Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Bruce VanderJagt

Denver Police Department, Colorado

End of Watch Wednesday, November 12, 1997

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Police Officer Bruce VanderJagt

YOU ARE REMEMBERD TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

November 26, 2007

Devil Dawg:

10 November - USMC Birthday. 11 November - Veteran's Day. 12 November - the Day That Changed Denver Politics Forever.

Do they confuse You for Mel Gibson, up there in Heaven?

So, now You patrol the Perimeter of Heaven, keeping the souls of anal pores like that of a certain Denver Skin, from ever entering.

May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

November 12, 2007

Bruce, you are on the minds of many as we still grapple to understand the senseless act that took your life.

RIP

Resident of Denver

November 12, 2007

Our Dear Bruce:
We continue to love and miss you deeply.
Time does not keep us from remembering you.

With our love~~~Anna & Hayley

This is a passage from Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet."

And an astronomer said, "Master, what of Time?"
And he answered:
You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.
You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons.
Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing.
Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness,
And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream.
And that that which sings and comtemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.
Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless?
And yet who does feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the center of his being, and moving not form love thought to love thought, nore from love deeds to other love deeds?
And is not time even as love is, undivided and paceless?
But if in you thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons,
And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.

November 12, 2007

Bruce, we are sorrowfully anticipating the day of the tenth anniversary and you leaving us. The pain has not lessened, if anything, it has become even harder to understand why you lost your life that fateful day. We are left with the memories you gave us and that must sustain those who miss you! RIP, for we know you are in a better place.

Anonymous in Denver, Colorado

September 27, 2007

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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

September 24, 2007

Remembering you this Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for serving your country as a Marine and a law enforcement officer. RIP

May 26, 2007

Thank you for protecting us all of those years. Your death has had a dramatic and lasting impact on so many in Denver. It is hard to believe the tenth anniversary is this year. We remember it like it was yesterday.

Rest In Peace!

May 5, 2007

We think of you often and know that you are protecting us from a better place.

April 7, 2007

Let's not forget the heroes like Bruce who protect us from harm's way!

Anonymous

March 9, 2007

Another holiday season passes and you are sorely missed. We know you are here in spirit.

December 19, 2006

Officer VanderJagt, you will never be forgotten. R.I.P.

Deputy
EPSO

December 18, 2006

Bruce was a hero in the eyes of many! May we never forget the brave actions he showed to us here on earth. I am sure he is doing the same in heaven.

Anonymous in Denver

December 13, 2006

My deepest sympathy to Officer VanderJagt's family and loved ones. I had the pleasure of meeting this Hero on New Year's Eve 1996. It was a domestic dispute, he responded to my call, patiently informed me of what legal steps I needed to take and was so very courteous and professional. I remember being in such awe at how much time he was spending to make sure I understood my options, especially since midnight was rapidly approaching. After thanking him, I remember telling him, "So sorry to take you away from your family on New Year's Eve." Officer VanderJagt smiled and said something to the effect of that is what he was there for. I thought about what a lovely family he must have to be so composed and calm having such a stressful job. I no longer live in Colorado but this Angel Hero touched my life that day forever. I will never forget him or his family. You will always be in my prayers. Thank you for the opportunity to finally tell Officer VanderJagt, "Thank you!!". Fredia S

December 5, 2006

Always remembered, never forgotten!

Anonymous in Denver

November 12, 2006

Dearest Bruce.....Nine years have passed. How can this be?
We love you and miss you.
Rest in peace.
With our love~~~A & H

November 12, 2006

May you Rest in Peace and may Our Lord ever bless your loved ones.

November 12, 2006

We remember you and never forget the happy memories you brought to so many. Those memories will forever be in our hearts.

November 7, 2006

Remembering you at this sad time of the year. You will never be forgotten, Bruce.

Anonymous in Denver

November 6, 2006

We will never forget you, Bruce!! Even as the days, months and years pass by, you are thought of often.

July 10, 2006

Today, Father's Day, you are sorely missed.
May you rest in peace.

June 18, 2006

Remembering you during National Police Week. Your brave actions will never be forgotten!

May 13, 2006

A dedicated officer who was doing his best to protect the citizens of Denver! You are sorely missed after all these years by those who knew you well, Bruce. You will never be forgotten by those whose lives you touched in one way or another.

April 21, 2006

Bruce VanderJagt.....a true American hero

Anonymous

March 11, 2006

A poem to reflect a Hero.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow,
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush,
of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am in the star shine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room,
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing,

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I do not die.

Mary E Frye, 1932

Corporal Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol - St. Augustine

February 26, 2006

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.