Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Brian,

Nonnie left us this afternoon, to be with you. I asked her to tell you how much I love and miss you, hope she remembered. I think the thought of seeing you again, made it easier for her to let go.

I miss you each and every day, but times like this; your absence is even more painful.

Mom

Norie Haas

August 7, 2005

Brian, Well, Nonnie joined you in heaven today. I know you were there to hold her hand and guide her. We all love and miss you. Please tell Nonnie we love and miss her.

Bonnie Cannedy

August 7, 2005

Brian,
I know this seems silly to be writing after all this time but I still think about you from time to time, after all you left quite an impression on me. I wrote a you a message back in April 2004, but I still visit time to time to see the beautiful things people write about you. I get sad sometimes looking at pictures from highschool and from the CO academy. It just isn't the same knowing that you are gone. What I remember the most is you and Theresa sitting the row ahead of me, constantly laughing and happy. We were all happy and so proud to be doing what we had worked so hard to do. I know you were proud to be a Deputy, just like the rest of us, because we all wanted to make a difference, to help people. Please Brian, just know that you did and still do make a difference. Your memory still lives on in those people that knew you. We miss you and always will.

July 21, 2005

Brian -

I think of you often and sometimes look up to the sky and wonder just what is going on on "the other side." I know you have met Daniel and are happy. I know the two of you would get along so well - trading stories and such.
Norie - Thank you again for the nice note in the mail. It came at the perfect time.

Thinking of you Brian -

Jessica Ruhl
Fiancee of Police Officer Daniel Starks
EOW 10.25.03

July 16, 2005

Brian, With all the fireworks on the 4th...I do believe you where the brightest light of all...Still shinning in our hearts.
We love you and miss you dearly!
Aunt Trisha & Uncle Allen

Aunt Trish

July 6, 2005

Brian,

Today is the Fourth of July. You have the best seat in the house for the fireworks display tonight. Enjoy!

Mom

Norie Haas

July 4, 2005

Dear Norie,

My thoughts are with your family this Father's Day. It seems that we reflect alot on the pass, what we did with our Bri's & how unfair it is that they're not here with us. The pain is so great.

Never lose faith, be hopeful & stay strong! You'll be in our prayers always. Angels on your shoulders!

Nancy Litz-Mother
Deputy Brian Robert Litz
E.O.W. 2-7-04

Nancy Litz

June 19, 2005

Brian,

Blue lights burn in the windows and cupola every night, to honor you and your comrades. Those in heaven, and those still on earth, doing the job you loved.

I love you and miss you so much.

Mom

Norie Haas

June 11, 2005

HEY BROTHER,

SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO WRITE I HAD SOME TROUBLE FINDING THE SITE. I MISS YOU MAN. I REMEMBER THE DAYS WHEN I USED TO RIDE WITH YOU AS AN EXPLORER. YOU ALWAYS HAD SOMETHING NEW TO SHOW ME. I ALWAYS FOUND A WAY TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE TIMES WHEN I WAS WORKING IN FLEET WHEN YOU WOULD ALWAYS COME UP TO ME AND SAY WELL JOSH I'M READY FOR MY 2004 MEANING YOUR UNIT. I WOULD ALWAYS LAUGH AND YOU WOULD SAY JUST KIDDING I DON'T CARE WHAT I DRIVE I JUST LIKE BEING OUT THERE. I REMEMBER THE TIME YOU SAID "MAN JOSH I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY PAY ME TO DO THIS" YOU SURE LEFT YOUR MARK ON THIS AGENCY AND I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT I KNEW AND WORKED WITH YOU YOU WILL FOREVER BE IN MY HEART AND PRAYS. AND MAKE SURE YOU WATCH OUT FOR US DOWN HERE.

C/O JOSHUA WOODS
HENDRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

June 8, 2005

Your dedication, motivation, and desire to the job will always be remembered. Even though you're gone....you are not forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff Mario Dixon
Osceola County Sheriff's Office

June 1, 2005

Mr and Mrs Haas, it was so nice meeting you this past week at national police week, although I wish we could have met under different circumstances.

Your son was an amazing young man and is a true hero. Unfortunately he paid the ultimate sacrifice, but that sacrifice will NEVER be forgotten. He is truly one of the nation's finest.

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of NJ State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 02-05-04

May 17, 2005

Hey Brian...It's taken me a few days to write you and let you know how much we miss you. Over the weekend Uncle Allen and I had our time with you and prayed for strength for your mother and father and Manda. I have a special candle for you that we got a year ago for this past weekend - It's beautiful! Angel Brian's Candle. It shines bright - just like you. The heaven's have one Big bright star in the sky. We think of you every day and your are forever in our hearts.
Spread your wings baby boy, and fly proudly.
Loving you! xoxoxo
Aunt Trisha & Uncle Allen

Trisha Barnes

April 29, 2005

DEAR BRIAN

I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 24, 2004. SGT MCLAIN CALLED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 3:45 A.M. AND TOLD ME; "WE LOST ONE OF OURS." I ASKED "WHO", AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS YOU. I THOUGHT THAT IT HAD TO BE A MISTAKE. I THOUGHT "MY YOUNGUN CAN'T BE GONE". BUT IT WAS YOU. I PACED THE FLOOR UNTIL DAYLIGHT; KNOWING THAT YOUR FAMILY AND FELLOW OFFICERS WERE GRIEF STRICKEN. I ASKED GOD "WHY"; YET I STILL DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER. BRIAN, I THEN PRAYED FOR STRENGTH; FOR YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY.

THE DAY OF YOUR MEMORIAL SERVICE I WAS TOO DISTRAUGHT AND EMOTIONAL TO GO ON STAGE AND SAY ALL THE THINGS THAT I FELT IN MY HEART. PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR THAT. ONE OF THE HARDEST PARTS WAS SEEING YOU ON VIDEO, PARTICIPATING IN A DUI STOP. YOU WERE TALKING AND IT SEEMED AS IF YOU WERE STILL ALIVE, BUT WHEN I HAD TO LAY A SINGLE ROSE IN A BASKET, I KNEW THAT YOU WERE GONE. IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE I FELT THAT BY PLACING THAT ROSE IN THAT BASKET, I HAD TO LET YOU GO; AND I WASN'T READY FOR THAT.

WHEN YOUR NUMBER WAS CALLED OVER THE RADIO, I WAS PLEADING WITH ALL MY HEART FOR YOU, #157 TO ANSWER. BUT YOU DIDN'T. YOU COULDN'T. IT WAS YOUR FINAL CALL. AT THAT POINT, I FINALLY ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT YOU WERE REALLY GONE.

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT YOU AND THAT SMILE OF YOUR'S THAT WOULD LIGHT UP A ROOM WHEN YOU ENTERED. YOUR PICTURE SITS WITH ALL MY FAMILY PICTURES; BECAUSE YOU ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE A PART OF MY FAMILY.

BOB, NORIE, AND AMANDA. I WILL ALWAYS PRAY FOR YOU; THAT GOD GIVES YOU THE STRENGTH TO MAKE IT THROUGH ANOTHER DAY. TIME CAN EASE THE PAIN; MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE BEARABLE, BUT MEMORIES LAST A LIFETIME.

BRIAN WAS A VERY THOUGHFUL, CARING, COMPASSIONATE YOUNG MAN WHO GAVE HIS LIFE DOING WHAT HE LOVED BEST.HE LOVED HIS JOB AND HIS FAMILY. HE'S A SON AND A BROTHER THAT YOU CAN BE VERY PROUD OF. HE WAS GIVEN TO YOU AND TO US FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IN THAT TIME, I KNOW THAT BRIANS' POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND HIS CHARISMATIC PERSONALITY HAD A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IN A LOT OF PEOPLES LIVES. WE ALL LOVE AND MISS BRIAN. IT IS HARD TO SAY THAT HE IS GONE, BUT EASY TO SAY NOT FORGOTTEN.

SGT JEANETTE MOORE #304
HENDRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

SGT JEANETTE MOORE #304
HENDRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

April 26, 2005

To Brian's parents:

i do apologize for not leaving a message for you and brian yesterday as it was his 1-year "anniversary"...i hate that word, really, but i don't know what else to call it. i knew brian, too young, was called home close to the same time as my cole. i simply do not understand it. i also saw that you left a message on cole's page. it really means a lot that others remember. i cannot imagine what it is like to have lost a child, for cole and i were not yet married. i have watched cole's mom during the last 2 years and know that while we can relate on a lot of the pain and agony unfortunately, i still cannot fathom the loss of a child. so many hopes and dreams...gone in a flash. i do know that your brian must have been a wonderful young man who was obviously very much loved. i will definitely honor your son's memory at police week. i am actually going with jessica ruhl and the starks family. i hope to meet you both there. brian must have been an amazing officer. God bless you both.

Jessi Garger
Fiancee of Cole Martin EOW 4.25.03

April 25, 2005

Brian,

Home is usually where we feel closest to you, and where we feel the most comfort and peace, but after much thought, Dad and I decided to spend this past weekend camping. We were afraid that being home and reliving the painful memories of a year ago, would be too much for us to bear, so we opted to do something that you always enjoyed. We have so many great memories of family camping trips when you and Amanda were younger, and we tried to focus on those memories as we hiked the same trails that the four of us did, many years ago.

In spite of our determination to concentrate on the good times, many sad thoughts interfered. I can recall in vivid detail, saying goodbye to you before you left for work that last evening. I am so thankful that I took the time to get off the treadmill, tell you I loved you, and give you a hug before you left. I remember being so excited about the prospect of helping you move into your new house the next morning. Dad and I were woking out in the hangar, and you called with a question just before your shift began. Dad couldn't answer your question, so he handed the phone to me. That was the last time we heard your voice.

In less then two weeks, you will be honored at Memorial Services in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. Amanda and Mike, and some of your coworkers will be there with us. At the samt time that our hearts are breaking with grief, they will be bursting with pride. Not a single day has passed since April 24, 2004, that you have not been in our thoughts. You live on in our memories, our minds, and in our hearts. We love you and miss you.

Mom and Dad

Norie Haas

April 25, 2005

Hey Brian it has been a year since you left us, but we have not forgotten about you. When I went to work on Sunday I spoke to your picture on our wall and told you a few personal things. We often talk about you and remember the goods time we shared with you. Archer came upstairs on Sunday and we shared some things about you and of course we did laugh. Anyway I just wanted to say hey and I will keep you in my thoughts and your family in prayer. Talk to you later Big Bob

C/O Bob R. Chirila
Hendry County Sheriff Office

April 25, 2005

BRIAN

I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN... I WAS GIVEN ANOTHER 19 YEAR OLD OFFICER TO TRAIN. YOU KNOW ME, I ASKED HIM IF HE WAS SECURE IN HIS MANHOOD , AND THEN I MADE HIM DRESS OUT A BUNCH OF MALES IN THE SHOWER. I STILL LAUGH ABOUT THAT JOKE WITH YOU. TO HAVE A CAMERA AND TO HAVE TAKEN THAT SNAP SHOT. I SIT AT HOME AND GET ALL TEARED UP LAUGHING AT MY MEMORY OF YOUR FACE WHEN I ASKED THAT QUESTION. AND THE FACE YOU MADE WHEN YOU DRESSED OUT TONY IN THE SHOWER. I HOPE I CAN HAVE THE SAME RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR NEWEST OFFICER, LIKE I HAD WITH YOU. KEEP THE SHOWER RUNNING. LOL

SGT.TINY

SEARGENT MCLAIN
HENDRY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

April 25, 2005

BRIAN

I HOPE YOUR WATCH IN THE AFTER-LIFE IS AS FULFILLING AS THE LIFE THAT YOU LEFT. WITH YOU AT YOUR POST, MY FAMILY AND I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A GUIDING ANGEL WATCHING OVER US AND HELPING GUIDE US. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR PRAYERS.

SEE YOU ON OUR NEXT WATCH

SGT.TINY

SERGEANT MCLAIN
HENDRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

April 25, 2005

BRIAN,
I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN A YEAR ALREADY. IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY, WE WERE DESIDING ON WHICH POD IN THE JAIL TO SHAKE DOWN NEXT. YOU USED TO SAY IT FELT LIKE A BIG EASTER EGG HUNT TO GO IN THERE AND TAKE OUT ALL THE CONTRABAND. THOSE WERE THE DAYS.
I AM FINALLY ON THE ROAD AND DOING THE JOB YOU LOVED AND I LOVE IT ALSO. I JUST WISH I COULD HAVE YOU AS A PARTNER. I HOPE YOU ARE UP THERE WATCHING OVER ME AND THE REST OF THE DEPUTIES. WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WE ALL MISS YOU AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY ANYONE HERE. YOUR NUMBER "157" IS ALWAYS WITHIN EYE SIGHT. ON THE BACK OF THE PATROL CARS AND MOST OF OUR PERSONAL VEHICLES, TO REMIND US THAT YOU TO ARE THAT CLOSE AND WATCHING OUT FROM ABOVE. WE MISS YOU.
YOUR FRIEND AND BROTHER BY BADGE,
DEPUTY ROBERT ARCHER #151

DEPUTY ROBERT ARCHER #151
HENDRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

April 24, 2005

BRIAN,

EVERYTIME I COME TO WORK I SEE YOUR SMILING FACE, STARING DOWN UPON US AS WE RUSH ABOUT IN HASTE.
FINGERPRINTS AND PATTINGDOWN, THERE IS NO TIME FOR SLOWING DOWN.
MEDICATIONS, TYLENOL, IT'S LIKE A RUSHIG WATERFALL.
IT'S COME TO PASS ONE YEAR AGO, YOU LEFT THIS WORLD AS MY HERO.
HERE TODAY GONE TOMMOROW, IT'S NOT O.K. WE DROWN IN SORROW.

WE MISS YOU BRIAN. YOU ARE ALWAYS IN OUR MINDS AND HEARTS.
ONE DAY WE SHALL MEET AGAIN AS WE WALK HEAVENS STREETS.
LOVE YA,
TERESA

C/O HELMLINGER
HCSO

April 24, 2005

Brian,
I can't beleive it was a year ago when I got that horrible phone call from your mom. All I could think of yesterday was how it Was your last day on Earth and how I wish we could have said good-bye to you. We miss you so much and think of you every day. Please watch over us all, especially your mom, dad, and sister. Also please watch over Nonnie.

Love Always,
Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Glenn,
Sarah, and Heather

Bonnie Cannedy

April 24, 2005

Brian, I never got enough time with you.
you left before I could.
I saw you in some pictures,
but I never understood.
You entered my heart and never left
you're always on my mind.
I can't wait to see you again,
But God will choose the time.

Love Always,
Your cousin Heather

Heather Cannedy

April 24, 2005

Brian -

As your one year anniversary draws near you are particulary in our thoughts and prayers. YOu are thought of everyday but esp as the anniversary draws near.

I remember hearing of your death. I was at church that day standing in the parking lots after service. We tried to call the department seeing there was anything we could do..And memories of when I lost Daniel came flooding back to me. All I could do was pray that Daniel was waiting for you and was showing you around you're new home. I know he was. And I know that you are showing others around and making sure they are not scared or hurting. In Heaven there is noly joy -- no sadness or hurt. I new knew you but have grown to respect and enjoy the company of your parents, and will be seeing them in Tallahassee and DC. Send them Heavenly hugs, and days free of worry and hurt. Let them know that you are okay, and happy.

We are thinking of you Bob and Nori and send our love.

Take Care --

Jessica Ruhl and The Starks Family
Kathe, Jerry, Andrew, and Ben
Family of Officer Daniel Starks
EOW 10.25.03

April 23, 2005

Your name was engraved in the wall at Washington D.C. today. I wish I could have been there to watch them cut every letter into the stone.

Mom

Norie Haas

April 20, 2005

Brian,
I'm heading to your beloved Fl. tomorrow, and as always, when I go there you will be present very strongly. When I was there last month I sat in your room for a little while...just remembering...smiling a lot.
You cost me many hours of sleep during my visits, or vice versa. I would gladly give many more for a couple more happy memories.
In appreciation of your love & frienship....Uncle Tom

April 6, 2005