Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another Christmas to miss you so soon after your birthday. Your kids look great, but I'm sure you're with them everyday. We all love you, and you are missed tremendously. Thinking of all the years we spend Christmas together, you with your goofy smile and sweatpants. The memories are what keep me going. Thanks for watching over us.

Patti
sister

December 24, 2007

Dear Mike,

With another birthday past and now Christmas approaching there is not a day that goes by where I don't think of you. I have never written a "reflection" here because I feel a part of all the ones that have been written. You touched my life in so many ways and you continue to do so each day. I will tell my girls about their cousin who they can be proud of and who I am so proud of. I love you and miss you.

Chrissie
cousin

December 18, 2007

Hi Michael. Happy Birthday. On this day, and every other day, I miss you. I thank you for everything right that has happened, because I know you've had a hand in it. I love you and think of you everyday.

Patti
sister

December 11, 2007

Happy birthday, Michael. I miss you.

Dan Johnson
brother

December 10, 2007

Mike,

As everyone has already stated in all the previous reflections all of us think of you every day, I was putting up Christmas Decorations today and told Glenn we were missing a box of them. He wasn't sure how I knew as our tree was so full of them but I told him that I didnt have the ornament with your picture in it. I put up my string of blue lights to remind everyone what we lost as well as what we are thankful for. That you were there to protect us and you made the ultimate sacrafice to keep us safe. While we celebrate the holiday many things will pass through our minds, the memories of every minute that was spent with you, all the smiles that you blessed us with. I know you are watching from above and I know you are protecting us. We miss you, think about you and love you every day... Love Always, Chrissy

Chrissy Johnson
Sister-n-law

November 29, 2007

I think of you everyday, and I know you are here with us. You would be so proud of the new addition to the family, and you'd be proud of Patrick. I love you.

Patti
sister

October 19, 2007

You are still in our hearts. Never to be forgotten.

Detective
New Hampshire

September 26, 2007

Hello, my friend, 4 years now! Our son, Michael married his Maria on Saturday(6-23). Remember, at Kelly's wedding, how we said it would be funny if they got together!? They danced to your music. Sure was odd not to have you as their DJ!!! Not quite the same. We think of you every day and miss you sooo much. Love you MJ!!!

Sandy Gilderdale
friend

June 28, 2007

Happy Father's Day Michael.

Melissa Johnson
Cousin

June 17, 2007

I think of you and your family every father's day.

Sgt. Jim Phelps
University of Vermont Police

June 17, 2007

Mike,
you are in my thoughts every day. The magnitude of your loss in my life is a daily reminder of that once in a lifetime friendship that we shared. I'm extremely fortunate to have had someone in my life like that, but it doesn't take away from the pain when I think about how I thought we'd be able to share our friendship and childlike behavior with our own kids as we both grew older. You have meant so much to so many. It is always still an honor to call you my friend, the best one I've ever had. I honor yor life today, your 4th year in Heaven, and the rest of my days until we meet again.

Love ya Buddy,

Bobby D.

Lt. Bob DiGenova
Hudson County Prosecutor's Office - My Best Friend

June 15, 2007

I know it's crazy, Michael, but each year at this time I keep wishing I could go back in time. To warn you, to tell you, to change what has happened. But I know I can't. When I tell you I think of you every day, you know I mean it. I hear a song, see something happen, watch someone, and you are there. Every day when I see a police officer I want to tell them to be extra careful, hug their families and friends. I won't ever take anything for granted again. You are missed so much by so many. I love you so much.

Patti

June 14, 2007

Mike-
Yesterday, that's what it seems like. It just gets harder all the time. We never knew heartbreak would hurt so much and so long. There isn't a day that goes by without you in our thoughts. We love you, Mike.

Mom and Dad

June 13, 2007

Dear Mike,

I can’t tell you how often I come to this site, intending to write something, only to begin reading what others have written. Then it is too late, I am weeping too much to write anything intelligible. This time I am writing it out first and will post it after.

It has been four years Mike and it feels like only yesterday that I got the call from my dad. I will never forget that moment. It felt like I had been hit in the chest with a cement block knocking the wind out of me. I remember trying to question him because I just could not believe it. He was too choked up to talk much and had to go to call Kelly and Michael. I sat on my couch sobbing waiting for my dad to call back and tell me they had it wrong and that you had lived after all. He didn’t. No one did. You really were gone.

Some people say time helps – four years later – it didn’t. I am just as shocked, sad, and angry as I was that first day. They didn’t know you. I think people misunderstand the value of life. Especially the life of someone like you and your impact on the lives of everyone you met. You mattered – made a difference. We knew you were alive in every sense of the way. You made sure of it.

Part of the reason it is difficult to post here is because I can’t find the words to accurately describe the impact of knowing you are gone forever. I can’t express how deeply missed you are each and every moment of every day by so many. We have had a terrible past several months here in NH. We have lost two officers and each time their stories are flashed across the news screen, June 15, 2003 comes rushing back at me. I know you all know what you are doing when you sign up to serve and protect the rest of us but it does not make it hurt any less.

Okay, on a funnier note, because I know you love funny…

You were probably laughing at me the other day. I got pulled over on my way to Mom and Dads. Apparently, here in NH, you can’t pass someone, no matter how slowly or safely you are going, if it is on a double yellow line. Who knew? Having gotten my license in VT, where you could as long as it was not reckless or caused an accident, I thought you could anywhere. Oops. The officer who pulled me over must have thought I was clueless because I said, “you really can’t pass on double yellow?” He looked at me kindly of oddly and simply said that no you can’t. And actually, I guess I was clueless…lesson learned.

I cringe now when I get pulled over. It has happened twice since we lost you. I try to restrain myself from telling them to please pull over a little more or to please step out of the road a little more. They probably think I am crazy because I tend to pull WAY off the road to give them ample room to approach my vehicle. It all seems so dangerous as the other cars don’t even slow down when they go by. I wish these passers by would think.

It appears I am writing a novel here so I will sign off for now. It all boils down to the fact that we miss you Mike.

Sara Gilderdale Morcom
Friend

June 13, 2007

Today i played my last AAU game of the season and swished three three pointers.

Happy Father's Day!
~RJ~

Reilly
Daughter

June 10, 2007

We honored you and your other fallen officers over the weekend. We laughed and cried for you. We are reminded daily of our own personal loss, but we are also reminded how your loss affected others. You are missed by so many.

Patti
sister

May 14, 2007

Not a day goes by when I'm not thinking of you. You are missed more than you can imagine. I love you.

Patti
sister

March 28, 2007

Hi Mike!! It is a beautiful spring day today. Not so many years ago you would be dressed in your favorite ratty sweats and out for a run around the loop in Pittsfield! Kids yelling and dogs barking at you all the way!! Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you! Be safe always, Sandy

friend

March 23, 2007

Mike,

Everyday I stop and look at the picture of all of us "Johnson Kids" that was taken for Grandma & Grandpa so many years ago. It reminds me of such a happier time for all of us, because you were here, sharing with all of the fun and usual chaos of a family gathering. Your parents and brothers and sisters had you to joke around with, us younger kids had you to look up to, and none of us had the sadness that we all feel now. Even though we didn't see each other as often as we all would have liked, I always knew that I had one heck of a cousin who was a great father, husband, son, brother and friend.

Merry Christmas Mike, you are missed more than words can say!

Merry

December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas

Melissa

December 25, 2006

Mike,
Thinking of you and your family this Christmas. I hope and pray that you hear all the prayers that come your way from all of the people whose lives you have touched. I have faith that you will have a front row seat this Christmas to share in the joy of watching your family, friends and kids enjoy the magic of Christmas. You are dearly missed my friend.

Love ya Buddy,

Bob

December 24, 2006

We think of you every day!!!! Happy Birthday Mike!!!!!

Sandy G.
friend

December 13, 2006

Happy Birthday Mike...

Melissa Johnson
Cousin

December 11, 2006

First, Happy Birthday Mike.

Our basketball team is 4-3 and playing sporadic, but it is a great group of guys. We recently returned from the Scranton area playing Baptist Bible and unfortunately came up short. Last year we made the NCAA play-offs and recall when you made the NCAA's with Norwich and Glenn and I traveled to see it; I also recall when we made it in H.S. and played Windsor and Mt. Anthony. Our Villa Julie team is very close and their friendships are tight. This is my eighteenth year coaching college basketball and last year's and this year's teams are as close as the teams we played together on at BFA. As I go through the year, I hope and pray that I have good kids who will want to play together, stay out of trouble, respect each other, and most importantly enjoy each other. These are the things that I cherished the most growing up with you, Bobby, Glenn, Marc and others. If you had anything to do with answering my prayers, thank you and I truley appreciate it. These kids are really fun to coach and more importantly, fun to see grow up together. As you know, it is rare in college to have an entire team get along. I very much appreciate what we have...and what you gave me.

I hope your family is well.

"True Teamates" last beyond a lifetime. God Bless.
Love Coach Adams, Linda Lee, and Emma Rose

Brett Adams
Friend under your wing

December 11, 2006

Happy Birthday, Michael. I love you and miss you.

Patti

December 11, 2006