Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I can hard believe it has almost been a year since Ryan's death. It is so good to know that his memory lives on! Ryan was a great father, husband and friend! God Bless Your Ryan........we will never forget!

Kacy Wilson
Neighbor/Friend

May 1, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

April 13, 2008

John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Thank you, my friend.

Joe

SA (Ret) Joe Oliver
AFOSI

April 4, 2008

On May 9th, The Police Unity Tour will leave from New Jersey Bicycling to Washington D.C. in honor of our fallen brothers. I will be pedaling hundreds of miles over 3 1/2 days in honor of Special Agent Ryan Balmer. Ryan not only chose the honorable profession of law enforcment, he took it one step further serving his County as well. His dedication, bravery and service overseas was to help ensure the freedom and the safety of other officers around him as well as everyone here at home including a brother officer like myself. Every officer riding to D.C. chooses a hero to ride for; I have chosen Ryan. I have read countless articles that tell what a remarkable husband, father, friend and soldier he was. Ryan is a great American and a true hero in every sense of the word and I am proud to have the opportunity to ride in his name. To the family of Agent Balmer, I know how proud you are of him and I also know how much you must miss him every day. I have a family also and they already know of Ryan and the great sacrifices he and his family have made for all of us. I am certain he was a great man and he will be missed. I cannot imagine missing him in your everyday life but I hope that hearing how important his cause was and how much he is loved and appreciated by complete strangers in some way eases some of your pain. He will be in my heart and mind every mile of my trip. At the Memorial, I will stand with thousands of Brother Officers and family members to honor and remember Ryan's name. May God Bless you Ryan and keep watch over your loving family until the day that you are all reunited with God.
Rest in peace Brother.

Patrolman Anthony Maccario
Madison PD - NJ

April 4, 2008

When I think of you, I see the chubby 4th grader with one piece of hair that always stood up; or the kid who wouldn't choose sides when people he cared about were fighting and would just tell both people they were doing wrong and stand up for what he thought was right at an age when peer pressure was a pretty big deal. I remember pretending to be cold so I could wear your jacket and then suffering through the heat. I remember sitting in the bathroom talking to you while you took showers. There is no one else I've ever known for this many years that I can honestly say I've never had a disagreement with, never been mad at, or never been let down by except for you. All of this "HERO" stuff is hard for me sometimes because so many of these people don't even know that you were already a hero just for being the person you were; that you had this sense of integrity even as a child; and that you were always love, truth, and light to everyone around you serving us all long before you were in the service. I guess I just wanted everyone who never met you to know that you've always been a hero. You were never ordinary. I hear about your accomplishments and I can't believe this is the same guy who couldn't even read a lousy compass at Camp Eb.! Ha Ha. Just because your a hero doesn't mean i'll let you forget that! I've loved you since the 4th grade and I'll just never stop. Thanks for being my friend. I'm so proud of the man you grew to be.

JME
Friend

March 24, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 12, 2008

Babe,
I always knew you were special, I just didn't know how special. Every day of our 11 years together was more than I could've asked for. You put your heart and soul into being the best husband for me, and the best Dad you could for our children, and you really were the best. The same can be said of your service to your country. Never once did I see you do less than your best, no matter how big or small the task. I have never met someone with such integrity, character and compassion. In retrospect, I really do believe you were too perfect to remain on this earth.
My heart breaks everyday that I am without you, and I am certain that this pain will never go away. I take some comfort from reading posts like these, especially from people who knew you, you really did leave an impression on many, many people. I also take some comfort and strength from the overwhelming pride that has come from family, friends, and people you never met. I believe the true, kind hearted, compassionate, and genuinely good man that you were is very evident in everything that has been done, and every kind word that has been said in your memory. I am so proud to have been your wife, and shared a true-one-of-a-kind everlasting love with you.
I promise you that you, your life, as well as your sacrifice will never be forgotten. You believed in the difference you were making "over there" and asked me not to be angry if you didn't make it home. Although that is a very tough pill to swallow, I can't help but honor your request. Your death was not in vain, and neither was your life. May you rest in peace, know how much you are loved, and how proud of you we ALL are.
The day cannot come soon enough for us to be together again. I love you Babe.

Mrs. Ryan Balmer
Proud wife of SA Balmer

March 4, 2008

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

Agent Balmer, 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 26, 2007

OH MAN DO I MISS YOU!!! Especially today. 34 today. Yes, everything is functioning properly. When I was told you were gone it felt like someone kicked me in the gut and ripped my heart out of my chest. Your more like a brother to me then an uncle. Sometimes I think I hear you laughing at me when the kids are being funny or really testing my nerves. Unfortunately that's starting to fade away. Grandma helped your wife and kids move. One night grandma called me and your name was on the caller ID. For a split second the pain was gone and everything was as it was suppose to be and then the phone rang a second time, it all came flooding back. I was thinking the other day how we would go down to Burger Dairy on sunday's and get ice cream for grandma's pudding, or go to 7-11 for slurpee's you'd layer all the flavors (nasty). Chit chatting till midnight when we had school the next day. Playing hotbox with Thomas and Dwayne. Your son stayed at my house while they were visiting. He looks and acts just like you. I am so proud of you. I glad you got to carry your BIG A** Gun. That's all you would talk about when we were kids. Those christmas picture's you sent me were cool. I had to laugh b/c you looked so mean and that really isn't you. I love you and I miss you XOXO Nikki

Nikki
niece

November 27, 2007

HELLO, MY LOVE. I MISS YOU DEARLY. NOT A DAY GOES BY, THAT I DONT SHED A TEAR, FOR YOU. EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE MY LITTLE SNOT NOSED BROTHER, YOU ARE KNOW MY HERO. IM VERY PROUD TO HAVE YOU FOR MY BROTHER. WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN, WHEN YOU WERE YOU WERE SO YOUNG, THAT YOU WOULD GROW-UP, TO BECOME A GREAT AMERICAN HERO. IM VERY PROUD OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU MADE IN YOUR LIFE, AND ESPECIALLY AS A SPECIAL AGENT. I KNOW THAT YOU WERE SO EXCITED TO HAVE FINALLY FOUND YOUR NICHE IN LIFE. YOU WILL FOREVER IN MY THOUGHTS,AND MY HEART. WE ALL MISS YOU DEARLY, BUT COULDNT BE PROUDER, OF THE WONDERFUL MAN, AGENT, AND HERO YOU BECAME. I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SIS

SHERRI BALMER
SISTER

November 22, 2007

We all know the very real danger we face when we go to fight for not only our nation’s freedom, but the freedom of those who cannot fight for themselves. Freedom is NOT free and only those who serve or have served (including their families) understand the true cost. We pay for it with our own freedom and you and others like you offered up the ultimate sacrifice. You are a warrior and a hero. You defended those who defend America and it’s way of life. There is no higher calling, nor service to our country. We will move on, we will do right by you and your sacrifice, we will not forget you. Rest in peace brother. May God grant your family solace from their grief. Watch over us as we continue the fight.

#2040
AFOSI

November 20, 2007

Rest in Peace Brother, you are missed.

SA #0584 "Fuzzy"
AFOSI

November 14, 2007

I miss you brother. I will never forget that day and I will never forget you! God Bless your family. One day we'll meet again.

SA Jeff Wysong
AFOSI

July 23, 2007

Agent Balmer we are so profoundly grateful for your efforts at protecting our freedom and the freedom of those who are oppressed. We send our blessings to your family and friends. May you find the peace that you are so well deserved.

"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Respectfully submitted on behalf of my department,

Officer Matthew Lewek
Menomonee Falls (WI) Police Department

July 19, 2007

My thoughts go to this man and his family, my deepest respect and thanks for keeping this world safer! Rest in peace Air Force man.

Cpl Jean Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit

July 15, 2007

Your heroism, dedication to duty and sacrifice make me proud to be a member of the organization. You will not be forgotten. RIP my friend.

SA Steven Smith
Air Force Office of Special Investigations

July 3, 2007

Ryan,

You are a hero and true warrier... Your family will always be in our care.

Godspeed Brother.

#2648
AFOSI

June 28, 2007

I only most recently heard of this memorial site, due to the line of duty death of one of our own officers. I pray for your family, friends, fellow agents, and all of your Airforce Family. My Youngest son is in the Airforce, so as I look at your face, and the face of the other Agent, I think of him. You both gave the ultimate sacrifice. I know you are both up in the Heavens above in God's loving arms. Thank you for your service to this country! "A Hero is not a Hero by their death, but by How they lived their lives." God Bless!

Police Dispatcher Sara Singleton
Howard County Police Communications 911 Center

June 24, 2007

SA Balmer

You have paid the ultimate sacrifice for your country. No words can state what you have done for your country. You are a shining example of what makes this country great may you rest in peace you a true American Hero.

Douglas W. Bennett
Juvenile Probation Officer Ky Dept. of Juvenile Justice

June 19, 2007

SA Balmer,

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Best wishes to your family.

Special Agent /Badge 1155
NCIS

June 19, 2007

Your contribution to our freedom and our way of life will not have been made in vain. Rest easy now, and one day we will all be reunited in God's perfect love.

Federal Officer M.Gatling
U.S. Customs and Border protection

June 19, 2007

I am Ryan's oldest brother. I would like THANK EVERYONE who has posted a comment, or reflection about Ryan. It is very overwhelming to read all your comments.He will be Missed, but he will live in our hearts forever. Again thank you all Mark, and Tera Balmer

mark balmer
brother

June 18, 2007

As you took the oath to defend a nation from crime, corruption, and tyranny; you joined a fraternity. You made us all proud. May your badge never tarnish! RIP

SA Van Mance
AFOSI

June 18, 2007

My thoughts and prayers go out to SA Balmer's family in this difficult time. Godspeed brother!

Mark Schilli
DEA-St. Louis

June 17, 2007

Nothing can describe the selfless sacrifice you have made. There is no higher honor than serving this Nation, except giving your life for it. You and your family will not be forgotten. Rest now brother, your tour is complete.

“Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they will be called the sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

SA Spencer
AFOSI 2 FIR

June 16, 2007