Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Buddy- Well its almost your birthday and it needs to be celebrated. I was thinking a putt putt day like we used to do or even a late night trip at 1 am to laughlin. heck I might even go to Texas for the 72 ounce steak but I need to condition before I attempt to tackle that thing. Im sure the best event will come to mind to celebrate your birthday. I still tell all the exaggerated stories to new people i meet and all they can say was you guys were crazy. Talk to you later!

RICHIE SCAGGS
opd

September 30, 2007

Hey Bud,

I haven't written in a while, but your name is synonomous with my daily life! In some strange way, you'd think that over time that very empty feeling that is left in your heart when you loose someone so near and dear, would be filled with the peace, joy and the understanding that the eternal life they are experiencing is so much more full & abundant than this earthly one! But it is my experience that it isn't quite that cut and dry! Some day's are easier than others, but overall...the reality is, that all of the day's before today are memories! Since you have joined the Lord in His heavenly home (which according to Rev 21, is quite a place!)Deb & Grandma Tanaka have joined you, I can only imagine what it is like :) I am sure you all are celebrating your new lives together. I am grateful for that. Everyone I personally knew that is there with you had a lot to offer! So I am sure you are having fun!

On another note, things are going well here. Wyatt is a charmer :)Things are going well with the planning the 5K, I've said it before...it's something that I pray will honor your name and be a blessing to all that attend & have stepped up and out to make it happen. I am one of those people with a fairly detailed memory, so when a date comes up I think of whos birthday it might be...so, you and Tony are going to be celebrating birthday's together real quick like and I hope you have a great time! Wyatt is also celebrating one soon and everyone here will make sure he has a great time too! What a precious 1 year old :)you have!

Thanks for continuing to listen, I think writing helps my heart heal,...little by little! I don't know if it will ever completely heal...your loss has been different for me than any other...the Lord is the only one who knows why that is, but I will take it and believe that it is another stepping stone in the "Preparation" chapter of the Book of Life, understanding that everything has a purpose.

I am excited to write again and share with you how great the 5K turned out and who won the cool Silent Auction prize we've been blessed with to give away :) I will make sure that the day is full of smiles and not tears, as I know you wouldn't want that! We'll talk again soon!

Warmly,

Tamara :)

Tamara Sarracino
OPD Wife & Friend

September 29, 2007

Danny,
It has been a few months since I left a post but I still view this site nightly. December is fast approaching and I will be torn by mixed emotions. Ten days after the one year anniversary of your ultimate sacrifice I will be hanging up the gun belt and putting away the motor boots for the last time. I know you would have hated to arrive at that day in your own career but I have been looking forward to it, particularly since you were taken from us. I'm tired and still find it impossible to understand how such an inspirational shining light could be taken so unfairly. I feel tremendous guilt over the war stories I told as you were growing up, which might have influenced you to seek a law enforcement career. Intellectually I realize you would have done it anyway but that does not ease my conscience. I also feel guilt for not having the drive and love for the job that you did but you were a one in a million cop, father, husband, son, brother and friend. Most of us would come up short in comparison. Rest easy my friend and enjoy the greatest adventure you have ever embarked on. It is just a shame you can’t tell us about it.

Frank
SAPD

September 23, 2007

Hey Dan,

I know you were looking down at all of us the other night at the Padres game in your honor and I hope you were proud of all the support by the people who love you and miss you.

Your family and friends remain the most honorable and inspirational people I have ever met, especially your parents and Katelyn. It was great to meet Drew and some other members of your family. It shows, firsthand, what an amazing family you have and how pivotal you were in that family...and still are.

Things are going well and the momentum for our fallen officer foundation is going strong. Thanks again for being such a huge part of what has made this endeavor as successful as it has become.

It must be absolutely amazing up there. Please give my mom a hug for me when you can, she's a rookie up there in heaven too.

Thanks, brother.

Officer Damian Jackson
Escondido PD / Palomar Police Academy

September 22, 2007

Dan,

I often look up on the visor of my truck and see your OPD badge that class 15 puts on thier uniforms and I think of you and your family. I know your probably on the job up there right now, watching over those down here keeping them safe, giving them hope and the spirit to keep going. You and yours are always in my prayers. Take care brother!

SSgt Jeremiah Wilke
United States Marine Corps

September 21, 2007

Dan you were a great man and a good officer.

Spc. Stephen D. Cosby
son of fellow officer

September 20, 2007

"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

September 20, 2007

Cupcake,

I was just reading Jon's story about the shark and can only wonder what you would have done. I can see it now. Danny Boy trying to grab the tiger or shark be the tail because he knows how to hanlde these biters. I have to laugh just thinking about it.

I still see those eyes. Man kid you are hard to forget. We did our best and I am sure you are proud of what we did.

Your Friend
Jeff

Sergeant Jeff Brandt
OPD

September 13, 2007

Danny Boy,
So I'm sitting here on my last day off before I get back to the thrilling adventures of day-watch...I think days off are the worst, those are the days I really miss you. At work I can just tell myself that you're on a different shift, but at home I would at least catch you in passing. At home we would at least have a few minutes to bounce things off each other about what's going on in life. Kinda gets back to that conversation we had hundreds of times about how we have tons of friends but not many people we can actually talk to, and even fewer that can straighten us out. Well anyway, enough of that...

On another note, we just got back from a short trip to Napa. You would have had a blast going up there...we must have consumed about 10 grand worth of fancy expensive wine all for free. We explored a small 120,000 sq. ft. castle including the dungeon, torture chamber and caves. We went to a barrel making factory and toured the distilleries of a couple wineries...it was pretty awesome. Probably nothing compared to what you're seeing but I'll be there someday and you can show me all the best parts of Heaven.

By the way, they gave your phone number away to some old lady, I didn't bother to ask her name but we'll just call her Hilda. Creepy thing is that Hilda called back a couple minutes after I hung up on her...I ignored the call and hid under my bed...hopefully she's not after me now...

Off. Jonathan Hoover
Friend and OHPD

September 12, 2007

Yo Buddy- How's it going? Well for me Im going through what you did when you bought your first house and wondering how to make ends meet with our traveling lifestyles. Boy do I hate bills now. It was so easy only worrying about a couple bills but now it really sucks. Thank God for credit cards! Instant money is just a swipe away. No wonder thats all you carried. I also just got done taking some pictures of a trailer ball hitch Todd had made and put on his truck. Its pretty sweet!

RICHIE SCAGGS
OPD

September 7, 2007

Officer Bessant,

I wanted to take a minute to show my appreciation for the sacrifice that you made for your family, friends, and community. I am just beginning my long journey into the law enforcement field and I want to say thank you for the example that you set and the reputation that you carry. So many officers carry on about your attitude,work ethic and overall presence that you brought to work each day when you put on the uniform. It is my goal to follow the example that you have left. To create a legacy for myself that I can be proud of at the end of the day and you are what I am going to strive to be Sir. When times get tough or the will to push on gets weak, I will think of you sir, and you will be my motivation. Thank you for serving proudly and reminding me why I want to be in this profession and what kind of individual I should strive to be. May god bless you

Very Respectfully,
Recruit David Wettstead
PCPA Class #16

Cadet David Wettstead
PCPA Class 16

August 26, 2007

Danny,
Day after day... this does not get any better, it only hurts more and gets worst. We miss you so much, and love you with all our hearts.

Zoe Scaggs
Best Friends Mother

August 20, 2007

Hey- Your dad called me last night. Hadn't talked to him in a couple of weeks. Well he said he was on here and read my comment about the river incident and just had to find out what exactly happened. So I told him and we laughed hard about it and of course we got into the all night shower story with all your clothes on. We had a few laughs and started planning a BBQ with the salmon I caught. I wish I could say things are getting better but they are just getting worse without you here. Life as I know it has forever changed. Miss ya buddy!

RICHIE SCAGGS
OPD

August 10, 2007

Dan,

Sitting here thinking about you as I watch the news and OPD's dilligence in obtaining justice on your behalf....(Operation Bloodhound). Although it won't bring you back, it will take the thugs off of the street. Dan Bessant night with the San Diego Padres (Sept 17th) is just around the corner and we are selling tickets to get as many people to the game as possible. I think about you and your family often. May God watch over all those missing you.

Blessings to all,

Shanon Dreyer
Palomar College Police Academy

August 10, 2007

Danny Boy,
So I was checking a boat coming in at the launch ramp the other night and I wish you would have been there to laugh with me. They killed a whole bunch of fish and brought in a decent shark...they didn't have a gun so the shark was still alive and we were trying to figure out what they could use to bludgen it so they could get it in the boat and go home. It was fun running around while this thing kept trying to get a little nibble of JonMeat. I was just picturing the IOD form, "How could this injury have been prevented?" Your boy looks good, I guess he's really taken to the pool, just like his pops. Miss you buddy.

Off. Jonathan Hoover
Friend and OHPD

August 9, 2007

Dan, just sitting here in dispatch answering all kinds of crazy calls. I was just imaging what you would think of some of them. You always did know how to make me laugh. Well, the boys and I are off on a 2 wk adventure...Gonna do a little white water rafting and hiking...Got me thinking of the stories you used to tell of your trips...Not a day goes my that I don't think about you, or your family...You will always be a part of us...Somehow, it just does not feel right that you are not here with us...Well, I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you...Gotta go now....May God Bless you and watch over you!!!

CSO Toni Epps
Oceanside Police Dept

August 3, 2007

miss ya bud

brock
friend

July 30, 2007

Dan we all salute you!! We will continue to walk the gap in your name, in Tony's name, and all others that passed before us. You will never be forgotten and your death will never be in vain. I want you to know you give me strength every time I go 10-8. Thank you!!!

Officer Loran Bailey
Carlsbad Police Department

July 27, 2007

Hey dude, I was thinking about you this last weekend as I do most days...Chris and I were out surfing in Carlsbad, the waves were super small and we ended up just floating on our boards outside and BSing when we realized we hadn't caught a wave in like half an hour. We joked about how that was your favorite part of surfing...just floating around out on the water with friends, wish we could still paddle out with you. Miss you now more than ever...just keeps getting worse the more it becomes real in my mind...the more I realize that I'm not just saving up stories for a couple weeks so I can tell you when I see you at the house...hopefully I can remember all the stories for someday when I see you 'upstairs'.

Off. Jonathan Hoover
Friend and OHPD

July 26, 2007

HEY BUDDY- I WAS JUST THINKING HERE AT WORK THAT ITS ALREADY BEEN 7 MONTHS....IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY. IVE BEEN ON SEVERAL ADVENTURES IN THESE SEVEN MONTHS BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUPER ADVENTURES WITH YOU SITTING SHOTGUN OR VISA VERSA. AND I KNOW YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO OR AT LEAST SAW THE RIVER INCIDENT UP IN ALASKA! I JUST WISHED I COULD HAVE SEEN THAT. I KNEW YOU WERE STILL UP TO YOUR SHINANAGANS. MISS YA MAN AND I STILL CANT BELIEVE YOU ARE GONE, BUT LOOKING AT THE PICTURES EVERYWHERE SAYS OTHERWISE.

RICHIE SCAGGS
OPD

July 20, 2007

Hey Dan,
Just thinking about you brother. Well I got married. Wish I could of went out to California one last time and done another ride-a-long with you. I know you are doing well in Heaven. Sorry I didnt call more. Anyway. Just wanted to say another hello to my friend. Take care brother.

Deputy James Gehris
Collier County Sheriffs Office

July 17, 2007

Danny,
Slow night...alot of time to think...just read Tamara's note about the walk she's organizing and it reminded me of all those academy runs. HAHA, remember how I would fall back and run with you telling the T.O.'s that I was just trying to motivate you but really I was just taking it easy not getting yelled at up front with everyone else. HA! And remember on the first day when we were running in and out of the classroom and the top level was freshly mopped...well, you remember what happened.

It's so strange still, don't know if that'll ever change...I think I'll go home after shift and have a cocktail in the cul-de-sac like we used to do after a long night. Miss you...home and work just aren't the same...

Off. Jonathan Hoover
Friend and OHPD

July 17, 2007

Hey Bud,

What an inspiration your legacy continues to be each day...I saw Katelyn and Wyatt a few weeks ago and that boy is the GREATEST most kissable and huggable LOVE! What a gift!!! Well in case you haven't heard :) I am in the midst of planning this 5K Walk/Run in your honor...Don't worry it is a Non-Competative thing :) Everyone will be a Winner!! We are well aware that you were not a runner :) Anyway, it is going well and most of all I want to share with you how incredible it has been to see how the community has come together to help me and there is the most WONDERFUL GROUP of people that are working together to make it happen with me as well, the list is long!! This simple,heartfelt vision I had to do something to benefit the future well being of Katelyn and Wyatt has become way bigger than any of us and it is just one more way for people to express their feeling about how much you really meant to them! We miss you so very much, but you are still working in so many special ways in the hearts and lives of people right here on earth! May the Lord continue to Richly Bless You and the lives of everyone you touched and loved so much! We'll keep you posted on how things are going with the 5K Planning. 'Till Then! Love You!

Tamara Sarracino - Friend
OPD Wife

July 14, 2007

Danny,
Hey bud, been thinking about you constantly. Just got back from Nicaragua...can't tell you how much you still influence me everyday in the things that I do. Living from one adventure to the next and working just to get the next one.

Hope you got to see some of the trip, it was awesome and very relaxing...much needed. I miss you buddy~

Off.
Friend and OHPD

July 9, 2007

Hey Danny. It's been a while since I've been here. I just wanted to let you know that I applied with Border Patrol and I'm about to apply with SDPD. I'm finally catching up to you. I had really looked forward to eventually getting to work with you, and I'm really bummed that that didn't get to happen. I miss you and think about you every day.

Tim
family friend

July 7, 2007