Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Dan,

Just wanted to say Hi. I try to visit you when I can, but find it hard to drive in there. I see your mom most mornings and your dad on my way home. I see your "311" sticker on FMPD cars all the time. You should see the addition we are putting on here at the station. I know you will watch over it and all of us here. Keep up the good work up there. Miss you buddy.

Ed Cornish
Bayshore Fire Rescue

September 18, 2005

Daniel,

I wanted to stop here and leave a reflection and thank Jessica for visiting my son's page and leaving a thoughful message. All that come here and have lost an officer know the broken heart feeling, lost dreams and day to day struggle to go on without you. The families attend ceremonies and have to relive the tragic event over and over and are given medals and plaques. We do in to keep your memory alive. The holidays spent without you are the hardest to get through. Sure, being a cop you probably were at work anyway and missed most of the holidays, but now it is different because we know you won't be popping in through the door later after your shift or the next day to have your holiday. I know you loved being a police officer and if its any solace, you lost your life living a live long dream, being a cop. Daniel, you will never be forgotten and you will always be a true hero. Watch over your family and loved ones, try and ease their pain. Look up my son Mike, he is a terrific story teller and will keep you laughing just as he did with his co workers here. God be with you.

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

Bob Gordon

September 16, 2005

Hey Jess,

I just wanted to leave you a note to let you know that I think about you often and I haven't forgotten about you. Things with Duke's situation had been hectic, but now that things are over with and I am able to think clearer, I wanted to drop you a line.

Sorry we didn't get to catch up with each other in DC this year. That was an emotional and draining event that I don't know if I could ever go back to. Fortunately for me, I only live less than an hour from DC so to get to the Wall any time of the year is practical for me so who knows if I will return to DC for specifically Police Week.

I just read your last reflection to Daniel and you mentioned how you sometimes don't know what to write. Don't worry, I am the same way at times. I can visit Duke's grave sometimes and not know what to say to him. But the one thing that always comes out of my mouth and is always in my thoughts are the words "I love you" when I talk to him or think about him. I am sure you feel the same about Daniel. Also, I am glad to read that you also have a solid and good support group of friends. I have found comfort in my friends as well and they have been a blessing in my life.

If you ever want to talk or email or need anything, please feel free to get my information from ODMP if they will give it to you.

Love and hugs,
Jenn

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Ofc. Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

September 15, 2005

Dan, you are missed dearly and there isn't a day that goes by that we all don't think of your bright smile.

September 15, 2005

my precious son

in case i havent told you lately

I LOVE YOU TERRIBLY AND MISS YOU MORE THAN WORDS!!!

momma

September 12, 2005

jess, kathe, jerry, and boys:

i was forced to listen to this song and was instantly brought to tears... i wanted to post the lyrics for you guys as well. it's an amazingly touching song, and i hope it touches you and brings you some peace and comfort. LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!

~ga jess




Third Day's "Cry Out to Jesus"

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

GA jess

September 7, 2005

DAN,
SORRY IT TOOK ME THIS LONG TO SAY SOMETHING BUT I COULD NOT BELEAVE THAT YOU ARE GONE. IT WAS LIKE YESTERDAY WHEN YOU ASK ME ABOUT THE EXPLORER PROGRAM. WE WERE AT WORK AT J-RIGGINS IN THE MALL I TOLD YOU THAT I LOVE IT IT WAS FUN THERE WAS ALL WAS SOMETHING NEW TO LEARN. I FELL LIKE I DID THIS TO YOU. BECAUSE I AM THE ONE THAT BROUGHT YOU TO YOUR FIRST EXPLORER MEETING. I TOLD YOUR MOM THAT YOU WOULD BE FINE. I STILL CAN'T CALL HER I HAVE TRIED TO FINE HER NUMBER BUT EVERYTIME I DO I LOOSE IT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO HER. WELL DAN I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME AND I AM REALLY SOORY THAT I LOST TOUCH WITH YOU AND NOW I REGRIT. TO YOUR MOM AND THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY I AM SORRY FOR YOU LOST. DAN WAS A GREAT PERSON HE REALLY LOVED HIS JOB AND HIS FAMILY. YOURS FRIEND KEVIN MARTIN

DEP. KEVIN MARTIN
ST. CLAIR COUNTY SHERRIF DEPARTMENT MI

September 6, 2005

Dear Daniel,
I've been trying to leave a reflection for you but I keep having to stop because I cry to much. Your loving fiancee, Jessica, left a reflection on our son's page. Everything rolled together is just too much. My son's name is Matthew and one of my daughter's name is Jessica and they loved each other more than words can describe. My heart breaks when I read your mom's reflections to you. Matthew is and was the light of our lives as I can tell you are to your family. This has been the worst year of our lives and we share the heartbreak and grief with far too many officers families. The brotherhood of law enforcement is in a word amazing. I knew my son loved what he did but I never thought he would lose his life doing it. Mainly because he always said,"Mom, I'll be ok." And I belived him. But we never know from one second to the next, and now, while he is gone from us here, he is still a part of all those he loved so much. From now until we are reunited with him in eternity we will honor him and his profession and all that walk the same walk--his brotherhood in blue. God bless you and your family and your sacrifice for all of us.
Love,
Matt's Mom Forever

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse E.O.W. 9/16/04

August 24, 2005

Well I have wanted to post for awhile now but I kept coming to your page with no words to type. I have heard of some other people having the same thing happen to them so I guess it's normal. Whatever normal is.

No words ever seem enough. I type until I see satisfied with what is said, but then there just seems to be so much more to say. I could seriously go on for forever. Everyday it seems I remember something new about you -- or see something that reminds me of you. It's refreashing. Other days heartbreaking. Either way I deal. I know if it were the other way around, you would too.

I can't believe September is already almost here and in a matter of a few more shrot months, it will be the two year mark of your death. The day my world was flipped upside down and I was forced to re-learn everything I thought I wanted and had. Everything changed after you died, even me as a person, but my love for you never has. Even though things have happened and change in my life too - you are always in my heart and I know you are watching me down here. Thanks for that dream a couple nights ago. I couldn't understand anything that you were saying in it though. I guess it was "angel talk", but I really wish I would have been able to understand what you were saying. I was relieved to see that you were exactly the way I remembered you. You were dressed in your uniform..the way you were the one day that you forgot your sunglasses and I had to drive back to your house and get them and take them to you. ;o) I remember we had just gotten done registering for wedding stuff, and you realized you forgot them. It was really important for you to have them with you. Why I will never know. I remember you didn't want to register that day..because you didn't want to walk around the store in your uniform and have people look at you. That's just the way you were. Modest, and did't want any attention. My darling you will always have my attention. ;o)

Of course I have to thank you for the wonderful friends you've put in my life. I have finally met some survivors that are truly friends of mine. I used to think my friends were my friends. But after you died - I began to realize who my friends really were. Thank you for giving me support and for your family. I always knew they were amazing, and it has proved true even to this day.
I hope you are having fun up in Heaven. These next dew months are going to be alot for me. You know my concerns and fears. I'm hoping that you and God can help me out and help me make right decisions, and do the right things. I know you can and will help me to the best of your ability. I have to keep the faith, i know.
I will try.

I Love You,
Jessica

August 23, 2005

i love you and i miss you terribly

momma

August 21, 2005

daniel,

just yesterday i talked to your darling jess. i am constantly amazed at her strength and love and devotion to you. what an amazing girl you chose to spend the rest of your life with. i know you and cole must have concocted this wonderful plan to have the two of us meet and become so close. please continue to give jess strength and love from above that only you can give her. she's doing so well, and i'm so proud of the decisions she has made here lately. and daniel, if you get a chance, could you please tell cole that i love him and miss him so very much.

can't wait to meet you,
ga jess

August 7, 2005

Thank You.

July 31, 2005

all right, dan...
you better be watchin out for my florida jess especially these next couple of weeks (your fam, too!!)...i know what is coming up, and i don't exactly know how to help...so i'm leaving that part up to you. take care of cole and bryan up there as much as ya can! :)

love,
ga jess

July 23, 2005

I love you darling.....

I know you've been watching over B on his birthday. Thank you for giving me two wonderful brothers. :)

Love you my sweets -
- Jess

July 22, 2005

Daniel,

I just wanted to let you know I got the "sign" you and Dennis sent me yesterday loud and clear! You guys have not been forgetten here in Winnipeg, Iowa, or Florida! I know I never got a chance to meet you but I've heard a lot about you from Jess. I'm so glad you and Dennis found each other up there. Keep and eye on Dennis for me. I know he may appear to be "innocent" but he's got a "wild side" to him too. Try not to let him get a practical joke over on you! Plus, if you can, I know it's not the most "macho" thing to do, but give Dennis a hug, a kiss, and a couple of purple nurples for me and the kids! Take care of yourself and the other officers up there. I'll make sure to check in on Jessica from time to time. Cya on the other side.

Yet another "J" to add to your list of admirers,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

July 20, 2005

Daniel,
Please wrap your loving arms around your beloved Jess. It is still difficult because sometimes it is the smallest things that make us sad, but you know how hurtful some of those comments can be. Also, please send extra guidance and love to her and your family as they face another impending trial.
Thank you Daniel for watching over them, and please send as many signs as possible in the upcoming days. With the upcoming stressors, your fiancee and your family need to feel your love.

Juli Verkler
Widow of Ptlm. Bryan S. Verkler EOW 12/13/03

July 19, 2005

oh my goodness daniel

an officer from flint has joined you in heaven. im sure you were at his side to help him get his wings. please help his family to know they are loved and he is with you in heaven.

i love you and miss you every day of my life

mommy

July 17, 2005

hello again, dan!
i hope you boys aren't too busy in Heaven, but i know you've had some new guys lately. i wanted to leave you this message to remind the lovely florida jess of something. each day you guys are apart...while you're in heaven and she is stuck down here with me...is one day closer to your eternity together. i know it's not very comforting at times, but it really hit me hard today, and i thought maybe she could stand to hear it once more. take care of my baby, dan. can't wait to meet ya up there! and you boys better be gettin' ready b/c we have some dates to go on when the 3 j's get up there!

love,
the ga jess

July 10, 2005

Daniel,

Thank you for the 311 sign yesterday. Just when I think that I cannot bear to go on any longer..you send me a blessig from above and remind me that you love me.

I have to admit, I was feeling sad last night and a little cranky. I ran across a wedding planner at the store that we sell. It must be new beause I have never noticed it before. I don't know why, but I was flipping through it..(torturing myself as usual) and on the last page it had a place for a picture of a married couple. It read "The New Couple", and they all lived happily ever after. I often wonder why we could never live happily ever after. Why it was taken from us before we even had a chance to be married, and have children. I wanted to cry, runaway, and just be alone. Because some days, that is how I feel. Alone, and sad. But then I get a 311 sign from you, and for a minute I realize that I am never alone. You are always with me.

Even though we never got to live the dream of living "happily ever after" I will try to remind myself that soon enough I will see you again in Heaven. I'm sorry my darling that our happily ever after; never came true. Your face will always be in my mind, and the love that I was so privledged to have been a part of - in my heart.
I Love You,
Jessica

Daniel's Fiancee

July 10, 2005

Daniel,
I know that I never knew you but I feel like I know a very large piece of you. I have had the blessing to meet your Jess, your Mom, your Dad and your brother at National Police Week.
Thank you for helping me to meet your Jess last year, that was very strategic placing of our families:) :) I was so glad she reached back and grabbed my hand. I will never forget that gesture of kindness as long as I live.
To Jess and all of the Starks' Family, I am thinking of you often, and I am especially praying that the hurricanes go the other way!

Love,
Juli Verkler

July 9, 2005

Hey, I have been thinking about you today, and just thought that i would drop you a note. Things are going good with work. Your mom and dad, Jess, and Ben were at my graduation from the academy on June 2nd. I think you would have been proud. I got top gun, and almost made it in the top 10 for gpa. I have been on the road for 4weeks now, and i am really enjoying it. There have been a couple of times were something has happend and i realize that you are there with me wathing over me. I think of you every day and miss you. I know that you are looking out for me, and thats what helps me go out and do what I do. I know that if you were here we would be having a blast, but you are with me in my heart, and you are there watching over me everytime i put on my uniform and go to work. well bud, i gotta go, until next time. #311

Deputy-Travis Daniels
Lee County Sheriff's Office

July 8, 2005

"Daniel"
Words and Music by Elton John

Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes

They say Spain is pretty though I've never been
Well Daniel says it's the best place that he's ever seen
Oh and he should know, he's been there enough
Lord I miss Daniel, oh I miss him so much

Daniel my brother you are older than me
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal
Your eyes have died but you see more than I
Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky

Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
Oh God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes

July 8, 2005

Dear Fallen Brother:
It is the memory of Law Enforcement Officers, like yourself, who have made the ultimate sacrifice, that enables us to continue to do such an often thankless job. Know that while many an Officer never met you, it is the common bond that we share that makes us understand what a special person you are. The prayers of my wife and I go out to you, and your family, friends and Officers of your department.

Jessica:
While I often visit this site, it is only recently, that I have been able to visit the site of a friend and co-worker of mine (Officer Thomas Morash, EOW 10-17-03). Thank you very much for your kind words. Please know that Daniels end of watch is only a date and that his true watch has only just begun. God bless you and your families.

Agent Rich Smith
West Palm Beach Police Department, Florida

July 6, 2005

Happy 4th Baby

I love you

-jess

July 4, 2005

hi dan,

i just wanted to ask you to please watch over jess. the jess squared can't be together, so i need your heavenly help to keep her safe and feeling loved. also stay with the florida parents!! i know they miss you, too. take care of my own angel for me.

love,
ga jess

June 30, 2005