Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Tragedies like this remind us of how fragile life really is and how things can change in an instant. We in dispatch tend to feel a little motherly to those on the road, especially the young ones. So you can imagine how hard we all have taken this.

Dan, you will always be remembered. I know that you are watching over us like we watched over you and your brothers and sisters. You will be missed and never forgotten - you had such an impact on all of us, particularily those on your shift.

Until we meet again,

Cindra Dunaway - Dispatcher
Ft Myers Police Department

November 18, 2003

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOUR LOVED ONES.

PO SHANKAR RAMADHIN
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

November 13, 2003

We are truly saddened at Dan's loss.
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We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) PD

November 11, 2003

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

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

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

November 8, 2003

When I looked at the ODMP page and saw Florida, my heart skipped a beat, having friends in law enforcement all over the state. What a sad occasion for Ft. Meyers PD and the sunshine state. Having lost a fellow Deputy here in Kentucky I know the pain and shock your community is feeling. It will be two years the 13th of this month and it still hurts. My prayers to Daniels fiancee, family, friends and co-workers. He was truly a gifted young man and now he joins an elite group of God's chosen few. God Bless you Officer Starks, enjoy your Heavenly assignment!

KY Peace Officer (Sarasota native)
Isaiah 40:31

November 6, 2003

Rest in peace, brother officer. I'm glad that God gave you the opportunity to realize your dream here before you went to work as a patrolman in Heaven.

Dulcius ex asperis. Keep things safe until we get there to back you up.

Michael Ferguson, Instructor
East Texas Regional Police Academy (Kilgore, TX)

November 5, 2003

REST IN PEACE OFFICER STARKS.

A Brother in Blue

PTLM
CPD, NY

November 5, 2003

Dan accomplished some many things in a small amount of time. Being an officer was his biggest and brightest dream.

You are always a part of our shift and will always be remembered. You have the strength of a lion in your heart and now we carry a part of you with us each day.

Watch over us as we 10-8 and we will meet again when we all 10-7.

Be safe

Officer Jen Gaytan
Fort Myers Police Department

November 4, 2003

Rest In Peace young brother in blue. May God comfort your family and co-workers during this trying time.

The policeman stood to face his God, which must always come to pass.

He hoped his boots were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, Policeman. How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulder's and said. "No Lord, I guess I ain't,

Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint."

I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough,

and sometimes I've been violent, because the streets are awfully tough.

"But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got too steep.."

And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.

They never wanted me around except to calm their fear."

"If you've got a place for me here Lord, It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much, but if you don't...I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the saints often trod.

As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, Policeman. You've borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat in Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell."

Longmont Police Officers Association
Longmont PD Colorado

November 3, 2003

It's sad to see such a young man in the beginning of his career loose his life in such a tragic way. My thoughts go out to his family, friends, and co-workers. I know what you must be going through. I lost my friend on May 22, 2003 to an automobile accident. He died doing what he loved to do most....be a Missouri State Highway Patrolman. He had only been a trooper for a year and a half. God Bless!!!!!

K-9 Trooper
Missouri State Highway Patrol

November 3, 2003

OFFICER STARKS GAVE HIS LIFE SERVING HIS COMMUNITY. HE DIED AT AN AGE WHERE MOST 21 YEAR OLDS HAVE NOT YET DECIDED WHICH DIRECTION TO TAKE IN LIFE. MY HUNCH IS THAT OFFICER STARKS DREAMED OF BEING A POLICE OFFICER THROUGH MOST (IF NOT ENTIRE) OF HIS CHILDHOOD. YOUR FAMILY SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOU AS WE ALL ARE AS YOUR FELLOW BROTHERS IN BLUE. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. REST IN PEACE, BROTHER, FOR WE'LL TAKE THE WATCH FROM HERE............

TROOPER
PA STATE POLICE

November 2, 2003

As a father of an officer who was also killed my heart goes out to the family and the agency who have suffered this loss.
So young but so willing to do his job and so soon to leave this world.
I belong to South Florida C.O.P.S and as a survivor my condolences goes out to his loved one and his family.

Joel Peney
Retired FLPD
Fort Lauderdale Fl.

J.Peney
Retired from FLPD

November 2, 2003

Officer Starks may you rest in peace. God Speed. You will never be forgotten.

Officer Adam Borkowski
Detroit Police Department

November 1, 2003

You will be missed dearly "Dan the Man".
We will always remember your bright smile & sense of humor.

God Bless Daniel & all who knew & loved him.

Angie Milana & Lee Hand
Friends of Daniel Starks & Fiance Jessica Ruhl

November 1, 2003

RIP brother, I learnt of the loss of this young brother in blue from my brother, a fireman in this area. My prayers are with you and your family, Regie

PC4480 Regie Butler
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary UK

November 1, 2003

Rest in peace young warrior, your work here is done. It is really difficult to accept for someone so young, but your sisters and brothers in blue have your watch now. Protect us from your heavenly seat.

God Bless

Patrolman Elizabeth Tatum
West Memphis Police Department

November 1, 2003

DAN, I CAN STILL REMEMBER THE DAY YOU FIRST CAME TO FMPD AS AN EXPLORER, AND THEN EVENTUALLY BECAME A CSA FOR THE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS BETWEEN THOSE TIMES YOU WOULD RIDE ON DUTY WITH ME, ALWAYS EAGER TO LEARN AND WANTING TO HELP. YOU WOULD SHOW UP ON SOME OF MY CALLS AS A CSA AND WAS ALWAYS BE THERE TO LEND A HAND. I ALWAYS KNEW THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ADVANCE YOU ON TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER, AND YOU EXCELLED AT ALL OF CHALLENGES THE DEPARTMENT PLACED IN FRONT OF YOU. I MET UP WITH YOUR MOM ON A CALL RIGHT BEFORE YOU GRADUATED THE ACADEMY AND SHE WAS SO PROUD OF YOU AND WHAT YOU HAD ACCOMPLISHED. I THEN WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE YOU ON A CALL WITH ME AS A BACKUP OFFICER ASSISTING ME WITH A MENTALLY DISTURBED PERSON. I OBSERVED HOW YOU CARRIED YOURSELF ON THIS CALL PROFESSIONAL, CARING, LISTENING TO THIS INDIVIDUAL AND EVENTUALLY HELPING ME BRING THE INCIDENT TO A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION.....DAN I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE TIMES WE SHARED TOGETHER, FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE AND BEING YOU. YOU WERE AN HONEST, SINCERE, DOWN TO EARTH PERSON, FILLED WITH INTEGRITY FROM HEAD TO TOE. THOSE WHO HAD THE PRIVLEDGE OF KNOWING YOU WILL NEVER FORGET YOU... GOODBYE MY FRIEND YOU ARE GREATLY MISSED!!!!!

OFC MIKE PERRY
CITY OF FT MYERS P D

November 1, 2003

My Darling Daniel - You will forever be missed, and the FMPD, your family, and friends will forever miss your wonderful smile and kinds words. I myself, have been blown away by being able to meet such wonderful people whose lives you have touched in ways that are remarkable. You, along with God are giving me, and your family the strength to get through this difficult time, and for that I am thankful. I am grateful to you for protecting our city & doing what you always wanted to do - be a police officer & help those in need. I will always miss you but will one day meet you in Heaven. Until then, Please watch over all of us down here on this Earth & be proud of your department and what they will accomplish here on Earth.

Many of us need many, many years on Earth to get our lives right. Daniel only needed 21 years. That is amazing. Bless you Daniel! I Love You!

Loving You Forever. ~ "Your Jess"

Jessica

October 31, 2003

God speed warrior, your shield will shine forever. Rest now we will take it from here. Sincerely Ofc Leach.

Officer Ryan Leach
Grand Blanc Township

October 31, 2003

Dan,

You gave this department life with your laugh and smile. I will miss you and think about you in that damm Ramcharger you had. I will miss your comments at meetings, and the all the info and friendship you gave me. We will miss you here at the station. You will always be remembered. I am making a T-shirt in your honor. We will watch your family and your brother. Rest in peace, god bless, good and faithful servant

FF Ed Cornish
Bayshore Fire and Rescue

October 31, 2003

So young, and so new, so much to live for. Now, you'll be patroling the streets of heaven. Take care, and know you are missed on earth, and keep watching down over us.

Anonymous

October 31, 2003

Brothers and Sisters in Blue...
Take it as easy as you can. We know how you are feeling right now, and we send our LOVE. We lost our buddy on 7.28.03
He will keep an eye on you and protect you...
God speed my brother, please keep us in your watch.

LGPD, Montgomery County, PA

Patrol
Lower Gwynedd PD, Montgomery Cty, PA

October 31, 2003

My prayers and thoughts go out to the family of Officer Starks. Thank you brother, we'll take it from here.

Saraland Alabama

October 30, 2003

Dan, we will never forget you!

Officer Jeff Bernice
Fort Myers Police Department

October 30, 2003

From a former Police explorer captain, I wanted to say how sorry I am for everyones loss. My heart goes out to both of your families, family in blue and family.

Kim
Former Explorer Captain from LPD post 213

October 30, 2003