Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Bless you and your family.

Ofc. Jennifer Williamson
Orlando Police

June 29, 2010

Rest In Peace Officer Curtis. Your family and friends are in our prayers. They are not alone through this difficult time; you brought them into an extended and dedicated family.... We are The Thin Blue Line. Your watch is over now brother... We'll take it from here. We fight what others fear, and the sacrifice you have made will always be remembered.

Deputy Gene Smith
Pasco County Sheriff's Office - NPR, FL

June 29, 2010

Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for the service of Officer Curtis. He is an honorable man for serving his community and family and he will rest in peace. The Lord will help you through this time and he will never leave your side.

"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 of us 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 awfully 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've 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 the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

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

Author Unknown

PA Citizen

June 29, 2010

God Bless You Officer Curtis
Remembering ,Honoring and never,ever foegetting your ultimate sacrifice.
Rest in Peace and Thankyou.

Mamie Rae Carpenter
Daughter of fallenCHP Officer R.R Carpenter#1992 EOW.2/17/1970

June 29, 2010

You have made the ultimate sacrfice. God Bless your soul and your family.

Dep. Edwards
Albany County Sheriff's Office

June 29, 2010

Officer Curtis, We are all so sorry to hear of your death. I am sure your sons will all grow to be fine men. My thoughts are with your wife and family.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE

June 29, 2010

Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Curtis. God Bless him for his service and the sacrifice he made to keep others out of harms way. Rest in Peace our Brother in Blue, Hero's are never ever forgotten. Our condolences to all members of the Tampa Police Department for their loss.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
CMPD Charlotte, North Carolina

June 29, 2010

Rest in peace Officer Curtis. My sincere condolences to your family. I am sure your brothers will bring the suspects to justice. I know Tampa PD will miss your professionalism. God speed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Terry F. Zech

OFC TERRY F. ZECH(RET)
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE DEPT, DETROIT, MICH

June 29, 2010

My heart is heavy today hearing yet of another officers life that has been taken.I hope the "animal" is found quickly and no jury or judge show him a bit of mercy. My thoughts and prayers are with your Family and the Tampa PD. You are a hero sir. RIP Officer Curtis and thank you for your service.

Wife of a Howard County PO,Maryland

Anonymous

June 29, 2010

Officers Curtis and Kocab, you were murdered over a lousy misdemeanor warrant. I hope this miscreant finds true justice for his crimes, if not in this world then in the next. You both are heroes, not because of the sacrifice you made, that makes you martyrs, but because of what you did in life. Thank you and my prayers are with all who know and love you, no matter where they may be.
Go in Peace and Rest in God’s Precinct, you’ve earned a rest, Brothers.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

June 29, 2010

Rest in Peace

D. Burkes D/S
St. Johns S. O.

June 29, 2010

My God hold you and keep you, my prayers are with you.

Sergeant Chuck Terrell
Suffolk Police Department, Virginia

June 29, 2010

It brings me such sorrow to learn that another Police Officer has given his life in the line of duty. My brother Jimmy lost his life on January 9th of this year. I pray that the person responsible for this tragedy will pay for his deed, and Justice will be served. Know that Officer David Curtis was a true hero and will never be forgotten. I will keep your family in my prayers. God Bless.

Kathleen Atkins
Sister of Fallen Officer-Cpl.James Szuba, Mishawaka, IN

June 29, 2010

Somebody killed a policeman today and a part of America died. Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. Matthew 5:9

Gordon Hobbs
NC Game Warden

June 29, 2010

To say you are a hero is without question. You were doing a job most do not have the guts to do. Where most run from adversity you ingage it. Officer Curtis please rest in peace knowing this animal will be caught. You can lay down and rest and 10-7, the thin blue line will remember you and your partner. You will never be forgotton, Never...God bless you and your family. I am so sorry for their loss. It is indeed a sad day.

Special Agent T.D. Holcomb
Norfolk Southern Railroad Police

June 29, 2010

As Sec. of the Dunedin Police Dept. Retired Officer's & Former Employees Assoc., we would like to extend our most sincere sympathy to the members of the Tampa PD family on the loss of two fine officers today. The loss of even one officer diminishes us all as we are a very small family. There is no such thing as a "former PO" - we are all brothers. Our sincere sympathy is also extended to the families of the slain officers. God Bless you all.

Ptl. Carl J. Decker, Retired
Dunedin Police Dept.

June 29, 2010

For Police Officers David Curtis & Jeffrey Kocab:

David and Jeff began their shift the same as the rest of us in law enforcement, intending to do whatever duty it is that comes to their attention - and go home. We know from experience, it is not always that way. Sometimes fate steps in - and our whole world changes - forever. Our brothers, David and Jeff, are the latest statistic to bring this realization before us. There are scoundrels and killers among us that present a deadly threat to any law officer everywhere. Our hope is that the individual that is responsible for this tragedy involving our brothers will soon be brought to justice. We rely upon one another as law officers to see that this is done. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. However many of us it takes.

We pray for David's and Jeff's families, their friends, their co-workers and all who care about them. May they be ready to reach-out to one another in the days ahead that surely will weigh heavily upon their hearts, as well as ours.

As a retired state trooper and a retired Lake County (FL) deputy sheriff, I am proud to render a final salute both to Officer David Curtis and Officer Jeffrey Kocab.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennylvania State Police

June 29, 2010

My thoughts and prayers will be with Officer Curtis and his fmaily and friends. Your sacrafice will not be forgotten. God bless.....

Lt. Rob Williams
Greenville (NC) Police Dept.

June 29, 2010

God bless you Officer Curtis. You will be remembered. My familiy and I will be praying for our Lord and Savior to watch over your dear wife and children during this trying time. Thank you for all you did to keep us safe. Rest in Peace Brother...your watch is over.

Peacekeeper V-8651, SMSgt
US Air Force Security Police (Retired)

June 29, 2010

IM VERY SORRY TO LEARN THAT WE LOST ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER TODAY.MY LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY KNOWS THAT TYPE OF PAIN AS WE LOST TWO DEPUTIES AND A THIRD DEPUTY WAS WOUNDED IN 2007.OUR PRAYERS WILL BE WITH OFFICER CURTIS,HIS FAMILY AND HIS POLICE DEPT.

DAVID HARRIS III
HENDERSON CO.SHERIFF'S OFF.TEXAS

June 29, 2010

Rest in Peace Officer Curtis you are a true American Hero
Rest now in the arms of our Lord you have earned the right.
My prayers for comfort and strength to your family,friends
and co-workers

R Eberhart Partner to Royce Anderson
EOW 10/26/81 HCSO Houston Tx

June 29, 2010

I lived near where that fatal accident ocurred; it saddens me to know that there's people that don't have any mercy for innocent people. My condolences to both families,may God continue to bless you all.

Kathyta
Citizen

June 29, 2010

To the family of Officer Curtis: we as Law Enforcement, who are all around the country, are greaving along with you. I myself lost a brother in the line of duty ( Hilery A Mayo Jr EOW 06-09-07 ) and I know the pain you are going through. Just know that there is a Fraternity of POLICE OFFICERS out there that will be praying for you in your time of loss. May God bless you.

DFC Jeffrey A. Mayo
St. Tammany Parish S.O.

June 29, 2010

Rest in peace Officer David Curtis!! You will never be forgotten.

Mrs. Angela Carthron
surviving spouse of Cpl. Mark Wesley Carthron

June 29, 2010

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

June 29, 2010