Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Brandy Lyn Winfield of the marion County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 77 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 14, 2023

That horrible anniversary is almost here again, buddy. Thinking of you and your Dad up there and hoping you found a good bowling alley, or at least running around with your book bag despite the conductor's disapproval.
Love you, brother.

MC
Galloway, OH

October 13, 2023

Still missing you, brother. You're always remembered.

MC
Galloway

March 26, 2023

Sara,

The morning after Brandy was murdered by that coward I remember walking into the daycare center to drop off my son so I could go to class at OSUM. I remember the look on everyone’s faces. I saw tears. I hadn’t listened to the news so I wasn’t sure what was going on. Then the director told me and my heart shattered. I couldn’t believe something like that would happen in Marion. Sure there was crime but not that kind. Not the murder of someone who protects us and especially not a deputy who was just trying to assist a stranded person. Over the next few days and weeks I learned more. The more I learned the more angry and heartbroken I became. I did not know Brandy but I knew he was someone whose not only job it was but passion it was to protect me and my son and our community if help was ever needed. That is such a selfless act. To learn that he had been taken from his wife and young children was devastating. I still to this day cannot wrap my mind around why this person felt the need to take the life of your husband. I have never forgotten about what happened. I listened to the podcast and learned so much more than I knew. I had no idea what had happened that the news didn’t report. It’s stories like Brandy’s and Your’s that cause me to become angry when I hear all this negativity about police these days. People have no idea what the officer is putting at stake and what the officer’s family may lose. I support the blue 100%. The news only shows the rare black sheep officers. They don’t do stories on hero’s anymore and it is sad. Your husband is a hero in my eyes and I want you to tell your boys that he is not forgotten. All of you paid the ultimate sacrifice that night. You all are still remembered even by complete strangers. Hugs, prayers, and love sent to you and your family.

Anonymous
Anonymous

February 5, 2022

Today a mailer arrived alongside the annual COPS calendar that showed a beautiful ornament created by your cousin. It caught my eye because your name is one I will never forget among the hundreds that have been engraved on the memorial since the year when your name and my brother's were placed on the memorial in DC. I will never forget because our family shared a table with yours at the COPS conference dinner that very first year we mourned, and also celebrated your tremendous service and sacrifice. You will never be forgotten. Your life and Matt's life will forever continue to influence the world for good. Thank you for making this a better place and giving us hope. I pray the best for your children and family.

Jenny Rittenhouse-Guinn
sister of Officer Matt Rittenhouse, EOW 9/16/04

December 6, 2021

Rest in peace.

J.R.

October 15, 2021

Seventeen years since this fantastic, first-class human being was taken from his wife, children, parents, brother, fellow officers, friends, and community. Still waiting for this loss to get easier, despite knowing it never will.
You and Rick keep reach other in line up there.

Love and miss you, brother.

MC
Galloway, OH

October 14, 2021

Today is 10/10, the 17th anniversary of Christopher Reeve dying. I lost a childhood hero and one of my best friends within 4 days of each other. Absolutely devastating, brother.
Please know that you’re not forgotten and never will be. You’re my brother in my heart and my brother in my soul, and I’m far from the only one who feels that way.
We love you, buddy. God bless.

MC
Galloway, OH

October 10, 2021

Happy birthday, brother!

MC
Galloway, OH

July 20, 2021

Hey dad it’s your boy Landon. I’m struggling right now. After I graduated high school everything hit me. Everything we have been through. You got murderd when I was 3. Then short 3 years latter Cory gets hit by a drunk. I remember parts of that. Fells just like yesterday almost. Today in 2021 I struggle tho. I believe myself I have PTSD or childhood trauma from all the bad things in my childhood. I have nightmares, flashbacks and more. I fell like if you were hear I wouldn’t struggle so much. I struggle with a lot of things. I begin my second year of college this fall at MTC for law enforcement. I passed all my classes in the spring semester. Sometimes I just look up at the clouds wondering what life would be like if you were here.

I got my second dirt bike. It’s a Honda CRF 150r. It’s FAST! LOL! As I’m riding it I could only imagine you riding with me. I know you would love to. When I’m riding my dirt bike everything goes away out of my mind. I just put my gear on and go. Same when I go running, cycling and go to the gym. This 4ty of July I bought my own fireworks to launch off. I know you would love to set them off with me. It would be a blast and funny! Going to do it at aunt Myrlians house!

Hopefully you see this bud! I’ll check back in soon!

Son

June 18, 2021

Hey dad it’s your oldest boy Landon. Today it’s Easter Sunday. Anytime a holiday comes around it hits me. We don’t really have big family get togetherness like we used to when I was little. Christmas is like the only holiday we really get together everything has changed. Thanksgiving,Easter, 4th July we don’t really have anywhere to go it almost seems like it. Ever since you got shot life for me has been hard really hard for me. Holidays really affect me I just think about all the family stuff we could and would be doing if you were still here. Happy Easter tho. I’m doing good in my law enforcement classes. I’m getting ready to do law enforcement United in May been training my rear end off for it! I’m doing it for you my best friend! Miss ya buddy

Landon Winfield
Son

April 4, 2021

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Winfield.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 30, 2020

Happy birthday, brother! Things are ridiculous down here. Very glad you’re out of harm’s way.

Love ya, buddy

M. Collins
Former MCSO

July 20, 2020

About a month before this happened me and my daughter were getting go-karts from in town we were heading out to St James and it got dark theis sweet officer used his lights followed us all the way home to make sure we made it safe this is a sad thing and he will always be missed.

Pamela Keller
Civilian

May 19, 2020

Hey, buddy. Things are really surreal down here. Virus everywhere and people not listening to the simplest of directions to prevent the spread. It honestly makes you wonder how we got this far as a species.
Miss you every day, brother.

MC
Galloway, OH

April 3, 2020

Hey dad it’s your boy Landon. I haven’t wrote on here for awhile but I’m just letting you know I’m doing good. I graduated high school to. At my graduation party the whole time I was just imagining the big stupid smile on your face. You probably be so happy cause your boy graduated. I also attempted to have my first beer I spit it out it was disgusting. I don’t know how in the heck you drank that. I’m gonna be going through the police academy next fall to follow in your footsteps. Be a police officer just like you. I’m really excited I know how excited you would be if you were here to see me earn my uniform. I want to be a k9 Police officer. People already tell me we look alike and when I put my uniform for the first time were really gonna look alike. I’m probably gonna cry to be honest. The only thing I won’t do it is pull my pants all the way up to my nipples like you did. Me and mom went up to the prosecutor office in Marion and went through all the stuff from the day you were killed. There’s still a lot I haven’t seen yet but I’m gonna see it when I’m ready to. Just the other day I went down in the basement and went through your unfiorm I put your pants and shirt on and it fits me perfectly. Life’s been hitting me lately though I’m really realized the impact from you being killed. Christmas we basically spend it alone. Thanksgiving we basically almost got no where to go it fells like it. It’s just been hitting me lately. I been making mom mad by blowing an air horn around the house. I also got my own dirt bike to you should see me ride it. I went nut first into a tree. When I did that it hurt but I immediately thought of the laughs me and you would of had of me going nut first into a tree. I’m also attempting to rebuild it. It’s gonna look really cool. I’m doing really good in bowling to. You got me started in bowling and I still do it to this date. I’m close to my 300. I’m gonna pull one out of my butt here soon. Here in May I’m gonna be going to police week and doing Law enforcement United. We ride on bike cycles and ride in memory on fallen officers. I’m gonna ride in memory of you.

Love ya buddy wish you could be here. Wish we could share some funny laughs but unfortunately we can’t. I’ve seen a lot of funny videos on the internet. There’s one where this one kid attempts to max out on the bench press but when the bar hit his chest he farted. I lost it broke out laughing. I was wishing you were here to watch that video with me my god we would laugh so hard.

Hope life in heaven is treating you well. Miss ya buddy.

Landon
Son he was my dad

January 10, 2020

I have always heard about your departure because my sister and your wife’s sister have been life long close friends. However for some reason, completely out of the clear blue sky, your story has been heavy on my heart for the past few days. I’ve been trying to listen to the podcast about you but I can only make it through about five minutes at a time because my heart is hurting so much for Sara and your two sons. I have no clue how Sara has stayed so strong. My heart just aches for you all. Thank you for your selfless service.

Amy
Friend

January 4, 2020

2020 is almost here, buddy. Makes me wonder what you'd be up to today. Getting ready for tomorrow's OSU Vs. Clemson game for sure. It'd be great to have a BBQ in this unseasonably warm December weather, have a few, and watch the game.
Still miss you, brother.

Matt Collins
Galloway, OH

December 28, 2019

This notification does not mention that the killer was an illegal alien in this country. This is an injustice! It is so relevant to what happened to Deputy Winfield. An individual in this country illegally did NOT want to be found out by a law enforcement officer. This notification needs to be better written to tell the real story.

Sgt. Jay S. Packard 1294 retired
Upper Arlington

October 16, 2019

That horrible anniversary is a week away. Fifteen years this time. You’ll never be forgotten, my friend.

MC
Galloway, OH

October 8, 2019

Happy birthday, brother. Wish I could buy you a drink. God bless, my friend.

Matt Collins

July 19, 2019

I have thought about you so much this week. You would be so proud of your boys! Landon looks just like you. He is about to do some great things, following in your footsteps...So much has changed but I still think of you often. You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

May 17, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Brandy Lyn Winfield of the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 71 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 15, 2018

I still remember that horrible phone call word for word 14 years later. You’re still remembered and very much missed, my brother. God bless you.

MC
Galloway

October 14, 2018

Happy birthday, brother. Miss you all the time.

MC
Galloway

July 19, 2018