Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Special Agent Frank Mitchell Ellerbe

Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia

End of Watch Wednesday, January 12, 1983

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Special Agent Frank Mitchell Ellerbe

Agent Ellerbe,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam-especially when you were wounded in action. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 12, 2023

Rest in peace Special Agent Ellerbe.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2022

I never knew you. I am friends with your daughter Tracey. Your story has inspired me to be the best Law Enforcement officer I can be. I too was a 10 year old little boy in Augusta, Ga when you were taken away, and while I don't remember it happening I promise you that I will carry you and your story with me forever. Till we meet my brother in blue R.I.P. and know that your torch will be carried on.

Former SS/A James Flowers
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

November 13, 2015

Missing you.

Gwen
niece

July 24, 2015

Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice.

Karen Petree
Kansas City Police Department, MO

January 12, 2015

Uncle Mick, I know you are looking down at us from Heaven. I remember you always stopping by our house in North Carolina when you would be on your way to Washington DC. You always had the most wonderful and kind words for me. Your smile lit up the room when you walked in. You were the most inspiring role model and the greatest of all Uncles. Rest in Peace, Uncle Mick. I love you!

SSG Travis Ellerbe
United States Army

December 25, 2012

Daddy,

As your 68th birthday (9/7/44) approaches, I am thinking of you as I have done ever single day of my life, since January 12, 1983. I was only 10 years old at the time, yet I have the best of memories! I love you and I miss you so much. I hurt thinking of all the father daughter things that we should have shared! You were taken away from us far too soon. I want the world to know that you were the best all around as a father and role model. Your void in my life is felt in my heart every second of every minute of every hour of every day! Rest on Daddy! Rest in peace!

Tracey Ellerbe "Tray"
baby girl

September 2, 2012

Rest in Peace, Special Agent Ellerbe. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 30, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Laslater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all of those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

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

January 12, 2012

Special Agent Ellerbe, I was reading the reflections people have left. It says alot that your children and extended family all had kind words. You were an inspiration to them and I am sure you continue to be.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE/PUT

December 22, 2009

It was not until this year's veterans day that I learn that you earned a Purple Heart, what a tremendous achievement!

What is a Vet?
He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day and making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel. He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang. He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL. He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand. He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep. He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU." Remember November 11th is Veterans Day.

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.


Poem by Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC

Charles Orgbon
Grandson

November 21, 2008

Uncle Mickey,

Thanks so much for being an inspiration in my life. You are truly an angel. We miss you and love you so much. Today is October 10, 2008 and your sister (aunt chris) is with you now. Thank you for flying down and walking with her. I know that there is a joyful celebration in heaven. Please keep check on my dad. He needs more than anything to feel the spirits of his siblings. During his darkest days and hours, wrap your arms around him and hold him gently. Always remember that we will always love and cherish you until eternity.

Love,
Monica R. Ellerbe

Monica R. Ellerbe
Niece

October 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 4, 2008

Frank,

While we only had the chance to meet twice before your death. I recall both of those meetings. The first was at the GBI HQ on the day I found out that I had been hired. You were at HQ for something and I was just getting off the elevator. Your kind words of welcome are still remembered.

I remember your funeral. It was the first GBI Agent's Funeral I had ever attended. I actually drove one of the vans that held GBI Agents and Employees, from Atlanta to South Carolina. During that trip, there were stories and memories of you passed around. At the end of that trip I felt that I really "knew" you.

To your children, be proud of your father. Keep him in your hearts forever. I know you miss him, as I miss my parents.

Frank, God Bless you and keep you.

Pete C. Chambers, Special Agent (Ret.)
Georgia Bureau of Investigation

November 8, 2007

Agent Ellerbe,
Although we worked together only on two occasions, while I was briefly detached to the GBI Major Violator Squad, You made a lasting impression on me as an individual and as a Law Enforcement Officer.
You will no doubt always be in the hearts and minds of those of us that knew you.

Herschell Hires
Former GBI LVS Agent

June 25, 2007

Uncle Mickey,

We all miss you. Mom reflects upon the good times of you and her growing up together all the time. She had part of her taken away when you passed. She has been strong as a rock in raising Gwen, Jimmy, and myself though. I remember you as a strong loving person with high values and I have patterned myself after you. You were taking away when I was 15, but you built and instilled a true model to follow. I am thankful that I am part of you.

Randy Bethea
Nephew

June 14, 2007

Dad, your death has left a huge whole in our family. I wish I could talk to you for 5 minutes. We all miss and love you.

Sean Ellerbe
Son

January 15, 2007

Dad, I just wanted to let you know that I miss you and I wish I could talk to you for just 5 minutes. Your death has left a huge whole in our family, there were things that we never got to talk about that fathers and sons talk about. You would be proud of all of us, me Tammy and Tracey. Even after all this time, I'm still learning about you. My mother has raised me to be the kind of son that you would be proud of, and it's because of her that I have gotten to know you better. We all miss and love you.

Sean Mitchell Ellerbe
Son

January 15, 2007

Frank, you were very special and had a great impact on my life. A friend from Tifton, GA

Sharon
friend

August 21, 2006

Uncle Mickey...I miss you. You were a hero to me and my brothers, Randy and Jimmy. You'd be proud of us all. I'm 40 now and have an 18 and a 19 year old; both boys. The youngest is real tall just like you. Your kids are well. Tracey and I are very close. You made such an impact on my life and I never got to tell you. But, I'm sure you knew. Just wanted to pay my respects. I love you.
Your niece,
Gwen Bethea-Dowell


niece

May 23, 2006

I have retired now, after 34 years with the Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Bureau of Investigation. When I was a very young supervisor of narcotics investigations, having walked the walk and talked the talk of a Narc, Frank Ellerbee and I worked together. Actually, I was Frank's supervisor, as much as anyone could supervise him. He was a great undercover narcotics agent that needed very little prodding to get the job done. He worked in a world that many citizens will never have to know because of his hard work and the hard work of others like him. Frank was a gifted undercover agent who gave his all for the citizens of the State of Georgia and this nation. I was working in Internal Affairs just before Frank was killed in the line of duty. I remember running into him one day at GBI HQ and I asked him if he was getting tired of working undercover dope investigations. He said he would work wherever he was needed and added that he would like to work in IA one day. I told him that I would swap jobs with him and he said, "not right now, I'm working near home." I remember flying to South Carolina in a GSP aircraft for Frank's funeral with several of our fellow agents. Frank's death was a personal loss to me and a great loss to the citizens of this state. God Bless you Frank. I hope you were able to smuggle in a half-pint. Col. Wally

SAC Walton G. Brooks GBI 28
Georgia Bureau of Investigation

March 19, 2006

ONE MOMENT

In the whisper of the wind,
I felt God embrace me.
As the voice of a loved one,
I heard God speak to me
Looking in a mirror
I saw God smile at me.
One moment and I knew
That God and I were one.

February 26, 2005

You are a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. We are proud of you and thankful for all of your service. May God bless you, your family.
AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

June 10, 2004

MY BROTHER, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. A HERO NEVER IS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

March 21, 2004

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