Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Keith I have to tell you something. What the heck, you already know this, because we know you were there. When Riley had her pallet surgery in Toledo, you went to Toledo Hospital after work and held her and rocked her. She was only one year old then. We didn't know that you did that until a nurse told Jen that a police officer came into Riley's room, said that he was her uncle, and held Riley and rocked her. You told Riley and Jen that you would always be there for any of Riley's upcoming surgeries.

A couple of weeks ago, Riley had to have 8 more teeth pulled. They were going to pull 4 at a time. Ri and Jen went into the office. Before the appointment, Jen had to stop at the bank for a load of money. After all, four teeth were going to cost Jen a pretty penny. So Jen left the waiting room for just a minute to wash her hands after touching the money. while Jen was out of the room, Riley was called back to have the teeth pulled. Ri was ok, because she had been down this road a couple of years ago. Jen was surprised to see that Ri was already taken and she didn't get to say anything to her or hug her before she went back. Riley came out looking pretty good. When Riley and Jen got to the car, the clock said 3:33.Jen told Riley to look at the clock. That is the time you give all of us signs. While driving, Jen asked Riley how she was. Riley said fine. She said that the Dentist hummed the Michigan Fight Song all the while she was pulling her teeth. Jen had to pull over to the side of the road because she was crying. She knew that you kept your promise to Riley. You were there with her. The song and the time were our sign. We will never forget you as you will also let us know that you are near.

Love,
MOM

Larraine Dressel
mother

November 9, 2008

Hi there bubba it's been awhile! But no matter how long it's been since i typed i still think of you often and remember everyday. The baby is growing like a weed she's crawling now and her ornary dad taught her how to crawl up the steps so needless to say i'm alway's chasing her:) And loving every minute of it. She still looks just like him she's so beautiful. And they still say she has my personality let's hope it stays that way:) We miss you and only wish that we could be telling you all our silly parent stories and not typing them to you in heaven. We love you...till next time my friend!

Anonymous

November 6, 2008

Keith - it's been awhile since I've visited here, but you are never far from our thoughts. A couple of months ago, a criminal died in police custody in Swissvale, and there was a segment of the community that blamed the police for this man's death due to his having been tasered - the M.E. eventually ruled that the man died to a drug overdose and the officers were exonerated, although there were thugs in the community who were threatening the police and their families. In the meantime, Ellis went to work every night, and came home safely every morning. THANK YOU for being the angel on his shoulder every day. I know you look out for him, and for all of us. We miss you so much.

Kim Dressel-Watson
Cousin

November 6, 2008

Keith, how I miss you.
Dad and I just returned from the COPS Parent Retreat in Arkansas. There we met so many wonderful parents that are hurting just like us. They too have lost a child to the work you all did. I cried all weekend. Boy do I have soft skin now. That was just a little Dressel humor. I learned that this pain will always be here, that eventually it will lessen and I will be able to function. Here I thought I was functioning. Another ha ha.

There was a Memorial Mass at St. Francis de Sales High School Sunday for you , other alumni, and faculty that have died. We were not able to go because we were at the retreat. Your sister and brother went. Your nephew and nieces were there in your name. They all miss you and love you so much too. I really want Neil and Jen to go to the sibbling retreat next year. It is very hard for them to take off of work. Not hard for them, but their employers make it hard for them. They are hurting so much too. Maybe it would help them to be with others that understand. There are so many people that just do not stand. So many people that think we should be over "IT" my now. They are so wrong.

Dad and I love you and miss you.
Mom

Larraine Dressel
Mother

November 4, 2008

i remember that day as if it was yesterday i worked for the state parks at the time in the northwest district of ohio it hit us all so hard det. dressel my prayers go out to your family and i thank you for the job that you did keep watching over all our brothers and sisters rip my brother

johnson 249
mansfield police department

October 19, 2008

Hi my friend just wanted you to know i was thinking about you! And my fighting Irish beat your Wolverines last week:) HeHe! Just thought i would rub it in alittle. We have to say it's a rebuilding year each year now i think you guy's get to say it:)

Anonymous

September 22, 2008

Hey Keith,
Its been quiet a while since I've written. I've been very busy but not that I don't think of you. I helped Sis at the house and we both ended up with poison ivy. I'm sure you are laughing, I got it so bad I was off of work for a week! But your yard looks nice! Chase is doing well, busting everybody bup on the football field! Starting quarterback and middle linebacker, he is getting so big and turning into such a good young man. A lot has changed, I'm sure you know what I mean. I hope you are watching all of us, smiling. Your kids are getting so big, you should be so proud! I'll talk to you again soon. Love you and miss you.

Erin
Best friend to Sissy

September 21, 2008

I never met you, but I will never forget you or your service to us.
John

Anonymous

September 16, 2008

Dear Keith, Just wanted to write and tell you how much we love and miss you! It still seems like a nightmare that we have not been able to wake up from. But you already know that. Its just not the same without you here. You know that too. Our hearts are still aching and eyes still tearing up for you. We will NEVER forget you. Peace out.

Friend

August 27, 2008

Hi just wanted you to know i was thinking of you and i will never ever forget!

Anonymous

August 18, 2008

I came on tonight to visit my husbands reflection when you and your family came to mind. From reading the reflections they seem to be doing as well as can be expected. I am sure your very proud of your wife kids and family. I cant say it gets easier as it has been 8 yrs for me and I still miss my husband terribly. You and Bill keep watching over us...

Tonya Hetrick
Surviving spouse of William Hetrick
Clay Township PD EOW 7-10-2000

Tonya Hetrick

July 23, 2008

Hi Keith,
I have been very moved and saddened by this whole ordeal. My heart goes out to your family and friends who were impacted directly. When the opportunity came up to go on the Memorial ride yesterday, there was no doubt in my mind that that was where I was supposed to be. It was absolutely amazing. So many bikes, as far as I could see....stretched for at least a mile in front and behind us. I have a lot of amazing pictures of the whole ride. I would love to share them with everyone. I could not get over the outpouring of support from people standing outside their houses, stopping their cars and getting out just to watch, and people waving, giving "thumbs up", and clapping. It was beautiful. I will never forget it. It is very sad to think of why we were all there to begin with. But it was an honor to be a part of something where so many people came to gather to honor you. God bless you Keith. God bless your family.

Jen
Friend

July 13, 2008

Keith,

Yesterday was the now annual memorial ride in your honor. It was a wonderful success! The rain held off for the most part, I am pretty sure you had something to do with that! I was so proud to see all the people who showed up to support the event in your name. We rode past Bush/Ontario, which was very somber and sad and I know many tears were shed.

Thank you for the wonderful day and safe ride...

Kristen Montrie, Dispatcher
TPD

July 13, 2008

Hey there Keith. Just thought I would drop a note and let you know how the 2nd Annual Keith Dressel Memorial Ride went yesterday. Thought we might get rained out, but you must of had the ear of friend up there, because after a few showers in the beginning of the ride, the sky cleared, and the sun was shining bright!!! I guess it was kinda fitting that while we passed through the North End, and the spot that you gave it your all one last time to make the City a better place, it was raining, but as the ride went on, the sky cleared, and by the end, the sun was shining. Natures way of reminding us all, that even on the most gloomy of days, things get better. They are never the way we wanted it or dreamed it, but it does get better. I couldn't tell you how many people participated, but I can tell you the line of bikes riding side by side had to stretch at least a mile!! When making turns, and all you could see in front of you were bikes, and behind you more bikes, it was AWESOME!! Saw your mom, dad, sister Jen, and of course Danielle and Noah. Noah is too cute!! It made me proud to see the people along the route in the cities we would drive through, standing on their porches, standing on the side of the road, waving, giving the thumbs up, pumping their fists in the air with huge smiles on their faces, and cars honging their horns and waving. I don't know how many knew why we were riding, but the support was awesome. Well, Dirty Boy, I got to get ready for work. Keep looking out for all of us. We have had a few close calls the last couple of months, keep protecting us!

Class of 46
TPD

July 13, 2008

Hi bubba it has been awhile but not a day goes by that i don't think of you! Well it's been 3 months and my maternity leave is up i'm so sad to go back to work i'm going to miss the baby so much! She is just adorable and so good natured (the good natured i'm sure comes from me)lol:) Many good things have happened in our lives and in my heart i feel that you have had a hand in all of it and i'm so grateful to you! I come to this website all the time and pray that there will not be another officer added to the page each day...but of course there alway's seems to be a new name added i figure you have a made so many wonderful friends in heaven. And know that your friends here will never ever forget you and never stop missing you! Enough for now till next time my friend!

Tori
Friend

July 5, 2008

Hey Keith,

Sorry I haven't stopped by the page to say "Hi" in awhile. I've got all the usual excuses.....Kids....T-Ball...blah...blah...blah. None of them are very good ones though. I hope to see everyone on July 12 although we don't ride (Yeah...I'm a big wimp). Hope all is well with your family. I'm always thinking about them. I saw Danielle in Northwood last week. Didn't get to chat though.

Anyways, although I don't type on this page as often as I should you're always on our minds and in our hearts. We miss ya dude. Thanks for looking out for us Keith. We need all the help we can get!

Huge

July 3, 2008

Hi Keith,I have been thinking of you alot today.We love and miss you. Becky

Becky
Mother-In-Law

June 25, 2008

Thanks Keith!!

Janie
Sister-In-Law

June 19, 2008

I just had to tell you that Noah has been playing T-Ball for the first time. It is so cute because he is clearly the youngest and the smallest player on the team. You would just laugh so hard watching him. Usually by the end of the game all the people at the game, even on the other team that are there to watch the game usually end up and cheering for Noah because he is so darn cute. I hope you can see that because I can hear you laughing at that sight. He is getting so big. He talks about you every single day Keith. We are going to make sure he knows who and what you were, the hero everyone describes you as!!

Danielle
Wife

June 16, 2008

It is still very hard for me to visit this sight seeing your picture here. It doesn't seem right that having to leave a reflection to you is a means of comfort because I can't talk to you. I just hope you are with us seeing us and what we are doing, especially Noah and Syd. We all miss you terribly and not a day goes by we don't think or talk about you. We love you.

Danielle
Wife

June 10, 2008

Keith
God bless you and your family you are a great hero may you rest in peace in heaven god bless

Bill
friend

June 4, 2008

Thank you for keeping those guy's safe last night!

May 27, 2008

Thank you angel!

Friend

May 22, 2008

Dearest Keith,
I had the privledge and honor to spend time with your family and friends in Wasington, DC as we honored you and the other fallen officers who have been taken from us. The wall is a reflection of the profession we have chosen and how fragile our lives are. Your parents, your brother, sister, niece, nephew and your wife showed such strength but I know how diffucult it was to see your name on the wall. The tons of momentos left by those that have loved and lost someone close to them was a collection of days gone by but through the tears there was also laughter and their stories were treasures I will always keep. The candle light vigil was so moving, thousands of candles and the thin blue line raising up to you in heaven. We toasted you several times Wednesday night as the bagpipes played in honor of "Dirty Boy" how cool was it of them to line the street and play for the members of the Toledo Police and thank goodness we have Carol and Bill Connelly to have set that up for us. Please continue to watch over and protect us. We love and miss you!!!

Detective Mary Jo Jaggers
Toledo Police Dept.

May 18, 2008

I met your family in Lansing and again in Washington DC. What special people they are, giving me an idea of how special you were and still are. Each time I heard your name in DC I said a prayer for your family, that they may find strength. I will keep them in my prayers as I know the devastation and heartbreak that they feel.

Although the time in Washington was so very emotional and brought back so many feelings of sadness, the honor and respect that was shown was truly like feeling the comforting hand of God. No one can ever take away our HOPE that we will all live in heavenly eternity together some day.

Your job on earth was completed far too early for our mortal minds to comprehend, but you did that job so well and your inspiration and spirit will live on always. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten and I will always remember the name of Detective Keith Thomas Dressel.

Please give my brother a hug from his big sis who misses him ever so much!

Sister of Bobby Kozminski EOW 7-8-07
Grand Rapids Police Department

May 17, 2008