Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

February 22, 2008

Dennis-
Your EOW year anniversary was a month ago. You are still missed and I think about you at the weirdest times. I had hoped that you would be able to photograph my wedding. I hope that you know you are missed and will always be remembered.

Friend
Civilian

September 29, 2007

Officer Shuck,
Today is the first anniversary of your EOW. My thoughts are with your loved ones as they remember the dedicated and loving family man you were. As a private citizen, I thank you for the courage you exemplified in keeping us all safe.

Pennsylvania citizen

August 23, 2007

Our prayers are with your family today as they cope with the one year anniversary of your death.
Rest in peace Sir you are not forgotten
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

August 23, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 1st anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and also those still out on patrol. Thank you for your dedicated service to laen enforcement and also to you country. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 6/6/04

August 22, 2007

I met Dennis when I was a dispatcher prior to becoming sworn. We got to know each other throughout our years working together as officer/dispatcher, and then as officers, and worked many an incident together. Dennis always had a kind thing to say, and would do anything to help or encourage his co-workers.

In June 2006, I asked Dennis if he would photograph my upcoming wedding, and he agreed. Due to some scheduling issues, my wedding date took a while to finalize. When I finally got a date to him, he told me he was sorry, but he couldn't do it. When I inquired why, he told me he was getting married the same day. While I was disappointed not to have the area's best photographer doing my wedding, I was happy for my friend's upcoming nuptials. All of us who knew Dennis for the years prior to his end of tour knew what he had gone through in that time, and knew there was nobody more deserving of happiness in his life.

I'm glad I got to know Dennis throughout his career with the department. The world is a better place for his having been here, but is diminished by his passing.

Ride on, brother. You are not forgotten.

Officer R. Trimble
Cheyenne Police Department

August 15, 2007

One phrase can sum up my relationship with Dennis... I am a better person for having known him. Dennis volunteered to photo my wedding in Orlando, Fl. on 04-21-07 and on that day I had wished he was there. I worked with Dennis for 3 years at the Cheyenne Police Dept and he had a great impact on me. Witty, fun and most of all a great hearted guy. I can't say enough good things about Dennis. Being called to be the Trooper to investigate Dennis' crash is definately the hardest thing I've had to do in my 6+ years as a Cop. I did my best to make sure it was done right and not a time goes by that I drive by that intersection that I don't think about Dennis. You were a hero in all our eyes Dennis and we'll miss you deeply.
Your friend,
Joey

Trooper Joseph J. Scimone, Jr
Wyoming Highway Patrol

August 1, 2007

I had the honor of riding in Officer Shuck's memory during the Police Unity Tour, May 9-12. The Unity Tour is a bike ride from New Jersey to Washington DC. The ride ends at the Police Officers Memorial in Washington DC. I was unable to locate any family, friends, or co-workers at the the memorial during the candle light vigil and I have a bracelet, along with some other items that I would like send to the family. Please contact me through my department.

Detetive Michael Decker
Long Branch PD, New Jersey

May 29, 2007

I was present at the peace officers memorial up at the academy in Douglas sir on May 18th. It was a beautiful day out as you are well aware of sir. They made memorial stickers for our windows with your call sign P-12. Your fiance' received a really nice award/medal from the WY FOP organization. No matter the snow, rain or that famous wyoming wind sir, your memory always makes the sun shine that more brighter. Rest well and ride easy sir.

Wayne Cespedes
Cheyenne PD- Backgrounds

May 25, 2007

Dennis,
I dont think there is a day that I dont think about the way things would be if you were here. I miss you... R.I.P.

Tiffany Washburn

May 15, 2007

This is for you Officer Shuck I thank you after so many years being on the force and protecting our community I honor your bravery. We the whole entire town was entirely shocked that you went down and passed away so sudden I thank you as a resident of Cheyenne for protecting and serving our great community. May you Rest In Heavenly Peace!

Melissa G. Ayers
Cheyenne Resident

Melissa G. Ayers
A Cheyenne, Wyoming Resident

May 11, 2007

I don’t know how many of you knew Dennis or the work he did. I would like to give you a little insight into the man as I saw him. Dennis was a dedicated officer, a good friend and a fantastic person. If he didn’t have a radar gun and a ticket book in hand it was a camera for shooting weddings or whatever he got a chance to take pictures of. He was our Court Officer for a while and ran our deposit to the bank in the last few months of his life. He always had a smile and a good word and shared his happy thoughts with us. He regaled us with stories of his “Hunting Trips”, the latest good cigar, and the Chili Beer in Ft. Collins, CO. He was devastated when his wife died and so happy when he met Kathy. He was devoted to both and we got to meet each of them. He shared his life like an open book.

When another Officer brought the bank bag back to me that morning, it was like someone slammed a door in our office. We were startled and outraged, shocked and appalled, hopeful and dreading what might happen.

I have had many people come to me and tell how Dennis gave them a ticket and they felt glad knowing that he was patrolling the streets of Cheyenne. They said that he left them feeling good about themselves, that they weren’t criminals, just average citizens who had made a mistake. “He was the nicest guy” is the comment that I have heard most. I do know one thing, he must have wrote the most tickets of any one officer in the Department.

Dennis, I don’t know if there is much need for a Police Officer type in Heaven, but I know that if the job exists there you are on patrol. If we get to Heaven and are “flying too fast for conditions”, I hope that you are the one that stops us!

Salute

M. Peggy Yeager
Municipal Court

April 8, 2007

Dennis:

Still miss you. Mary and I think of you often.

MTM

civilian / Mark Moran
friend

February 22, 2007

Thinking of you this valentines week and knowing you are hugging Kathy from afar. She will always be your fiancee
and your valentine. Your friend,
Mary

Mary Robison
friend

February 16, 2007

--"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." -- Maya Angelou

Aloha Police Officer Dennis Shuck,
Thank you for your service and dedication to your community and your country. You and all officers that continue to lay your lives on the line and pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe, will NEVER be forgotten.

I personally pledge, (after one of Hawaii's own, Honolulu Police Officer Steve Favela, lost his life in the line of duty protecting our Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush), to become a continuum of the ODMP light. That light is in the form of an ODMP tribute. People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, profession, education, and geographical location can share here. That "LIGHT" comes from within the heart and soul of every person who cares to share a word or two on behalf of each and every fallen officer. Every fallen officer is an hero. The ODMP; Officer Down Memorial Page gives us a place to come together and share our feelings as one family. May we find comfort as we give comfort to the families who have lost a loved one.

As we say in Hawaii, “We are`Ohana.” We are family. God Bless this fallen hero. May we embrace him as one of our own family member; our `Ohana. No one will ever be able to replace you for you were unique and very special. No one; not in this lifetime. May God allow you to rest in His Divine peace.

Police Officer Dennis Shuck, I wish you, your loved ones, your fellow officers, and friends, peace and love beyond all understanding.

--- May this Hawaiian prayer give all those who read it comfort. ---

THE PEACE OF " I "
KA MALUHIA O KA "I"

Peace be with you, All My Peace,
O ka Maluhia no me oe, Ku'u Maluhia a pau loa,

The Peace that is " I ", the Peace that is "I am".
Ka Maluhia o ka "I", owau no ka Maluhia,

The Peace for always, now and forever and evermore.
Ka Maluhia no na wa a pau, no ke'ia wa a mau a mau loa aku.

My Peace " I " give to you, My Peace " I " leave with you,
Ha'awi aku wau I ku'u Maluhia ia oe, waiho aku wau I ku'u Maluhia me oe,

Not the world's Peace, but, only My Peace,
The Peace of " I ".

A'ole ka Maluhia o ke ao aka, ka'u Maluhia wale no,
Ka Maluhia o ka "I".

Moana V.C. Molale (Private Citizen)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

January 9, 2007

Dennis, this is tha second reflection i have left you. you were a great friend, and i was so excited to see you marry kathy on tha 16th of september this year. Im sorry i never got to. You were like another dad to me, you were always there for me, but you were also a best friend. Every one you met, you were nice to, even if they had done something wrong in there life you still treated them with respect. Now a few short days before you passed away, i had told you i want to be a police officer and i remember your faicial expression still, it was like, whoa a kid who acts like this wants to be a cop, im sorry for tha ways i had acted, me and your almost step son werent tha brightest.
but when im a cop i hope i can be at least half as good a cop that you were. i always looked up to you, in guidence and for choices. i still look up to you, but now for your bravery. im sorry such a bad thing had to happen to such a good guy like you. rest in peace dennis. we all luv ya...

scotty chesser
friend and close family friend

December 26, 2006

Miss you a bunch my dear friend.
Thinking of you and your family as the holiday season nears. May God bless.



Mary Robison
Fla. friend

Mary Robison
friend

November 26, 2006

It sounds like thunder far away, but the skies are blue and bright...And soon they crest the hill nearby, and ride into our sight. They shake the ground with powerful sound, and they make some hearts beat fast...They look so proud and noble, like knights come from the past.

Side by side, they always ride, and seem to move as one... from early in the morning light, to the setting of the sun. And children point and wave to them, from cars that pass them by...and young ones ask their parents, why the men have mirrors for eyes.

They ride the roads, and fight for good, and defend small ones like you...they ask to ride, and do with pride, and sometimes they are few. Like men of steel, on silver wings, they sparkle in the light...then with a roar and rumble, they ride out of our sight.

Sometimes when one has fallen, never to ride again...you can hear the others calling, like thunder on the wind. Side by side, they always ride, and their thunder is a mournful sound...and the mirrors hide their eyes from us, when teardrops fall to ground.

So if you see one riding, and you look into his face...you see your reflection in his eyes, you know that you are safe. For motormen are a special breed, they love to ride the wind...and when you hear the thunder boom, the fallen ones ride again.

From one motorman to another...God Bless & God Speed!

Cpl Keith VanValkenburgh
Dearborn Heights PD (MI)

November 9, 2006

hey dennis, you were a great cop, a good friend and a good all around person. i miss you being around to tell every- body right from wrong.

scotty chesser
friend/ stepsons close friend

October 20, 2006

My heartfelt condolences go out to Dennis Shuck's family, friends, and fellow officers. I motored many shifts with Dennis. He was truly a friend to all he met. I will miss him.

Dale Bratton
Retired Cheyenne Police Officer

October 11, 2006

To Travis, Holly, Steph, and all of Dennis's family & friends.

We are so sorry for your loss. We thank you for your support to your father as he helped to make our town a safer place to live. You are blessed to have had him in your life. His memory will live on in you forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Hugh & Pat Williams
Friends of Travis & Holly Shuck

September 20, 2006

Although I never knew you officer Shuck, I am thankful for the service you provided to our Country and the citizens of Cheyenne. God Bless you, and rest in peace.

Bret Daniels
former USAF Security Ploice/Family friend

September 11, 2006

A little over 12 years ago he took the time to encourage me to do better while I was working out to attend WLEA. I remember his words of encouragement and know he was an inspiration to many officers. Thanks

Sgt Laramie Crowder
Fremont County Sherff's Department

September 10, 2006

Rest in peace Brother Skycop. My prayers go out to your family, friends and co-workers. God-Bless, Sam Bell Jr

Sam Bell Jr
Former Sgt, USAF Security Police

September 9, 2006

You are in my prayers.

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

September 7, 2006