Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Investigator Bret Duane Tepe

Ford County Sheriff's Office, Kansas

End of Watch Tuesday, September 23, 2003

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Reflections for Investigator Bret Duane Tepe

Investigator Tepe,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Navy. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 23, 2023

Happy 55th Birthday my darling! We would sure have such a great celebration for you today, your beautiful daughters have grown into lovely, wonderful grown ups. Your grandkids, oh my goodness how you would be absolutely smitten with them, they each have a streak of orneriness in them. I wish they could know you, but I imagine that they knew you in heaven before they came down to us. Their presence and video calls light up my world . Every year gets easier, but every year gets harder too. I miss you desperately.

Angela Gleason
wife

August 25, 2022

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 23, 2020

Hello Daddy!
It's been awhile since I wrote to you. It's been 17 years since I've been able to get a hug from you or heard your voice. 17 years and so much has changed! I have a 2 year old little girl named Emberly, who I swear is as every bit of ornery as you use to be. I have a 6 month old little boy named Brexton, his name is after yours I just spiced it up a bit. I always tell everyone that you had apart in helping God make him because he has a huge butt chin just like you did. I also have a stepdaughter her name is Sansa Sansa she's 6, she's so smart and sassy lol! I got married this year also, oh daddy you'd love him! He treats me like a QUEEN! I sure do miss you dad! I've been feeling lost lately and don't have a clue of what to do with my life(career wise), I just wish I had a huge sign telling me what to do. I want to make my mark on this harsh world. I tell my kids about their Grandpa Tepe that is watching over them all the time and how much you would've loved them. I love you daddy! Keep watch over us down here.

Avonlea Coil
Daughter

September 23, 2020

I miss my dear friend, I will never forget that day. It was my first day back from maternity leave and I couldn’t wait to see my dear friend Bret Tepe. He was the office prankster, he always had us rollin with laughter. He was the best friend I ever had. I sure miss him. He was an amazing dad and husband. He loved his girlz and his wife so much his office was decorated with their photos and art work and every time he talked about his family his face lit up. He was the best and we love and miss him still at the Ford County Sheriff Office!

Candi Carroll
Ford County Sheriffs Office

September 23, 2020

Rest in Peace

Ptl. Bryan Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake PD OH

May 10, 2020

I felt your spirit this morning, and then this evening the radio played our song! It proved to me you were with me today because our song was never popular on the charts! Thank you for making my birthday special! I love you and miss you so much!

Angela Tepe Gleason
Wife

April 9, 2019

15 years! How can it be? It seems like yesterday, but still like forever ago. This years anniversary has been especially hard. I cried the whole day yesterday, wishing you could be here. I miss you so much. Hope you are loving life up in heaven. Please keep on watching and protecting us girls down here! Love you.
Angela

Angela
Wife

September 23, 2018

15 years has passed. It seems like yesterday I heard the sad news. I’ll always remember you Bret & honor your sacrifice.

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 23, 2018

Hey Dad.
It's been a crazy year. My family and I moved to Arkansas, we love it here. In January I had my second boy Kasen, he was born with a Congenital heart disease. He was rushed out of the room and flown to the closest children's hospital. I met him there the next day. At 7 days old he had open heart surgery. While waiting to see him after surgery..Mom, Aldyn and I went on a walk and we saw a Cardinal. I believe that was a sign that you were with us that day. Thank you for being with my Kasen.

Recovery has gone well, we still have some hurdles to overcome, but we have a great support system. Both boys definitely have that Strong Tepe gene.

I love you and miss you.

Jenessa
Daughter

May 14, 2018

Always remembered!

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 23, 2017

Your 51st birthday is tomorrow. How I wish we could celebrate with you. One day we will and I'll smash your face in the cake. HA! Your Felicity got into a sorority at KState. Jenessa is expecting again!! She is due in February. We are so excited to have another grand baby. Avonlea moved to McCook and is working and going to school. Kenton's mom is near death now. I've been thinking of us when we first met and the good times we had and all the places we traveled to. How did we do so much when we didn't have any money I don't know. Fishing off of Cape Hatteras, sailing in the Chesapeake Bay, driving cross country time and time again to home and back to Virginia. I love the memories we made.

Angela Tepe Gleason
Wife

August 24, 2017

This past weekend your baby graduated from high school. Felicity was 4th in her class as there was a three way tie for valedictorian and she was one point under them. She is a super smart, beautiful inside and out, and has to have the last word all the time. Like you, she wants to travel the world. You would be so proud of her. I felt like you were watching. I kept smelling your cologne in the air. I know it's impossible, but maybe to make it less gut wrenching for me I imagined it. These are the times when I need you so desperately. It's almost been fourteen years now. I wish you didn't have to miss this. Avonlea is doing great, studying to become a pediatric nurse, and working full time. She has a plan, and I love her determination of getting everything to work out. Jenessa just got promoted to be a trainer at work, which is very impressive considering she isn't the highest chef yet. I'm proud of all the girls. I miss you so incredibly much, my heart hurts.

Angela Tepe Gleason
Wife

May 16, 2017

13 Years & your sacrifice is still & will always be remembered!

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 23, 2016

12 years seems to have gone by so quick. Still think of the times we had laughing at the things going on around us.

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 23, 2015

Bret,
Happy Birthday! I'd love to be able to share it with you! I'd love to be able to hear you laugh and see your smile! I know that you are watching down from heaven on us, sometimes I feel you here with me. I know that you would be so proud of your daughters! Jenessa will graduate in September as a chef, she is in Disney world right now doing an internship! Avonlea is going back to school to be a radiologist, and Felicity will be a junior in high school! I hope that you are having a beer up their with your dad! We all love you and think of you often!
Love, Angela

Angela
Wife

August 25, 2015

All I have to say is I miss you Dad.

F Tepe
daughter to police man

May 28, 2015

11 years since you made the ultimate sacrifice & it's safe to say you're very much still thought of & loved by family both blue & blood. I think of you often & continue to protect & serve , in part, to honor your sacrifice. Rest easy!

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 23, 2014

Avonlea graduated from Cosmotology school. And passed her state boards. Jenessa entered culinary school on the 18th. Felicity will be a Sophomore! I will be a first grade teacher this year! School starts again on the 27th.

Angela Gleason
wife

August 25, 2014

Today is your birthday! You would have been 48 years old! The time between your birthday and your EOW is less than a month. It is the hardest days of the year to get through. Its hard to not think of what each last day with you was like 11 years ago. How we purchased our camper on your birthday, and then went to Mount Rushmore over labor day weekend and had so much fun camping and fishing with the girls. How when we got back your dad took a turn for the worst and we lost him on Sept 5th. How your mom stayed at our house for the week and half after your dad passed and you spoke about what you would want for a headstone when that day came. How we went to the Chiefs game after your mom left, we had just gotten season tickets that year (2 seats) Oh! How you loved your Chiefs! How you cried because of your dad, as you rightly should have. The countless hours you were on the phone with your mom. And my mom. The way you stood in the doorway for what seemed like 10 minutes, did you have a premonition? I miss you so. I can't really talk about it much, i have to be strong and rely on God to get me through these days. I'm happy, please don't get me wrong. Im in love with my husband, Kenton. It doesn't make sense, but sometimes things just don't. I don't want them to have Bretfest this year, it is wrong to, I feel. It was only a one time thing I said. I wish they wouldn't. Take care I still think of you.

Angela Gleason
wife

August 25, 2014

Coming up on 11 years & still think of ya all the time my Brother-In-Blue

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

July 26, 2014

10 years, 8 months and not a day has gone by that you have not been thought of or forgotten. How I miss your smile, humor, and support.

Colette
Sister

May 20, 2014

Tomorrow will be the first day in May and the start of National Law Enforcement Month! For shits and giggles I drove by the old sheriffs office where you worked and had to stop dead in my tracks in the middle of the road for it was already half torn down! I bawled! I can still see you up at your desk there, cracking up with the guys, it is so sad. I didn't know it was going to be torn down! I miss you so much, and no one seems to understand. Time marches on but a piece of me will always be back there with you. My Daddy passed away in December, and I thank you for forcing me to forgive him all those years ago....it was for the best. Love Angela

Angela
Wife

April 30, 2014

Rest in Peace, Investigator Tepe. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2014

You may be gone but you damn sure aren't forgotten Bret. You left us all with a lot of great memories. Rest in peace my friend.

Agent Grant Shay
ICE

September 23, 2013

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