Officer Down Memorial Page

Deputy Chad Mechels, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Every time I start my shift, I think about you when I see your emblem sticker on my squad car. As the four year anniversary, we pledge to never forget and your memory is still alive today. Please watch over us as we continue the watch.

SD Law Enforcement Officer
March 15, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the third 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is my heart's embrace. especially your parents who I met at Parents Retreat. Thanks to your family for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections. I know today is such a difficult day, but you are loved and missed every day.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
March 15, 2012

just thinking of you buddy and missing you. watch my back brother.

Matt Schooley
February 16, 2012

Rest assured there those that remember your loved one.

Anonymous
February 16, 2012

Missing you every day. Love you more than you will every know. Its hard to believe you've been gone almost 3 years. The kids have grown so much, but I know you look down on them and are very proud of the people they are becoming.
Candra

Your Sister
November 4, 2011

RIP Brother Mechels. Gone but not forgotten.

Cadet Justin Harmon
Pierre Police Department Explorers
May 13, 2011

CHAD THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. Rest in Peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, and co-workers everyday. You will never be forgotten. God Bless your Family.

Dale and Becky Schroeder
Parents of Deputy Sheriff Travis Sass EOW 6-29-2004
April 19, 2011

My heart aches for your children as this anniversary passes yet again. Life can be so unfair.

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge - Proverbs 14:32.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada
March 15, 2011

Today will mark the second anniversary of the End of Your Watch. Your Sacrifice, Your sense of Duty, Your Ethic, Your Spirit... None of these will ever be forgotten. Your killer resides in Prison for the rest of his life, and your Spirit resides in our Hearts as we Carry On Your Fight for the rest of eternity. God Bless Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Chad Mechels, God Bless us All.

Sheriff Barry Hillestad
Day County Sheriff's Office
March 15, 2011

On 11/22/2010, after more than 20 months, Chad's killer accepted a plea arrangement and will spend the rest of his life in prison without chance of parole. The family is pleased with this sentence, Law Enforcement is pleased with this sentence, and the reasons are that his wife and family will not have to go through all of this over and over on appeals to a death penalty verdict. As Jamie Mechels (Chad's wife) stated, "We can now start to heal..." God's Speed Deputy, We shall Never forget your sacrafice.

Sheriff Barry Hillestad
Day County Sheriff
November 24, 2010

Deputy Mechels, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.
November 18, 2010

Blessed are those who serve and protect their fellow man and lay down their lives. Rest in peace, Deputy Mechels. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

SPO Ken Stock
Nassau County Probation Dept.
November 18, 2010

Thank you for your service Sgt. Mechels. It was an honor to attend your memorial service. Rest in peace.

Capt. Lee Hening
Sioux Falls Police Dept. Explorers
May 20, 2010

Sir, you are a Hero to the community and a Great Father. I had the Honor and Priveledge of meeting Avery today.

Anonymous
May 14, 2010

It was an honor to walk with you at the Memorial Wall Avery.

Officer Meredith Elrich
Hollywood Police Department
May 13, 2010

This morning I participated in the National Police Week 5K in Washington, DC to raise money for Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS). Upon registering I was given Chad L. Mechels name to wear. I just wanted to let Chad's family know that it was an absolute honor to run in his memory today. Chad and I are the same age and I cannot imagine how difficult this past year has been for all who loved him. My heart goes out to you all, especially his children.

Anonymous
May 8, 2010

On May 9th I will be participating in the Law Enforcement Memorial Bicycle Unity Tour. Our leg of the ride is from northern New Jersey to the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC for Police Week. We will pass through Newark NJ, Philadelphia PA, and Baltimore MD on our 4 day 300 mile ride to the Memorial. The ride benifits the memorial fund through the fund raising efforts of the participants. Over 500 police officers will make the journey from New Jersey.

I will be honoring and representing Deputy Mechels during my ride. I will be wearing a blue metal bracelet with his name and E.O.W. date on it. I have 2 of these such bands and am currently wearing one until we leave. Upon my arrival in Washington I hope to meet this Hero's surviving family and collegues at the candlelight vigil and present one of them with this bracelet.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and fellow officers, and i wish them strength during this difficult time.

Det. Michael Ciampi
Edison New Jersey P.D.
April 21, 2010

It is one year ago today that we said our last good-byes to you Chad. In the last year, we have strived to fulfill our promise to not let your Family walk alone. Many of us were with Jamie and kids, your Mom and Dad, your Grandparents, and others in your Family on this past Sunday as we celebrated your memory. I just wanted to say that after one year, our commitment to your family remains unchanged, the your memory has not dimmed, and your sacrifice has not been forgotten. Your family has become our family, and we will remain at their side. God Bless the Memory of Deputy Sheriff, Sargeant Chad Mechels, one of our Fallen Heroes of South Dakota.

Sheriff Barry Hillestad

Sheriff Barry Hillestad
Day County Sheriff's Office, SD
March 18, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this 1st 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 15, 2010

To Deputy Chad Mechels, his family and his fellow officers with the Turner County Sheriff's Department:

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

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff
March 15, 2010

I never knew you or your family but my heart breaks for all of you. I will be riding in your honor in the Police Unity Tour in Washington D.C. May 2010. I will have you and your family in my prayers. God bless!

Cpl. Jonathan Barrett
Georgia State Patrol
January 16, 2010

You were such a great man. You are missed by so many people. I think about you all of the time, and I wish so much that you were still here. You are a hero to so many people, thank you for all that you have done for everyone.

Anonymous
December 15, 2009

Deputy Mechels,
Thank you for dedication to your community and friends by taking on one of the most thankless jobs. My heart goes out to your loved ones, rest in peace.

Anonymous
October 4, 2009

My condolences to the family of Deputy Chad Mechels. I was Chief of Police in Parker, Turner County, SD from 1984 to 1990. May Chad Rest In Peace.

Undersheriff Cary Gill
Niobrara County Sheriff Dept.
May 16, 2009

Growing up as a South Dakota boy I always enjoy going home for the safety and security of such a great state. It broke my heart today when I learned of this trajedy and can only offer my prayers to Chad Mechels, his home family, and his working family. God be with you all.

Sgt. Rob Hansen
Otero County Sheriff Dept. (NM)
April 14, 2009