Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heart goes out to the family and police family of Officer Laurie. I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. God be with all of you at this time.

dispatcher
grand prairie police,tx

August 3, 2004

I had the priviledge to know Nathan Laurie during the time he lived in Farmersville, California. He was married to my wife's cousin, Shirlene.

Nathan was a giant of a man, yet he was one of the most pleasant and kind individuals I have ever met. An avid family man, Nathan also enjoyed a long and respected career in the United States Marine Corps.

I have been a police officer in California for 10 years and Nathan would often ask me about the job and what it was like out on patrol. He wanted to become a police officer to help those in need.

One of his greatest desires was to help teach cadets at the academy.

I had been a role player (at the academy in California) for quite some time and Nathan helped me develop a number of officer safety practicals, based on his military training and expertise, that continue to be used today.

Nathan never talked much about his achievments, but the walls of his home were covered with ribbons and commendations from the Marine Corps.

You don't get that kind of recognition by being second best.

Nathan loved working on old cars and was a talented weldor and fabricator. Since I restore cars in my spare time as a hobby, Nathan helped me with some very difficult machining operations and even made some rare parts for me from scratch.

Nathan had such a talent with his hands. He was a master craftsman and many of the parts he made for me I still have to this day.

Like footprints in the sand, they tell a little something about the master who created them.

I recall sitting in lawn chairs with Nathan at their home in Farmersville, CA. in 2000. We were talking about some old car he owned and what we could do to make it better.

Nathan said, "No mater what you have to work with, it can always be improved upon."

I honestly believe that he lived by those words and applied that philosophy to everything he did.

Unfortunately for me, Nathan and his family moved from California to Texas to be closer to other family members and pursue his career in law enforcement.

Probably the thing I will remember most about him was his endless smile, thunderous laugh and his willingness to stop whatever he was doing to help someone in need.

Nathan was that kind of person and he will be missed.

Semper Fidelis my friend...Robert Herndon

Division Officer Robert Herndon
Huron Police Department - Fresno County California

August 3, 2004

From the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, we send our thoughts, our prayers, and our sympathy. Having lost one of our own recently (Deputy Mike Arruda, EOW 06-15-04), we know the gut-wrenching pain you're enduring.

Wrap your arms around the other involved officer and watch over him. No one knows the extent of his suffering. Don't let him be lost, too.

God bless you all.

Industry Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

August 3, 2004

May the Perpetual Light shine upon you. Rest in Peace. Amen.

Det. John Ragland
Tyler Texas Police

August 2, 2004

To the friends and family of Officer Nathan Laurie and the River Oaks Police Department. My heart and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. In this heightened time of terrorism I think the American people should stop and think more about not only the sacrifices of our military but also the sacrifices of our fine police officers like Nathan Laurie. God Bless the outstanding police officers of this great nation. With my deepest condolences, Jeffrey H. Strauch

Master-at-Arms Second Class Jeffrey H. S
U.S. Navy

August 2, 2004

I'm sorry for your the loss of your loved one. My prayers and condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Laurie.

Juanita McCoy, Data Management Superviso
Tyler Police Department

August 2, 2004

Words can not express how it feels to lose a fellow officer. The sadness you feel will never lessen. With each day that passes you will exchange the sadness for a good memory of that person. On behalf of our department I would like to extend our sympathy to Officer Laurie's family and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement. Rest in peace now. We will carry on in your name.

Officer Judy Barrera
Metro Nashville Police Dept. Nashville, Tennessee

August 2, 2004

God Speed, Warrior! The watch is ours, just keep a eye on the rest of us.

PTLM
New Castle County Police - Delaware

August 2, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

August 2, 2004

To Officer Laurie family, friends, and the River Oaks Police Department. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Officer Laurie for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

August 2, 2004

Good bye my friend. You will be missed.

Tammy Stewart

August 2, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Officer Nathan Laurie. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

August 2, 2004

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of P.O. Nathan Laurie.
You're in our thoughts and prayers. May God watch over all the brave men and women in law
enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday as they serve & protect their communitites.
Your job is a difficult one and we truly appreciate all you do. God bless each & everyone of you.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

August 1, 2004

May God be with you, your family and your fellow officers. As my brother in law enforcement, I grieve for all of those left behind. You are now a FTO and guardian to us all. Rest in peace my brother.

Cpl. M. Szempruch
Bossier City Police Dept.

August 1, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH
OFFICER LAURIE, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

August 1, 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 Nathan did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Nathan 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 Laurie's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. 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 Nathan 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 Nathan was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Officer Laurie 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 - EOW (01/03/03)

August 1, 2004

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

PATROL STEVE TRESTER
WYLIE POLICE DEPT.

August 1, 2004

I had the honor of meeeting Ofc. Laurie about a month ago, ehile graduating the police academy. His advise on our praticals will always be remembered, since he was my very first evaluator. My prayers go out to his family, friends, and River Oaks PD. He will be greatly missed.

Ofc. R.M. Howell
Denton Police Dept.

August 1, 2004

My thoughts and prayers to Officer Nathan Laurie, his family and to the River Oaks Police Department.

You will never be forgotten!

Sergeant Damon Cole
Double Oak Police Department

August 1, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Laurie for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

August 1, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Laurie. Thank you for all you have done and may you rest in peace - Officer Laurie.

S/A Christopher Cooper
US DoED-OIG - Dallas, Texas

July 31, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Nathan Laurie and the River Oaks Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Nathan... 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

July 31, 2004

I had a chance to work with OFC. Laurie while i was in Police Academy at the Regional Police Academy in Arlington Tx. He was one of the Trainers used for the traffic stop portion. I found that he was a highly professional officer and that i had learned a great deal from him. My condolences go out to his family, friends and the entire River Oaks Police Department.

Ofc. Marc Sweeney #136

OFC. Marc Sweeney
Denton Police Department Denton TX.

July 31, 2004

Our hearts are deeply saddened to hear the news of another North Texan hero lost. We will cry, grieve, and pray for your family. Thank you for your service.

PD Grapevine

July 31, 2004

My name is Andrea Fisher. I am a police officer with the Lewisville Police Department. I attended the police academy with Nathan and was the class president. Nathan was one of the squad leaders. I deeply, deeply respected him, as I am sure all those who knew him did. I am feeling a profound, deep sense of loss knowing that he is gone.

I had never been in a position of leadership before but valued the opportunity to learn, and learn I did. Nathan was behind me all the way. He gave me sound advice, gentle guidance, and sometimes stern guidance. I remember so very clearly conversations that I had with him. Like the day that he told me that I was doing fine and I realized that I had earned his respect. Let me tell you, Laurie's respect was WORTH EARNING.

He was a GENUINE man. I have been overwhelmed by memories of his infectious laugh, his funny sayings, his intensity.
If you did something wrong, he would let you know, and you would feel bad and not do it again. He was a powerful force that was definitely intimidating, yet when he talked about his family, he had a very gentle nature. He was a protector--100%.

He was such a hard worker. He gave 100% of himself -all the time. He was working as a jailer at night and going to class during the day. No one knew when he was actually sleeping. But, he stayed motivated enough for the whole class!

I remember practicing building searches with him. I was behind him at one point and realized that I couldn't see ANYTHING he was so tall!! We laughed at that.

What I remember most, was how he would throw his head back and laugh. You couldn't help but smile and laugh with him.

I am having difficulty finding words that accurately measure my sense of loss. There are none. I have cried every day since I heard the news, yet I had not seen him in 2 years. That is how much he impacted my life. I have found myself talking out loud hoping Nathan could hear me, telling him how much I will miss him.

I am hoping that his family and co-workers might see this letter. I would like them to know just how much he touched other people's lives.

He will never be forgotten.


Andrea E. Fisher

Andrea Fisher
Lewisville, Tx.

July 31, 2004