Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayaers as the second anniversary of your death approaches. Godspeed!

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

November 3, 2006

Thinking of and praying for your family today.

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

November 1, 2006

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

October 30, 2006

John,It's been a true honor to know you personally.You were and still are a police officer that I admire for what you stood for.I know you would give the shirt off your back to a needy person.Kathy I also admire you for fighting for John and taking care of John until the end.Rest well brother you have earned it and you are missed. Sheriff Jeff Moran

Sheriff Jeff Moran
Chippewa County Sheriff's Office

June 7, 2006

To the family, friends, fellow officers, and the Sault Community. A true hero may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. Rest easy brother, we will take it from here.

AF
None - Former LSSU CJ Student

May 13, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Det. Weir as the first anniversary of his death has just passed. What a strong man he must have been to have fought for so long to remain with you. He is relieved of his bodily suffering and embraced by those in heaven who have gone before him.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister
of Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

November 9, 2005

To the family and friends of Detective Weir and his fellow officers, and most especially to Detective Weir himself;

On this the first anniversary of your tragic death, please know that you are remembered and honored. Your courage and dedication will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Detective Weir. The fourteen years you suffered must have been very difficult for you and your family. You were a valiant warrior.

May your family continue to be supported by their law enforcment family, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Detective Weir gave to his community and the citizens of Michigan, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on November 7, 2004.

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

November 8, 2005

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Tonight, November 7, 2005 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Detective John Raymond Weir who died in the line of duty on this date one year ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Det. Weir’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

November 7, 2005

Detective Weir..you -your family & friends are in my thoughts & prayers on your 1 year anniversary with the Lor..please continue to watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

karen
l.e. student..mi

November 7, 2005

As I read the details of your assault, I realize that I was only 20 years old at the time and still trying to decide my future. I am 35 now, and a member of the Sterling Heights Police department. A department who has also suffered a terrible loss. I could have never known back then how you and my fellow officers would affect my life. I'm thinking of you today, and will continue to pray for your family. I love what a previous reflection said...

"You are whole again"
I Thank God for that.

Rest in Peace John, we have the watch from here.

SHPD, Michigan

November 7, 2005

It will be one year that you were caled away. You suffered so long and I know some people will say that it was a God's send that you passed, but this does not bring comfort to your family nor keep them from having broken hearts. There are no words I can offer them in comfort except that 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

November 4, 2005

Thinking of you and your service and sacrifice.

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

October 13, 2005

Detective Weir, you are a true American Hero and you will never be forgotten. You are at rest now after the many years of pain and suffering. You earned your special place in Heaven.

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

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

July 12, 2005

To my uncle. You were a role model to most. A calming force to many and a man that knew right from wrong. You were very quiet most of the time, but it was not out of fear, pain or anger. You were strong inside and showed your children the right way to handle life.
I pray each day to God for allowing us to have you as a part of world, life and journey to heaven. Knowing that you knew God as your savior, allows me to sleep comfortably each night knowing we will meet again on the other side and at the end of my shift. May your children see the good in all you had accomplished and live knowing your sacrafice was not in vein. God Bless you. Now REST IN PEACE uncle John. Love from a nephew who followed your lead.

Motor Carrier Officer Steven M. Pascoe
Michigan State Police

July 8, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure John did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and John be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Detective Weir'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. If you ever need anything please do not hesistate to contact me. Dennis' department will always know how to reach me.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that John 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 John was well respected and well loved. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Detective Weir for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

April 28, 2005

Rest now brother, a community, family and comrades will miss you.

Scott Parker Police Officer # 586
Itasca Police Department, Texas

March 15, 2005

“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

March 15, 2005

John was one of the bravest men I have been blessed to know. His passing is a great loss to everyone.

Brenda Bannon

March 15, 2005

Det.John Raymond Weir,

Sir, I see this memorial and I am lost in finding any words to reflect the sacrafice you have endured. I believe that God has a special place for his warriors of peace. A place where the blind can finally see and where the horror's of this life are not allowed. I Honor You Sir, and know that the peace you were not given on this earth You have now surely been given in Heaven. "Poi si 'torno all' eterna fontana."

Ptl.T.D.HILL
Ontario Police

March 13, 2005

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that "you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of Solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy "about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is "I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works "around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. "Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" (that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, "he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, "he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is "only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan "At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, "I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits (once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, "Thank you and God bless you."










Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

March 13, 2005

Detective Weir....your long journey is finally over, yet has only just begun...you are whole again...Godspeed, Sir....

wife of a Sgt
Macomb County Sheriff Dept, MI

March 13, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Weir. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

March 12, 2005

I would like to extend my condolences to Detective Weir's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Detective Weir, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

March 11, 2005

Farewell Brother. Words can never say fully what needs to be said. We are proud you are one of us in The Thin Blue Line and appreciate your faithfulness and dedication to duty above and beyond the call. Be assured your loved ones are never alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

March 11, 2005

RIP SIR you are a hero. Thank you for your service.

Reserve Deputy/D.O Doug Crisp
Lyon County sheriff dept kansas

March 11, 2005