Sterling Heights Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch Saturday, June 5, 2004
Reflections for Police Officer Mark Anthony Sawyers
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
Today I am thankful for having your love in my life. I am thankful that when I have a bad day, George Strait's "I Cross My Heart" comes on the radio and my BP was 76. Those signs keep me going when the memories and thoughts overwhelm me. Thank you for still being there for me and letting me know it. I feel your love and presence in all that I do. We love you and miss you.
Yvonne
wife
November 24, 2011
Dear Mark,
It is Thanksgiving tomorrow and I am heartbroken that you are not going to be here to share it with us. Turkey Dinner was your favorite dinner. We will miss singing Happy Birthday to you on Tuesday, your birthday too. You will be in our thoughts but I want you here. Michelle misses your jokes and all your help in researching stuff. Your friends miss the football games that you picked and then complained about. Of course they all miss disc golf and most of them have given the game up. You seemed to get everyone into it and now they lost interest. You had a lot of great friends and dad and I have remained close with some of them. Particularly, Rich. He likes to go to Kyle's and Alexis games with us. Kyle's team was undefeated in football and are now onto basketball. Games start next week. While we don't see all of your friends, we think about them and they are special to us. We pray for your co-workers that they will be safe and have a great holiday.
Yvonne is coming over with the family for dinner tomorrow. The kids are growing up. Lily is doing a great job with her horse training. She just finished soccer. She and Camden are going with me to Huckleberry Railroad Friday night with Aaliyah, Tina, Kaley and Savanna. We should have a great time there. The kids love the train ride and walking around the village.
All of this would be much more enjoyable if you could be a part of it too. I know you are in spirit but its just not good enough for me. I need you here and there is nothing we can do to make that happen. I hope to see you some day but will have to settle with my memories and thoughts for now.
I love you so much.
Love MOM
Mom
November 24, 2011
Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:
- Quick access to your heroes
- Reflections published quicker
- Save a Reflection signature
- View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past