Officer Down Memorial Page

Just thinking of you and the family today. Listening to some music at work and thought about all the what ifs :) love you

ashley
sis
February 9, 2011

Thinking of you brother! I love you and miss you dearly!

Ashley
Sis
September 8, 2010

It was such a joy to have known and worked with Mike. There isn't a week that goes by when I don't think of him. I continue to pray for your family. RIP, Mike. I miss you.

D. D'Ercole, Sup Special Agent (Retired)
US Forest Service
March 9, 2010

Hi Brother!
i love you and miss you!!! im always thinking of adam and luke. I wish i cud see them grow, and i havent seen robin since you left. I wish them the best and i know your watching over all of us and i miss you very much!! i just remember the good ol days when we all met up at grandmas but one day we will all be seeing each other. LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!

ash
sis
December 31, 2009

God bless you. Rest in peace, my friend.

Anonymous
January 29, 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

i just want to say that i miss you a lot! I love you and ur in my prayers...i think about you all the time.. love you! Love you robin and adam and luke

ash
February 12, 2008

Mike, it has been 5 years since you have been gone and I miss you just as much today as then. I think of you often with love and good memories. Rest in peace my friend.

September 14, 2007

Five years have passed and you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. Thank you for your service to law enforcement and to your Country. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
September 4, 2007

I had thought about Mike a short time ago and was wondering how he was doing. Sadly, in my search to find him I am confronted with the sad news of his passing. His smile and zest for the brighter side of a day is how I remember him. So it is with a heavy heart I express my condolences. May God bless his wife and children.

Rich Kostynick
College friend
October 15, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Officer Michael Lee Staples and his fellow officers with the U.S. Forest Service:

On this the third anniversary of Michael's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Michael's professionalism and dedication will never be forgotten, nor will his valor and courage. I also salute his patriotism to our country through his service in the U.S. Air Force.

I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul. No doubt that Heaven has another hero in Michael, but I am so sorry you had to lose your beloved. May you all continue to be comforted by your faith and your law enforcement family and other police survivors.

I am so sorry that Michael was robbed of his life so young and so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Michael gave to his community and the citizens of our country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 4, 2002.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

September 4, 2006

My thougts are with your loved ones on this 4th anniversary of your end of watch. The pain still is present in their hearts and will be for the rest of the time they walk this earth. Keep watch over them. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Chicago Gold Star Father
September 4, 2006

That day and to this day i still can't believe your gone. It was a total shock to me and everyone. I looked up to you and I thought to myself that I couldn't of had a better caring bigger brother in the world..Everytime we would see you and the family it would just bring this glow of happiness. Not a day goes by that i dont think of you and miss you....love you so much brother!

July 18, 2006

My Greatest Friend and Brother Officer. I strive to follow your example of professionalism, and dedication to both family and work each day. No finer Man than you has worn the uniform of a Forest Service Officer. No finer man has led his life as you had. We miss you Mike, but take comfort in knowing that you now guard Heaven's forests for us.

Special Agent Kurt E. Morine
US Forest Service - LEI
May 22, 2006

Michael Staples was my blood brother while stationed together in Torrejon Spain in the late 1980's. We were inseparable, we were partners, most of all we were brothers. I have spoken to Michael intermittenly since then, and lost contact. Iam shocked. and saddened by this tragedy, yet know in my heart that Michael is/was special, and the powers that be have taken him with open arms. God speed Mike, I love you and miss you.

F/F Wil Mendoza
Ocoee Fire Department
March 30, 2006

Brother Staples,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club
January 10, 2006

In loving memory of Michael LeeStaples: Thank you for your contribution. It was huge!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

September 5, 2005

Angel Friends

Some people doubt that each of us
Have angels to protect us,
Assigned by God when we were born,
To love us and direct us.
And though we cannot see them,
They're always at our side,
Companions while we're living,
And after we have died.
God knew we needed someone
To watch us night and day,
To guide us down the narrow path
And keep all harm away.
Someone of endless wisdom,
Whom he could always trust,
To guard us every minute,
And take good care of us.
So carefully he chose each one
For every living soul, Some with wings of silver,
And some with wings of gold,
But all filled with a burning love,
That never has an end,
And each of us is blessed to have,
A special Angel Friend.

I miss you every day Uncle!

Sadie-surviving niece
December 1, 2004

A Million Times

You never said I'm leaving
You never said good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knew why

A million times we've needed you,
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could've saved you,
You never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place,
No one else will ever fill.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
Part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.

November 29, 2004

Remarks at Church Memorial Services - Michael Staples
September 7, 2002, First Baptist Church, Bedmidji, MN

By Richard R. Glodowski, Special Agent in Charge USDA-Forest Service, Eastern Region, Milwaukee, WI

I know from talking with many of you and from my own personal experience what Mike meant to you, this community and how he touched many and being held in such high regard.

I would like to share with you a story with some observations about the passing of Mike.

In order to tell the story I need to introduce myself, Richard Glodowski, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement for Eastern US stationed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Back in 1995, prior to transfer from Juneau, Alaska to Milwaukee, I was approached by then Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer (from Alaska), who made a personal request, it had to do with a new law enforcement recruit in the Eastern Region on the Chippewa National Forest, it was Mike Staples. I did not know Mike Staples at that time or ever heard of him. The officer went to explain that he is a special person with unique qualities and asked that I look out for and take care of him. The officer suggested Mike was special and a future star in our organization. My point is that Mike was touching people and being noticed in far away places like this story, some 2000 miles from northern Minnesota.

Back then Larry (now Captain Larry Heady here on National Forests in Wisconsin and Minnesota) and I did not expect that someday he would be working for me here in this region and Larry would be supervising Mike.

Upon my arrival in late 1995 to Milwaukee, I was hearing good things about this new recruit/law enforcement officer on the Chippewa named Mike Staples. I was eager to meet Mike. I met him sometime later in 1996 and since that time I was struck with his personal traits and attributes; Mike had a sense of purpose, well poised, professional in every way, seeking constant self-improvement, integrity, sense of duty and service and commitment to family.

We at headquarters remarked about Mike’s traits and often said it is not a matter of if but when he will rise to the top of the Forest Service and be one of our leaders.

Of course, sadly Mike has been tapped for a higher calling than the Forest Service.

I want to share with you the many calls and messages my staff and I have received since learning of Mike’s death. They have come from all over the United States. I was surprised of how many people Mike had touched in his career, people even from outside the FS in the greater federal law enforcement community.

In those messages there were the expression of deep sadness and offers of extended prayer to Mike and his family and I am taking this opportunity to pass those condolences along to you.

But what struck me most in those calls and messages beyond the stories and experiences was a common theme; their acknowledgement of his personal traits and attributes such as sense of purpose, professionalism, integrity, honor, sense of duty and commitment to family.

My point here is that Mike’s mere presence touched and influenced many beyond the local community here in northern Minnesota. And secondly, this influence I believe we be ever lasting and a part of his legacy in the Forest Service family and larger Federal Law Enforcement community. He demonstrated and lived to a high standard as an officer, person and family man.

Thank you.

Richard R. Glodowski, Agent in Charge
USDA-Forest Service, Eastern Region, Milwaukee, WI
January 9, 2004

Now it has been over a year, and I still miss you everyday. What a wonderful officer, father, friend! You will always remain in my thoughts, prayers and heart. You will always be loved and missed.

Anonymous
November 21, 2003

IN loving memory of my brother mike...i will always luv u and miss u

ashley
September 30, 2003

Mike I just wanted to tell you that you are greatly missed by those of us who worked with you. I will be attending the memorial service in D.C. next month when they put your name on the wall. I have put a small book together withsome pictures from our fire investigation school, and all of the news clippings from your accident. I hope to muster the courage to give it to your wife and boys, so that they will have something other than memories. I hope its the right thing to do. I sat here today and read these notes left for you and cried. As a matter of fact I still am. I think of your family often and hope they are being comforted in this great time of loss. I hope you will be watching over me in D.C. We will all need your guidance. I'll talk to you soon.

Anonymous

Mike was the most dedicated person I knew, to his family and the service. I've known no man with a deeper love for his family and commitment to his job. We've spent many hours talking, laughing, venting. I miss that. The world has lost a true hero. I sense your up there watching over us as we continue our days. My heart goes out to your family, they're in my prayers each day. As I put on this uniform each day, I think of your dedication. There are days when it makes me sad, and days I feel privilaged to have been able to call you my "friend". I miss you Mike.

Anonymous

Another officer has fallen but not in vain. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Ranger Staples. May you find strength in your heart and may the Lord comfort you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch is over.

US Park Ranger
National Park Service Kennesaw GA