Officer Down Memorial Page

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Wertz's family, friends and fellow officers. We honor his service to protect fellow citizens and the community. Unfortunately we are reminded again, that sometimes the cost of freedom is very high.

Greg Terp
Miami-Dade Auto Theft Task Force
August 7, 2006

GOD BLESS THE FAMILY OF OFFICER WERTZ. GOD BLESS ALL THE BRAVE POLICEMEN OF READING, WHO TRY TO KEEP THE CITY FREE OF CRIME. OFFICER WERTZ WAS NOT GUNNED DOWN IN THE STREETS OF IRAQ, BUT IN THE STREETS OF, ONCE BEAUTIFUL, READING.

August 7, 2006

I knew Officer Wertz and his family. He will be missed by all. God bless his courage and strength. His community should be proud of his service.

Former PO LeClaire
PCSO
August 7, 2006

You and your family are in my prayers.

August 7, 2006

From all of your Brothers and sisters at the Altoona Police Department (Altoona PA), Our deepest regrets for the loss of Officer Wertz. His family, Friends, and fellow officers are in our thoughts and prayers. May Scott rest in eternal peace and be with the rest of us who choose to keep the watch. God speed..........

Brothers and Sisters of Law Enforcement
Altoona Police Department, Altoona PA
August 7, 2006

I had the great pleasure of working with Scott at BCP for quite a few years. I know that he took the same dedication and integrity to Reading that he had while at the Prison. Like happened all too often, the good ones get away and move on. Our loss was Reading's gain. Even though I, too, left BCP - I still had the opprtunity to see Scott from time to time (especially at the ballpark) and he still had that enthusiasm and drive to be the best police officer that he could be and serve the people of Reading.
Scott was an outstanding person and officer and there is now a void that cannot be filled. The people who knew Scott understand, but a majority of those he protected will never fully comprehend what a loss this is and that is a shame.
The thoughts, prayers and sympathies of my entire family are with Scott's family as well as the Reading Police Department. We mourn his passing and pray that his family can find peace.
II Corinthians 13:11 states "the God of love and peace shall be with you" and we all have to remember that as we move on in the upcoming months.
We must mourn, but we must also remember Scott. We need to remember his sense of humor and his smile as well as his dedictaion to his job. We need to remember him for who he was and celebrate the time we had with him and revel in the way he touched all our lives and be glad and thankful that we knew him.

Greg Pomian
former colleague
August 7, 2006

I'm serving as an officer in Tennessee but was born and raised in Reading, PA. I absolutely know what Reading officers go through and my heart goes out to all of those who fight those streets! My thoughts and prayers are with the Wertz Family. May God rest Scott's soul and never ever be forgotten!

Patrol Officer Amberlece Melendez
Clarksville Police Department
August 7, 2006

Thank you so much for your dedication, hard-work and your sacrifice in trying to make our city safer!
God Bless your family!!
Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to please be with Officer Wertz's family and friends, we ask you that you take him into your kingdom where we all will be re-united!

Peter Sfameni Jr.
Reading, PA Business owner
August 7, 2006

God bless your family and brothers in arms.

You are why we serve.

Rest in peace my brother

Sergeant Joseph S. Jones
City of Sunbury Police Department, PA
August 7, 2006

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE OFFICER WERTZ AND REST EASY BROTHER, WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE.

TROOPER M L HASAN
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
August 7, 2006

Rest in peace brother in blue.

Officer Stan B. Speaks #2164
City of Columbus Div of Police
August 7, 2006

May God watch over your wife and sons during this tragic time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police
August 7, 2006

Rest in peace and God's speed, Brother.

Trooper
Pa State Police
August 7, 2006

God bless you for your bravery and service to all those around you. You will never be forgotten. You will always be a hero

Officer C. Walker
Plano PD, Texas
August 7, 2006

Scotty, Aka..Big daddy...we'll miss you man...You have been A good father ,husband ,friend a good competitor on the softball field as well as a great Police officer..you gave your all in everything you did ..I'm glad I had the opportunity to know you for the last 30 years and was lucky to work side by side wth you at BCP and on the street as well as on the softball field ..I'll never forget you and all the good times ..your friend Donny

Donny E. Marks
Reading Fire Dept
August 7, 2006

Although we had not spent time together lately I will always think of you as a dear friend of mine. May god bless your family and other friends You will be missed by all.

Ron Cucinotta
Friend
August 7, 2006

Off. Wertz...thank you for your selfless service. The rest of us will continue our work and remember your dedication. May God bless you and your family.

P/O
Cleveland, OH
August 7, 2006

Dear Mrs. Wertz,
I am deeply sorry for your loss and your boys loss. I am also going through the same situation as you are. My husband was shot and killed in the line of duty almost 2 months ago. I have two boys Alexander and Bryson, ages 9 and 6. Today is August 7, 2006 and I revisted the Fallen Heros site, which I did not even know existed before the death of Octavio. My heart hurts for you and your boys. For his coworkers and partner. I will be praying for your family, especialy you and your boys. Whenever you are ready to read these messages know that my family is thinking about you and will continue to pray for you. Feel free to email me and make contact with me if you would like when you ever you may be ready. I will write again. Take care and God help you through this tragic time. With deepest sympathy, Gloria Gonzalez

Gloria Gonzalez
Wife of Octavio Gonzalez EOW 6-16-06
August 7, 2006

You are a true hero to us all because of the your actions and ultimate sacrifice. You are not forgotten and you are in our prayers.

DE
St. Louis City Police
August 7, 2006

Officer Wertz, you are a true Warrior, and you have made the ultimate sacrifice. May God bless you, your family, and the members of the Reading Police Department. Rest in peace my brother.

Ptlm. Mark Marchesi #2528
Parkside Police Dept. (Delaware County, PA)
August 7, 2006

My prayers and thoughts to all who knew and miss Officer Wertz.

May God lay His healing hands upon the family.

Retired Captain Joe L. Gilliland
Danville, KY PD
August 7, 2006

Officer Wertz, you are a true Warrior, and you have made the ultimate sacrifice. May God bless you, your family, and the members of the Reading Police Department. Rest in peace my brother.

Ptlm. Mark Marchesi #2528
Parkside Police Dept. (Delaware County, PA)
August 7, 2006

My deepest simpathy to the family and friends of Officer Wertz. May God bless you and give you strength through this terrible time.

Rest in peace Brother.

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Sgt. Edward Bachert
Allentown Police Department
August 7, 2006

To Our Brothers and Sisters of RPD, Family and Friends of Officer Wertz my thoughts and prayers go out to you on this day. As I sit her thinking of what to write I came across this and would like to share it with you all:

The badge shines bright
On the shirt of blue.
It takes a strong soul to wear it
A heart that's proud and true.

He says good night to his family
before he walks out the door.
He must go watch the streets,
Yet he does so much more.

In his car, when the call comes,
The lights are flashing blue and red.
He would never hurt his children,
He can't believe what was just said.

With his partner awaiting,
He has to be there, he must answer the call!
The wife is frantic,
"Put the gun down," but the man won't withdraw.

Shots are fired, his partner is hit in the arm,
One more flash is seen, someone must fall.
His partner is there, and so is the man,
and on the ground He lies, giving his all.

He says goodbye to his family,
With the pain in his chest.
The lights are flashing, blue and red,
As he begins his final rest.

Leaving a wife and two children,
Is the hardest thing He would ever do,
How will they live,
What are they going to go through?

Will His children grow old,
will His wife move on?
Will they know how much He loved them,
Now that He is gone?

He was only doing His job,
Trying to help who He could.
It was never known hard it was to be a Cop,
But now His family understood.

On three cheeks, three tears shine bright,
Like rain from a cloud,
It takes three strong souls to shed them,
Saying goodbye from hearts that will always be proud.

Fred Massa Special Operations Division
Schuylkill Valley EMS
August 7, 2006

Thank You for your service Sir. God Bless you and your family. R.I.P. Never Forgotten!!!

Detective Lionel Garrett
Inglewood Polioce Department
August 7, 2006