Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Daryl Michael Raetz

Phoenix Police Department, Arizona

End of Watch Sunday, May 19, 2013

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Police Officer Daryl Michael Raetz

A decade has gone by but the loss is still felt by me and many in your family, PPD family, Class 435, USMC and USN. You are a true hero and someone I share their story as a Patriot and a person dedicated to serving others. Know we have not forgotten.

Chris Moore
Chief of Police
Palomar College Police Dept. CA
Phoenix Police Retired #5545

May 20, 2023

On the 10th anniversary of your death and the 7th anniversary of Glasser, I lay here in my bed with my wife and wonder if I made the right choices. I followed your foot steps and took your advice after all those ride alongs. I joined the Marines, I became a Phoenix Police Officer, I rolled the streets of Maryvale as 821K and Cactus Park as 911K, I even had your attitude towards the department and the drive to catch bad guys. I never spoke of you except to a select few. You were my beacon of hope and drive, my purpose and my fight. I did my best to maintain your legacy by doing the job the way I thought you would have done it. Having left the department since, I hope this is what you would have wanted for me, and I will strive to continue to make you proud over these next 10 years. I know you’ll have my back till Valhalla.

Semper Fi brother,

Z. M. Alex #9734
Phoenix Police Department/USMC

May 19, 2023

Officer Raetz,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served as a U.S. Navy Corpsman with the 1st Marine Division in Iraq. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Doc!

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 19, 2023

Rest in peace Officer Raetz.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 22, 2021

Rest In Peace

Mark Mottola

May 19, 2020

Remembering Daryl on this day. Class #429 ALEA

J Coskey
Amtrak PD/Philadelphia, PA

May 19, 2020

Daryl, I am heart broken to hear of this. I was hoping to see you pop up at the reunions at Camp Pendleton. Cindy your son was a great man, an outstanding Corpsman and human being. The world is at a loss without him.

Joseph M. Noack
3rd battalion 1st marines

December 27, 2018

As I have been sitting here for over an hour reading every word from every person who had some great connection with my son, or wished they had, the tears still fall from my eyes. Oh my love, I miss you more everyday that passes by. My life does not get any better missing your beautiful blue eyes, dimples, and contagus smile. Such a loving, caring, Christian and all around awesome son. The empty seat every holiday, and the worst day for me today, is the day I brought you into this life. Oh how I wish I could just hold you again, give you a big hug, and tell you how proud I am of you, and how much I love you. JUST ONE MORE TIME!! I miss my D so so very much. Thank you to all for the love. Merry Christmas buddy. We have your seat saved at the table again this year.

Cindy Raetz
MOM

December 20, 2018

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

September 13, 2018

I was lucky today Centurion. I got to face time your beautiful wife, daughter and mom. I got to talk to your best friend who thanks to you is now my friend. I shared with the future Centurions in my Department your sacrifice. Who knew I would be working at the college you attended while serving our Country in the Navy. You were the real deal-fearless-humble. I talked about you saving your father in laws life and so many others on the battlefield of Iraq.
I was lucky to know you.
ALL GAVE SOME-SOME GAVE ALL -435!

Chris Moore
Chief of Police Palomar College Police Department

May 18, 2018

Rest well my brother. You have paid the ultimate for your community. May you watch over your family from Heaven, and may they gain strength each day for your loss. May that illegal person be deported after he completes his parole. And to hell when he dies.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
N.Y.P.D. (retired)

May 19, 2017

I was deeply saddened to hear the news today. I had the privilege of serving the Doc Raetz in Iraq. He was the definition of integrity. I can not express enough my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family. Doc was a true American Hero

Friedman
USMC

September 20, 2016

Rest Easy Brother

K9 Sergeant Mac Fields
Borger Police Department

May 19, 2016

Thank you for your service to our Nation and to your community! Condolences to your family in blue and your family at home.

K. Hunter

May 19, 2016

I hope you are watching all of us and protecting us from heaven god bless you hero.

Phillip Brock. Security Officer
Australia

January 17, 2016

I was thinking about you today. Thinking back to the academy days. Thinking about the mountain trial runs...I should say you running..me trying to keep up in the back, getting yelled at to speed up and catch up to Daryl. I never did catch you. Thinking about your family and your beautiful daughter. May they some day find peace. I think about you every day before hitting the street. Your the best brother.

Bob Adrion 9111
Phoenix Police

November 5, 2015

Everyday in briefing, I look at your memorial chair and know that you're there and have our six. Almost everyday, I drive by your memorial placard and reflect on your sacrifice. Everyday, when I sit in my patrol car, readying to hit the streets of Maryvale, I prepare myself to honor that sacrifice.

J.L.Jansma #9573
Phoenix Police

September 11, 2015

I do not live in Arizona but I also watched the American Ninja Warrior compete in honor of Officer Raetz. I will pray for his family. It's obvious that he will be remembered by many people.

Bill McGarry

June 13, 2015

I also watched your best friend and fellow officer from Phoenix PD, compete on American Ninja in your honor! I live near Phoenix and remember this horrible incident. My prayers are with your family and friends. Your legacy lives on sir!

(Retired) Comm Supervisor
RSO

May 28, 2015

I have been an Officer in California for 24 years, and unfortunately did not hear of your tragic on duty death when it happened. It is now 2015, and I saw your co-worker , fellow Officer from Phoenix PD, and childhood friend compete on the American NINJA Warrior in your honor. You still live on!!

PSOII Patrick M Utter
Sunnyvale DPS

May 25, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 19, 2015

Darryl,

You paid the ultimate sacrifice. We go the watch now. Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service.

Robert
Phoenix Police Department

January 2, 2015

Daryl was also survived by his Mother, Father & brother.... Daryl your mom is a wonderful person so I can see where you got it from for sure! Thank you for your service to our Country and to my City of Phoenix. You won't be forgotten Daryl & you have been memorialized on the "The Remembrance Project & Stolen Lives Quilts" by Remember1986.com

Barb

June 30, 2014

Was honored to be with Raetz family at National Police Week. The one thing I have learned about Daryl is the care and concern expressed by his family. Seeing the family in action over the last 12 months is humbling. He was a great man, son, brother, father, husband, sailor, policeman and friend. Your friends and 81K paid tribute to your memory. You are missed and your legacy continues.

Lt. C.J. Moore
PPD Centurions 435

May 20, 2014

I can't imagine my children without their father on Christmas morning. I can't imagine burying my son. I can't imagine raising children without their father. I know people, during times like these and wonder why was he taken. What do we take from this loss? For those of you who were closest to Daryl, take his selflessness and dedication and emulate it. God takes people from our lives so he can punctuate particular attributes or gifts that we have or that we need to share. Not so easy to stomach, not easily focused on, but very important. I think about his humble quiet ways which made him stand out to me. I focus on the example he was to his family and fellow officers. And, I try to walk in his shoes and be worthy of his sacrifice. That is what I take from his loss. I hope I am a better example to my fellow officers and my family because of knowing him. A true blessing.......

Sgt. Gregg Rath
Phoenix Pd.

December 14, 2013

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.