Officer Down Memorial Page

This is my father
Rip. miss you <3

Sonja
Daughter
March 10, 2012

Not forgotten. Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

kathy
Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. Dispatch
June 9, 2010

To Special Agent Michael Walkter Thyssen, his family and his fellow officers with the United States Air Force Office Of Special Investigations:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Specail Agent Thyssen’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Specail Agent Thyssen and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc.
Members and Staff
June 9, 2009

You are remembered today on this first anniversary of your passing. May your family be consoled with fond and loving memories of your times together, today and always.

Jennifer Mayo, sister of
Deputy Hilery Mayo Jr. EOW 6/9/07 STPSO
June 9, 2009

I worked with Mike when he was stationed in Izmir, Turkey and I was posted to the US Embassy in Ankara. He was helpful and professional and I enjoyed working with him very much. My condolences to the Thyssen family. God bless you all.

Sgt. Steve Coontz
BART Police Department
August 1, 2008

On the anniversary of your death you are still not forgotten and you never will be.
Rest in Peace Brother. We will keep a handle on everything down here while you walk a beat on the streets of gold.

Officer K.D. Matlock #748
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Ohio
June 9, 2008

At the one year anniversary of your sacrifice, allow me to say once again, Thank you sir for your service. You are NOT forgotten.

Jennifer Mayo, sister of
Deputy Hilery A. Mayo Jr. STPSO La. E.O.W 6/9/07
June 9, 2008

Hero's are never forgotten! Continue to rest in peace brother.

Paul Bodenhamer
Police Officer
Dept of Veterans Affairs Police

Police Officer - Paul Bodenhamer
Dept of Veterans Affairs
April 10, 2008

"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 12, 2008

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office
February 21, 2008

Gone, but never forgotten, Rest easy now my Brother in Law, your watch on earth is over...

SGT. John L. Gulledge (Ret.)
Escambia County Sheriff's Office Pensacola FL.
February 21, 2008

My Brother

Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.

He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what

they represent.

He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his

community and to his country.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.

He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.

He was competent, trained, and professional.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became

frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.

He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he

never wavered.

He stood by and for his fellow officers.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He longed for his family during the long hours.

He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely

weekends,holidays and midnights when they were apart.

He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling

and prayed they would understand.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.

He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the

people he served.

He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to

be the best he could be.

He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.



He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.



He was a cop, he was my brother.

DeputySheriff
February 21, 2008

Rest in peace brother. We've got the watch from here. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers who all mourn the loss of yet another hero.

Motor Officer Dominick Marraccini
Easton Police Department, Easton, PA
February 20, 2008

Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Agent Thyssen. God Bless him for his service to the United States Officer of Special Investigations. Rest in Peace brother, you will not be forgotten.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
CMPD Charlotte, NC
February 20, 2008

Thank you for your many years of dedication to your country, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
My throughts and prayers are with your family as they carry on in your absence.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04
February 20, 2008

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.

Dispatcher Ted Smith
Martin, TN Police Dept.
February 19, 2008

Special Agent Thyssen, Thank you sir for your service to this country. You and my brother died in accidents on the same day both serving your fellow man. You are a true American Hero and your family has a loved one to be proud of. God Bless.

Jennifer Mayo, sister of
Deputy Hilery Mayo Jr. STPSO Covington, La.
February 19, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Special Agent Thyssen as well as the USAF Office of Special Investigations. May you rest in eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse, NY Police Department
February 19, 2008

Special Agent Thyssen, thank you for your service and dedication. Watch over your family as they begin this long, dark journey without you. You will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO
February 19, 2008

Rest in peace Brother Michael, you are a true Hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.


Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7.15.73

February 19, 2008

I AM HONORED TO LEAVE A REFLECTION FOR YOU TODAY. THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE. GOD BLES YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
February 18, 2008

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Special Agent Michael Thyssen as well as to the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Rest in peace Special Agent Thyssen, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch, CTO
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL
February 18, 2008

Rest in peace Agent Thyssen...

Lieutenant
Genesee County, Michigan
February 18, 2008

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police
February 18, 2008

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Special Agent Michael Thyssen, and the USAF - OSI. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. SA Thyssen, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Stafff
Florida Police Chiefs Association
February 18, 2008