Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I wish I could get over the anger - I'm just so MAD that you're gone. How could you have been taken from us? WHY??

I can't believe it's been 4 1/2 years. You were so GOOD for the department - I hope everyone knows that. And that big grin - did you EVER put it away? I miss you, Bill...I miss the way you way you told a story - I want to cry every time I think of your wife and girls without you, and the pain they must feel. I thank God that they are blessed with such a loving support system. My prayers for Dee Dee have been answered - she has found the strength to get through the nightmare and move on with her life. What a wonderful role model she is for your children.

To everyone that wasn't touched by Bill's life (was there anyone?) - boy, did you miss out! He was a wonderful, charming, and caring man. And man, was he funny!

You know, I could tell 50 stories about Bill, but unless you met him - you just wouldn't get it. He was simply inspiring.

I miss you, Bill.

March 29, 2005

Life has a flavor the protected will never know!...

March 25, 2005

Not a day goes by that we do not think about you, about how much time has passed, about how much hurt we still have in our hearts. Each time an officer is taken from us it is like opening Bob's wound all over again. Please know that you will always be in our thoughts.

I do not believe that I have ever thanked you for the gifts you have given to Bob and I. We are so grateful for Geoff and Steph, their friendship is like no other. And Dude, Buffet concerts rock. Bob and I have not missed one yet since you have been gone. Not even mother nature would keep us from a concert.

You would be so proud of DD. She is so strong. And how about Jessie and Emliy, I know that you live through them. They have grown to be such beautiful young ladies. As for Ryan, well... he has done a damm good job too. I have so much respect for him. He has filled some very big shoes nicely. I believe that he respects DD's need to keep your memory alive. I believe that they both miss you very much.

Tell everyone hello for us, especially the judge. As Bob says... Peace out.

Angie Mercuri

March 8, 2005

So many ifs, if only one day could be spent as a family again, so your mommy could say how much she loves you all. It is so hard to understand why God wants famlies to stay together and be happy, but then takes all of you away from us. So much pain, part of me is so dead it is so hard for me to go on, I can`t even get things done. Every time I start to want to dream or have goals in life something happens to take something else away. This isn`t a pity party, I just need to understand why . God doesn`t give us anymore than we can take, why does he keep thinking I can take all this. I love your girls so much, I know I`m not a good Grammy, I truly want to be. My heart just breaks again every time I see them. I`m not trying to hurt anyone. I just wish people could try to understand how hard it is. Beth and Andrew are such good kids to me, how I am is not fair to them either. I just wait for a call or knock to tell me they are gone,please ask God not to take anyone else. My prayers just don`t seem to be heard. If only again you could really read this or hear me, or just one day with you guys. I`v hit rock bottom and I am trying to get help, I know it won`t happen over night, I want to believe that it will help ease it all. Iv`e driven another love of my life away, yes I caused it all. I have to accept this pain and blame also. I relize there will always be hurt in everyones life, just why does there have to be so much in certain peoples.I don`t mean to seem so self-centered or hurt people ,I just need some help to understand what I can do to be a better person to people I do care so very much about. We had our good times and bad but I believe our love as a family will always live on. Don`t forget Billy Willy or Toddie Phoo that mommy will always love her babies.

February 26, 2005

Sometimes it feels like that you are just away but then when I see the girls I realize that four years have gone by and you aren't returning. You're missed more than you know.

February 9, 2005

On Saturday, January 8, we had to say goodbye to another family member, Brittany. She has been a part of the family for seventeen years and many even thought she would outlive the rest of us who are still living. Although she was a dog, she possessed many characteristics of a true friend who cared for everyone she encountered.
Unlike most dogs, Brittany loved fruit. In fact, instead of being a fruit bat, she was a fruit dog. Her favorite treat was bananas. Hardly anyone could eat a banana without Brittany standing on her back legs, mouth watering begging for a piece. During the summer and fall, she could even be caught in the yard munching on a plum, apple, or even tomatoes from the garden.
Through her seventeen years, she brought loving memories to the family often being seen in family photographs or even being fed from the kitchen table. She even stood guard to protect little ones as well as sick ones. Her presence will be missed but her memories will continue to live. Brittany was laid to rest underneath the neighbor’s apple tree.

Beth

January 18, 2005

I know you guys are up there throwing Brittany's "Blue Racket Ball" around to her. She was a good dog, the 17 years she was here. She out lived a lot of people. And I know you guys are taking care of her now. I miss all of you a lot, not a second goes by that I don't matter of fact. Life here is good though, best mom and sister(so strong), and Aleigha- she is the kindest person that I have ever met. She completes me. I know too you guys had a hand in picking her out for me, well you guys and God- and I thank you so much for that. Beech Grove's process starts here on the 29th. I would love to call that my home. Just around everything so familiar. And I know how dedicated I would be to them as well. Nothing will stand in the way of how well of an officer I will be. No deaths, no feelings, nothing, because I know how this life works and how it effects people. I will be be talking to you guys, please watch over all of us.
Love,
-Andrew-

January 14, 2005

How I love holidays but hate them at the same time. It's not fair to us that actually like them to have horrible ones by the ones who don't!

December 9, 2004

Thanksgiving just passed us by like it was nothing. Christmas I know will do the same. It's like any more, people start preparing for the holidays that are a couple moths away before they celebrate the one the next day. It seems things are changing in this world like it's nothing. Maybe it's because I'm getting older and realize things more, but even when I talk to people that have been here longer then I have, they tell me how things have changed. But who knows?

Somethings I think to myself how much different things would be if you guys were here? Then I think: Well, they're not here so why think about it and just live how I am and be happy. But to be perfectly honest, it is real hard sometimes. People do whatever they have to do to ease themselves or get it off their minds, but I know how things get to people and sometimes it helps to hide it and sometimes it doesn't. Be with us as I know you will be. Watch over me through BG's process starting in January. That would be a nice place to call home. Love you guys.

November 27, 2004

Missed!...

November 24, 2004

Always remembered...always missed!

November 10, 2004

With all of these officers leaving us lately, I think of you. What a great person you were. It brings tears to my eyes to think about what happened to you. Rest in peace, classmate.

October 12, 2004

Because of you I live, love, and laugh so much better now....

September 30, 2004

Too bad you weren't there to see that pop fly sail over Drew's head!

September 29, 2004

There isn't a day that doesn't come along I don't ask myself, "what the hell?"

September 29, 2004

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero.

September 29, 2004

Today, the four year anniversary of Bill's death, I will keep him, and his family, in my thoughts and prayers. Andrew, hang in there. Rest in peace, Bill, and continue to watch over your family, who misses you desperately. Peace be with all of you.

Michigan Resident

September 29, 2004

We all just finished up the softball tournament. That was the 5th one. WOW! I can't beleive here in a couple days it will be four years. But then again, time is pretty much nothing anymore. It's kind of funny, playing in that tournament is about like weddings and funerals, you see people you haven't seen in a while. It is nice though to see all those people come out to play. It is always real hard seeing that "8" at short stop though. I played there tonight and made some good plays that I know you liked. (HAA-HAA!!!) Beech Grove is taking three in January, so be with me on that one too. I know in my heart I would really love it there. Once again, I will see you guys when I get there and I miss you. Watch over all of us. I love you guys.
-Andrew-

September 26, 2004

How i miss all of you

September 16, 2004

Always and forever.....missed!

September 9, 2004

Today is that "Paticular Gray", that will come every time this happens some place close to home. And I know everyone around feels the same. There is nothing that can be said or done to take any kind of pain away, any person is feeling that just lost someone close to them. It's funny how God works.

August 23, 2004

I was so moved to read all of the reflections and remembrances of this fine officer, husband, father and brother. He obviously had the heart of a lion and bravery beyond measure. I am so sorry for the loss to your family and your community. Thank you so much for your service.

Annonymous

August 11, 2004

I have that feeling right now that I call "Fall Feeling." It's almost that time of year again, and I get this "Fall Feeling" every time. You and dad where taken away in the Fall and it's gets me every time. I know it's not Fall yet, but I get this feeling so often and go back to that night you were taken. It's the oddest feeling in the world and I don't think even if I tried, I could explain. There are so many things I miss right now. There are so many things I could talk to you and Todd about right now. And I realize you guys are with me, but it's not even close to being the same thing as calling you up. For whatever reason, you guys are gone? But I'm not going to question that. I don't get screwed up in the head over it or anything, I just wish you guys to be here. -Andrew-

August 1, 2004

Brother "Living like I'm dying"
because of you...I miss u Bill and Thx!

July 25, 2004

When sharing things with people that have recently entered your life, it's hard to tell people about your personal life. It's the usual question about if you have any brothers or sisters and the response that gets them a little uneasy. I stop to think about it for a few seconds trying to decide how exactly I am going to tell them that I have two brothers who have died. The majority of the time, I tell them that I have three older brothers but it’s when they ask more questions such as what do they for a living that provokes further explanation. I still have not found an easy way to prepare people for what I am going to tell them. For me, it’s sometimes uncomfortable because I know how the other person is going to respond and I don’t exactly want them to say the usual response of “I’m sorry” or “wow.” So I tell them after preparing myself for their reactions the usual brief story of each brother. Their expressions are usually quite interesting and I don’t want them to feel sorry for me because that’s not the type of person I am. After that point the person gets quiet and remains silent for a few seconds. They then dig a bigger hole for themselves when they ask about parents, because come on, I now have to tell them about my father dying when I was eleven. Their reactions are quite priceless. Try explaining that by the age of 21 that half of your family is dead when most people your age have never experienced death. It’s an experience of its own kind.

Not to worry, the three of them have each other up there like three of us have each down here. It’s an even split and even though it is hard at times, it works itself out nicely.

July 23, 2004