Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

our thoughts and prayers reside with the Francis family.(and of course your beloved bassett hounds) in reading the local media here and some second city cop websites, stories have emerged especially from your neighbors who are heartbroken and fellow workers about what kind of man you were and they are remarkable. we would give anything to have you back. unfortunately you join the company of too many CPD men and women who along with their families have sacrificed too much for the city. we thank you for being an important part of what holds the city together every day.

illinois citizen

July 5, 2008

Rip officer Francis, my heart goes out to all the family and friends. God bless this hero and may he never be forgotten

joliet police dept
wife

July 5, 2008

Thank you for your dedicated service! May the Lord be with Officer Richard Francis family and his co-workers during this tragic time.

W. Holtzman
BOP, FCC-Butner

July 5, 2008

Rest in peace Officer Francis

Deputy Porus
Kendall County Sheriff

July 5, 2008

Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten.

Patrolman Shaun McCready
Altoona (PA) Police Department

July 5, 2008

You never think that today could be the day you won't come home and I am sure Officer Francis that you did not think that either but still you put on the uniform everyday for 27yrs. and served our city and it's citizens so well. I am so sad by your passing but feel a little better knowing that you are watching over the rest of us blueshirts here in Chicago and across the nation. Now find your rest but I know that just as you did when you were here you will keep watch over us from above. You will always be included in my prayers my brother in blue!!!!

P.O. CPD

July 5, 2008

rest in peace brother from all your brothers in the south subs. my god bless you and your family.

P.O. Suroviak
Lynwood Pd.

July 5, 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

July 5, 2008

REST IN PEACE BROTHER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN BLUE.

AT
MPD

July 5, 2008

We will NEVER forget you brother. Thank You for your service. God bless you and your family.

P.O. P. Schulter 6934
CPD 011

July 5, 2008

Thank you for all that you have done for this city! You will be missed. Rest in Peace...

Po Homer
Chicago Police Department 011th District

July 5, 2008

OFFICER FRANCIS....REST IN PEACE. THANK YOU FOR 27 YEARS OF SERVICE. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY!!!!

DIST.IV/ OXON HILL
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, MARYLAND

July 4, 2008

My prayers are with the Francis family and friends. I truely know and understand your pain. Officer Francis you are a true hero. May you rest in peace

Marcia Williams
Sister of Thomas A. Cook EOW 09/27/06

July 4, 2008

As our Lord said Brother, "Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God." So rest in Peace and in the care of His Love. May God Bless and comfort your loved ones as they face the sad days ahead. We are grateful for your service, faithfulness and dedication to duty.

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights XVIII

July 4, 2008

May God grant mercy upon your soul, and welcome you to His kingdom in heaven. Thank you Officer Francis for your years of service in our fine organization, as well as your service to your country. Please keep watch over us from above, and know that you will not be forgotten.

Lt. Ronald Pontecore
Chicago Police Department

July 4, 2008

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9 Go in peace, brother. I, and thousands of others, are praying for you and your family.

Senior Officer
Federal Bureau of Prisons, FCI Danbury, CT

July 4, 2008

Sir, thank you for your years of dedicated service. We honor you.

P.O. Soll
Olivette, MO, P.D.

July 4, 2008

Rest in Peace Brother.

Officer R. Bellamy
San Bernardino PD

July 4, 2008

Officer Francis was one of Chicago's finest, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens of windy city.

God bless Officer Francis and his family. One of the reasons Chicago PD is one of the best in the country, is because of officers like Richard Francis.

Thank you for your service Officer Francis, and may you rest in peace.

Sgt. R. Sutorius (retired)
Matteson IL Police Department

July 4, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND REST IN PEACE ON THOSE GOLDEN STREETS ABOVE!!!!!!!!!

DISPATCHER GRETA M HUFF
KY STATE POLICE POST 13 HAZARD

July 4, 2008

To your wife and family;
I know all too well the feeling of saying goodbye and never seeing your police officer alive again. It's what we, as wives, fear the most and I thought it was the end of my life when I buried Tom almost 2 yrs ago. I know you two are up there safe, with the rest of the hero's who died trying to save the world, laughin' it up, drinkin' a beer....but for us down here, the survivors, this is some tough stuff. You're wife and girls will soon find out they'll be fine and will never "move on" but instead will find a way, just like myself and our five kids.

I keep this saying in my possession at all times: 'To gain something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Always remember, 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Great things have happened to alot of people due to our loss, including my family. I hope in your time of struggle you will be able to see all the good he left behind and remember thats the way his memory will live on. If you ever need a shoulder, one that can relate, just find Tom's ODMP page and contact me, I still look at it now and then.

Helene Wood
Wife of Maywood K-9 Officer Thomas T. Wood e.o.w. 10/23/06

July 4, 2008

You are a hero who left us way too soon. Your memory will not be forgotten.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the loved ones, family,friends and brothers of Officer Francis. You are all in our hearts.

Vanessa Vivo
Wife of a Lombard,IL PO

July 4, 2008

IT HURTS SO MUCH TO LOSE ANOTHER GOOD SOLIDER,WE ALL DREAD DAYS LIKE THESE. WE'RE A BAND OF BROTHERS AND MOVE ON TOGETHER AND FIGHT THROUGH PAIN AND HAPINESS, BUT NEVER FORGET. PLEASE WATCH OVER YOUR FELLOW OFFICERS, WE PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. REST IN PEACE AS THE MARCH GOES ON

mario mendoza cpd

July 4, 2008

God Bless you Officer Francis. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and the Chicago Police Department. Thank you for your many years of service. Rest in Peace my friend.

Officer T. Hardesty
Norfolk Police Department

July 4, 2008

May you rest in peace Hero! My condolences for family and to the Chicago Police Department.

P/O Perkins
Philadelphia Police Dept.

July 4, 2008