Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Erik David Hite

Tucson Police Department, Arizona

End of Watch Monday, June 2, 2008

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Police Officer Erik David Hite

Officer Hite,

I just have poured over the numerous tributes to your life. You will definitely be missed by your family, your friends, your co-workers, and the citizens of the City of Tucson. I just want to say thank you for your service to your country, state, and city. I grew up in Tucson and cannot believe how it has become more violent over the years. With that said, it did not deter you from service to your local community. There is something that makes you and other police officers unique across this country. Most people are taught to run away from the sound of gunfire. We, as police officers, move toward the sound of gunfire to protect those who may not be able to protect themselves. You responded without hesitation to answer that call. For that sir, you are owed a debt of gratitude that cannot be paid back on this earth. Your reward is in heaven. I pray that the members of your agency watch over and take care of any needs your family may have in these troubling times. Thank you! You have served your time well. Go 10-42 and rest brother. We'll take it from here.

Cpl. Corey J.Borns #0293
Frederick County Sheriff's Ofc., Maryland

June 14, 2008

Our hearts will forever have an empty spot from the loss of our best friend. Erik gave his all to his Air Force career and the Tucson Police Department, but nothing came before his family. You will be forever remembered and missed.

Officer Rick Tindall /Miriam Tindall
Largo Police Department

June 13, 2008

To Ofc. Hite,
Although we did not know you personally, you left us too soon and tragically. You are a true HERO. To Mrs. Hite and family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. The service was beautiful and touching. Obviously Erik was loved by all and will be missed by all. Thank you for your service to our Country and to our City.
-Tony & Lisa Windsor

Lisa Windsor
Tucson Police Dept. Crime Lab

June 13, 2008

Officer Hite,

Thank you for your service to your community and our nation. On behalf of myself, my family, and my department, I send my deepest, most sincere condolonces to your family and the men and women of the Tuscon Police Department during this difficult time.

May you rest in peace my brother in blue.

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

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13

HEROES LIVE FOREVER 1*

Officer James H. Belcher II
Radford University Police Department (VA)

June 13, 2008

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Hite. My heart aches for you all. God Bless.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

June 12, 2008

My most sincere sympathy to Officer Hites family and friends. God Bless you Officer Hite and R.I.P brother.

Officer
HPD

Officer
Henderson PD, Henderson NV

June 12, 2008

May God wrap His loving arms around you and your family.
Thank you.

Citizen
Citizen

June 12, 2008

Being the mother of a police officer, what happened to you Erik is and will always be my worst nightmare. This is a
senseless tragedy. While it is true and has been said by many your loss constitutes the ultimate sacrifice. While that sacrifice required selflessness and commitment it is clear that you lived your life in ways to express that selflessness.
A good son, loving husband, devoted father, dedicated police officer,a devout Christian, A ready mentor, a solid friend.
You left your foot prints to be followed. You left a legacy
that requires reaching to a higher standard. You left people whose desire it is to follow your path. There is no greater measure of a man's worth than that. I imagine how much better Tucson will be with police officers wanting to "do it
the way Erik would". I imagine a Tucson where citizens realize that police are men (women) with a tough job who deserve respect and support. Who sacrifice daily for our
best interest in the community. A world where a struggling father who determines by your example to make the time to
instill wisdom into that son, or even though tired will sacrifice sleep to comfort his teething baby. Or a friend who sees another friend struggling and is willing to speak truth to the situation because that is the example left by you Erik. There is no doubt you have left your light, to be
picked by any and all whose desire it is to honor and remember you. So you continue to give as was your way. And your gifts to us all will be in evidence forever.
I add to the prayers and condolences for your family. In tragedy there comes triumph. I have no doubt that those many lives you touched will reflect not on the loss as much as they will reflect on the lessons, the love, the devotion and the commitment that exemplified you. You left a legacy that
will stand proud for your family, friends, department and
the community. We can not know all the things that will
result from your life and choices, the impact it will have
on individuals. What we can know is that any and all who
follow your example will be made better. In that way you
continue to contribute to your family, friends, department and the community.

The world has become a little darker and a little sadder in
your passing. But there are many who carry your light within and will remember you in action in their lives. Thank You Erik. Thank you to the Hite family for sharing him with us all. May his light shine brightly on all of us.


Mother of a Police Officer

June 12, 2008

both me and my wife wish the best of wishes to officer hites family may god be with them.officere hite gave the ultimate sacrafice by giving his life that fateful day. may god be with you and may you rest in peace. you may be gone but not forgotten thank you for your ultimate sacrafice protecting us that fateful day.

citizen
citizen

June 11, 2008

Erik, I have attended many officer's funerals in the four years I have on the job. Yours was the first one I attended as a member of our department's Honor Guard. I felt so privileged to stand with others as we celebrated your life and passing into Heaven. God rest your soul my friend. Watch over us buddy.

Cpl. John Tewes
Flagstaff PD

June 11, 2008

"Well done, good and faithful servant."
Matthew 25:21

Public Safety
Public Safety employee

June 11, 2008

You gave your life to protect this town that I love so dearly. There are no words powerful enough to say THANK YOU our actions are the only way of thanking you may everyone stand a little taller and be a little stronger and someday we all might attain the level of love you gave us all to your family may God Bless you and keep you in is protective arms of love. I cry with you at your loss.

God Bless

citizen
citizen

June 11, 2008

We put our lives on the line to protect the innocent and to pursue the guilty.Each time we put on our uniforms and get into our patrol cars we take the risk of not coming home to our loved one's. We make a sacrafice every single day on the job. Most people say we bleed blue but we all know thats not true. It hurts us to hear a call come over the radio informing us a brother/sister in blue is hurt. We try our best to make our communities safe and each time we respond to a call we risk being killed "In The Line Of Duty". All officers who sacrafice their lives are truly heroes and angels to all of us.

10-7 Officer David Hite
You will be missed. Last Watch June 2, 2008

Captain Tyrone Davis
Los Angeles Police Department

June 11, 2008

Eric,

"No greater love does one man have than to lay down his life for another". May God's love and blessings be with you and your family forever.

Officer Mark Zbojniewicz - "Sponge"
Tucson PD

June 11, 2008

10-99, the four worst numbers in law enforcement...the four numbers that a dispatcher would like never to hear or say...as a former dispatcher (15 yrs) I have had to both hear and say those set of numbers, and sadly on Sunday June 1st they were uttered once again and our thin blue line became one less. Erik, you are Code-4 now, 10-8 in the place of eternal peace. Your call load has been lightened, your brothers and sisters here will forge on ahead, what an honor for them, you are their 10-84. As you now patrol the streets of heaven in the light of the Lord, your pain is no more...

June 11, 2008

My wife & I would like to thank all TPD Officers for their service to community and country. We pray for you every day.

We especially appreciate Officer Hites service. His ultimate sacrifice, given in the protection of this community, will NOT be forgotten!

To his surviving family: Please accept our most heartfelt condolence. We are deeply saddened by your loss, and we will continue to lift you up daily.

David and Vicki Hamilton
none

June 11, 2008

Officer Hite,
It is the attitude of "Don't focus on what you don't have but rather be thankful for what you do have" that makes great men like your self. You took your family, community, co-workers and friends and gave them your all. Because anything less would not be acceptable. My condolenses go out to your family, and friends for their loss. May you be proud in your rest, for you know they will walk with pride everyday because of the man your were. Your children will know thier dad was a hero. I thank God every day that we have men like you protecting us. Rest easy, Your job is done.

CO III D. Alvarez
Arizona Dept of Corrections

June 11, 2008

Officer Hite,
Officer Hudspeth, Waak and myself attended your Funeral.
I got to meet and hug your son. I have a feeling he in one day may become a Police Officer. God bless you and your family forever!
Your brother in Blue,
Officer Jeremy R. Ebert # 522 Sedona Police Department

Officer Jeremy R. Ebert
Sedona Police Depatment

June 11, 2008

God Bless Erik and his family. He will truly be missed. Rest in peace.

Officer Thomas
Fellow Officer

June 11, 2008

Like so many others before him, Officer Hite gave his own life to save another officer.

May he find eternal rest now that he walks the Thin Blue Line in Heaven.

God Bless You, Officer Hite.

Sylvia Trembelas
Federal Bureau of Prisons, Retired

June 11, 2008

Erik,

You will be missed but never forgotten. I'll always remember you coming into the jail with your arrestee with a smile on your face. My heart goes out to your family. I know your in a better place. I know that you will be watching over your brothers and sisters out on the streets. You are a true hero-as is Deputy Graham and Officer Hardesty. God speed.

Intake Support Specialist Kim Pytlak
PCSD

June 11, 2008

Officer Erick David Hite, for you were a true and couragous hero to both the community and the Tucson Police Department, and you will always be remembered as an officer and a hero to many,as well as Officer Patrick K.Hardisty who's life was also lost in the line of duty,and as well as all the many more officers who have died in the line of duty!Although I did not know you, nor did I ever have the chance to meet you, but I'm sure of it that you were an excelent Father,Husband and Police Officer and I now Hope that you may rest in peace! We will always remember you with these words....Courage,braveness,honesty,respectful,Proud,Bright,Wonderful,enlighting,leader,example,funny,trustworthniess and many many more!!!! ONCE AGAIN,...MAY YOU NOW REST IN PEACE OFFICER.ERICK DAVID HITE!!AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN NOR WILL YOUR ACTS OF TRUE BRAVENESS AND COURAGE.FOR YOU WERE AND WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A TRUE HERO!!! MAY YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU AS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND TRUE HERO ALWAYS & ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!! GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY!!!! [TPD] OFFICER. ERICK D. HITE [R.I.P.]

Angel Porras, Citizen of Tucson, AZ
Citizen

June 11, 2008

Eric,

It was an honor having been trained by you...You have truly set the bar for excellence at a level I hope to achieve someday. I will never forget the impact you had on me, you are sorely missed!
Rest in peace my brother!

Officer
Tucson PD

June 11, 2008

This breaks my heart to hear of such a tragic ending to such a brave man. My sincere gratitude for his selfless service and may God watch over you and your children. I salute this fine Officer.

Kerry Reddick
CSPD

PO 4 Kerry Reddick
Colorado Springs Police Officer

June 10, 2008

A man's legacy is not judged just by how he lives his life, but how he is remembered. After seeing some of the reflections left here, it's easy to see that your legacy will live on in those who you touched, loved & were lucky enough to know you.

So often we forget that our life here is just to prepare us for our life eternally with our Lord & savior Jesus Christ. Again based on what I read here & the love that has been shown at your service today, I’m sure you will hear the thing all of us Christians want to hear when we go home. “Well done, good & faithful servant, well done”

MercyMe has a song that I think is appropriate for this time called Home Sick

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow


So I won’t say good bye, just I’ll see you when I get home.

God Bless

Don Berube, TSgt (Ret), USAF
Tucson Police, Data Services

June 10, 2008

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