Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Brother Staples,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

January 10, 2006

In loving memory of Michael LeeStaples: Thank you for your contribution. It was huge!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

September 5, 2005

Angel Friends

Some people doubt that each of us
Have angels to protect us,
Assigned by God when we were born,
To love us and direct us.
And though we cannot see them,
They're always at our side,
Companions while we're living,
And after we have died.
God knew we needed someone
To watch us night and day,
To guide us down the narrow path
And keep all harm away.
Someone of endless wisdom,
Whom he could always trust,
To guard us every minute,
And take good care of us.
So carefully he chose each one
For every living soul, Some with wings of silver,
And some with wings of gold,
But all filled with a burning love,
That never has an end,
And each of us is blessed to have,
A special Angel Friend.

I miss you every day Uncle!

Sadie-surviving niece

December 1, 2004

A Million Times

You never said I'm leaving
You never said good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knew why

A million times we've needed you,
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could've saved you,
You never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place,
No one else will ever fill.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
Part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.

November 29, 2004

Remarks at Church Memorial Services - Michael Staples
September 7, 2002, First Baptist Church, Bedmidji, MN

By Richard R. Glodowski, Special Agent in Charge USDA-Forest Service, Eastern Region, Milwaukee, WI

I know from talking with many of you and from my own personal experience what Mike meant to you, this community and how he touched many and being held in such high regard.

I would like to share with you a story with some observations about the passing of Mike.

In order to tell the story I need to introduce myself, Richard Glodowski, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement for Eastern US stationed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Back in 1995, prior to transfer from Juneau, Alaska to Milwaukee, I was approached by then Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer (from Alaska), who made a personal request, it had to do with a new law enforcement recruit in the Eastern Region on the Chippewa National Forest, it was Mike Staples. I did not know Mike Staples at that time or ever heard of him. The officer went to explain that he is a special person with unique qualities and asked that I look out for and take care of him. The officer suggested Mike was special and a future star in our organization. My point is that Mike was touching people and being noticed in far away places like this story, some 2000 miles from northern Minnesota.

Back then Larry (now Captain Larry Heady here on National Forests in Wisconsin and Minnesota) and I did not expect that someday he would be working for me here in this region and Larry would be supervising Mike.

Upon my arrival in late 1995 to Milwaukee, I was hearing good things about this new recruit/law enforcement officer on the Chippewa named Mike Staples. I was eager to meet Mike. I met him sometime later in 1996 and since that time I was struck with his personal traits and attributes; Mike had a sense of purpose, well poised, professional in every way, seeking constant self-improvement, integrity, sense of duty and service and commitment to family.

We at headquarters remarked about Mike’s traits and often said it is not a matter of if but when he will rise to the top of the Forest Service and be one of our leaders.

Of course, sadly Mike has been tapped for a higher calling than the Forest Service.

I want to share with you the many calls and messages my staff and I have received since learning of Mike’s death. They have come from all over the United States. I was surprised of how many people Mike had touched in his career, people even from outside the FS in the greater federal law enforcement community.

In those messages there were the expression of deep sadness and offers of extended prayer to Mike and his family and I am taking this opportunity to pass those condolences along to you.

But what struck me most in those calls and messages beyond the stories and experiences was a common theme; their acknowledgement of his personal traits and attributes such as sense of purpose, professionalism, integrity, honor, sense of duty and commitment to family.

My point here is that Mike’s mere presence touched and influenced many beyond the local community here in northern Minnesota. And secondly, this influence I believe we be ever lasting and a part of his legacy in the Forest Service family and larger Federal Law Enforcement community. He demonstrated and lived to a high standard as an officer, person and family man.

Thank you.

Richard R. Glodowski, Agent in Charge
USDA-Forest Service, Eastern Region, Milwaukee, WI

January 9, 2004

Now it has been over a year, and I still miss you everyday. What a wonderful officer, father, friend! You will always remain in my thoughts, prayers and heart. You will always be loved and missed.

Anonymous

November 21, 2003

IN loving memory of my brother mike...i will always luv u and miss u

ashley

September 30, 2003

Mike I just wanted to tell you that you are greatly missed by those of us who worked with you. I will be attending the memorial service in D.C. next month when they put your name on the wall. I have put a small book together withsome pictures from our fire investigation school, and all of the news clippings from your accident. I hope to muster the courage to give it to your wife and boys, so that they will have something other than memories. I hope its the right thing to do. I sat here today and read these notes left for you and cried. As a matter of fact I still am. I think of your family often and hope they are being comforted in this great time of loss. I hope you will be watching over me in D.C. We will all need your guidance. I'll talk to you soon.

Anonymous

Mike was the most dedicated person I knew, to his family and the service. I've known no man with a deeper love for his family and commitment to his job. We've spent many hours talking, laughing, venting. I miss that. The world has lost a true hero. I sense your up there watching over us as we continue our days. My heart goes out to your family, they're in my prayers each day. As I put on this uniform each day, I think of your dedication. There are days when it makes me sad, and days I feel privilaged to have been able to call you my "friend". I miss you Mike.

Anonymous

Another officer has fallen but not in vain. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Ranger Staples. May you find strength in your heart and may the Lord comfort you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch is over.

US Park Ranger
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

I miss you Mike. I am proud to have known and worked with you. Take care...

Steve
U.S. Forest Service

Dear, Mike

As I was away when this accident happened it has just struck me now that you are not with us any more. I will miss you dearly Mike, thank you for all of the great memories that you have left for me. My deepest sympathies go out to your family and I know that they will never forget you. You were a great officer and friend, and will always be missed.

Anonymous

Mike, You will always be my hero!! I miss you buddy!

Mike's family and friend, My sympathy to you. Don't let Mike's memory die, remember what a remarkable friend, father, husband and LEO he was. Think often of that great smile and good attitude!

Anonymous

Words truly cannot express how deeply sorry I feel.
Mike you were a wonderful friend, father and husband. Your commitment, bravery, service and memories will not be forgotten. I extend my condolences and deepest sympathies to your family, friends and co-workers.

God bless you and your family.

Officer Rebecca Francis
U.S. Forest Service - Superior N.F.

God bless...

I knew Mike personally for about four years. He worked with me in the basement of the SO prior to my leaving the Chippewa National Forest. He was a very good man who loved his family and his job, and he cared for those that he worked with. I remember mostly his smile and his laugh. There were times when to relieve stress I would ramble a bit and he would always laugh, as he told me he understood fully. We were both ex-military and occasionally we would compare notes about our experiences. He was truly dedicated to Law Enforcement and had a compassion for people and an understanding of them. He helped my stepson when he got in trouble and did it instantly with no expectation of gratitude from a 16-year-old boy. Mike will be missed by all those who had the honor and privilege of working and being around him.

Dale A. Fischer
Ex-Forest Service Employee

Dear Mike,
With a smile on your face and a gleam in your eye you chose to build a life that was honest and right. You loved and gave selflessly to your family, friends, career and community. An incredible man who is gone but never forgotten! you will be deeply missed.
My prayers and sincere condolences to your wife, boys and family, may god bless you and give you strength.

Tonya Struecker Co-Worker/Friend
US Forest Service, Chippewa National Forest

Mike,
You will always remain in my thoughts and prayers. I am very thankful for knowing you and will never forget. You did your job well and represented your agency the same, I only hope others will follow from your example. I will miss you and perform my duties as you have.

TINY

Officer Ron
Dept. of Agriculture

To Mike Staples Family, You have lost a loved one who truly was admired as a person thoughout the community and work place, he will be greatly missed by all. My prayers and thoughts are with you. God Bless.

Anonymous

RIP and God bless you and your family Ranger Staples. Another hero lost.

A Brother in Blue (and USAF BLUE)

Ptlm
Corning PD, NY

Mike,
You are a model officer. I feel priviledged to have known and worked with you. You gave me guidance, encouragement, and friendship. Thanks for listening, and thanks for trusting in me when you needed to talk. Your extreme dedication to your family, and your job, had a deep impact on all that knew you. I can only believe that God has promoted you for a greater service.
You will not be forgotten.
Love you Brother Staples

Officer Travis Crickenberger
U.S. Forest Service - Superior NF

My deepest sympathy to the family, friends, and co-workers of Ranger Staples. You will all be in our family's prayers.

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) PD

My prayers are with the family of Ranger Staples. He is now watching us all from above. May you all know the power of God during this tough time.

Lori Brown
Aunt of Deputy Renee Azure EOW 8/06/02

Rest in Peace. God bless those left behind.

S. Yates
concerned citizen

To the family and friends of Ranger Staples,
It's very easy to sit back and say what a tragedy this is. By definition, the death of anyone in this line of work is public and usually gruesome. However, I can't say that any of our deaths are in vain. Although they are sad, each one of us who pays that ultimate price, gives the last measure of devotion, stands for something. Our deaths, although sad, say something to the world at large: we're here doing the job you can't; you sleep because people like me are here and willing to do great acts of violence on your behalf. All to often I hear how meaningless the death of an LEO is. It struck me sometime ago that our deaths, although sad, do indeed symbolize something greater than anyone of us--our principles. It is the quintessential affirmation that each one of us is a hero--an icon, someone to be looked up to. Not one of knows if this next shift will be our last. But should my next be just that, my last, I'd rather people remember that which I stood for rather than remembering my death as meaningless. It had meaning--it stood for something, it wasn't in vain.

Ranger Staples,
Altough you're now walking a different beat in the great beyond, here on Earth, you are not forgotten.

Johnathan A. Stilley
USA Traffic Accident Investigations