Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Harold Michael Altman

Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, January 30, 2007

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Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Harold Michael Altman

The music has died
the laughter has stopped
The pain has begun
and its no fun.That is how I now feel now that my brother has left this world. Seems we are born, gather our worldly processions, fall in love and then the evil of this world takes it away. It just isnt fair someone can just pick up a gun and do that to another person. How evil is that? Are they paying their dues are they burning in hell and feeling the pain that our hearts feel? I was taught not to wish bad things on others but how can you not feel that way when someone hurts you so deeply that you feel you will surely die. Takes someone from you that should have had a long and happy life with his family. God has a plan for my brother and I know it is a good one

Marcia Altman Grandstaff
sister

May 30, 2007

Deputy Altman paid the highest price in the unwavering execution of his duty....
Rest In Peace
Amen

Gareth Vance, Garda
An Garda Siochana (Irish Police)

May 25, 2007

I miss my brother more than words can ever be wrote. Everytime I see a police car I want to break down and cry. How fair is that?
I know without a doubt my little brother is in heaven looking out for us. He is even telling jokes to the angels and having them laughing I am sure. I love you Mike..

marcia grandstaff
sister of Mike

May 24, 2007

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."



God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.

And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.

God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Deputy Mom

May 19, 2007

Son, we went yesterday to the Titusville memorial. Your name was called out. Next year your name will be on the wall. You will always be remembered. We met some nice parents going through the same thing we are. We miss you so much.

Tomorrow we go to Marianna to your memorial and your name will be on the monument in the front lawn of sheriffs office. It is so hard to know you are never coming home to us.

I Love You so much and will always cherish that last I love you on the phone 10 minutes before those cruel men took you from us.

Mom

Deputy Mom

May 16, 2007

I am a police officer from Liverpool England i dont no were to start i did not no Deputy Altman, but as i can see he was a good man and will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to everyone who knew this office.
LET HIS MEMORY LIVE ON. AMEN

P.C. LARKIN
ENGLAND, MERSEYSIDE POLICE

May 14, 2007

Rest in Peace brother! Heart felt condolence to your family!

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside, Ca. PD

May 13, 2007

This is a horrible story, and im so sorry for the loss of this man, and his wife. We remember his bravery, and hers as well, and I salure the courage of the Jacksn County Sheriffs Office, for doing what they needed to do, to bring justice here. May God bless you all!

Jessica Ramirez, Officer/Patrol Unit
DPD Districts 3-4

May 10, 2007

Just one word: R.E.S.P.E.C.T.!!!

Constable Sarosi
Gladesville Police (NSW Police Force, Australia)

May 10, 2007

Mike,
Your Mom and Dad along with a large group of your friends and fellow deputies were at the Sheriff's Office today in honor of your memory and birthday. Several balloons were tied together and released into the air in your honor. As I stood there watching the balloons fade out of sight, I couldn't help snickering to myself because, being the jokester you are, I pictured you flying your plane directly into the balloons and popping all of them and seeing you looking down at us laughing out loud.

Your dad and a few of us continued to watch the balloons until we absolutely could not see them anymore, straining our eyes until they finally went into a cloud. That reminded me of life, here one minute and after just a short while, we are no longer here.

Happy birthday, Mike. We will never forget you!

Deputy Kevin Barber
Jackson Co. S.O.

May 9, 2007

Happy Birthday Brother, I just wish you was here so I could call you and tell you myself. I put some balloons at your grave. Your grandson was born yesterday, he is so cute. I went to the hospital and seen him. I love you and I miss you so much..

Marcia Altman Grandstaff
Sister

May 9, 2007

Dear Son,

We are having a birthday cake and Ice Cream with all your deputy friends today for you birthday. We are going to miss you so much. I know you will be with us is spirit. We sent some Happy Birthday Balloons up in the air. Your brother has done a beatiiful job trying to finish up the front you had almost complete for us. You would be proud of him. He misses you a lot. As we all do.

May you rest in peace and God Bless You.

We will never forget you I promise you that.

I Love and Miss You. Mom

Deputy Mom
Mother

May 9, 2007

Rest in peace Deputy, we'll take it from here.

Ofc. Michael Cavett
Gainesville Police Department

May 4, 2007

Mike is my son and best friend... He was a son any decent parent would be proud of. He loved his wife and parents and we loved him too. I could write volumes about him and our relationship, as father and son. Mike lived near us all of his life so that made us especially close.

Mike made so many friends during his short life. He was a very good Christian man.

He was very intelligent and talented. Recently he renovated our home. He had just finished putting the railing around the front porch baloney and columns. It is beautiful!

I taught Mike to fly an airplane when he was eight years old and about two years before his death he got his pilot's license and purchased an airplane and was planning to fly helicopters.

MIKE, DADDY AND MAMA LOVES YOU!

Rev. Harold Altman

April 25, 2007

fallen tears and broken hearts
is how we have felt right from
the start.
we loved our brother
and we loved our son
we got the call and it was done. our dreams where shattered
our hearts where broke.
The sky turned dark our
world turned black, we just want
him to come back.
In Honor of my baby brother who I miss more than words could ever say..We will be together again someday.

Marcia Altman Grandstaff
Mikes sister

April 23, 2007

To Mike, I will always remember you growing up along side my boys,I loved you like one of my own. I will always love you and miss you. I always loved to hear you and Dorothy sing. It is a shame that your life here was cut short, I guess God wanted you up there with Him. You will always be in our hearts, we will never forget you. I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven one day soon.
Sara Altman

Sara Altman
(Mike's Aunt)

April 22, 2007

My prayers are with you all at this difficult time. I hope you can take comfort from the touched hearts may God carry you through .. with love Katzie UK XXXXX

TEACHER UK
AQUAINTANCE OF MARCIA

April 22, 2007

Son, We miss you so much. Not a day goes by I feel I should call and check on you. I will always keep your number in my phone. Your Headstone with badge embedded in it was set yesterday. They did a beautiful job. It makes us so sad that those mean guys did this to you. We talked to your best friend yesterday and he also misses you a lot. I will be glad when we can all be together again.

I Love You,

Mom

Deputy Mom
Mother

April 15, 2007

Mike,

You were one of a kind. I remember the laughs we had just a few days before. You will always be in my thoughts. Keep the streets patrolled in Heaven till we meet again. We have the watch covered down here. You will be a HERO forever "Brother".

D/S Andrew D. Roedel J-46
Jackson County Sheriff's Department

April 10, 2007

We all loved ya mike

norma
cousin

April 10, 2007

Son, As I set beside you empty plate I then realized more what the empty plate ceremony means. It broke my heart to see you not at your plate. No one sat at your place. It will always be yours. I know in spirit you was with us. We had your picture and candle lit. You will always be in my heart. I love you and miss you.

Mom

Deputy Mom
Mother

April 8, 2007

Mike, brother, I miss you more than words can ever say. Easter wont be the say without your laughter at the family table. I miss you more and more every day. I just cant take your name off my radio or computer. So many times I have went to your name on my phone wanting to call you to see if it has all been a very bad dream and that you are still with me. I love you and miss you so much.

Marcia Altman Grandstaff
sister

April 7, 2007

Mike, I will always remember you coming into dispatch and us having those little chats about our families and things going on in our lives. I am proud that I can call you a friend and brother. You always took your job seriously, and yet you took time to see the humor in things. Sometime we dont realize how others affect our lives untill they are gone. Rest in peace Brother, we will never forget! Always your friend and Brother, "Mc"

W.R. McDowell-Dispatch
Marianna Police Department

April 7, 2007

Son, Easter is almost here. There will be an empty place. I know you will be having a better meal in Heaven than I could ever prepare here. You will always be in out Hearts.
I love and miss you so much.
Mom

Deputy Mom
Mother

April 6, 2007

Thinking of you cousin. Bless you.

Elaine England, Spring Arbor, Mich.

Elaine

Elaine
Cousin

April 3, 2007

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