Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On the eve of 25 years since your life was taken. I think about your son who is now 25. I think about our conversations about you wanting to go to motors. Your passing brought the Department together in so many ways. Your legacy continues with the school named in your honor and all of those who were in 800 that day. God Bless you, your son and wife, the man who came to your aid and your brothers and sisters in MVP and the Marine Corps. All gave some, some gave ALL

Chris Moore
Chief of Police
Palomar College Police Dept. CA
Phoenix Police Retired #5545

March 25, 2024

Marc,
It's hard to believe it's been 24 years.

Rory s Vertigan
Friend

March 25, 2023

I wish I was better with words because I have a hard time expressing what knowing Marc meant to me, and how I grieved after his death. I knew Marc from when I worked in PACE and we would talk almost nightly when he would call in his reports. Marc was extraordinarily kind, one of the most caring people I had ever met. He took the time to write a commendation for me to my supervisor which surprised and meant the world to me. He was smart and funny, and exceptionally professional, and just one of the most genuinely good people. His funeral was one of the most heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring experiences of my life.

I am still heartbroken over his loss and devastated for his family having not had him in their lives all these years.

23 years later, Marc, #5930, I think of you often. Thank you for being my friend. My deepest sympathies to your family.

Denise Fornara #A3465
Phoenix PD, PACE

May 25, 2022

Thank you Mark for your service your wife help deliver my little girl at Banner Thunderbird

Alfred Sanchez
Friend

December 27, 2020

21 years later and it still seems like yesterday. Gone but far from forgotten. Until we see each other again, Rest In Peace.

S.M.
Phoenix PD (ret.)

March 26, 2020

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

July 10, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Atkinson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 12, 2019

Officer Atkinson,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC during the Gulf War in 1991. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

March 26, 2019

Marc, I miss you more than ever. I often think of how things would be if you were still here. You were the truest of friends and you will always be remembered.

Years go by, and many more leave us. We will all see you someday. Love you Brother!

Bob Vittal
Good Friend

March 26, 2019

I think of my friend often. Can't believe it's been 20 years. May God continue to give you eternal rest.

Denis Delgado
Semper Fidelis

March 26, 2019

IN LIGHT OF CURRENT EVENTS SURROUNDING OUR SOUTHERN BORDER, YOUR MEMORY ALWAYS COMES BACK TO ME. MARK WORKED OFF DUTY SECURITY AT THE STORE WHERE I WAS EMPLOYED. I REMEMBER HIM AS GOOD HUMORED AND ALWAYS SMILING. THE PROBLEM WITH OPEN BORDERS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME....TOO MANY GOOD CITIZENS PAYING A TERRIBLE PRICE FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

RUSS E KADING

January 18, 2019

Rest in peace brother, you have not been forgotten. Thank you for your service to Arizona and to America. May your memory live on in the lives you touched.

Deputy Donnie Meaders
Okfuskee County (OK) Sheriff's Office

July 27, 2018

I went to the IHOP we ate lunch at a week before we lost you, not too long ago with my cousin a retired DPS Trooper and Marine. I felt weird going in there. It had been 19 years. I said to my husband who worked with Rory then (small world), that this was where we had our last meal together. I looked up to you as a role model. Never forget 5930.

S. McMullen 7356
AZDPS

March 27, 2018

I’ll repeat this Marc. Never forget the day you and Karen picked me up at the airport. I’ll throw you under the bus because it’s too funny. I don’t understand the airports there. A stop sign? What’s that? Lol. And how you gave me crap cause I wasn’t at the hotel with your family on the night of the rehearsal dinner. You actually gave me crap while Karen and I things arranged. But you know what? Made me love you as a friend even more because you cared that much for someone you just met. I wish we could have learned a lot more as friends. I still want our sons to meet. They are only 6 mths apart. I will love Karen till the day i die. Lots of people looking out for her and J. We have your back.

Karie
Friend

March 26, 2018

You are not forgotten

Officer
Phx PD

March 8, 2018

A few weeks before you left us, you made a backup for me while you were off duty. I was out with three subjects on the side of 35th avenue near the scene of a robbery. I didn't know you and worked in a different precinct, but you saw that things looked sketchy and you stopped to back me up until more units arrived. I'm convinced that made the difference between them running or pulling the gun that one of them had. It was just a few weeks later when my partner met me for a 25 on the day you were killed and told me the name of the guy we lost. I have a daughter the same age as Jeremy and she was going through a box of my old police papers recently and found the pumpkin page announcing your passing. I left Phoenix 15 years ago and moved away from Arizona to work for a new agency, but seeing that page brought back the day you helped me. You backed up a lot of cops in your time, but you left mine before learning that we had caught the right guys, locked them up and that you likely prevented a gunfight. I purchased a memorial bracelet for you recently and will wear it often. Godspeed, brother.

Jim
Phoenix PD

June 7, 2016

Never forgotten.....

Barb Heller

March 23, 2015

My name is Jay Ireland. Back in 1999 I was a new, young prosecutor for Maricopa County. Officer Atkinson was the lead officer in a DUI trial that I prosecuted that horrible March. During the trial breaks we would talk and laugh. I only knew him for about three days. But in those three days he was a pleasure to be around and made me a better person for meeting him. Only days after the trial I heard that a Phoenix police officer had been killed. I never imagined it would be him. I'm so sorry for what happened. Thank you Officer Atkinson. My thoughts and prayers are with your family often.

Jay ireland. Former MCAO prosecutor
MCAO

March 12, 2015

I served with Marc in desert shield/storm. He was the gunner for our LAV-25. We spent many a nights talking about what we were going to do after the war. We kept in touch via mail when we got home and we lost touch over time. I recently started to look for him to try to get back in touch and was heartbroken to read what had happened.
I know this tragedy took place several years back but I am mourning my friend and sad I could not properly pay my respects to him and his family.
It was an honor to have known Marc and will always have great memories of the time we served.

Denis Delgado

Denis Delgado / Sergeant
USMC

January 16, 2015

as a child/student i am very sad! because of the officer that died for us i will always honor you and i will never forget you at all you will always live in my heart !
~S.H.M <3

S.H.M
a former student of marc t atkinson

December 13, 2013

As the current principal of Marc T. Atkinson Middle school, I take great pride in knowing that your caring attitude, your joy and desire to make our community safer place continues to live on within every child that walks through our doors. I will continue to honor you daily by ensuring that our students never forget all you did.

Scott winters
Cartwright school district

October 25, 2013

It's a week away from your birthday and I can't help reflecting on the many birthdays we shared growing up. I'm not suprised to see the number of people who you touched in your short life. You were one of the rarest of people who made a difference in everyones life you touched. Happy early birthday my brother. Till we meet again, keep an eye on those of us still walking this earth.

Shawn
Friend

August 9, 2013

He will be memorialized on the Stolen Lives Quilt, thanks to our partners, Remember 1986.

Maria Espinoza
Founder & National Director
The Remembrance Project

August 4, 2013

Warrior, today, the Marines of the Phoenix Police Department, have purchased a brick which will be placed in the walkway at the Marine Corps Museum, Quantica, VA.

You are not forgotten. We few, we proud few, do not forget our own. Rest easy Marine, we have the watch. Semper Fi!

Lt. Steve Soha PPD / (MGYSGT USMC)
Phoenix Police Dept / US Marine Corps

May 3, 2013

I just passed the location that you lost your life. I can only say how sad it made me feel that the world we live in is filled with evil that has no value for human life.

Pete

April 2, 2013