Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Les,

I remember a call that we were on together and was telling the story the other day. I was a newly promoted road Sergeant and was called to a scene where you were sent to check the welfare of a homeowner. You and I along with other officers checked the house, spoke with neighbors etc. and all signs indicated that the homeowner was in the house and was unresponsive to our attempts to alert our presence.

We forced entry on the house. You and I proceeded upstairs and you called me to the bedroom, where the homeowner was in the bed. We both thought that she was passed as we had about knocked the door off the hinges knocking on it.

You reached down to check for a pulse, when her wrist in your hand, she jumped up and started screaming. You and I both jumped about three feet in the air.

You handled the situation with your usual comedic way. You were truly a special person and your humor will be missed. I justed wanted to relate this story which is my favorite memory of us at work.

God keep you until we meet again brother.

FPD Sergeant

April 27, 2007

When I worked for the Flint Police from 1997-1999, I had the pleasure of being partnered with Les a few times and I enjoyed every minute and can even say learned a lot. I don't like having to say goodbye to my brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement.
Les, I will miss you and I am glad to say I worked with you.
Peace be with you my friend.

Criminal Investigator Philip Mata
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police

April 19, 2007

On January 4th I drove past the Flint Golf Club, with no snow on the ground and thought of you. I could just see you out there golfing. I still can't figure out why you keep hitting that little white ball away fom you then chasing after it. Anyway, just thinking about you. C.B.

Ofc Clarence Banks
Partner / Friend

January 4, 2007

I have thought of Les many times since the tragic morning in 1999. Les looked out for my wife as her police career was starting which helped alot because Flint is a tough city. We talked a few times and we had military humor in common. We also talked about his sons and of my son and daughter and about the cost of college. He was a true "good guy". Me and my wife did not get to come to his funeral because our daughter was bit by a dog in her face the day prior, but our prayers have went out to his family. We recently lost another friend (Cpl Jason Makowski Dbn Hts PD) in the line of duty and through out all the grieving for Jason me and my wife still felt an emptiness for the loss of Les. We will never forget Les.

CPL Bruce Krot
Dearborn Heights Police Department

July 17, 2006

Les,
It feels like just yesteray we were back in the Tech area telling jokes! (Remember the one about the rookie and the 6-pack!?) I think of you often and every now and then stop to plant a little kisser on your plaque that hangs in the hall.
You were taken from us for a reason that we'll never know, but I can't imagine that heaven would need you more than we do down here. You are truly a gem and I miss your smile.

Michele

Michele Mahalak
Flint PD

May 20, 2006

I just seen your wife and son at the Airport returning from a trip. It seems like yesterday that we lost you. I have not forgot about all the good times. Still thinking about you. CC

Chris Curnow
Bishop Airport police (retired Flint PD)

April 18, 2006

Les,
Although I bearly remember you I always heard good things about you, I really miss you and now I see that the lord needed a good guy up there, and he picked you. Not a day I'm at the police Station and always look at the Plaque that was made in your honor. Les, Everyone misses you espacilly Blake, Brandon, And most of all Lisa.
I know I will see you soon (hopefully not to soon) and will remember what a great officer you were and a great friend.
Michael Forystek

P.S. Say Hi to my uncle Wayne Forystek and Uncle Bob Forystek for me. Good Bye

Michael Forystek
Dave's Son and Blake's Friend

March 10, 2006

Hey Les not a day goes by that I dont think of you in some way, shape or form. I know you are up above us all making sure we are out of harms way. I miss you so much that it hurts to think about it. You were more than a uncle you were my friend and whenever I had a problem no matter how small I know I could come to you and you would help however you could. We had alot of great times together and whenever I see some of the officers you worked with they always have a story about you that brings a smile to my face. I know that god must have needed a good laugh and a little protection to call such a beloved person like yourself to his side. I would like to let anyone who reads this know what a wonderfull person Les was and what a deep impact he had on those who knew him. I love you Les.

Chad Barnes
Nephew

November 14, 2005

dear dad,

we miss you very much. love you! mom took me and a friend to a red wings game saturday wish you where next to us cause i love you and you love hockey.

from your son

blake keely
p.s. mom says hi

blake keely son
family

November 9, 2005

Taking a moment today, Oct 8th 2005 to reflect upon your service and wishing God's continued grace upon your family, friends and fellow officers.

Tom
Civilian, Newtown Bucks Co, PA

October 8, 2005

It is hard to believe it was been 6 six years. I miss you so very much and it has been so incredibly difficult without you. Brandon has had some struggles and Blake needs you to talk to about the things a mom can't or doesn't understand. He loves to play sports and he needs you to help him with it. I look around at all the dads playing or attending their sporting events and it just makes me so sad. Every year he completes another grade I start crying thinking it's another year you didn't get to see. I thought it would get easier, but it just seems to get more difficult. Don and Jo have been so good to us. We are truly blessed to have them in our lives.

Love & miss you, Lesa

lesa Keely

October 1, 2005

Les, It's been six years since your passing. I still have a picture of you in my locker playing Solitaire at the Patrol sesk just a few weeks before we lost you. I still laugh when I think of the time you threw the mic in the patrol car after being told to return and work the desk. It was a quite Sunday morning on first shift, you had your coffee, thick Sunday paper (free from the journal) and we were north on Dort Hwy at Stewart. I suppose we were headed for a nice quite spot. That mic bounced off the dashboard and windshield and then landed on the floorboard. Boy you were pissed!! You told them that you would have to go home and pack a lunch. I was a rookie then, but now having 9yrs. on the job, I understand brother! God Bless!

Ofc. Todd Pillsbury
Flint Police Department

August 26, 2005

LES,
PLEASE TAKE GOOD CARE OF OWEN FISHER, HE IS A GREAT MAN AFTER YOUR OWN HEART.

FRIEND
FLINT POLICE DEPT

July 18, 2005

Les,
Today we lost another brother, much in the same manner we lost you. I know that you have him in your arms in heaven and are telling him how wonderful it is! Everyone still talks about you like it was just yesterday you left us. We all miss you dearly and are taking some comfort that you have your arms around another brother in blue! Love you!

A Friend

July 16, 2005

I visit this site very often and I don't think I've ever seen so many reflections left for a fallen brother/sister in blue by his/her department or agency, not to mention community. Rest in peace Officer Keely and may God bless your family.

Sr.Cpl Hunt
Dallas PD

April 21, 2004

I remember the day I walked into the white horse to have breakfast. I was a rookie and was feeling uncomfortable among all the senior officers. As I sat down in a corner by myself, an officer with a big mustache and a loving face called me over to sit with everyone else. That officer (Les) proceeded to make me laugh. After 5 minutes, I forgot all about being uncomfortable. I ate my breakfast in the best company. Then when the check came Les let the waitress know that the "rookie" was picking up the tab. Then he turned to me and said "That's for not buying an elevator pass". I didn't mind. I would pay for that man's breakfast everyday just to be in his company, if only for half and hour.
From that day on it seemed that no matter kind of bad day I was having Les would say something to make me laugh. Then whatever it was that was bothering me didn't seem as important. No one was allowed to be in a bad mood around Les.
The world misses you Les. "At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities."

Cpl. Melissa Krot
Dearborn Police

March 11, 2004

4 years...so hard to believe it's been that long already. You are so deeply missed and thought of often. Your boys are such wonderful representatives of the love you shared with them...there isn't a day that passes that they don't think about and share their memories of you with others. We love you always. God Bless you and keep.

September 24, 2003

It is a year today since you were taken so suddenly from us and the pain has not diminished.  Les, I miss you and think of you often.

Bill

Lt. William Khouri (Retired)
Flint Police Dept.

Les It's been almost eight months since you have been gone.  It was hard for me in Washington to see your name etched in stone. Beneath the lion it was etched " In valor there is hope." To see your name on the wall, it finally set in that you were gone, but that you would always remain my friend. Don't worry about the wife and kids, they have been taken care of and they are only a phone call away. You must have thought it was funny to turn on the rain hose as you did and postpone the ceremony.  And, I know you did it with a GRIN. You may be gone, but you are not forgotten.  You are now our guardian angel in blue. Take care for now.  Hold me a spot.  Have a cold brewski and a container marked "chicken soup".   C.B.

Clarence Banks
Flint Police

I just wanted to let you know that you were in our thoughts and prayers today. It is still very hard to believe that you aren't with us anymore.  You are, however, and will always be in our hearts!

Now for some ligher stuff I know you'd appreciate....:)

You really got ahold of that garden hose the other day didn't you!!!  Just don't get too comfortable with it, alright!

Also, did you catch the basketball tournament?  MSU finally won another championship!!!! I'm just sorry we didn't get to celebrate the victory together.  You always were a true Spartan fan, and I know you would have appreciated this victory as much as I have.  Could you put a good word in for next year too; I'd really like to see them repeat and put all of the critics to rest already!

We love and miss you so much! 

Anonymous

Les was a stand up guy. A few years back my wife was chased by local gang members from a grocery store, after they almost hit her vehicle. She got away and was able to give me a thorough description of the perps and their vehicle. After roll call the next day I told Les what had happened. He told me "We'll find 'em and take care of them" . Two days later, true to his word, Les spotted the suspect's in their vehicle. He radioed  me and waited until I caught up with him to make the stop. I approached the vehicle on the driver's side, Les on the passenger side. Before I knew what was going on, Les was pulling the passenger through the window by his hair. The punk was screaming, scared to death, not knowing why they had been stopped yet. The driver immediately threw his hands in the air out the window pleading not to kill him. Les went after these guys like it was one of his own that had been terrorized, but knowing Les, it was one of his own that had been threatened. Les was a true blue copper, we were all family, and it showed. By the way Les, after you scared the doo doo out of these guys I think they sold the truck and left town 'cause I haven't seen them since. Thanks for being there bro. You're still with us.

A Friend
Flint PD

Happy birthday brother. We love and miss you. 12/19/1999

All of Your Friends

Les, we know that God is in control and makes no mistakes. He is usually fixing the many mistakes we make. But when he made you, it was definetly for a reason, to bring others joy. To brighten someones day, to always have a joke to say. You will never know the impact you have made on so many lives, mine included. I thank God for the time he shared you with us. I/we will continue to pray for your family in your absense. You will be missed.

Ofc. Jeff Wheeler
Flint Police Dept

The first time I heard Les' name was when I was in the Academy. Our entire class was warned by Sgt. Mata, to avoid being the victim of one of Les' practical jokes. Apparently, Les enjoyed trying to sell elevator passes to the rookies on their first days on the job. Looking back now, I wish I had one of Les' elevator passes. Hey Les, ALthough I only rode with you a handful of times, I'll miss you and your great sense of humor.

Ofc. Todd Pillsbury
Flint Police Dept

Never have I laughed so much or been so touched by another human being. You were one of a kind, and the city needed your laughter. Les you will be missed more than you will ever know. I don't think that any of us, knew how much we would really miss you. But i know that none of us who ever knew you will ever be the same. Rest in Peace my friend and keep warming us with your smile.

Anonymous