Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Mark,
I finally was able to go through some photos from years ago and even though it was hard to look at them it was good at the same time. Yvonne and I talked about you singing church songs to Lily. I did too. "This little light of mine" was one she liked too. We are getting together one day this week before school begins. Lily is excited for school. She is a teacher's " dream student". She likes doing school work/activities at school. I have been watching for signs and could use one. The school year is coming up quickly and even though I am looking forward to going back to third grade, it is a change and a change that does not include you so is just more painful feelings and reminders of what should be. I love you and think about you all the time.

Love Mom

Faith Sawyers (mom)

August 19, 2012

Mark,

I talked to your mom for a long time on the phone today. I told her about the day I came home and found you and Lily (she was about 3-4 months old) in our room playing. You were singing to her "HE's got the whole world in his hands..." I was surprised you knew the song and asked you about it. You joked about how your mom always dragged you to church as a kid. It warms my heart now to know that you sang to Lily about Jesus. I hope that gives your mom some comfort as well.

Each day we are blessed with a memory, a sign, or a similarity in our Lily. Thank you for all of those. We love you and miss you. xoxoxo

Yvonne
wife

August 10, 2012

I miss you and think about you everyday.

Love Mom

Faith Sawyers (mom)

August 7, 2012

Hi Mark,
Just wanted to let you know that not only are you forever on our minds and in our hearts, but that the same is still true for the public. Steve and I went to dinner at Tina's at 23 Mile and North Ave, quite a ways from Sterling Hts. As we were leaving we heard music coming from the patio behind the restaurant along with a bonfire. We peeked around the corner and watched for a minute, and as we were walking away a young many started towards us. He was saying "don't just stand there, come join us." We started to say we had already been inside for quite sometime, when we were stopped in our tracks. He was wearing one of the very first fundraiser shirts, that we lovingly call "Mark shirts." He must have thought me crazy as I reached for your badge on his shirt and rested my hand on it while saying, "You are wearing my son-in-law's shirt." The guy looked a little confused at first until Steve said, "Mark is our son-in-law." The young man continued to talk to us for 20 minutes or so. He told us he bought that shirt at the first of many fundraisers he went to. This one came from Eastwood (?) Bar at 21 & Gratiot. He went on to tell us that he and his friends still honor you today. He said it was a really "big deal" to him, his circle of friends, the community, and many others when you were taken from us. He told us of the time not long ago that he wore one you fundraiser shirts when he was in the southern most part of MI, near Ohio, when he was questioned by someone about the shirt. He told your story and they said yes they remembered. He wanted me to reassure Yvonne and Lily that people still remember you and always will. It brought tears to my eyes to hear this. I hugged and thanked him when we parted. I told Steve as we left that it was YOU who made sure we met this guy so we could tell Yvonne about it. So thanks for the huge sign! Steve was a little choked up too, but said it made his day. I haven't told Yvonne yet though, so I am sure she will see it here.

As always, thinking of you.

Diane Bawcum
Mother-in-law

July 25, 2012

Mark,

Leased a new car today. Mileage when I got in? 76. <3. Love you and miss you.

Yvonne
Wife

July 18, 2012

Thank you for all that you did, you are a true hero and your loss will be felt from all your brothers and sisters in the law enforcement family. May God watch over you as you have watched over us.

michael schumacker

July 6, 2012

Dear Mark,

Thanks for looking out for us today. We were so lucky that no one was hurt. I love and miss you.

Love Mom

Faith Sawyers mother
mother

June 24, 2012

I think of your sacrifice often. But mostly my heart goes out to your wife and daughter. I am also a wife of a Police Officer and I will never forget hearing your daughter at the funeral home. At the time my daughter was only year and half, very close to your daughter. I can empathize and fell heartbroken for the loss in their lives that was created when you were so needlessly taken from them.

Dispatcher Myers
Clinton Township Police

June 6, 2012

You are thought of every day... 8 years and it seems like yesterday. Keep watch over us here.....we will keep missing you here...

Anonymous

June 5, 2012

Mark,

It's been eight years and nothing has changed. It still seems so unfair and I keep wishing that you will come back through the door anytime. I scan crowds looking for someone who looks like you.
I went to the old Beecher today to give the Patriot Award to a student that was selected to receive it. It is like an unsung hero award. Mr. Elser said some very nice things about your days at Beecher. He said you played sports and was a very likeable good kid.
Last night, at the candle light vigil Lily sang a song. She did a great job. It takes a lot of guts to get up there in front of some many people. She is a chip off the old block. She knows a lot of information about stuff just like you always did.
I love you and miss you so much.

Love Mom

Mom
Mom

June 5, 2012

Hard to believe its been 8 years. The images of that night are forever etched in my mind. So much has changed over the years. The song "Who you'd be today" played at the candlelight vigil last night seemed so appropriate. I do sometimes wonder how our friendship would have evolved or what path your career would have followed, Colleen summed it up....you were a perfect fit for our department!

I'm sure you were beaming listening to Lily sing so beautifully. Your baby certainly does you proud!

Mark,I think of you every day. I always will. Please continue to watch over us and keep the "guys" safe out there.

Kathy
Sterling Heights PD

June 5, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 8th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing thier memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

June 5, 2012

Mark-

8 years ago on a sunny June evening we lost you, one of our own. I think about you often and speak about you even more so. I remember your love of being a cop and how it made you proud. I enjoyed the training time we shared and I watched as you developed into a fine police officer. I appreciated your dry sense of humor and your easy-going personality. I can easily see why you hard so many good friends. Your family's devotion in honoring your memory gives strength to everyone who see them. We know that the love they show you means that you will never be forgotten. I continue to miss you, little brother.

Joe

Sgt. Joe Tharrett
Sterling Heights Police

June 4, 2012

Lily made the talent show. She's singing the Golden Girls theme song! Lol. I love you, miss you, and think of you always. Thanks for the signs, they make me smile. Xoxoxo

Yvonne
Wife

May 10, 2012

Hi Mark,

I haven't been on here in a long time. It's been to emotional and was causing a lot of stress. I never wake up a day without thinking about you. I miss you.
I went to watch Lily in her horse show last week. She received a ribbon and was so excited. She loves horses. It would not surprise me if she did not own a horse farm one day.
I can't wait until school is out for the summer. About 7/8 weeks.
I love you.

Faith Sawyers
Mom

April 23, 2012

I believe you were there early Tuesday morning protecting Rich and Chase. Thank you for watching over them Mark. You will forever be our Faithful Guardian Angel.

Kathy

April 11, 2012

Mark,

I think of you every single day. You made a difference in my life. You are forever in my heart.

Friend
SHPD

April 7, 2012

**Never Forgotten**

Officer
Bay City Police Department

March 16, 2012

Just thinking of you.

Diane Bawcum
Mother-in-law

January 28, 2012

Merry Christmas in Heaven Mark

Friend
SHPD

December 25, 2011

Hi Mark,

Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. I remember how hard you were to buy for! Wish I could still search & search for something you'd like. Remember when I bought you the Raiders baseball cap...in a kid/youth's size? Lol. I also put your badge sticker back on my truck where it belongs. I want people to know I'm proud of you and to never forget. Keep watching over my sis & niece, like I know you do. Miss ya, my brother that I never had.

Tracy Bawcum
Sister-in-Law

December 25, 2011

Having a "Blue Christmas Without You"

I love and miss you.

Love Mom

From Mom

December 24, 2011

Happy Birthday Mark ! Hope you are celebrating with all you love in heaven. Your number has been coming up a lot lately - every where we look we see the number 76. Just wanted you to know that your friends are thinking of you and wishing you peace !

Den & Jen Brozowski

November 29, 2011

Why does the sun go on shining, why are there stars in the sky....
Don't they know it's the end of the world, it ended when we said goodbye.

For us that was 7 and 1/2 years ago and I miss you terribly.

I love you and Happy Birthday.

Look for the blue 76 in my window.

Love Mom

Mom

November 29, 2011

Thinking of you all day today, on your birthday.

Diane Bawcum
Mother-in-law

November 29, 2011