Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My condolences to Officer Francis and his family, May God recieve you in Heaven and God bless us all, Rest in Peace.

Det. Dennis Pagan
CPD Detective Division Unit 650

July 2, 2008

R.I.P. THANKS FOR THE SERVICE YOUR PROVIDED FOR ALL THOSE YEARS! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

HOUSTON POLICE DEPT. CADET (CLASS 197)

July 2, 2008

rest in peace sir. we now have the watch.

officer joseph winterer jr
wells tribal police. nevada

July 2, 2008

Sleep easy with God, Richard. 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

July 2, 2008

Chicago is safer because of your service and sacrifice. May the Lord be with those close to you. God speed, Brother. Your watch is covered.

Officer B. Evans #2447
Arlington, TX. PD

July 2, 2008

Rest in peace brother your sacrifice will never be forgotten!

3881 retired
phoenix az

July 2, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, coworkers, and friends. Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace.

Donna
Wife of KPD Sergeant

July 2, 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

July 2, 2008

Officer Francis,
I am very sorry to have learned about your passing. You served and have given the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy brother, and enjoy your new assignment, we'll take it from here.

Officer Jimmy Lee
Genoa Police Department

July 2, 2008

Rest easy, my brother. We'll take over the watch.

Badge 195
Winston-Salem Police, NC

July 2, 2008

Thank you for your years of service and dedication. May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

July 2, 2008

RIP Officer Francis

Patrol Officer
Houston, TX

July 2, 2008

We would like to send our warmest regards and deepest condolences to the family, friends and department of Officer Richard Francis. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult and sad time.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc.
Members and Staff

July 2, 2008

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 2, 2008

My heartfelt condolences to the men and women of the Chicago PD and the family of Officer Richard Francis. Your Department is top notch in my book. May god watch over you and bring you comfort in this trying time. Rest in peace Officer Francis.... Gone but not forgotten....

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

July 2, 2008

I saw the news on WGN about your death. When even the news reporters know you and speak highly of your service to the community it shows how much you tried. My prayers are with your family.

Sergeant Chris Whatley
Kaufman Co So (Texas)

July 2, 2008

To the Friends and Family of the Cook County Law Enforcement Community: You are in my prayers.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

July 2, 2008

God bless you officer Francis, our prayers our with you and your family...

Mike Piantkowsk
Elk Grove Village IL fire dept.

July 2, 2008

Your watch is ended. May our Heavenly Father watch over your family and friends during this tragic time. May your soul walk carefully and proudly into everlasting life. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in God’s peace my friend, you deserve it. These are "American Heroes" who just yesterday were women and men just doing their job!
REV

Chaplain Michael Grinnals
Camillus Police Department

July 2, 2008

Rest in Peace Brother. Thank you for your service.

Detective Kevin Kratz
Buena Vista Twp Police Department (Michigan)

July 2, 2008

To The Francis Family,

You have our deepest sympathy for the untimely passing of Officer Francis. Who by his years of service has demonstrated that he was a dedicated police officer. He was dedicated to the citizens of the City of Chicago, and also to his family. Both Officer Francis and his family will be in our prayers.

Curtis BLANC ~ Retired Chicago Police Sergeant
Karen BELLUOMINI-BLANC ~ Chicago Police Officer

Curtis & Karen BLANC
Chicago Police Department

July 2, 2008

I am saddened by this news, as the Chicago Police Department has been instrumental and supportive in extending us into their family in our Parole Petition Protest for the murder of Detective Mayborne, Winnebago County, Il. My sympathy, prayers and support to his department, brothers, and family. Please know I will be available to help in any way. Officer Francis and Mike can now continue their duties together.
IllinoisVictims.org extend their sincere condolences.

Ms. Terry Mayborne-Rudeen
Widow of Winn. Cty. Det. Michael Mayborne EOW 3/15/74

July 2, 2008

Officer Francis, Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

D. Lindsey
WA Resident

July 2, 2008

My deepest condolences go out to the Francis family. Heaven hold a place for Police Officers. Officer Francis is in a better place. God knows its heaven where you are. Rest in peace brother.

P.O. Joseph McInerney#18282
Chicago Police Department

July 2, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you,your family and co-workers at this difficult time. I hope they are able to take some small measure of comfort in all the support they will receive from fellow survivors, officers and the public. You will never be forgotten.
Deb House
Sister of Officer Robert Stanze 08-08-00 St.Louis Metro pd

Deb House
MOCOPS

July 2, 2008