Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP Brother!

Special Agent
Homeland Security Investigations-HSI

March 20, 2013

I met Thomas Madole on January 1, 2012, as we were both in Sitka for ten weeks at the VPSO Academy. Tom had been a VPSO for about six months, and I had been a VPSO for eight weeks. During my time in Sitka, "Mad Dog", as we called him, became a very good friend. We went through some tough times together. Almost every morning, my roommate Jim and I would get up very early, and we would meet up with Mad Dog and have good talks while drinking lots of coffee in the break room. Sometimes that was the highlight of our day. Tom was a strong Christian man, who I never heard curse, nor did I ever see him develop a bad attitude. He was "the real deal", as geniuine as they get. I believe he was a spiritual anchor for many. I considered becoming partners with Tom when there was a second VPSO position available in Manokotak, but I decided to transfer over to Southeast Alaska and become a VPSO there instead. When I explained to Tom my reasons, he was very understanding. The last time I spoke with Tom on the phone, he was in good spirits. He told me he loved being a VPSO, loved being in Manokotak, and that although he missed his wife and kids and grandkids, he was content. We lost a good man. He will be sorely missed.

VPSO Dale Plate
VPSO

March 20, 2013

Thank you for your time of service. I salute you and your family.

Randalyn Lynette Speer Benson
Survivor of Chief Jamrs Leonard Speer

March 20, 2013

Thank you PSO Madole for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Alaska You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever, rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

March 20, 2013

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. REST IN PEACE.

POLICE OFFICER
NAPERVILLE IL POLICE DEPARTMENT

March 20, 2013

Doing your duty; serving your community... God Speed. Rest in Peace

Former Dispatcher- Cathy Wiggins
Formerly of Mobile Police Department

March 20, 2013

In the Finest Tradition of American Law Enforcement.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.

Police Officer Joseph P. Johnson, Ret
New York City Police Department

March 20, 2013

A true hero taken. Prayers to your loved ones & your department

Billy Russo (Det. Ret.)
Nassau County PD

March 20, 2013

Rest in peace, Officer Madole. Thank you for your dedication and service to your community. Your ultimate sacrifice and that of your family will not be forgotten. Prayers for your family, friends, Alaska State Troopers, and many law enforcement brothers & sisters. Godspeed and God Bless, Hero.

Kathy B.
Grateful Citizen

March 20, 2013

Seems that with the passing of a Police Officer there is always a deep down feeling of shame for our country.. This Officer was doing what he wanted to do and took an oath to do. The love of the work and the State of Alaska has a lot of meaning to many Troopers there.. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this officers family and friends as well as to the Alaska State Troopers.God be with you all as you do your duty. My Officer Madole Rest in Peace in the hands of God.

Unites States Citizen-William K. Bell
A friend of all

March 20, 2013

RIP Brother

Deputy Anita Price
Bexar County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio, Texas

March 20, 2013

They risk it all, on every call

Daniel O'Rourke
Father of Sgt. Patrick O'Rourke E.O.W. 9/09/12

March 20, 2013

God Speed Brother. A tough job with limited tools. RIP Sir. We'll take it from here...

Sgt. Sanford
IACC

March 20, 2013

Tom, my friend, thank you for everything you represented. I only can think of positives when I reflect on our friendship. Your confidence and compassion was a model for many to follow, you will be missed.

You made the ultimate sacrifice and I pray for your family.

Rest in peace brother.

First Sergeant James Hoelscher
Village Public Safety Officer/Friend

March 20, 2013

Officer Madole may you rest in Peace. You are a true Hero!

Sgt. Curt Blasy (retired)
South Dakota Highway Patrol

March 20, 2013

RIP- I pray comfort and support on the family and community... Thank you for your service in a difficult situation..

C Smith, CMHC

March 20, 2013

Heroes live forever. Prayers to family and friends.

BLR
Team Texas

March 20, 2013

RIP brother officer, you are an American hero. Your sacrifice for your community will never be forgotten.

Deputy Timothy Higgins
Erie County Sheriffs Office

March 20, 2013

A police officer should be remembered not by how he died, but how he lived! A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Alaska State Troopers - Village Public Safety Officers. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Brother.

Anonymous

March 20, 2013

Officer Madole was very brave, God Bless

Officer Jaynes
Arizona Highway Patrol

March 20, 2013

RIP Brother.

Sergeant Todd Renner
Aurora, Colorado Police Department

March 20, 2013

A tragic loss to the Alaska Law Enforcement community. May Officer Madole's family be comforted that he gave his life in defense of what is good and right and just.

Stan Jefferson
citizen

March 20, 2013

RIP Brother. You did a dangerous and tough job with one hand tied behind your back. We will take it from here.

Robert Brennan, Cadet
National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers

March 20, 2013

Officer Madole,

Your death reminds me of the comfort I have in having other officers a few minutes away.

Your were a hero when you joined the Troopers, knowing the dangers you would confront. May God Bless and Keep your family in the days they will face without you.

Sergeant Michael Lowry
University of Colorado Police Boulder

March 20, 2013

This poem was written after getting my wife’s 19 years perspective of being a police officer’s wife.


“He Does it For You!”

He doesn’t do it for the money,
Cause surely there’s something better to do,
He says, “Someone has to do it!”
So really, he does it for you.

His eight to twelve hours is from call to call,
From a murder to a cat in a tree,
You say he’s never around when you really need him,
But without him, where would you be?

You curse him when you get a speeding ticket,
And scream there’s something better he could do,
But have you looked at how many deaths there are on the highways,
So really, he’s doing it for you.

He’s always seeing so much bad in the world,
He really doesn’t know what to do,
He wonders sometimes if it’s even worth it,
But he knows he has to do it for you.

Each day when he leaves for work,
And I always kiss him good-bye,
I don’t know if I’ll see him again,
Cause the day might be the day he dies.

So many times he comes home from work,
And I see a small tear in his eyes,
I ask him what is the problem dear?
And he says another innocent person has died.

You always say a cop isn’t human,
Cause at a tragedy he’s cool from the start,
But you don’t have to live with him,
And watch his mind and heart break apart.

I remember one hot June night at work,
His supervisor came, “Your husband’s been hurt!”, he said,
It was such a long ride to the hospital,
They wouldn’t say if he was alive or dead.

Crime is always on the increase,
The streets a battle ground,
And when one in “Blue” is slain,
At the funeral-taps will sound.

He’ll lay in a flagged draped coffin,
An honor for those who die for this land,
Just like the Army, Navy and Marines,
He died by the enemies hands.

Most ordinary citizens won’t be at the funeral,
But you’ll see plenty of people wearing blue,
You’ll see dozens of marked patrol cars,
Honoring the one who died for you.


Written by David L Bell Copyright © 1991
Retired Deputy Sheriff after over 38 years
Richland County Sheriff’s Dept
Columbia, SC

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

March 20, 2013