Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Allen William Gibson, Jr.

Waverly Police Department, Virginia

End of Watch Saturday, April 25, 1998

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Patrolman Allen William Gibson, Jr.

My prayers are with you and your family.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

September 30, 2007

Sometimes it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like it's been a million years since you were taken from us. Wonder if it will ever really "sink" in. It's just so weird. Unless somebody has been down that road they have no idea the emptiness you carry inside you forever.

Just thinking of you....

Laura

August 28, 2007

i just wanted to take this time to express my sympothies to the family of Allen, and his friends... i knew both Allen and his brother Doug in highschool... being a former police officer myself, and having a twin brother that is a police Lt. i too have faced the utter emptiness and loss felt when brave officers are taken from us... Allen along with people like myself do a job that most dont want to do, and for that i comend him and everyone else that dares to wear a uniform... rest in peace brother...

Erik Miller
Wallens Ridge State Prison

August 24, 2007

VERY touching poem. Its nice to see that after all this time, you still write to your husband. I just graduated from the police academy in Georgia, and it sounds like I could have learned alot from your husband. Thanks for the poem, it was beautiful.
Kenny Grant

Kenny Grant
Richmond County Sheriff Dept.

June 20, 2007

Just missing you today, thinking of you, and wondering how things would be today if you hadn't been taken away from us that day. I love you.

Laura

June 10, 2007

Happy Birthday!!! You would have been 35 years old today. I'm sure you're having a blast up there in Heaven today. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. I sent your Mom a card letting her know I was thinking of her as well. I know your birthday is especially hard for her so I wanted her to know she was in my thoughts and prayers. Hope it helped her in some small way.

Laura

May 4, 2007

Happy Anniversary. It would have been our 11th one....

Laura

April 27, 2007

A salute Patrolman Gibson......9 years E.O.W

Officer
Chesterfield County Police Dept.

April 26, 2007

Rest easy Brother.

Former Police Officer
Warrenton,VA

April 25, 2007

Just wanted you to know you were on my mind and in my heart today. Nine years ago today you were taken from us. I don't know how much I can write today, it's just not a good day...maybe tomorrow. Anyway, we love and miss you more than you know...

Laura

April 25, 2007

Allen,

I remember I was only 15 years old when I met you. I had known Laura for most of my life and I remember when she met you she was so happy!!! You made her life complete. I remember when Mom and Tim would go to Laura's parents before and after church and other days just to visit I would always come over to see you and Laura because you two were the happiest of any couple I had ever met. Like I said, I was just a young teenage girl and I looked up to both of you. You two truly reminded me of a story-book romance and to me you were such a perfect couple. You two had the relationship that I wanted for myself. I remember before Laura met you she would get sad sometimes and say she just wanted to find a good man who would love God, Love her, and be good to her and when you came into her life her prayers were finally answered. I remember thinking that I wanted my life and relationship to be just like your's. A truly happy, in love couple, who love each other and always love God even more and always did your best to put him first. And I remember your beautiful daughter and how much you loved her!!! I also remember how much Laura loved her. And then, on Sunday, April 26, 1998, I remember my Mom calling me early that morning and telling me the horrific story about what had happened to you and that you were gone. I remember thinking that I could not imagine the PAIN Laura, Your beautiful little girl, and your family must be feeling. And then I remembered that the next day would have been your 2nd wedding anniversary and thinking how in the world will Laura be able to deal with loosing you. I kept thinking WHAT could I do to help her and help ease her pain and then it came to me...There was nothing I COULD DO! Nothing anyone could do, because we could not bring you back and that is the only thing that would ease her pain. So then I began to Pray and Pray and Pray some more, and I know that is how Laura and your family has been able to survive. Because you really was such a wonderful person and I know that they have peace in their hearts knowing that ONE DAY SOON you all will meet again. Until then, I know everyday is rough, some harder than others, but I wanted to let the Family and esp. my dear friend Laura know that I will continue to keep you in my prayers. I know I have rambled on and on but I just found this site today and I could not rest without leaving my reflection of such a truly wonderful man and a real LIFE HERO!!! Laura feel free to contact me if you would like at [email protected] . I love you like a sister and I want you to know I am here for you ALWAYS.

With Love,
Angie

Angie Dickenson
Friend

April 9, 2007

Happy Easter!! I can't imagine what goes on up there on Easter Sunday. There must me quite a celebration.

Laura

April 8, 2007

Although I never had the chance to know Allen Gibson I have heard of what a great man he was through mutual friends. The life he led touched the lives of a number of people. He is a great American Hero.

Deputy Sheriff
Dickenson County (VA) Sheriff's Office

March 22, 2007

After I posted on your site I visited another officer's ODMP site, Cole Martin. I've become really good friends with his fiancee Jessi. You and Cole were both killed on April 25 so Jessi & I have learned to lean on each other for support. Well, she had a song posted on his site that I had never heard before now. The song suits you to a T!! miss you....

Warning...song WILL bring tears!!!

Here's the words:

"Heaven was needing a hero" by Jo Dee Messina

I came by today to see you
I had to let you know
If I knew the last time that I held you was the last time
I'd have held you and never let go

It's kept me awake nights, wondering
Lie in the dark, just asking why
I've always been told
You won't be called home
Until it's your time

I guess heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you

I remember the last time I saw you
You held your head up proud
I laughed inside
When I saw how you were standing out in the crowd
You're such a part of who I am
Now that part will just be void
No matter how much I need you now
Heaven needed you more

Cause heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you

Heaven was needing a hero
and that's you

Laura

March 21, 2007

Just thinking about you and thought I'd get on here and see if anybody new had posted. I'm so glad to see that others think of you often as well. I've already emailed Richard so hopefully I can stay in touch with him. I love hearing the stories about you at work. See, I didn't know you were so mischievous at work!! Just hearing those kind of stories helps keep your memory alive, which is so important to us all!!

Laura

March 21, 2007

Allen I have heard so many great things about you. Even though I never met you, Scottie Owens, former Dickenson County K9 Deputy told me that you were a great guy and that he had attended the police academy with you. You are a hero Allen and I send all my prayers to you, your family and friends. Watch over us all...

Deputy Sheriff Brandon Yates
Russell County Sheriff's Office

March 3, 2007

HEY BUD I GET ON EVERY OTHER DAY TO READ ALL OF THE REFLECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN TO YOU AND CANT HELP LOSING IT WHILE I READ WHAT EVERY ONE HAS WRITTEN. YOU WAS THE FINEST POLICE OFFICER THAT I HAVE EVERY MET. I JUST WISH I COULD BE JUST A FRACTION OF A POLICE OFFICER THAT YOU WAS. I READ WHAT THOMAS HAD WRITTEN ABOUT THE GRAVE YARD AND I GOT TO THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THE TIMES THAT YOU WOULD GET INTO SHANNONS LOCKER AND OPEN ALL OF HIS CANS OF SKOAL AND GET A DIP AND PUT IT BACK AND LATER OPEN ANOTHER ONE. BOY HE REALLY RAISED CANE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHO DID THAT. WELL I MIGHT BE GOING ALMOST HOME SOON I WAS OFFERED A JOB AT ST, PAUL AS THE TRAINING OFFICER FOR THAT DEPARTMENT. MAYBE I CAN GET UP WITH LAURA`S DAD AND TALK TO HIM. WELL GOT TO GO FOR NOW I WILL TALK TO YOU SOON AND LAURA IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO E-MAIL ME YOU CAN AT [email protected] I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU ITS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I HAVE TALKED TO YOU.
WELL GOT TO RUN R. D. WHITE

PATROLMAN RICHARD WHITE
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MENTAL HEALTH INST.

February 27, 2007

Just thinking about you and thought I'd check your website. I was so glad to see that Richard had posted something on here. I know you liked him so much. It makes me happy to know you haven't been forgotten by those you worked with. I was very touched by his story. Maybe one day I can talk to him about it. I never heard that story until now. I knew you were watching over us but now his story just confirms it. Thank you and know we love and miss you greatly.

Laura

February 15, 2007

Allen was a great person so high on life and all he wanted to do was to make a difference. He always said if he could just help one person that he had did his job. Allen was never a slacker always on the go. he was one heck of a investigator i remember one time he was working on a B&E he never gave up just like a blood hound and i was in Roanoke at the police academy and he had to call me at 06:00am and tell me he had solved the case and made 2 arrest on the case. He was on top of the world because this was his first big case and he did such a good job with that case i promoted him to head investigator for our department.
Even though he was killed in the line of duty in in 1997 he saved my life in the year 2000. i was working in Damascus, Va and as i was starting my midnight shiftthere was a car that stoped behind my car and then pulled out again with out looking at me. i followed the car and observed the driver all over the road so i attempted to pull the car over and Allen was telling me to watch the vehicle. so i decided to stop the car at the car wash with a lot of light and as i turned the blues on he stopped on the darkest street in town as i was getting out of the car allen told me not to walk up to the drivers window. It wass a 4-door car so i stopped at the back door and asked for the drivers o/l and he stated he didnt have any and so i asked him where he had been and ( this is the scariest part )he told me that hed ahd just killed his girl friend. after he was removed from the vehicle and placed in the back of my car he told the detective that had was waiting for me to walkj up to the window so he could shoot me.
he was on his way to kill seven other people that night but made a wrong turn. THANKS TO YOU ALLEN UNIT 403CPSD
YOU SAVED MY LIFE AND YOU ARE MY ANGEL LOOKING OUT FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS PUTTING THERE LIFE ON THE LINE.
YOUR FORMER CHIEF RICHARD D. WHITE UNIT 401

Patrolman Richard White
Southwest Virginia Mental Health Hospital

January 23, 2007

Merry Christmas, Allen! I hope that all you guys are having a blast up in Heaven. For Laura and I, it's another 'anniversary'.... the 25th of every month is always a reminder.... one more month gone by. I am so glad to have laura to vent to every once in a while. i only wish we lived closer so we could help each other through more of the rough days. just when they seem to subside, they creep up again, hitting you hard in the heart and mind. sometimes you're flooded with images, memories, emotions, and thoughts... they all get jumbled and you don't know what to make of them. in the end, you're left with an emptiness, a longing that can't be filled. and you know that the only thing we really know is that our heart still aches and still loves you guys very much. i hope that you send laura, your daughter, and the rest of your family some peace and love this holiday especially. take care of my blue angel.

very much love from GA,
jessi :)

December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas Sweetheart. You are missed and loved by many, especially on days like today. I know you are rejoicing in Heaven - so until we meet again we'll just keep your memory in our hearts and never let them go.

Laura

December 25, 2006

Well, it's your daughter's 17th birthday today. Can you believe that? I can't believe she's 17 years old!! I'm sending her flowers so I hope that brightens her day a bit. I just talked to your mom and she was having a pretty good day. She hates you’re not here to see another one of Crissana's birthdays - like all of us. Crissana is taking nursing now and thinks she will go in the medical field when she gets out of school. She has a boyfriend (but don't worry...you would like him) and I think they will be getting married after she graduates school (although she still promises to go to college). Your Grandmother passed away a couple weeks ago which I’m sure you know since you two are together now. Your mom and I are going to go get Christmas flowers for your grave in a couple weeks. I’m sure you’ll like them. Well, guess that’s it for now. Just send a special ray of sunshine down on Crissana today so she’ll know you are thinking of her.

Laura

November 3, 2006

Another one taken yesterday, Deputy Williams from Florida, with his K-9 partner, Diogi. And you know what's the worst thing? It was his wife's birthday!! God help her. I know how hard it was for me to pick out your casket on our wedding anniversary. All I can do is pray for strength for her..but I know she'll miss him forever just the same.

Laura

September 29, 2006

Well, there were two more officers taken from us this week both in my area. One was a Security Guard and one was a Deputy. Every time I hear it on the news I think of you. I can still remember so vividly the morning after you were killed being so angry that cars were still going by and people were still going to work and my whole world had crashed all around me. In COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) an organization that I NEVER wanted to be a member of but unfortunately I am....says that their motto is “Rebuilding Shattered Lives”. It's kind of like this...let's say there was a picture up on the wall of my whole life and one day it got knocked down and shattered in a million pieces. Well, I can pick that picture up again and I can begin to glue all the pieces together but in the end you will see that it will always be shattered and it will never be the same again. It's sad that in one split second everything that you have ever known can be changed. All the innocence is sucked out of you and you know how cruel life can be at times. I just hate that these families are going to have to face that because it's such a long, hard journey. And just when you feel you’re strong enough to bend over and pick up all the pieces you realize that one piece is missing and you'll never have it again.

Laura

August 24, 2006

I just heard another Virginia officer was taken from us on Saturday (July 8). It's such a shame that such tragedies continue to happen. My heart goes out to his family left behind to walk this horribly long and lonely road that I've had to. I wish it didn't have to be. I'm sure you met Deputy Sheriff Charles Fisher on Saturday to welcome him in and you guys are enjoying a crime free paradise now. We love and miss you guys.

Laura

July 11, 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.