Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

From all of us at the Grand Traverse Co. Sheriff's Office our thoughts and prayers go out to the Mark's wife, little girl and the Sterling Heights PD. Even if our departments our miles and miles away we all have the same goal. Always remember our brothers and sisters and try to represent the Badge with as much integrity and loyalty as they all did. God Bless you Mrs. Sawyers and your beautiful little girl you will always be in our hearts and prayers.

Deputy Sheriff
Grand Traverse Co. Sheriff's Office

August 17, 2004

To the all of the Sawyers family and the SHPD family:
My deepest condolences. I wish I had got a chance to meet you Mark, but I know some day I will join you on patrol. I stop by the "scene" whenever I am in town and reflect on what a senseless and cowardly act your killer pulled. Chief Jones said at your service that you were probably helping him pull the trigger. I know if it wasn't you it was one of your other brothers in blue who have also gone on to walk the beat from above.

I know that Yvonne and Lilly will be taken care of by the many brohters, sisters, uncles, and aunts at the SHPD. As well as knowing that you are watching over them daily.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFUL SERVICE !!!

Badge 76 is 10-7....
But NEVER forgotten.

Mike Speelman T/O
Sterling Height Emergency Patrol

August 17, 2004

I went to high school with Mark and have known him since we were kids playing football for the Hazel Park Spartans. We will miss you and our hearts and prayers go out to your family.

Anthony Perotti & Family
civilian

August 13, 2004

I am so thankful for the Marshals and our detectives who worked so tirelessly on your behalf, on our behalf...on behalf of Yvonne and Lily.

I am so thankful for John Walsh, and America's Most Wanted, and that one faceless nameless person...unafraid to make the call.

I am so thankful no other officer or civilian was hurt when he was found.

But...

You're still gone...and we miss you.

And we won't forget.

Anonymous
Sterling Heights PD

August 7, 2004

It's been two months and two days since you were stolen from us...That night will forever burn deep in my soul.

I cherish each and every memory I have with you.

We are trying so hard to carry on with our day to day lives, but its just not the same...It is so hard to do Mark.

We miss you dearly...

Friend/co-worker
SHPD

August 7, 2004

YOUR TRAGIC STORY WAS READ TO US IN BRIEFING BY OUR SARGEANT WHO ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE OUTSTANDING SUSPECT COULD BE IN OUR AREA. I CAN TELL YOU THAT EVERYONE TOOK THIS TO HEART AND FOLLOWED EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION GENERATED. WE ALL CARRIED PICTURES OF THE SUSPECT IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND HIM UNTIL HE WAS FINALLY LOCATED. I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THE DEATH OF A FELLOW OFFICER AFFECTS EACH OF US NO MATTER WHAT AGENCY YOU WORK FOR. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

POLICE OFFICER
PHOENIX P.D.

August 5, 2004

To the family of Officer Mark Sawyers
We think of your family as we also try and heal from this tragic loss. My brother lost his life in the line of duty on the same day.
You are in our prayers.
May god bless you.
Julie Wise-Gallagher
Sister of Fallen Officer Michael H. Wise II

Julie Wise-Gallagher
Sister of Michael H. Wise II, EOW

August 4, 2004

You and your family are in our prayers.
Please joind the other angels in blue and keep watching down on all the fellow police officers..
God bless you all and stay safe.

Wife of a Detroit Police Officer

August 3, 2004

Rest in peace... I reside in the city where you were shot... I also happened to be across the street at a restaurant when the police escorted ambulanse took you to the hospital... The guy who shot you is a coward for not faceing the music and committing suicide...

Josh Perry

August 2, 2004

This coward will truely face the ultimate judgement for his crimes. The fact that this poor lost soul took a such a hero from us in such a cowardly way. I never had the opertunity to meet PO Sawyers, from everything I have heard and read, he was an outstanding father, husband, and officer. To the family, and co-heros of Sterling Heights, rest easy PO Sawyers now walks a safer, easier, less stressful beat, I am sure he sits at the right hand of god. To PO Sawyers rest in peace, the beat is ours now, a heros salute to you brother.

Deputy CGA
CCSO

August 1, 2004

Officer Sawyers Im glad your killer was found and will never be able to hurt or kill anyone else. I hope this brings some comfort to your family.

Officer
DC Metropolitan Police

July 31, 2004

Mark can finally know rest in peace knowing that this coward is facing his destiny. I pray that Yvonne can somehow someway find the strength to carry on until the day that her and Mark will never see a parting day again. May god bless Lily for she really is the victim. The punk not only killed a police officer on that day he killed part of Marks wife, daughter and loved ones.

July 30, 2004

To the family, friends, and coworkers of Officer Sawyers, may you find peace and comfort in knowing that Mark's killer has finally been taken off the streets for good. Although he did not suffer to the extent that officer Sawyers did, there is a satisfaction in knowing his life ended at the barrel of his handgun. I sincerely hope that Mark was on the other end helping to pull the trigger. Justice has finally been served. Rest easy Officer Sawyers, you will never be forgotten. Please continue the watch over those we love and hold close to our hearts in the law enforcement field.

Tanya
Sterling Heights Citizen

July 29, 2004

THANK YOU...
Thank you to all the officals who were on the man hunt for the monster who ripped the hearts out, of not only a city and community, but also out of a family. Thank you to the person who made "THE CALL" that lead the officals to this monster. To the sawyers family: i know that the latest developments will not bring your beloved mark back, but i know that he was there with his brothers on sunday as they stormed into the house making sure that they all remained safe,and as chief jones said "he was probally there hopefully helping this monster pull the trigger".
you may now rest easy and beging to pick up the shattered pieces of your lives. living in the same mobile home park as this monster did, everytime i walk down to the park mailbox, i see a constant reminder of your tragedy and breath a sigh of relief, not only that the neighborhood can now rest easy knowing that hes off the streets, but knowing now that there is no chance of him hurting anyone else. mission accomplished!!. god bless the sawyers family. god bless the police force. and may god bless you officer mark anthony sawyers.

karrie

July 27, 2004

Thank you God for bringing this tragedy to an end. I have been endlessly awed by the way the Sterling Heights PD came together as co-workers, police officers, and family to support each other in this time of great sorrow. Thank you also to the US Marshalls who came to Sterling Heights and took their place in this family of grieving officers. Please know the important role you all played in each of these officer's lives for the last weeks and the strength you gave them to hunt on for that coward. I hope now that Mark's wife and family as well as the department can now have the closure they so desperately need. Mark will forever be in our hearts and prayers.

Wife of a Sterling Heights Officer

July 27, 2004

r.i.p. we got him. thanks for your sacrifice. just goes to show that nothing is routine in our job. what a coward the killer was. both when he murdered you and when our brothers were about to capture him. god be with your friends family and co-workers.

florida deputy

July 27, 2004

What a bittersweet ending to a horrible tragedy. I hope that you were right there watching that evil man kill himself with your weapon. I hope his last memory was your face as he pulled the trigger.

Your family can rest now knowing that you were a brave soldier who died doing good, and a coward is facing his creator.

Job well done.

July 27, 2004

Yvonne,
We have never met, but you are in my thoughts everyday. My husband is a police officer and we also have a daughter that turned one in June. I have always had a fear in the back of my mind about my husband's occupation, but that has always been overshadowed by my sense of pride.
What happened to Mark hasn't left my mind since that awful night and I don't think it ever will. The senseless act of a coward took away your best friend and your daughters daddy. I think about that all the time.I am scared for my husband and the officers he works with, who are also our dear friends. I am scared for my daughter. I am scared for me. Everynight I pray my husband comes home safe to us.
I can't pretend to know what you and your family are going through, the absolute agony of losing someone so close to your heart. What I do know is that I have grieved with you and I will continue to pray for you and Lilly.
My wish is that your family only grow stronger through Marks memory. Every time you look at Lilly, you will know he is there.
May Mark rest in peace now...
I will never forget.

Wife of an officer
Michigan

July 26, 2004

The hunt for the coward is finally over. Another criminal is off the street thanks to Officer Sawyer's ultimate sacrafice.

Thank you to the men and women who wear the badge who worked so hard to catch this man. Your efforts do not go unnoticed in my eyes!

Michigan Resident

July 26, 2004

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Denver Police Department

July 26, 2004

Mark,
Although we never met, we know what each other stands for... brothers because of the badge.
I will pray for your family and your fellow officers, watch over us all...
Police heaven brother...

A Canadian Brother
Nova Scotia, Canada

July 26, 2004

God works in mysterious ways. One thing is for sure, he definately shows the strength of some and the weakness of others.

RIP Officer Sawyers. I am sure your family may now begin the journey to heal knowing you were strong, and your killer a coward.

July 26, 2004

"Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb." (Psalm 37;1,2)
Mark, it has taken longer than we may have wanted, but finally, it has come to pass.
You are missed every day by so many people, and you were an inspiration to all. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46;1) He has been my source of strength through these weeks. I know you are with Him, looking down on us now. I treasure the fact that we laughed, you and I, just minutes earlier that awful night,because I can now, still see your smile.
Rest in peace Mark, your work here is done. You will always be remembered.
"In the arms of the angel, fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
Your in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here"

Police Dispatcher, Karen Bootz
Sterling Heights Police

July 26, 2004

Good news today for all citizens of Michigan. May the family of Mark Sawyers start to find some peace.... somehow. Thank you for your service Officer Sawyers. You will not be forgotten.

Surviving sister of
Trooper Kevin Marshall e/o/w 7-7-03

July 25, 2004

To the family and friends of Officer Mark Sawyers,

We share in your relief that the alleged murderer is no longer among us.

Thank God he was a coward….

The Oliver Family
Hanna Car Wash

July 25, 2004