Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Derek,
I had the honor and privilege to work with you on many occasions. You will always be in my memories of the adventures we shared, we Brothers in Arms. I always felt safe with you watching my back, you will still always be there in spirit. You were all that we all aspire to be. You are now gone, but never will be forgotten.
Until we meet again,
Paul

K-9 Investigator Paul Wright
Allegany County District Attorney's Office

July 23, 2004

Derek, It seems unreal to me that you are gone from us. I have known you since we started kindergarten together at Angelica Central. We have been friends since that day. You were a great father, husband, son and friend. You have many, many friends so rest assured that those friends will make sure that your family is taken care of. You were the BEST at every task you took on and had a confidence I admired. You will hold a place in my heart and fill my mind with fond memories.

Holly Claypool
Allegany County Sheriff's Office

July 18, 2004

To Deputy Ward family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you

God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl 11/6/86

July 16, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Sheriff Ward's wife and children, his family and co-workers. I have been a survivor since 1994, losing my husband and raising three children. My husband's co-workers were wonderful and always there when we needed anything. Please be there for Derek's family and always, always know that I will be there for any and all of you, morning, noon and night. . . just call.
Debra Noyes, 1994 Survivor
Sgt. James Noyes, NHSP EOW/Oct 3, 1994

Debra Noyes, Northeast Region Trustee
National COPS, Inc.

July 16, 2004

To Derek, family,& friends,
Life's precious moments have no value, unless they are shared. Thanks for sharing. We say so long for now, but we won't say goodbye, because we who live, will never let you die.
BE FOREVER PROUD!

Corrections Officer, Lisa Smith and fami
Allegany County Sheriff's Department

July 16, 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)

July 15, 2004

Derek

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry I never told you what a great guy you were.

I'm sorry I didn't get to go fishing with you.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you what a great instructor you were.

I'm sorry that I never got to patrol with you.

I'm sorry that I won't get the chance to learn from you how to be a good cop.

I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to spend more time with you.

I'm sorry that this had to happen to you.

I'm sorry that you're gone.

Derek, I'm sorry....

Take care Brother. You will never be forgotten and you will always be missed.

Corrections Officer 15104
Allegany County Office of the Sheriff

July 15, 2004

Deepest sympathy to the Allegany County Sheriff Office for the loss of such an outstanding officer. Deputy Ward has touched the lives of so many within his community. His family will always be in my prayers.

Tpr. Michael E Wolniewicz
New York State Police

July 10, 2004

Derek Ward was a very fine young man.
Derek was dedicated to his family,
his department and to his community and he was never afraid to take on a new challenge. He was a 'take charge' type
of guy, and 'never' was not in his
vocabulary. As one of his immediate
supervisors and fellow officers, I
had the privilege of interacting with
this young man and I knew that once
given a duty assignment, he would carry
out the task to its completion.
Our department was made richer by his
years spent here, and we will miss
him terribly. Thank you Derek for
'setting the bar' for all of us to
look to, and may God bless you and
your family.

Sgt. Stanley E. Swan
Allegany County Office of the Sheriff

July 9, 2004

The ferocity with which Deputy Ward pursued his life and the determination he had to be the best was often tempered by remarkable patience and caring in helping those around him. The quality of his person and the character he portrayed is rare. Deputy Ward was a reflection of all of the best qualities of the community in which he lived and an outstanding representative of the community in which he worked. He had an extraordinary ability to bring both of these communities together into every other aspect of his life. He was destined to accomplish great things.

Sheriff Randal J. Belmont
Allegany County Sheriff's Office

July 9, 2004

Derek - my co-worker, my brother, and my friend;
Words can't express what I feel right now. I saw you just an hour before the accident. If only I could go back in time to change things. Rest in peace knowing that we will all be taking care of your family. Whatever they need, we'll be there. I enjoyed the time spent working with you as well as our off duty time. Our hearts will always be filled with your memory. Rest in peace, brother.

Deputy Sheriff Rob Wilkins
Allegany County Sheriff's Office

July 9, 2004

Words cannot express my deepest sorrow that I feel for your family and both the Sheriff's Office and the Angelica PD. You were the best of the best. You were persistent in every investigation that you performed in either department. You went to the furthest extreme to find closure for the victims in the cases that you were involved in. I and the rest of the department will miss you dearly my brother. Your Angelica number of 1052 will be held in memory for you, and will never be worn again. God's speed Derek.

Chief Officer in Charge Robert A. Brooks
Angelica Village Police Department, Angelica NY

July 9, 2004

Derek,
I needed to take the time to say good-bye to my best friend. On July 3, 2004 you made the ULTIMATE Sacrifice doing what you loved most. We are all deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of a superb individual. Although taken from us suddenly your life was anything but sudden; your values and desire to be the best were built piece by solid piece. Input from your family, friends and community molded you into the HONORABLE HERO that you are. I couldn't help but notice that the term "ULTIMATE" is used to describe your last actions on earth. To me "ULTIMATE" is a testimate to your life, the "ULTIMATE" family man, the "ULTIMATE" police officer and the "ULTIMATE" friend/partner. We have shared countless memories and adventures over the years that have been nothing short of great. I am blessed to have had a friend and partner like you and thank God that I am fortnate enough to be a part of your extended family. Although you are no longer with us we know that you are happy and at peace. I am eternally thankful to you for being a cops/cop, a friends/friend and a mans/ man. As did you, I love what I do and will carry on my duties with pride, dignity and settle for nothing short of the best!

Your Eternal Friend,

Todd

P.S. say hello to Chip.

Senior Trooper Todd D. Baxter
Vermont State Police

July 9, 2004

My sincere condolences go out to the family of Deputy Derek Ward and to all the personnel of the Allegany County Sheriff's Department who worked with him.Thanks for a job well done and for helping to make Allegany County a safer place for all of us.

John DiDomenico
West Almond, New York

July 8, 2004

We read these tragic stories and only think, that could have been me. To those family left behind, Derek died a true hero. I know the pain is so strong but know that you have a mountain of blue behind you. I am a Ward by name but I will be Derek's brother forever.

Brother in Arms
Brother in Blue
Russ Ward

Rest in peace my friend, we will take it from here!

PO II Russell Ward
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

July 8, 2004

Deputy Ward,

We will never forget you . . . thank you for your years of service to your community and our country. You were such a sharp looking police officer . . . I hate that you're gone from your family . . . from all of us. Rest easy my brother . . . we'll cover your post on the thin blue line. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

July 7, 2004

Heroes get up each day,
To dress in blue.
They patrol our streets,
Watching our cities,
Keeping us safe each day.
Making a difference
We often overlook.
How many have we forgotten?
How many are gone,
Lost in the line of duty?
We wait til its too late,
To acknowledge what they've done,
To give them our respect.
The least we can do,
Is give them their do,
Before we lose another,
Hero dressed in blue.
By:Christina L.Dockery

Patrolman
Frankfort P.D.

July 7, 2004

My heart goes out to the Ward family. Bless you and bless Office Ward for all he gave to his community. May he rest in peace.

Anna H.

July 7, 2004

Deputy Ward,

Rest in Peace my Brother. I thank you for your dedication and service. You paid the ultimate price, but you will never be forgotten. My prayers are with your family and your little girl. The Allegany County Sheriff's Department is in my prayers also, you have suffered a terrible loss. GODSPEED..Deputy Ward

Officer
NC

July 7, 2004

Thank you for all that you did and all that you stood for. You will be greatly missed by all of your brothers and sisters, who will try to fill the void left by your loss. Sleep well and hold your head high knowing that you did all you could and we will not forget your supreme sacrifice. God Bless.

Hampton Patrolman
Hampton Police Division

July 7, 2004

On behalf of the Maher family, we send our prayers and sympathy to the family and department of Deputy Ward We lost our brother/husband/father and grandfather in August of 2003. We know the pain that you are going through. I only wish that we could ease your pain. Know that the wonderful family of law enforcement will be there to help you through this.

As a wife of a LEO. I personally know how this affects us. To all our LEO'S STAY SAFE.

Peggy Maher- Dreher
Sister of Patrick Maher EOW 8-2-03
2004-07-02

Peggy Maher- Dreher
Sister of Patrick Maher EOW 8-2-03

July 7, 2004

You died a hero!!!!

Omaha, NE

July 6, 2004

TO THE FAMILY OF DEPUTY WARD--MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. I LOST MY ONLY BROTHER
GREG MEDLIN (A LT WITH THE DESOTO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT) IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN NOVEMBER. HIS CAR FLIPPED WHILE RESPONDING TO A CALL PROTECTING S. I CAN TRULY SAY I FEEL YOUR PAIN. THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE IS SOMETHING YOU NEVER GET OVER, YOU JUST LEARN TO DEAL WITH IT ON A DAILY BASIS. MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL. I HOPE YOU KNOW DURING THIS HEART WRENCHING TIME, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

DENISE WOODS
DESOTO COUNTY
SISTER OF LT GREG MEDLIN
E.O.W. 11/2/03

July 6, 2004

ANOTHER BROTHER HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM US.

REST IN PEACE, WE GOT IT FROM HERE.

PATROLMAN CHAD MULLEN
HORNELL POLICE DEPT

July 6, 2004

Thank you for your service. You, your family, your department, and the community you served are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

July 6, 2004