Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

it's been three years and it still feels just like yesterday. we love and miss our hero. and shelia you are forever remembered in our hearts. i know you are keeping guard in heaven. love your adopted sister and friend .
sarah

sarah taylor

January 16, 2006

Today is the 3rd year of your death. It still seems like yesterday to me. I remember January 15, 2003 so vividly. It was a hectic day for both of us due to the ice storm. You said State Police were looking for assistance due to the amount of accidents from the City Police. You didn't have to respond because you were in court that day. I too was busy being the Great Casualty Claim Adjuster that I am. You told me you would come by after work. When I got home you called me and told me your boyfriend was coming by and you would come see me tomorrow. Of course I told you I wanted to see you today you could see your boyfriend tomorrow. You just chuckled and said you be there after you got off your treadmill and took a quick shower. You did make it here at 7:30 pm smelling like sweetpea from Bath & Body Works wearing your gray warmup suit and smiling big as usual. Dennis made us pizza bits. We sat in the family room we talked and you played with the bad cat. We went to the office, you and I talked Dennis worked on his computer. Finally at 9:00 pm you said you had to go home to get ready for work. You also had court the next day and had to give your neighbor Sidney the key to walk Monte(your much spoiled poodle). You went out through the garage door and before you left we kissed said I love you and I will see you tomorrow. Only tomorrow never came for you. In less than six hours from the last time I saw your face the Norfolk Police Department were at my door telling me the unthinkable. You were shoot and killed in the line of duty. My heart will never mend and I no longer have the whole me without you. I can't wait to see you again.

Love for all eternity,
Your Identical Twin Sis,
Sharon

You will forever be my hero and the wind beneath my wings!!!!

Sharon Atkins

January 16, 2006

You were called away 3 years ago. Many broken hearts were left behind and I'm sure you had so much left for you to do here. The 3 years has probably felt like a lifetime to your loved ones who miss you so much. Keep watch over them and protect them from harm. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

January 12, 2006

Beautiful Sister of Mine, I think of you often. Your life, legacy and memory will stay with me until we meet. I found this site this year and visit it often to pay respect to all of my law enforcement family. Although I have read your bio countless times, but I cannot help but visit it every single time I visit.

I think of you often, and when I do, I think of your beautiful face and smile. As I read each new reflection, it let's me know how loved and respected you are, and that heaven definitely has an angel. I hope that your family and friends find comfort in this site, by knowing that you are loved and respected by many.

I hope that this holiday season and all others to come, brings peace to your family by allowing them to reflect back on the wonderful times they shared with you in holidays seasons past and in general. I hope that any sadness that may come, is oveshawdowed by the joy of your memories and by knowing that one day you all will be together again.

God Bless You!

Connie L. Stephens, Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

December 24, 2005

I came across this page by accident, the story bought a tear to my eye.
I write this from Portsmouth, England;
In respect for those on which we rely.

That someone with so much to live for,
with a smile of pure angelic beauty.
When doing their service to the people,
sould fall in the line of their duty.

In our hearts we will always remember,
that you paid the ultimate price.
We salute you and will pray for you always,
never forgetting your true sacrifice.

Jesse (UK civilian)
none

November 27, 2005

Still thinkning of you. Never forget....Say hi to Stanley...

Inv. T. Glaser
Norfolk Police Dept

November 25, 2005

I lost my twin sister Catherine Hill, a United States Border Patrol agent on 10/25/02. It was the most difficult loss and pain in my life. But I grew so much from it. My heart goes out to you sharon, for the loss of your twin but I know that like me, your twin is still in contact with you. Do not discount what you hear her say. A bond between twins cannot be broken even by death. After all death is just a horizon to something better. We are only here on this earth to learn and go back home. Your beautiful sister is 10-42 (gone home).

E Didelot
11-24-05

Elizabeth Hill Didelot
SDPD, 911 dispatcher

November 24, 2005

mommy its been two years without you an i miss u dearly. i never express to anyone how i feel about the night you were called home but i wanted to tell u i miss u an love u more and more everyday. i decided to type in your name in the search engine an i came across this site and your picture. Mommy you were liked and loved by everyone and your death has affected a lot of people.Our family the most, thats why i have to be strong, especially for grandma and sharon. i miss you more around the holidays an so does everyone else. I see more of u in sharon an i thank god for it even though she sees it as a blessing and a curse. You mean so much to me an life is not the same without u. Ill always love you. Your daughter lexy may

alexis herring

November 14, 2005

HEY SHEILA;
I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW YOU WOULD SAY "HEY" WHEN WE WOULD TALK. YOU ARE MISSED AND IT SEEMS LIKE TIME HAS STOOD STILL SINCE THAT TROULBE DAY. I KNOW YOU AND WHEATIES ARE HAVING THE BEST OF TIMES NOW. KEEP LOOKING AND SMILING UPON US.

MISSING YOU MORE AND MORE
YOUR BABY SISTER LISA

November 9, 2005

Shelia:

Tonight I meet Stanley Reaves, the person that so many knew, and he sounded like he would be a great guy to know. Just as you sounded like a great person to know. God is truly taking some unique talent, so show Stanley the ropes and watch over all the NPD, I'm sure you and Jame Gilbert have your work cut out for you,(Stanley is suppose to be a cut up) but remember all of you are fighting the good fight!

We all miss you.
and you never will be forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Norfolk, Va

November 1, 2005

Please watch over Officer Reaves family and help them get thru this tragic time. Not a day goes by that you are not deeply missed. Keep shining Sheila!!

Norfolk Telco II

November 1, 2005

For Sharon:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousands winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

mary elizabeth frye - 1932

I was reading P.O. Herring's reflections today and saw your messages. I know that I cannot possibly understand your pain, but this poem has always stuck with me so I wanted to share it with you. If it were me that was gone, I would not want to see you so sad. Holidays are hard, but they are coming up. She would want you to celebrate in some way. Try this year and think of your beautiful sister, she will be looking down on you. Try to find a way to pay tribute to her, but giving you a way to grieve and celebrate her life. Especially Thanksgiving. Thank her for all the good times, the trials, the love, the ways she enriched your life. If you lived here, I would tell you to go to the beach and listen to the waves and do all of the above. There are ways to pay tribute and celebrate and heal. She would want you to do that as I am sure you'd want her to if the situations had been reversed.

A lifelong Norfolk resident.

Anonymous
Norfolk, VA

October 30, 2005

Sheila please help this officers family.


Love You Always
Your other half Sharon

October 30, 2005

Sheila,
I can now say that I received some distressing news yesterday as I was sitting at Virginia Beach General after dropping a patient off from a vehicle accident. The officer that was on the scene had just arrived and asked me if I had heard my radio or checked my computer. I had told him no, that I had just come from inside. He told me another officer had been shot and now had died from the injuries he had sustained. The officer was apart of Norfolk Police Department. This is always the hardest part for any of us in this line of work. I have been a member of the emergency folks for 5 years now and I have put 4 officers into the ground. Now this one will be number 5. This is so unfair to all of us. We shouldn't have to be putting this many people out of our lives. I can say out of the 4 that I have had to mourn for I only truley knew 3. But then......I am working for 2 departments now. VBEMS and now CKPD. If only it got easier, but then again I dont believe god wanted things like this to be easy for us. May god bless all and take the burdon from your souls. We shall all cross paths again. Till then.....goodbye

Shock Trauma S.L. Talbert
VBEMS

October 29, 2005

Shelia:

We lost another officer tonight, please watch over him, and his family. We stil remember you!

NPD DISPATCHER
NORFOLK, VA

October 28, 2005

It's been 2 years and 10 months, but it feels like only yesterday. I look at your picture and think about you every day. I still don't celebrate holidays. My last Thanksgiving and Christmas will always be with you. I can't wait to see you again!!!

Truly your other half
Your Identical Twin Sis
Sharon Atkins

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

October 20, 2005

Your smile is missed. You are thought of each and every day and I miss you terribly.

Tami Parlett
Norfolk Airport Police Department

October 13, 2005

Dear Sheila,
Yesterday I met your sister. You would be proud of her. She rode her motorcycle 500 miles to raise money for hungry families. I wish I would have been able to say something to her to let her know how sorry I am that she had to lose you. I am a mom of twin girls, so I know the two of you shared a very strong bond. You will always be remembered as a hero. Sharon is a hero too.

Melissa & Steffanie's mom

June 12, 2005

YOU ARE A HERO. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE.

a former officer

June 9, 2005

Herring,

I thought of you this weekend as I attended the 2005 National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. Dunlap was there too and we reminisced about our time together at the 117th MSP Trooper Recruit School. I wish things you would have finished with us, then I wouldn't have to be writing a reflection on this website. We will never forget you.

D/Tpr. Brenda Hoffmann (a/k/a Recruit Buschlen)

D/Tpr. Brenda Hoffmann
Michigan State Police

May 17, 2005

Sheila,

This week (POLICE MEMORIAL WEEK) is always so very important, as it is a time to reflect upon our brothers and sisters who have gone from us.

I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to have instructed you in the police academy and to have witnessed that very infectious Smile and wonderful personality you displayed. It was even more of an honor to see you graduate and work the streets of Norfolk. You are and you will always be a heroe in my eyes. May GOD bless you always and your wonderful family.

Goldie

Detective David Goldberg
Norfolk Police

May 14, 2005

To my friend Sheila Herring : I miss you and you will forever be in my heart Your Friend angie

April 11, 2005

hey shelia,
it's been 2yrs. and four months. and still it seems like yesterday. and to know that you are still very well missed by your love ones and friends. i love and miss you shelia.
love,sarah mae

sarah
good friend

April 11, 2005

Beautiful Sister of mine, I admire you and respect you for your courage and diligence to duty. I too am a law enforcement officer and let me say it takes a special kind of person and woman to choose this occupation and to do what we do. You are one in a million and I thank you.

Your service to law enforcement and death will never be in vain, your sacrifice has given me a new sense of strength and purpose in my law enforcement career and this strength makes me want to continue to be the best that I can be. The badge that I wear is not only for me, but for you and all of the other men and women in law enforcement who have given their lives to protect others.

I am a female in law enforcement and when I read about the death of another female law enforcement officer, I can relate because I live this existence everyday.

We are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and friends!!!!

Connie Stephens
Immigration and Customs Enforcement

April 6, 2005

You are missed deeply by your fellow officers.

Norfolk Police Dept

March 25, 2005