Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Detective Brann,

Your service to the city of Battle Creek will never be forgotten. May God look over your family and the dedicated police officer's to the city of Battle Creek. You are a TRUE HERO!

Officer Ed Michela
Bellevue Police Department

May 13, 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 LaVern did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and LaVern 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 Brann'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 LaVern 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 LaVern was well respected and well loved. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Detective Brann 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)

May 13, 2005

words cannot express the sorrow that is felt for Detective Brann. We were glad to hear of the capture of Postley and that no other officers were hurt. Please know that our prayers and thoughts are with the family as well as the fellow officers that will be effected by this horrible tragedy.

Sgt. James LaVoy
Chicago Police Department

May 13, 2005

Our hearts are grieving for the loss that this city has experienced, and for the loss Det. Brann's family is feeling. He was brave, honest, caring man who was taken far too soon. My husband knew him from ballooning years ago, and has fond memories of that meeting. We'll miss him greatly. God speed, good and faithful servant.

Michael and Penny Walters

May 12, 2005

Lavern was top notch. An excellant officer / detective and just a great person. He will be missed. May God watch over and bless his wife and children.

Tpr. James Gochanour
Michigan State Police

May 12, 2005

Detective, You always will be one hell of a Police Officer,and Father. I hope your family and co-workers find Peace.

Ben

May 12, 2005

Detective LaVern Brann

On behalf of the officers of the City of Hart Police Department may you rest in peace.

Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Officer Andrew LundBorg
City of Hart Police Department

May 12, 2005

May god bless you and your family, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

PSO GREG MAGNAN
Kalamazoo Public Safety

May 12, 2005

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for all you did for our safety. God bless!

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept

May 12, 2005

My husband and I were fortunate enough
to have had Det. Brann teach us a class in his expertise area when we were going through our Citizens Police Academy class. He was a soft spoken man who loved his job.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they get through this trying time. His was a gift from above and now he will be watching his family and friends from above.
God Bless the family
Gary & Penny McMillan
Battle Creek Citizens Police Academy Alumni

Gary & Penny McMillan
Battle Creek Citizens Police Academy

May 12, 2005

To the family and friends of Det. LaVern Brann and the men and women of the Battle Creek Michigan Police Department, you have my deepest sympathy.

Lavern is resting easier now and I know that he is in the good company of our other fallen brothers.

I am certain they are all up there now looking after the rest of us as we pick up LaVern's shift.

Rest in peace brother you will not be forgotton.

Peter J. Damos
U.S. Secret Service Detroit 1985 - 1992

ATSAIC Peter J. Damos
U.S. Secret Service - San Antonio

May 12, 2005

No one will ever forget you. You have left a place in the hearts of everyone who has ever met you. May you rest in peace. Blessed Be!

Jennifer Prewitt
CERT/EMT-B

May 12, 2005

Vern,
You were one of the best detectives that I have had a chance to work with. We all will truely miss you at the department. May you now rest in peace.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Officer Erich Staman
Battle Creek Police Department

May 12, 2005

May you rest in peace sir, and thank you for your service to your community.MY condolences to the family of this brave officer. For you he can never be replaced.He will never be forgotten. Heros are never forgotten.
May you find peace in knowing that you are not alone and that people are there to help you through this now and in the future. God Bless you Detective and God Bless Your Family.

Bill Burkholder
Citazen

May 12, 2005

Vern, I've known you and Melanie from the time I worked in the Records Bureau until now and just want you to know how much I appreciate your smile, your kind spirit, the love of your family that you showed and for protecting the citizens of Battle Creek. Be at peace, Vern, and know that we all care and are there for Melanie and the girls.

Linda Brizendine
Finance Dept., City of Battle Creek

May 12, 2005

We met Vern when our children went to preschool together. He went on all the field trips and his devotion to his children was obvious. Whenever we saw him, he had a smile on his face. Our hearts go out to Melanie and the girls.

Gerry Gagnon & family

May 12, 2005

We wish to express our deepest sympathies over the loss of Detective LaVern Brann. The pain his family, friends and Co-Workers must be experiencing is unimaginable. We pray for God's comfort in your time of loss and for the days to come.

Officer William Gensch and Family
BCPD

May 12, 2005

I spent several years with the Battle Creek Police Department and not a day goes by that I dont think about my time there and the people that I worked with at BCPD. I was an FTO and recall time with both Vern and Melanie, very fondly I might add. When I heard Vern had been killed I sat down on the steps of my home in nothing other than pure sadness. My first thought was that Vern was "just a nice guy," and my heart went out to Melanie and their children.
Vern will be painfully missed but he will always be there to watch over you all.

Sgt Scott Gardner
Wyoming City Police Department

May 12, 2005

THANK YOU for your service! You have done your duty, which was sincere, just and considerate. The City of Battle Creek will miss you. Now rest and let GOD take care of you! May he bless and guide your family.

Merri

May 12, 2005

Thank you for your service to our community. You were such a wonderful father and husband. My sorrow is with Melamie and your sweet daughters. May God Bless you. I will miss your bright smile. REST IN PEACE. May God bless all the men and women in blue. Protect and guide them.

Glenna Robbins
TReasurers Office City of Battle Creek

May 12, 2005

Det. Brann, Family and Battle Creek City Police Dept. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you all. Det. Brann you will never be forgotten.

Officer Bob Swope #5609
Olmsted Falls Police Dept. Ohio

May 12, 2005

Although, we did not know you, we do know that someone great has been taken from this world to soon.

Our deepest sympathies to your family and friends.

Kalamazoo Removal Service

Tammie
KRS

May 12, 2005

Det. Brann you will never be forgotton. You have set the path that as a new officer I can only hope to follow. Your watch is over. Rest in Peace.

Ryan B

May 12, 2005

Your service to your community was second to none. We all honor your courage, bravery and dedication. may god bless you and your entire family in this great time of sorrow. You will be missed.

Paramedic Darel Woolsey
albion community ambulance

May 12, 2005

Nineteen years of friendship, the passing of Vern's sweet mom, a beautiful soft-spoken wife, the birth of two of the cutest little girls, photos taken at the playground, visits at the house, festivals and events shared in Battle Creek, chats in the office, girl scout cookies............
the "memories" go on and on and will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.....NEVER! EVER!
And Sweet Vern...Your three girls will now and always be ours to love and see after!!
I know God and your mom have their arms around you!

Barb Jones
B.C. Treasurers Office

May 12, 2005