Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy Anniversary. It would have been our 18th. Thinking of you today and always. :(

Laura
Wife

April 27, 2014

04/25/98, 16 years ago today you were shot and killed just because you were doing your job. Yes, I’m still angry about that. Nobody should be killed just for doing their job. You didn’t know the worthless drug dealers that decided you should be shot and killed on a beautiful Saturday morning. You didn’t have a chance. There were 3 of them and they held you down while the one shot you, intentionally shooting you below your body armor where you were not protected. That makes me so angry. They had no right to take your life, or to take you away from me. But you know what? Those worthless men get to spend the rest of their life behind bars until they die. No, that doesn’t bring you back to me, but at least its justice.

16 years sounds like such a long time ago, and yet to my heart it was only yesterday. Being told the awful news, the gut-wrenching screams, the endless tears, and knowing I couldn’t do anything to stop it. You were gone. Forever. I was so young. I needed you. I just don’t understand why it all had to be. After giving a description of your shooters and telling your partner to tell us you loved us, you then asked him to pray with you. You prayed until you slowly lost consciousness. I know you were in pain and it was scary because you knew you were dying, but there is no doubt in my mind that the minute you took your last breath, you woke up in Heaven and now you are rejoicing with the King! You loved God so much! You were the Sunday School leader in our church and I remember you singing to God in the car even without music. You loved The Lord and now you are spending every day with him. Well sweetheart, even after 16 years there’s not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. I will love and miss you until we meet again in Heaven.
Love,
Laura

Laura
Wife

April 25, 2014

I miss you so badly. The pain never goes away. You live on in my heart, but what I'd give to hear your laugh or see your contagious smile one more time. Send me strength, as I make it through the rough days ahead. I love u.

Laura
Wife

April 15, 2014

Faith Hill – You’re Still Here
I had a dream last night
That you came to me on silver wings of light.
I flew away with you in the painted sky.
And I woke up wondering what was real,
Is it what you see and touch or what you feel?
‘Cause you're still here

No, I cannot see you. But I feel you; I know you’re still here.
Even after 15 years, I remember you. Your smile, your laugh, your voice, your singing (even if it was usually off-key..love ya honey:), your sense of humor. There are just so many reasons why I will love you until we meet in Heaven once again. Until then, please send me strength to endure the hard days.

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

November 18, 2013

All gave some, some gave all
Some stood through for the red, white, and blue
And some had to fall.
And if you ever think of me, think of all your liberties
And recall...some gave all.

Thank you for your sacrifice, even though we still wonder why it had to be you. Thinking of you on this Veteran's day and always. Love you...

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

November 11, 2013

I pass by his grave to see my dad's and brother grave. Little did I know that he would be there before them. For I was his Aunt by marriage and I was there for his birth.
I am sadden to lose him and for his parents that had to go through what no parent should go through to lose a child that way.

Elizabeth Gibson Branham
His Aunt

October 16, 2013

My niece and I were talking the other day about how much fun you used to have on Halloween scaring people. Oh my, we sure had some good laughs on that night. You were such a cut up, always had to make everyone laugh and have a good time. Even after 15 years, you are thought of so much and missed by so many people. We will always keep your memory alive in our hearts. Love you always.

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

October 14, 2013

Allen was a wonderful person I should know I am his aunt and was there when he was born. Allen is buried at the Powell Valley Gardens and his daughter words to her dad are written to her dad on his grave slate and it makes heart cry out why did he have to go.

Elizabeth Ann Gibson
Aunt by marriage

July 25, 2013

Allen was a beautiful child and a wonderful person. I should know for I waiting on his birth and often watch him for his parents. And I was proud of him for he wanted so much to protect people and do what was right for his country.

Elizabeth Gibson
aunt

July 22, 2013

My brother joined you last week, as I'm sure you know. Please send us strength as our hearts are broken during this very difficult time.

Laura

July 15, 2013

Allen my freind, i have never forgotten you. sadly another freind of mine has recently joined your ranks.

lt. k. rayburn
cumberland river fire/rescue

July 8, 2013

Happy Father's Day in Heaven.

Laura

June 16, 2013

Today is Police Memorial Day. Remembering you (of course) as well as all the officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice. WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Laura

May 15, 2013

Happy 41st birthday, Allen.
Love Always!

Laura
Wife

May 4, 2013

17 years ago today, I became your wife.

Looking back on the memory of
the dance we shared 'neath the stars above;
For a moment all the world was right.
How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye?

And now, I'm glad I didn't know
the way it all would end, the way it all would go.
Our lives are better left to chance;
I could have missed the pain,
but I'd have had to miss the dance.

Holding you I held everything.
For a moment wasn't I the king
If I'd only known how the king would fall,
Hey, who's to say - you know I might have changed it all.

And now, I'm glad I didn't know
the way it all would end, the way it all would go.
Our lives are better left to chance;
I could have missed the pain,
but I'd have had to miss the dance.

Yes my life is better left to chance
I could have missed the pain but I'd have had to miss the dance

Laura
Wife

April 27, 2013

Thinking of that day in 1998 and remembering how it took me back to when I lost my Tom 9 years before. My heart broke for your family that day and still. Today I think of Laura, Christianna and your parents as they face another year without you. RIP brother.

Sharon Story, Surviving Spouse
Tom Felton EOW 04/29/1989 Sussex County SO

April 25, 2013

Glad I wrote all that last night, because today, I am at a loss for words. Dedicating a shift today in your memory. You live on in our hearts. RIP sweetheart.

Laura

April 25, 2013

15 years ago today you were taken from us. I cannot believe it’s been 15 years, just seems crazy. Some days it feels like you were killed an eternity ago, everything is fuzzy and gray and details are hard to recall. Other times, I feel like it was only yesterday they were handing me your folded flag. I remember my heart pounding and tears flowing down my face as I leaned over and kissed your casket. Time may have helped me become stronger, but the pain is still very much there. My daughter helped me place beautiful flowers and an angel for you on Saturday. Allen, I have just been so blessed in my life. I have a wonderful, loving family that allows me to continue to grieve and helps me keep your memory alive. Thank you for continuing to send me strength on difficult days such as these. Watch over us from above.

Love Always,

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

April 24, 2013

Wore your shirt today and it brought me luck ;). Just qualified at the firing range and shot 100, my Sergeant was proud. I know you're proud & smiling down :) Thanks for being a guardian angel to many officers!

Laura

January 29, 2013

We lost another LEO Friday night. I know you welcomed Trooper Fox to his new home but he is missed by many down here. Grief is such an emotional roller coaster ride. My heart is breaking today. It's breaking for my loss, the family of Trooper Fox, and every other family that has lost an officer. I try to be strong for the families they leave behind but it's so hard because with every LEO death it just brings up my own pain and loss. I refuse to let them walk alone though. I will be there for them. Grief is a journey that doesn't end when the funeral is over, when you've remarried, or even after 14 years. Grief is a lifetime journey full of ups and downs and today is just a "down" day. Please send us strength to carry on.

Much love being sent to Heaven.
-Laura

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

October 8, 2012

God is such an awesome God. It simply amazes me how he works when we truly put our faith in him. I am very thankful you had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as well. I read a book after you were killed that helped me so much. Not sure if "read" is the best word to use, (probably more like clung to it desperately). It was entitled "When Your Rope Breaks". I actually took an excerpt from it and taped it to my car, bed, refrigerator, work, etc. It helped me realize that God not only SAW my broken heart, but he would also SEE me through it! I found that book this weekend and a copy of the following that I had taped inside my car. Here’s what it said:

"I suspect that God says to those who have a broken rope (if we listen), "Child, I know it hurts. I know your fear and your emptiness. If there was a way your finite mind could understand, I would explain it to you. I want you to remember that if there was any other way, I would have chosen it. But there isn't, so hang tough and someday you will understand."

This gave me the realization to believe God saw me right where I was at that very moment in time. He saw my pain, the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. He saw my emptiness. He saw my hopelessness. He saw how deeply my heart ached to see you again. BUT this excerpt also gave me hope. Hope that life would eventually get better. Hope that I would learn to live and love again. And guess what? Life did get better! Do I still miss you? SURE! Do I still have bad days? ABSOLUTELY. Will I ever be “normal” again? Lol nope. But I know where my hope lies and that gets me through day after day after day. Sometimes all we need to do is stop and remember we have that blessed hope of seeing our loved ones again in Heaven. Thank God for the hope, peace, and comfort he sends to those who mourn. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Mat. 5:4

Laura

September 10, 2012

We just got back from DC for National Police Memorial Week. Words cannot describe the emotions and feelings that emerge from visiting that place and seeing all the mementos left at the wall. I loved seeing my extended COPS family and meeting new ones. It’s always sad when the time comes to leave them. I find it hard to believe I now have “family” from coast to coast. I sure do hate I made it into this organization, but I’m so grateful for their support and friendship. A Hero remembered…NEVER dies!

Laura

May 16, 2012

We are celebrating your birthday at the police department today by eating Mexican :). I am ordering your favorite dish...ordered just the way you liked it!

Laura

May 4, 2012

Happy Birthday, Allen!! It is so hard to believe you would have been 40 years old today. It sounds crazy that you have been gone that long. You were 25 the last time I kissed those lips and told you I loved you. I will release balloons today in your memory. Hope they make them to Heaven & bring a smile to your face!

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

May 4, 2012

April 27, 1996 - Wow, 16 years ago today we said I do. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember so much, maybe too much…I remember your face when I started walking down the aisle, I remember your laugh when I was unable to blow my side of the unity candle out, I remember us driving off with our car fully engulfed in “police line-do not cross” tape. I remember your smile, your laugh, your contagious good mood, I remember you continuously singing in the car – even if it was usually off key :), I remember you loved making us dinner, I remember you always greeting me with “hello beautiful” when I answered the phone or walked into the door, I remember the countless practical jokes you used to play on me. I guess when all you have are memories…those memories become treasures you hold in your heart forever. Even the smallest, most minute memory you hold onto with everything you have and hope you never forget it. As long as we keep your memory alive in our hearts, you will never really be gone. There is no doubt in my mind, you’re still here. Happy Anniversary, Allen. Love you always.
"You're Still Here" by Faith Hill
Thought I saw you today
You were standing in the sun then you turned away
And I knew it couldn't be but my heart believed
Oh it seems like there’s something everyday
How could you be so far away
When you're still here
When I need you you're not hard to find
You're still here
I can see you in my baby's eyes
And I laugh and cry
You're still here
Had the dream last night
That you came to me on silver wings of light
I flew away with you in the painted sky
And I woke up wondering what was real
Is it what you see and touch or what you feel
Cause you're still here
Oh you're everywhere we've ever been
You're still here
I heard you in a stranger's laugh
And I hung around to hear you laugh again
Just once again
Oh...
Thought I saw you today
You were standing in the sun then you turned away
Away

Laura

April 27, 2012