Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Just remembering your sacrifice for our community and all of our safety. Thank you



Former Explorer-Robert Dederick

former KPD explorer Robert Dederick

February 19, 2009

Hay you,
I have been meaning to write you and im so sorry it has taken this long! serenity is getting big i wish you could have met her she is so smart and its so cool that i can show her a picture of you and she says "PAPA" i know she knows who you are! i wish i would have been nicer to you when you where here! i started a little family of my own and im have never been happier with a man as i am with James i just hope it lasts! his dad just pasted away on the 6th and it made me wish i would have shown you a better me! if you get the chance to meat him will you let him know that ill be there for James and Iva as much as i can! John you where an awesome father to me and i want you to know that! you would have been a good grand father to! serenity would have loved you!! mom is doing good i guess she tries not to show her feeling but i know she hurts so much! i wish you where here to tell her its ok and everything will be fine! i better go serenity is crying and mom is getting frustrated i can just tell it in her voice! i love you and i miss you! ill try to keep you updated more!


Love always
Chelaine

Chelaine Rust
Setp daughter

January 18, 2009

John,
I have been having a very hard time this year. It seems that a 5 year milestone isn't as easy as some people told me it would be. It DOES NOT get better, It just gets easier to cope with. I do miss you. I couldn't bring myself to write to you yesterday. It was just too hard.
I am proud that Renetta had her name changed. She was so excited!
Love and Miss you,

Kathy
Wife

December 26, 2008

On the 5th anniversary of Officer Watson's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Watson is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

December 25, 2008

Five years seems like a long time John, but I remember our last "Merry Christmas" handshake at the back door like it was yesterday. The Dept is well, and those that you trained have/are training some very good Officers; you'd enjoy working with all of them. You are thought of and spoken of often John; You are not forgotten. Rest in peace, Brother.

Lt. Kim Wannamaker
Kenai PD

December 25, 2008

On this day I thank you for your service and think of your family.

Anonymous

December 25, 2008

On this day I thank you for your service and think of your family.

Anonymous

December 25, 2008

John - Thanks for the inspiration, knowledge and memories. You are not forgotten.

Sgt. Ben Langham
Kenai Police Department

December 25, 2008

Netta is finally a Watson, just what you always wanted...I'm sorry it took so long. You would be so proud of her, she is growing up to be a wonderful person. She misses you daily and is so proud of you. I wish I could call you and tell you what our girl is "up to".

Sue

December 22, 2008

Dear John,

I'm so happy to have found this site so I can let you and your family know how much you were (and still are) loved here in Michigan. I remember fondly our high school days and how you always talked about becoming a police officer. It makes me sad that I never got a chance to keep in touch with you over the years, but I'm really happy that you found love and such great friendships there in Alaska. I'm so grateful to have known you and I'll call you my friend forever. To Kathy: If you read this, please email me, I'd love to talk with you and get to know you. John was such a dear friend to me..
Love, Sheila Roe Heiser
South Haven, MI

Sheila Roe Heiser
Friend

August 30, 2008

I'm here visiting your site on your 48th birthday....

You are missed so much. Wish you were here to share so much more of life.

Love you,
Mary

Mary Wilkinson
Sister

June 12, 2008

John,

You are gone but not forgotten and are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We will never forget you and your sacrifice. I always remember the great conversations and fun we had when you came to visit.

Dave

Sergeant David Jones
Alaska State Troopers

May 9, 2008

John...I still think of you most every day. I treasure visits with Kathy and Chelaine and little Serenity. Your family is beautiful. We all miss you. I look forward to Heaven, and seeing you there my brother. Rest in Him.

Chuck Kopp, Chief of Police
Kenai Police Department

May 8, 2008

God bless you and your family Your husband is a hero.Fallen but not forgotten .Our daughter talks about your son and how they met in DC. Take care The Rolniak Family eow 2-4-04

February 2, 2008

John,
Tonight I read your name at the National LE Memorial and take a tracing. I never forget our friendship and your inspiration to keep going. I am only here at FBINA because of you.

Sgt. Randy Kornfield
Kenai Police Dept

January 23, 2008

We are sitting here tonight thinking about that time 4 years ago that we heard the terrible news. We think of the great example you gave us all. We remember when our kids would see you pull someone over and gleefully they would say, "Someone is getting a lecture!!!" Paul would grab his neck every time he would see you because you were going to show me the pressure point behind the ear. We think that you and the Kenai Police Department are part of the reason Paul is an Air Force police officer and Kirsten is part of the Explorer unit in Laurens County, South Carolina. Both plan to come home to Alaska and work in the community there. We thank you. Kathy, we think of you as well and pray for you often. Blessings to you and your family. We will always remember.

Gratefully,
Mike, Mary, Paul, and Kirsten McBride

Mike McBride Family
Friends

December 25, 2007

John,
Another year has come and gone, It hardly seems like you have been gone 4 years. It seems like just yesterday we were having Christmas. I know that you are watching over all of us and keeping us safe.

It hurts so bad this time of year.

I Love and Miss you.
Merry Christmas, My Love.
Kathy

Kathy
Wife

December 25, 2007

Although our paths never crossed your sacrifice in service will not be forgotten by your fellow officers. As a Member who lost a troopmate on this date in history, we do and will remember.

Matthew 5:9

Sgt. RCMP

December 25, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your long dedicated service to law enforcement

VanDenBerghe
Manchester, NH

December 23, 2007

Bro,
There isn't a day that goes by, where at some point, you don't cross my mind. Especially when I have to walk by the skoot in the morning.
She has over 110k now, at least that's what is showing. The speedo was broke for a while, so I guess that's why all the tickets during that time. But guess what? No tickets for a whole year! How cool is that? You would be amazed.
I'm thinkin you had a hand in the whole deal to tell you the truth. Hahahahahahaha.
I'll tip one in your Honor, just like every year.
I miss and love ya john GBNF always.
ps. I did a painting, I sent to the UK, that I think will be a book cover for a friend who is a published poet over there. Sure wish I could have called you with the good news. I'm a grandpa too. Little girl. She will be fishing before she is 2, well maybe 3.
Till next year. Rest well Bro.

Kindest Regards

Dave

Dave
Friend

December 22, 2007

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones on this anniversary of your EOW. I know Christmas has to be the hardest of all days for all of them and I'm sure it hasn't gotten any easier for them as they love and miss you terribly. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

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

December 22, 2007

Hey John,

We were talking about you again last night, I'd been listening to your Aaron Nevill song... We miss you so much. Never a drive to Anchorage that I don't see you standing at the espresso shop in Cooper Landing next to your bike. I always say hello as we pass the site where we let you go on Bike Blessing day in 2004. Kathy is holding up well, I can see how much she still needs you. Shelaine has a beauty of a daughter, I think of you as a grandpa now. You would have been great!
I wish I could have one more hug, one more HOG ride, one more laugh with you. I can still feel you at the office, watching over us all, sometimes I think I can hear your smart comments setting me straight. It is such a comfort to know that when I get to heaven you will be there waiting to show us all you've seen...

To Kathy, your sister and brothers and mother - he lives!

Love you - Nancy

Nancy
Kenai Police Department

December 20, 2007

I MISS YOU!

Kathy
Wife

November 7, 2007

John,

You are loved and missed by each of us left behind. Your Legacy as a co-worker, mentor and friend lives on. Thank you for everything you have done to make our world a better place.

The Kenai Police Family

Kenai Police Department
Family

November 1, 2007

To the family and Friends of John, I just clicked on his web page and read of the awful story of how John was killed. I am sorry to read of this. I try in my own actions and words to be very pro police and officer safety minded at our department and I often stick up for us when we are attacked in the newspaper, with rebutal letters to the editor defending us from the numerous unjusitifed attacks on police officers and this profession.

Recently one of the articles I wrote about was close to during national police week so that was my topic. I wrote this for our local newspaper. It was then re-published by another 5 other newspapers and one national police magazine. I posted it here for you. I hope my words bring some type of comfort to you, to know that John is and will never be forgotten. Even know I did not know him, he still holds a specila place in my heart and mind as well as over 950,000 law enforcement officers in this country. It is because of stories like John's that gives me the fule for my fire amd is why I continue to fight for and consitently defend police officers with numerous letters and in my actions. God bless you.

Respectfully,

- Officer Paul Cotter
Lynn (MA) Police Department

www.lynnpolice.org

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PRIDE INTEGRITY & GUTS

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don’t even know me, hate me just because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don’t even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don’t think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a “game.”

Since my job’s base pay isn’t the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts, on holidays and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most though still complain thinking I am greedy, but don’t they realize that I must also pay taxes? That I too also have a mortgage car payments and kids in college as well?

Don’t they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special “tools” to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I “beat someone down”, and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I “gunned someone down” or that I “shot and killed” somebody tonight, and not that I defended myself. Don’t they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And I hope and pray that should something bad happen to me while at my job, that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

And when I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.

And to the ones who don’t know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life. You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a “pig,” but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone’s rights, or end up with even a worse fate.
My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will never break.

What, you ask is my job? I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return for doing all this and risking my own life to keep you safe? Nothing at all because it is my intention and my hope of being the one who makes the difference for you.

Written by;

Officer Paul Cotter
Lynn (MA) Police Department

Officer Paul Cotter, Patrolman
Lynn (MA) Police Dept

September 15, 2007