Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

YOU ARE FOREVER IN MY HEART

Anonymous

July 30, 2008

Dirk,
Thank you for being a good friend. You are missed by everyone, God Speed Brother.

Joel

Corporal
Liberty County Sheriff's Office

March 31, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 5, 2008

Remembering you today and thanking you for your service and ultimate sacrifice to the citizens of the state of Texas. May God craddle you in his Loving arms.

October 17, 2007

Hey brother its been 3 long years since you left us. Evey night your many teachings cross my mind. I still thank you for the knowledge and insparation that you gave me. Your memory will live on forever with me. I miss you brother. Thanks for watching over me.

Former trainee of Dirk Ray Knearem
Carlton D. Carrington C.C.S.O. #114

Deputy Carlton D. Carrington
Chambers County S.O.

October 17, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 16, 2007

Well Dirk as I sat here today with another Hurricane (Dean)
up on us, I got to thinking about your first hurricane here
in Texas, As since your from Ill, yal don't have them there,
I thnk about your shopping for it,
You went out and bought a large ice chest with blocks of ice, And that was good, till I ask you about the food that I had made a list of in case this thing came our way,
Well as you told me you bought TV dinners, Pot Pies, Ice Cream, all kinds of frozen food's, and I ask that if the light's went off how were we going to cook these frozen
diners, Your words, duh in the mircowave where else, the stove won't work for we won't have any light's, Then I ask
you what does the M/W work on, your word's oh oh, boy I laught till I cry at your first hurricane here in Texas,
You have given me so many memories of you that I will never
for get you,
You were a friend that everyone would love to have, We all
miss you so much, You will never be forgotten by all that
knew you, Your smile, since of humor, your personality, and
yes even some of the DUM things that you did at times,
I think about when we ran patrol together, And going to
Whataburger, you had to cook your own hamburger, I think you
were the only officer that got to in to Whatabutger and had no problems taking over the stove,
But I wouldn't change a thing about you, You were a very
special guy in all of our life's ,
And knowing you as I do you and your dad are patroling the
street's of Heaven, Rest in peace Duputy Dirk Ray Knearem,
well take it from here,

Margie Sowders
A Speical Friend

August 19, 2007

Dirk,
It's been 2 1/2 years now since we lost you, You are missed
more than you will ever know, Just thinking back on the things we had done, you were my partner in law enforcement for several years, and I will never for get you and the calls that we made while on patrol, I still and always will stay in touch with Mom Knearem,and your brothers, I miss you Dirk and you will always be in my prayers, rest in peace.
Margie Sowders
Baytown,Tx

Margie Sowders
a speical friend

April 2, 2007

Thinking of and praying for your family today.

Terry Donovan
Spouse of Amy Lynn Donovan EOW 10-31-04
Austin Police Department

October 27, 2006

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 2nd anniversary of your end of watch. You have not been forgotten and are a true hero. Keep watch over your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

October 16, 2006

Remembering you and your service to the community on the second anniversary of your tragic death. May you rest in peace.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

October 15, 2006

I've tried several times since the 17th to leave a message...the words just seem so inadequate.

My wife still jokes about the time you called the house and thought my daughter answered the phone. In your best child-like voice you asked, "Is your Daddy home?" I guess you could tell by the way she giggled when handing me the phone that it wasn't my daughter. When I said hello, your deadpan "That wasn't your daughter, was it?" is still priceless!

I miss you, brother....

Mike Herzog
Chambers Co. S.O.

October 31, 2005

I met dirk in the summer of 1994. We worked district 4 together at pct-5 Constables department in Harris County.We had so much fun, that I looked forward to seeing him each night at 11 pm for the night shift. When I received that phone call on 10-15,2004 from a fellow deputy,a part of me died because Dirk Knearem was my brother, not through blood, but through a friendship that had grown over the years. I loved him as if he was a brother. I am still puzzled as to why such a damn good person had to be taken so young. I

John Pitts
n/a

October 28, 2005

Hey Brother It has been a year since you left and it has been a tough one not a day goes by that I dont think of you, You were my FTO and I value everything that you and ZOG taught me. You ride with me every night and you will never be forgotten. Your dedication and professionalism help mold me into the deputy that I am. You were one in a million and I miss you. Rest easy till we meet again.

Deputy Carrington CCSO 112
Chambers County

October 17, 2005

To the family and friends of Deputy Knearem and his fellow officers with the Chambers County Sheriff's Dept., and most especially to Deputy Knearem:

Today it has been one year since your tragic death. Officer Knearem, your valor and dedication are not forgotten.

I hope that his family is still embraced by the care and comfort of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Officer Knearem gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 17, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

October 17, 2005

It will be one year that you were called away, my deepest sympathy to your family and friends. I ask that you keep watch over your loved ones and close friends and that your brothers and sisters in law enforcement keep your memory alive by talking between themselves and to your family for you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Asst. Chief, Retired
Riverside PD, IL

October 14, 2005

As your anniversary date approaches, we remember you and your sacrifice for all of us.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Officer Matt Rittenhouse
E.O.W. 9/16/04

October 13, 2005

I recently attended the Police Memorial in Austin and the National Memorial in Washington and they were both beautiful and moving. I just wanted to say thank you, again, for serving and protecting. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts -La.
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-3-14-04

June 11, 2005

You are still missed every day. Life is just not the same without you.

February 10, 2005

My heart goes out to Dirk's family, friends and to the Chambers Co. Sheriff's Dept. I had the pleasure of seeing what an honest,brave and truely caring Officer that he was. He was understanding, and dedicated to his job. As long as i live i will never forget him. Chambers Co. has lost a wonderful person. He touched a lot of lives in a positive way. I know you'll continue to protect, from above. Rest in peace knowing that others continue your mission. Goodnight my friend.

Stephanie Gonzales
Wife of Capt. Adam Gonzales, Lee Co. Sheriff's Dept.

December 26, 2004

Thank You for your service.

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

November 10, 2004

rest in peace brother. you will not be forgotten.

ryan potter
jackson county ohio sheriffs office

October 30, 2004

On behalf of the members of the Grand Chute Police Department, we extend our condolences to the family, friends and officers who worked with Deputy Knearem. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Chief Ed Kopp
Grand Chute Police Department (Wisconsin)

October 28, 2004

OUR PRAYERS AND SYMPATHIES GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY AND THE CHAMBERS COUNT SHERIFF'S DEPT.
HAVING LOST ASST.CHIEF LINDER 10-10-04
WE FEEL YOUR LOSS.
REST IN PEACE .

CHIEF BILLY CUREINGTON
WISNER POLICE DEPT WISNER, LA.

October 28, 2004

On behalf of the Santa Fe Texas Police Department, and my family, we wish to extend our most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Knearem and the Chambers County Sheriff's Dept. He is now truly watching out for the rest of us.

Officer Robert Powers
Santa Fe Police Department, Santa Fe, TX

October 28, 2004