Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's been over a month and I still cry when I think about it. I miss you very much - miss your antics, your humor, your enthusiasm for EVERYTHING! I know you are with Jesus and you are having a blast as usual - I don't pray for you - I know where you are, and I know you are safe and happy with Christ. But I pray for your parents, and Katelyn and Wyatt and Drew. I pray that God will bless them with so much that although they will always be sad you are not here - they will be unbelievably happy in all the good things God will send their way. I know I will see you again someday soon.

For everyone out there who reads this - you must be here because you knew Dan or somehow you felt connected to his story. Take it one step further and get connected to God. Like Dan did. God bless!

ML - come visit soon!

carol
officer's wife

February 5, 2007

Dear Officer Bessant,

I'm currently going to PCPA, I'm in the senior class right now. I've read many stories about you, from the time of you being a cadet, to you becoming a great officer. I've always wanted to be a cop since I was little, and also a superhero, but only one pays the bills. I would watch cops on tv and get all excited. Any time I would see a cop up close, it felt to me like seeing a movie star, or someone famous. I live here in Oceanside, and when I heard what had happened my heart broke. I wanted to attend your service, but that same day I was back at home at my grandmother's service. You were also in my thoughts that day. Although I never met you, I feel that I lost a hero I could have learned from. I know you are watching over your brothers and sisters though, and maybe one day you will be watching over me too. I decided to apply with OPD because of you. Guess we will see where my path takes me. I just hope I can make as much as a positive impact with my life as you did where ever I may go. Rest easy now knowing that others are coming to follow in your footsteps. Bless you and all those who miss you. Watch over Class #15 as they make their journey this year in your memory.

Respectfully,
Cadet Vanessa Rocha
Class #14
"PRIDE IS FOREVER"

Cadet Rocha V.
Palomar College Police Academy

February 2, 2007

You will never be forgotten.... heros never are. From what I can tell in the reflections left, you were an amazing person filled with life and laughter. A friend of mine, an officer in a neighboring department, has become quieter and more serious since your passing. I know she's concentrating on her job and fellow officer's safety more than ever. I can feel the difference in her presence.

January 31, 2007

Danny Boy! You kept the faith and the spirit of what it was to be a good copper! RIP Brother! Chowda

January 29, 2007

Dan,

Man, I sure remember that smile and that sense of humor. I found out about what happened only minutes after it happened. I found out because, as you know, the Oceanside Police Department is still my family, as it is still yours. You were a part of one of the tightest, most loving, families that anyone could ever ask to be a part of. I miss you, and I miss my OPD family.

Shirl, keep your head up. Dan is missed, but will always be remembered. As I sit here in my squad car in Lafayette, IN, tears are running down my face. Dan, Tony, too much loss in such a short period of time. I ache to be able to talk to you all.

Dan was strong and smart, and he fell to a cheap shot. Y'all know that things would have been different had this foolish kid faced him like a man. Ease your hearts knowing that Dan was fighting to make this World a better place, for you, me, and even that punk that shot him.

Koss, Levandowski, Bellefeuille, Smith, Weese, Cosby, Lyons, Bowman, MS Brown, Markham, Garcia, Ellgard....I love and miss all my O'side brothers and sisters.

Be Safe,
ML

Officer Mike Brown (ML)
OPD/LPD

January 27, 2007

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

Aloha Officer Dan Bessant,
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; a keeper 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.

This "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 a hero. The ODMP; Officer Down Memorial Page gives us a place to come together and share our feelings as one family. May we find solace as we give solace to the families who have lost a loved one.

Officer Dan Bessant, God Bless you. You are a hero. As we say in Hawaii, “You are`Ohana.” “You are Family.” 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. I wish you, your loved ones, and your fellow officers, peace and love beyond all understanding. I honor you today. You have not been forgotten.

** 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
Kahu La`a Kea (Keeper of the Sacred Light)

January 22, 2007

Dan, it's been two months but of course, seems like yesterday. It doesn't get any easier. I think about you every day and I can't imagine what your family must be going through. As I read the reflections left for you I know that Richie and Jonathan are in such pain and it breaks my heart. You guys were so close and I have no idea how you're going to reach them right now... but I know you will. We miss you Dan... I've been telling stories about your cadet days at the desk and it makes me smile and laugh and cry, all at the same time. I can just hear you now, watching us all cry and miss you so much, and you're there with Tony and Jesus and you're saying, "it's all good!" and we're just not listening.... I'll try harder... but I do miss you so very much.

Shirl

January 21, 2007

well dan- as hoover already said you missed an awesome trip to wyoming. it did help to get away from all the stress here, but it didnt help to come back home. boy was it cold although we both loved the cold. i couldnt feel any of my limbs until i got back home and was able to thaw out in bed. snowmobiling with buffalos staring at you from a foot away was pretty scary. i think they wanted to eat me or at least charge me. i stayed strong just thinking they were a giant steak with legs and huge horns. hoover was gonna touch one as we drove by. thank god he didnt cause i was behind him and would have had to use my aflac. we also went snowboarding and it made me realize how much i hate snowboarding. its cold and boring but i did eat a bison burger while at the slopes. well dude i miss you and wish you were here to make me laugh at something stupid.

richie scaggs
opd

January 20, 2007

My thoughts and prayers go out to this officer his family and friends.

Ryan
LawEnforcementForum.com

January 19, 2007

You are loved and missed by your family, friends, and co-workers, Dan. I'm so sorry you had to make the ultimate sacrifice, but am grateful that you were willing to do so by going out there on the streets of Oceanside every day to protect us. Thank you for your bravery, professionalism, and for brightening so many lives with your wit and sense of humor. You left this world a much better place by having been in it. Rest in Peace.

Monique Stevens
former FET, OPD

January 19, 2007

Dan... i hope your not wasting your heaven time checking emails and reading web pages... so im writing this just to say it.. cause i know you have watched it all happen.

12/20/06 6:30 i walked into pizza port for my birthday celebration... never knowing what was happening a few miles away. than drew walked in and told us that an Oceanside Cop was shot.. we talked about what if it was you.. never knowing it was.

Dan i did interviews with the news but i was so tired and worn out i looked homeless, but still hopeful a modeling agency was gonna call.. they havnt

the friends hung out at Henneseeys a few nights later... man what a reunion party. everyone was there.. wally, richie, joe nasty.. it was good to see everyone. but when i left that night i was deeply saddened because you wernt there to hang out. Than i went home and turned on the news grabbed Rylie and curled up on the couch to see your pic and the news anchor was actually saying bessant correctly.. than it all hit me... i cried for a while, while my brain flashed memories we had shard together..

From us driving to occotillo in the comanche with no rear window, to us breaking down on crenshaw blvd at 4:30 am when i had to be at work by 9. The countless hours of you watching me fix your truck. the adventures that ended up with us using our AAA card to tow us 100 miles while we figured out what to do, or the time you told sean and me you hated us for waking you at 5:00 am with a bull horn. SO many stories.

i heard it from someone and couldnt have said it better.
dan you lived 25 yrs but it would take 50 to tell all your stories.

I went to the viewing of your body... which was very good for me, because with out your spirit, your larger than life stories, and jumping around while opening your eyes as large as they could go, your body was just a shell, with a really bad hair do. And you wernt there.. which made me happy. knowing your in heaven, laughing, listening to stories, fishing with the Man, and being comfortable in the place most of our time together we loved to talk about.

Dan i miss you tons.. i would give anything right now for Rylie and i to go drive the loop with you and Wyatt.. miss you so much... but i will see you again, i just have some more work down here to finish up first..

love ya brother
Brock Beeson

Brock Beeson
Good Friend

January 19, 2007

Well, Richie and I just got back from Wyoming and you would have loved it! I thought about you a lot while we were there even though the point was to get away and take our minds off things. You definitely would have loved the snowmobiling through Yellowstone and going nose to snout with several heards of buffalo, snowboarding and laying around in a hotel room watching TV and screwing around with friends; definitely right up your alley. You would have been proud of Richie...he drove the whole way there and all but (2) hours back.

Coming home was a much harsher wake up call than I expected though...I stopped part way down the street and almost couldn't make it to the cul-de-sac. I grabbed your mail and checked your house...still the same as when I left it...I watched a clip on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N9mAE8aD0g) it was a tribute for all the California cops killed this year, I was hoping that December would come and go in the video without you there...but of course that's just denial. It made me wonder though, if there is no sadness in Heaven, I wonder what it's like for you looking down at us in our tears. I guess maybe you just have the joy that we will be with you soon, maybe you can explain it to me one of these days. I miss you terribly...we all do.

Off. Jonathan Hoover
Friend and OHPD

January 18, 2007

Dan,
Just wanted to let you know I think about you every morning and pray for you, your family, and friends every night. (I'm sure you already know all this). It's almost been a month since you left and it still doesn't seem real. The only thing that seems to comfort me is knowing that you were a Christian and you're with the Lord right now watching over your loved ones. That and imagining all your crazy adventures that you've probably already been on. Rest easy...


PS: I'm sure you already know this too, but Zoe forgot to tell you... The other night Zoe and Richard dedicated a star in your honor, "Danny's Star." It's the brightest one just to the right of Orion's belt... a perfect match! We all already know you're up there looking over all of us, but it's nice to look up at night, see that star, and think of you!

Stephanie Hernandez

January 17, 2007

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 Bessant, especially to his wife. 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 reflections left for Dan, 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 Dan's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Dan's life was about so much more than the way he died. Dan will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Bessant, 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 late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been four years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

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

January 17, 2007

Danny,
The days are not any easier, and everyday my tears just flow since you were taken from us. I miss you and love you so much! Through all the years of being with you and Richie, you know how much you mean to Richard and I. You became our son too. The family trips to San Quiten, Las Vegas and out on the boat will always be cherished. I miss your jokes and you just telling me "what's up." You have to know this...last Sunday Richard went to church with me! I would love to hear what you are saying about that, hey it's a start!! Richie and your boat will one day have Wyatt fishing off of it. You know all of your friends will show him the way you fished. Danny I miss you with all my heart.
Love, Zoe

Zoe Scaggs
family friend

January 17, 2007

I didn't personaly know Officer Bassant. I lived in Oceanside, Ca while in the Marine Corps. I was an MP with MP Company and worked with the Oceanside Police Department several different times. I am currently a Police Officer in Ohio. I am sorry for your loss. God bless your department and his family, you will both be in my prayers.

Officer Korey Kaufman
NLPD, Ohio

Officer Korey Kaufman

January 14, 2007

After reading your other reflections that people who know you have left, it seeems that I can somewhat see the man you are. I am sorry my brother that someone took you from this world of hell, but now you are in a world of grace. I too have a small child, and I know you will look over your son just like I would my own. Rest my brother, and we'll carry the watch fron here.

Detective Brian Jackson
Pooler Police Department

January 11, 2007

Officer Bessant, what a disgusting situation. This stupid kid not only ruined his life at such a young age, he robbed the City of Oceanside, the Law Enforcement family and most importantly, YOUR family of such a fine young man with so many prospects. Your wife and child however have not truly lost you. You will always be there for them.

God Bless and may you Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

January 11, 2007

OFFICER BESSANT,
FIRST OFF I WANT TO THANK YOU AS A RESIDENT OF OCEANSIDE. YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR DUTIES AND UNSELFISH DESIRE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. YOU PROTECT A CITY IN WHICH I AM RAISING MY CHILDREN, AND THOUGH YOUR PHYSICAL SERVISES ARE NO MORE I STILL FEEL A LITTLE SAFER KNOWING YOU SERVED AS HONORABLY AS YOU DID. I AM A CADET AT PALOMAR COLLEGE POLICE ACADEMY AND THE CLASS THAT JUST CAME ON DECK IS HONORING YOUR MEMORY, I AM SURE WHERE YOU ARE YOU KNOW THIS AND YOU SEE IT. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOUR SACRIFICES WILL NOT GO FORGOTTEN. I PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND I WISH YOUR FAMILY ALL OF THE BEST.

ANTONIO YBARRA
PALOMAR COLLEGE POLICE ACADEMY

January 11, 2007

Sir, your service will never be forgotten. Rest easy now, Brother.

Deputy
Michigan

January 11, 2007

Dan:

I never had the pleasure of meeting you, yet I feel as if I knew you. I heard so many hilarious stories about you from your brother Drew, my son-in-law Scott, but the best ones came from your mother. You were and are indeed loved by many!

On behalf of the community I would like to thank you and all the police officers everywhere who lay their lives on the line each time they "suit up" so that we may sleep peacefully at night. The courage it takes is beyond impressive. Make no mistake, you were a hero not because you gave your life to protect us . . . you became a hero the day you made the decision to become a police officer, later when you were sworn in, and each and everyday moment of your life after that. We all recognize your heroism and say "thank you".

To Steve and Jeanne - you "did it right" - it is obvious that you raised Danny to love God, his family, and his community - a job well done!!! I pray each day that God will bring both of you, and Katelyn and Wyatt, comfort and peace.

Roma Olberding
family friend

January 11, 2007

Dan-

Im writing you without knowing what to say. But knowing that your a brother of mine in Law Enforcement gives me courage to finds words. From what I hear, you and I are very similar. Similar in the sense that we shared a common dream. A dream to make a City a better place for people to live. A place where kids can play in the park without any worries. A place free of crime. We wanted to create our own Utopia for people to dwell. Its a dream that most cops share. One that can only be acheived by sacrificing so much. Working late nights. Getting off work and seeing our loved ones for 5 minutes in the moring before they have to go to work. Saying good morning to our children as they say goodnight to us. Its not an easy trek. But we have chosen this path because we DREAM for a better place to live in. Dan, you were taken to soon. You have impacted so many people only in positive ways. You have saved lives. Instead of weaping with sorry, i now shed tears of joy because we can carry on where you left off. I know for a fact that you are patrolling the streets of heaven this moment. Its a shame though, you may find yourself with more downtime up there to catch up on some paperwork you may have left down here. I hear theres not much crime up there. Dan, You have found your UTOPIA. Be sure to save a spot for me. There is a man up there in Heaven, He answers to the name of Issac Espinoza. Do me a favor, tell him hi for me. Im sure you guys would get a long just fine. Watch out though. Issac is a 49ers fan. Just let him know the Chargers are going to the super bowl this year. I wanted to tell you another great thing Dan. Your family is going to be in great hands. There are so many people looking out after them. On another note. It was brought to my attention that Palomar College Police Academy Class 15, will be dedicating their class to you. This is a very good privelage to them. Im sure you are aware of the efforts that were put together for Tony by class 13. Well expect no less buddy. I am at a point now where i want to do anything i can to help out too. Shannon Dreyer will be leading troops of probably 30+ cadets to carry on your legacy. Like i said, your family will be in good hands. Dan, Continue to motivate people, Continue to be a shining light for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Most of all Dan, Continue to watch over all your brothers in blue. Us guys in the tan and greens wouldnt mind some extra eyes either. hahahahaah. Dan, Watch over your family too. God bless you, your wife, your little baby, your mom, your dad, Drew and any other brothers and sisters you may have. With all my love and Respect brother!!

Deputy Eric Dunn
San Diego County Sheriffs Dept.

January 10, 2007

Please accept my condolences for the lost of Officer Bessant, you and your family will be in my prayers.
rest in peace and may God wrap his arms around your wife and son to comfort them.

sgt. jorgensen
sherburn/welcome police

January 10, 2007

To the Officers, Friends and Co-Workers of Officer Bessant-God Bless each of you, every minute of the day. Dan is an Angel in Blue, but I know so very missed by those who were touched by his dedication and love. Keep the streets safe and God Speed. To his family, you must be so proud to have raised such a wonderful, selfless man. God Bless.
Colorado Springs Officer's Mom

Mother of a Colo Springs Detective
CSPD

January 10, 2007

Dan
though i did not know you and lived hundred of miles apart
but we have one thing in common we are brothers we are Cops

your brothers everywhere will carry on with your work untill our calling comes

don't stand at my grave and weep
i am not here i do not sleep. i am walking Heaven's beat

Dan you and your family are in prayer
God bless you brotherand / partner, and bless your family

detective Tony Zananiri # 108
Salt River Police Department Scottsdale Arizona

January 10, 2007