Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey bob,
watch out over everyone this week -- here as we grieve for the kirkwood officers and keep your watch over Mike.

February 11, 2008

what has happened to our world? what happened to make people think it was ok to kill an officer? to kill two officers? I know you met Officers Ballman and Biggs up there.
You're in my thoughts and prayers.

February 9, 2008

Bob,watch out for Bill and Tom. They need your guidance. Alot of people are having a really rough time with this --help us all stay strong and get through this.
You will always be in our thoughts bob.

February 9, 2008

SAINT MICHAEL'S BOYS

Not long ago, the struggle between Good and Evil erupted, again, into war. The Devil threw his forces against the very Gates of Heaven, themselves. His attack beaten back, he withdrew and called for a meeting with God.

And Satan began.....

Who were those men who stood their ground,
When they were just some thousand few?
And when Gabrielle's Army is clad in gold,
Why did they all wear blue?

"They were out-numbered ten-to-one
And should have run like new-born foals,
But when they showed no fear I realized
That you'd used men who have no souls,

"And there, at last, I have you,
Through all your boasts you've lied,
So no more claims of righteousness
And behind no more Commandments hide,

"You've cheated and you've robbed me,
Those men, they are my proof,
The soul-less can't be yours in Heaven,
But mine in Hell, beneath my roof."

God listened, then replied....

"My poor, misguided child
Can't you see the error of your ways?
Those men just stood against you, now,
As they did in mortal days,

"I knew they wouldn't turn and run,
For they've seen your worst before,
And that is why I placed them there,
To keep safe and gaurd my door."

"As for those battered coats of blue,
They're worn with such fierce pride
That if I ordered them to change,
Then even I might be defied,

"Ye, you believe they have no souls,
When their souls are why they're here,
For in life each took an oath they kept
Although the price was steep, and dear,

"Even tempted by the face of death
Their hearts did cowardice decline,
You see, they never could be yours,
As they were then, and always, mine,

"And it's strange that you don't know them,
Since you've sent me every one,
Each time your murderers and theives
Killed a policeman's father's son,

"With tear-stained eyes I greet them all,
Cut too soon from their families' joys,
So send me all your soldiers of Hell...
And they'll meet Saint Michael's boys."

February 9, 2008

I was just thinking about you and wanted to stop by and say
hi!!

February 6, 2008

hi uncle bob i wanted to say hi and thank you once again for everything and protecting us.. and have a happy valentines day i love you and i wish you a good life..talk to you later and please wacth over all.. and please make sure my dad will be ok in iraq
love,
heather

heather stanze
niece and goddaudhter

January 19, 2008

i just wanted to say to my uncle thankyou for everything and i want to say hi and please visit me some time we all are thenkful and i hope you do well and i miss you
love,
heather

heather stanze
his niece and goddaughter

January 16, 2008

Bet you chuckled on that graceful move I made Saturday. Next time a little warning would be nice :)

January 7, 2008

Happy New Year Bob! Bring us all peace and hope for the future! We love you.

December 31, 2007

Happy New Year Bob!! Think about you every day.. I know you are keeping watch on Mike.

December 31, 2007

As the years have gone by and I look at Heather, I know how much she misses you. She is with your family right now, enjoying time with her cousins. I must say they are all so very good looking. They are truly STANZE'S. Watch over your brother during his military duty in Iraq.
Love,
Marie

Marie Samuels
Mother-in-law to Mike Stanze

December 28, 2007

Bob,watch out for Mike.I can't believe how hard this is. We need you to protect him and keep us strong while he's gone.Thank God Lorraine has let us have Heather during this initial time to help us get through. We love you and hope you watch out for Mike---his guardian angel could use the help the next couple months. We can too.
I don't know if I can handle much more of this --- your nephew just gave me his fav. stuffed animal to cheer me up --- he misses you & knows how much I miss YOU/and am scared. It will really piss me off if Mike gets hurt.
I love you and count on you to be there with him--- he and all of us need that reassurance-- a sign would be nice.

December 28, 2007

It's hard to believe how many times all of us have called on you over the past several years, to help us through a difficult time. This one is the biggest one of all. Mike is on his way to Iraq and he needs your help, we need your help, to make sure he comes home safe and sound. If ever two brothers were close, you two were...so be there for him every step of the way Bob. We're all counting on you! Love you always...
P.S. A prayer or two for the rest of us wouldn't hurt either! Have a feeling you already knew that! :-)

December 26, 2007

Merry Christmas Bob!!!!

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas Bob..Hope you all up there have a Great Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!! Please watch over Mike!!

December 24, 2007

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones as Christmas fast approaches. I know that on that day you will be in their thoughts even more than most days. They will remember past Christmas' and the wonderful memories about you and how the day was celebrated. You have not been forgotten. I have the outside of my home decorated in all blue lights, one of those lights in lit every night in your honor as my way of saying thankyou and that you have not been forgotten.

bOB Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 18, 2007

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 11, 2007

To copy from Mike McEntee..."tomorrow is the day I will miss you the most...........followed by the other 364." Miss you and love you always!

December 9, 2007

Bob

Well your favorite time of the year is almost here and
that makes it so hard. It will be time to watch A Wonderful Life soon. Your impression of Jimmie Stewart was the best, with Mike's a close second. I think about you everyday. Wil really looks like you at the same age. Say Hi to everyone up there!!

December 7, 2007

I will be thinking about you tonite at Guns & Hoses.

November 21, 2007

You wonder why he pulled you over and gave you a ticket for speeding"
He just worked an accident where people died because they were going too fast
_________________________
You wonder why that cop was so mean
He just got done working a case where a drunk driver killed a kid
____________________________________________
You work for 8 hours
He works for up to 18 hours
_________________________
You drink hot coffee to stay awake.
The cold rain in the middle of the nite keeps him awake.
__________________________
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He goes into work still hurt and sore from the guy he had to fight the night before
__________________________
You drink your coffee on your way to the mall.
He spills his as he runs code to a traffic crash with kids trapped inside
__________________________
You make sure your cell phone is in your pocket before you leave the house.
He makes sure his gun is clean and fully loaded and his vest is tight
__________________________
You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He watches his buddy get shot at, and wounded in front of him.
__________________________
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks down the highway looking for body parts from a traffic crash
_________________________
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears fifty pounds of gear and a bullet proof vest in the middle of July and still runs around chasing crack heads
__________________________
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He runs out before he gets his food to respond to an armed robbery.
__________________________
You get out of bed in the morning and take your time getting ready.
He gets called out of bed at 2 am after working 12 hours and has to be into work asap for a traffic homicide
__________________________
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He keeps the bloody hair out of a college girl's face that just smacked the windshield in a crash while waiting for an ambulence.
__________________________
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
His shift ended 4 hours ago and there's no end in sight
__________________________
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He can't make any plans because on his off days he still gets called back into work
__________________________
You yell and scream at the squad car that just past you beacuse they slowed you down.
He's in the driver seat of the squad car, going to cut somebody out of their car only to find out that they're dead when he gets there.
__________________________
You roll your eyes when a baby cries in public
He picks up a dead child in his arms and prays that it was crying
__________________________
You criticize your police dept and say they're never there quick enough.
He blasts the siren while the person in front of him refuses to move while talking on their cell phone and doing their makeup.
__________________________
You hear the jokes about fallen officers and say they should have known better.
He is a hero and runs into situations when everyone else is running away in order to make sure no one else gets hurt and lose's his life doing it
__________________________
You sit there and judge him, saying that its a waste of money to have them around.
Yet as soon as you need help he is there

November 14, 2007

Hey Bob - help bill look over his family. they need the support right now to stay strong.
If there is anything you guys can do to push this along quickly, that would be great!!
We'll all be getting together soon to hang out and talk - I'll have a beer for you :)
I miss you and could use a chat.

November 5, 2007

Happy Belated Birthday!!!

October 29, 2007

The tournament was fantastic. You were blessed with very special friends. We feel grateful for them every day!

Love you and miss you always!

October 21, 2007

Great Tournament... wish you were there!

October 12, 2007