Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP, brother. Class 13-30!

Patrolman J. Waite

September 7, 2014

RIP Brother

Merlin Doepner PO
Troy Texas PD

September 7, 2014

Rest in peace my Brother!

Detective Richard Reyes
Pueblo Police Department (Pueblo, CO)
SVU Investigations / SWAT

September 7, 2014

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Sgt Chris Bray
Phoenix Police DCepartment

September 7, 2014

On behalf of our entire Cadet Training Class 2014-5 Lafourche Sheriff's P.O.S.T. Training Academy it's with a heavy heart that we send our prayers and condolences for our fallen brother.

R.I.P. Officer Nickolaus Schultz

Cadet
Lafourche Sheriff's P.O.S.T. Training Academy

September 7, 2014

May the good lord welcome you with open arms for you have done your job well.

Chaplain Douglas J. Maykowski
Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge #187 Mt. Clemens Michigan.

September 7, 2014

Eternal Rest

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

September 7, 2014

What a tragic death. My thoughts are with his family. May they gain peace knowing that Nickolas Schultz died honorable and in the line of duty.

Stan Jefferson
citizen

September 7, 2014

May God comfort, and bring peace, to all of you. We are so sorry for your loss and will keep you in our prayers.

Darlene Newton
friend of Story County Sheriff's Office

September 7, 2014

RIP Brother in Blue

Officer S. Lee
Cedar Hill Police Department

September 7, 2014

Rest Easy sir! May God's peace surround your family both blood and blue.

Sgt Kristine Miller
Cedar Park PD

September 7, 2014

RIP brother we will keep the watch from here.

Bryan Laurie BNSF Railway Police Son of
EOW 7-29-04

September 6, 2014

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Merrillville Police Department. May you rest in peace.

Ptlm. William F. Shields
Federal Reserve Police/Philadelphia - Retired/Haverford Police

September 6, 2014

Officer Schultz,

I have gone to my knees for you young man. God has thrown open the Gates of Heaven. You are alive and well again in His presence. There are so many others who chose to "Protect and Serve" there to welcome you.

To Your Family,

Feel His presence as God answers the prayers of many who have fallen to their knees on your behalf. Since the day of my son's death, I have carried every law enforcement officer and their family in my heart.

Every morning I go to my knees. During that time I pray:

“Lord, Be with all law enforcement officers. Keep them safe and free from harm. They are Your soldiers on the front line of the battle against evil. If one should fall this day - wrap their family in your loving arms. Surround them with Your angels, loving family, friends, neighbors and caring people to comfort them. Ease their pain. Help them to mourn well. In Jesus' name and for Your Glory, Amen.”

I have lifted you and your family to God every morning for over three years. Feel those prayers. God is with you; He knows and will ease your pain.

Our faith helps us to see beyond the grave.

Pamela Hotsinpiller
Mother of
Deputy United States Marshal
Derek W. Hotsinpiller
EOW 2-16-2011

September 6, 2014

Rest in peace Brother.

Capt. Chad Fontenot
Alvin Police Dept. (TX)

September 6, 2014

I don't know if this will help Officer Schultz's family, friends, the men and women of his department or even the Merrilville community, but you need to know that you aren't alone in what you're feeling now.

The first "cop" funeral I attended, even though I'd been a cop for about fifteen years, by then, was for my cousin, Jason Swartz. It was this month 13 years ago. I'm not sure if it's a sign of how things are changing, but I've been to more than 10 cop funeral's since Jason's. I wrote something that the priest read at Jason's funeral. I think it was my attempt to explain to my Aunt, and Jason's family (and maybe to my own family) why Jason, and so many others, head towards the danger instead of running from it like everyone else:


An Answer to Why

I am sometimes asked why anyone would voluntarily do what I do. There’s no simple reason. But, I can tell you that over the years I’ve learned there really are people out there that prey upon others; people who hurt, maim, or kill for little or no reason. People who would smash their way into your business, your livelihood; taking your tools, your money, and your way of life. People who would violate your home; leaving the broken bodies and crushed spirits of your family. Taking what they want, destroying the rest.

Who is there to stop them?

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You can call for us. We are always here.

We feel your fear when you’re afraid. We feel your anguish when you cry out in pain. We feel your anger and your despair when you, or the ones you love, are violated. When you lay dying, we hold your hand and then bear the worst news possible to those that love you most. We wear the badges you have given us, but sometimes their weight is so, so heavy.

We have often been questioned or criticized, but we keep going. We have learned to tolerate the questioning of those who do not know, nor ever done, and the criticisms of those who could not, nor would not, do the things you have asked us to do. What else can we do? Quit? Turn our backs on our oaths? Or, turn our backs on you? NEVER! We will not abandon the people we love, or the ideas we hold most sacred and dear.

We have made solemn promises to stand against those who steal, hurt and kill. We have seen the broken child’s body, seen death and pain come in their worst, most horrible forms. We have seen eyes full of fear, questioning if the intruder will return. We have stared into the nightmare and we too have been afraid. We have been hurt and injured doing what we do. And, we have attended the funerals of the many that have fallen upholding their oaths and this line of duty. But, we continue to do what needs to be done; what you’ve asked us to do. Because, we wear the badges you have given us. These badges are symbols of our laws, of your faith in our society and of your faith in us. They are also symbols of our own convictions. Their spirit strengthens us, even as we gather the courage to turn the next corner and enter yet another dark alley.

Everyday parts and pieces are torn from us and left with the victims of our communities. Our hearts go out to them all. But, twenty-four hours a day, everyday, you can call for us. We will pull together the pieces that are left, and we will always be there when you need us.

Is there a better reason for us doing what we do than that we do it for you?

Supervising Investigator Wayne Hutton
Merced County Distrist Attorney's Office

September 6, 2014

RIP brother. Thank you for your service. May you forever be an example of Honor and Service. God have peace for his family by blood and family in blue.

Police Officer - Patrol Joe Byrom
Burleson Police Department

September 6, 2014

It is with a heavy heart of eight and one half years that I express my sincere sadness at the loss of such a young life. No words can describe or comfort. I wish his family and friends the peace which I have not yet found, having lost my own son in the line of duty - Matthew J. Melchionda.

Rest in peace Nick.

Jane Melchionda
Mother of Fallen Officer Matthew Melchionda - Watchung, NJ

September 6, 2014

Rest In Peace Officer Schultz

Civilian supporter and future LEO
Lorain, Ohio

September 6, 2014

A very sad, but sincere thank you, Officer Schultz, for your law enforcement service. Although it was short, I'm sure that you made a positive impact on your community. May God bless and be with you, your loving family and those who were impacted by your life, and the Merrillville Police Department. May you rest in heavenly peace, Sir!

Special Agent Charles McNichols, [Ret]
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command [CID]

September 6, 2014

IN MEMORY OF POLICE OFFICER NICKOLAUS SCHULTZ

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Police Officer Nickolaus Schultz:

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 four hundred and fifteen law enforcement officers have sacrificed their lives to protect the citizens of the State of Indiana. Today, we honor the sacrifice of Police Officer Nickolaus Schultz, of the Merrillville, Indiana Police Department; who was shot and killed in the line-of-duty while investigating reports of an evicted tenant moving back into his condominium on the 8200 block of Lincoln Avenue in Merrillville, Indiana on Friday, September 5, 2014. He succumbed to his wounds on Saturday, September 6, 2014.

Lord God, we are grateful for the life of Police Officer Nickolaus Schultz. He died serving us. Help us never to forget. Help us celebrate the life of Police Officer Nickolaus Schultz 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 Merrillville, Indiana, help them to faithfully equip their police officers with the best tools to protect their community. May their training be adequate to the task. Help the citizens of Merrillville, Indiana, to remember to pay their police officers fairly and treat them with respect. Help the citizens of Merrillville, Indiana, 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 Nickolaus Schultz 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,

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

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

September 6, 2014

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

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

September 6, 2014

RIP Brother We have it from here!

Stephen Bruet, PPO II
North Carolina Department of Public Safety

September 6, 2014

Rest in peace blue brother.

Deputy T. Luttrell
WCSD-TN

September 6, 2014

For Officer Nickolaus Shultz:

Our duty as law-officers takes wherever the calls come from. Upon arrival we hardly know what awaits us. Each call, like many before, might appear the same but experienced officers know how fast that can change. We regret that Nickolaus would be the next law-officer to forfeit his life for the sake of others. Incredibly, the accusation of law-officers being too quick to act continues to be consumed by still too large a cross-section of the public. Often, it isn't quick enough.
We are thankful for those officers who came to Nickolaus' aid and we deem them valid heroes dedicated to keeping alive our vow to be there for one another - forever.
We pray for Nicklaus' family, co-workers, friends and those who care about him. May they be ready to reach-out to one another in the days ahead.
We are proud to render Officer Nickolaus Schultz, a soldier-of-the-law, a final salute.

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

September 6, 2014