Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

True heros are never forgotten, Corporal Coursen was a true hero. Rest in peace my Brother. Once a brother, always a brother. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this hero.....

Chief Steven C. Guibord
Naples Police Department

It is so tragic that Corp. Coursen lost his life this way. To the family and friends, my heart goes out to you. Please know that as a fellow Officer, I will do everything I can to take the thugs and cowards, such as the one that took Corp. Coursens life, off the streets. I will keep each and every one of you in my prayers, God Bless you all.

Officer S.C. Sales
PCMH Police Dept, Greenville, NC

Do the tears ever stop? does the pain ever subdue? How can one comprehend the tragic loss of life.

As I sit here and re-read what has been posted and remember the day this tragedy took place I cannot help but to weep as I still see the reports on the news and see the funeral procession thay followed both DJ Coursen and Dana Tate. Usually here funerals and the lines of cars are met by frustrated motorists trying to get to their destination but not your funeral. The only horns blowing were those Sending you home. The immortal dismissal of your unit by dispatch will forever ring in my head "alpha 35... alpha 35... copy secure with God in Heaven" may we never forget you.

todd maschino

To the family,Friends and fellow Officers who worked with
Corporal Dyke A. Coursen:

On behalf of the 1500 members of the New York State Supreme Court Officers Association I wish to express our sincere and Heartfelt condolences for your tragic loss. Corporal Coursen's death was not in vain. He is one of THOUSANDS of Officers who have over the years INSPIRED men and women across this country to SERVE in the Law
Enforcement Community.God Bless Corporal Coursen for giving others the courage to Serve!


James T.Carr
President
New York State Supreme Court
Officers Association

Senior Court Officer James T.Carr
New York State Courts

Dyke,

Its been almost 5 months since we saw you last, I miss you as much as the minute I got the awful news. The hurt is not any better, and the void in my heart gets bigger and bigger. Missing you like crazy! Just wanted to let you know, there isnt an hour that goes by without something reminding me of the you or our times together. As you rest in peace you must know we all miss you so much!

Anonymous

It is special men like your loved one that make The United States of America truely great.

May the God of all comfort place his tent over you. Please remember to throw all your burdens upon the Lord and he will sustain you. PS.55-22

IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE OVER TWO MONTHS AND I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THIS TRAGEDY ACTUALLY OCCURRED. I THINK ABOUT YOU AND DANA ALL THE TIME AND I STILL FEEL LIKE A PIECE OF MY SOUL IS GONE. I PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILIES, AS I KNOW THE PAIN IS UNRELENTING FOR THEM. I PRAY JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED DURING THE TRIAL, BUT I DREAD THE TRIAL AND ALL THE DETAILS AND PUBLICITY IT WILL BRING. IN A PERFECT WORLD, NOT ONE MORE LAW OFFICER WOULD BE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY....FAMILIES AND DEPARTMENTS WOULD NEVER GO THROUGH WHAT WE HAVE ALL ENDURED IN THE PAST MONTHS. BUT WE ALL KNOW THIS WORLD IS NOT PERFECT. I PRAY THAT AS TIME PASSES, SO WILL THE PAIN. GOD BLESS MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT...BE SAFE AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. REST IN PEACE AJ.

BCSO

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY OF CORPORAL DYKE COURSEN AND ALSO TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY S/O IN SC. MAY GOD BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU, AND MAY HE KEEP YOU IN HIS ARMS. STAY SAFE BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

PTL DUANE CARPENTER
GONZALES POLICE DEPARTMENT

TO THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. AND TO CPL. COURSEN'S FAMILY. MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU. I AM CERTAIN THAT CPL. COURSEN CONTINUES ON HIS TOUR OF DUTY FROM ABOVE AND IS WATCHING OVER AND PROTECTING US. ALTHOUGH I NEVER KNEW HIM, LIKE ALL GOOD COPS, I AM PROUD TO CALL HIM MY BROTHER.
I GRIEVE FOR HIM AND FOR YOU. ONCE AGAIN THE BLUE WALL HAS LOST ANOTHER BRICK AND WAS MOMENTARILY WEAKENED. BUT REST ASSURED, THE WALL WILL BE REPAIRED AND IT'S STRENGTH REPLENISHED. LANCE CPL.TATE AND CPL.COURSEN WILL SEE TO IT.

SGT. J.M.APPLEBY
MARYLAND STATE POLICE

SGT. J.M.APPLEBY
MARYLAND STATE POLICE

In the wake of September 11th I wouldn't have considered there to be more danger than here in NYC. Unfortunately I was wrong, and shocked to see that Dyke could be slain along with his partner responding to a domestic disturbance. This is truely sad for he had recently moved to this new Department with his wife. God bless his family in their time of grief.

PO David A. Davis
MTA Police

All my prayers go out for the officers family. May He look down from heaven knowing he did his job well and to watch over us as we do ours....

from your friends at CWF.....GODSPEED and REST IN PEACE...

rick

Anonymous

My heart goes out to the family for such a tragedy. Working in law enforcement myself I wait, listen, hold my breath just waiting for the radio transmission to return and I hear that "Code 4". Yes, I'm a 911 dispatcher for the Bullhead City Police Department in Bullhead City Az. Fdrodeogal, my AOL friend, I'm so so sorry this happened. Girl, if there is anything in this world I can do for you, please contact me. My prayers are with each and everyone of you at this time.

Sincerely,
Debbie & Mike Powell

Debbie Powell
Bullhead City Police Department

It's been almost a month since that tragic moment when my two shift-mates, mentors and friends were killed.
AJ I will miss you greatly and still grieve heavily over your death. I will surely miss your off-guard humor, harley stories, pictures of Cory, and honesty.

Deputy Sheriff
Beaufort County Sheriffs Office

Dykester, every time I see a burgandy/gray Chevy truck I'll think of you. I'm sure everyone has something different to remember you by. I also know that the love you had for German Shepherds, but you always settled for the shepherd mixes that needed love.

You're in God's hands now
Vicky

Dyke,

Never in a million years would I have thought I would be here writing this. I'll never forget the talk we had when you had to make the "decision" to leave or stay. When I got the news, my first reflection was of us standing in my front yard talking about the pro's and con's of you leaving. I felt instant guilt wishing I would have said something that would have changed your mind not to leave for Beaufort but to stay in LaGrange. I'll always remember the look on your face when you said "It's time for a change", and I knew what your decision was going to be.

As your time in LaGrange grew shorter, your excitement of starting new was evident. Everytime I would talk to you all I would hear about is how "cool it's gonna be riding a 4 wheeler on the beach" and how "great" your new home and Department is. In the back of my mind I kept thinking"Boy, I sure hope he is making the right decision".

When your day came to leave LaGrange, we said are good-bye's. Your excitement still showed and you told me "I'm doing the right thing, It's time for a change".

When the news hit home, nobody could believe what they were hearing, no details of what or how, just that you were gone.

A group of us made the trip to South Carolina for your funeral. It was there that I got a look at your life this past year. We went to your hang-out, where we were meet by several of your fellow Officers who welcomed us with open arms. This is where we were filled in on the "how's and what's", which left 30 people speechless and in tears. The next day, after your showing, we went to your house...WOW!! I don't think you could have found a more perfect place to live. The tree's, the water and even deer running around.

Then Monday came, the day that we would have to say our good-bye's. What a sight...Officers from all over. The service was incredible. It was amazing how the Community was pulled together, you couldn't drive anywhere without seeing signs, or hearing T.V. or Radio annoucements paying tribute to you and Dana. Any guilt I had went away after seeing and hearing this, because I knew even though it wasn't the way it was supposed to end, you made the right decision. Only you could make such an impact on so many people in such a short time.

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND,
YOUR TIME IN HELL IS OVER.
#318

Officer Rick Walker #318
Elyria (Oh) Police Department

HAPPY Birthday my friend.. we miss you so much!

Robyn Kubisen

A.J. Coursen was my friend, someone you could depend upon to lend you a hand, or just to talk with and laugh with. I cannot think of how his widow, D.J. is able to go on after such a tragic loss. A.J. , and her were the couple you couldn't imagine one without the other. Their love was so evident when you saw them together. A.J. enjoyed doing the job of civil servant, as a Deputy Sheriff or in the past role of EMT / fire fighter. The world is a better place for having had A.J. in it if only for a while.

Anonymous

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4
The prayers of my family will be with your family, my brother in blue.

John

Patrolman J. O'Meara
Sullivan's Island Police Dept.

Family and Friends of Corporal Coursen,

We are with you as you grieve.
Our hearts are heavy too.
We feel the loss and struggle to comprehend it.
We pray for strength and comfort, for understanding and for perfect peace.
We pay our respects and give honor to the one you love and have lost.
We are all around you.
We will stand by you.
We are sincere when we say, “If you need anything, you just have to ask.”
You will know us by our badges.
We will not forget.

<)))><

Chaplain Chuck Baker
Abilene Police Dpartment

I attended the services in Beaufort, SC for Dyke and I have to say it was an incredible show of affection and respect for an incredible man. He was my best friend and I've missed him dearly since his move to SC. During his tenure as Fire Chief for LaGrange Township and Captain with the LaGrange Police Dept. his dedication to the community, his department and fellow officers was immense. He lived his dream moving to SC and working in the Sheriff's Dept there. He died happy, doing the job he loved and we should all learn a lesson from him that you have to take a chance in life sometimes to fullfill your dreams. We miss you Dyke but you'll live on in our hearts and minds forever.

Roberta Dove
LaGrange, Ohio

Rest in Peace, my brother.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division

My prayers go out to the family of Corporal Coursen. I believe he was doing God's work. We in Muskingum County lost an officer the same day, please say a prayer for his family as well.

Anonymous

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends. You're in heaven now with my son and some more of your fallen officers. May God Bless you all.
D. Jones
Mother of Fallen Officer Ron Jones

A.J....As you know, yesterday we said our farewells to you and Dana. We all walked hand in hand, we laughed, we cried, we felt emotions we didn't know we had. We watched your daughter stand tall, stand proud, and laugh, and cry, as she spoke to thousands about you. She was beautiful, and I can only imagine how proud you are. Tonight I said my farewells in my own special way. I hope it didn't sound too bad. Rest in peace my brother, you are not alone.

To the family and close friends of A.J....Know in your hearts that your tragic loss does not go without merit. Know that in hero's deaths, lives are saved. Our fallen commrades saved lives on January 8th, and will continue to do so for a long time to come. You are a strong and proud family. I know I feel a little safer on every call for I know I have two extra men by my side. Thank you for bringing A.J. to us. Although it may not seem like it at times, know that you will never walk alone.

Sgt T.J. Slupski
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

I attended Cpl. Coursen's Funeral today, 1-14-02. It was a fitting tribute to a great officer. They retired his call sign "Alpha 35" over the radio at the burial site as a dispatcher called out "Alpha 35-This is dispatch", "Alpha 35-This is Dispatch". Of course no one answered dispatch's call. And "Alpha 35" ended his tour of duty.
Great job Beaufort Co. Sheriff's Office, you all did a great job honoring our fallen brother!

Deputy Russell Brewton
Richland Co. Sheriff's Department,SC