Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Octavio was a great guy and team player. We went to Nicholls together and were young and free to live life. It makes you reflect upon how quickly and simply you can leave this world. Octavio was a blessing to those he served. I salute you Ole' Buddy.

Formerly Detective Paige Braud
college friend

January 12, 2007

Don't cry because you think I'm gone,
for I am with you still.
Don't seek reasons to explain
what is simply just God's will.


It's very hard to leave all of you
and everything I've known,
but my work on earth is done now.
Our Lord has called me home.


I know you will find comfort
Just let faith guide your way.
Cause, from the moment I was born,
I have been preparing for this day.


Remember me for the laughter,
that's the greatest gift we give.
Keep me in your heart and mind
because that's where I now live.


If ever you feel you need me,
you can close your eyes and see,
I'm still right here with you,
I'm alive in your memory.


We miss you Ox. God bless you and your family.

St. John Sheriff's Office C.S.I.

December 24, 2006

I AM AND OLD HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND FROM HIALEAH, IN WHICH OCTAVIO AND MY OTHER BUDDY RENE USE TO HANG OUT. JUST RECENTLY HEARD THE NEWS. MY CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE GONZALEZ FAMILY. OCTAVIO WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED BY ME AS THE BIG GUY WITH A BIG HEART!!!
MISS YOU GUY
JESUS (TITI) MILLARES

JESSIE MILLARES
FRIEND

December 22, 2006

Your duties here have ended and it is up to the rest of us to continue to press the fight and you can rest easy knowing that we will. Rest in peace brother for you will always be remembered and missed.

Officer Brian Biletnikoff
Baton Rouge City Police Department

December 17, 2006

To you Ox, I want to thank you for those times we trained together and you were able to help me correct mistakes I was making, which would have probably cost me my life one day. For this I will be forever greatful. I didn't know you as well as others, but the impression you made on me will last a lifetime. You are sadly missed.

To you Gloria, Alexander, and Bryson, I am so sorry for the loss of such a remarkable husband and father. I can only offer my deepest condolences. I wish I could take away all of your pain, but I can't. I can only tell you that I truly believe Ox is still with you, he will always be. God bless you and my brother officers from the St. John Parish Sheriff's Office.

Todd Gagnard
Thibodaux Police Department

October 31, 2006

I used to see Ox in the hallways or elevator of our building, when they were working on cases with our NID guys. He was so "big" in size, but gentle in heart, so polite and always soft spoken and friendly. When he was murdered I was devastated to learn that he lived just a few blocks from me, but I never knew it.
I felt frustrated, helpless and angry. My heart ached for his wife and sons. I wanted to do something to HELP, but didn't know what. Then the news came on TV that night, and I saw a pile of mud in the driveway of their house that Ox was in the process of spreading in his yard. It hit me like a ton of bricks. His widow, Gloria, can't even park her car in her own driveway! That's how fast life can change. This man was in the middle of a project, and then he gets killed so suddenly. How would it get finished?
I went to the house the next AM, met the neighbors, and hatched a plan to get some fellow Officer's together, friends, relatives and neighbor's and surprise the family with completing his project, plus make it a little nicer. Well, to my surprise, a few e-mail's and phone calls turned into over 200 people and organizations helping us 8 days after Ox was killed to perform a complete makeover of his front and back yard. The patio, furniture, sub-surface drainage, sprinkler system on a timer, hundreds of lush tropical plants, a brick border, lanterns, 2 flagpoles....you name it. It was completed in 12 hrs., with an entire brigade of volunteers with aching backs the next day.
I will never forget the look on Gloria's face when she pulled up that night at 9PM. (She had been gone all day celebrating her oldest son's birthday, as planned.) She was most moved by the big flagpole at half mast in the front yard. I turned my helplessness into something helpful to Gloria and her sons. I had never met Gloria until she pulled into that driveway at 9PM that Sat. night. SInce then we've kept in touch, become friends, and I've met all of her wonderful family. Ox is missed by so many people. I feel his presence when I am with Gloria or the boys. Kiss your loved ones when you leave the house every day cause you never know when it will be the last time.
Kathy duTreil
Friend

Kathy duTreil
Kenner Police Dept./Friend

October 10, 2006

Ran into a high school friend the other day, and she informed me of Octavios untimely death, I would like to extend my condolences to the Gonzalez Family, Friends and co-workers, your in my thoughts and prayers.

Rest In Peace Octavio, You will be missed.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down
one's life for his friends" John 15:13

David Alberto
High School Friend and Team-mate

October 10, 2006

"....Maybe some people just aren't meant to be in our lives forever. Maybe some people are just passing through...maybe they get it all done faster than the rest of us. They don't need to stick around for a hundred years to get it all right. They get it done real quick...it's like...some people just come through our lives to bring us something, a gift, a blessing, a lesson we need to learn, and that's why they are here. He taught you something, I'll bet about love and giving and caring so much about someone...that was his gift to you. He taught you what he was about and stood for and what was important to him. He taught us all that and left. Maybe he just didn't need to stay longer than that. He gave us a special gift, and then he was free to move on...he was a special soul. We will have that gift forever.

Thank You Octavio for giving us a special gift!

LBK

October 5, 2006

SHE BAKED YOU A CAKE SO THAT HER AND THE BOYS COULD TELL YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY. THEY MISS YOU SO. WE ALL DO.

TBW

September 29, 2006

Happy B-day Octavio.

Joetta
friend

September 26, 2006

Ox, its been 3 months and I still can't believe you're gone. So much has happened in these three months, both good and bad, and somehow I know you're up there next to the big man pulling a few strings for us down here. We miss you so much. You're still included in everything we do because all of us wonder if we're making you proud and if we're doing things the way you would have wanted them to be done. Just know we will continue your work, and we will make you proud. Keep watch over us up there!! We love ya!!!

P.S. Keep us those little signs you keep sending our way; it keeps us going cause we know you're still around and yes, we are getting them

Detective
St. John S/O

September 22, 2006

Hey Bro... I am waiting at the airport to go out of town, looking at your memorial page, and realize how much i am missing you. You were truly a great friend. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday Sept. 26,your birthday!

Lt.
St John S/O

September 21, 2006

Gloria,I hoped it was under better conditions. But as a wife of a Police Sergeant I wish that day could erased from our mines .When that happen it was nightmare for us all.We will always keep you and your sons in our hearts and prayers.Sorry us as wifes never met.I wished our department had a spouses support group. But we don't.As a wife we are here for you just a phone call away.Ox I never met but have seen him work and know he was a good person and into his job .

Wife of a policemen in S.J.P.

September 17, 2006

MRS.Gonzalez and family, 2 Months has passed, from the lost of your husband. As time passes you will get stronger and stonger, My prayer are with you and your family. My husband died also in the line of duty the very same day your husband died.I just wanted you to know that your not along. may GOD keep you and your family. Take care, L.WILLIAMS

lillie faye williams
city of wilmington (chris williams, husband)

September 11, 2006

I hope Ox realized how much he was respected and admired by his coworkers and friends. A hardworking cop and a good man, he will be missed by all of us. My condolences to his widow and children.

Special Agent Robert Norton
DEA

September 3, 2006

i remember when ox took us to our first swat school in pineville,la with the marshall service we were all in a recreation room playing pool and watching a saints game when someone came up with this great idea to shave our heads ox took up the challenge. then of course ox made the point about team uniformity and everyone else sat down in the chair and got theirs cut too.

cpl joe rosa
st john so sort member

August 30, 2006

dear ox i was thinking about you and the last time i spoke to you. you were telling me i had to make time for p.t. well i wanted you to know that i have. every time i train and start to get tired or wonder why i am even doing this i can hear your voice in my ear pushing me to keep going. i can see you at the finish line on my last lap waving me in. your memory is an inspiration to me and many others. i really believe that when i am on patrol your with me i can feel you there. i will carry your memory with me forever ox.

cpl joe rosa
st. john s.o. sort member

August 30, 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

I was deeply saddened when I learned of the passing of Octavio "Ox" Gonzalez while skimming through my Police Chief magazine this week. I had the great pleasure of meeting and training with Ox when we both attended the DEA Drug Unit Commanders Academy in Virginia during the Fall of 2000. I still remember how animated Ox was when he introduced himself to the class, and how it was very clear to everyone that Ox deeply loved both his family and his work. In a short period of time, everyone knew he was one of those special guys that other cops like to be around. I enjoyed his great personality and wit. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and two sons. Please take comfort in the fact that Ox made a difference by his service, and that we in law enforcement are eternally proud to have served with such a fine man.

Captain Greg Marshall
Howard Co. MD Police Department

August 22, 2006

My heart and prayers go out to you and your boys. Also to the Dept. members. Mrs. Gonzalez, I saw your posting for a fallen officer in NJ. I wanted to send my most heart felt sympathy to you and your boys. Please know that your husband and father is a hero. What he did on a daily basis, to make this world a better place will long be rememebered. His reward is the kingdom of heaven where one day you will all unite and celebrate for eternity. His sacrifice was not in vain and you will have a guardian angel to protect you all the days of your lives. Grow strong and talk to him and know he is there. The long hours worked and the difficult job was made easier knowing he was not only taking care of the community....but also providing for you. Everything we do as officers and everything we sacrifice and are willing to sacrifice is only made possible because of our families. Capt. Gonzalez and his family will be forever in my prayers. God bless you.

Ret. Sgt. A. Corrente
MCSD NJ

August 12, 2006

To all that have written and are reading this now...

I have read every message left on this site. I am in awe of how many people who knew Octavio and who did not know him, but still left messages of prayer. I am thankful you took the time out of your lives to leave a message, a piece of history for Alexander and Bryson to have in years to come. Octavio was "the man". I always told the boys "your dad is the man, he can fix anything." This was true of him, I was not making it up. (Although he did not fool with electrical stuff.) If he could not fix it he would find someone to do it or show him how to do it. What ever we needed done he did. Whenever others asked him to help, he did. How sad I am that he is not physically with us anymore and that I will not be able to hug him anymore. That he will not be able to hug his children and give them kisses at night. I am not sure why God thought it was his time, and why God thought he was finished raising his boys, and For God sake, why God thought I could handle any of this??? But I am here to say the prayers and written messages make me cry, but give me comfort and help me through my days. Thinking of all the good things others thought about him is an awesome tribute to him. I am proud to have been part of his life and to have had his children. Hopefully they will grow to be such great individuals as he was and learn to always to the right thing no matter how hard it may be.
Anything you can write about experiences (good ha ha) you had with Octavio it would be great if you could write a message to the boys about their dad and who he was.
Thank you and I'll be writing again. Gloria

Gloria Gonzalz
Wife of Octavio Gonzalez EOW 6-16-06

August 11, 2006

I'm at a loss for words right now. I just received the memorial notice in the mail. I had no idea. There's not enough room on this paper to decribe what a character and good friend Octavio was to those around him. I last saw him at our class reunion and he still could make you laugh even with the southern drawl he had aquired. He will be missed. With Love, Walter Conklin and Family.

Walter Conklin
High School Friend

August 9, 2006

I allway's knew He was someone special. Great guy.

Kenny
childhood friend

August 8, 2006

Your bravery will always be remembered. You will be dearly missed.

bridget muse, rn
rph er

August 3, 2006

I attended the Drug Unit Commanders Academy in Sept. of 2000 with "Ox". That was the funniest two week school I've attended, primarily because "Ox" sat next to me and kept things going. I always looked forward to talking to "Ox" about family and work.
I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I apologize for the late reflection, but as what usually happens in law enforcement, we become occupied with our job at hand, and squeeze in a quick call or email. I'll miss his laugh, and his friendship.

Detective Sergeant Chris Bertoli
Sonoma County Sheriff's Department, California

August 1, 2006