Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Bruce,
How can it be that seven years have passed since you left us? You would be very proud of your daughter, HayleyBug, and I'm sure you're chuckling up in Heaven at her silly antics. You will always be a part of our lives, and we remember you today and always with great fondness and love.
~~~Anna & Hayley

November 12, 2004

Even though I never met you, I know Anna and Hayley very well and I know that you will never be forgotten. Thank you for all you did.

Cindy Ehlen
Fayetteville, North Carolina

November 6, 2004

Bruce, we never forget the sacrifice that you gave on that day. You will always remain in the hearts of those whose lives you touched in one way or another.

September 4, 2004

Never far from our thoughts.

anonymous

July 26, 2004

Dear Cousin Anna,
It's been six years since we spoke with each other in Denver. I was deeply touched by the conversation we had. I felt it a great honor to sit with you and Haley. I never forgot when you told me to, "Always be very careful while performing my duties as a police officer." I remember those words daily, whenever I get into my patrol unit. It is people like you, Bruce and Haley that inspire my life, and make a difference in this world. May God Bless all of you and keep you forever in His heart.
Lawrence

Officer Lawrence S. Martinez
Sandia Police Dept. Albq. NM

May 17, 2004

Bruce, you are thought of often and will never be forgotten!

May 9, 2004

You are missed by all those who knew you.

Anonymous

March 5, 2004

Bruce,

I knew you a long time ago from the ambulance. I think about you and your family often. As my husband and I are both Deputies, it still hurts my heart that you are gone. You were a good man. God Bless and keep a watch over all of us. Your family is in our prayers.

Deputy Julia Stokes
Washington County Sheriff

February 18, 2004

I attended the Police Academy wth Bruce...we were a very tight-knit group. even after six plus years, it is still hard to believe that this happened!
Rest in peace Bruce...you will never be forgotten. My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Anna and Hayley!

Officer Jeff Rawson
Clearwater, FL Police Dept

January 10, 2004

You will never be forgotten!

Anonymous

January 3, 2004

Our Dear Bruce:

Another fall, another November 12th.
And again, the skies are cloudy and the temperature is cool.
The feelings come rushing back in, and the sadness takes over.
But still, you must know that we are doing well with you watching over us and guiding us to a happy life.

We love you and miss you dearly.

A & H

November 12, 2003

Six years gone, yet seems like yesterday. You will never know how much you are missed.

Anonymous

November 11, 2003

rest easy blue angel

November 6, 2003

Missed greatly by those who knew you.

Anonymous

October 7, 2003

Bruce, you are missed daily by those whose lives you touched you. You are in our thoughts and we know that you are in a better place. We are thankful for the time you were in our lives even though it was not long enough. Rest in peace and thank you for the ultimate sacrifice that you made for others, it will never be forgotten!

Anonymous

NOT GONE
JUST GONE AHEAD

Anonymous

God saw he was getting tired,

A cure was not to be

So He put His arms around him

And whispered "come with me."

With tearful eyes we watched him suffer,

And saw him fade away.

Although we loved him dearly,

We could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hands were put to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

Anonymous

AN ODD THING HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO. I WAS ON VACATION IN NEW MEXICO, TAKING MY FAMILY ON THE TRAMWAY RIDE WHEN MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME THAT SHE JUST MET A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S DADDY WAS A POLICEMAN BUT HE WAS UP IN HEAVEN. THIS LITTLE GIRL IS NAMED HALEY. SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL. SHE IS VERY ARTICULATE AND STRONG. ON THE TRAM RIDE DOWN, I MEET ANNA. SHE HAD ASKED ABOUT THE SMALL BADGE THAT MY MOM HAS PINNED ON HER PURSE. MY MOTHER TOLD ANNA THAT IT WAS A LITTLE REMINDER TO ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER FOR HER SON. IT WAS THEN THAT I HAD REALIZED THAT I WAS TALKING TO YOUR WIFE AND DAUGHTER. WHAT A STRONG WOMAN YOUR WIFE IS, AND SHE IS RAISING A GOOD DAUGHTER THAT TALKS OF YOU WITH HONOR AND AND THE UPMOST RESPECT. ANNA TOLD ME THAT SHE STILL GOES TO ALL OF THE POLICE OFFICER MEMORIALS AND SHE IS VERY ACTIVE IN THE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THE FAMILIES OF FALLEN OFFICERS. I SAID ANOTHER PRAYER FOR YOUR FAMILY THAT DAY. I WAS REMINDED YET AGAIN HOW PRECIOUS LIFE IS. GOD BLESS YOUR WIFE AND DAUGHTER. TAKE CARE. 

JASON W. RAGLAND
COLORADO SPRINGS POLICE DEPT

Bruce L. VanderJagt - Philosopher, Warrior, Man of the Mind.

Bruce was a man of the most extraordinary talents and brains.  He was one of those rare individuals who are both dreamers and men of action.

It is astounding that he was even a police officer.  With an IQ off the charts, possessing a sense of self that would have literally enabled him to take on virtually any task, any career, he was the 20th Century version of the fabled "Renaissance Man."

Poet, artist, writer, philosopher, psychologist, sportsman, bodybuilder, a former Marine in Vietnam... the list of his abilities and his accomplishments goes on and on.

Well-liked and well-respected, people who knew Bruce knew it was an honor to know him.  Bruce always lived life large. The best legacy he has left the world, besides his only daughter, Haley, is the motivation within those who knew him well to live life to the fullest, without fear, with a sense of wonder and excitement, greeting the unknown as a new opportunity.

Living our lives this way honors the man and his memory.

Bruce and I were, as he put it, "close buddies," going back all the way to our senior high school days. He was as close to me as my two brothers, and I knew him for an all too short 30 years.

He will never be forgotten. And his spirit remains within all of us every time we act heroically.

Rest in peace, my friend.  You will always be well-loved, respected, honored and NEVER forgotten…

Terrence Bergh
Friend

Dear Bruce;

ears roll down once again, as I read the thoughts left by others.  I wonder and worry about your little girl, Haley, and your wife and family, all of whom you loved so.

I worry about each and every time an officer hits the streets and pray that they make it home each night. I did not know you personally, sir, but when we lost you, it didn't matter.Though it was so hard on the heart, I went to the Memorial Service. You touched so many lives. Each time I put that uniform on and start a new shift, I think of you. I think of the ultimate sacrafice that you made for all of us. I think of the great loss of one that cared so much for all, that he went in first, because other officer's were in harm's way. There are no words that could express the deep sadness we all feel here in Colorado. All of America has lost a true hero. You served in Vietnam as well. You dedicated your life so that this world would be a better place. God is watching over you now. We will never forget you Bruce!

Anonymous

It has been one year since you left us. One of the cowards who assisted in your death will be sentenced soon. Although justice may prevail the senselessness of what happened is overwhelming. I pray for your family, and know you watch over all of us, your family of blue. God bless you and take care of you.....…

Anonymous

You Fight What We Fear

You fight what we fear

Day in, day out

For it is part of your creed

You fight what we fear

And you do it without a doubt

No matter what it is we may need

You fight what we fear

And you're not always perfect

But it takes alot of guts to be you

You fight what we fear

It's a time honored profession

An honor enjoyed by few

You fight what we fear

At times risking death

Answering the call no matter where

Yes, you fight what we fear

And if you should pass

May God be your cover car there

Mike Navarro

Officer VanderJagt, today is a day of great sadness as everyone copes with your death. Though I
did not know you, I was outraged at the senseless, violent act that brought your life to an
abrupt end. For the past few years I have explored law enforcement and heard the tales of
officers putting their lives on the line. Many times I have stopped and tried to think about
whether I could make the ultimate sacrifice as you have done. And now as I deal with the shock
of your death I realize that it is a sacrifice that somebody has to be willing to make, and
that I am willing to make it. I hope that as you look down from above you will see our community
becoming a safer place for children such as your Haley to be raised in. Thank you for your
sacrifice.

Anonymous

As I sat at your memorial I could see the compassion you displayed toward your fellow officers
in District 3. I could feel in the air how you brought joy to all those who have had the honor
of meeting you. Although we never met my heart ached to here that you were killed by such a
coward. May the lord keep you in the glory of heaven. You will never be forgotten, and may the
lord watch over Anna Marie and Haley.

Anonymous

Even though I did not know this brave officer, it still hurts when we have to hear about one of
our own being killed. There isn't a single person in any police department in this country that
wants to go to another officer's funeral. It is unfortunate, however, that this will not be the
last time. We will continue to pray for the VanderJagt family...

Anonymous