Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Speed my friend. Thank you for your service in keeping my friends and family safe. I will try to do my part in doing the same.

lieutenant John Moore
Department of Correction

April 27, 2013

I miss you Joe! You were a great friend and a great supervisor!

Senior Corporal retired
New Castle County Police Department

April 3, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Detective Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

March 17, 2013

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”


― Albert Pike

Lt. Floyd E. Wiley Jr.
New Castle County Police Department

January 3, 2013

Lt....remember your wife...and your beloved cats...you always cared....I was a son of a hero too...My father..who was a city of wilmington fireman(firefighters they were not called in those days)...I miss him terribly to this day..he died in 1984...so....yes it never goes away....God Bless your Wife...she is in love with a good man who did his best....Joseph Weaver...salesianum Gentleman.

CREW CHIEF NEW CASTLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
fRIEND

November 2, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the first anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. You will always be remembered and revered.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 16, 2012

As a dispatcher I couldn't help but think as the weekend approached this would be the anniversary you were taken from your family, friends, and NCCPD. The amount of officer's being taken lately has been so many the last several weeks. Continue to watch over your family and these fine men and women and ride with them ... they need angels like you every day and night. I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies and prayers as everyone who knew you and loved you copes with remembering you today and every day. I pray that they unite and reflect to remember all that makes them smile rather than cry; because today will be much harder than others. Your legacy and dedication is still living within all those that you loved and each of your fellow officers!

God Bless you Lt.!

Dispatcher Holderbaum
DE Dispatcher

September 16, 2012

As we approach the one year mark of your passing, I look around at your colleagues and my heart aches for them. I feel their pain as they are my "family". You left them many great memories and are an example that many should follow. Thank you for your dedication, service, and sacrifice.

Heroes Never Die!!!!

C. Pirritano
Allied Agency

September 6, 2012

Joe,

As we approach the one year mark we reflect on the kind of officer you were and more importantly the kind of person you were. I think of you often and reflect back to our academy days..I will never forget as a young officer you reminded me that you would do this job for free.. This was a true testament to your passion and dedication which was admired by us all. Take care my friend and thank you for your service and the memories that we will always cherish..

S/Cpl. Paul A. Chickadel #2440
NCCCPD 22nd Recruit Class

September 6, 2012

I can't believe it's been almost a year since this horrible nightmare. I don't think our agency will ever fully recover from his loss. I still love you and miss you daily Joe.

S/Sergeant Mary Devine
NCCPD

August 30, 2012

"The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on."
~Walter Lippman

Corporal Brett W. Conley #2509
New Castle County Police

May 20, 2012

"It is not the critic who counts. Not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause. Who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

Corporal Brett W. Conley #2509
New Castle County Police

May 18, 2012

I had the honor of wearing your name on my running bib at this years Police Week 5K in Washington D.C. I tried to do you proud. Thoughts and prayers.

Trooper
Virginia State Police

May 13, 2012

Thank you for your service Sir, RIP.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

February 17, 2012

Rest in Peace, Lieutenant Szczerba. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2012

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiance Dennis. Every time 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 officer they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Lieutenant Szczerba. 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. I can also be found on Face Book.) You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Joseph 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 Joseph's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Joseph's life was about so much more than the way he died. Joseph will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Lieutenant Szczerba, 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 fiance Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been eight & a half years and he's still very much missed and forever loved.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

December 29, 2011

Joe,

Merry Christmas my friend, we all miss you very much..

Classmate / 22nd Recruit Class
NCCPD

December 24, 2011

To the family and friends of Lt. Joseph Szzzerba, his fellow officers, and most especially to Joseph:

We honor your service and you will always be remembered and revered. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Joe was killed in the line of duty. It is obvious he was well-loved by many and well-respected by his peers as reflected in the loving reflections left for him.

May his loved ones continued to be supported by their law enforcement family and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of distinquished service Joe gave to his community and the citizens of Delaware, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 16, 2011

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

November 4, 2011

Lt. Szczerba,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New Castle County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. You probably didn't even have to respond to that call yet you did-I wish more supervisors in Law Enforcement were like you.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

October 28, 2011

We are deeply saddened by this cowardly murder. May the ruthless criminal responsible for this murder be brought to justice and sentenced to the most severe penalty. You are a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister Deputies. May God bless you, your coworkers and the survivors of your family. Rest in peace brother.......

Corporal
Pennsylvania State Police

October 23, 2011

I would like to tell joseph szczrba's family that he worked hard and he took care of his family and others. he was a brave person Rest in Peac police joseph szczerba!! WE LOVE YOU

unknown
HERO

October 20, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of this brave officer. Rest in Peace.

Sheriff Ray Foster
Buchanan County Sheriff's Office

October 17, 2011

With deepest sympathy to the Sczerba family and NCC Police Dept. May God wrap His healing hands around you all and guide you through this difficult time. Seven years ago, we lost a loved one to a LOD death, God continues to help us through and I know He will hep you. Peace and Prayers

Shannon Fowler
C.O.P.S. (Survivor)

October 10, 2011

His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

Author unknown

May God be with everyone

Motor Officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, TX

October 7, 2011

I just read the letter from his widow and it touched me deeply. Lt. Szczerba was an exceptional man and he married an exceptional woman. What truly makes them exceptional is that they aren't that much different from so many I have known in the law enforcement profession. While the public sees them as ordinary, those of us who have "been through the fire" know just how exceptional they are as human beings and as part of our law enforcement family.

Admiral Nimitz said of the Marine Corps after Iwo Jima that "Uncommon valor was a common virtue". Indeed, those who serve and protect deserve that accolade for that day in, day out devotion to duty and their never-ending caring for the public they serve. Men like Joseph Szczerba make me proud to have served in their ranks.

Cpl Michael Betts
Prince George's County, MD PD (ret)

October 4, 2011