Officer Down Memorial Page

I am so proud to have had you as a cousin. My mind floods with memories of our childhood and times we had with all of the Dees cousins. You are missed but I know I will see you again. Until we meet again....

Melisa Dees McPeek
Cousin
April 4, 2012

So much time has passed since you left us. I remember the phone call early that morning and the feeling of loss that set in.
Our call signs flashed through my mind from when we worked together, as did a flood of other memories. David you gave me and so many others such good memories. Take care of Earl and show him the way up there. Your brothers and sisters will cover the watch here.

Police Officer Specialist CPD Virginia
Former DCSO Deputy Sheriff
April 3, 2012

I miss you and think of you often David...Thanks for helping me make it through Patrol School in 1996. RIP

TROOPER A.D.DEZSO
NCSHP
December 7, 2011

I am a member of the ODMP on Facebook and saw your profile. Even though we never met, you are a fellow brother. I just wanted to say thank you for your service.

Inv. Ronald Hayes
Alaska State Troopers
April 6, 2011

I see you son has chosen the path of his father. I can't believe he has grown up so fast. I wish he could have know you longer, hopefully he has your boyish grin and your easy way. Say hello to Earl I know you two have hooked up and the stories are flying back and forth. Miss you both.

Anonymous
January 16, 2011

Today is the 11th aniversary of your death and the first time that it has been easter since the day of your accident. Everyone in the family is doing good and I'm on a full ride at NC State. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you, and you should know that I am very proud to call you my father. Thank you for everything that you did!!

Rest in Peace dad!!

Christopher
Son
April 4, 2010

I still miss and think of you quite often. We all miss you here at the Dare County Sheriffs Office. This will be the 11th year to date you have been gone from us.

Earl left here last May 15th as we miss you boys beyond belief.

Thinking of you,

Your friend,

George H. Bowman
Investigator
Dare county Sheriffs Office

Investigator
Dare County Sheriffs Office, NC
February 15, 2010

As Ive pass through the Eastern portion of the state,Ive often seen your name on this bridge. I wondered about you. Now I know the face, the warriors face, that goes with that name. You're not forgotten.

Anon NC cop
January 25, 2010

My family and I drove over the bridge dedicated to Tpr. Dees while returning from vacation, so I had to research the story. The reflections left are very moving. God Bless Tpr. Dees and his family.

SSGT Christopher Wagner
NJ State Police
July 30, 2009

IT SEEMS ALMOST SILLY OF ME TO WRITE SOMETHING ON A POST LIKE SOMEHOW YOU WILL HEAR IT, BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT I MISS YOU AND THINK OF YOU OFTEN. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SPENDING A WEEK WITH HOLLY, BRADLEY AND CHRIS AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THEY WOULD MAKE YOU VERY PROUD. THEY HAVE TURNED IN TO SUCH GREAT KIDS AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WHENEVER WE GET THE CHANCE THAT WE TELL THEM ALOT OF GREAT STORIES ABOUT YOU. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL SMILES SEEINNG HOW THEY HAVE GROWN IN TO GREAT KIDS! I MISS YOU DEARLY!

JENNIFER MCCORMAC
NIECE
July 2, 2009

I had the pleasure of knowing and working with David from the time he was in Basic Training for Deputy Sheriff's until the day GOD called him to patrol the streets of heaven. We shred a lot of laughs once he got to know me. One day he met me at the courthouse after traveling from the NC Justice Academy. As serious as one could be he looked at the Oak Leaf Clusters on my collar and said" Id sure like to have those." In a funny sort of way I responded Son you ain't been here long enough yet." He smiled and we started a long friendship.
In the later years I had the opportunity to ride with him on patrol and work special assignments. He became of of the finest State troopers I every worked with. My friend you are missed here but when GOD called you home you got the highest promotion ever given, better than my Oak Leaf Clusters for sure.

E. J Williams,Jr Lt Col Retired
Dare County S.O. Retired
May 23, 2009

i also drove over your bridge the other day. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Anonymous
January 20, 2009

Thankyou for your service and sacrifice TROOPER DEES, you will never be forgotten and always in our prayers with all our heros in gods paolice force. GOD bless your family

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA
October 11, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY THANK ANDYOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH
April 9, 2008

It is amazing it has been 9 years since we lost you. You sat in front of me for 26 weeks in patrol school but we never got to talk much since they had us locked down most of the time. You were well liked and respected by every one. Rest in peace and I hope we will see each other again.

Sgt BK Henline
NCSHP
April 4, 2008

"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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
December 27, 2007

David,

I think of you often when us old timers talk about the good times we us to have here at the beach when you were here. I miss you and will never forget you and your family.

Sergeant Joel Johnson
Kitty Hawk Police Department
November 7, 2007

Everytime I go past that bridge I say a prayer.

Dean Chrismon
October 28, 2007

As a retired trooper in NY, now residing in Southport NC, I reflect on the service of Troopers throughout our great country as I pass the overpass dedicated to you on I-40. As a survivor of a near fatal shooting in NY my rememberance of your service further enforces the brotherhood of law enforcement which continues to protect us today. Thank you for your service, may you rest in peace for eternity.

Trooper W. H. Bender
New York State Police
July 28, 2007

Trooper! Long time, no talk. I was a child when we met, around 14, 15 or so if I remember correctly. You were still working for the Dare County Sheriff's Office in A-District out of the Duck Dire Department when the district office was barely a closet and had the patch painted on the outside door on the deck. I don't know why, but I remember your old boxy Crown Vic with nothing but a star on the door and "Sheriff Patrol" on the trunk, with one of the first Edge lightbars ever manufactured. Ha. You made a huge impression upon me that day upstairs in the meeting room, talking about what wearing a uniform represented; and for the first time I realized, through your eyes, the responsibility that goes along with it.

I never really thought at that time that I would end up a cop. Six years later I was working for the same agency wearing the same brown. So much has changed since then, A-District grew, the closet became a real office, we long the office and they incorporated. But that's a whole different story!

Another six years later I've come and gone from the fire service, EMS and law enforcement, but every time I iron a uniform shirt, attach the shirt stays, carefully place the leather gear or make sure my name plate is perfectly straight, I remember you. Your contagious pride cannot die.

Adam-Two-Six, A-338...David, see you next time. God bless.

PO CJ Rusk
Shelby Police Department (NC)
June 7, 2007

Drove across your bridge yesterday. Rest in peace brother you will not be forgotten.

nc game warden
May 24, 2007

Trooper Dees.
It has been 8 years and time has not diminished your
sacrifice. According to these reflections you were a
special person who was appreciated for his character
and work ethic. So sad you left a loving family behind
who misses you dearly. "May the Lord's face radiate
with joy because of you. May the Lord bless and protect
you, may He be gracious to you, show you His favor and
give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26. God bless!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

April 4, 2007

I was on vacation this week and crossed a bridge dedicated in the memory of Trooper Dees. I jotted down his name so I could learn his story. It is just a small way I can pay respect to those who have gone on before me.
Trooper Dees, thank you for your dedication and service. May God bless your family left on this earth.

PO2 R. J. Johnson
Salisbury Police Department
October 15, 2006

I have a friend that is an E5 Sgt. in the marine corp & he is interested in going to the NCSHP Basic School. He was telling me of this trooper that came to Camp Lejeune to do a safety class and what an impact he had on he and the others marines that attended. He was very impressed with the pride and professinalism shown by this trooper. I then sent him a link to this site because of the similarity of Trp. Dees being killed so soon after conducting a safety class. God Bless The Troopers that have died and those that serve today.

Don High
New Hanover County NC

Don High
September 12, 2006

I just found this website and I remembered Trooper Dees from when I was stationed in the Coast Guard in Elizabeth City. Around Christmas 1998, Trooper Dees came to the base and we all had to sit through a safe driving seminar because it was the holidays. Trooper Dees gave us this presentation about DUI and driving carelessly told us how important it is to be safe around the holidays.

Well I was 19 then, and three days after I met Trooper Dees, I was on my home to Philadelphia for Christmas and guess what? Trooper Dees pulled me right over out there on Rt. 17 doing about 80 mph. I handed him my military ID and told him I had just met him at the seminar, he says to me, "Well then, you should no better". He gave me a ticket. I couldn't believe it. I was so mad at him, giving me a ticket right before Christmas. I never saw Trooper Dees again after that day. I remember when I heard he had passed away and I was saddened.

I am a cop now and I think about Trooper Dees a lot while I'm in my patrol car late at night. I laugh about the ticket he gave me and now I know where he was coming from. You know what, he was right, I did know better!!

Rest in peace brother, I'm happy that you touched my life, if only for an instant.

Patrol Officer Tom Sokolis
Upper Moreland Township
June 12, 2006