Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Pride Integrity and Guts

Some of you may know my face, but not my name. Most of you have seen me around the city and some have even met me, but not always under the best of circumstances. Some of you have even spoken to me on the phone, when you called me while I was working.

Most of you have an opinion on how my job should be done, but would never take my job if it was the last one on earth. And some of you who don't even know me, hate me because of my job. But when I go to my job, I go to make a difference and so I can fight what everyone else fears.

When most would be running away from danger, my job requires me to run towards it. I do this in the hopes of making a difference for someone else I don't even know. Most people say I make too much money, because my pay is published in the newspaper. But don't think twice about hearing about another sports player sign a 20 million dollar contract for 6 months a year of playing a "game."

Since my job's base pay isn't the best I must work extra to pay the bills. Including working extra shifts on holidays, and pick up side work at construction sites as well on my days off, most still complain thinking I am greedy, but don't they realize that I to must pay taxes, have a mortgage car payments and kids in collage as well?

Don't they understand that I am not paid for what I do, but for what I am willing to do for them? After all how can you properly compensate someone to risk their own life and face danger everyday they go to work?

And when I go to work I am punched, kicked, spit on and called every name in the book for doing my job. And every night I leave my house to go to work I realize I may not come back home in the morning. Because when I go to work I can be stabbed, shot, drown, fall, be electrocuted, or die in a car accident rushing to help you.

My job also requires me to carry special "tools" to help me do my job. Sometimes even while doing my job I have to defend myself from someone attacking me. Although, the newspapers will report to you that I "beat someone down", and not that I defended myself from an attack.

While at work I must also carry a gun to protect you, but should I have to use it, the media reports to you that I "gunned someone down" or that I "shot and killed" somebody, and not that I defended myself. Don't they realize that I shoot to live and never to kill?

Also when I go to work I wrap a protective vest around me to help keep me safe through my shift. I use this vest so that I will be allowed to live to the end of my work day. And hope and pray that should something bad happen that this vest helps keep me alive so that I will be allowed to see my children grow.

When I go to my job, I will see more pain, sorrow, agony, death and destruction in one month than most of you will see in an entire lifetime.


And to the ones who don't know me, I unforunetly will meet most of you at the worst times in your life.

You often will call me to come help you out with a problem. But if you have a really big problem you can get me at a special 3 digit number and me and my coworkers will race to your house, just to help you no questions asked. All you have to do is call and we will be there for you, no matter what time, day, night or holiday, rain shine or blizzard.

Sometimes my job also requires me to deliver lectures, babies and even bad news. I am also the one required to ring your doorbell in the middle of the night, swallow hard and advise you that a loved one will not be coming home tonight, then I spend the rest of my shift wondering why I ever took such a job.

Some people even refer to me as a "pig," but when I hear that word called to me or one of my coworkers I think of Pride, Integrity and Guts, which everyone in my profession needs to do this job.

Me and my coworkers must be able to have muscles of steel, have a sense of humor and put ourselves into dangerous situations and face danger head on all in a days work.

We must act in a second and make a decision in the blink of an eye, and spend the rest of our life hoping we made the right choice in that split second. If not we can be arrested and charged with breaking a law, be sued for violating someone's rights, or end up with even a worse fate.

My job requires me to take an oath to be their and to risk my life to protect you. And it is an oath that me and my fellow coworkers have taken and is one that we will not break.

What, you ask is my job, I am your local police officer. And what do I ask in return of doing all this and risking my life for you, nothing at all because it is my job and my hope, of being the one who makes the difference.

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

September 14, 2004

It is to my deepest regret to leave yet another reflection for an officer who has lost his life in the line of duty. My sympathy goes out to the family. From your brother in blue, we will continue to stand strong.

Rocky A Windish
Mancelona Police Department, MI

September 14, 2004

Our prayers and condolences to the family,friends and co-workers of Deputy Gunsell. We mourn your tragic loss.

Police Officer
Hunterdon County, New Jersey

September 14, 2004

God Speed Ranger! Your memory will always be remember and we will carry your shield facing the enemies that threaten the American way of life. See you on the high ground brother!

Officer Todd Christensen
Kalamazoo Public Safety

September 14, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy John Gunsell's family, friends, and co-workers with the Otsego County Sheriff's Department.

Rest in peace our brother in blue. The watch is ours now.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

September 14, 2004

John always had a smile on his face, whether I saw him at a complaint, or ran into him off duty.

Thanks John, for all you have done.

God Bless!

Tpr. Mary Bannon
Michigan State Police, Gaylord Post

September 14, 2004

May god surround your family during this tragic time. R.I.P sir and thank you for your service.

Leo Wife
St Petersburg, Fl

September 14, 2004

He always left you with a smile. I work for an agency that has shared jurisdiction with the Otsego County S.D. I have worked with John on various different complaints. Usually nothing more than responding to complaints and assisting each other with whatever is needed at the scene. One complaint that came to mind as I was reflecting back. It is one that has put a smile on my face in the past when I think of John. Maybe four or five months ago John was assisting me with a domestic assault. Two sisters were involved, and a determination was made that one needed overnight lodging at the Otsego County Jail. John could see that I had my hands full and was eager to assist in whatever way necessary. He offereed to drive the combative arrestee to jail. Those of us who know John know this is a common occurrence, for John to offer his assistance. That's just his nature. We placed the combative young lady in handcuffs and seated her in John's patrol car. We didn't even make it to the rear bumper of John's car and his rear drivers side window was kicked out. John looked at me and said if she wanted the air on she should of just asked me. Unlike how several us would have reacted to this senerio he just kept it cool. John walked up to the now shell of a window and said, looks like you just bought a window, another charge, and a cold ride to jail. That's how John is whitty, funny and nice. He always left you with a smile.

Trooper Jamie Voss
Michigan State Police

September 14, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Deputy Sheriff John Gunsell. The most difficult thing in the world is saying good bye to a father, friend and fellow officer. We will all continue down our chosen paths, but rest assured, we will never forget you.

Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City Police Department Clare, Mich.

September 14, 2004

My sincere condolence to the family of Deputy Gunsell and to members of he Otsego County Sheriff's Department. John you are and will be remembered.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

September 14, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Gunsell

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

September 14, 2004

Deputy Gunsell, your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Rest Easy Brother!

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

September 14, 2004

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

September 14, 2004

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time, Sir. Rest in peace.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

September 14, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with John , his family and his friends.Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Bless.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

September 14, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

September 14, 2004

Another special officer from MI is gone, leaving a void in the hearts of those he loved. Officer Gunzell, your family and friends are in our prayers in this time of sudden, unexpected loss. Thank you for your years of service, and for dedicating your life to caring for other people.

Sue
Midland EMS

September 14, 2004

Rest in peace sir, you'll never be forgotten my thoughts and prayers with your family in this horible time...God Speed

EMT
Flint Mi

September 14, 2004

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

September 13, 2004

Rest easy now in the Streets of Gold, the watch is ours to carry on.

Chief J. D. Stripling
Lumpkin Police Department

September 13, 2004

Brother,
Just heard the news of your passing. Thank You for being a warrior, for life has a flavor the protected will never know. May God Bless you and keep you safe in His arms, and watch over your family.
A Brother

A Friend
Down State

September 13, 2004

Deputy Gunzell, may you rest in heaven.
Thank you for your service.

September 13, 2004

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

God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl, e/o/w 11/6/86

September 13, 2004

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Deputy Sheriff John Gunzell.
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

September 13, 2004

TO: The family; loved ones, friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER: O gentle Lord! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental , physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent on me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer: and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE *** Sent to you by the father of Master Officer J.D.Koeppen, Capital City Raleigh North Carolina; Trooper D.C.Koeppen, New Jersey State Police and Cadet Officer A.M.Koeppen, Wilmington North Carolina.

Chief (retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

September 13, 2004