening heat
Officer down, my heart skipped a beat
See we’re all brothers that hang from the same family tree
But today, it was your turn; your leaf was blown free

We finally break rank and most walk away
They turn to look back, just a few there still stay
The ones from your squad still stand by and stare
Not able to leave, a pain they all share

The crowd is all gone and the wind shakes the trees
The tears start to fall like the dry autumn leaves
Why was it you and not one of them?
A question they’ll ask again and again

So now when we see our brother go by
Why not take a second to say more than just hi
Tomorrow might be too late, don’t you see
Whose leaf will be next… blown from the tree…?


www.blueautumn.com

Sgt. Marc A. Turner (Retired)
Roxbury Twp PD NJ

February 9, 2008

Semper FI, brother, Rest in Peace

Patrolman
Honesdale Boro PD

February 9, 2008

Tom was a colleague that was working with several of us on CERT and the regional PIO groups. He was always the nicest guy and always had a smile on his face. I didn’t want to believe that he was really gone. His family will have the support of all of his emergency services family for as long as they need it. Tom didn’t deserve to go that way but his courage will never be forgotten. Because of Tom's time and dedication Kirkwood PD and the City is a stronger, better and safer place to live.

Coordinator, Michael Thiemann
Metro West Fire District

February 9, 2008

Tom, you now leave me by myself to do what it took both of us to do and then some. I lost one lunch buddy back in August and now you. Regardless of what who I go to lunch with, it will never be the same without you. I keep thinkign of your motto, "I HATE ______".

Police Officer Jim Cox
Kirkwood Police Departmentt

February 9, 2008

Rest in peace brother, your service and sacrafice will not be forgotten!

Patrolman Jeff Tripp
Marion,Ma Police Dept

February 9, 2008

Heard the news from a friend on friday morning... in a state of shock / numbness, I went through the motions of packing up my car and drove the 10 hours "home" to St. Louis, because it was all I could think of to do. Got here late last night, and still don't know what to do. After reading all of the comments left in honor and memory of you, I am humbled to know that one of my friends has touched so many lives. I am proud to know that I had a hero like you in my life. And I am so thankful we had the chance to enjoy Thanksgiving together with your family. My heart weeps this loss, but rejoices in knowing you gave so much in life to everyone you knew. My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family... who I consider to be a part of my family thanks to you.

God Bless Tom.. you will always be a part of me.

Michael Horst
friend

February 9, 2008

What a senseless and tragic loss of a life. I'm so sorry to hear of this horrible situation. My heart goes out to Officer Ballman's family.

Denise L. Wise
Widow, Michael H. Wise, II EOW 6/5/04

February 9, 2008

What a great asset Heaven has received. Patrol the skies above with pride and know those remaining are thinking of you with gratitude and appreciation. May your family and friends find strength during this difficult time and senseless loss.

RIP
Ofc. Ballman

Sgt. Laureen Lamczyk
St Louis Metropolitan Police

February 9, 2008

Tom - My heart is so heavy and the tears are flowing. I will keep your family in my prayers and help in any way I can. You were such a support for us, I can't believe you are gone. I went through our Bill's memorial page and read what you had written. I remembered how much I enjoyed your words and how I was touched by them. I will leave you with some of your words - "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers ... For he who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother." I know you are with your brothers, rest in peace my friend.

Kathy McEntee, sister of Bill McEntee

February 9, 2008

Officer Ballman, fellow officers and family I am so sorry for your loss. There will be so many opportunities for family, fellow officers, and friends to recognize your personal gift of valor to the community. An eternity of rememberance is forever yours.........Donald E. Sutton, Son of another courageous fallen LA County Sheriff, David Alois Horr, 50 years today.

Donald E. Sutton
Son of Fallen Officer, David A. Horr, LA County Sheriffs, 1958

February 9, 2008

Brother Ballman,
You and your partner are true heroes and I pray now that you rest in peace. You are just a prayer away and will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Walter Hughes, Retired
MNPD - Nashville, Tennessee

February 9, 2008

May God be with your Family and Loved ones until we all
meet again in that eternal home above. Our prayers will
be with your family and fellow officers until we meet again

Rest in Peace

Kenneth D Morgan
Okla. Corp, Commission MVE

February 9, 2008

Rest safe with The Lord.G-d bless.

February 9, 2008

We will miss you at our reunion this year! God bless your family and friends and thanks for your service!

Julie Sanders
class of 1988

former high school classmate

February 9, 2008

On behalf of the Firefighters and Staff of the Dunklin Fire Protection District, our deepest sympathy and condolences are extended to the family, friends and co-workers of those suddenly taken on the evening of Thursday February 7, 2008 during the Kirkwood Shooting Rampage.

Firefighter (PIO) Dustin Blake
Dunklin Fire Protection District (Pevely, MO.)

February 9, 2008

Rest in Peace knowing that prayers and support are flowing to your friends and family. Hang in there family. THank you for your service.

K9 Handler Patrolman
Newtown Twp. P.D.

February 9, 2008

My heart breaks for your family. Thank you for your service. Your family is in my prayers.

February 9, 2008

A HERO may be gone....A HERO will never be forgotten..R.I.P.

Deputy
Lake County Sheriff IL

February 9, 2008

Rest in peace Brother Tom, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham (retired)
Sand Springs Okla. Police Dept.

February 9, 2008

Tom was such a fun loving guy whom we immediately loved. It was obvious he adored his wife and children. Our children are the same ages and my son remebered Tom yesterday as always taking the time to say hello to him in the mornings at school. Our hearts are broken for his family and friends. You will all be in my constant prayers.

Jada Diedrich
Neighbor

February 9, 2008

MAY GOD BLESS YOU THE BALLMAN FAMILY AND THE KIRKWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT. OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL. REST IN PEACE.

MAPLEWOOD MO PD

February 9, 2008