Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Just wanted to say how much we miss you. Love ya Blake

November 7, 2006

Hey there... I have thinking alot about you recently. Things don't get easier at all. Its still tough to think about how it all went down. I pass the house on HWY 5 alot now and everytime I do, I just want to cry knowing that is where we lost one of the best. I can't wait to see you in heaven. I know you are watching over us everyday. You seem to have taken that "dad" role again with me, just from heaven instead. Love and miss you alot!

October 26, 2006

Hey buddy, it's our favorite time of year and that makes me think of you more than I usually do, I miss you everyday and look forward to Heaven together. LOVE YA BUDDY......thanks for being my best friend...no matter what we always stayed close. Keep an eye on me.

Ptl S.E. Ward

October 25, 2006

Blake,
It has been a while since I have posted a message. I think about you often. I wish you were here to see the kids. We have a new little girl now, she is beautiful. We have a lot going on right now and things are tough, but I know you are always there watching over us to help us along. My boy carries around a patch that his daddy gave him with your badge number on it. It is strange how he knows it is special somehow.
Take care Blake and always know that we think of you and your family often. We miss you terribly.

Your Neighbor

October 20, 2006

Hi....I was just sitting here thinking about you. You are missed each and everyday. It doesn't get any easier. Keep watching over all of us, don't worry we are keeping your Dad straight....it's a tough job but someone has to do it:) Anyway, we miss you buddy and we can't wait to see you again but until then know that we love and miss you every second of everyday.

S.Bullock
R.E.C.O.N.

October 4, 2006

Just thinking about you. I sure do miss you buddy! Love Ya

Jennifer Crane
former DCSO Deputy

October 2, 2006

BROTHER I KNOW YOUR THERE AND WITH ME ALWAYS


There are some things that you just can't do without suffering casualties -- very literally and profoundly; and our job is one of them.

You can't race cars without crashes, you can't dig mines without cave-ins, and you sure as hell can't send cops out into the streets of a violent society without violent deaths.  Our fallen brothers knew that and did it anyway--as we all do or have done.  ........Their friends will tell you they did the job because they loved it, and any of us who can't say that should envy them for it.  At least they died as rare and precious people: doing what they loved to do, and doing it for the noblest of reasons.  That is something we can never explain outside of our profession.  

You see, you can't be a good cop simply because you couldn't get another job.  You can only be a good cop because you want it.  And there is an answer as to why they died, something I learned half a world away many years ago as a young Marine, preparing to face an enemy in combat for the first time.  It was then that my sergeant explained that, like it or not, there are only three rules in war:

Rule Number One is "YOUNG MEN DIE"
Rule Number Two is "YOU CAN'T CHANGE RULE #1"
Rule Number Three is "SOMEBODY HAS TO WALK THE POINT"

You see, when soldiers advance, knowing the enemy is near, there is always one man way out in front of everyone else.  His duty is to look and listen and sense that first contact; to spot the enemy, pinpoint the ambush, fire that first shot, and as a consequence, take those first shots.

It offends the logical mind and denies the instinct for survival.  It ages and saddens and wizens, and frequently kills those who take their turn "Walking the Point."  But it must be done, or there would be no protection for the rest, just more bloodshed, and more grief.  For the "Point Man" is there to save lives, even if he gives his own in the process.

Society may not be a company of soldiers, but it certainly has (and needs) somebody walking the point.  Every time you go out the station door, every time you answer the radio call, every time you stop to check out something suspicious. AND YOU CAN'T CHANGE RULE NUMBER ONE.  

If I could say something directly to the people in our society, it would be this.  I know some of you will remember our brothers, but that's not good enough.  I want you to honor them for what they did for you-that which they needn't have done.  I'm not just talking about what they did on the day that "routine" call or stop that went horribly bad.  I mean what they did for you day after day, in darkness and light, rain or shine, on holidays and on their loved ones' birthdays, without ever expecting even a "thank you" in return.  They volunteered to "Walk the Point!"                        

178
DCSO

October 2, 2006

Just wanted to stop by and say that I miss seeing you around terribly. I have 2 months left in school and this past year or so hasn't been the same without seeing you everyday on the road. Can't wait to see you again in Heaven.

October 1, 2006

You are my hero Blake. I miss you

September 29, 2006

Just wanted to stop by and say Hi, and to let you know that I miss you horribly and wish you were still here!! Love you and Miss you!!

Ashley Nelson
Douglas County 911

September 29, 2006

Blake we miss you. I know that you must be watching over each of your fellow officers at Doughlas County, that might run into a difficult situation. Keep them safe. Also, my thoughts and prayers are with each officer that was there the night we lost our HERO.... Blake, smile I know you are watching over them, with your hand on their shoulder, saying Brother I am here for you ,giving them strength to cope each and every day. My thoughts and prayers are with
your mom,dad,sister, Brandi,the girls and Dawn. miss ya!!

a friend of DCSO

September 29, 2006

I come to this website often and each death is a tragedy. But there are some officers that we just can't
get off our minds and hearts. Blake is one such person. And judging from the number of pages of
reflections, I'm not the only one who feels this way. God
bless you, Blake and I will be blessed to make your
acquaintance one day in that better place. My heart
goes out to everyone who had the privilege of knowing
and loving you.

The Absent One
As we gather at the table and watch each smiling face
The heart fills with emotion to see the vacant place.
We may strive to hide our longing in the midst of
Mirth and fun
But we're thinking, thinking, thinking
Of the loved- the absent one.

When we gather 'round the fireside with merry
Laughter and jest
How we wish the absent dear one was here
With all the rest.
Still we join in all the frolic, but we wish the day was done
For we're thinking, thinking, thinking
Of the loved- the absent one.

Yet when the day is over and they have gone to rest
We feel the Heavenly Father does all things
For the best.
So we cheer our drooping spirits with the rising of
The sun
But we can't help thinking, thinking, thinking
Of the loved- the absent one. author unknown

Lynn Kole
Washington State

September 28, 2006

hey blake, just thinking of you.

alicia graves
douglas co so

September 27, 2006

Love you and miss you always......every second of every day you are in my thoughts. Can't wait to see you in heaven.

September 5, 2006

HAPPY LABOR DAY BLAKE WE MISS YOU

K.BLACK
DCSO

September 2, 2006

one night a kid on drugs came to my house with a knife triing to stab my brother in law over a woman myself and him got into a scuffle to disarm him my daughter called 911 and Blake came to my aide with another officer thanks blake rest easy my friend

Gary
he helped me

September 1, 2006

Blake,

Just thinking of you. We miss you and think about you every day....

Ryan and Kim
Douglas Co Sheriffs Office

August 31, 2006

I got a little sentimental this past weekend when I watched our senior prom video and our graduation video. It was hard to swallow, but such a precious memory nonetheless. I will cherish those memories forever in my heart. Sleep in peace Blake. WAML.....

August 29, 2006

We took Victoria to play with your girls and they had a ball.They are precious. Jewell Grace was so sweet as she brought me your picture and said " he's the one, that's my Daddy". It broke my heart but at the same time it was so sweet. They will always know who their Daddy is. We miss you and we love you.

Shelley Bullock
R.E.C.O.N. ISR

August 28, 2006

Blake,
I am remembering 10 years ago today, when your father Dale and I took you and 4 other young men to Memphis to try out for the US Olympic baseball team. I had a lot of fun joking with you and hearing your dreams on the drive, that went far beyond baseball. You were a good friend and mentor to my son Daniel, and I will always love your memory and be grateful for your charecter. It lives on in all the lives you touched.
See ya in Heaven!
Larry

Larry Jones
family friend/ coach

August 4, 2006

Blake,

I was watching the news tonight and your sweet face was on my screen. We got a little bit of justice today but not nearly enough if you ask me. 20 years is not close to being long enough for molestation and certainly not enough for the fact that this depicable man's actions put you in the situation that took you from this world. Now your beautiful girls and my best friend must face everyday without you and your love. I still cannot answer the question of why.

We miss you terribly,

Jimbo and Melissa

Melissa Black
Friend

August 3, 2006

Well Bilbo's sentencing is coming up and I pray he gets the max! He deserves worse than that but he will answer to a higher power one day. We miss you so much. We will never forget you.

Shelley Bullock
R.E.C.O.N. Intelligence Search and Rescue

August 1, 2006

Blake,
I am going into my tenth year teaching down here in Thomasville and am experiencing something new. I have an 8 year old boy in my class this year that has diabetes. He was only diagnosed a few months ago so it is realitively new for him and his family. The night before I found out he was in my class, I had a dream about it and felt reassurance that I would know how to handle it because of you. The next day his mother apprached me in church to tell me he was in my class and we both cried when I told her of my dream.
The first time I met your mom and Anita they came down when I had to take you to the hospital when you couldn't keep food down and your blood sugar was out of control. Your mom calmly told me what to try before taking you to the emergency room. It was one of many times I would help you deal with high or low blood sugar. I am so thankful that I learned how to handle those situations so I can help my student this coming year. I know that was not your favorite part of dealing with life, but I am so grateful to you for showing me how. Ten years later, I am still benefiting from what you taught me. Thanks, Blake for preparing me for what I am about to experience.
I think about you often and pray for your family daily.

Delanna

July 31, 2006

BLAKE, I DID WHAT I SAID I WOULD IN FLORIDA THIS YEAR, IT WAS AN AWESOME SUNSET. I MISSED YA DOWN THERE.

Dep. Matt Gray
Douglas County Sheriff's Office

July 31, 2006

Thank you Deputy Gammill. I just wanted his family and fellow officers to know he was remembered today and prayed for. He is a true HERO and I know he watching over his family. I will pray for his family. God bless this HERO.

Former Indiana Sheriff's Deputy

Former Indiana Sheriff's Deputy

July 22, 2006