Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My deepest condolences go out to everyone involved. The wife and children he leaves behind and the fellow Officers. As a wife of a Police Officer my prayers are with each and everyone of you.

Pamela Gaston
None

October 1, 2007

Officer Erfle, thank you for your brave and selfless service. My prayers and tears are with your family, friends, and Police brothers and sisters.

How young to have left us... how total your gift to us. May the Almighty comfort and protect your wife and children.

Timothy Reise
Nashville, TN (cousin of Chicago Police officer)

October 1, 2007

GOD BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. MAY THE LORD WATCH OVER YOUR FAMILY AS YOU WATCHED OVER OURS. EVERY NIGHT I PRAY THAT NO MORE OFFICERS WILL HAVE TO LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES. UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS PART OF THE RISK THAT COMES FROM PROTECTING OTHERS. I THANK THE LORD EVERYDAY THAT SUCH FINE MEN AS OFFICER NICKI JAMES ERFLE LIVE IN THIS WORLD. FOR IF NOT FOR THEM, THE WORLD WOULD BE CHAOS. THANK YOU SIR, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS THE HERO YOU ARE.

September 30, 2007

Thank you for your dedicated services and keeping our town safe, you are hero and will be truly missed.

Officer M.Sobczak
Salt River

September 28, 2007

My deepest condolences to the officers family, friends and coworkers. Such a tragic loss of a brave hero. To his children, always remember your father was a true hero in life and made the biggest sacrifice protecting the streets of your city. RIP.

Constable Mike T. Kurek #1457
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

September 28, 2007

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Thank You for your service.

E. Bruss - #623
Santa Fe PD (TX)

Officer Eric M. Bruss
Santa Fe Police department (TX)

September 27, 2007

I promised Nick I would do what ever is necessary in the future for his family.

To all officers, thank you, it was truely an honor to walk amoungst those who serve and protect.

Thank you with great gratitude for the honor and respect of the Phoenix police department.

Darren Schmidt,
brother in-law, god father to Brody

September 27, 2007

I'm a friend of Nick's, and reading these posts bring much comfort, from those of you that knew him, and those that didn't but understand the loss of such a wonderful human being.
I attended the service with my husband on Monday, and must say it was nice for us to meet his "other" family, the police officers that share those dangers everyday, and the respect that they held for Nick. My husband was driving Nick's wife and sons home later Monday night, and the six year old asked his mom, as it was starting to get dark outside, if "daddy was in bed yet in heaven?" While we all wish Nick to "rest in Peace" I know he is not "resting" but "watching" over us. God bless his memory.

Diane
A friend in ND

September 27, 2007

I am very saddened by the senseless death of Officer Nick. My sister lives in Mesa and called me to tell me about this horrific tragedy. What infuriates me even more is that the crime was committed by an illegal immigrant. God Bless Nick Erfle, his family and friends. Nick gave the ultimate sacrifice defending our great country and I am appreciate of him for that. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you, Nick. I don't even know you but feel like I have lost an honorable friend.

Caree
Team Tancredo Iowa Campaign staff

September 27, 2007

See you on the other side.

Sgt Don "Boots" Jensen Retired
Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee, WI

September 26, 2007

I have no reflection, however, I merely wanted to say how sad it is for one of our Fallen Heroes in our day and time of these needy selfless Officer's that give their live's to serve and to protect.
My best regards go ot to his family firstmost, his Commerades @nd. most and thirdly to all of his friends that I am sure will dearly miss him.

Dave
none

September 26, 2007

I wrote this poem several years ago when reflecting on life and thought it would be appropriate to post it here. May GOD provide strength and eventually peace to Nicki's family and friends.

DRIFTWOOD

Life is like a piece of driftwood, floating on the “Sea of Life”.

A seed falls to the ground and grows into a young sapling...not knowing its’ purpose in life. What to be...a board for a wall, firewood, or a pillar to hold up a roof to keep the rain out.

As the tree grows it reaches barriers and it's limbs will bend and twist to get around life’s obstacles; while growing character.

Stormy days come and may break off a branch; but time heals the wound.

Larger trees can shadow; but with enough growth, sunshine is reached.

Its’ roots may grow deep or shallow, depending on the stability and nutrition in the soil.

With maturity, the tree produces new life to carry on it’s species.

Twisting and turning in extreme winds may uproot the old tree and return the tree to the earth from which it came.

Pieces may fall into the water and be carried off to the far shores.

The wind changes and pushes it out to drift again.

The waves wash it onto the rocks where the constant rubbing smoothes it’s edges.

It basks in the sunshine, until a passer-by picks it up to take it to fulfill a new purpose in life. whatever that may be.

Written by Kathleen E. Mauch

Kathy and Terry Mauch
North Dakota Cousins

September 26, 2007

May the Lord take this family under his wings. We just lost one of ours and I know the pain. Bless the family, what a hero!!!!!!

Steve #499

Ofc Steven Regula
Temple, TX Police Dept

September 26, 2007

Officer Erfle, may God Bless you, your friends, family and fellow officers during this unbelievably tragic time. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten for heroes live forever.

Sgt. Jeff Jensen Colorado Springs Police
Brother of Det. Jared Jensen, CSPD EOW 2-22-06

September 25, 2007

To the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Erfle, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Officer Erfle is a hero in the truest sense.

Brother, your sacrifice will not be forgotten. The watch is ours now.

Special Agent
FBI New York

September 25, 2007

Officer Erfle,

Its me again. I want to tell you how your life was amazing and taken too soon. However, you inspire me. You had a hard time with your cancer, but you still came to work with enthuisiasm, even when you had to ride a desk, just counting the days until you could be back out on the streets.

At your funeral, your fellow officers and supervisors said many great things about you, and that, too, inspired me. And deep down inside, I feel the intense urge to sit down and cry because of this awful tragedy. And yet, in all its tragic nature, there is a light of inspiration, one which I will never forget. I, now more than ever, know my true calling of law enforcement, and whenever things get tough, it will be you in my heart and my mind to push me through it.

You are a true hero... and one day, at the end of MY watch, I will see you and thank you again.

"Let us sing the song of unsung heros, those who lay their dreams aside, choosing honor more than glory, pledging faith and quiet pride, those whose uniform is courage, yet are unashamed of tears, finding in their love of freedom power stronger than their fears."

Explorer Jeff Haworth
Mesa Police Department

September 25, 2007

My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Erfle. All of us in the law enforcment community grieve the loss of such a fine young officer. My prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

Major Robert Van Pelt
Harris County Sheriff's Office

September 25, 2007

Officer Erfle, his wife, sons and fellow officers; May God give you peace during this difficult time. Thank you all for everything you do for the citizens of the Phoenix Metro area. We have lost a true HERO but gained an ANGEL.

K
Thankful Citizen

September 24, 2007

Rest in peace brother warrior. Your SWAT Team made us proud when they took care of business swiftly and without hesitaion.

Officer J. Castaneda
Mesa PD

September 24, 2007

This is such an unfortunate, shocking and hurtful trend! Since I left there in 2004 there have been way too many lost friends. I will pray for your family!

Sherri

September 24, 2007

To the family and friends of Officer Nick Erfle,
I did not know Officer Erfle personally as I am new to the area, and have been absolutely stunned at the number of Officers that have lost their life in the line of duty in this area over the years but more so at the ones that lost their life in the line of duty just this year. From all that I have heard and read I know that Officer Erle was truly a hero,not just to his co-workers and citizens of the community but to his family as well. I was browsing through some poems when I found this one and it sounded appropriate for the friends and family of Officer Erfle so I wanted to share it with you all.

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

Where I dwell with God above

Where there's no more tears

Or sadness there

Is just eternal love

Please do not be unhappy

Just because I'm out of site

Remember that I'm with you

Every morning, noon and night

That day I had to leave

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 so badly

As part of My big plan

There's so much that we have to do

To help our mortal man

Then God gave me a list of things

He wished for me to do

And foremost on that list of mine

Is to watch and care for you

And I will be beside you

Every day and week and year

And when you're sad

I'm standing there

To wipe away the tear

And when you lie in bed at night

The days 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're 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

Of all that God has planned

But if I were to tell you

You wouldn't understand

But one thing for certain

Though my life on Earth is o're

I am closer to you now

Than I ever was before

And to my very many friends

Trust God knows what is best

I'm still not far away from you

I'm just beyond the crest

There are rocky roads ahead of you

And many hills to climb

But together we can do it

Taking one day at a time

It was always my philosophy

And I'd like it to be for you too

That as you give unto the World

So the world will give to you

If you can help somebody

Who is in sorrow or in pain

Then you can say to God at night

My day was not in vain

And now I am contented

That my life it was worthwhile

Knowing as I passed along the way

I made somebody smile today

So if you meet somebody

Who is down and feeling low

Just lend a hand to pick him up

As on your way you go

When you are 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 you feel the gentle breeze

Or the wind upon your face

That's me giving you a great big hug

Or just a soft embrace

And when it's time for you to go

From that body to be free

Remember you're not going

You are coming here to me

And I will always love you

From that land way up above

We'll be in touch again soon.

P.S. God sends His Love

Author Unknown

With Deepest Sympathy to Officer Erfle's family, friends, and all Law Enforcement Agencies in their loss of a wonderful young man.

Misty
citizen of the community

September 24, 2007

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." (Matthew 5:9)

rest in peace Officer Erfle and may god bless the Erfle family.

Lieutenant Detective Matt Rudiger
Deming PD

September 24, 2007

My condolences to the Phoenix Police Department and to the family of Officer Erfle. May he rest in peace.

A. Griego
Albuquerque, NM

September 24, 2007

my thoughts and prayers are with your friends and family. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

D. Lindsey
WA resident

September 24, 2007

Thank you Nick for your ultimate sacrifice to make my world a safer place to live. You have inspired me through your life to give more towards community service. May the angels hold you in their arms and protect you now, giving you strength, joy and peace, as you through your service have given us in Phoenix, Arizona. God Bless Nick Erfle and his family.

Charlotte Treuil
Citizen of Phoenix, Arizona

September 24, 2007