Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Bum,
I’m going to try to make this brief, but it’s going to be difficult! You were not legally my brother-n-law, but that’s ok, because you were so much more to me than that, you were my friend. You’ve helped me so much in the almost three years since I moved back to Elsie. I’ve used your woodworking expertise to have you have hang doors and shelves for me, build steps and book shelves for me, trim my windows, and the list goes on and on. We had so many good times while you were doing ‘projects’ for me, and I had to endure, and secretly laugh to myself, at all your raunchy jokes. I remember Nicole getting you with some of her kid-friendly jokes, that I’m sure you were registering in your ‘memory banks’ so you had something to share with the younger population.

I remember when I bought a piece of furniture for Nicole’s room, and it wouldn’t fit up the steps. You and Kip dismantled the furniture, got it up the stairs and into her room, and then put it back together again. Oops!

I remember you showing the kids how to talk after breathing in helium and when you, Mike and Kip made the swim up bar in the pond. We had a lot of fun that day. The bench is currently in the pond (since the water came back up) just waiting for you to take a seat and be waited on.

I remember getting so mad at you last year at your comment about having to make my door bigger. Boy it took me a long time to cool off after that one. Now it all seems so stupid, and a waste of precious time.

You were a wonderful ‘Uncle Bum’ to my daughter, Nicole. You took her into your fold, and treated her just like one of the many other nieces and nephews you had. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to get her ‘Indian Name’ from you, because you told her you had to have a campfire to look into and then it would ‘come to you’. Don’t worry; Mike said that you taught him how to do that, and that he would come up with one for her. She will never forget you, nor will I.

The week before you were killed, you helped Kip install our dishwasher. You were always there for us. I’m so glad you stopped by on Thursday, because I got to spend some time with you. You told me if I had a beer you’d come in and sit with me for a while. It was nice hearing about all the projects you had going on and the new day shift job with the Sheriff’s department you were going to be transferring to. I’m only sorry it wasn’t soon enough.

Bum, thank you for being my friend and for giving me such wonderful memories. I will miss you terribly, but I will also look forward to the day when we will meet again on the other side.

Paula, I will never forget Bum. The memory of him will forever be weaved in my heart. I pray that God will grant you peace and the serenity needed to continue on your trek in this life.

Love you always, Becky, a.k.a. Beth (Latz) McIntyre

April 7, 2004

Bum, you are a best friend to all. Every since I was a young boy I would always look forward to coming and seeing you, and hated it when I had to go home. No matter how big of a task or small you always made it fun. You accepted everyone for who they were and made them feel worthy. It has been of great honor to be able to call you my friend. I will remember all the good times together and I miss you.
Paula, Erma, Perry and family. You are in our thoughts.
Bum you are in our hearts.
Love Mark

Mark Williams

April 6, 2004

As I read these reflections, it occurred to me to say thank you. Thank you, to the parents of Perry Fillmore. Without you, all of us who mourn such a loss, would have never been blessed to know Perry. How lucky to have been the son of such parents with fortitude to teach patience, kindness, and respect.

Because of you, I am proud to say, I can carry with me everyday a warm heart. There is thankfulness knowing that behind the pain of this loss is also a kind place I can go where stories abound of love and laughter. Please accept my thanks Mr. and Mrs. Fillmore, what wonderful people.

Anonymous

April 6, 2004

My daughter, your neice, told me about this website today. I know that we weren't close like alot of the Coleman family was to you, but I still have alot of memories that I think of when I think of you. You were first a friend, and then a brother-in-law, a but first a friend. My children will always remember you as the best, and so will I. A lot has changed, but I will never forget Halloween night, seventh grade when you and Mike showed up dressed up as old women in pink fuzzy slippers and shower caps and womans robes and asking for candy. if I would or could have predicted your future and saw Paula and Perry, then I would have known that the two of you would be together. God bless you Paula, I Love You.

Anonymous

April 5, 2004

Uncle Bum
I remember when you and I went on a "road trip" to mark and tammys house. It was like a 2 hour drive, and there was still snow on the ground and you asked if I wanted to do a freeze out. I asked whats that? Then you shut the heater off and rolled down all the windows. You said we had to last all the way for 2 hours. (We, ok I, lasted 20 minutes!) I'll never forget that. And the worse part was I had a cold. Then we drove back home at midnight. I'll miss all the fun times we had. I love you and miss you.
Love Ash-woman aka crying flower

April 5, 2004

There is not even words to tell you how much I miss you. When I heard of your death, I cried wishing it was not true. I remember the times we spent together and now that you are gone I will cherish them in my heart as I would do for another close family member. I feel a little bit better knowing that you are in a better place now probably playing fetch with Bodee. I Love You Uncle Bum and I miss you so very much.

Love,
Chelsey

April 5, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 4, 2004

Rest in peace D/S Perry Fillmore. Family, friends and co-workers can look to the LORD for comfort during these sad times. GOD BLESS.

Cpl. Vernon Brown
Orange County Sheriff's Office, Fl

April 3, 2004

Deputy Fillmore....thank you for your sacrafice....I did not know you, but you are the same age as my husband who is also a deputy here in Michigan.... it hurts so much to see another deputy with the Mitten on his patch go down....please watch over all your brothers in brown...may your friends and family find peace and understanding in the weeks and months to come.. .God speed, Sir....

Wife of a Sgt.
Macomb County Sheriff Dept, MI

April 3, 2004

Perry you were always there for us when some of us were down,and we were there when u made us frown so today as we lay you in the ground you will never be forgotten bum,im just so glad you were my uncle bum, some kids arnt as gratful as us but thats ok were like u that stuff dont matter to us so here i am standting next to you i will never forget all the good things we did at the times like when grandpa would say something to me and you would be right there to give me a good come back and half the times I didnt no what they ment or even understood what you were trying to say i didnt care i just knew it was going to be good and most of the time i laughed and i didnt even know what i was laughing at but i didnt care, and at Kristy's and bruce's wedding you said you would give me a dollar if I faked cry my eyes burned so bad leaving them open so long but it was ok i was doing it for you bum, to see you laugh. So here we all are saying our goodbyes wishing it wasnt you it should be me you didnt deseve this if anything I did, nothings harder than saying good bye to some one u love, people say your a hero but in my heart bum your a ledgen so im going to say good bye now love,
Wobbie a.k.a Swimming rock

p.s Now its my turn to give you a indian name wise stone.

April 3, 2004

My mom called me saturday morning before I left for work, to tell me Perry had died in an accident. The whole day seems surreal. I am a caridiac R.N. at Ingham hospital and many workers I saw that day knew of the accident. I was numb as I stood with my fellow nurses, in an empty patient room, watching the six o'clock news. I've taken care of many officers in the past few years. They are the front line for every one of us. I plan to make a special point of returning the thanks for the care officers do for me and my loved ones. My thoughts and love go out to Paula, Perry's family and his friends. Godspeed.

Julie Thompson
Cousin to Paula & Perry

April 3, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Deputy Fillmore. "Blessed are the peace keepers"

Officer R.Ward
Clare City Police Department

April 2, 2004

PERRY, WHAT CAN WE SAY....REST IN PEACE
I CAN STILL REMEMBER ALL THE TEASING ABOUT YOUR CYCLE-KEPT CALLING IT YOUR "PINK HONDA!" WHEN I REALLY KNEW IT WAS YOUR PRECIOUS HARLEY!! ANYWAYS WHILE GOING THRU THE MOTIONS OF THE FUNERAL DAY AND THE EVENTS THAT NIGHT A FEW OF US DECIDED THAT YOU AND GARY PRIESS WERE UP THERE TELLING JOKES AND SLAPPING EACH OTHER ON THE BACK AND SEEING WHO COULD OUT JOKE EACH OTHER!!!! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED AND OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.....GOD BLESS......

CO DEB LOTT
CLINTON CO SHERIFFS DEPT

April 2, 2004

To fellow Deputy Fillmore may you rest in peace your dedication to duty and your fellow officers will never be forgotten

Sgt. Michael Shenk
Shiawassee County Sheriffs Dept

April 2, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Fillmore, his family, and his second family the Clinton County Sheriff's Department. Rest easy brother, we'll take the watch from here. You will not be forgotten............

D/S B. Robinson
Osceola County Sheriffs Office, Fl

April 2, 2004

Perry,

What can I say....It's hard to find the right words,because there are so many.You are already missed dearly!!The jokes and laughter we had around the department will be cherished forever.You sure made a difference in alot of lives.Perry, the years I got to spend with you at the dept. don't seem like enough,but now your in a much calmer place...Rest in peace Brother and we'll meet up someday.....Keep it safe!!!!

Corrections Officer Kevin Schmidt
Clinton County Sheriffs Office

April 2, 2004

Perry,

What can I say....It's hard to find the right words,because there are so many.You are already missed dearly!!The jokes and laughter we had around the department will be cherished forever.You sure made a difference in alot of lives.

Corrections Officer Kevin Schmidt
Clinton County Sheriffs Office

April 2, 2004

Bird Dog......most people didn't know that was a name that you got in the Army, because you were always assigned as the point man when you went out on patrol....we sure swapped plenty of Army stories, they were a good pass time. I'm going to miss you.........not just out on the Highway where we spent so much time watching out for each other........but those endless good natured times. I lobbied to get you back on my Team because I knew how much the team bond ment to you....you needed, as we all do, to feel a part of something....and besides you have family here. Don't worry.......we'll watch out for them. Just like you watched out for everyone else. Janice said that she wishes that she could have thanked you for stopping by when I was in the hospital last year...unexpectedly. She said she didn't even know who you were......that you just showed up the morning when they were racing me to Lansing for heart surgery. There you were.....on the front porch asking if there was anything that you could do. She said with everything happening she had forgotten to tell me too. Thanks for your caring and kindness. I know so many people that you have helped.........the stories are endless. Catch you on the flip flop....it'll be sooner than you expect, for life is all too short.

Sgt. Robert Sipple
Clinton County Sheriff's Dept.

April 2, 2004

Perry,
You never changed from the time you were in Ovid and I was in Laingsburg. I will never be pelted in the face by a snow ball like the one you threw (I never saw it coming).
It was very hard and draining being at your head during the viewing but I would not trade that HONOR for any thing in the world.
I have known you for 12 years and your smile is still as infectious as the day I met you. The only thing that has changed about you is the amount of wonderful stories that people tell. Even though we went our seperate ways I thought about you a lot.
You will be missed but never forgotten. You touched sooooo many people in soooooo many different ways, but that was who Perry Fillmore is.
"I layed my brother to rest, his legacy will live on."

Deputy Mike Soltis
Ingham County Sheriff's Office

April 1, 2004

Uncle Buck, today we gave you your blanket of flowers to hug you with all our love. That doesn't seem like enough for all that you have given us. I can't express how we all feel right now through words. I just know that the hurt is so bad and the sorrow. You have touched us all so deeply, our lives will NEVER be the same. I will always love you for the the special times you have spent with all of us. The boys thank you for being the best uncle, godfather, and friend they could have ever had. Thank you for being all that you were to Mike, he will always miss you as well. No one can ever take your place. I am very proud of who you were and very privilaged to have you as my brother. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH! Enjoy your sofa in the sky!

Diana Koyne
sister

April 1, 2004

To Brother Deputy Perry Filmore: You will be missed, but NEVER forgotten. Rest in Peace.

Deputy Mark Schmidt
Shiawassee County Sheriff Department

April 1, 2004

I would like to say on behalf of the Troopers of the Pennsylvania State Police, our prayers and thoughts are with you, your friends and loved ones. God Speed Brother……

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

April 1, 2004

Birddog - You will be so greatly missed. We know you will have them "rollin" in Heaven.
The Final Inspection
The policeman stood and faced his God.
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes 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 shoulders 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 Sunday's,
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 just 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 fears.
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 Saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
for the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
you've done your time in hell."
-Author unknown--

Deputy S Worthington
Clinton County Sheriff's OFfice

April 1, 2004

Matthew 5
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Thank you Perry for serving this County. I will miss your smile. You will be greatly missed. Tell Gary we all said hello! We miss you both.

To the family and the Clinton County Sheriff's Office - I am so sorry for your great loss. You will never be the same. Lean on each other - talk to each other - be with each other.

Sandy Billingsley
DeWitt PD/Clinton County VST

April 1, 2004

Every time I see another name on this site my heart drops. The thin blue line gets thinner and thinner, hopefully God will allow the rest of us to do our jobs for a while longer, for some reason he needed this ever growing bunch of officers to come home. Make sure you let your brothers and sisters know that you appreciate them going with you into whatever you go into, serving a warrent, domestic, gunfire, etc. before you have to tell their family on a site like this. We're a small, special group of people and we're losing too many.
God Bless you Deputy Filmore, your family and agency.

Corrections Officer
Marion County SO

April 1, 2004