Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Eric I want you to kow that it was a pleasure and honor to work with a great person such as yourself. Your death was sudden and tragic, but you will never be forgotton. You and your family will always be in our prayers and they will always remain a part of us as will you. We will continue to do our jobs with you in our thoughts. You will always be ou brother in blue!!!!

Patrol Officer Jeremy Sims #217
Matteson

To Mrs. Dewit,
My heart and prayers go out to you in this trying time. I have been where you are. Adam was my soulmate. The dreams we had for our life will never be able to come true. It has taken me until now to realize that Adam would have wanted me to go on with life. Remind your child everday of the love that the childs father had. I know he loved his child very much. Adam would tell me that he thought parents were crazy when they said they loved their children more then their selves. He left behind a five month old daughter who he would say "I love Emilee more than I love my self and I really love myself". Remind your child of the hero your husband was and is for men and women like police officers aren't born everyday and when one is taken God has his reason we just aren't sure what it is. Lean on your police family as well as the family you are use to. The police family will be your solid rock this i have learned. I have also learned that it isn't always you police family that you have at home either. We are all out here for one another. Our heartaches are very similar.

Katrina Hickox
Girlfriend of Adam Fleshner E.O.W. 1/13/03

Rest in peace brother. On behalf of the Fire Service Community, we offer our sincere condolences to Ofc. Dewit"s family and the Matteson Police Dept. Thank you for your service to your community, and watch over all of us!

Firefighter
Bolingbrook Fire Dept.

YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN

PATROLMAN FIRST CLASS
MBPD

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS
WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER DEWIT, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS..

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

Such a tragic loss. There is no understanding the loss of someone so young with so much life left to live. We question why to no avail. May the Lord of peace and comfort be with you and give you strength.

Becky Jacks
Mother of Officer Julie Jacks EOW 5/6/2002

As you hold me close in memory,
even though we are apart,
my spirit will live on,
there within your heart.....

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

When you lean on trusted friends
and their caring hugs enfold you,
within their loving arms,
I'll be there to hold you.....

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

And beyond the far horizon
when we'll finally be together,
where love will be eternal
and life will last forever.....

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

Anonymous

Rest in peace my brother—You will not be forgotten. You have done your duty.

As I visit the Law Enforcement Memorial on May 15th, I will say a prayer for you, your family, and all those that have been affected by your passing.

See you some day brother.

Cpl. Jodie L. Warren
Prince George County Police Department

While there are no words of comfort that can be offered to help make this horrible event any easier, I take comfort in knowing that he is patroling the streets of heaven with all of the other brave officers that have gone before him. Officer DeWitt and his family, friends and co-workers will forever be in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous

Sleep well Bro, you will be missed.

A Fellow Copper

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Eric couldn't help but be struck by his love of life and jovial spirit. He worked hard to become a police officer -- to protect and serve the community. We will all miss him very much.


A Moment of Silence
in memory of Eric Dewit
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Twenty-two telve, we always knew
that your love for us was true

Smile so wide and conversation
lit by eyes inquisitive

Proud of family and profession,
vibrant with the joy of life

Twenty-two tewelve, we honor you,
there's nothing else that we can do

Brother fallen in the line,
duty's paid its highest price

There are more arms than men
but not enough comfort, oh

Twenty-two twelve, we always knew
your heart was pure and blood ran blue

Leather creaks, heroes weep
shield and star veiled in mourning

Bagpipers play, the guard salutes,
the flag waves from half mast

There is nothing here for us to do,
Twenty-two twelve is ten forty-two

But through this pain a light appears
to ease our sorrow, quell our tears

Sweet baby Kylie with eyes so wide,
carries her daddy's love inside

His life too short but filled with love
from here below and up above

Bonnie Paris, cousin

I think that this is a very nice forum for sharing thoughts and prayers -- Thank you.

Bonnie Paris, cousin

I had the privilege of being Eric's boss for an all-to-short period of time. He LOVED this job. We joke on the job when things don't go our way. We say, "I'm just glad to be here." The truth of the matter is that Eric was glad to be here. We were glad to have him. He was a good cop and an even better man. He loved his wife and daughter as only a proud daddy can. He brought a contagious smile with him to work that never faded. He brought joy with him wherever he went and we'll miss him.

Although tragic, Eric's death has provided me the opportunity to develop a friendship with and love for his family. His wife, daughter, mother, father, and brothers are now part of the Matteson Police Department inner circle and for that I am grateful. They are people well worth knowing.

Thanks to all of our brother and sister officers who have contributed to this list of reflections, memories, and well-wishes.

Tim S. Filkins
Matteson Police Department

Commander Tim Filkins
Matteson Police Department

On behalf of my dept., I extend our sorrow to the family and friends. Rest in peace brother.

Deputy Justus Clinton, McLean County Sheriff's Police, Illinois.

Deputy Justus Clinton
McLean County Sheriff's Police, Illinois

I first met Eric just a few (too) short months ago, when he became part of our bowling team. It didn't take long for me to realize that not only did he have a passion for sport, but he had a huge heart, devoted to his new wife and daughter as well as the rest of his family and friends. He also had that rare dedication and desire for law enforcement that only comes from the heart. Balancing these things together is never easy, and I learned that he regretted any time that one would interfere with another.

When his daughter was born five weeks ago, I met up with Eric when we both were on duty. I don't know of many who beemed with more pride and love than Eric did when talking about her or his wife. My son was born almost two years ago - I thought I was a proud father, but Eric was probably the proudest papa I've ever seen.

We've all lost a great partner in the Law Enforcement community. I'm sure that Eric would have been able to do great things for many people. Moreover, his daughter never had the chance to know just how wonderful a father Eric was. I hope that all these messages are saved for her to read when she is older to realize that her father was a good and decent young man who was taken from us far too early.

Godspeed, Eric.
You're absence is deeply felt by all.

Officer Greg King
Tinley Park Police Department

I am always saddened to hear of a Law Officers passing, my prayers go out to the Family, friends, and fellow officers of Officer Eric DeWit during this delicate time.

God Bless your soul dear Brother...

Officer Glenn McGloughlin
King County Jail

REST EASY,BROTHER. YOU ARE FOREVER IN OUR
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

Anonymous

TO THE DEWIT FAMILY, YOU HAVE LOST A PART OF YOUR FAMILY BUT YOU HAVE GAINED A NEW FAMILY AND THAT IS THE MATTESON POLICE DEPARTMENT.WE WILL BE THERE ANY TIME YOU NEED US , SO DONT HESITATE TO CALL. ANY TIME KYLIE NEEDS A BABYSITTER OR ANY TIME YOU NEED SOMETHING FROM THE STORE PLEASE CALL, WE ARE READY TO HELP. ERIC WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF THE MATTESON POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WILL THE DEWIT FAMILY.OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU.

OFC. R CHRISTENSEN
MATTESON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Know that he is with you from up above, looking down with the same love that you shared on earth. You will alway have him in your heart and a part of him through your son. God bless you and keep you safe. You are in our prayers. I am very sorry for your loss.

Sister in Blue
WPD

To the wife and son, of Officer DeWitt, I pray the Lord will comfort you through this terrible tragity. We have all lost a brother today. We share your pain and grief. May the Lord rest his soul. He will surely watch his son grow from Heaven. Today we have all gained an Angel. Sorry you had to leave us so soon brother, one day we will all be together. From a fellow rookie...Eternal Peace.

Officer Doug Cruz
FL. Dept. Environmental Protection/Bureau of Park Police

are thoughts and prayers are with you as we begin our career in law enforcement.....

police candidate's 45th session
chesapeake police dept ches, va

Rest in peace blue angel. Thank you for a job well done.

S. Yates
Concerned citizen

May God be at your side during these difficult times. Blessings to Police Officer Eric Dewitt for he is in a much better place and on Gods Watch.

God Bless

Patrol Officer. R.Gomez
Pinecrest Police, Florida

I learned of Ofc. Dewit's death the day after it happend, on a statewide LEADS broadcast. Its horrible to see such a tragic end to a young Officer's promising career. I wish the best to his family.

Community Service Officer
College of DuPage Police Department

Here we are again in the mist of another officer death. I feel so bad for the family of Officer DeWit. 22yrs of age is just too young too die.

To Officer DeWit's wife....
eventhough you feel so alone, 4 month ago when your husband took the oath of office, you as well as your one month old became a member of the largest family in the united States. We are ALL here for you. Remember this, you are not alone, we are here for you now that Eric has been taken from you in such a short time. Glod Bless You and the family of Police Officer Eric DeWit of the Matteson Police Department.

Deouty Shipman
Bay County Sheriffs Office Florida