Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I went to school with randy and frank schipani when they were still living on long island (NY). we went to Lindenhurst Junior High School and we rode the bus to and from school together. I then remember them announcing they were moving to georgia and would not be going into high school with all of us. Many years later I, myself, moved to Georgia and when Randy's tragic untimely death happened, it was the first time I had seen Randy in a long time...so very unfortunate I had to see him in this light on TV. I have been living here for 16 years now and came across this memorial site and wanted to offer my condolences to his family. I know he is missed so very much. Angela Sposito

Angela Sposito
classmate in junior high school

March 21, 2008

In my first year of law school, Randy was a daily encouragement to me. Every night, as I would walk to class,he and fellow student Jack Daniel would come up, and always provide a positive word, help with notes, or whatever. Randy had a heart for people. That's no doubt why he became a police officer, a great police officer. He is one of the people God brought across my path of life who made a real difference.That made him one of my heroes, long before the heartbreaking tragedy of May 8, 1992. For all of us at birmingham School of Law in those days, Randy was a hero.

Paul South
law school friend

February 13, 2008

Randy, I just found this site and had to leave my comment. I met you the first day of the Academy. I remember remarking to Jean-Ann and Sam about you. You were a spastic Italian dynamo. Your energy really helped me get through the p.t. portion of the academy. You kept pushing me to make those 10 mile runs and do just 1 more pull-up. I think of you often and I wonder if you are enjoying your new assignment, patroling the streets of Heaven. God Bless You my brother.

Dep. D.L.Gruber
Douglas Co. S.O.

December 11, 2007

"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
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

October 8, 2007

Officer Schipani,


On this the anniversary of your leaving us in the physical sense we pay tribute to your spirit. Tonight the Evening Watch of the Henry County Georgia Police Department’s North Precinct will hit the street in your honor. Please watch over us as we continue your fine work.

For the entire shift,
Sergeant V.T. Rosen

Sergeant V.T. Rosen
Henry County Police Department

May 8, 2007

G-d Bless.

May 8, 2007

Randy, child, I miss you every single day. Thank God your Denise is still in my life. You fussed at me constantly because I hated wearing that uncomfortable vest, but you made me wear it. I miss the picnics that you and Denise and I had at our extra job once a month. I miss you calling me "Maaaareeee". That use to drive me nuts, but you loved to pick at me, and I miss that! You will always have a special place in my heart. You were one excellent police officer; Zone 3 was the worst, but you were the best. I know you are in Gods' hands, and that's the place I hope to one day see you again.

DETECTIVE MARY PEALOR
ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

November 9, 2006

My darling Big brother...words can not describe how much I miss you! Your spirit and vibrant soul continues to live within me! You are always in my heart..... Rest in peace..
Your sis (Bud)

Brenda
Sister

October 7, 2006

This site is awesome!! I was in traffic court when i heard of my friends death. I was shocked and felt a deep void as one of my family had died. Randy was not only my Academy classmate, Class 126, he was my friend. Randy was my friend the first day I met him. When I joined the police department in 1987 I was assigned as a recruit to one of the roughest areas in the Atlanta police department, called Zone 3. At that time drugs were rampent and violent crimes were off the charts. I was a nieve kid, 24 years old, and didn't know anything about the BIG CITY. I worked the morning watch and Randy worked the evening watch. Randy came to me and asked me what I had for work. I had nothing, except an ill fitting recruit uniform, and a deer caught in the headlights gaze. He laughed and handed me a map book of the city, baton, and handcuffs. He said here, at the end of your shift put this in my locker, which he had in the precinct. I felt like this guy really cares for my safety. He really took care of me. We formed a friendship that lasted from that day till now. Once we graduated the academy and I was transferred to the downtown area, Randy was transferred to Zone 3, we lost touch but I still saw him at court and at the firing range. Everytime I saw him he was always full of life, laughing and giving me his words of wisdom, as only Randy could do. The reason he could write a report so well was because, he had went through law school. He helped me pass the Criminal Procedure test, that was required in training at the Academy. I think about him often and pray for his wife, who I remember him calling her Bunny. I know that one day I will see him again in heaven and again he will ask me, you got everything? I know that God has a plan for each of our lives and if we seek him, then we will always be in his loving care, even as Randy was in his loving care. God ways are higher than our ways and he knows how many days we have on earth. Do you know Jesus? God bless you.

Off. Terry White
Atlanta Police Dept/Academy classmate

June 1, 2006

To one of the best friends I ever had, or that anyone would ever have. I miss you greatly.

Jack Daniel
Rome, Georgia

May 29, 2006

You are a hero. Thank you for your service to your fellowman. Rest in peace.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

May 8, 2006

i'M SORRY I WASN'T THEIR TO HELP AT YOUR TIME OF NEED. I REALLY MISS YOU. I WAS SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND I STUMBLED ACROSSED THIS SITE. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ME. I'M THE FIRST TO WORK KNOW.

Investigator R.C. Love
ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

January 28, 2005

The policeman stood and faced 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 time 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 a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

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

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 15, 2004

Randy thank you for coming to my aid on many occasions i will never forget you. you are missed.

patrol officer Charlotte Bassett
atlanta police

November 6, 2003

You have never been far from our thoughts nor our prayers. You were always filling this family with laughs. We still miss you terribly.

SargeAtl's Wife

Shipani, I remember when you first came on the street, I laughed at your New York accent. I was amazed at your writting ability, you wrote very well. I had lost contact with you and other fellow offficers there at APD. I was so sad and and disturbed when I heard about your death...
You wrote well up to the day of writting your own story. Your watch is over, and time for your rest. We got it from here....

detective
Richmond Police Department

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer. Today, May 8, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Officer Randy Shipani who died on this date 11 years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Shipani's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC