Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Harold Michael Altman
Dear Family of Deputy Altman, Sheriff McDaniel and the Jackson County Sheriffs Dept.,
My heart is hurting so much for all of you today. As I heard this story unfold on CNN today,I sat here and thought how could something so terrible happen to these families,this entire town. Words cannot express my sympathy to all of you. Thank you Officer Altman. We salute you Sir, for your bravery and your ultimate sacrifice. Your "Blue Line" family will forever keep your memory alive in our hearts. Sheriff McDaniel, your lovely wife was escorted into Heaven on the arm of a Hero and Deputy Altman was to. Time will never heal the void in your lives family and friends, I wish I could say it does.
This I can say, your loved ones will never be forgotten, Hero's live forever. Please know each of you will be in my prayers,that the peace only God can give will sustain you in the coming days,months and years to come.
The criminals took their place in Hell never to harm another person or bring hurt to another family.
May you find peace in knowing that others are thinking and praying for you.
Carolyn Moore:mother-in-law of:
Sgt. Jeffrey T.Hewitt
EOW 04-04-04, Asheville,N.C.
Carolyn Moore
January 31, 2007
Deputy Altman although I never met you, you were a brother in green. You served the people of Jackson County proudly and you paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for serving proudly and we shall take over the watch from here, may you rest in peace brother. My prayers go out to you, your family, the family of the sheriff and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office during this time of grief.
Deputy Sheriff
Leon County Sheriff's Office
January 31, 2007
DS Altman, Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. God bless you and your family. You are a true hero. I will keep you, your family and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department in my prayers.
Wife and mother in law of FL LEO's
January 31, 2007
HERO! Thank you for your service and dedication. May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.
Police Officer
January 31, 2007
Godspeed Deputy Altman. Your life and loss will never be forgotten. May God watch over your family, friends, and co-workers during this dark time.
Detective D. Thompson
Colorado Springs Police Department
January 31, 2007
MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND CONTINUE TO KEEP US SAFE WITH THOSE GONE BEFORE YOU!!!! THANK YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY!!!!!!!!!
DISPATCHER GRETA M HUFF
KY STATE POLICE POST 13 HAZARD
January 31, 2007
I SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE DEMISE OF DEPUTY SHERIFF HAROLD MICHAEL ALTMAN. I HOPE EVERYONE THAT KNEW THIS HONORABLE MAN WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER HIS BRAVERY, COURAGE, AND THE LEGACY IN WHICH HE LEFT.
DEPUTY SHERIFF HAROLD MICHAEL ALTMAN YOU SHIFT IS OVER NOW, WE WILL TAKE FROM HERE. REST IN PEACE, BROTHER...
DEPUTY JAMES E. BRADFORD JR.
BRADLEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
January 31, 2007
Rest in peace brother. You are a true hero. Your bravery will NEVER be forgotten!!!
Special Agent
FL Division of ABT
January 31, 2007
To Deputy Harold Altman
Thank you for your dedicated service. You will be missed by your family, friends, and all members of the police department family. No words I can say will easy your family's pain as I have found. We are praying for you and your family. You are a true hero.
Brother of PO Jeremy Chambers 101
E.O.W. 04-24-2006
PO Chris Chambers
St Louis County Police Mo
January 31, 2007
God Speed, Brother.
P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ
January 31, 2007
Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten.
Patrolman Shaun McCready
Altoona (PA) Police Department
January 31, 2007
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT DURING THESE HARD AND TRYING TIMES. WE WILL KEEP DEPUTY ALTMAN, THE SHERIFF'S WIFE ALONG WITH THE FAMILIES, COWORKERS AND FRIENDS OF ALL IN OUR PRAYERS. THANK GOD THE SUSPECTS ARE NO LONGER FREE TO HARM ANYONE ELSE.
PO BRAND 303 FRIEND OF FALLEN SGT WILLIAM MCENTEE
TIM BRAND
KIRKWOOD POLICE, MO
January 31, 2007
MAY YOU ALWAYS KEEP US SAFE AND CONTINUE YOUR BEAT IN HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DISPATCHER GRETA M HUFF
KY STATE POLICE POST 13 HAZARD
January 31, 2007
"No greater a man than he who will lay down his life for another."
Deputy Andrew Hynek
La Porte County, IN Sheriff's Office
January 31, 2007
On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus Police Department, our deepest sympathys to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Sheriff Harold Michael Altman. Rest in Peace Brother, we now have the Watch.
January 31, 2007
Thank you, Deputy Altman, for your service to the people of Florida and the United States. Your dedication and efforts are appreciated and will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Hero!
Janice Brown
Conway, Arkansas
civilian
Janice Brown
civilian
January 31, 2007
You are a true hero. Rest in peace my brother. You will NEVER be forgotten.
Deputy Chief E.J. Morris
Roeland Park Kansas P.D.
January 31, 2007
Rest In Peace knowing that your killers were brought to justice, we have the watch from here. Your sacrafice will not be forgotten.
D/S J.B.
Polk County S.O.
January 31, 2007
I am so sorry for this tragedy for the family and your Department. Our prayers are with you.
Officer Les Tucker
Denver, Colorado PD
January 31, 2007
We offer our heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Deputy Altman and we honor his distinguished service to the cause of justice and peace. Sadly, our nation has lost one of its finest citizens, a community has lost a friend and protector, and a family has lost an example of character and courage who they will love and respect forever. Today, because of the sacrifice Deputy Altman has made, the house of freedom is stronger, sturdier, and more secure.
To the family and friends of Deputy Altman, I want to say that a lot of people pray for you, and my hope is that their prayers will give you the strength necessary to move on. Just as you were always with him when he walked the beat or patrolled the streets, know that he will always be with you - wherever you may be. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Deputy Altman is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.
SA Thomas Doyle
FBI New York
January 31, 2007
What a tragic story. Rest easy...
SPO Christopher Law
Giddings Police Department
January 31, 2007
Deputy Altman
You heard the call, you knew the danger, and you went anyway. You are a true hero. May God bless you, your family and the family of your brother and sister officers. Rest in Peace Hero
Final Inspection
The Policeman stood and faced his 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 to steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've cried unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around
except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had to much,
but if you don't I'll understand.
There was silence all around the Throne
where the saints had often trod.
As the Policeman waited quietly,
for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Policeman,
you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
you've done your time in Hell."
Peace Keeper
SMSgt, USAF (Ret)
January 31, 2007
This is like some horror story except it is not a movie it is real. I cannot even begin to express the outrage and disbelief that I feel. I am so furious and angry and I can't express my rage and indignation. I am so saddened for the loss of this fine officer, a great man, and I am repulsed at the murder of a defenseless wife of an officer, the wife of the Sheriff of Jackson County.
We who swore to wear the badge have some grasp of the reality we may have to pay the ultimate price someday, but to attack an officer's wife. This is too vile to address. This was an attack on all of us, because we are all family of the badge. I feel as if my own family was a victim, because there but for the Grace of God could be my family. This is the second reported attack on an officer in one day with a cowardly ambush of the LA Calif. Deputy who died when she too was victim of a cowardly assasination in March of 06. So senselesss, tragic and horrible.
I offer my deepest codolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Deputy Altman and to the Sheriff of Jackson County in their time of loss. The Sheriff lost his wife, one of his deputies and his father was murdered by serial killer Henry Lee Lucas 30-some years ago. This good man has endured losses that only some soldiers in combat see. We can take solace in celebrating the lives of good people, even as we also feel the pain of their passing. This guardian of the good, Deputy Altman, a protector of the weak and oppressed, is now on patrol in Heaven with St. Michael, as his final rollcall and shift in this life passed with honor and distinction.
I am relieved that these two monsters who perpetrated this unconscienable affront to civilized society are dead. Thank God that this brave man and the brave wife of the Sheriff were able to delay these animals and alert other officers, thus very possibly saving other lives. God Bless brother and sisters of the badge and BE SAFE OUT THERE!
Chief J.A. Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist. L.E.O.
January 31, 2007
To Sheriff McDaniel and the Deputies of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, I extend our heartful condolences and prayers. The coming days will be filled with sadness and grief as we mourn the loss of yet another brother law enforcment officer. The attack of a family member is unforgivable. Law Enforcement officers know well the danger they face during each shift and each call. We have the courage to face the unknown. Our family members support their officers. But, our families never signed on to be targeted. The outrage and anger for these men is hard to contain.
To the family of Deputy Altman our thoughts and prayers are offered to help ease the pain. Our pledge to "Never Forget" our heroes will now sadly include Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Harold M. Altman.
Please be comforted in knowing that he has stepped across the threshold of death and into the loving arms of God.
Rest in Peace brother. Your job is done here on Earth and we shall carry on, your memory always with us.
President James Preston
Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
January 31, 2007
As a Jackson County native, I am at a loss for words and I'm very saddened by this tragic loss. Rest In Peace Brother. To Deputy Altman's family, friends, fellow Deputies and especially Sheriff McDaniel, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Special Agent Ronnie Austin
FDLE Protective Operations
January 31, 2007