Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today we mourn as yet another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Constable Taldone. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

July 15, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

July 15, 2004

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 a badge
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

July 15, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Felice did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Felice be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Constable Taldone's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Felice is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Felice was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

July 15, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Constable Felice Taldone and the Patchogue Village Office of Public Safety...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Felice... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

July 15, 2004

Another officer kileed by a drunk driver. I hope the courts treat this as what it is-murder. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

July 15, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Rest in peace brother.

Texas Peace Officer
University of Houston Downtown Law Enforcement Academy Class 89

July 14, 2004

Constable Felice Taldone,

You truly are a hero. Your brothers in blue could only wish to be as strong as you. My prayers are with you and your family and all the members of the Patchogue Village Office of Public Safety.

Ofc. BM Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY

July 14, 2004

Thank you for your service Constable Felice Taldone. My thoughts and prayers ae with you and your family.

Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City P.D. Michigan

July 14, 2004

My heart and prayers are with the wife, children, family, friends and coworkers of Constable Taldone. May God be with you all in this terrible time of loss. Thank you Constable for a job well done.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee D. Azure
EOW 08/06/02

July 14, 2004

Rest in peace Constable Felice Taldone.
Your work in Patchogue Village is done and you will not be forgotton.

Cpl. Bryan Taylor
Hillsborough Co. Sheriff's Office Tampa, Fl.

July 14, 2004

Rest easy brother, the service shown to your community, your family, and your department will never be forgotten.

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

July 14, 2004

Rest easy brother, The watch is ours now

Officer
Atlanta Police

July 14, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Constable Felice Taldone's family, friends, and co-workers with the Patchogue Village Office of Public Safety.

God bless may you rest in peace.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

July 14, 2004

To the family and friends of Const. Taldone--

I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I could say something that will ease the suffering you are experiencing, but I can't. However, please know that you will be in my prayers now and in the months to come.

Bryce Mazur, Wife of Deputy Andrew Mazur
EOW 8/17/2003 -- Greenville County Sheriff's Office, SC

July 14, 2004

I pray that God's grace and peace surround Constable Taldone's wife, children, family, friends and co-workers. We will always be here for you in thoughts and prayers. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

July 14, 2004

Rest in peace Constable Taldone. You will never be forgotten.

Ashley Drury
Clare, Michigan

July 14, 2004

Constable Taldone,

Your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. You made it protecting all of us. In your memory, I make this request of my fellow law enforcement brothers and sisters officers . . . ZERO TOLERANCE for Driving Under the Influence . . . I mean ZERO!! If there is the slightest odor of alcohol, in memory of Constable Taldone, administer SFSTs. We have latitude in our work, and the opportunity to give "breaks" here and there . . . I've cout folks breaks . . . we've all done it . . . it's OK when appropriate . . . but it's NEVER appropriate with a DUI!! They reak havoc and misery on our roads and highways . . . they bring death and they maim, disfigure, disable and paralize. ZERO TOLERANCE . . . in memory of Constable Taldone.

Constable Taldone, I honor you, your name, your memory and especially for the ultimate sacrifice you've made for your community and country . . . making it a safer place for all of us. With love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

July 14, 2004