RE: My best friend was killed

My deepest condolences on this loss of your friend and co-worker.

UPDATE

The thing that sucks about this situation was that he didn't identify himself to be a police officer so he doesn't qualify for his benefits. On a good note, they did find the people who were responsible. They had 3 males that were suspected to be involved in custody and they found the female that was driving the vehicle. The media made a statement that the people in custody were not the ones responsible and that we were back at square one. This morning when they found the car that was involved it was identified to be stolen, bad part about it was that the day was extremely foggy here in Houston so the evidence was extremely tainted. They were able to get the female to talk and they identified the people that were mistakenly "not the ones involved" and they also found the murder weapon. There is one more person who is still at large. I am at least glad that they did get the perps. I'm just waiting on justice to be served.

RE: My best friend was killed

Im sorry for your loss, and I salute your friend, on duty or off, he was a Brother in arms, and should be treated as such"

RE: My best friend was killed

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family of Deputy Odom. Having started out my LEO career as a reserve officer myself, I know how much people like him bring to a department and how much of a difference they can make on a community. Hopefully the dirtbags responsible for his murder will be given a good dose of Texas justice very soon.

UPDATE!!!

Alan Michael Nickerson, 17, Damion Delwon Edwards, 18, and Wallace Henry Hightower, 17, were charged with capital murder in Odom's death.

A fourth suspect, a 16-year-old male, will be referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities on a charge of capital murder.

Investigators said Nickerson was the gunman

http://www.click2houston.com/news/14746517/detail.html

Well it seems that someone found the female who was driving the vehicle and followed her. They did indeed have the right suspects in custody and they have been charged. Its been pretty hard for me. We went through our group session with the pshychologist and it went well. My friend will be layed to rest on Wed 12-04-07, one day after his 23rd birthday. I am glad that Houston Police Department was able to swiftly bring these POS's to justice so quickly. I want to say that with all the praying that I have been doing and all the tears I have shed, I don't know if it was my imagination or if I really just wanted to hear his voice one more time, but I heard his voice speak to me yesterday morning as I woke up. A chill ran through my body and I didn't know what to think. This morning I went to a special assignment that I do normally every Sunday and I always come in at the same time every morning to pick up my shop at our store front and for some reason, the bells from the plaze NEVER ring. For some reason as I grabbed the door and opened it to step inside, they bells rang. It gave me a feeling that my friend is letting me knw he is still with me.

best friends never die...

That's a 10-4 bro...best friends never die.

Their spirit sticks around. Think of it this way...its like religion...we (law enforcement officers) are one with each other. We all talk alike, think alike, and understand each other. When it is time for one of us to leave this Earth, it is only the body that goes. For while we mingled with each other here on Earth, we have become like one another. The spirit of a good warrior never dies...he patrol another beat

For you Henry15....

"The 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 who carry badges 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 awful 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 times 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 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."

{Author Unknown}

peace be with you...

Officer Rachel Truesdell

Thanks for the words of encouragement

On Dec. 5, 2007 we laid my best friend to rest. I have mentioned to many, never in my career did I think I was going to have to experience this so soon. For some reason I was media magnet that day. I felt it was mt duty to let everyone know who he was an how he lived. It was an experience to learn from, but at the same time in the back of my mind it was something that I was thinking that I never want to do again in my career, or anytime soon. My FTO has never lied to me and he told me that the hardest part of the funeral is when they retire their badge and Unit number. I was sitting on the side waiting for my turn to speak on my friends behalf and I saw the Constable's wife reach and hand him a radio while coming to the end of his "Words of Encouragement" speech and I braced myself and heard him say "Lets do this one more time. . . . 6H17" the dispatcher replied "6H17. . . . . 6H17. . . . 6H17, the Unit Number 6H17 will now be retired at this time, ending time or transmission 13:35" I felt my body turn cold and I began to shed tears and gasp for air. It was the hardest thing to hear, several people came and gave me tissues and water. I knew I had to be strong, but at the same time it is very hard. The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee attended the funeral and gave such a great speech on his behalf that brought everyone to tears. We got word on Friday, two days after the funeral, that the 5th suspect was finally in custody and admitted that he was the shooter in the inicdent. My friend can dinally rest in peace. They wanted me to do Honor Guard, but our Lt said that would be too much for us so we were Paulbearers instead. Here are some of the links with videos

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou071205_tnt_odomfuneral.6de212dc.html

 http://www.click2houston.com/news/14781122/detail.html (they quoted me on this one)

 http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=5813225

After this I thought that it was going to be a while for me to get over the whole process, but as we all know these turds don't ever take a break. We had actors on the ground on Friday and when we got to the scene, I jumped out of the car and ran like I have never ran before

I'll admitt that Iam one who needs to drop a few,but its like I have a new found strength within myself. I was able to run about three block and apprehend the guy. I could remember how me and Odom would always make fun of one another after a good chase when we would catch the perps and I smiled and remembered for a bit on the good times.  

Last edited @ 12/9/2007 9:24 AM

RE: My best friend was killed

You and all involved are in my prayers. May God grant you peace and rememberance of the good times.