Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Tonight, March 1, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy Todd Michael Widman who died in the line of duty on this date four years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Deputy Widman's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

March 2, 2004

Rest easy, Brother;you are not forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.l

March 1, 2004

What's up? Still here and still there.

August 30, 2003

Todd;

I was never fortunate enough to meet you even though I served just a few miles from you but I would have liked to have known you Todd. I remember that terrible night and think of it often. I too received an award at that same ceremony where you were remembered with the highest honors I wish with all my heart that you could have been there receiving a different award.

You are part of a proud tradition, the Kansas law enforcement officer. I have since moved on and become part of this proud tradition in another state. But I remember my time as an officer in Kansas with fondness and with sadness. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and your fellow officers. Rest easy brother.

Anonymous

To the Family and friends of Todd Widman.  I would want to say that you are in my prayers.  I heard about what happend to Todd the day after it happened.  I was sadden when I heard.  He was a fellow Kansas law enforcement officer, He was just getting started.  God had other plans. Eventhough we don't understand sometimes why things happen.  We just have to trust in God that He Knows why.  Be sure to lean on to God in this difficult time.

I did not know Todd Personally but he was family in the law enforcement community.  To his family, just be rest assured that he is in a better place where he can watch over all of us.

From all of us at the Wichita Police Department,  You are in our thoughts and prayers.  May God Bless and Keep You

Troy Bussard
Wichita Police Department

Todd,

We who remain here in this world grieve.  We cry and are sad because someone called you to another place.  A better place of peace and happiness.  We remain here to remember all the good you had to share with us.

Your family should be extremely proud of the young man who they raised and shared with the world.  You had a character which shinned and taught us who knew you,how great a young man you were.  You taught some of us lessons which you never knew you even taught us.  Your twenty one years on earth were no comparison for the age of which you represented yourself, your community and your family.

The evening when god decided you should leave us became the worst night in so many peoples lives.  It shocked the community and it shocked me oh so much.  I along with so many other people lost a great friend.  Your family has lost a son, a son any mother or father would have been extremely proud to call thier son.  We lost a friend with a never ending smile.  A friend with compassion beyond his years.  We lost one of the greatest people I have known and probably ever will know.

From everything I know and have heard about how well you carried yourself as a law enforcement officer, I know you were going to be an excellent officer.  You loved being out there riding down our roads helping making our commuinity safe for all.  You would have grown and become that kind of officer who was out there day and night, night and day.  Always lurking around the corner for the misguided people you were to protect us from.  Your career ever so short, but your memory you left us with is oh so long.  You have impacted us all Todd and I can only say in closing that in your case the good do die young.  Or should I say one of the best has died young.

Todd we loved you and thank you!!!

Anonymous

TO THE FAMILY OF, TODD, I OFFER TO YOU MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND REGUARDS. NO WORDS CAN COMFORT YOU, BE ASSURED WE ALL FEEL YOUR LOSS.

TO MY SURVIVING BROTHERS, DONT LET TODD'S DEATH GO UNNOTICED, DO AS YOU WERE TRAINED, NO MATTER WHAT.

Anonymous

I am saddened by the death of Deputy Widman, a promising young career cut short. It takes a special person to be a reserve and go out and help the citizens of there community for little or no pay  The County of Brown has lost a true hero, my heart goes out to his family and fellow deputy's  Let us never forget the officer's who have paid the ultimate sacrafice, full time or reserve they are all hero's of the badge. Todd rest easy my fellow deputy, we will carry on your legacy.

R.L. Clements
King County Sheriff, seattle wa.

Our deepest sympathy to the Family and Friends of Deputy Todd M.Widman. Your sacrifice and dedication to protecting this Nation was not in vain, nor shall be forgotten. It is the special people such as yourself, that secure the freedom of this country against our domestic enemies.

"Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God  entrust their souls, to a faithful Creator, in doing what is right."(1Peter4:19)

Officer John D.Sainz
Tucson Police Department

The loss of a fellow officer is hard to take.  Todd M. Widman was spoke about at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson, Kansas.  At graduation of the 158th basic class, Mr. Widman was honored in prayer by all in attendence.  May Todd Widman memory always be in the minds of all Law Enforcement.

Godspeed,

The members of the Overbrook Police Departmnet

Everette Dannar
Overbrook Police Department

I frequently check this website and am always amazed and saddened. It doesn't matter whether a member of law enforcement has been on the force 1 year, 20 years, full-time or on Reserve, it is shocking to read about their murder. Each "officer down" has a family that greives and I would like the family of Todd Widman to know the law enforcement community is one big family, and our prayers are with you. Every officer, wife, parent or sibling that reads these accounts feels pain in their hearts and always asks "What if...?".

Please accept my sincerest condolences,

Cathy McNickle
Proud Law Enforcement Wife

On behalf of the Officers of the Davis, Oklahoma Police Department, I would like to express my condolances to the family and friends of this brave brother officer.  Deputy Widman showed the courage and strength to try and do his part to make this every worsening world a little better. Anytime an officer dies, all of us in the Law Enforcement family feel the pain, whether we know this person or not.  My heart and prayers go out to all the family and friends that Deputy Widman leaves behind.  God's speed, Todd!

Officer James Spicer
Davis, Oklahoma Police Dept.

Our heartfelt sorrow and prayers go out to the family and friends of Deputy Widmann.  While any officer losing their life in service to their community is the "ultimate sacrifice", it hits especially hard among reserves. These men and women are often unpaid volunteers, wanting only to help make a difference in their hometowns.  God please watch over all of us.

Sgt Howard L. Hawbaker
Hidalgo County (TX) S.O.

On behalf of the Sedgwick County Sheriff Reserve Division Our deepest sympathy is with your family and the Brown County Sheriff Department at the loss of a fellow officer.

Reserve Lt. L. Lawrukiewicz
Sedgwick Co. Sheriffs Dept. Wichita Kansas

My deepest sympathy is with you at the loss of Deputy Widman. May you find comfort in the thoughts and memories he left you with.

Patricia Lawrukiewicz
wife of a Reserve Leiutenant (Wichita Kansas)

To all who counted Todd as a special part of their lives I send my sincere condolences.  Unfortunately Todd was the latest to remind all of us how dangerous our job really can be.  As a proud member of the Kansas law enforcement community this incident strikes close to home.  To all those in law enforcement reading this...be careful and utilize that training you were given...even if it is inconvenient and seems to be overkill. It just might save your life. To Todd, thank you for your dedication to society and your apparent concern for those around you. As was said about Deputy Kevin Easter, Sedgwick County, Kansas SO Todd Widman was mentioned in the Bible. " Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."

Corporal Christopher Bauer
Garden City, Kansas Police Dept.

As with all line of duty killings we in law enforcement morn the loss of Reserve Deputy Todd Widman of the Brown County Sheriffs Department. Family, friends and coworkers can be confident in their vigil to remember Todd by knowing thousands of officers/deputies around the country will never forget his sacrifices to keep the rest of us safe.

Although we all look at this situation as a tragedy, I can't help but wonder with Todd's youth had he been afforded the proper training to be alone protecting the community. Was he given all the tools possible both physically and mentally to help him deal with situations that can quickly become larger than life? I hope he had been, and this situation is one which no amount of preparation or perseverance could have helped Todd to work another day.

In closing I would like to let Todd know that he will always be on patrol as a law enforcement officer because we will never forget those who came before us.

Godspeed Todd

Anonymous

My heart goes out to everyone associated with Deputy Widman.

What a fine looking young man he was.

One can only wonder what good things were to be accomplished as he began his career.  The look of promise on his face!  I was overwhelmed by the photo on the memorial page.
We lost one of our own just a few weeks ago, Sgt. Bruce Prothero!! Pray for them all, but pray for those remaining for we are the ones who suffer the consequences of their demise.

Be Safe Brothers & Sisters !!

Ken Snyder, Detective Retired
Baltimore Co. MD Police Dept.

on behalf of the officers of the Butler County Kansas Sheriffs Dept. we wish to forward our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of this fallen hero.  We are very sorry for your loss.

b pate
butler co s/o kansas

Rest easy Todd.  God must have special plans for you, to have called you so early.

Your brothers and sisters will keep the watch.

Anonymous

I was very shocked after reading the report on the death of my US-collegea. He was only 21 years old and had a duty time for only two years.

My special regards to his family, friends and partner-policemen.

And to all" take care of yourselfs and beware.

Frans Wiersma, police-officer, Netherlands Europe.

Frans J Wiersma
Police Drachten NL Netherlands

my thoughts and prayers are with the widman family...i too am a reserve deputy sheriff, former full time officer, start of service 1979, no words can ease your pain, just know that deputy widmans extended family (all of those in law enforcement) share your pain and loss.....i am truly sorry ...i wish there was something i could do other than this writing....GOD BLESS YOU

britt pate
butler county sheriff, kansas

I am heart-stricken.  Everyday I go to this site, I am appalled and disgusted with what society does to Officers of the law.  It is a sad and tragic loss for any Officer to lose their life in the line of duty.  However, one that is a Reserve Officer is even more tragic.  As of now I am applying to be a Reserve Officer and the unfortunate death of Todd Widman has taught me that not only Officers can risk losing their lives, so can Reserve Officers.  This brave individual was only 21 years old and sacrificed his life for his nation.  A young age for an adult to die by serving and protecting his community.  I honor and respect Deputy Widman, as with all Officers, for his heroic and brave acts while doing a job that he loves.  I will not fully understand the risk and danger of being an Officer until I am one, however, till then I believe that God made Todd Widman and any Officer of the law for only special people.  People like Todd Widman.  Rest in Peace my fellow brother.  Please watch over us while patrolling the gates of heaven.

Chris Farrell
University of Minnesota--Twin Cities Security

How rediculous...Why? Who could do such a terrible thing? I have never understood why it happens, not just to police officers, but anyone. It's a shame in the least. People that committ murder like this are scum. They don't deserve to live, not even in jail. I view this website 3 times daily and I just can't believe the things that happen to these poor officers. I wish it would just stop. They make the ultimate sacrafice- being killed while protecting our nation. I am 16 years old and cannot wait to become a police officer. I want to make a difference. This needs to stop now. Todd was too young to go. Just a kid himself. It's sad. It really is. What is this world coming to? People are becoming bolder and bolder. I feel very bad for the family of Todd and my heart goes out to you. I can't imagine how you feel. I am sorry. I have lost loved ones and it feels so awful. It's like there is a piece of your heart missing, and it hurts too. Time will heel everything, however you will never forget him. Hang in there. Good luck.

Best wishes,

T.
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, California

Todd,

Though we never meet in person, I feel we have meet in spirit through the stories of fond memories your friends tell. Their stories fill the air of a kind, honorable friend, loved by all, who put service before self. Your loss is not only felt by all LEO's, but it is also felt by the future LEO's. It drives a reality back into life, that some of us forget. 728 you are missed by all.

May you serve and protect and heavans above.

Future LEO

Anonymous