Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Hite,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time. Thank you for your dedicated service to both our country and the citizens of Tucson. Your memory will be forever in our hearts. Rest in peace.

Cheryl Koontz
Tucson Police Department

Cheryl Koontz
Tucson Police Department

June 5, 2008

Please pray for the members of his squad out in what used to be my Team, Team 4. Erik is a member of squad 3 and I know that his fellow squad mates are having a very difficult time with this, not to mention the entire substation itself. The impact of this loss is enormous, it is felt throughout the entire department, from the Chief of Police on down to the call taker in Communications...Thank you Erik for your dedication, I didn't know you when I was your team secretary but your reputation precedes you. In the light of the Lord you will rest in peace and your pain is no more...

Maria Annette Corrales #40792

Secretary/Maria A Corrales
Tucson Police Department

June 5, 2008

Erik,
Although I never had the opportunity to work with you, I appreciate your due diligence and steadfast committment to the career we have all chosen. You are a hero among us and your sacrifice will never be forgotten. I pray for you and your family every day and commend you for the ultimate sacrifice you have paid serving the citizens of this community. The rewards will be yours with our Heavenly Father.

Ofc Barry
Tucson PD

June 5, 2008

Erik, you were a pleasure to train as a rookie officer and later an inspiration to see the officer that you became. It was always an easy task to respond with you on calls for service and your devotion to duty with be sorely missed. You always had an easygoing manner about you.Your friendship will be remembered and treasured forever when ever I look back on my career. Thank you for those memories.

Ofc W. Spalding #25453
Tucson P.D.

June 5, 2008

Our hearts go out the family and friends who loved Officer Hite. Because of his bravery and dedication, a friend of mine is still with us. He was doing what he swore to do, serve and protect. We thank him with all our hearts. He will never be forgotten. Thank you.

Thankful Tucson Resident

June 5, 2008

The way you lived your life as a career Airman and as a Peace Officer honors us all. I cannot find adequate words to fully express the sadness nor do I presume to imagine what your family and those closest to you are felling now. Please know you and your family are in my prayers.

Lt Col (Ret.) Stephen Lowery
Concerned Citizen

June 5, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

June 5, 2008

Erik was an acadamey mate and a friend. He always had a smile and will be greatly missed. Godspeed my friend.

Officer C Dennison
Tucson Police Department

June 5, 2008

Thank you for all you did. You will never be forgotten. Your family and friends will stay in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Ofcr Hite.

Police Dispatcher
Pima County Sheriff's Department

June 5, 2008

"The Final Inspection"

The policeman stood and faced his God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes 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 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 awful tough."

"But I never took a penny,
that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime
when the bills got just too steep."

"And I never passed a cry for help,
though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I 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 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 saints had often trod,
as the policeman waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman
You've bore your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets.
You've done your time in hell."

Your sacrifice for your community will never be forgotten my brother. Rest easy now, we'll take it from here.

PC Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police (Ontario)

June 5, 2008

The first time we met, you responded to my request for a Spanish-speaker to assist me in returning a found wallet. Boy was I surprised to hear you speaking Spanish fluently! Somehow we got on the topic of God. Next thing I knew, Heather and I were at your house for couples bible studies, and we were visiting Saguaro Canyon Church on Old Spanish Trail (I think I got the name right, it's been a while). While God took you away from us, be in peace knowing that you brought a piece of God to countless others. You will be dearly missed by our department and community.

Det. Cross #41819
Tucson Police Department

June 5, 2008

Rest in peace bro',we'll take it from here.

PO JA Bottillo
Troy NY PD

June 5, 2008

My prayers go out to you Eric and to your family. You will not be forgotten.

Ofc. David Scherzinger
tucson police department

June 5, 2008

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE. REST IN PEACE.

OFC. CARL DURBIN
PORT ST LUCIE

June 5, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Hite as well as the brotherhood of the Tuscon Police Department and Pima County Sheriff's Office. May you rest in eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse, NY Police Department

June 5, 2008

May you find peace where you are now. Thank you for all you have done.

Officer B. Campbell #600
Cottonwood PD

June 5, 2008

You will be missed Erik. We are all very saddened by this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Watch over us. We will continue the fight in your memory.

Deputy Cody Bierman
Pima County Sheriff's Department

June 5, 2008

Godspeed Sir...Go in Peace

Ptn. R. Murphy

June 5, 2008

Officer Hite,
My prayers are with your family and fellow officers. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you gave to keep others safe. Your bravery will earn you a special place with our Lord in Heaven. God rest your soul.

dispatcher
Marshall, Texas Police Department

June 5, 2008

Erik,
Throughout your life you were always dedicated to serving others, an admirable character trait that started when you volunteered to serve your country and then your community. From the academy on, you always were willing to give 110% and complete every task to perfection, ever the mature and experienced role model for those of us in your class. My friend, you have made the ultimate sacrifice and you will never be forgotten. You and your family will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. God be with you, brother.

Ofc. J. Bredehoft
Tucson Police Department

June 5, 2008

God bless You Erik for your service and sacrifice. You are a HERO and you and your family will always be in our hearts and prayers.

JC
Tucson Police Dept

June 5, 2008

Officer Hite,
Thank you for your service. You are a true HERO.
Your family and Tucson Police Department will be in my prayers.

Ofc. James Carpenter
Carthage P.D. (Texas)

June 5, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May your family and your department find strength during this difficult time.

SBPA, Gibraltar, Michigan
United States Border Patrol

June 5, 2008

Thank you Officer Hite, for your service and dedication to our country and to Tucson residents. Your unselfish determination and actions will be long remembered. May you forever remain Code Four in heaven while God holds your family close on earth.

Greg Strom #24149

June 5, 2008

It is devastating when we lose one of our own. My prayers are with the family and the Tucson Police Department. Sir thank you for your service and peace is yours. God Bless You.

Police Officer
Colorado

June 4, 2008