Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

A coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies but one.

May God be with Ofc. Sawyers and his family in their time of grief.

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

June 7, 2004

Thank you for protecting our city and for selfishly putting your life on the line every day. My prayers are with your family, friends, and fellow officers of the Sterling Heights PD. May the coward who did this be swiftly dealt with.

Matt

June 7, 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).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

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 Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

June 7, 2004

Officer Mark Sawyers was a great and dedicated Officer and did his best to protect and serve. The event that happened June 5,2004 will only make other Officers more determined to do their job. On behaf of the Sterling Heights Police Explorers our sympathy goes out to all the family and friends of Officer Sawyers. Gone but not forgotten.

Sterling Heights Police Explorers Post #80

June 7, 2004

To the family of Officer Mark Sawyers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Though we have never met, my heart weeps with yours..My prayers are with you. Your husband, father, son.., is a hero. There are no finer people than those that defend our streets and our country.

May God bless you and carry you through this valley..

wife of Seattle Police Officer

June 7, 2004

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family.

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

June 7, 2004

We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the wife, child and family of Police Office Mark Sawyers. What a coward this person was to take the life of this fine Officer. We sincerely hope they will be captured and receive just punishment for this terrible crime. May God bless each of you, and you will be in our prayers.

Sincerely,
Lyndell & Elizabeth Taylor
Parents of
Morris Lyn Taylor
Deputy Sheriff (Roseburg, Oregon)
EOW 9-14-02

June 7, 2004

Officer Sawyers - You are a true Hero and your sacrifice to your community will not be forgotten. God Bless you and your family. RIP Brother!

Patrol Sergeant
Clearwater PD, Florida

June 7, 2004

This is an absolute shame. What a cowardly act. Often times, officer killed summaries are read in roll call at my department.(typically when the suspect is still at large) Like most agencies, roll call can be a time for light joking and commaraderie. When I heard of this tradgedy, my heart sank...the room got quiet. Rest in peace brother. You will not be forgotten.

patrolman
EauClaire WI. PD

June 7, 2004

MARK, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I'LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHERSIDE MY FRIEND.

PO G.STEELE
DET POLICE DEPT

June 7, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Mark did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Mark be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Sawyers' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Mark is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Mark was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Officer Sawyers for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry, Davis Co. Iowa - EOW (

June 7, 2004

We know how you are suffering and we feel your pain. May the family and friends of Officer Sawyer find support and love among one another.

Family member of our hero,Michael H. Wise, who also completed his last tour of duty on June 5th in Reading Pennsylvania.

Family Member of Michael Wise
Pennsylvania

June 7, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Mark Sawyers and the Sterling Heights Police Department our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Mark... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

June 6, 2004

My sincere condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Mark Sawyers.

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. May God Bless you and all the other men and women in blue.

Sarah
Citizen

June 6, 2004

To Officer Sawyers' family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in the prayers of many, and that his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten!

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter, Ptl. William B. Bell
EOW 11-19-02

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell, EOW 11-19-02, Summerville PD, SC

June 6, 2004

MY HEART IS WITH YOU. I LOST DEPUTY JOSH BLYLER, MY SON MAY 5TH 2004.

JEAN BLYLER

June 6, 2004

Our sincere sympthy and condolences to the Sawyer family and the Sterling Heights PD. May the fact that Ofc. Sawyer sought to serve and protect others comfort you in the days ahead.

eric chiang
San Francisco Police Department

June 6, 2004

May you rest in peace Officer Sawyers. Thank you for a job well done.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

June 6, 2004

To the family and friends of Officer Sawyers, and to the SHPD members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; you are now 10-42 go walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in here, you are a blue angel, R.I.P. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Brother

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Bartow, FL

June 6, 2004

"A PART OF AMERCICA DIED"
SOMEBODY KILLED A POLICEMAN TODAY,
AND PART OF AMERICA DIED.
A PIECE OF OUR COUNTRY HE SWORE TO PROTECT, WILL BE BURIED WITH HIM AT HIS SIDE.
THE SUSPECT THAT SHOT HIM WILL STAND UP IN COURT, WITH COUNSEL DEMANDING HIS RIGHTS...
THE BEAT THAT HE WALKED WAS A BATTLE FIELD TOO, JUST AS IF HE'D GONE OFF TO WAR.
THOUGH THE FLAG OF OUR NATION WON'T FLY AT HALF MAST, TO HIS NAME THEY WILL ADD A GOLD STAR.
YES, SOMEBODY KILLED A POLICEMAN TODAY, IN YOUR TOWN OR MINE.
WHILE WE SLEPT IN COMFORT BEHIND OUR LOCKED DOORS,A COP PUT HIS LIFE ON THE LINE.
NOW HIS GHOST WALKS A BEAT ON A DARK CITY STREET, AND HE STANDS AT EACH NEW ROOKIE'S SIDE.
HE ANSWERED THE CALL, OF HIMSELF GAVE HIS ALL, AND A PART OF AMERICA DIED.

OFC. M. KUNATH
STERLING HEIGHTS P.D.

June 6, 2004

Ofc. Sawyers,

You truly are a hero. Your brothers in blue could only wish to be as stong as you. My prayers are with you and your family and all the members of the Sterling Heights Police Department. RIP.

Ofc. BM Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY

June 6, 2004

I want to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Officer Mark Sawyers, and the extended law enforcement family as a whole. Another hero taken from us so tragically! You will not be forgotten Mark!
May God's grace and mercy comfort us all!

Dispatcher Liz VanDerMolen
Kent County Sheriff

June 6, 2004

What a senseless act of violence!I can not for the life of me fatham or comprehend such a cruel,vicious,anamalistic act.May your attackers face a quick capture and the most svere of punishments.My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Sawyers,his family,friends and the Officers of the Sterling Heights PD.Rest in peace brother.

Texas Peace Officer
University of Houton Downtown Law Enforcement Academy Class 89

June 6, 2004

The life of yet another hero is taken too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Sawyers. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

June 6, 2004

What can one possibly say at a time like this. This senseless, violent, and random assault on Officer Sawyers leaves me numb. On behalf of the men and women of the Public Safety Group, let me convey our deepest sympathies to Mark's family, the men and women of the Sterling Heights Police Department, and all those who are so tragically affected by his death. His sacrifices, as well as your own will never be forgotten.

Remember, Mark was first chosen by God, then annointed by God, and has now been called home by God. Rest in Peace.

Special Agent McLellan
Immigration & Customs Enforcement - Detroit

June 6, 2004