Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Special Agent William "Buddy" Sentner, III

United States Department of Justice - Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Government

End of Watch Wednesday, June 21, 2006

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Reflections for Special Agent William "Buddy" Sentner, III

Son: Year three. I find myself missing you just as much. Spent the day reflecting with Vicki and Maria. We had a drink and remembered some funny stories. Recieved calls from family and friends. We will always love and miss you.

Dad

William Sentner Father
Retired

June 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the third anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I can see by the reflections left that you are loved and missed by many. Your family is in my heart's embrace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

June 21, 2009

Just want your family and friends to know that I NEVER forget, your memory lives on, and your heroic acts of that fateful day is why I honor you each and every day. You are the reason that I and many others that day are still here on this earth. I just want you to know that my gratitude never lessens, and my respect for you never goes away. Even though my life has changed dramatically, your memory is still crystal clear. I just learned the other day that COPS is giving out academic scholarships to the children of other fallen officers from donations made in your name. I will do all that I can to get the word out because there are so many colleagues who never forget and still want to honor your memory.

Andrea
SSA OIG

June 21, 2009

I hope you hear me chattin with you every day. I love you and miss you, another year has not changed that.

Anonymous

June 21, 2009

Buddy,

Although there are many new faces in the organization, your heroics from Wednesday, June 21, 2006, still resonate throughout the agency and many of the facilities that agents visit on a daily basis. Today, a wreath was placed at the National Law Enforcement Memorial to honor your memory. May you continue to rest in peace.

ASAC NYFO
DOJ OIG

June 20, 2009

We're so grateful that you finally found true love and married, before you died. It means so much that you were represented with dignity and respect.

Your friends and family

Anonymous

June 9, 2009

In Maui right now, remembering when we came here together. It was a much different time...very special. Happy Birthday, from some who still remembers.

Anonymous

May 29, 2009

I still get chills thinking about what you did that day. I just read about your award from President Bush this past October. I miss ya and think about all the good times we had at U of Maryland together. I enjoyed our time together in the wrestling room and also when we were out and about on campus. I just want you to know I was thinking about you today and every day.
Mike

mike furman old college friend
U of MD wrestlers together

March 3, 2009

Haven't forgotten you. Still love you and miss you every day.

Anonymous

January 7, 2009

Merry Christmas Buddy. I have been thinking of you a lot recently. I wish you were still here...

WMD

December 20, 2008

You came to me last night in my dream. It's the only dream I ever remembered. It's the only one I want to remember. It brought such peace I had not felt before. Thank you for that.

Anonymous

November 11, 2008

This is from the press release:

On Wednesday, June 21, 2006, Special Agent William Sentner of the Miami Field Office, Investigations Division, Office of Inspector General (OIG) was working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in an investigation involving corrupt prison guards in a federal prison facility in Tallahassee, Fla. As a result of the investigation, six prison guards were indicted for sexually abusing female inmates, smuggling contraband into the institution and threatening the inmates with retaliation if they exposed the criminal acts. Sentner was part of the joint OIG/FBI team that went to the prison to arrest the six guards. At the prison, as one of the guards was being arrested, he produced a gun from his bag and began firing. The guard shot a prison lieutenant in the stomach and then shot Sentner. Before the guard was able to fire at other personnel, Sentner returned fire, fatally wounding him. Sentner subsequently succumbed to his gunshot wound. In his last act, Sentner saved the lives of several other law enforcement officers while sacrificing his own.

SA
USDOJ OIG

October 23, 2008

Buddy, Today President George W. Bush posthumously awarded you the President's Medal of Valor, our nation's highest honor awarded to law enforcement. The ceremony took place in the oval office. Although the presentation took place in Washington, DC, every special agent nationwide honors you and the heroism you displayed in saving the lives of others while sacrificing your own. God Bless.

Special Agent Vic Bello
U.S. Department of Justice

October 22, 2008

Hello Special Agent Sentner,

I remember talking with you only four months before this tragic incident occured. You had just completed a lecture for our Annual-Refresher-Training when I approached you about my current hiring process for the Secret Service. You were more than happy to hear my question and give me advice about what to expect and how to conduct myself. You were very personable and your charisma and professionalism left a lasting impression on me to this day that I felt compelled to write. You were a credit to the Agency and the US Government. There is no measure to the level of shame and disgust I feel that someone within our ranks would do something so heinous to a brother-in-arms. Thank you, Special Agent Sentner, for maintaining the dignity of our profession. Your heroism will always be remembered.

R. Velazco
Federal Bureau of Prisons

October 10, 2008

I am an officer with TPD and my father was also wounded during this tragic incident.I attended Buddy's funeral in Orlando, FL and had the honor of meeting his family. I simply want to say thank you on behalf of my family to Buddy and his loved ones for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice. There is no better definition of a hero than Buddy's actions on that day. Although I never met him in person, he is in my thoughts daily and in my prayers forever.
Thank you from a grateful son and brother LEO, God Bless.

CMC #388

August 16, 2008

I can't believe it's been two years. I'll never forget the day this happened. What a disgrace to our agency. My heart goes out to you and your family.

DC
Bureau of Prisons

August 4, 2008

My Son: It has been 2 years and every day I think about you, & what if.
Your friends have been wonderful and your wife a doll.
Know that I will alway remember my name sake.
Dad

Retired
Father

June 26, 2008

Yesterday, while I was cleaning, I went to fold a crumpled pair of red sweats. To my amazement, they were yours. Your University of Maryland wrestling ones with the number 22 on them that I used to wear around the house. I knew I had them, but why would they be out in the dead of a Phoenix summer? Now, if your blue ones emerge, I'll know for certain you're up to something. However, even though I feel you near, I still miss you everyday.

June 23, 2008

Buddy,as time goes by, I think of you often. Yesterday was two years ago that little did I know would be the last moments of your life. I just want you to know that your heroism will never be forgetten by me, nor will I let others forget. You have no idea how you've impacted my life. I live my life so differently now. I just wish you were here and we would have the chance to talk and I could thank you for everything, including saving my life...but we can't, you live on in spirit and in memory. I try not to take anything or anyone for granted. I try and treat every moment as if it were my last. Even with the sorriest of days, I remind myself I'm still here, so I should consider myself lucky. I keep your family, friends, and Maria in my heart always because I live with the realization what they lost and how special you are to them.

Andrea

June 22, 2008

Buddy,

It has been two years since you sacrificed your life so that others could live. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and your heroic actions. You continue to be a model of inspration to me both personally and professionally. I miss you.

WMD

June 22, 2008

Buddy,

It's been two years brother. I miss you everyday and always reflect on the great times we had while working in Phoenix. Remember how you were always trying to get me to transfer down to Florida? Well it finally happened. I hung up my CAT uniform after 3 years and took a transfer to Ft. Myers, FL. Wish you were still here. You were a true friend and I'll never forget you brother.

JT

Special Agent John Thurling
USSS/Ft. Myers

June 21, 2008

Hi Buddy, it's been 2 years since your heroic sacrifice in Florida. You are terribly missed by all in the Department and I'm sure by all in law enforcement as well. You remain to us a daily inspiration of what a special agent should be at all times; intelligent, dedicated, unselfish, and, above all, brave. We love you. May God continue to bless your pop and Maria.

Special Agent Vic Bello
U.S. Department of Justice

June 20, 2008

Buddy,

I'll never forget where I was and what I was doing the first time I met you. I'll never forget where I was and what I was doing when I heard that you were gone. You left an impression on me that I will never forget.

Looking at all of the other reflections on this site, it appears that you had the same effect on everyone else.

I will always miss you my friend.

Resident Agent Jack Leskovar
U.S. Secret Service

May 23, 2008

Sorry brother for what the corupt C.O. did to you. Bless you and your family.

Floyd Mullens/FCI El Reno, OK

March 31, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 27, 2008

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