Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God bless...the world is full of good men. You were one of them, but shouldn't have been taken so soon Melvin. Rest in peace my brother.

Retired Sergeant
Greater Manchester Police, UK

July 13, 2014

As a former resident of Jersey City,I was born in Christ Hospital in 1950,I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the Family and friends of Officer Melvin Santiago. Although I did not know this young man,my thoughts and prayers are with him,and I am certain that this brave young officer is now in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know no words of mine will ease the pain you must feel at this time,but this is a prime example why this country's gun laws must be changed,to keep weapons from the hands of criminals. My prayers are with you Officer Santiago may God grant you eternal peace. Respectfully,David E.Ziefle ,Bronx,N.Y.

David E.Ziefle
U.S.Army,ret.

July 13, 2014

This is a 's time for the Officer's Family and the Department Family. My prayers and thoughts are for you all. Please lean on God, He will be the strength.

Jannie ReevesPersonnel Assistant/Retired
Chattanooga Police Department Chattanooga Tn

July 13, 2014

IN MEMORY OF POLICE OFFICER MELVIN SANTIAGO

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Police Officer Melvin Santiago:

From the beginning of time after Cain killed his brother, Abel, there has been a need for law enforcement officers to protect the weak and to bring evildoers to justice. This work is necessary in a sinful world and is dangerous. In modern times, some thirty-three law enforcement officers have sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens of Jersey City, New Jersey. Today, we honor the sacrifice of Police Officer Melvin Santiago, of the Jersey City, New Jersey Police Department; who was shot and killed at about 04:09 AM when he and his partner responded to a robbery-in-progress call at a 24-hour pharmacy, situated on the corner of Communipaw Avenue and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, on Sunday, July 13, 2014, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Lord God, we are grateful for the life of Police Officer Melvin Santiago. He died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate the life of Police Officer Melvin Santiago and honor his sacrifice. Be with the family, friends, and colleagues of this fallen hero. Comfort them and give them your strength. Guide those who seek to take care of the family of this hero. May those empowered to do so, care for them with integrity. In commemorating the death of this hero, help those who mourn to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say, but is simply the transition to the glorious life to come. They should look forward to that life to come with joy and thanksgiving.

As for the citizens of Jersey City, New Jersey, help them to faithfully equip their law enforcement officers with the best tools to protect their community. May their training be adequate to the task. Help the citizens of Jersey City, New Jersey, to remember to pay their law enforcement officers fairly and treat them with respect. Help the citizens of Jersey City, New Jersey, to obey the law and treat each other with dignity so as not to add to the burden of crime and pain to their community.

The time for mourning will soon pass. We have now remembered and celebrated the life lost in this great tragedy. As the family, friends, and colleagues of Police Officer Melvin Santiago go forward, they must celebrate the good things in their lives; and to celebrate life itself!

Finally, Lord God, we pray for the families, friends, and colleagues of all the law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line-of-duty and we thank you for their sacrifices. Bless the lives of their families, friends, and colleagues so they might find healing. Help their law enforcement organizations support the families of these fallen heroes. Even though their deaths might have been senseless, make something good come out of these situations so that their law enforcement organizations and the communities in which they lived and served might be stronger because of their lives and their deaths.

Amen.

Lord God, hear our prayers.

Now, may the Lord bless you, and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.


In His Service,

Pastor Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police, Nashua NH Police Department
The Peacemakers Prayer Ministry

Pastor Steven R. Closs
Retired Captain of Police, Nashua NH Police Department

July 13, 2014

Rest in Peace Officer Santiago. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Santiago Family and the Jersey City Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office Wayne, NJ

July 13, 2014

The dangers of this job will never be understood by the average American. May Did have mercy on him and his family. Your desire to protect and serve will never be forgotten.

Detective ( retired ), Chief/OIC Christo
(NYPD,WCPD)/NPD

July 13, 2014

God bless! Rest in peace warrior!

Detective Mathew Cunningham
Somerset County Sheriff's Department, Maine

July 13, 2014

Godspeed brother...God be with your family and friends...we thank you for being the hero you are.

Sgt James Nelson
Keansburg NJ PD

July 13, 2014

Thought and prayers. RIP brother.

Deputy Erin Burke
IRCSO

July 13, 2014

Rest in peace brother. God Speed, my deepest condolences to family and friends. Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice, we will continue the fight.

MPO T.G. Vincent, SWAT Operator
Asheboro Police NC

July 13, 2014

My prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of another hero who left this earth too soon.

Stephanie Harris, LEOW - Spouse of Sgt, LAPD

July 13, 2014

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Melvin Santiago. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your family as you go and touch the face of God.
Your honorable service and sacrifice and bravery to the citizens of Jersey City, New Jersey will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.

Final Salute

VIPS 750 Jeff Claybern
Alexandria Kentucky Police Department

July 13, 2014

Our hearts go out to all those who knew and loved Officer Santiago. We will keep you all in our prayers as you begin to grieve.

Darlene Newton
friend of Story County Sheriff's Office

July 13, 2014

R.I.P. Officer Santiago . You are a true hero . My prayers are with your family and with all of the members of Jersey City Police Department .

Sergeant William Young Jr.
South Orange Police Force South Orange N.j.

July 13, 2014

Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy

S. I. Drake, Lt/IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

July 13, 2014

so sad RIP

greg woodruff marshal
state marshal ct

July 13, 2014

God Bless you Officer Melvin Santiago. Thank You for your service. God Bless your Family, Friends and Fellow Officers. Rest In Peace Brother.

Ed S.
Grateful Citizen

July 13, 2014

Rest in Peace Brother. Bless your family and the Jersey City Police Dept.

TFC Widener L
CT State Police

July 13, 2014

RIP, Brother. May God give courage and comfort to his families, both immediate and 'blue'.

Chaplain Paul Worley
San Antonio, Texas Police Department

July 13, 2014

TO: The family; loved ones; friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER:--- O, gentle Lord ! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE *** Sent to you by the father of S.A J.D.Koeppen, US Dept.Of JusticeTrooper D.C.Koeppen,(retired) New Jersey State Police and Patrolman A.M.Koeppen, Toms River NJ PD; Also a fellow Jersey City resident.
.
Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

Chief(ret) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington NJ PD

July 13, 2014

RIP Brother. My heart bleeds for your family, friends, all of the Jersey City Police Department and the citizens of Jersey City. Watch over us as we carry on your duty.

LT Ari Maas
NYPD

July 13, 2014

Rest in Peace brother...we got it from here

Patrolman M Smigielski
Garland PD (Texas)

July 13, 2014

Rest in peace Brother Melvin, you are a true Hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham (retired)
Sand Springs PD Okla.

July 13, 2014

RIP Brother.....(salute)

Allen Dezso
Retired NC Trooper

July 13, 2014

My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Family, Friends, Brothers and Sisters of Officer Santiago. Officer Santiago has left us all with a reminder... that tomorrow is never guaranteed. Never take a day for granted, on the job for 30 days or 30 years, one just never knows...
I post the following in his Honor...

Blue Autumn
By: Marc A. Turner Copyright © 2000


That day was like others nothing special at all
We passed one another said hi in the hall
We took it for granted that nothing would change
But then, time seemed to gel, it felt surely strange

Suddenly the news struck with lightening heat
Officer down, my heart skipped a beat
See we’re all brothers that hang from the same family tree
But today, it was your turn; your leaf was blown free

We finally break rank and most walk away
They turn to look back, just a few there still stay
The ones from your squad still stand by and stare
Not able to leave, a pain they all share

The crowd is all gone and the wind shakes the trees
The tears start to fall like the dry autumn leaves
Why was it you and not one of them?
A question they’ll ask again and again

So now when we see our brother go by
Why not take a second to say more than just hi
Tomorrow might be too late, don’t you see
Who’s leaf will be next… blown from the tree…?

www.blueautumn.com

Marc A. Turner, Sgt. (Ret.)
Roxbury Twp. NJPD

July 13, 2014