Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sergeant Michael Anthony Fitzgerald

Moore County Sheriff's Office, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, July 8, 2003

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Sergeant Michael Anthony Fitzgerald

As I sit here in my office and reflect back on the times I got to work with Fitts up in the Cactus area and remembering the fun times we had. The long conversations we had as we sit out in the dark nights in the cold weather checking those business. You just could not have found a better friend, Deputy, and just all around person. Fitts rest in peace my friend. You are walking with the angels.

Superientendent Chip Matthews
City of Sherman Texas

July 22, 2020

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

July 8, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 8, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Fitzgerald.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 9, 2020

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 15, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the sixth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

July 10, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

February 19, 2008

It has been almost five years since you have been gone but you have never been forgotten. I still recall our talks we would have before beginning or ending a shift. I still have them sometimes even though you are not there, but you seem to help me find the answer anyway. You are still missed and I still walk the thin blue line and remembering your words of wisdom, your guidance helps me to make he right decisions even to this day. I still remember you always there in the shadows and it was confronting. Thank you for allowing me to get to know you even if it was for a short time. I will continue to walk this beat as you do the one in heaven.

R.I.P Fitz-704

Sgt. D Balough
Fellow officer and friend

February 7, 2008

During this holiday season we celebrate the birth of a Saviour while we mourn the loss of many saviours. The Saviour made the ultimate sacrifice for all. This saviour made the ultimate sacrifice for his community. The Saviour lives and this saviour, too, shall live again. Rest In Peace.

~Romans 13:4 (NIV)

D.Paul, Special Agent
FBI

December 20, 2006

I will miss you very much! I love you and you will always be in my heart. You have helped me through my live and i thank you for that. You have helped me from good times and bad. You will remain in my heart my mind my soul and my heart.

Thomas Winters
Nefew

September 4, 2006

Always missed, never forgotten.

June 12, 2006

Thanks for being a hero Michael.

A HERO TO MORE THAN HE KNOWS. (c)2004

Emory - Ephrata, WA
brother of Ferry County WA Undersheriff Matthew J. Lane, EOW 5/30/03

April 24, 2005

Fitz,
I am glad you were on our side big'un!
I miss those weekly visits on chain night. You always brought a smile.
THANKS...We've got it from here.

Cpl. Tedd Lanning
Potter Co. SO

April 14, 2005

Happy Birthday Michael!

November 14, 2004

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Tonight, July 8, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Sergeant Michael Fitzgerald who died in the line of duty on this date one year ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Sgt. Fitzgerald's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

July 8, 2004

JUST REMEMBERING AND MISSING YOU!

Anonymous

November 21, 2003

JUST REMEMBERING AND MISSING YOU!

Anonymous

November 21, 2003

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sergeant Fitzgerald. May he rest in peace.

Laura Garrett
Michigan

August 30, 2003

My heartfelt sympathy goes out ot the family and coworkers of Sergeant Fitzgerald.

Although I did not have the privilege to have known you personally, I grieve for your loss my friend. Rest in peace knowing that those of us left behind will proudly cover your post on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

August 25, 2003

Fitz was a good friend not just to me but to everyone he came in contact with. He had an unsullied reputation and was there for me as well as others when nobody else was. Many times I was on a call or a traffic stop and felt as if someone was watching me, only to turn around and spot that grey car unique to Fitz parked in an alley somewhere close by watching over to make sure everyone was safe, sort of a guardian to all. "It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go! "

R.I.P. Fitz, your memory remains

Deputy Derek Welch
Carson County Sheriff's Office

Was always there, whether you needed him or not. If it felt like someone was watching you from afar, it was probably Fitz across the street in his car.

God Bless You "Fitz"

I knew you a year before I learned your first name was really Mike.

An Ex DPD Officer who saw the light
and went with the good ole county boys

Mike is my big brother. I know he loved what he did for a living. He would never have had it any other way. I remember many conversations where he'd tell me of his hunts for the bad guys. I'd usually call before he went on duty and we'd end the conversations with how he had to get ready to go balance out the forces of good agaist evil and an "I love you". I went to the local law enforcement agancies there in and around Moore County, I figured my brother was well liked. I was wrong.....HE WAS AND IS LOVED!!
If a man is judged by the number of those who loved him, but also by the number of poeple he loved, then he most definately has a soft, warm seat in Heaven, with a wonderful veiw. I hope I honor him and make him proud for the rest of my days.
I miss you big brother, I will miss you more than any words could ever attempt to express. I love you! :*(

Emily Neel

THE FIRST TIME TIME I EVER MET FITZ THE DEPUTY I THOUGHT TO MYSELF I AM GLAD THIS ONE IS ON OUR SIDE. IF YOU HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET FITZ YOU WOULD SOON LEARN THAT WHEN FITZ DID HIS JOB IT WAS NEVER PERSONAL IT WAS JUST HIS JOB, AND HIS JOB IS WHAT HE WAS.FITZ WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ANYONE RATHER HE WAS CALLED OR NOT, IF HE WAS IN THE AREA HE WAS AT THE SCENE, IN THE SHADOWS BUT THERE AND WE ALL KNEW IT. WE AS OFFICERS HAVE A CODE OF ETHICS AND FITZ WAS A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THAT CODE.
AS I GOT TO KNOW FITZ THE MAN I SOON STARTED TO REALIZE THAT HE HAD A HEART BIGGER THAN THE MAN AND COMPASSIONATE SOUL AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST HE HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR AND THAT IS WHAT I LIKED BEST ABOUT HIM. I PROUD TO HAVE GOTTEN THE CHANCE TO KNOW FITZ, HE WAS NOT ONLY A EXCELLANT DEPUTY BUT HE WAS ALSO MY FRIEND AND HE WILL BE MISSED.

GOD SPEED (704) FITZ.......................

742
SPD

I REMEBER FITZ BY THE WAY HE TOOK ME UNDER HIS WING AND GAVE A VETERAINS ADVICE, AND HE WAS NEVER O BUSY TO FIELD A ROOKIE QUESTION. HE WAS ALWAYS READY TO HELP AND SHOWED UP MANY TIMES WITHOUT BEING CALLED HE WAS JUST THERE, AT A CALL THAT WAS DISPATCHED TO ME AND AS A ROOKIE HIS PRESENCE WAS A BLESSING AT TIMES.
BUT I REMEMBER HIM MOST BY HIS SENSE OF HUMOR AND THAT LITTLE SMILE THAT WAS ON HIS FACE WHEN HE WAS UP TO NO GOOD, AND OUR LATE NIGHT TALKS THAT WE WOULD HAVE JUST BEFORE HE GOT HIS NIGHT UNDERWAY.
FITZ WAS MORE TO ME THAN JUST ANOTHER OFFICER HE IS MY FRIEND, AND I AM PROUD THAT I CAN SAY I HAD THE HONOR TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW AND SERVE WITH FITZ, EVEN IF IT WERE FOR VERY SHORT TIME. IF I CAN BECOME HALF THE OFFICER THAT FITZ WAS THEN I HAVE SERVED MY PURPOSE HERE. GOD SPEED FITZ ......

I WILL PASS ALONG SOMETHING THAT FITZ TOLD ME IF I EVER FOUND MYSELF WHERE I HAVE TO MAKE TO CHOICE TO FIRE MY WEAPON OR NOT. HE TOLD JUST TO REMEMBER.

WOULD YOU RATHER BE JUDGED BY 12 THAN CARRIED BY 6

Anonymous

FOR FITZ
NOW THE LORD LAID ME DOWN TO SLEEP
HE TOOK MY SOUL, FOR HIS TO KEEP
I SHALL NOT WAKE ANYMORE
TO SEE WHAT EARTH'S LIFE HAS IN STORE.

HE CALLED ME TO HIS HEAVEN'S GATES
HE SAID MY SON YOU SHOULD NOT WAIT
I KNOW YOU LOVE THE JOB YOU DO
BUT HEAVEN HAS MORE IN STORE FOR YOU

I HAVE WATCHED YOU CLOSELY MY DEPUTY SON
AND SEEN THE GOOD WORKS YOU HAVE DONE
I NEED YOU HERE CLOSE TO ME
TO GUARD MY UNIVERSE YOU SEE

THE LOVE, CARING AND COMPASSION YOU HAVE SHOWN
LET PEOPLE SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TRULY KNOWN
THAT IN THEIR SOULS THIS IS WHAT STARTS
THE LOVE OF GOD IN THEIR HEARTS

AND SO I MAKE THEE DEPUTY FITZGERALD
A GUARDIAN ANGEL TO MY ANGELS HERALD
TO PATROL MY UNIVERSE OF LOST SHEEP
THAT THEIR SOULS I MIGHT ALSO KEEP.

WRITTEN FOR FITZ 07.24.2003
BY BRENDA MCCLURE
DISPATCHER

DISPATCHER BRENDA MCCLURE
MOORE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

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