Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Chris was my first ride along officer in 1986, what should have been a regular night turned into a long night. I made it home at 3:30 in the morning. Our shift started at 3 in the afternoon. Chris was a awesome Sheriff's Deputy.

Jeff Gibson
RDO 251

January 14, 2024

I was a Wichita PD officer working the night you died. When I got to the scene, you were already in the ambulance and I was told to guard your patrol car. The effect of looking at your car with the emergency lights still going and the engine idling is with me still today. I held it together pretty well until I saw your two little girls at the funeral.
I never met you but you were my brother. I don't know if that bond between law enforcement officers is as strong today but if not, it's a shame.
You helped make me the cop I was. Thank you Chris.

Kevin Foley
Callaway County MO Sheriff's Office (Ret.)

May 22, 2022

Since your death, you have always crossed my mind as I log into CAD. A version of your name and badge number had been my CAD password for well over two decades. In 2015, I was finally able to bring myself to change it after so much needed closure on my end.

You are not forgotten by me. I train dispatchers and have for the majority of my thirty one years at Sedgwick County. Your devasting loss, on what began as a traffic stop at the very end of your shift, is something I discuss with every new LE dispatcher I come into contact with.

I didn't know you. This car stop was the first and last time I had heard your voice. Many people I know still miss you terribly. Through them, I know you were a great friend, a loved husband and father. I will never forget not knowing you.

Rest easy, Chris.

Deidra Messenger, Dispatcher CTO
Sedgwick County Emergency Communications

May 12, 2022

Since your death, you have always crossed my mind as I log into CAD. A version of your name and badge number had been my CAD password for well over two decades. In 2015, I was finally able to bring myself to change it after so much needed closure on my end.

You are not forgotten by me. I train dispatchers and have for the majority of my thirty one years at Sedgwick County. Your devasting loss, on what began as a traffic stop at the very end of your shift, is something I discuss with every new LE dispatcher I come into contact with.

I didn't know you. This car stop was the first and last time I had heard your voice. Many people I know still miss you terribly. Through them, I know you were a great friend, a loved husband and father. I will never forget not knowing you.

Rest easy, Chris.

Deidra Messenger Dispatcher CTO
Sedgwick County Emergency Communications

May 12, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Willems,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Sedgewick County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 12, 2021

Hi Dad, I love you and I miss you. I know you loved me too, it’s the simple and true thing about us. The one thing uncomplicated and uninterrupted. 30 years later a 12-year-old boy in my head still grasps to understand your loss.

I treasure the few photos: playing, swimming, riding a motorcycle, opening Christmas gifts, resting your chin on my head. I value your sense of justice, quick wit, and policy to never suffer fools.

You wanted it to be known that you had a son. I want to make known that I have a father and that I’m so proud of you.

Tess, Molly, and Grandma, I love you too!

Jared Anderson
son

April 25, 2021

Thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 9, 2020

As a LEO, it’s never easy to lose a brother in blue. We bleed blue today, tomorrow and forever. RIP to all brothers and sisters in blue we have lost over the years. You are never forgotten for what you have sacrificed. Rest In Peace we got the watch.

Halk Chamsayidi
San Diego Police Department

May 12, 2019

To the family, friends and colleagues of HERO Deputy Sheriff Christopher C. Willems: Proudly mailed my NO PAROLE letter, on his behalf. Please know that I am very sorry for your loss.

To Deputy Sheriff Willems: Thank You for your service and sacrifice. You are not forgotten! So many people have shared their stories/memories about you.
God Bless You All.

Allie Wroten
Proudly Supporting All L.E.O.’s
Wife of a Corrections Deputy

February 24, 2019

Chris, I met you when you were a young boy, maybe 14 or 15 years old. Your Mom bought a house on Clarence Street that was divided up into 3 apartments and I was renting one of them at the time. She was fixing it up and during that time I would have conversations with her and she found out that I played basketball once a week in the evenings with a group of guys. She asked me if I would mind taking you to the gym with me to shoot baskets and I said sure. You only went a few times with me but I think you enjoyed it and you even complimented my jump shot. I myself was only 19 at the time and when I moved I never saw you again. Years later when I saw your name in the news about the tragic event I felt terrible for you and your family. You live on in memories of many people just like me who only knew you briefly. Wally

Walter Young
Friend

December 5, 2018

As they lay to rest your fellow brother officer Kunze to rest my thoughts come back to you RIP Chris hard to believe it’s been 27 years welcome home officer kunze RIP

Troy
Friend

September 21, 2018

You were the coolest cop I ever met!!

DawnMarie

March 17, 2018

Many thanks for your service to our country. RIP

John Haseltine - Civilian

May 12, 2016

No Parole for Cop Killers.

Offc WRFrank(ret)
Conn Special Services

March 1, 2016

Every so often, I visit this webpage because I can't help but remember Chris. I wish could have been there for you Chris. Maybe things could have turned out differently if the WPD were there.

M. Birch (R877)
Wichita Police Department Reserves

December 26, 2015

I wish you would remind me that you're here. I haven't felt your presence in so long..

Molly Willems
Youngest Daughter

September 8, 2015

24 years later and I can still feel your presence my brother. Your life was a gift to your friends, your family and the community you served.

John 15: 13. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

May God Bless Julie and your daughters and may the Holy Spirit always comfort them.

Sheriff Justin Smith
Larimer County Sheriff's Office

May 14, 2015

After 24 years, you are still remembered. Thank you for your service and God bless your family.

Sedgwick County Deputy Wife

May 12, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 12, 2015

My name is Shawna Starr Daniels my farther and Chris are cousins and when I was very young I meet his wife and kids. I remember that they all where very nice. Well I just wanted to say I know my dad missed him and when I saw the memorial that is by the courthouse in downtown wichita ks I cryed for my extened family and for all the families that have lost dads moms ect.. I hope people never forget the men and women who make our lives safe and free

Shawna Daniels

August 19, 2014

Rest in Peace, Deputy Willems. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2014

i never knew you but my dad knew you and talks about you and how great you were i love hearing the storys of you and my dad.

Doyle G. Mollenkamp
son of the fellow officer and friend

October 31, 2012

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

July 14, 2012

Chris, It's taken me a long time to do this to and about you my good friend, and even though the years have passed my heart still bleeds for your sad passing from us all.

I came to know Chris because I was a new officer in the Park City PD and had not long moved over there from the reserves division at the Wichita PD and he would often stop by during his off duty times and chat with me as we sat in my patrol car on North Hydraulic St, or at the Hen House.

He was always just Chris the fun and true Law Enforcement Officer, and his vast dealings with many of the low lifes in our area's gave him such a good experience from which I learned so much from.

You were top of your class in Drug Interdiction in our county and I admired you so very much for all that you stood for and for how you treated other fellow officers.

I was in Houston, Texas when the news came and it shattered me to the core, and I just sat and could not accept it, you above all officers should lose your life like you did.
Even after all this long time I still can't look at your picture here on this reflection site and think back to our times together and not feel a tear start to fall.

One day we will meet again my friend in God's heaven, and then I will smile and see your cheeky smile back at me once again, and hear you say Hi My Little Englishman......

Bless You Chris, Bless You For What You Gave All Of Us.

Paul K. Miller. Patrol Officer (Ret)
Park City PD. Kansas.

December 21, 2011

I visit the ODMP site periodically to visit Chris. I can still remember my time with WPD and working third shift with Chris. Those were good days. I wish I could have been there, things might have went differently. Don't worry Chris we will meet again someday.

Wichita Police Dept.
Reserve Officer Division

November 16, 2011