Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May God hold Patrolman Kotecki in His loving hands. My prayers for his family, friends and fellow officers. K-9 Benny was a good and faithful partner and served Kotecki until the end. His service will be remembered and he will be loved until he meets his partner at the Rainbow Bridge.

Victoria Draper, past president
Citizen Police Academy Alumni

October 13, 2011

The Officer stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes where shining just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Policeman, how shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?"
The Officer squared his shoulders and said, "No Lord, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a saint."
"I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes i've been violent, because the streets are mighty tough."
"But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills just got too steep."
"And I've never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear, and sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears."
"I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears."
"Lord, if you have a place for me here, it needn't be so grand. I've never expected or had too much, but if you don't I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints had often trod, as the Officer waited quietly for the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now Policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell."

Author unknown

Police Officer
friend

October 13, 2011

The officers and staff of the Chestertown Police Department offer our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and fellow officers of Patrolman Derek Kotecki. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you rest in peace Derek.

Cpl. Brett Lysinger
Chestertown Maryland Police Department

October 13, 2011

Our heartfelt condolences to Officer Kotecki's family and the Lower Burrell police agency. Our prayers for strength and solace are with you and K9 Benny. Your sacrifice is of the deepest kind. If it is at all possible be assured that God has our days numbered in His book even before we are knit together in our mother's womb. Our deepest respect to you, Officer Kotecki.

Patrol Officer and K9 Handler
Manitowoc County Sheriff's Dept

October 13, 2011

R.I.P Hero

Praying for peace and comfort for his family, fellow officers, K9 Benny and their community.

Becky Ginsbach
Citizen- Estacada Oregon

October 13, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ptlmn Kotecki"s family and brother officers.Thankyou for your sacrifice to keep all those who you protect and serve safe . Rest in peace BROTHER we have the watch now.

ptlmn T.R. Piotrowski
Hellertown Police Dept

October 13, 2011

Rest in peace Officer Kotecki. God bless your family and friends they are in our prayers. God Speed, Brother.

Sgt. Jarrod Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

October 13, 2011

Sincere condolences and prayer's to the Family at this difficult time... No words can express my feelings for the family, I can only say from experience that God will be with you through these difficult days ahead and Derek will continue to watch over you until we all meet in Heaven. God Bless you Derek Kotecki. Mat: 5-9

Tom Wall Sheriff-Ret
Dickson County Sheriff's Office

October 13, 2011

RIP Ofc. Kotecki. Thank you for your service. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Steve Sproull
PA Game Commission - New Kensington

October 13, 2011

RIP, my brother. We have the watch.

“And each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword. Ready to do what a hero can.”~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Corporal Frank Longoria
Liberty PD Texas

October 13, 2011

The family of Patrolman Kotecki are in my prayers. May God be with you always. God bless his fellow LEO's who suffer as if this was their blood brother. I know that you will take his family as your own and see to their well-being.

Vickie Davis
Family member of a fallen officer

October 13, 2011

Rest in peace, Patrolman Kotecki. You made the ultimate sacrifice and have now claimed the ultimate reward as your fallen brothers and sisters welcome you with open arms. Special prayers are being sent up for your family and brother officers, that they may know peace in this time of despair, as may your partner, Benny. Thank you for your service. It won't be forgotten.

C. Tidwell
wife, daughter, granddaughter and niece of a police officer

October 13, 2011

To the Family, Friends and Colleagues of Patrolman Derek Kotecki please be aware that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time, and that I give thanks to Almighty God that very brave police officers like Derek Kotecki continue to serve their communities and countries to keep their citizens safe.

Don Buxton
Son of a long-retired UK Police Officer

October 13, 2011

God Bless Officer Kotecki and his family. God Bless his K-9.
Thank for your service.

Det.Sgt. Robert Spinney Ret.
MBTA Transit Police Massachusetts

October 13, 2011

Thank you for your sacrifice and may you rest in peace.

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney
Virginia

October 13, 2011

Rest in peace brother Kotecki - job well done - a HERO to all.

May God Bless your family at this time of need.

det JP McGrath(retired)
schenectady Police Department

October 13, 2011

It is with a heavy heart that my prayers and my condolences go out to the family of this honorable Hwy Patrol Officer. Rest in eternal peace and till that day when we shall meet again with those gone on before us. Thank you for your honorable service Officer Kotecki. You will never be forgotten.

Margaret Hood / Ret'd / NLEODM/
Citizen Watch

October 13, 2011

You became a hero the day you took your oath, not the day you fell. Rest in peace. Blessings to your family.

Kevin Alleyn
Son of fallen CHP-Newhall incicent

October 13, 2011

GO WITH GOD, MY BROTHER:
We will always remember your service and your sacrifice. May God watch over your family, friends, and "K-9" Benny.
"Thank-you for carrying the standard foward.

SCOTT BARKSDALE,
Former U.S. Marine and Deputy Sheriff

DEPUTY SCOTT BARKSDALE
RICHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.

October 13, 2011

Proverbs 28:1 "The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion."
I may not be the most religious man, but may God bless you and bring you into his kingdom. May God bless your family and colleagues with the strength to carry on.

MPO Gary Felice
Tampa Police Dept (FL)

October 13, 2011

Almighty Father, eternal God, hear our prayers for Your son, Derek whom You have called from this life to Yourself. Grant Derek light, happiness, and peace. Let him pass in safety through the gates of death, and live forever with all Your saints in the light You promised to Abraham and to all his descendants in faith. Guard him from all harm and on that great day of resurrection and reward raise him up with all Your saints. Pardon his sins and give him eternal life in Your kingdom.

Civilian Bill Mann, South Pasadena, CA
An admirer

October 13, 2011

"GO WITH GOD, MY BROTHER"
You have made AMERICA a better place. I will keep you and your family members, as well as "K-9" Benny in my thoughts and prayers. "Thank-you" for your sacrifice. God Bless You Always.

Deputy Scott Barksdale,
Former U.S. Marine and a Deputy Sheriff

DEPUTY SCOTT BARKSDALE
RICHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.

October 13, 2011

Lower Burrell is next door to my hometonw in PA - the loss hits particularly hard knowing Derek is my age and probably graduated from a rival high school the same year I did in Deer Lakes.
My and my family's prayers go out to Derek's family and the members of the LBPD.

Sergeant Nicole Girardi
Boca Raton Police, Florida

October 13, 2011

Rest in peace Brother Derek.

Ofc. Timothy M. Furlong
Nahant, MA PD

October 13, 2011

To family and friends:

'God didn’t promise days without pain,
laughter without sorrow, sun without rain;
but He did promise strength for the day,
comfort for the tears and light for the way'.

Rest in peace Officer Derek Kotecki.

Sgt. Randy Keenan (Ret)
Alameda, CA Police Dept.

October 13, 2011