Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sheriff Byrd and the entire Byrd family:

I started out working in Pascagoula as a regular ground medic when Acadian first came to Jackson County. I had been in Law Enforcement prior to my career in EMS. I have a lot of respect for all peace officers across this country, especially the ones in Jackson County. One Officer in particular that impressed me the most was Michael “Little Mike” Byrd.

No matter how bad the scene was or how trivial the call, he always tried to have a smile on his face. I never saw him loose his temper (only get frustrated), and he always tried be as fair as he could be. I was never worried about my safety when “Little Mike” was on my scenes because I knew he was there to protect me. While I was trying to take care of a patient on a scene of a fight some time ago, Mike had to pull a man away from hitting me. After the drama was over with I told him “I owe you one”. He smiled and told me “you would do the same for me”. I really would have done the same for him, it goes without saying.

Everybody knew who “Little Mike” was, but he wanted to know everybody he came in contact with good or bad. I am a supervisor for Acadian now and have almost 20 years of combined service (EMS and Law Enforcement). In all my years of public service, I have never met such an outgoing and caring person. He always called me by my first name and knew who I was in and out of uniform.

I only wish I could have gotten to know him better outside of the job because I knew how special he was. I always thought we would have time for that later. I truthfully regret that I won’t get that chance. Michael was a really special man and touched the lives of many people throughout the years. I feel privileged that I got to witness that first hand as long as I did. There are a lot of medics at Acadian that feel the same way as I do. God bless him now as we know that he is in God’s arms as we speak, and God bless the Byrd family in their time of mourning.

Your Brother and Sister in Christ,


Joe and Amy Remarcik

NREMT-P Joe Remarcik
Acadian Ambulance

April 2, 2006

Byrd, there are so many stories to tell but the one I remember the most is when you first hired on. I was sitting at the front desk and you walked up, leaned against the window and said, "Guess what I got?" I looked up and said "with you there is no telling." You smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen you smile, you stretched out your hand, palm down and all I could see was something "shiny." I stuck my hand out, you dropped your badge in my hand and said "I got my badge NOW so you better watch out!" I asked you "how many quarters you spent to get it" and we both laughed. I never seen you look so proud than you did that day. I will miss you talking louder than usual on the radio just to agravate me. I will miss you walking in the radio room with your "tap shoes" on (even though you were not supposed to be in there) just to see how long you could agravate me before I started yelling at you. Then you would just laugh and walk out like there was nothing to it.
To the whole Byrd family, Lil Byrd made you all proud and I am sure that he is definetly being louder than anyone.
#137 - Rest In Peace.

Julie Watkins - Dispatcher
Pascagoula Police Dept

April 1, 2006

A crooked smile when he laughed, the touch of a firm handshake, mutual respect, brothers in a shared profession. It was trading lines from "Smokey and the Bandit," one of his favorite movies, and a shared sence of humor. Spending so little time together, time now gone forever. These are the things I'll miss about "Teenie tiny itty bitty Byrd".

Micheal, now your time with us is done. You performed your duties well. I am proud of your service to us and the community.

Rest well my brother, we'll cover your beat from here. God willing we will meet again. Walk now with God whom you knew you would see when this time came to pass.

God bless Terry Micheal Byrd.

Lieutenant Chuck Fowler
Pascagoula Police Department

April 1, 2006

Pascagoula Police Officers & Jackson County Deputies, I am truly sorry for your loss and my prayers go out to each one of you.

Baby Byrd, I found comfort in this part of the Police Officer's Prayer to St. Michael knowing that this is what you are doing right now.

"And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your
heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the
throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all
the people."

You and your family are in my prayers always.

Special Agent David Kamentz
ATF

April 1, 2006

On behalf of the Memphis Police Dept. Motorcycle Squad, our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Byrd. Motor officers take pride in the "motorwings" worn on the uniform. Certainly the new wings Officer Byrd now has are much more impressive. Peace be with you brother.

PTLMN. T.J. TINES
Memphis Police Dept. Motorcycle Squad

April 1, 2006

May GOD BLESS OFFIVER BYRD,HIS FAMILY & ALL PEACE OFFICERS. My prayers are with YOU ALL.
BROTHER & BROTHER IN LAW of BOTH : DEPUTY JERRY ORTIZ EOW:6/24/05 and
CORRECTIONS MANUEL GONZALEZ EOW:1/10/05

J."ART"ORTIZ
L.A.Co.Probation

March 31, 2006

When my husband aaron called me monday morning and told me little mike had been in an accident, i had no idea the next thing he was gunna say was that he died. when i heard those words, i got sick to my stomach. my husband and i loved micheal and the byrd family so much. We visited them all the time and every time, they always made us feel like part of the family. the byrd family always did whatever they could to help anybody. and the great thing about micheal was that he always made the best of any situation.i still can't believe it,mike, terri, ashley, steven, and others, i just keep wishing that i could do something so that he could be with us again, so that yall won't have to hurt anymore. then i get upset when i realize i am powerless. Even though all this is heartbreaking, he is in a better place and we will all reunite again one day. mike, terri and family, we love yall- don't ever forget that.
love raina and aaron

raina wood

March 31, 2006

Rest easy, Brother...

K-9 Off. B. Rice
Irvington Police Department, NJ

March 31, 2006

I did not know Michael personally but knew his mother in law. She had only the highest to say of him.
Ashley, please know we are praying for you. May God keep you and your little one, as well as the many other who love Michael, in his arms.

Tiffany Stevens- cops wife

March 31, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Pascagoula P.D

Fallen but never forgotten.

Bryan Laurie
Haltom City Police Texas

March 31, 2006

BALLAD OF A YOUNG MAN
A proud and noble man Drove down the road one day. He loved that motorcycle. It was a heritage , they say.
He was in a hurry,
A baby child to see.
For his sister was awaiting,
The new uncle he would be.
He was a fine and good man, A family man himself. He loved his own sweet wife And his precious boy as well.
His family is a legacy
In this little southern town.
A name known through out
Which stands for law and honor bound.
How quickly his plans were altered On that tragic morn, When his earthly life so quickly ended And his heavenly life was bom.
For God in all His goodness Reached down from heaven above And captured that sweet spirit Into His open arms of love.
The enemy so wanted to sift him To stop his testimony For he lived his life for Jesus Never haughty.. .Never phony.
But his witness is ever stronger For his story will forever be told His legend will live on the lips everyone Who knew him and loved him so.
Written by: Carol Green

March 31, 2006

Baby Byrd you will never be forgotton I will always hold you in my heart and to the Byrd family I will never forget all the things we've been through. I Love all of you.

Deputy Tyrone Nelson
Jackson County Sheriff Department

March 31, 2006

Mike & Terri, Stephanie and I were so saddened to hear about Lil' Mike. We have always considered ya'll family and just know that he is on eternal patrol on the Streets of Gold where there is no pain. God is taking care of him now. We love ya'll!

Lee Oman
Former Pascagoula Motor Officer

March 31, 2006

BROTHER TERRY MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION IN SERVICE TO YOUR FELLOW MAN. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR LOVING FAMILY, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. GODSPEED.

PTLM. JAN BABULA
BOUND BROOK PD, NEW JERSEY

March 31, 2006

To the Byrd family from a dear friend. I Know Terry Micheal Byrd will be missed dearly, but he lives in us all know as "The Thin Blue Line" May God be with you.

Detective Guy Magee
Washington Parish Sheriff's Department

March 31, 2006

I have been a friend of Micheal's since I was born. Micheal had a very strong spiritual walk. He showed it every day at church, work, and at home. He will be missed greatly. I would like to say thank you to all of the offices who are serving and all those that have passed. Also I would like his family to know that I am praying for them as much as I can. Until we meet again.

Eric Womack

March 31, 2006

God bless to the family, friends and co-workers of Patrolman Byrd. Thank you for your service, RIP.

mjw643

March 30, 2006

My thoughts and Prayers are with the family. May you Rest in peace as the other dedicated officers now have the watch.

Denise Byrd
Sister of Motorcycle Office Jason Byrd
Pascagoula, MS

March 30, 2006

Little Byrd what a great man and friend. We were together on a detail last thursday and I remember like your father you asked me " Did I ever feel the spot where the horse had bitten you?" We laughed and continued on. Baby Byrd always found a way to cheer you up and was always high on life. He never met a stranger and was friends with all. I will miss you my friend and I know than you will be my gaurdian angel. I promise I will not drive faster than you can fly. You will never be forgotten and will always be a example for me on how I need to live my life.

Chad Heck NTF L-5

Agent Chad Heck
Narcotics Task Force of Jackson County

March 30, 2006

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and co-workers of Officer Byrd. May God bless all of you in your time of sorrow and comfort you in the knowledge that such a fine young man is now touching the hand of God. Rest easy brother.

Lt L.H. Persky
Montgomery County Sheriff, Alabama

March 30, 2006

I had the privilege of spending about an hour with Micheal last friday morning at the hospital. He came out to work a fender bender in the parking lot and one of the drivers could not find his insurance info instead of writing him a ticket right off the bat he waited almost an hour on that persons mother to come from way up north in the county to bring the insurance card. That was the kind of officer Micheal Byrd was. In that hour I got a chance to talk to him and he asked about my dad and my baby daughter. Micheal was a good friend and you could always count on him to have that crucked grin on his face. Micheal you can rest easy knowing that your wife and son will always be taken care of not only by your biological family but also your Law Enforcement family.

ALLEN TURNER
SRHS SECURITY-POLICE

March 30, 2006

UNLESS YOU KNEW LITTLE MIKE YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THE PERSON THAT WE LOST MONDAY 3-27-06. BUT FOR THE ONES WHO DIDNT HE WAS THE GREATEST MAN YOU WOULD HAVE EVER WANT TO MEET. THE BYRD FAMILY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST AND STRONGEST FAMILYS ANYONE COULD EVER IMAGINE. TO MR MIKE AND MRS TERRI YOU HAVE ALWAYS TREATED ME LIKE YOUR OWN SON. I KNOW YOU WILL BE READING THIS AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU. TIMES WILL BE VERY HARD ASHLEY BUT YOU ALSO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU LIKE MY SISTER AS I LOVE MICHEAL AS MY BROTHER AND IT WAS THE HIGHEST HONOR IN THE WORLD TO SERVE AS A PAULBEARER AT MICHEALS FUNERAL. THIS WAS THE HARDEST THING THAT I HAVE EVER FACED IN MY LIFE. AND I CANT WAIT TILL THE DAY WE CAN ALL SET DOWN WITH YOUNG STEVEN AND TELL HIM ALL ABOUT HIS FATHER.


ON ANOTHER NOTE REST IN PEACE MICHEAL YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MISSSED AND LOVED

GOD BLESS THE PASCAGOULA POLICE DEPARTMENT

GOD BLESS THE JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

GOD BLESS YOUNG STEVEN MICHEAL BYRD

MATTHEW TOUART

March 30, 2006

Myself and several motor officers attended officer Byrd's funeral today.
It was great to see the amount of officers there to pay there respects.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

deputy doug bringmans
santa rosa county sheriff's office Fl

March 30, 2006

Brother and Classmate, you will be missed. Rest in Peace brother. We have the watch now.

Detective Scott McElhenney
Gulfport Police Department

March 30, 2006

Our prayers are with you and your family!

Phoenix Motor
AZ DPS

March 30, 2006