Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On behalf of all land management police officer students currently in training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Glynco, GA.--

We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and fellow law enforcement officers who had the honor of knowing and serving with Officer Upton. It has been clearly demonstrated to those of us pursuing this passion for law enforcement and conservation -- that Officer Upton serves as the epitome of what a caring, well respected, and professional officer should be. These qualities will be striven for and remembered daily as we complete our training, as well as throughout our careers in law enforcement. It is our sincere hope that we as future officers will be able to emulate and uphold these virtues with the zealousness, comradeship, and compassion that Ofc. has exemplified through the legacy he has left with this agency, this profession, and this world.

Craig Perry, Class SGT, LMPT 003
USFS LEI National Academy FLETC

March 14, 2010

Today we lay you to rest and my prayers are with your family, friends, co-workers, and fellow officers. I will carry on in our mission and think of you and the others who have gone before with fondness. Peace and rest my brother.

Arizona LEO
USFS LEI

March 13, 2010

My dear friend Chris,
I wish I could tell you in person, what an impact you have made on my life. I will never forget all the hours we spent in the plane chasing the bad guys. You are a true game warden at heart...always wanting to make the catch. I will never forget the time I was rounding up the 'illegals' in the Yucca Pens, with you circling the plane above me to make sure I was 'ok'. (thou you threatened to land on that dirt road if I was in trouble). I also remember the time when the pilot almost landed on top of us after we'd landed. I have so many stories that I could fill a book. Just want to tell you that I will miss talking to you and will always remember our adventures together in law enforcement. God bless Jessica and Annabelle. Beth and I will always be there for them.

I love you my brother and will never forget you.

God speed,
Craig Mitchell
Florida Fish & Wildlife
Charlotte County

Officer Craig Mitchell
Fl.Fish&Wildlife

March 12, 2010

You are a hero! My thoughts and prayers are with your family. May God bless each of you.

Secretary, Sandy Baker
USFS Southern Research Station

March 12, 2010

I did not know Christopher Upton. But I know what kind of person it takes to work in remote and dense forest areas during hunting seasons, hoping no one mistakes you for a deer or some other game animal. Only people like Chris who really love nature can force themselves to suppress the anxiety that comes with working under those circumstances, and do their job under uncomfortable conditions.

I think Christopher knew that the conservation and protecton of our forests demanded that he go into dense, difficult, and sometimes danagerous parts of the forests, because that's what it takes to truly understand, protect, and improve our forests. Chris is a true hero for putting himself in harm's way to protect the wildlands he obviously loves very much.

Forests are the Mother Earth that has nutured and sustained ancient and new peoples--without them it's doubtful that the early colonies would have survived and grown into the United States of America. These forests are as important today as they have been last four centuries, and God willing, will continue to prosper and support countless new generations of Americans.

I know this must be unbelievable hard on a young wife and daugter. I hope you will never believe that his death, incredibly tragic in circunstances, was for nothing. The forests we are so blessed with in the USA are essential to our material, social, and spiritual well being. God bless you and your families and I pray that your grief may be a lightened a little because Chris's service has benefitted so many Americans.

GS14/408 Ken Stolte
USDA-FS_Southern Research Station

March 12, 2010

What a tragic accident. My heartfelt condolences go out to Officer Upton's family, friends, and co-workers. At this most difficult time in your lives, words don't seem to help stop the pain you are feeling. I hope that in time, the pain subsides, although I know it will never completely go away. I pray that God gives you strength everyday. God Bless. Thank You Officer Upton for your service.

Police Officer Garcia
Los Angeles Police Department

March 12, 2010

To Chris' family and friends, as you know he was an excellent law enforcement officer and a great man who will be truly missed. May God's grace be poured out on you. Romans 8:28.

Brad Headley Senior Instructor
DHS Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

March 12, 2010

Rest in peace Brother, may our thoughts remain with his family and friends.

S.M.B.
Upstate NY

March 12, 2010

Chris, In the years we worked together It was really nice to see the smile on your face every time we spoke you was always in a good mood, A great man who truely loved his family and his Job, you was really a good friend who I really enjoyed working with you will be missed my brother but no one can take the great memories we had together ....
May god bless you and your great family

K-9 Ofc Frank Day Jr
Eatonton Ga Police Dept

March 11, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. As the wife of an Officer we all know the dangers they face every day. I did not have the honor of knowing your husband but I know that he was a great man. Officers do their jobs and risk it all not for the fame or glory but for their LOVE of country and others. I am sure that like my husband he felt it was an honor to wear the badge and in wearing that badge he was a Hero....a Hero everyday. I can only imagine your pain and my heart goes out to you. Please know that your Forest Service family grieves with you and we will keep you and yours in our prayers. God Bless

Catherine D Wiley
wife of Forest Service LEO Eric Wiley

March 11, 2010

Please accept my deepest sympathy and know that my prayers are with you and your family.

Special Agent Chuck Fike, Retired
Ca. Region U.S.F.S.

March 11, 2010

How often do we take our LEO's for granted? When we're fortunate enough to have one with a good sense of humor and high spirits, it may happen more often than it should. At a time of tragedy such as this, we must be drawn back to one simple fact: These officers are defending the wilderness, the land, these outback areas we hold so very dear. They face acres of solitude, vast peaks and remote hollows, miles and miles of unbroken grasslands... Alone and vulnerable.
The solace and peace of all humans is to return to nature... and if she's no longer there, what do we do? Where do we turn? How to make it through without these brave individuals who will hold fast and protect our sacred ground? Thank you Chris Upton, and all of you who keep your burdens close and your duty apparent. For the families of these officers I say to you: There is indeed a special place for those who protect the very essence of the earth and her creatures... A land of gentle rain, endless blooming grasses and flowers, where the creatures of the wild move together as one--where the sunrise and sunset are most glorious to behold.
This is where Chris has been welcomed home--to wait for Jessica and Annabel to meet with him again in the years to come.

ANONYMOUS
North River Ranger District, GWJeff, VA

March 11, 2010

Thank you for your service and the ulitmate sacrifice. I am deeply sorry for the Upton family for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Resident Agent in Charge Morgan Fisher
ATF Macon GA. Field Office

March 11, 2010

Unfortunately, our enforcement family has felt this before. My friend and brother Steve Bowman earned his place on the wall, and in our hearts forever, on June 24, 1998.

As Steve would say, "Keep your powder dry, Bud. We will meet again".

It is so difficult to accept the seeming waste of the life of a great person and of a dedicated father and husband. We wonder how words can ever begin to heal the wound. Yet, the more we talk about the loss, and allow the grieving to progress, the closer we come to healing.

Jessica, I know you feel lost now. Please understand that each of us in the Forest Service enforcement family will be there for you, and for Annabelle. Believe me when I tell you that we feel your pain. Chris will never be forgotten, and will always be honored.

As Annabelle grows, you will see Chris in her more each day. He will still be with you through her. I know that you and Chris had hopes and wishes for Annabelle. As you heal, focus on those hopes and wishes. Take her into the new future with strength and faith.

May God lay his healing hand on your hearts, and carry you gently through the pain and suffering.

Wilton Stribling
US Forest Service LEO, NC, retired

March 11, 2010

It's the people of the Forest Service who fight the wildfires,the timber theives, chiggers and ticks that make for such a close knit family. The loss of one of our own is a tragic loss. Our hearts and prayers are with you in the loss of your husband and father. May God Bless.

Jim Bruce, DR (retired) R9
Hiawatha National Forest

March 11, 2010

Chris and his efforts to ensure the best National Forest experience at the Oconee NF area will be sorely missed. His dedication to his job and his family is unsurpassed and we will miss his smiling face and professional demeanor on the Oconee NF.

Danny Dunbar
Outdoorsman--All Seasons Sportsmans Club of GA

March 11, 2010

To the friends and family of Officer Upton,

On behalf of Session 48, we are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Officer Upton.

This is a tragic loss and may he continue his watch in a better place.

God bless his friends and family.

Respectfully,

Session 48

Session 48
Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy

March 11, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Upton as well as the brotherhood at U.S. Forest Service. May you rest in God's eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department

March 11, 2010

Thank you for you courage and sacrifice. You will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten!

Sergeant, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

March 10, 2010

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Upton - I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and we will all keep Chris in our hearts.

LKL
USFS Agent/R3

March 10, 2010

God Bless You Sir.

Trooper
Virginia State Police

March 10, 2010

Rest in peace. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Tim Walther, Special Agent
USFS

March 10, 2010

Deepest sympathies and condolences to Jessica and Annabel. The Forest Service family grieves with you and shares in the tragic loss of your husband and father. The thoughts and prayers of many around the country are with you during this most difficult of times.

USFS, Virginia

Anonymous

March 10, 2010

Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace.

Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

Jonathan Sifuentes-Winter
US Forest Service

March 10, 2010

Dearest Jessica,
You have had to face something that all of us wives of law enforcement officers fear and for that I am so sorry. My husband is a NC State Trooper and every night as he puts on his vest and displays his badge of service on his uniform I say a silent prayer for his safety. I am so proud of all of our law enforcement officers and am intimately close to the risk involved with what they do. I have been praying for your strength for Annabel and will continue to pray for your family.
May God's Peace find you,
Your sister in service...

Lorie Stroup, Fisheries Biologist
USFS

March 10, 2010