Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This night 3 years ago was just a normal night for most of us. How it ended will forever be embedded in my memory. I never met you personally - but I'm sure I talked to you by radio or phone one time or another. My heart goes out to your parents, brother and sister, and kids. I see them every now and then and it's good to see the police family is still looking out for them. Keep your brothers and sisters as safe as you can - lately there have been some close calls. I will never forget you Keith.

Anonymous

February 21, 2010

Hi there Bubba ...i cannot believe today will be 3 years! Doesn't even seem possible! As i was just cleaning the house i looked at your picture we have up and sometimes it still doesn't seem real! Then the reality of it sinks in and of course the tears start. You'll never be forgotten and alway's remembered there are way to many good times to talk about and silly Keith stories! Sending all our love to you in heaven...until next time.

Tori
Friend

February 20, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this day before the anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

February 20, 2010

Blessings and prayers for your family as they approach the upcoming anniversary since losing you. I can't say that I personally knew you, but every year I silently thank you for your bravery and courage while you were out on the streets of Toledo. Besides the fact that my husband is a fellow Toledo Police Office, for some reason your death has affected me more than can be described. I often visit this site and read the reflections and feel the love that your family has for you. You are and always will be a HERO in my heart.

Anonymous

February 19, 2010

Always remembered & honored 4 his service & his utimate sacrifice.

JOANIE
Mother, daughter, sister & granddau. of LEOs

February 19, 2010

Keith

As the anniversary of your death approaches, I can not stop thinking about you. I am here in Iraq again, and though I should be worried about my safety and returning home to my loved ones, I am more concerned of my loss of a great friend and co-worker. I think of your children often, especially Noah. Your son was born a few days before my daughter, and we would both bring them to court. It was fun watching them grow together, and to watch your face brighten everytime we would talk about our children's accomplishments and you would brag of Noah's. I miss talking UM Football with you. (Do you think you could maybe help the team out next year?? We are so due a winning season and bowl game!)

I have seen your mom and dad and events honoring you, and of course Jen. I have e-mailed her a few times since I have been here, in hopes the inspirational and funny e-mails I have received here might have helped her through a rough time.

Well, just wanted to drop you a note "Dirty Boy". Thinking of you always, and missing you just as much.

PTLM Herrick
TPD-Fighting 46th

February 16, 2010

Hey Keith...

Just thinking about you today. Chase and I were reading the reflections so I decided to leave you a note. Im guessing you have ran into Jim up there...hope he is happy, we miss him so much. Hard to believe you have been gone for three years. Noah and Syd are getting so big. I found a picture of you and Sis at that little hole in the wall bar we all went to in Blissfield years ago...its so funny:) Anyways...know that we still have our candle lit for you, it is never shut off. Look after your boys in the next few weeks to come...keep them safe. Miss you, love you.

Erin
Bestfriend to Sissy

February 9, 2010

Keith,
Just wanted to say that I miss you and I pray for your family every night. We will all keep plugging away so you do the same!!!!!! Miss you alot and keep watching over us... Love ya man

Nooner

Anonymous

February 6, 2010

Hey--been wanting to write, but still can't make it through these things without crying. Suppose to be at an IEP for a kid in my classroom in about an hour...Man won't I look good. Anyways, felt like I needed to get on here. Met with Canyon's counselor today. Good lady. She's starting up a Grief counseling for the kids at school. Going to enroll him in it. He's been thinking of you a lot lately. Not that he doesn't every day like we all do, but right now something is eating away at him. Like on Nicole's birthday...we went to Meijers to get her a cake and as we were walking in the aisle...the Hawaiian "Somewhere over the rainbow" song came on. I heard it and smiled...trying to keep my composure--cause you know me(cry baby)...anyways Canyon heard it too. He came up to me and said "Oh mom" and I look over at him and tears are running down his face. We both just cried right there in the baked goods aisle. Then on that same trip...I went to go get Nicole her birthday card and there it was again...the hawaiian "somewhere over the rainbow" song on the card that we picked out. Again, we cried. We just laughed at how stupid we must look to other people in the store, but who cares. We love and miss you. Well, Canyon had to do a Mass with the whole school and he was in charge of a reading. He heard a song before the mass started and it reminded him of you so much. He just started to cry. The girls that were there to help him with the Mass said, "What? It's just a song." He just said, "Oh no, not today of all days." When he told me about it, I cried with him. He misses you so much. He wants to talk about the similiarities with you and Neil about what he's experiencing. It just hurts to see him sad about you. Riley keeps wearing the blue wrist band whenever she's feeling stressed or scared. She wore it the other day when she had to give a presentation. She said that it brings her good luck and that she can conquer anything when she has Uncle Keith by her side. Thank you for always providing us all that sense of calm and security. We continue to honor your memory. We miss you dearly and daily. We find comfort when we see Noah, and see the major likeness to you. I constantly am still thinking that I need to call you. You don't know how many times I just pick up the phone or have said out loud that "I need to call Keith". Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. We all love and miss you. Christmas was hard, but then again...every Christmas has been hard since you've been gone. Saw Noah at his birthday party. He is growing up so fast. He looks like you still. I wish that we had a whole heck of a lot more time together. Neil and I miss you so much. Mom and Dad too. The whole family misses you. Your anniversary date is coming too soon. It just keeps bringing up all of that raw emotion that I have to jam down daily to live life. Even now, I just sit here with tears flowing down. What I would give for some more time with you. I guess I need to get myself cleaned up before this meeting with this kid's parents. I am going to try to continue to get to these kids before they become another Jobe. That is my personal promise. I will keep on keeping on if you keep continuing to lead the way. I know you've got my back. It's good. Well, I love you and miss you so much. Never out of my thoughts--love you--Jen

Jen
Sister

February 4, 2010

Noah's birthday makes me so sad to think he has to celebrate every year without you! What a proud father you were and it's just not fair you can't see him growing up!

Anonymous

February 2, 2010

Today is Noah's birthday. I remember his last one with you. You had tried to show him how to use the harmonica that I gave him. He wasn't at all interested. He said that he doesn't have it anymore. I think that he would be interested now. He likes to play on the piano, mostly shark (Jaws) type of sound. He likes sharks. We celebrated his birthday Sat. He was so proud of himself, because he could read his cards. You would be so proud Keith. You couldn't wait to be a father, and you were the best. You had Noah with you all of the time. You even took him to court with you. Noah needed you and still does. I promise I will be there for him and keep your memory alive for him.

Larraine Dressel
Mother

February 2, 2010

Hello - having trouble going to sleep tonight, since I have images of the news reporting a PA State Trooper's funeral today. His wife is young and distraught, and his children so vulnerable. It brings back some raw memories as I pray for them just beginning this long road ahead. We'll always miss you so much - time hasn't changed the pain, just pushed it down a little so we can manage each day. With our love - Kim & crew

Kim Dressel-Watson
Cousin

January 18, 2010

We got a new puppy, another English Setter. His name is Bugsy. Thinking back to when Buddy, would take your socks off and lick your feet. There was no way you could be on the floor or have your feet up without him doing that to you. Just another wonderful memory. Love Mom

Larraine Dressel
Mother

January 4, 2010

Again this year we miss you so much. This was always your favorite holiday. It was BIG in your book. Dad will hang another candy cane right next to the other two. This will be third Christmas without you. Dad and I will always love you. Miss you so much.

Larraine Dressel
Mother

December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas brother! I know this is your favorite time of the year. I can only imagine what your house would look like decorated this year. I saw one of those animated decorations on a table and thought of you and Noah. How he would hit the button to make it dance and sing all the time. Well Merry Christmas! and enjoy Aunt Pam's cooking and give her a hug for me.

Neil
brother

December 25, 2009

Hi bubba just wanted to wish you a merry christmas and tell you we are alway's thinking of you:) I hope you got my dog i sent you to heaven for Christmas she's a keeper just like you :) Much love always!!!!!

Anonymous

December 20, 2009

Today, Dec, 10, the anniversary of your academy graduation, the Ohio Supreme Court denied an appeal. Blessed are the Lucas County Prosecutors.

We put Christmas decorations on your head stone, lots of Michigan things.

We went to Noah's Christmas program. I know you would have loved being there with him.

Larraine Dressel
mother

December 10, 2009

16 Years Today:)

Anonymous

December 10, 2009

Keith, Just wanted to drop a quick note to say it was 16 years ago today that we all filed into the Academy at Owens. The first few days there were 72. By the end of the first week we were down to 60. The FIGHTIN' 46th graduated all 60, 6 months later.

I still remember you giving what was to be a prepared speech about midway through the Academy, You got up and winged it about the greatest invention of all time, "the pen."

Hard to believe it's been 16 years.

Miss you Dude.

Britt

Ptlm. Rob Britt
Toledo Police Department

December 9, 2009

Hey cuz, another Christmas is just around the corner and just thinking about the fact that you won't be there in person makes us all tear up a bit. We know you will be there with us watching over everyone, you and Aunt Pam together. Just wanted to say I finally got engaged. She's a great girl, I only wish you would have gotten to meet her. She went to the arraignment with me and my folks, stood right by my side. Helped me through that night, with the emotions everything. October 16th will be the big day, I know you will be there too. I just wanted you to know that you will always be a hero to me. Thank you for all the great memories.

Brandon Dressel
Cousin

November 30, 2009

Just wanted to wish you a happy thanksgiving...i know the holidays are difficult for your loved ones and we will be thinking of them also!

Anonymous

November 24, 2009

Keith,
Dad and I went to the C.O.P.S. parent retreat again this year. It was so hard seeing the faces of the first time parents. We saw the glazed looks and hurt in their fces. I know that you are keeping your dept. safe. They have had several close calls, but I know that they have an Angel.
I do not want any other parent to have to go through this hell and to have to live the "new" normal as they call it.
Jen went to St. Francis for the memory Mass while we were gone. Someone's phone went off playing "Hail to the Victors". It was appropriate. Love you always, Mom

Larraine Dressel
Mother

November 4, 2009

We think about you and miss you always. I know you and Mom are together - I really believe that you were there to greet her, and that the reunion was full of smiles and hugs. I've been reading about a man who was dead for 90 minutes and his story of his short experience in Heaven - and how absolutely amazing it was. It has given me a lot of comfort to know that, if that's how it was for both you and Mom, that you were greeted with unimaginable warmth and love by people who both knew you, and special folks who may have floated in and out of your life - and that time has no meaning, so what has been painful years to us is just a fleeting moment to you. We just wish that we had you both here with us for awhile longer...but until we all are together again, we'll keep doing what we're doing. Know you are always our hero. Love you much! The whole Pittsburgh clan

Kim Dressel-Watson
Cousin

October 3, 2009

Just had you on my mind and wanted to drop by and read about you! Alway's missing you!

Anonymous

October 1, 2009

Hey Keith,

Was just messing around on the computer and realized its been a while since I checked in. Just wanted you to know that after two years the candle Chase and I keep lit for you is still going. I look at it every night and think of you and your family. Things are so different and I hope you know everyone still think of you and loves you. We miss you everyday. As always, thanks for keeping your boys safe. Love you and miss you always.

Erin
Bestfriend to Sissy

September 30, 2009