Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Elijah Garretson,
I am so very sorry to read the details of your murder here at the hands of this criminal. Your young life was taken from all of us. I thank you for your brave service to all. May God Bless your family and friends as they grieve your loss and try to make sense of this cowardly act. Rest In Peace, Brother.

Mary Milam
Sergeant (Ret)
Chicago Police Department

Leesburg. FL

January 12, 2026

Rest in peace Officer Garretson. Your watch was short but your service was valorous. I remember Copperas Cove and Central Texas College form my time at Fort Hood in 1972. My sympathies with your family, friends and fellow officers. Until Valhalla.

SFC William Farrell
US Army Military Police, Ret.

January 11, 2026

Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice in protecting your community, Officer Garretson. My heartfelt condolences go out to your family and to the Copperas Cove Police Department.

Taylor Ramerth
Supporter of Law Enforcement

January 11, 2026

Rest in peace, Officer Garretson. Praying for your loved ones.

Officer C Curione (Retired)
Rochester Police Department, NY

January 11, 2026

Requiescat in Paces

Lieutenant (Retired) Michael O’Connor
Madison, CT PD

January 11, 2026

Officer Garretson,
Thank you for your selfless service to the people of Copperas Cove. Rest in peace. I will pray for your family, friends, loved ones and colleagues.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”. – Matthew 5:9

Daniel Ryan
Private Investigator (Retired)

January 11, 2026

Thank you for your service. Prayers for your Family and Department.

Sergeant Monica Veney
Baltimore Police Department

January 11, 2026

May your family, friends, colleagues, and community find the strength and resolve to carry on in your physical absence and continue to spread the goodness to which you were so selflessly committed. You were among the best humanity has to offer. Your dedication to service and your ultimate sacrifice shall not be forgotten. God Bless You. Your Family, & Friends

James P. Waggle, Jr.
US Army Veteran (SFC)
Civilian

January 11, 2026

I don't know what to say in terrible times like these. Nothing seems adequate. I grew up as an Army brat and my family resided in Copperas Cove for a while waiting for quarters on Fort Hood. My best friend lived in "Cove" for a while and I would visit her often there. And when I come back to visit family (in Killeen/Temple) there's a church I visit in Copperas Cove. It feels like home to me and you don't think of it as a place where something like this could happen. Then again, you don't think that about a lot of small towns. The only words that come to my mind right now are some words of poetry. "An angel walked unknown on earth, but once he flew was recognized." The Bible says that angels walk unknown amongst us. I think this special person was one of them. My love and prayers go out to his family.

Laura Jordan/Human Resources
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

January 11, 2026

RIP Hero. May you forever spend your eternal life with our dear Lord in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with all your loved ones. Our country is now a little less safe without you. Thank you for your service.

HEROES NEVER DIE....

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

January 11, 2026

Rest in Peace Officer Garretson. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Garretson Family and the Copperas Cove Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey

January 11, 2026

"Eternal rest grant unto him O, and perpetual light shine upon him."

Bishop Edward Skiba
Stuart Florida Police Chaplain

January 11, 2026

Rest Now Brother

Sgt Donald Harvey -retired
Maricopa County Sheriffs Office-Az

January 11, 2026

May God wrap his loving arms around your family and comfort them as only He can. Thank you for giving your life to protect us.

Pamela C. Kissner
Wife of a Retired Police Officer

January 11, 2026

God rest your soul, Officer Elijah Garretson. May your family, friends, colleagues, and community find the strength and resolve to carry on in your physical absence and continue to spread the goodness to which you were so selflessly committed. You were among the best humanity has to offer. Your dedication to service and your ultimate sacrifice shall not be forgotten.

Investigator Christopher Port (Ret)
California Highway Patrol, Valley Division MAIT

January 11, 2026

Destined for great things. Condolences to his family, his friends and his department.

Detective Constable (Retired) Cliff Hend
Ontario Provincial Police

January 11, 2026

I began my involvement in law enforcement fifty eight years ago this month and have borne witness to thousands of line of duty deaths over those years. It never diminishes the tears, the heartache, the pain and the suffering that accompanies these often senseless tragedies. When an officer is fighting, in a combat mode and preparing to do battle, it is one thing; but an ambush brings murder of the highest magnitude. It brings so many questions: was the officer the intended target; was he the victim of retribution aimed at all the law enforcement community? In any event R.I.P. Officer and may your soul find eternal rest.

Det Joseph D. Sprowls (Ret)
NYPD

January 11, 2026

My family and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and fellow coworkers of Police Officer Elijah Garretson during this difficult time. May they find comfort and support from those around them. May happy moments from the past bring forth precious memories to cherish for a lifetime. May God help heal their aching hearts. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace Police Officer Elijah Garretson.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit Police Officer Jennifer T Fettig eow 02/16/04

January 11, 2026

Psalm 15
God bless.
Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Paul Schanno
Minnesota Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

January 11, 2026

RIP brave Hero. May you forever spend your eternal life with our Lord in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with all your loved ones. Our country is now a little less safe without you. Thank you for your service.

Shelley McIntyre
Tomball, TX

January 11, 2026

Rest in Peace Officer Garretson. For his family and friends, I am sorry for your loss. The entire state of Texas mourns his loss.

Lieutenant Michael Magiera
Dallas Police Department

January 11, 2026

God bless you Officer Elijah Garretson, for your service and sacrifice. Thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends, and to your brothers and sisters from the Copperas Cove Police Department. Rest in Peace Brother.

Officer Jim Drabos (Retired)
San Gabriel (CA) Police Department

January 11, 2026

RIP Officer Garretson. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Copperas Cove

Lieutenant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police
Boston, Ma. 02120

January 11, 2026

Rest in peace Brother Garretson.

Jesse Cook, Corporal - Retired
Ga DNR Law Enforcement Division

January 11, 2026

Hero never forgotten. Prayers to family blood and blue.

BLR
Retired Texas dispatcher

January 11, 2026