Officer Down Memorial Page

Dennis

It's been a while since I left my first posting to you. You were "one of a kind", the "sniper". I know that you know how much paperwork and red tape that I had to go through to get your name listed on the Memorial Wall in Washington. I think that you are also listed on the wall that Oakland County started doing a few years after your watch ended. You are gone, but never forgotten. Rest in peace sir, rest in peace.

John Faryniarz
Former DOD Lieutenant.

Lt. John Faryniarz (Retired)
Department of Defense
June 12, 2011

Dearest Dad,
How proud I am to have a father like you and to be able to tell my children about thier wonderful grandfather. You meant so much to this world and to this family that even in your absence, your life, smile and character still carry us through our days. Thank you dad for instilling in me the pride, leadership, care and love for my family and country that you had. Thank you for carrying me through the rough waters over the years and for bringing back people into my life who keep me smiling. You are and always will be a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Please keep my baby girl safe and continue to watch over us....I love you my hero.

Ninette T. Marcotte-Le Ray
United States Air Force-Daughter
September 23, 2010

To my beloved husband: Eleven years ago today, God took you from us, so suddenly and so very unexpected. Grieving does not get any easier as time goes on as many people tell us it will. The memory of your last day with us is as vivid as if it was yesterday. I miss you so very much and am so sad that you cannot be here with me to enjoy our grandchildren, whom you would have loved to spend time with. They have lost a special grandfather but we tell them about you and let them know you are watching out for them. My love is yours forever.

Theresa Marcotte
Dennis's wife
November 20, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
March 18, 2008

Rest in Peace Sir

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
November 29, 2007

Dennis,

You are missed very much and I know that you and Frank are together watching over the officers that are left with the DA Police at SANG.

John Faryniarz
Fomer Lieutenant
October 7, 2007

I wish I had been so lucky as to have met Sgt Marcotte. I know I would have liked him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow officers. Rest in peace, Sir. Semper Fi.

AZ Narc
January 7, 2007

Thank you for your years of service and dedication to our country. May you rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
December 9, 2006

Mrs. Marcotte and family I'm sorry that I have yet to find the training videos of Dennis in action during our S.R.T. days. I have contacted everyone I know including the former director (in Hawaii) of the North Carolina Academy of Counterterrorism who I donated all 15 years of my compiled Counterterrorism materials to in search of the video to no avail. I am moving @ october 18, 2006 and pray I will find it in my boxes up in my attic for you then. I just wanted you to know that I have never stopped trying for you. After all I owe you for making Dennis late coming home by making him listen to my troubles many a evening when he should have been with his loving family instead.

Mr. Jaimie A. Brehler
Former DoD S.R.T.- SSG/E6 U.S. Army
September 16, 2006

I have been near the SANG base numerous times when visiting family in Harrison Township. Today, on the 7th anniversary of your death, I offer up my prayers to your family, your wife, children, grandchildren, daughter in law you didn't meet.... all of them. You will never be forgotten. Every day that goes by is one day closer that you will be reunited in heaven. My prayers are with you all. God bless.

Up North Michigan
November 20, 2005

To Sgt. Dennis Marcotte, his family and friends, and fellow officers.

On this the seventh anniversary of your tragic death, please know that you are not forgooten. Your valor and dedication will be forever honored.
Rest In Peace, Sgt. Marcotte.

May your family continue to be cared for by their law enforcment family and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of distinquished service Sgt. Marcotte gave to his community and the citizens of his country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on November 20, 1998.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

November 20, 2005

Sgt. Marcotte,
On today, the 7th anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

November 20, 2005

Mrs. Marcotte this website will not allow me to leave my E-mail address here for you. PLease do a Yahoo or Google search of my name. My e-mail address appears on the MP Homepage.

Mr. Jaimie A. Brehler
August 30, 2004

Mrs. Marcotte, sorry but I have no affiliation with the 127th and I now live out of state.

Dennis was a very close and dear friend to me and I know from talking with him often how special all of his family was to him. I have much to share with you about him that I do not think he shared with many other people in his life. I am very sorry for not getting in touch with you sooner, but if Dennis shared anything about me with you then you know I was having some very serious problems adjusting to getting off of Active Duty and just coming home from a year in the Balkans/Bosnia. Dennis was a much needed ear for me and helped me greatly. Again I am sorry I was not there when he needed someone to help him.

Mr. Jaimie A. Brehler
June 24, 2004

Thank you to Jaimie Brehler for the reflection to my dear husband, Dennis.
We, his family are delighted to hear from you, and are interested in what you have. I am sorry, that I don't know if you are related to the 127th Security Forces at SANGB, but we can be contacted through them. We do miss Dennis very much and love to hear about his contacts, thank you Jaimie.

Mrs. Dennis H. Marcotte
June 6, 2004

Dennis you always had the time to listen to my problems. You lead by example and were always can do with everything tossed at you. I had a lot going on in my head back then (just returning from Bosnia) and you tried to keep me straight. I regret that I was not there for you when you needed someone the most. If your family reads this I still have some photo's and videos for them of you in training. Just e-mail me and I will get them to you. I apologize that it has been so long but I had to get my mind right first. Out here!

Jaimie A. Brehler
May 22, 2004

I have no "rank" and am with no "agency". However I do know friends of Dennis and through them have learned that he was a was a dedicated officer and a wonderful friend whose memory will be forever carried in their hearts.

Anonymous

Dennis was a student in the Basic Tactical Officer Academy that we run at Macomb.  Being older than most of the other officers made no difference.  Dennis was highly a motivated officer. Not one to shirk, he enthusiasticaly participated in all of the strenuous activities that are required in tactical operations.  I remember looking at him while training, and him smiling at me as he was "busting his butt" through the course.  We will always remember you, Dennis.

Semper Fi!

Angelo Lema Jr
Macomb Criminal Justice Training Center

I was the Base Chaplain at the time of Dennis' death and was sitting in my office at the base Chapel just 3 blocks from where he fell. As a former Tampa Florida Police Officer and Florida State Wildlife Officer, I had "connected" with Dennis, I think maily because of my background. We had become friends and I used to see him before the "newcomer's briefings" each month. But I also used to see him in my neighborhood in military housing when he would be patroling. We talked often! He was a neat guy and I really liked his demeanor and personality.

That day that he died I will always remember. I heard the sirens that afternoon so I drove down the street to see what was going on. The officer on the street told me it was Dennis and that he was taken to the hospital. I quickly made my way there and learned of his death. It was hard for me as a Chaplain/pastor to get past my own grief and reach out to his beautiful wife and daughter and his parents, who had experienced the death of a son twice before.

I will always remember Dennis and think of him often. Thank you Theresa for the recent letter of gratitude that somehow reached me in Alabama. I want you to know that I was already aware of your thoughts that you expressed in your letter: your eyes told me that fateful day in November 1998. I am happy that I could be there for you.

Dennis is missed by so many. May God bless all of you that knew him and miss him so very much.

Chaplain Barry M. White
U.S. Army

Dennis,

We lost touch over the last few years as our families grew. I was so proud to know what a full life you lead, only so sorry that I had to find out through the memories shared by your many friends after you left us. You would be so proud of your children, just reading what they have written about you shows what a great team you and Terry were in raising them. They are both outstanding individuals. I remember the wonderful times we had as children and will cherish those memories forever.

Love, Suzette

Suzette Katopodes

Dad,

I may never understand why you were taken from us so early in life or how to do some things without you, but I do know how much you loved mom, Ninette, and I. I know how much you loved your job and the people you worked with. I know you miss all of your family and friends and how much they miss you.

I will never get over losing you. You were and still are everything I aspire to be. I try to live my life as best as I can to be at least half the man you were. So many people have told me what you meant to them and how much you affected their lives. Hearing them say the good things they have to say about you make me so happy.

There are so many things I wish I could have still done with you. So many things left unsaid. These things haunt me at times, but then I think to my self why those things weren't said. They didn't need to be said. We both knew them all along. I know I won't get to do those things with you, but I know you will always be there with me and I hope if I do them anyways you will come be there with me during them.

I know that you are with me but I still wish I could have you here with me. Someday I will hear your voice again. For now I will hold onto your pictures and the thousands of memories I have of you. I hope I can be a reminder to everybody else of you and what you stood for.

I miss you dearly dad and I love you always.

A1C Steven Dennis Marcotte / your son
2nd Security Forces Squadron

Dennis,

You were an individual that is surely mist in my heart and will be there forever.

Your freind and buddy,

Ryan Redlawsk

Officer Ryan Redlawsk
Mount Clemens General Hospital Security

Dad...Pops...Sgt..Sir...Daddy...

Never did I ever think that this day would ever come so soon. I feel as if I were robbed. Months ago, when I spoke to all of your friends, family, and admirers, I felt so proud, even thought it was so tough. I stood there, proudly, and spoke of a man who made my life worth living. I spoke of a man who I was proud to work with, to live with, and whom I was proud to call dad. I spoke of your laughter, your hard work, and your pride. I spoke of the father, and the man, who gave everything his all and always put his family first.

The night that you, well left us, I wanted so bad just for you to walk into the room and laugh.."HAHA Fooled you"...needless to say, God didn't answer my wish. Now, all I want is for you to come home, be with us, and make us whole again. We, the unit, and the world is nothing with out you. Besides, no one is there to stand up for me now when your fellow SPs are picking on me...but hey, they know they better not mess with a Marcotte. We're tough remember. Oh god, I love you daddy. You were everything I wanted to be. It's hard to imagine you not being here, not with mom, not being able to be a grandfather...that hurts the most. I know you're still here though. I feel you.

Just one favor, kick that son of yours in the butt for me once in a while ok. You're my hero pops, the wind beneath my wings. I'm proud to be your daughter, and to have been named by you. Even though no one gets it right. Love, your daughter

A1C Ninette Marcotte AKA Mushroom
his proud daughter

Sergeant Marcotte you made a positive impact on everyone you came in contact with and you definitely made an impact on my life. You always put your troops first, you led by example and you were always there for those in need. Selfridge misses you, your Unit misses you and I miss you. We will never forget you. We also will never forget the family you left behind for they suffer the most.

God bless you and your family.

Sgt Christopher Platz
127th Security Forces

My Buddy,

You are sorely missed throughout the unit. I will always remember your smiling face riding around the base. When times got tough, the tough got going. You were always there to make sure that tasks were done right, sometimes bending but never did I see you break; a true professional. I will miss you may friend, but never forgotten.

Msgt William R. Becktold Jr.
127th Security Forces Squadron