Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I sure miss you

October 22, 2007

Clint, I can't beleive how long it's been since I actually talked to you or seen you. It just doesn't seem like I'm here and you are in Heaven. It's just not suppose to be this way, I'm suppose to go before you, but I know God knows what he's doing. I just miss you so much, when I see mother's and son's together it hurts so much, I just long for all the times together, and you know we had a lot. Clint you will always be on my mind and I will always think of you when I see Mothers and Sons together.
Clint thank you for being the son that you were and loving me the way you loved me. I will always love you and miss you, for as long as I live.

Mama

October 22, 2007

clint, connie and amanda, had you all on my mind tonight. you are in my thoughts and prayers. strength , peace and a good night to you. the kidwell family in ky

kimberly kidwell
daughter of fallen stanford ky officer gary kidwell

September 27, 2007

You are thought of, and missed dearly...

Mama

September 18, 2007

Dear Connie ~

Thank you very much for the reflection you left on my husband's page. I check his site daily, and it is always nice to see a new reflection - it's nice to know people still think about us, still say a prayer, still remember....

My thoughts and prayers are also with you and your family - I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. It is so hard to lose these heroes, so unfair to be left with just memories.

Thank you, Officer Walker, for your service and ultimate sacrifice. May God bless you and may you continue to rest in eternal peace, forever safe in the arms of the angels.

Warmly,
Carin E. Sollman
wife of Officer Jesse E. Sollman EOW 3/25/05

July 24, 2007

Officer Walker,
I came across your name through another officer's page (Michael Gordon). Just wanted you to know that people like you, who choose to enter a career where you put yourself on the line every day for average citizens like me, will forever be remembered as someone who truly wanted to make a difference. And you did.

As I say "thank you" with deep gratitude, it is not just a casual way to pay tribute and then sign off. It is a heartfelt thank you, not only to you, but to your family who stood behind you, as you left the house each day, wondering if you would return safely. You represent the true meaning of courage and integrity. You made your life matter, you made the world better and safer. You will forever be remembered, by family, friends, community, and even by people across the country.

Thank you.

Pennsylvania citizen

July 12, 2007

I came on to the ODMP site today and you were one of the featured heroes. I thought I would stop at your page and leave a reflection. I know the daily struggle your mother deals with as there is no greater loss than to lose a child. You will forever be remembered by those that love you dearly and those close friends that worked with you every day. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and let them feel your presence so they know you are near. You are a true hero. You will never be forgotten.

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

July 2, 2007

SUGARBEAR,
JUST BEEN THINKING ABOUT YOU MORE THAN NORMAL HERE LATELY. YOU'VE BEEN HEAVY ON THE MIND AND HEAVIER ON THE HEART. SNOOK TURNED 21 YESTERDAY...HE SURE ISN'T THAT LITTLE BOY THAT WALKED ME DOWN THE ISLE TO YOU WITH JOHN ON OUR WEDDING DAY. NOW, WHENEVER WE ALL GET TOGETHER, YOU JUST SEEM TO BE ON ALL OF OUR MINDS...LIKE YOU SHOULD JUST BE WALKING IN ANY MINUTE TO JOIN THE PARTY. MEMORIES ARE WONDERFUL...YET SAD...BUT NO MATTER WHAT, THERE IS ALWAYS A STORY THAT INVOLVED YOU TO MAKE EVERYONE LAUGH. YOU ARE STILL SUCH A ROLL MODEL FOR BOTH JOHN AND SNOOK. THE IMPACT YOU MADE IN THEIR YOUNG LIFE, ESPECIALLY JOHN'S, WILL LAST THEM THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. THANK YOU FOR JUST BEING YOU...THAT WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO LOVE AND ADMIRE.

YOU ARE STILL THOUGHT OF, MISSED AND LOVED EVERYDAY OF OUR LIVES. THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE!!!

TILL WE MEET AGAIN...
LOVE ALWAYS,
YOUR WIFE

AMANDA WALKER
WIFE

July 2, 2007

i had you and your family on my mind tonight. you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. i wanted you to know that you and yours are not alone tonight. may you all have strength, peace and a good night.

kimberly kidwell
daughter of fallen stanford police officer gary kidwell

June 12, 2007

Hey Clint,

I read this in a book the other day and thought of you and everyone concerned;

"YOU CAN SHED TEARS THAT HE IS GONE,
OR YOU CAN SMILE BECAUSE HE HAS LIVED.

YOU CAN CLOSE YOUR EYES AND PRAY THAT HE'LL COME BACK,
OR YOU CAN OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE ALL THAT HE HAS LEFT.

YOUR HEART CAN BE EMPTY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE HIM,
OR YOU CAN BE FULL OF THE LOVE YOU SHARED.

YOU CAN TURN YOUR BACK ON TOMORROW BECAUSE OF YESTERDAY,
OR YOU CAN BE HAPPY FOR TOMORROW BEACUSE OF YESTERDAY.

YOU CAN REMEMBER HIM ONLY THAT HE IS GONE,
OR YOU CAN CHERISH HIS MEMORY AND LET IT LIVE ON.

YOU CAN CRY AND CLOSE YOUR MIND, BE EMPTY AND TURN YOUR BACK.
OR YOU CAN DO WHAT HE'D WANT: SMILE, OPEN YOUR EYES, LOVE AND GO ON."

I will always miss you, and think about you everyday, I also thank God everyday for letting me have you for the 26 years and 15 days. Your memory will always live through me as long as I live.
Thanks for the pennies :O)

Mama

June 4, 2007

Clint, I just had you on my mind. I sure do miss you. Love ya Brother!

Cpl. Ty Ray
Prattville Police Dept.

Cpl. Ty Ray
Prattville P.D.

May 20, 2007

April 13, 2007

Dear Connie,

I want to tell you that I think about Clint. I remember
thinking. "How did that happen?" I met you at the first
Civic Center Memorial in October 2004. You were so kind to
me in listening to how my son died. We talked and I can
remember asking your phone number or address, maybe both.
I think you sent me a card, too. Our families were hurting.
You took time to help and give concern to all who had lost
loved ones that year during the Memorial there and later at
the May '05 Memorial at or near the Capitol in Montgomery.
You sent me a picture which I asked you to take of me
receiving the medal that was given to each of us there in
memory of a loved one who had fallen in '04. I did not have
much memory then so if I have some of this wrong, you can
understand.

I hope that I sent you and your husband a thank you note.
I did lose the address so I do not know now if I did.
I think about your personal qualities and know that Clint
had the same caring for others. He was born of good
parents, and we know he had good personal qualities because
of his service to the people especially those in
Prattville.
You are fortunate to have been blessed with a
good son. I know that you get strength to live each day
in knowing that and remembering the good memories of Clint.

I look at his picture and it seems like he should speak.
He looks so pleasant. I was not the one who selected the
picture of my son, Brandon. His picture does not reflect
his personality and disposition. I thank you for
remembering Brandon in the Reflection you left during the
first year without him. I hope that your family especially
you and Clint's dad are better. I have begun to improve in
my sick feelings of grief.

I need to be optimistic and more cheerful. I am now. We are
going to be with our sons again. What a day, a wonderful
day that will be.

Florie Lassiter, mother of Michael Brandon Lassiter
EOW 4-8-04

Florie Lassiter
Covinton County, Alabama

April 14, 2007

Everyday I think about you, or something that we could have done, or the conversations we could have had on the phone. Then the times that I seem to miss you the most it's almost like someone knows and "I hear When I Get Where I'm Going", on the radio. And I always think of you I can just see you spreading your wings and flying, and landing beside a lion and matching your Granddaddy step for step. It just seem that song was wrote for you, and it just makes me smile.
You will always be in my heart and mind. There will never be a day that goes by that I will not think about you, I will remember you always.

Mama

April 13, 2007

my father was patrolman gary kidwell of the stanford ky pd he was shot in the line of duty on jan 20 1991 my heart goes out to your family you never get over the hurt and pain my mother tried to get on wiyh her life only to pass away 11 years later some say of a broken heart i know that our fallen loved ones do not want us to grieve but it is so hard not to some days i find myself praying that this is the day that i will join them we must go on for the ones that we still have with us our loved ones will wait patiently for us to join them they take care of each other just the way that those of us that are left behind do be strong god will take care of us all kk daughter of fallen hero

February 19, 2007

Well, I guess you've had a good laugh, on the SWEETHEAT on the last reflection, you know me and my typing. You know what I mean anyway.
I still miss you, and think about you a lot.

Mama

February 19, 2007

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY SWEETHEAT,

miss you more than anyone will every know.

Mama

February 14, 2007

Mrs. Barker,
Thank you for leaving a reflection on my husband's page. I also come to this site everyday to read Wayne's reflections and those of our fellow brothers. Somedays it's harder to read them. I know that another wife is left to spend her days and nights alone with no one to comfort her when she wakes up crying in the middle of the night longing to be in his arms. Another father left without a son to continue his legacy and traditions. Another mother is grieving for her child. A child she gave life too and kissed his hurts away. Another friend they can no longer joke around with about a call or hang out with on their days off. A community left without a hero to pick them up when they often stumble and fall. It’s truly amazing how one simple human life has the ability to affect so many. I know you must have raised a wonderful son. Some who put others before himself and risked everything to protect our communities. It takes someone very special to put on that uniform and face the "ugliness" of this world. I'm sure that if he was anything like my husband, he did it with a smile. I hope that God has eased your heart, if only just a little , for one day you will see your baby boy again.


Mrs. Walker,
I've come to appreciate three simple words that can sum up what a person's life should be about. Live, Laugh and Love.... LIVE each and everyday as if there is no tomorrow and surround yourself with all the gifts that life can bring. LAUGH at everything including yourself for humor can be found in every situation good or bad, and LOVE with everything you have, you may never get another chance. You and Clint shared your lives together, laughed at each others faults and loved with all you could give. Below is from a card my husband left on my pillow before he left for a drill weekend. I wanted to leave it for you. Even though at times, Clint seems so far away, he really isn't. He is with you every second of every day. All you have to do is look inside you heart and he's there, sharing everything with you. Take care and may the Lord keep a gentle hand on your shoulder.




It's so hard
for me to be apart from you,
even when
it's only for a short while.
I'll see something
I wish I could share with you,
experience something new
and wish you could be a part of it.
But I hope you know that
even when we're not together,
I'm always thinking of you.
During the day,
you're with me in thought,
so that whenever I see
something I think you'd enjoy,
in a special way
you're sharing it with me.
And at night,
I'll fall asleep dreaming
of how wonderful it will feel
to be back in your arms
where I belong.
Every day that we're apart,
I'm looking forward to when
we'll be together again
so I can show you
how much I missed you...
How much I love you.

Volusia Co. Deputy Ashley Koester
Widow of Lake County, Fl. Deputy Wayne Koester Eow 02-09-05

January 25, 2007

Your family will never ever forget you. It has been four years but to your family it will seem like yesterday. I want to thank you for your dedication. It cost all of us especially your family, but I am for certain you would not have it any other way. Always remembering you and the ultimate sacrifice you made. Peace be with your family.

Sharon Atkins, Identical Twin Sister of Norfolk Officer Sheila Herring EOW 1-16-03

Sharon Atkins

January 19, 2007

clint,
i found myself wondering through odmp again and i always end up on your page. just wanted to stop by and tell you we still miss you and speak about you often. i hope your haveing a ball up there tell my mom i said hey. we miss you

rusty
prattville pd

January 19, 2007

You and your family are remembered prayerfully as the third anniversary of your untimely death passes. Thank you for your service. It will not be forgotten.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

January 15, 2007

"Just a Cop"

The funeral line was long,
There's an awful lot of cars,
Folks came out of the restaurants,
They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites
All let their hammers drop.
Someone asked. "What is this all for?"
And they said, "Aw, just a cop."

Some chuckled at the passing cars.
Some shed a silent tear
Some people said, "It's stupid,"
"all these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?"
"Or in a doughnut shop?"
Sure is a lot of trouble,
For someone who's just a cop."

They blocked the intersections,
They blocked the interstate.
People yelled and cursed,
"Dang, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!"
"They're makin' us all stop!"
"It seems they are sure wastin' time,
On someone who's just a cop."

Into the cemetery now,
The slow procession comes,
The woeful Taps are slowly played.
There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads
"This service is a flop."
"There's lots of good words wasted,
On someone who's just a cop"

Yeah, just a cop to most folks.
Did his duty every day.
Trying to protect us,
Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven,
St. Peter put him at the top.
An angel asked him,
"Who was that?"
And he said, "Aw, just a cop."


His Judgment Day:

The officer stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shinning,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, Officer,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The officer squared his shoulder and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I aint,
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 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 an unmanly tear.

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 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 officer waited quietly
for the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, Officer.
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

" Clint, your truly missed brother. Until we meet again..love ya"

Tim Thornell
Friend

January 14, 2007

Please know that your sacrifice has not been forgotten as the third anniversary of your EOW has recently passed. You will forever be remembered as a hero.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

January 13, 2007

Clint, tomorrow makes three years that you've been gone. Just wanted you and your family to know that everybody at the PD is thinking about you.Please look down on us and help to keep us safe.There are alot of young officers that could use a guardian angel like you.I still miss you brother. Ty

Cpl. Ty Ray
Prattville Police Dept.

January 13, 2007

As we approach the anniversary of his death, we pause to honor the memory of Officer Walker and to acknowledge his ultimate sacrifice while training to protect citizens of his city as well as those from the Tri-County River Region.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of his surviving family members. May God comfort and keep each of you.

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery Police Dept. - Montgomery, AL

January 12, 2007

"WE REMEMBER THE OFFICERS'

WE REMEMBER THE OFFICERS WHO CHANGED
OUR LIVES, THE MEN AND WOMAN WHO
PROTECTED US DAY AND NIGHT, PEOPLE WHO
RESPECT FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THE CAUSE,
FOR WHEN FACED WITH DANGER, THEY NEVER
EVEN PAUSE.

WE REMEMBER THE OFFICERS WHO ALWAYS
STOOD TRUE, WHATEVER THE COLOR UNIFORM,
BROWN, GRAY, OR BLUE, WITH PRIDE AND
INTEGRITY THEY SAY "TO SERVE AND PROTECT",
FOR THE GIVING OF THEIR LIFE, WE OFFER OUR
RESPECT.

WE REMEMBER THE OFFICERS WHO WE NEVER
REALLY KNEW, PERSONS STRONG ENOUGH TO
ANSWER THE CHALLENGE ARE FEW, WITH HEAVY
HEARTS WE MOURN THE OFFICERS IN ETERNAL
REST, THERE'S MORE TO THOSE OFFICERS THAN
THE BADGE ON THEIR CHEST.


Clint three years is coming up, it seems like a life time since we've seen or heard your voice. It never will get easier I've just come to terms with it's always going to hurt, and that hole in my heart remain's the same.

I know this is your 3rd Birthday in Heaven, and God needed you. Just know there are a lot of people here that miss you and think of you often.

Mama

January 11, 2007