Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's that time of year again as the holidays are quickly approaching. Today we will sit at the dinner table, the same one you were at shortly before we lost you. I know that your with us.. Happy Thanksgiving

PeggyMaher-Dreher

November 25, 2010

Spent the last few days looking at family photos. As Thanksgiving Day soon will be here, I am thankful for you and all the family. Pat, you are missed and you will be remembered.

Teresa
Sister

November 23, 2010

Still missed.

K9 Officer #5351
USCBP Blaine

November 13, 2010

It is Veterans Day and I am thinking about our time together at Beach Haven, gWe had good times on and off duty. I'll be thinking about you when I go to work this afternoon.

Ofc. Matthew Brilakis
Powell P.D. Powell WY

November 11, 2010

Hey - thought of you a lot yesterday during the Blue Mass. I am so happy this page is open again. Just wanted to tell you that and that you are very loved and in our hearts.

Love ya!

Sgt. Mary Huggins
OCSO, Orlando, Florida

September 12, 2010

Pat,
As yesterday and today bring all the memories to the forfront, I want you to know that not a day or night goes by that you are not in my thoughts. Every time a patrol car passes my house I believe you are in it keeping an eye on all of us. Thanks!
Love you Pat

Rita
Sister

August 3, 2010

Remembering you today Patrick. Thinking of your family, co-workers, and friends today as they reflect back on your life.
A HERO TO MORE THAN HE KNOWS. ©2004

Emory - Ephrata,WA
brother of Ferry County WA Undersheriff Matthew J Lane, EOW 5/30/2003

August 3, 2010

Pat,

Remembering you today. Grateful for the many things you taught me -- and you didn't even know it.

Teresa Maher
Sister to Patrick Maher, Federal Way EOW 8.2.03

August 2, 2010

To my brother - thinking of you and our whole family as we go through another anniversay. It is hard to believe that it has been 7 years already. Our lives are consumed with every day living, but there is not one day that goes by that I don't think of you and what you stood for. Watch over our family, stand beside Jim and Mary as they continue the job that you so proudly did. Help us remember that life is a precioous gift and that it shouldn't be taken for granted. Love you and miss you!!

Peggy Maher Dreher
Sister

August 2, 2010

Missing and loving you!

Tamarisk Maher
Niece

August 2, 2010

Did you hear our sirens this morning?

jim

August 2, 2010

Pat,

I can't believe it has been seven years. So much has happened! You are so missed. With lots of love,

Mary

Sgt.Mary Huggins
Family/Orange County Sheriff's Office

August 2, 2010

Pat,

Remembering you and Nathan extra special today.

Teresa
Sister

January 4, 2010

Dedicated from a son to his beloved father:


This I Believe

By Nicholas

We have recently had four police officers be murdered (five if you count Tim Brenton) even though my stepfather was not one of those four officers, he was an officer who was killed in the line of duty. He was Patrick Maher the officer who was killed six years ago on Aug. 2, 2003.

Even though my stepfather was killed six years ago, I still remember when it was me who had a stepfather die. I was a depressed 5 year old that had just moved to Washington. I went to a school where no one knew what to do with me because they thought I had no reason to be a mope and no one wanted to be my friend. I went to that school all the way up to first grade. My teacher would yell at me for folding my homework assignment (a natural habit of mine) and things like that. To make a long story short, my mom pulled me out of that school in a hurry and put me in the school I go to now (which was obviously the right school for me since I still go there now).

Ever since the five police officers were killed, my mother has been on local news channels a lot lately to talk about what those five families are going through. She also talks about this being the same thing that she and I went through years ago and the pain they feel with their loss. The news people (and police officers when she sees them) all ask Mom the same question, "So...how is Nick doing?" Since I'm never there with my mom when it happens, I don't know what she says to those people but I'm guessing it goes something like this:

News people: How is Nick doing?

Mom: Nick is fine thanks for asking.

I still see a few police officers around town every now and then. Even though I am now 11, some of them still recognize me which I thought was surprising because some of them haven't seen me since I was 5, 6 or 7 years old. I guess I don't look that different from when I was younger.

Ever since my mom got her new job as executive director of COMPAS (Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs), I have been seeing police officers a lot more often lately, and I am regularly being asked how I am doing by the officers I see. But I know why they are doing it, and I am glad they do.

For the last six years I have been a mope that had no faith in myself. Now I know that you can change your life. In fact, I have become confident in myself that I have joined the Boy Scouts. I have become a positive kid again, and I inspire my mom by being the best Boy Scout I can be, and my mom inspires me by keeping herself healthy. What this whole thing has taught me is that even after the loss of a loved one, you can still make good times happen.

This I believe.

Renee
Wife

January 4, 2010

I can only imagine what a New Years Eve must look like in heaven. I treasure the memories. You and Elaine through some good New Years Eve party's! We were lucky to have so much of life together. Our best attribute is we value and love life, that must be the Irish Corbett side in all of us! We certainly learned from Uncle Rich and Uncle "Philadelphia" Jack. Give all of our family a big hug from not so sunny Florida. Much love my brother!

Sgt. Mary Huggins
Orange County Sheriff's Office

December 31, 2009

Patrick, you were in my thoughts and prayers this Christmas as news traveled about other officiers down...I remember meeting you and laughing with you while at your sister, Peg & Jimbo's home. I still have a picture of Jimbo and Peg with little Mel holding the candle out in your memory. May you continue watch over your family, especially your sisters (Teresa, Rita & Peg), Jimbo (especially when he is in his blues), and the rest of your growing family. Peace.

Pam
friend

December 30, 2009

Renee...I would love to see a copy of that essay your son wrote. Could you post it here?

I had the pleasure of knowing Patrick while he was here at HPD. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family especially at this time of the year.

Aloha,
Bill

Ret. Sgt. William Kelley

December 30, 2009

You would be so proud of your son Nicholas today. He's grown to become an incredible young man. Despite all that he's had to endure from the extended outside world, he's doing amazing things.

He wanted to reach out to other children who have lost a Dad or Mom in the line of duty. We've had so many in Washington recently. Yet in his young heart, he wanted to give them hope. He wrote an essay in class and it brought tears to the eyes of all of the teachers. He talked about you and how his life changed when he lost you. You were his Dad, his role model, his protector, his hero. So many people were moved by his gift of hope yet they were once again reminded of how devastated Nicholas was by your loss. His essay made the news, Patrick. Then it made national news. He continues to remind people of your sacrifice, Patrick. The nation remembered you again this Christmas because of his essay.

Our little guy really is something special. Just like the Dad he now emulates. He has your picture by his bedside as do I. Taking rides in the Mustang has always been our special treat. He loves that car the way you did. You are never far from his heart. Or from mine.

Renee
Wife

December 29, 2009

December 27 will mark the 6th birthday Renee has had without you. Birthdays, anniversaries and holidays are difficult for all survivors, but with the many losses Washington has suffered in the past two months, this birthday will truly be bittersweet for your widow. Her efforts to ensure that all LODD survivors in Washington get the benefits they need and deserve are truly a tribute to you, your legacy and your sacrifice.

Cheryl
Survivor

December 27, 2009

Merry Christmas Pat! I was looking at all of our pictures growing up and then on to NJ. I found pictures of Christmas Parties at Mom Mom's, Uncle Richy's house, my mom's dinners. I have to honestly say I wish things would have worked out differently all the way around. You are our brother and we have our entrie lives to be so grateful to have grown together. We, your family, have our Catholic faith to strengthen us in our sadness but to also heal our hearts. We, your family, grieve the loss of Nathan, that beautiful little boy I used to pick up from school and celebrate Mandy's life with her beautiful children. We know who you were and what you stood for, because we are your family and we stand for the same ideals. You are loved and missed!

Sgt. Mary Huggins
Orange County Sheriff's Office

December 25, 2009

Wow another Christmas is here and each year they seem to come more quickly. Today our family will be gathering to share our Holiday meal and we know that you will be there with us. Family was so important to you. You loved the little ones and encouraged the older ones. So today as we gather we will share a lifetime of memories. Christmas as kids... the digging out of the snow in Rhode Island.. sledding down the hills by our backyard... all those wonderful memories. Keep watch over our family members who continue to wear the uniform that you were so proud of. We love you, give mom and dad a hug for us. Miss you!!

Peggy Dreher
Sister

December 25, 2009

Patrick,

Here we are at Christmas again. I look back and remember you and Nick in Kailua, on Christmas day, so many years ago. You were trying to get him to pose under that big tree so you could take a picture of him. It was a touching sight.

When I think of you, Patrick, I know you are at peace. The pain I feel is for my sister and my nephew, who lost the best husband and father. I feel sorrow for what they've been through and what they continue to endure. However, in spite of everything, they are doing their best to carry on and keep your memory alive. You would be so proud of them both.

I would give anything to have you back.

Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou, brother.

Lisa Van Keulen
Sister-in-law

December 24, 2009

Another Christmas season is upon us. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. It's been challenging with so many losses in Washington this year. Your family, friends and fellow officers are all remembering and honoring you with love and admiration.

Cheryl
Survivor

December 23, 2009

Pat,

I think of you every so often, mostly went while on patrol I drive by a scene where you and I got another 210. It brings back memories of a wonderful, hard working, dedicated person that you were. To be some day just half the person father and servant you were. then I have accomp[lished some thing in my life.


Nate

MPO-II Nathan Oshima
HPD

December 2, 2009

Never Forgotten...

Sincerely,

K9 Officer Paul Werth
US Customs and Border Protection Blaine, WA

November 30, 2009