Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Bert - I didn't think anything could be more painful than scrolling down to the bottom of the list of New Jersey State Troopers killed in the line of duty and seeing your name at the end. Well I was wrong. As I'm sure you know by now, another name has been added beneath yours. Trooper Marc Castellano was tragically killed today. I am sure that you, Phil, Scott and all of the other troopers were there waiting for him. Please try to send some peace and comfort not only to his family but to Denise, Donna, Sara, your mother and sisters as I know from speaking with Denise and Donna earlier that the events of today have brought the memories and emotions from their own personal tragedies to the surface and they are just as raw now as they were in those days.

Colleen Brandt
Proud Wife of a New Jersey State Trooper

Colleen Brandt
Proud Wife of a New Jersey State Trooper

June 6, 2010

Bert:

I dont' know what happened but I left you a massage on valentines day. I'll say it again, Happy Valentines day.. Miss you so much. Think of you all the time. Keep us all safe. Jenna and Joey just had their birthdays. Can you believe that she is 11 and Joey is six. How time really flies.

Love you,,,,,,,,,,,Mom

Colleen:
Thank you for your kind words. Bert will always watch over you and Gary and all his brother troopers.

Mrs. Z

Verna Zimmerman
Mother of Trooper Bert Zimmerman III NJSP
E.O.W. 2/05/04

Anonymous

February 16, 2010

Denise, I don't know what to say to you that I haven't said before. I cherish the friendship that we have developed since Bert's death but I would give it up in a second for that day to never have happened and for Bert to be back here. No matter where life takes you, I know this day will never get easier. Know that Gary and I are always here for you.

Verna, Andrea and Jamie - We are thinking of all of you today. Please know that Bert is thought of often and will never be forgotten.

Bert - It has been six years, but I still vividly remember the look on Gary's face when he came home that morning 6 years ago and told me of the accident and of your death. the image is permanently ingrained in my memory He never left your side that night and I know that you have watched over him ever since. You have brought him safely home to me and our boys on more than one occassion and for that I am eternally grateful. Continue to watch over him and your brothers and sisters in blue and gold.

Colleen Brandt
Proud Wife of a New Jersey State Trooper

February 5, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

February 5, 2010

Thinking of you and your family today and knowing the pain hasn't gone away.

Denise L. Wise
Widow, Michael H. Wise, II EOW 6/5/04

February 4, 2010

Bert-
Its been SIX LONG years and u are missed just as u were on year one! Think of you ALL the time and wish you were here! Your always in my thoughts! LOVE YOU FRIEND!

Michele Morley and Family

Michele
Friend

February 4, 2010

It has been six years and it just seems like yesterday. You are missed dearly. Always thinking about you. Thank you for watching over us and keeping us all safe.

Anonymous

February 3, 2010

My heart aches for everyone who is suffering from this loss. I drive by his memorial two times everyday and think about his family and what they are going through. My step son was killed at work as well. No one can truly know that kind of pain until they have been through it themselves. Yes, people have dangerous jobs, however they should not loss their lives because of it!!!!!

Anonymous

January 3, 2010

Bert:

Miss you as much today as the first day you left me. It doesn't get any easier. Andrea and I and Joey went to the memorial yesterday and decorated it for Thanksgiving. Every one down there helps to keep it clean. The Troopers from Woodbine are just wonderful. Well the casino trip in your honor ia coming up soon and the Troopers from the expressway are there for us again.
Take care and watch over us all.

Love u

Mom

Anonymous

November 6, 2009

Bert, thinking of you on your birthday. May you celebrate with the angels in Heaven.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Keep watch from the Heavens.

Anonymous

August 29, 2009

It is that time of year again. Happy Birthday. I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts today and always. I miss you dearly. I can not believe that five years have passed, it just seems like yesterday. Take care, watch over all who love and miss you.

Anonymous

August 27, 2009

Thinking of you. Miss you..

Carrie

July 18, 2009

Bert:

Thinking of you all the time. There are some things on line that are just amazing that I have to sit here and laugh. I'm sure you know what I mean. We miss you so much. Washington was just wonderful and that is one place that I find peace. Next week is the memorial at the River Sharks. Many of your friends and of couse the family will be there. We will never let your memory fade. Tell Trooper Payne we will miss him on the honor guard this year. We will never forget him either.
Please watch over us, when I say us you know who I mean

Love you and Dad

Verna Zimmerman
Mother

Anonymous

June 17, 2009

Somewhere among the many pages of heroes on this site I came across your name and wanted to stop at your page and leave a reflection. Thank you for your service to law enforcement. Those that love you will forever carry you in their hearts and think of you every day. I know that each morning when they awake their first thought of the day is of you and at night before they drift off to sleep their last thought of the day is of you. Continue to watch over all of them, wrap your wings around them and help them with their grief and protect them from harm. Appear to them in their dreams so that they know you are near and watching over them. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 7/7/04

April 22, 2009

Bert - I was in Cape May on Friday and stopped by the roadside memorial. Every time I'm there I just can't wrap my head around how it happened. I just wanted to leave you a quick note to let you know we think of you all the time. Continue to watch over those you've left behind, especially your brother and sisters in Blue and Gold.

Colleen Brandt
Proud Wife of a NJ State Trooper

April 19, 2009

Bert – Yesterday was Bobby & Joey’s opening day for baseball. They had a parade in the morning and then a game in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day but a little windy. I know you were their watching over the both of them and I know how proud you are that your nephews both play the sport you loved so much. And one day Justin will be playing baseball too. I know if you were here you wouldn’t have missed yesterday. I know you would have been their cheering them on and would have been the proudest Uncle ever. I watch Bobby play and I see a little you in him. As much as he loves hockey I think he loves baseball just as much. I can remember all the baseball games I would come watch you play as we were growing up and now I’m watching Bobby play and in a couple years Justin will be playing. There is nothing better than being out on a baseball/softball field. The only thing that is missing is you and dad standing their with me. I know the two of you would be so proud of all the kids.

Please continue to watch over all that love you. Especially Jenna, Bobby, Justin, Michelle, and Joey. They love their Uncle Bert and will miss you forever. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think or miss you. You will forever be in my heart. I love you Bert!!!!

XOXOXO
Love,
Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
SISTER OF TROOPER BERTRAM ZIMMERMAN III - EOW 2/5/04

April 5, 2009

I have really been thinking about you alot lately. I am taking this as a sign that you are watching over us closely. Everything here has been good. Things are beginning to take place the way they are suppose to. We really feel that you are helping in the backgrounds in some way with all of this. Just keep watching and you are dearly missed. Please don't give up on us, we need your help to keep us on track.

Anonymous

April 2, 2009

MISS YOU BERT!

Love-
Michele

Michele Morley

March 30, 2009

Bert!

Still haveing a hard time writing in your reflections. Miss you so much. Think of you all the time. Have made so many wonderful friends. Everyone is always right there to pitch in and help, The dedication, the casino trips, the 5 year memorial buffet were just a successful tribute to you. Your sister really did a great job. Jamie and I helped a little. Getting ready for another casino trip. It is so rewarding to be able to give scholarships in your memory. We will always keep your mamory alive.
Have to go back to work now. Please keep us safe, especially Michelle, Jenna, Bobby, Joey, and Justin. Tell Dad I miss him. Can't believe it's going to be 14 years on the 26th.

Verna Zimmerman
Mom

mom

March 6, 2009

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

February 20, 2009

My fiance and I became good friends with Andrea and your mom from when we used to help out with the Steve Levy Run. Since we did the run for 4 years then it go taken over by someone else. Your mom came to us and asked us to help her arrange for the naming of the Ball Field. Since we knew what was entitled to get things going for a fun raiser. Your mom was nervous that things would not work out for that day. It all worked out your mom could not thank us enough. To this day your mom thanks us for everything we do and help her with. We became good friends with your sisters and your mom through all of this the Beef and Beer was great. Keeping you in our thoughts.

Andrea Barel & Carmen Cerami Jr.

February 18, 2009

Bert – I can’t believe it has been 5 years! I still remember that day as if it was yesterday. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think or miss you. You will forever be in my heart. We continued on with the tradition just like every other year. On Thursday we all met at the cemetery and then went to your favorite place for dinner. I will always wish that tragic morning never happen. On that morning my life once again changed forever. The only thing that is comforting is knowing that you and dad are together and that one day we will all be together again. So until then please continue to watch over us and keep us safe. We will forever keep your memory alive and never let any forget you or the “Ultimate Sacrifice” you made on the early mornings of Feb. 5th 2004.

As sad as Thursday was for me today is a happy day for me. Today Jenna turned 10. Yes I said 10. I can’t believe she is 10 already. It makes me so sad that you can’t be here with her. But I know you sent her lots of birthday HUGS & KISSES from where you are. She will always love and miss you. They originally wanted me to have her on the 5th but at the last minute they sent me home. I guess god knew better then to let me have my little girl on that day. I finally for the first time yesterday shared that with her. Jenna and I had girl’s day yesterday. We had an awesome time. I love being able to do that with her. Please continue to watch over her and keep her safe. She is very proud of her Uncle Bert and I know you will forever be in her heart. It’s not until I look at the picture she has in her room of the two of you that I remember just how young she was when you left us.

Bert I ask you to please continue to watch over all that love you and keep us safe. I love you Bert and will miss you forever. Say hi to Dad for me and tell him I love and miss him very much to. As tough as Feb 5th is March 26th is just as hard.

XOXOXOXO

Love,
Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
SISTER OF TROOPER BERTRAM ZIMMERMAN III- EOW 2/5/04

February 8, 2009

There is a young police officer that I see serving his community by directing traffic in the morning. Everytime I see him, he reminds me of you when you first started out serving your community as a special police officer with the G.T.P.D., directing traffic. Thinking of you on the fifth anniversary of your untimely and tragic death.

Keep watch from above and God Bless You.

2-5-09

Anonymous

February 6, 2009

I was at the Gloucester County Police Academy today for training and stopped at your memorial on the wall. It's hard to believe it was 5 yrs ago today. It's unfortunate but many of your brothers and friends were attending the Pennsylvania officers funeral today. Just wanted to you and your family to know we are still thinking about you !

Jeff
friend

February 5, 2009

Five years, a long time and you are still missed dearly. There has been a deep void in this world without you. Take care of us all. Talk to you soon

Anonymous

February 5, 2009