Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I've never forgotten you. I promise I never will. Thanks for all you did for me at M.P. company. God bless you and your family. I will keep them in my prayers.... Clint Herndon (Pappy)

Cpl. "Pappy" Herndon
Armed Nuclear Security Officer

April 29, 2008

The memorial is coming up in a couple of days, I find that I look forward to seeing you honored, yet it is another reminder that May 22nd 2007 really did bring such pain to everyone who knew you.I find myself feeling as if this page is our opportunity to speak with you directly, and in a sense it is just that.
As we draw closer to the one year mark, it becomes difficult to breathe just remembering.
I know that you are in a far better place,and that God in his goodness allows you to be aware of all of the love that is sent your way. As you look upon all of us, know that you have the upmost respect from yor fellow friends and officers, as well as all who were blessed to work with you at any level. Later Dave.

friend/co-worker
honored to have known

April 29, 2008

It has been a long time, since I have put anything on here. I mean to so many times, but I know I will never make it through it with out losing it... and I was right. However, that doesn't mean you are not in my thoughts. I think about you everyday, and relive it like it was yesterday. You were such the model guy in so many ways, it kills me everyday knowing you were taking from us so early. One day I got this sudden need to write to Michelle, I even wrote a note- so I wouldn't forget... I couldn't bring my self to do it... I have such a hard time even mentioning your name without my throat getting that ball knowing what is coming next. I wish I would have now... I got to thinking and looked and it was around your birthday. I know they miss you so much... Everytime I see your girls- I think of how much you are living within them. I think the world of Michelle, she has put on such a brave face, but deep down I know she is hurting more than any of us can imagine. You would be so proud of all of them, as I know you are. You may have left, but you are not gone by far. You will always live within all of us that you touched, but most important in the legacy you left behind. Michelle's words stay with me that she spoke at your funeral, she is an amazing person... God put you two together for a reason... She was as good for you as you were for her, no wonder the fairy tale came so easy for you two... WE MISS YOU DAVE!! and that smile of yours. I can still hear you laugh from time to time... it dries the tears and puts the smile back on my face...
If you don't mind watch over Mike some, he could use some of your guidance... play a joke on him too, I know he misses it. We love you !

Tina Smith
friend and wife of co-worker

April 27, 2008

You were the first thing on my mind this morning! I miss you everyday! Faith stayed all night with your mom last night and Mikayla went to her fourth grade lock-in at school. I missed them sleeping with me. They slept with us a lot when you were here but now they are in bed with mommy every night! It is my fault though because they are my piece of you still living and breathing beside of me. We have this beautiful home God has blessed us with and no one wants to sleep in there bed! We all miss you but Faith's innocence overcomes me at times. When she says her prayers and thanks Jesus for such a great Daddy she has and tells Jesus to give you kisses because she wants to and can't Boy! you want to talk about a tear jerker! She looks at your pictures every day and says mommy "REMEMBER WHEN" Daddy did this or Daddy did that. Her memories of you are embedded in her little mind and heart- I thank God for that. Your ceremony in London Ohio is this week. Be with me and give me strength to see me through. Matt is your Flag Rep. and Mike Smith is my escort officer. They deserve it! They were both honored to be part of this celebration of life. I enjoy life even though at times there seems to be no reason to. Continue to help me follow my heart throughout the rest of my journey until I'm in your arms again. I'm so proud of you!! I love you!

loving wife, michelle

April 26, 2008

Hey David, as I sit here at my computer today looking at your picture I have to tell ya, the heartbreak and loss feels as though it has happened this month instead of 11 months ago. I asked Michelle to send some extra prayers up for me and being the wonderful and strong person she is I am sure she will. You had such a wonderful life here with 2 beautiful girls and a devoted wife and more friends than I can probably even imagine and in the end it still didn't matther. I just don't understand it all.
Jared talks about you all the time. You were such a huge part of his life. The knives that Michelle gave him for Christmas meant so much to him and I very thankful that Michelle gave them to him. He spent some time with the girls and Michelle on Sunday and I have seen a huge change in him since then. They may not know this but those 3 mean so much to him. It is amazing really that even though you are not here he hasn't forgotten you for one minute.
We love and miss you today, tomorrow and forever David.

a friend forever

April 25, 2008

Well Babe it looks like Mikayla is smarting than me when it comes to the computer. I had no idea she had wrote to you but obviously she has learned how to get on the page and say what she needs to say. I think it is healing for her. We have been so blessed to have these two great daughters!! They remind me so much of you. I am doing better today. It amazes me how God can take a mess like this and make it my ministry. I hope in the future I can help others deal with the pain like I have felt. God is Good and He has sustained me and carried me every day. I went to your grave and Tommy met me there. He helped me so much along with several others from the fire dept. I know you are proud of them. I love you Babe more than this world will ever know! I'm so proud to know you are MY husband! I know I wasn't always perfect but God in heaven knows no one could love you as much as I do! Tell Lonnie,Brian,Dale and Josh we love and miss them all. Love ya Pookie!

your loving wife,michelle

April 24, 2008

Daddy I have missed you more today thah ever I feel like everyone has left.Aaron helps us everyday! Iknow he will not be my dad but he's there.Ilove Aaron as a dad just like you!Imiss you a lot.

chiken lips mikayla

April 23, 2008

Hi, daddy I am playing softball . I miss you a lot. faith is playing tee ball. Mommy is choaching faith's team.Alyssa campbell is playing on my team.I have a goat and a pig! I miss you very much.

from your chicken lips! mikayla

April 22, 2008

Hey Pookie!!! Today marks 11 months that I have dealt with my tragic loss. I miss you every day and every night. I have been struggling the past week mentally and emotionally. We are honoring you in London Ohio on May 1 and At Washington D.C. during police week. The one year mark is approaching and all of these causes great anxieties in my life. I will be honest, I have been angry with you. That is quite different for me because I honor you daily and I am so proud of you,proud to have been your wife but the anger overcomes me at times. Why did you have to leave me and the girls? We need you more than anyone in the community did. Sometimes you were more than dedicated to your job. It consumed you! You were the best Dave at what you did! Many of these guys strive on a daily basis to be like you. I believe with all my heart me and the girls were the last thing on your mind when you left this earth but I so want my old life back. I need you!! You were taken from me and I do not understand what happened. Dave, we spent over half of our lives together and no one loves you like I do. I always seen the best in you and could sense a uniqueness that God granted to you. I miss your laughter and your goofiness! I miss the interaction I had the oppurtunity to see between you and Mikayla and Faith. I miss the way you held me. When I laid my head on your chest at night all the world seemed right. Now I am left with confusion and frustration and emptiness. The spot you filled in my heart will never heal and can never be replaced. I know I have the right to live and to be happy but it is not easy to do! Thank you for watching over the girls. Mikayla is playing softball and pitching. Faith is playing T-Ball and I am coaching. We try to stay busy and to keep a normal routine. The girls have settled into the new house. The barn is done and so is the garage. Cliff got your truck done and I drive it proudly!! I feel you are looking over me in that truck. We got a deck put around our pool.I have done everything just the way you would have wanted it. I talked to Matt a little bit ago. He misses you so much Babe. I know how proud you are of him. Some of the guys I don't see much but I know they are busy with their families and lives. Everyone honors you in this community and we respect you. Thank you for the "sign" you gave on Mikayla's Birthday. I know you are around me and the girls. We sang in church last Sunday together and the preacher started crying and he said I believe God just opened up the heavens and let Dave Poling witness that beautiful sight. I hope that is true! I am trying to learn to go on. We didn't choose this Babe-It was part of our journey together. NO ONE can take away our fairy tale love story!I love you as much as I ever did and Thank you for giving love to me all over again! We seen the dradonfly the other day at the ball field- Thank You!!

your loving wife, michelle

April 22, 2008

Hi Dave i know it has been a while since i have been on here but that does not change the constant thought that i have of you, i am still so blessed to have been your friend. i learned so much from you and still learning more every day, just the other night i was out with one of our friends who had just stopped a car and while he was placing the driver under arrest for ovi i noticed on her wrist one of your wrist bands. i begin to ask her how she knew you and she told me that you helped her and her mother get out of an abusive relationship from her father, i thank you for all the sacrifice you have made, and it is my goal to try to handel people the way that you always did stern when needed to be but most often gentle and kind. i know that heaven holds truly more splender today because you are there and one day we will have the chance to be together and laugh again because of the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross we have that great chance. I will be here until my work is finished keep your eye on me and help when you can.

depuy sheriff fred workman
gallia county sheriffs office (ohio)

April 7, 2008

Happy Easter David!!! We love and miss you more with each passing day. You were always such an inspiration to myself and my family and your memory will live on in our hearts forever.
FOREVER LOVING AND HONORING DAVID POLING!!!!!!!!!

a friend forever

March 23, 2008

Dave, Well, Easter is here and your birthday recently passed by...Happy Easter and belated Happy Birthday! We come to see you still quite often, he stops all the time. You know that tho. He spent some time with you there on your birthday, just talking and remembering. I just wanted to let you know your always on our minds and in our hearts, not just on these special days, but always. The kids still talk of and about you all the time and are even more sure of the man and hero they know you are. Love you, our hero!!
Watch over him through all this craziness that is going on and stay by his side just like you have been!!

Deputy's Wife
GCSO

March 23, 2008

For the family and friends of P/O David Poling I am sorry for your loss. As a LEO, I frequent ODMP on a regular basis. After reading Davids entries I found myself choking back the tears. After fifteen years on the job I thought I was too jaded. I recently accepted the Lord in my life and would like to extend a sincere God-Bless to Davids wife and children.

Deputy:Road Patrol
Michigan agency

March 10, 2008

Hey Dave,

I just wanted to say Happy Easter...yes I know its a little early! We all miss ya as much as ever...keep watching out for us!

C.O. Misty Clay
Gallia County Sheriffs Office Jail Division

March 6, 2008

hey there, have really been thinking about you these last few days, we miss you so very badly. They say that as time goes by it is supposed to get easier but honestly David I think who ever came up with that notion had never lost anyone as dear and true as you were my friend.
I go and see Michelle at your house every now and then and I tell my self that I go to check on her and your babies, but if I were to be honest with myself I would know that the real reason I go is to get strength from her. She is, hands down, the strongest woman I have ever known in my whole entire life.
Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and miss you David. You were the greatest at so many things and it still just doesn't make any sense to me as to why you had to be taken from your wife, daughters and many friends. We all love and miss you!!!!
Forever loving and honoring David Poling!!!!

a friend forever

February 14, 2008

Well Dave I was messing around online and starting to make plans for this years Police Week in D.C. This has been a horrible year for us in law enforcement with you right in the middle. The streets of South Florida took a toll on police in 2007, with me and K-9 Nemo out looking for suspects that shot and killed too many down here. Being on the honor guard is one of the greatest ways to show my appreciation to you and everyone who makes the ultimate sacrafice. I had the honor of being one of your pallbearers and I must say, for a bunch of rusty Marines, we pulled it off!!! Michelle and the girls were able to meet up with us for an MP Company reunion in Myrtle Beach and many great stories were told.
Until I am able to copy your engraved name on the National Law Enforcement Memorial, rest easy my brother, we've got it from here.

To anyone attending police week, I can be reached at [email protected]

K-9 Officer Ryan Shimpeno
Miramar Police Department/ Marine Corps Brother

February 13, 2008

Dave,
I spent most of today with you on my mind. There are alot of changes going on in the dept and i find myself sitting back and thinking, what would Dave say about this. I respect you so much...you not only the picture perfect Marine and Deputy...you were the perfect father. If I can be half the dad you were then my kids would turn out great. I got to see Michelle and Faith the other day. faith and I watched cartoons in my office together while Michelle took care of business. I miss you and your presence is still strong here brother.

Love ya brother
Chad

Detective Chad Wallace
Gallia County

February 12, 2008

Deputy Sheriff's Prayer

When I start my tour of duty God,
wherever crime may be,
As I walk the darkened streets alone,
let me be close to thee.

Please give me understanding
with both the young and old.
Let me listen with attention
until their story's told.

Let me never make judgment
in a rash or callous way.
But let me hold my patience,
let each man have his say.

Lord if some dark and dreary night,
I must give my life,
Lord with your everlasting love
protect those special in my life.

We learned from your example and try each day to live up to it. Keep watch over him Dave, your always on our minds and in our hearts. We know how special you are to us and understand how special we were to you too. Your memory is one of which heroes should try to hold up to...you are our hero. Love you!

Deputy's Wife
GCSO

February 9, 2008

Hey David: Everyone is right... your stone is perfect! I waited so long to see it and all Michelle would say is that she wanted to take her time in deciding on it so that you would be proud and that it would represent all that you were to so many. She did a wonderful job, just as she has with everything else.
It was just mentioned at the basketball meeting tonight that our tournament this year be called "The David Poling Memorial Tournament" I know that you would be honored and love knowing that you are still here with us in spirit and heart. I love you and miss you so much and I just want this to be a success, much as your life here on earth was. Hopefully with a portion of the money that we raise, we are going to have the opportunity to help the players sharpen their skills and just learn to love the game of basketball.
David, not a day goes by that my family and I don't think of you and miss you. I check on your girls often and I am so very proud of how strong they are and I know that you are too.
Forever loving and honoring David Poling!!!!

a friend forever

January 23, 2008

G-d Speed My Brother

UC
ODPS-Inv Unit

January 21, 2008

Dave,
I saw the beautiful headstone that Michelle lovingly picked out and I'm sure alot of thought was but into it. It shows what a wonderful man, husband and father that you are. It shows how you served your country, your county and your community, but it also shows how proud you are of Michelle, Mikayla and Faith. I see so much of you in those girls. Michelle is doing a great job with your girls and she is a strong lady taking one day at a time. She misses and loves you so much Dave. I'll never understand why such a good man had to be taken from all those who loved you. Anybody who had you as a friend truley had a special friend and I feel honored to have known you and to have had you as a friend. Your time on earth was short but God only takes the best. I think of you often and miss you very much.
A friend who will never forget you Dave

January 15, 2008

BABY IT IS ME FINALLY! I HAVE NOT HAD INTERNET SINCE YOU Passed away so this is the first oppurtunity i have had to write to you. Me and the girls by the grace of GOD got through the holidays. This has been the hardest trial I have ever had to endure. I thought when we lost Daddy 6 years ago to His tragic death that I would never have to experience that kind of hurt ever again. You were there to get Mom and I through that loss. You became my hero. Thank you for helping me through that and never leaving my side.Now I find myself trying to figure out why God had to remove from my life my soulmate,best friend,protector,provider,the Father of our wonderful girls,the best husband that any woman could ever ask for.I miss you Pookie with all of my heart. I get angry at times and wonder why me? Why our girls? All you wanted was to be the best husband and Daddy you could be. Why can't you be there to help me coach basketball and see Mikayla do so well on the court. Why can't you see Faithy graduate from pre-school? Who will sit by me when they graduate high schooland who will walk them down the aisle when they marry the love of their life? Why can't you be there to rock on our new front porch with me and sleep beside of me at night and make me feel safe? There are so many questions because I am just human and I cannot think the way God thinks and I do not understand His ways. BUT despite all these hard questions I know God is in control and He has a plan for me and the girls.I Trust God through this and know He has carried me for 7 months. I want you to be proud of me. I have done the very best I can to make good decisions. My prayer daily is to be the best Mommy I can be and to try to keep living through this journey until God rejoins us. I had to wait a long time before your grave stone could be set but I am proud of it and I believe that it honors our llife that God so richly blessed us with. We are one of the luckiest couples in the world to have shared this wonderful love story. God put us together at a young age so that we could enjoy each other as long as possible. I am so thankful for our girls! You David Alan Poling will always be the First TRUE LOVE of my life. We have been through so much together. If I would have known you were going to have to part from me and I would end up a widow at the age of 32 with two pretty little girls who needed there Daddy I would have walked this road all over again because I got the opportunity to walk it with YOU-The greatest man i've ever known-!!!!I love you with all my heart and soul.The best part is I know you already know that and I in return know how much you love me!!Thank you for sharing this beautiful life with me. Ilove you POOKIE!!!!!!!

MICHELLE POLING
DAVID'S LOVING WIFE

December 27, 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 Poling, 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 David, 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 David's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that David's life was about so much more than the way he died. David will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Poling, 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 almost five 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)

December 24, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS, DAVE!! You are in our thoughts today, as always. Love you and miss you, our hero!

Deputy's Wife
GCSO

December 24, 2007

As I read these reflections, I find that it is still difficult to understand why we lost you. I can feel it become hard to breathe as I read and I realize the pain and the pride that each one feels as they remember you and your life. The same feelings that I had the day I stood at the river trying to process the truth of that day. I know the meaning of loss. I know the value of a good man. I put the peices together and it adds up to a hurt that simply does not fade. I believe that God has purpose in all things, and so I will continue to trust that He has you in the palm of His hand. You were amazing Dave, your purpose in our lives was one of example, to show us how to live, I hope we learned well. I count it an honor to have known you.

co-worker/friend
Gallia County

December 24, 2007