Kansas communities mourn the loss of Deputy Samuel Smith who died in the line of duty on Friday, 23 July 2010 in Franklin County, KS.  Deputy Smith served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.  Samuel had a long history of serving his community, and everyone who knew him remembers his great work throughout his short life.  It was a privilege and honor to be invited by Samuel's family and the Franklin County Sheriff's Department to attend the service.  We witnessed the incredible brotherhood and bond of the law enforcement community as they bid farewell to Samuel.  Our law enforcement community is a major part of our Patriot Guard missions.  They keep us safe as we travel to missions.  We respect and honor their service and commitment to protecting all citizens.  Their loss is our loss. The Patriot Guard extends our sincere sympathy to Samuel's family and law enforcement brothers and sisters.

We extend our thanks to everyone who participated in this mission.  Each person had an important part in the mission, no matter what they did.  We deeply appreciate the many law enforcement officers who escorted us from the Wichita area - Derby Police Dept, Sedgwick County Sheriff Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, Emporia Police Dept - and all the law enforcement agencies in the Ottawa area who assisted getting us from the staging area to the chapel, and to the cemetery.  Today was about Duty, Honor, Country, supporting those who support us.


Thanks,
Darkhorse and Doc Peterson