Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

TOWANDA - After about three hours, a jury Thursday sentenced Dustin Briggs to death for killing two Bradford County sheriff's deputies on March 31, 2004, in Wells Township. "Blessed are the peacke keepers, for they are the children of god"

Deputy Robert Porter
Pickens County SC

February 10, 2006

They found him guilty...

February 8, 2006

You and your partner are true heroes and have not been forgotten. Keep watch over your family and guide them through life. Wrap your wings around them to protect them and help ease some of their grief. There are no words I can offer that will help them with their grief except to keep your memory alive and the Law Enforcement Family will do everything they can to keep your memory alive forever. Thankyou for your dedicated service.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

BOb Gordon

February 5, 2006

Hello Chris I didn't know you but Randy did, he recalls playing golf with you and nights at the jail. You are deeply missed by all. I also want to give your wife Kim and son Christian the deepest sympathy. May god and you watch apon them. If only we could turn back the clock. It isn't fair. It is like listening to all those country songs- One more day, If we had only knew what was going to happen. Maybe there would of been something someone could of done. When I get where I am going- The pain will never go away. We all still think about what happened, and there are still tears, sad ones.
Kim I would like to say to you keep up the great work with Christian, Chris would want that. I don't think if I where in your shoes I would be as strong as you. I read these other reflections and I can't help but cry. Chris had a mission and it was to meet you and have a son in which you named Christian after his father who was a great man. Our maker knows our path and he knew what he was doing when he matched you two together.
May god bless you Chris untill we meet again. You have left us here but we all know that there will be a day when we will see you again. RIP Deputy Burgert.

Randy Strait and Jodi Inman
Former BCCF employee

January 28, 2006

To the families of both Deputies Van Kuren and Burgert,

We are quickly approaching the Christmas Season, and my thoughts and prayers join each family in this season of trial for all of you. My brief assignment with the Bradford County Sheriff's Office in the absence of these two highly respected Deputies will never go unthought of, as they will never know the far reaching aspects of their fights. We will never forget the legacy, and will continue to think of and pray for those left behind in this senseless tragedy. My heart goes out to you, my prayers go out for you, and I pray you have the continued strength as you venture through these holidays, and know that somewhere in Heaven, thought there will never be law breakers, it is good to know, the two of them will be sniffing out the drug violators and sending them to the south portals of their fiery demise. God Bless each and every one of you!

Chief David Franke
Douglass Twp. Police Dept.

December 21, 2005

hey chris sorry i havent been writing and u know why.my grandma is up there with u so try to keep her in line fore me lol.u just keep awatch over your family keep them save. and keep that big smile. u takecare chris and god bless u denise a friend from troy pa

August 18, 2005

Chris,

I have thought about you and Mike every day and I'm sorry I could not be there with you. You and Mike were not only great cops but you were great fathers and husbands. You were my friend, my coworker, my brother. You are truely missed.

Ptl.
Athens Borough Police Department

July 26, 2005

Rest in Peace and may God Bless. My sincerest sympathy to th Family and fellow Officers.Every time a Law Enforcement Officer Dies a part of every Law Enforcement Officer dies.
You are watching over your Family and Fellow Officers.God Bless

RetPaState Narcotics Agent II DiMiceli
Pa Office Of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations

July 11, 2005

hey chris been awhile i write to u. just been hard to come in here.i know u are up there looking down on us with the big smile.everytime i sit down i think about that day i wish i can take it away but i can.i know everyone wants u here but we know u are in agreat place looking over us.and looking down on your family well chris to another day god bless u denise afriend from troy pa

July 2, 2005

Rest in peace brother....your brothers and sisters think about you daily

174 FW SFS

April 17, 2005

Iwould like to express my deepest condolence to the family of Deputy Sheriff Christopher M. Burgert. I cried also when I heard the news of the awful events of March 31,2004.I know it has been hard the past year-I've been praying and will continue to pray for healing for the Burgret family and friends.My heart still aches for your loss.I lost my brother-E.O.W. 4-30-00.I will always remember your loss.God Bless you all on the days to come and forever always.

Karen Black

March 31, 2005

To Christophers family, friends, and co-workers- As the wife of a fallen officer and as a former resident of Athens I have thought about you often this passed year. I know how hard it has been. Please know that your loved one's sacrifice will never be forgotten. He will always be remembered as a Hero.

Rachel Cappelletty
Surviving Spouse of Officer Ryan E. Cappelletty E.O.W. 5-28-03

March 31, 2005

I know tomorrow will be a year. its like a dream. and we al cant wakeup from.i just want to tell chris's wife and son god is with u both.and so is chris i think about that day too.i feel like he was a little brother to me even though i seen him a few time with that big smile on his face.thats one thing i rembmer chris bye his smile.to chris's wife and son god bless u too just rembmer chris will always be with u and chris god bless u fore being a great person until we meet again denise a friend from troy pa

March 30, 2005

hey chris i cant beleave its almost ayear. it seams like we al are in a big dream and cant wake up. i just want to tell your family that i think about them everyday.and i want to tell them,someday it get better and that they have u looking over them.thank u fore being a great person and a great police officer god bless u chris and your family a friend from troy

March 8, 2005

My sweet pookie, I miss you so much every day, as does Christian. We will love you forever. Kim and Christian

Kim Burgert
Chris's wife

February 25, 2005

to chris family i just want to tell u guys im thinking about u its hard not to think about u guys i wish i can take back that day but i cant i want to let u know he was a great deputy his up there watching u al a big angel he his a great dad and husband i know someday it will get better but now just close your eyes and u will see chris a big smile god bless u all and chris god bless u too keep heven save some day we all will meet again

denise

December 22, 2004

Dear Christopher and family,
I give my deepest sympathy from my family to yours. As the holidays approach, I feel your loss. My brother, Sgt.Jeff Hewitt of Buncombe County Sheriffs Dept. also a fallen officer, was killed in the line of duty by gunfire on 04/04/04. Christopher thank-you for the ultimate sacrifice as an officer and person. What a fine team is watching us from heaven. I would like to leave you with a poem that may bring some comfort to your family, as it has to ours. May God bless and keep you.
Susan Hewitt

DON'T GRIEVE FOR ME FOR NOW I'M FREE,
I'M FOLLOWING THE PATH GOD LAID FOR ME.
I TOOK HIS HAND WHEN I HEARD HIM CALL,
I TURNED MY BACK AND LEFT IT ALL.

I COULD NOT STAY ANOTHER DAY,
TO LAUGH, TO LOVE, TO WORK, OR PLAY.
TASKS LEFT UNDONE MUST STAY THAT WAY,
I FOUND A PEACE AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY.

IF MY PARTING HAS LEFT A VOID,
THEN FILL IT WITH REMEMBERED JOY.
A FRIENDSHIP SHARED, A LAUGH, A KISS,
AS YES, THESE THINGS I TOO WILL MISS.

BE NOT BURDENED WITH TIMES OF SORROW,
I WISH YOU THE SUNSHINE OF TOMORROW.
MY LIFE'S BEEN FULL, I'VE SAVORED SO MUCH,
GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD TIMES, A LOVED ONE'S TOUCH.

PERHAPS MY TIME SEEMED ALL TO BRIEF,
DON'T LENGHTEN IT NOW WITH UNDUE GRIEF.
LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS AND SHARE WITH ME,
FOR GOD WANTED ME NOW, HE SET ME FREE.

DEPUTY SHERIFF KEVIN B. KELLEY OF CARERET CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE BEAUFORT, NC. SUBMITTED THIS IN MY BROTHER'S REFLECTIONS.

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD:MATTHEW 5:9.

susan hewitt
waynesville, nc resident

November 23, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for all to live in. Thank you Deputy Burgert for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

November 10, 2004

to deputy's burgert family and friends. i just wanted to let u al know deputy burgert was a great deputy.and he loved what he did his up there in the big blue sky watching u al. and to his wife and son he is with u al the time watching u he was a great man and a great deputy. god bless u al and deputy burgert god bless u too a friend from troy pa

denise

August 2, 2004

Yet another death of a true freedom fighter. In my eyes Deputy Burgert gave his life for the safety and freedom of the United States and not just for the State of Pennsylvania. Thank you Deputy Burgert for your commitment and courage.

Brent
civilian - Josephine County, Oregon

June 20, 2004

Three months have passed my brother. I have just received the news today from a mutual friend. We both started in an endeavor together years back, and when we last parted I never gave my goodbye any finality towards you... we both walked away better men, we served time and time again both overseas and on our sovereign soil here. Rest easy my friend; know that this news helps to define a life, many lives. You are a quiet man, a dedicated man, to family, god and country.. Your work here was just the start of your journey look after all our brothers in blue now as you always have. Read this Christian and rest assured that your daddy lead a life to be proud of. He loves you with all his heart.

Friend

June 14, 2004

We are truly saddened at Chris' loss.
--------------------------------------
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) P.D.

June 11, 2004

To the family and friend's of D/S Burgert, I hope you find the peace and comfort my family has experienced this past year since the passing of our son, EOW 05-28-03, from not only the Law Enforcement "Family" but from ALL those that grieve with "US" for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their strength and support will help you through these hard times, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you now and forever for you and Christopher will never be forgotten. There will come a time when the degree of pain you feel now will almost be "missed", but never forgotten.

Richard Cappelletty,father

May 31, 2004

My heart goes out to his wife and son, And I want to say Thank you to his family He really made a difference in my life.

Angie

May 12, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Deputy Burgert for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

April 20, 2004