Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

JR, it has been 12 years ago tomorrow that you were taken from us far to soon. Now, MPD has lost another officer far to soon as well. Know that your family is kept in my prayers. Godspeed JR.

Keith
civilian

October 2, 2006

JR,
I will always remember your last day. I was a cadet assigned to issue subpoenas on first shift. I remeber walking in and hearing Capt Alford shouting for everyone to get on the street. I was assigned to the hole issuing shotguns for the day. It simply was the longest day and i remeber everything and all radio calls clearly. Your life and what you stood for helped me make the decision to become a police officer. Even now I'm half way around the world i find myself thinking about those times and keep tabs the patrol officers. Now another brother is clinging onto life from another shooting. Please JR look Keith Houts and his family. And if he doesnt make it show him the way. God bless you and your family Sgt Ward.

Robby

Intelligence Officer
New Zealand MAF Border Agency (former MPD)

September 29, 2006

Uncle Russell- I miss you more than words can ever say. I think about you everyday - I kept thinking the more October 3rds that passed the easy they would get but they don't. Each one is just as bad as the one before. I still cannot go to your grave site - it makes everything to real and too final. I know it has been almost 12 years to the day but I just cannot find the strength to go there. I have 2 beautiful children that I wish you could hold they way you always held me. It saddens my heart that you never got to see or hold your little girl and more so that she never got to fall asleep in your loving arms. You will never be forgotten - I love you and Miss you!!!!

Kandas Ward Dismukes
Neice

September 29, 2006

I was working the day you made the ultimate sacrifice. I will never forget that day or you. We were partners on 3rd shift patrol for a while and worked cases together in the Detective division. A day does not go by I do not think of you or that day and hearing you on the radio for the last time. I will never forget.

Corporal S Z Smith and retired MPD 2001
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

September 1, 2006

Hearing your voice go out over the radio saying you had been shot will forever be etched into my mind. I joined the Montgomery Police Department one year later and then moved on to the FBI in 1999. Even though I barely knew you, I have always tried to model my law enforcement career with you in mind. Your dedication, courage, and sacrifice is an example to all. I never understood how it could happen that a bad guy could take shot and it just happens to be fatal to the good guy. Well, I was just involved in another incident where a bad guy took one shot and it killed a friend and coworker of mine. I guess I realize that there is a reason for everything and the sacrifices we make are not in vane. I just want Sgt. Ward's family to know that he is not forgotten and that with his heroic actions in our memory, we are better law enforcement officers. Sgt. Ward is a true hero and he will always be remembered.

Special Agent Patrick Sanford
FBI Tallahassee (former MPD)

August 4, 2006

I stil remember you riding me on your shoulders as we attended the Alabama Football games. You would always tell me how many yards we gained because you had those goofy binoculars, you were always right. Your wife is beautiful and has moved on with her new life. She has shown great courage and dignity with strength that you sent from above. Your unborn daughter turned out to be absolutely beautiful, just as your touch on my life was. You are forever remembered by your niece whom was named Rusty in honor of your dedication to my fathers first born. You left such an impact on her that she named her son after you, James. Uncle Russel you are always remembered for the man that you were and the examples that you once set for the young members of your family and ours. Bill Elliot rode a race with your badge number psoted on his car. I hope that I can one day represent you in the manner you would be poud of. Your tatood on my arm. I always said shine down on me before shooting a fre throw in dedication to you, I played college basketball, and still remember you sitting in the little leaugue stands. You would hide out quietly wth your bama hoodie on, thats just how you were. Roll tide Roll, we went 10-2 this year, I know you'll need those binoculars now.

Nephew Steadman Ward

January 27, 2006

You were taken from your family and loved ones 11 years ago this day. Way too soon. I want your family to know that even though many of us never knew Sergeant Ward, we will always appreciate what he gave so that we could live in a safer world. Your loved one IS a true hero.

OHIO

October 3, 2005

Thank you for your dedication. I still pray for your family. You're with G-d and His angels now. Shalom Aleichem...

Kathleen Roberts
DoD

November 10, 2004

Shalom Aleichem...

Civilian
DoD

October 21, 2004

Angel in blue,I was 15 years old when I heard the news of your death. It was the first line of duty death that I had ever had to experience. I waited in front of the T.V., almost glued to it, waiting to hear an update on the suspects and on your condition, then I watched as my parents hearts broke upon hearing the news that their long to time friend was gone. It was the first time I'd ever seen my father cry. My mother sobbed for your wife and little boy. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers forever. May God bless your silver wings as you watch over us all.

L.K. Thompson
City of Montgomery

May 4, 2004

Dear JR,
I was many miles away working for another police department when I recieved the news. It is always sad to lose a brother in blue. It is far worse when its someone you know, worked and played with. I think of you often. The fine police officer and dedicated husband you were. Not to mention the great friend you were to many of us at MPD. I know we will meet again one day, wait for us my friend, so we can patrol streets of Heaven together, with all of our brothers in blue.
God bless your family, Dale

Sgt. D. R. Warke
Lebanon, IL PD

January 17, 2004

SGT WARD I DID NOT KNOW YOU OR YOUR FAMILY, I WAS NOT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEN YOU LOST YOUR LIFE. I BECAME A POLICE OFFICER IN MONTGOMERY IN 1998 AND AS WE WERE IN THE ACADEMY THEY PLAYED THE TAPE OF THE RADIO TRAFFIC WHEN YOU WERE KILLED. I DO NOT THINK ANYTHING I HEARD IN THE ACADMY TOUGHT ME MORE OR AFFECTED ME MORE THAN THIS TAPE I NEVER THOUGHT THE SOUND OF "DOUBLE ZERO" WOULD BE SO FRIGHTENING, LUCKILY WE HAVE NOT HAD TO HEAR THAT IN SOME TIME NOW, BUT EVERY NIGHT WHEN I PUT ON MY BOOTS AND BADGE I CAN STILL HEAR THE PAIN IN YOUR VOICE WHEN YOU MADE THAT LAST DESPERATE CALL OF " DOUBLE ZERO". I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OVER US DOWN HERE, REST IN PEACE.

Anonymous

J.R., you may be gone but your not forgotten. R.I.P. old friend.

Lt E.J. York
Montgomery

There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about the day that we lost JR. I remember the moment as if it were yesterday. Though I had left the Department in 1989, I still kept the friendships that were forged there. I'll never forget the good times that we shared in the Robbery/Homicide Bureau, on the softball fields, or at the football games. You are deeply missed JR.

Cliff LaBarge
U.S. Marshals Service

I still remember the day back in 1994 when we heard the news of Sergeant Ward's death and how all of us in Enterprise felt for him and his family. God bless them.

Officer Tim Ellison
Dothan Police Dept