Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Gabby,

It has been a few months now and the pain still runs deep, however I can still remember you picking with me,smiling and driving on. R.I.P. brother, if only you knew how many you touched! God Bless!

PFC Fred Chambers
Fair Oaks Station

September 5, 2006

Mike;

I lost another Law Enforcement friend last week. Eric Sutphin was killed last week by an escapee. This happened near Virginia Tech in Montgomery County, Virginia. Eric, too, was a good friend of mine. Should you see him upstairs please tell him that we all miss him.

I think of you often and still find it hard to believe that you were taken from us. I miss our early years on the street and we sure did have fun.

I will think of you often my brother, I miss you and will always be praying for your family.

Take care my friend

Perry Knicely

MPO Perry Knicely
Fairfax County PD - Retired

September 5, 2006

Mike, your heroism that day will forever live on in my memory - you were the real deal, you showed me no matter how tough things get, there is always just a little left in all of us to save a life, or many in your case...
Though I did not know you Everyday when I suit up, and jump in the squad, I keep the passsenger seat clear, I feel like your there watching over me and everyone else.

Thank you for your service Michael- You will be sorely missed by many, including me...

"FCPD 26-3, 10-7 E.O.T. God Bless"

Police Officer
St. Paul Police Dept., Minnesota

September 5, 2006

I was thinking of you today, You should have been working. It made me sad.

September 3, 2006

Sir, I honor your service and your sacrifice. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9.

Daniel
Citizen

August 29, 2006

Gabby,

You are thought about daily. I sometimes catch myself looking out my office door thinking you are coming in to say "Hey Lady, how's things?". Only to realize, that will never be the case again. I do feel the presence of you and Vicky at times. I truly believe you are with each of us as we get in our cruisers to go on the street. I am working hard to pay tribute to you and Vicky in the books I am working on for the station. I feel that is the bond I hold to you and Vicky. The station is going on, but you are never forgotten. Memories are everywhere. The 3 month mark was hard. It's hard to believe that time has passed already. God bless you Gabby , my friend.

Mary

August 28, 2006

Mike,
I could never forget the good times we had. Jim and I
caught up with each other a few months back and talked
about the times we all shared. The last time you and I
saw each other was shortly after you and Sue married. I
was visiting from Texas and you showed me your new place
in Vernon. I still have the momento of that time in my wallet.

Our friendship is something I've always reflected on, and
has helped shape my life and character. I wouldn't be
who I am without you. Thanks for everything.

Matt Johnson
Childhood Friend

August 18, 2006

Gabby it has been three months since this awful event happened, the pain is still so fresh and deep. We miss you and pray for your wife and girls. God bless you, and please watch over our brothers and sisters.

August 8, 2006

Mike-

We met almost 19 years ago. You were always the positive energetic policeman, someone to be emulated for your dedication to your work and your family.

I will always remember you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. My 2 and 4 year old sons remember "Mr. Garbarino" each night during their night-time prayers.

Rest in Peace Mike

2nd Lieutenant

July 27, 2006

Mike

Things are starting to get back to normal here at Sully, I know you would of wanted it that way. We think of you every day, across from my desk is yours and Vicky's pictures. Not as a reminder of what happen but as a reminder of what good friends I had and miss very much. We are proud of you and Vicky, keep smiling.

Your friend Vinnie

MPO Vincent DarConte
FCPD Sully Station

July 27, 2006

Mikey:

Losing you still hurts and I know it will for a long time. I think back to the days of you and John in the Police Academy together and sometimes it seems like that was only yesterday, not 23+ years ago.

Thank you for saving so many lives that fateful day - including that of my husband John.

Your whole squad misses you each and every day. Your chair in roll call is still empty and will always remain that way - and your chair now has a mmeorial plaque on it so all that enter that roll call rooom will always know that seat is reserved for you.

You will always be in our thoughts and in our hearts.

We love you and miss you Mikey.

Joy Absalon

Joy Absalon
Wife of LT Absalon, FCPD

July 20, 2006

I stood at Sully Station on the day of your funeral, the same as I had done for Det. Armel the prior week. Once again, thousands of law enforcement personnel and citizens streamed past to pay their respects. I stood long and I stood proud and I know you now protect and serve in God's house. I pray for you, your family, FCPD, and the community for the loss of another one of Fairfax County's finest.

Rest well, MPO Garbarino . . . your watch here, has ended.

Becky Clark
Fairfax Harley Owner's Group

July 19, 2006

I love you, dad and miss you so much! You are missed by so many friends. The humblest, most religious person died a hero. I love you forever. Until we meet again....

Katie
daughter

July 17, 2006

Two Months, it still hurts so much! God bless you Gabby.

July 17, 2006

Peace be with you always...

Mrs. Natalie Jensen
wife of Detective Jared Jensen EOW 2/22/06

July 15, 2006

I never met Gabby, but when asked to help by standing watch over him at the hospital I was more than willing to give up the time on a day off. There were a few times during those hours when I just stood there and watched him. He seemed at peace and for the first time in my life I knew I was standing next to a real life hero and not an over-paid athlete (I had heard about him getting on the radio and warning fellow officers at Sully station not to come out). I have heard other stories about Gabby since, including about his sense of humor and some of the practical jokes he played on fellow officers from years ago. The rest of us will continue to honor you and Vicky by standing the thin blue line. We will look out for your families and they will always be in our thoughts.

Police Officer
FCPD

July 12, 2006

I have been thinking about you and your family for the past few days. I have never met you, just bound to your family by the thin blue line of FCPD. My husband and I talked about you on Father's day, hoping that your wife and daughters were find some solace in their memories of you. Before you were laid to rest, my two children and I went to Sully to honor you with a FCPD hat from MV Station. As I carried a 16 month old and 3 year old, my son asked me why God need your help. I can only imagine the questions your wife has fielded to you daughters, and has asked herself. I told him, God needed some help, and you were the man for the job. He said, Mr. Gabby is happy, looking at your picture. I had to agree. While we watched your funeral procesion go by, my husband was in a cruiser, we cried for the loss. My son and 16 month old had no idea why we were crying, or maybe they felt the sadness in the air. Thank you, your wife, and your daughters for your collective services to FCPD and humanity. God Speed!

FCPD Wife
Fairfax County Police Department

June 30, 2006

Thank you for your service.

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

June 28, 2006

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Garbarino. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the news reports and all the reflections left for Michael, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Michael's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Michael's life was about so much more than the way he died. Michael will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Garbarino, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been three years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

June 25, 2006

Just thinking about You and Vicky. I saw Sue and the girls last night and they are holding strong. Miss you every day Brother...Thanks again for everything over the years.

Matt
FCPD

June 24, 2006

Dear Gabby,

A couple of weeks ago you appeared in a dream. You were in uniform, and smiling, and talking to me but I could not hear what you were saying. Then you reached out your hand and touched my cheek, and I could actually feel it. That told me that you were alright now, and we should all take care of ourselves and each other so we can also be alright. God bless you!

Fairfax County Dispatcher

June 24, 2006

I drove by sully station today, and I said a silent prayer for you and vicky, My breath still catches everytime i see the back parking lot. I want to cry, life is so not fair. I will never forget you gabby! Thank you my hero, Keep our men and woman in blue safe!

June 21, 2006

I thought to inspire the spirit that was/is Gabby, I would leave the following story. I was in the academy when we had to go out and guess the speeds of vehicles. This mundane task was so we could eventually testify in court.

I was piled into a cruiser with 5 other recruits. 4 of us were in the cage. Basically, we had to guess the speed of 10 vehicles. We had a few hours to accomplish the task.

Gabby put the radar gun on the dash and said, " that car was doing 40. I would write down something close." We were all done in a matter of minutes. He then proceeded to take us to Sta3 and show us around. Gabby did what good Field Instructors do that day, and I will never forget it.

My heart just hurts.

FCPD

June 20, 2006

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY MASTER OFFICER GARBARINO. I WILL KEEP YOUR FAMILY IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. REST IN PEACE, YOU ARE CERTAINLY A HERO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION!!
YOU WILL FOREVER BE LOVED AND MISSED.
ALWAYS.

UNKNOWN

June 18, 2006

Gabby-
It has taken me awhile to get to this point;
I learned more about selflessness, sacrifice, duty and honor on May 8th in those minutes of horror realizing that it was happening to us, our family, our band of brothers... listening to you on the radio telling us what was happening than I have in my entire 43 years on this earth. You continue to be a mentor now, for I resolve to be a better person, a better cop in your and Vic's honor until my last day when I hope to see you again. Thank you for your service, your comradeship and the love you showed us all that day. Sic Semper Tyranus, we serve so that others may cherish the great freedoms of this country. Sleep well my brother.

Detective
Fairfax County Police Department

June 14, 2006