Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sergeant Richard Samuel Howard, III

Kissimmee Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Saturday, August 19, 2017

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Sergeant Richard Samuel Howard, III

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 who’s 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

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

September 8, 2017

A real "Hero" taken.
You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret.)
Nassau County PD, NY

September 7, 2017

May God watch over the Family and Fellow Officers that put their lives on the line for us everyday. We all lose when one of these heroes fall. And this one was a terrible loss. A man who without care for his own safety did such a noble thing. I hope his family will find some type of peace during this time of mourning. God will not let them down. Keep Faith and know he is in a better place.

B.J.Umbenhower
D.A.V. CHAPTER 11 Springfield, Missouri Color Guard.
Son of Chief of Police.Deceased
Their watch is over, now they patrol in Heaven.

September 6, 2017

Rest easy my brother.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

August 31, 2017

Thank you Sergeant Sam Howard for your unselfish and dedicated service, you have made a positive difference and we will not forget the ultimate sacrifice you made for the rest of us. “There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13 on National LE Memorial). God bless you and may you rest in peace.

SAIC Bill Chandler (ret)
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
MN LEMA

August 29, 2017

We can only hope that the animal who murdered you faces true justice, if not in this life, then in the next.

Sergeant Howard, your family, both home and work, are in our prayers and so long as you remain in their hearts and minds, you'll never truly be gone.

God Bless, Brother and may you Rest in Peace.

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

August 28, 2017

Sergeant Howard, I just saw a pic of you that had your date of birth on it...9/20/1981...the same day and year that I was born. This made me think. We were born the same day, we lived and worked less than 100 miles apart in the same profession, now you are gone and I am still here. What a tragedy this is...I can only pray and hope that your children and family are able to recover from this. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family my friend.

Detective George Hristakopoulos
Flagler County Sheriff's Office

August 25, 2017

Til Valhalla brother.

Officer S Duque
APD

August 25, 2017

Rest in Peace. We will take it from here.

Sergeant Chip Koepke
Longview Police Dept TX , former Osceola SO

August 24, 2017

The DeKalb, Illinois Police Department sends their prayers and
our sincerest condolences to the family and to the Kissimmee Police Department. Sgt. Howard, we thank you for your service.

DeKalb Police Department

August 24, 2017

Our hearts bleed blue for your loss. From every security officer at Orlando Regional Medical Center (Orlando Health) we salute you and your family during this time. You will forever be in our hearts.

Security Department
Orlando Regional Medical Center

August 24, 2017

Thinking and praying for the entire KPD and Howard family. Thank you for your service.

Cristal W- Dispatcher
SAPD

August 24, 2017

Rest In Peace my brother!

Police Officer III E. Veloz
LAPD

August 24, 2017

Rest in Peace...

Sam Leigh (Former Federal Police Officer, PFPA)

August 23, 2017

Both of you will truly be missed. Seeing your faces come into booking while working at the Osceola County Jail

Correctional Officer , Lisa Ruiz
Osceola County Jail

August 23, 2017

Rest in Peace My Brother in Blue.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be Called Sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Detective D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

August 23, 2017

God Bless you. Thank you for your service. You and your family ate in my prayers. Your brothers and sisters will take it from here.

LASD Deputy LA County
Los Angeles County Sheriff

August 23, 2017

Rest in peace Sgt Howard. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. God speed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your service will not be forgotten.

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

August 22, 2017

Every morning I go to my knees. During that time I pray Psalm 91 over all LEO’s and this prayer also:

“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.”

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.

I have lifted your family to God every morning for over six years. I pray that Sam's life and death will bring glory to His name.

Trust 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

August 22, 2017

Thank you for your service and sacrifice and may you rest in peace. God bless you and your family.

Commonwealth's Attorney Travis Bird
Spotsylvania County

August 22, 2017

My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and department. I am so very sorry for the loss of your HERO.

Sgt. Howard, thank you for your lifetime of dedication, loyalty and selflessness protecting your community. You will live on in the hears of those who love and admire you.

God bless you and your family and RIP HERO.

Gina Miller, Washington State Patrol
Surviving Fiance WSP Trooper Tony V. Radulescu EOW 2-23-2012

August 22, 2017

Rest in peace Brother.

Lt. Arrend Hoopes
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Va.

August 22, 2017

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln

Sergeant E. Kemmer #142
Nevada Highway Patrol

August 22, 2017

As a prior member of the Kissimmee Police Department I feel for my Brothers in Blue at KPD. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of both of these fine officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect others in the community.
God Bless

Captain Mike Collette
DLA Police- New Cumberland PA

August 22, 2017

On behalf of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, I offer our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Howard's family, loved ones and our brothers and sisters of the Kissimmee Police Department.

Rest in peace Sergeant Howard and thank you for your service.

Chief Rick Maglione
Fort Lauderdale Police Department

August 22, 2017

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