Officer Down Memorial Page

Rest in Peace, Deputy Sikes. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
April 3, 2012

I miss you my friend and we are reminded of you all the time.

Brandon Tripp
Friend
October 27, 2011

A stranger told me your story along with Deputy David James' story today while on a train ride in California. It was very moving. Know people all over the United States have not and will not forget!

"Freedom requires a sacrafice the protected will never know."

Police Officer
California
April 26, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 21, 2010

Mark, we love u and miss u, I know ur watching over us, we will meant again one day until then remember we will never forget u

Mindy Sullivan
friend
March 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the second 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 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
March 21, 2009

Two years may have passed but those that love you have thought of you every day. Their first thought upon awakening in the morning is of you and the last thought they have before drifting off to sleep at night is of you. Continue to keep watch over all of them. Let them feel your presence so that they know you are near and protecting them. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
March 21, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 21, 2009

I miss you terribly and am always thinking of you

Happy Birthday, I Love You!

Erica Cheek
Sister of Officer Sikes
February 10, 2009

I rode for the first time this year in the Police Unity tour and chose to ride for an officer that I didn't know. I picked up his bracelet because I had a C.O. in Basic training named Steven Sikes and his Band stuck out. I called my wife at home and told her I was going to ride for Eric and within an hour she called me on the phone and I could tell she was crying for Erics wife and Daughter. As a father of girls myself and a husband, I was honored to ride for Eric and send my heartfelt condolences to the fanily and friends of our lost brother.

Sergeant Michael Manson
Hartford Police , CT
August 28, 2008

Never forgotten. God Bless your family, friends and co-workers. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia
March 21, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
February 29, 2008

There is a hole in the Blue Line today
We lost a dear family member in gray.
Down in the “Line of Duty” he went
His full time here not yet fully spent.

His family and friends, they now gather near
To remember how it was, when he was here.
With sliding tear and trembling smile,
We know we won’t see him again for a while.

We reminisce and laugh a bit
At the thought of him not getting into it
With other gray brothers and sisters too
Chasing the bad ones and catching them too.

Now the Bagpipes are silent and the quiet descends
We know that our time with him never truly ends.
We feel him near on our daily patrols
Sitting there watching as our day unfolds.

But we know as we go along driving our beat
There is an angel there in the passenger’s seat.
Guiding our thoughts and our hands through the day
Keeping us clear of harm’s deadly way.

There is a hole in the Blue Line today
We lost a dear family member in gray.
Down in the “Line of Duty” he went
His full time here not yet fully spent.

We miss you.
God Speed My Brother.


Written By:
Angela R. Gates
Deputy Sheriff - Richmond County Sheriff's Department
Augusta, Georgia
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 2005 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Deputy Sheriff A. Gates
Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
February 6, 2008

Eric,
You are not forgotten. I saw David the other day at in-service and he is doing so well thanks to your gift. God Bless you my brother. We will be seeing you on heavens streets.

Deputy Sheriff A. Gates
RCSO
February 6, 2008

Eric,
You are not forgotten. I saw David the other day at in-service and he is doing so well thanks to your gift. God Bless you my brother. We will be seeing you on heavens streets.

Deputy Sheriff A. Gates
RCSO
February 6, 2008

Rest easy brother.

#4450
ATF
December 28, 2007

"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
November 12, 2007

Uncle Mark, you were such a caring, loving person. I miss you soo much, but i know that one day i will see you again. You inspired me to want to help people, just like you always did. I am soo proud of you and I can't believe that you're gone. It is soo weird with you not around, everything seems soo different. I was soo used to hanging out with you and now you're gone and i just really, really miss you, but i know that you are watching over me and everyone else. I LOVE YOU UNCLE MARK!!!

Lauren Cheek
niece of deputy eric "mark" sikes (EOW 3-21-07)
October 3, 2007

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Deputy Sikes, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Eric, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Eric's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Eric's life was about so much more than the way he died. Eric will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Deputy Sikes, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been four years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)
September 19, 2007

I moved shortly before this event happened, but it saddened me to learn this this deputy died in the line of duty.
I pay my condolences!!

Christopher J, Gooden
Misc.
August 17, 2007

Deputy Sikes left this world doing what he absolutely loved. Deputy Sikes will be missed but his memory will stay with us forever. If anyone is ever around the East Georgia Police Academy in Blythe, GA be sure to stop and look at the memorial painted infront of the flag pole. Me, Deputy Sikes, and others from class #179 painted this memorial in rememberance of those whos watch ended as ours began. There is a star for every LEO whos watch ended during our 12 weeks of training. But there is one star that was recently added seperate from the others, one of our own.....Deputy Sikes. You will be missed.

Deputy Reggan Jett
Richmond County Sheriff's Office
August 16, 2007

Eric, I will never forget our friendship and the many different ways you helped me. You were my friend and my brother in law enforcement. May you rest in peace knowing that you are not forgotten by not just me but many of your other brothers in law enforcement. In time we will meet again friend, so keep heaven's streets safe for all of us until that time comes. Dont worry about the watch here, we have it covered for you. To Eric's wife, daughter and family - there is nothing that anyone can do or say to calm the pain a loss such as this brings, but please know that there are many others that feel this pain and will assist you in any way we can. May God be with you. You will all always stay in my prayers.
"God bless the peacekeepers, for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven"

Inv. Alton Creech
Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Friend
June 30, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Sikes. Heros are never forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia
June 9, 2007

I have known "Mark" for years. We were in the same class from elementary until highschool. He was always such a good person. I have never met a person who was so selfless and such a caring person. What hurt the most is that we lost such a wonderful angel. I want to say to his family that I will keep you in my prayers. To his wife and child, you had to chance to meet such a wonderful person who was blessed with Gods love and devotion.

Ashley Simpkins
Childhood friend
May 28, 2007

Rest in Peace brother! Heart felt condolence to your family!

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside, Ca PD
May 13, 2007