Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Sgt.
Just wanted to stop by and say Hi. Another month has now passed, it still doesn't seem real. Carolyn and I were at Beef's on Tuesday, it was kinda funny she looked at me and said she had thought about you alot that day, and so had I. (It was 9/11) We all still think about you and when crazy stuff around her happens I think Heath would have loved to be right in the middle of this. Well I'm going to go for now, because I am starting to ramble on. Miss you and love ya. Watch over us.

Kristi
HMPD

September 13, 2007

Heath,
Yesterday marked 8 months since you were taken from Hope Mills to be with our lord and savior. I still miss you so much! I find myself thinking of the times we all gathered at the "Stop-n-Rob", simply by accident. Everyone chit-chatting and telling jokes....falling on the floor laughing out loud....I recall the stories about how you entertained your friends at some infamous "parties"....lol! Such a tragic loss to this community!! I know you're thought of everywhere and by so many people.....funny thing....I was headed to work at the Valley working night shift....12 long hours....I stopped by Starbucks for a cup of "high-dollar" Java...lol as I sat in my car waiting my turn, I began to read a bumper sticker on the SUV in front of me.....it was all about you Heath! I read every word over and over again....I, none the less had you on my mind for a while after that....I believe we're all put here on earth for a reason. I've no idea what those reasons are. I do know this to be true you get out of life exactly what you put into life, might as well do it right and make it count for something positive! That being said, you're life has counted for far more than you'll ever know...people from all over talk about you and cry because they miss you...You're life was short but so positive! Be proud Heath...you have left a mark on many people's lives and a big empty space in this messed up world! God needed you back for whatever reason....he was gracious enough to let us know you for a time...of which I'm so grateful! I'll never forget you! In loving memory of a true hero! Rest in peace...Sandra B

Sandra B
Friend

September 12, 2007

Hey Heath,

Another month has come and gone and It still feels surreal. I miss you everyday and think about you constantly. I've had a really hard time lately and I'm trying to keep it all together. I relied on you so much for everything. I love you Heath , always will.

September 9, 2007

Hey there Heath....just wanted to say I miss ya and have been thinkin bout ya tonight...not that your ever very far from my thoughts but this week has been a lil crazy and workin with A platoon...well you know what I mean. I'm sure your up there with that infectious grin on your face lookin down and just shakin your head!! Your forever in my heart and I thank God every day that He crossed our path's so that I had the honor and privilage to know you. Talk to ya later. Melinda

September 8, 2007

Hey, it's me again! I just wanted to let you know that i was thinking about you. I speak to you everyday through prayer and I wanted to thank you for listening. Please continue to give me strength and conitnue to be the friend that you were always so good at being. When times are down you always knew how to put a smile on my face. I am desperately in need of that. Thanks my Brother and keep in touch. RIP

Alex A.

September 5, 2007

May God comfort all your family, friends and co-workers.
Heros are never forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

September 2, 2007

Heath, I will never forget you! Thank you for always putting a smile on my face, and the great conversations we had when I got home from work or went to throw out the trash or about how much you knew that my grass was better than yours! HA! You are a true friend. As back then, I still come to you for guidance on how to better situations. I know that you are looking over me here in Afghan. and giving me the strength to deal with the my current situations. Please continue to give me guidance. Thanks for just being YOU! I know that the girls thought that you left them and were supposed to look over them but remind them that you NEVER left! You are always protecting them and I thank you! See you in due time Mr. APE MAN!!! ALEX

Alex A.

September 2, 2007

Hello Heath.I love reading all these great things people wrote about you. We didn't know you long but for the time we did, we sure enjoyed it and learned a lot. He loved to talk to you and see you to the APE MAN!I will never forget, he could not stop laughing! You taught him a lot and he looked up to you. I spent your birthday with your beautiful family and it was a great feeling. Wish you were here but I know you are in a much better place! Later big brother!- Back cave :)

August 31, 2007

Jus me.. I cant get you off my mind. If there was ever a time I needed you, it's now. I miss you so much and wish you were here. I was cleaning tonight and I was looking at all of our pictures of us, family and friends. I just wanted to go outside and scream. I didn't cause the neighbors would think I was crazy. I wanted to get in my car and drive , but I couldn't. The kids have school and I have a paper due tomorrow. Life is moving so fast and I can't seem to keep up. All of these firsts are killing me. Your birthday,first day of school without you. This is by far the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. I just don't understand. Why us ? Just isn't fair. I don't know if I will ever understand. Give me guidance and some strength . I need it .

August 30, 2007

Heath, I hope you had a Happy Birthday! Maybe you and my dad ran into each other and celebrated. He thought the world of you. Hopefully you both had a big cake and wished one another Happy Birthday while we all celebrated with you. We moved out to Gray's Creek and Jake is going to school with Mason now and Seth is at Gray's Creek Middle. Stacy is still helping with both boy's and their sports, you know that was his passion. You were such a great and funloving person!! We miss you everyday!

Kim
Friend

August 29, 2007

Howdy Heath,

I was going through some pictures a few days ago and low and behold I found one of you I took at the infamous "Stop-N-Rob" lol....It was so "You" a smile plastered across your face, as usual...I think you had just told a joke or something....anyway it's a good picture, brought back a boat load of memories! I put it on the fridge with the window sticker I was given for my car (I didn't want to mess it up so it's on the fridge)...I can't believe it's been over seven months ago that you were called to be with Jesus...the day's get easier the time flies but the pain is still real. You were such a blessing to be around, so positive and upbeat...the world needs more like you Heath! Your one in a million! I consider myself better for being associated with such a decent human being! I pray for your family and other friends....I know everyone misses you so much....you'll NEVER be forgotten! In loving memory of a REAL HERO! I bet nobody will ever fill your shoes! Rest in peace and watch out for everyone from heaven we all need some assistance now!

Sandra B
Friend

August 28, 2007

Heath We celebrated your birthday tonight. It was good. We ate lots of chicken wings in your honor. We had a cake. Then we went to your place of rest and all the children sent you colorful balloons. They flew high into the air as a memoral to you. What could be sweeter? I miss you so much but God has been gracious to us. He gave us 35 wonderful years. I would rather have had you for a few years than none at all. You will always be my baby. If someone ask me do you have children I will simply say yes. However, he now rests with his savior, his first father who allowed me to have you for a seaon. God speed heath. Rest from your labor. As the story goes "I'll love you forever". Momma.

Mel Hardin
Mom

August 24, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY--------LOVE YA!!!!

August 24, 2007

Hey Darlin,

Well, today is your birthday and I have spent most of it reflecting on all the wonderful memories that we made through the years. I must admit we had some great times with our family and friends. We went out to eat tonight with everyone and celebrated your life. We also went to the graveside . We all miss you so much , but we are grateful that the lord placed you in our lives even though it was such a short time. I am also grateful that he allowed us to have two beautiful children . They are your legacy and I promise to always keep you in their life. I will remind them everyday of what a devoted and loving husband and father you were. Happy 36th Birthday baby ! I love you and always will. Shelly,Sam and Mason.

August 24, 2007

Just wanted to tell you Happy Birthday!!! Miss you and think of you all the time.

Kristi Moore

August 24, 2007

Heath, just wanted to wish you happy birthday. You are missed everyday by everyone. it is just not the same around town.

August 24, 2007

Hey Heath,

It's me.. we are approaching your birthday and I have been talking with the babies about what to do to honor you on your special day. I have had alot going on these past few weeks and have been super busy. I have dreamed about you every night for the past week. I can't help but feel that you are trying to tell me something. We miss you so much and not a day goes by that someone stops me to talk about you. You touched so many lives in such a positive way. Things are working out and I know you know what I'm talking about. I'll talk to you soon .. love you

August 18, 2007

Heath,
I met your wife & Mom at a COPS outing last month. They are incredibly strong ladies. I know how it is though, at times I'm sure they don't feel so strong and don't know where the energy for the next day will come from. All of your family is in my prayers. Keep watch over them and somehow keep sending them little reminders of you. I'm so sorry that you had to join my biggest hero "Calvin" in having your name engraved on a memorial in D.C. but please know that you will never be forgotten. I plan to be there next year during Police Week to honor you and all the others (especially from N.C.) who have been killed protecting us. God bless you hero!

Denise
Survivor of Calvin Taylor NCSHP

August 18, 2007

Heath It's me. Just read the note from your second mom. Get busy and send her the information she is looking for. THANK YOU SANDRA. THANK YOU ALL WHO HAVE COME INTO OUR LIVES AND KEPT HEATH ALIVE. Heath you should see our living room. You are everywere. As soon as I start to put your pictures away someone else would like a picture of you. Oh well that's ok my printer works and I have plenty color ink. LOVE MOMMA

Mel Hardin
mom

August 17, 2007

Heath, I need some direction here,,,,I am trying to put your Memorial Celebration together, Yes, I know, I hear you now-- make it really big.

Heath -I told you while you were with us-- how much I appreciated you being April's big brother, she really misses seeing and talking to you-- we all do---------------but Charlie--well you know Charlie-- he is still having a bad time.......

What Are Policemen Made Of?

...taken from Paul Harvey...

Don't credit me with this mongrel prose. It has many parents - at least 535,000 of them. They are policemen. A policeman is a composite of what all men are - a mingling of saint and sinner, dust and deity. Culled statistics wave the fan over the stinkers and underscore instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are "news". What this really means is that they are exceptional and unusual, not commonplace. Burled under the front is this fact: Less than one-half of 1 percent misfit that uniform. That's a better average than you'd find among clergymen. What is a policeman made of? He, of all men is at once the most needed and the most unwanted. He's a strangely nameless creature who is "sir" to his face and "the fuzz" behind his back. He must be a diplomat so that he can settle differences between individuals in a way that each will think he won. But, if the policeman is neat, he's conceited. If he's careless, he's a bum. If he's pleasant, he's a flirt. If he's not, he's a grouch. In an instant, he must make decisions that would require months for a lawyer. But if he hurries, he's careless -if he's deliberate, he's lazy. He must be first to an accident and infallible with a diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and, above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp. Or, he must expect to be sued. The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run and hit where it doesn't hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being "brutal". If you hit him, he's a coward - if he hits you, he's a bully. A policeman must know everything and not tell. He must know where all the sin is and not partake. The policeman must, from a single human hair, be able to describe the crime, the weapon and the criminal - and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But if he catches the criminal, he's lucky - if he doesn't, he's a dunce. If he gets promoted, he has political pull. If he doesn't, he's a dullard. The policeman must chase bum leads to dead ends and stakeout 10 nights to tag one witness who saw it happen but refuses to remember. He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache - all in order to build a case against some felon who'd get dealed-out by a shameless shamus or an "honorable" who isn't. The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman. And, of course, he has to be a genius, for he has to feed a family on a policeman's salary.

Sandra
Your Second Mom

August 17, 2007

Missing you today and every day!! LOVE YOU

August 12, 2007

Heath...just wanted to say hey and let ya know I was thinkin of you. Im sure you have heard my prayers this week...thank you. Miss ya!!!

August 8, 2007

WOW!!! I can't really seem to get you out of mind the past couple of days. I have broken my foot and now I am out of work for 2 months.. I have already been out of work for a month and now on my second. I miss you bro.. is all I really can say. I know that there more people out that miss you more then me, but I miss you. I miss your words of encouragement, your words of widsom. Everything.. even down to your simle.(which everyone speaks of) I go to Idaho this fall to meet Nicole's family, watch over me, LOL. Nicole's Dad has been with COSO(IDAHO) for over 30 years, so I know I will get some widsom. I hope I am doing a good job of being just like you. I want you to know, I haven't forgot about the kids or Shelly, I am just tryin to help in the process. Well, I got to go watch a play with Nicole, Love you bro and MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY. Holla at me, B!!

T.B. "Brooklyn" Huggins
HMPD

July 19, 2007

Hey Shelly,
Just on here reading up on what is going on. It sounds like your up north with Family. We leave this Thursday for Florida. I've tried to call ya, girl your never home. I hope you and the kids are fine. Looking forward to getting together sometime.
Take Care and talk to ya soon.

Connie Holcomb
Wife of Sgt. Dale Holcomb EOW 9-28-06
Ohio State Highway Patrol

July 16, 2007

GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO..........
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SINCERELY,
CPL. J.W. LOWDER
NORTH CAROLINA

CPL. J.W. LOWDER
UNION COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

July 12, 2007