Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Kenny I just wrote this long letter to you, my favorite brother,(seriously, how long did that one take to get?)anyway my friend stopped by and had to show me again how to get to the other comments left by others,and i'll tell you, its amazing Kenny, you were truly loved by many. a beautiful legacy you left. I'm proud to be your sister.You are everything I always knew you to be.I wear the shirts you gave me all the time. You have no idea how often I got asked when was I in the Marines(this was when I was younger, of course)and as badly as I wanted to kid with them, I was always so proud of you, I had to talk about you. anyway, this real nice officer got me to the site I wanted to see. He reminds me of you, kind of. Really caring, really nice, proud to be a cop and seems like the kind of man who should be in law enforcement. Not at all the scary kind where you go like, oh, my God, who the hell gave this guy a gun and a badge. you know what I mean, we used to talk about that stuff. I like this guy,he seems to be what law enforcement officers should be made of. He knows(kind of) all the heartache Phil has put me through, and is good enough to check up on the situation.Well,Kenny, i'm getting tired. you would be shocked to see my house. and i'm getting to damn old to do it like we used to. talk soon, my friend , I miss you so much.Damn...well, soon enough kiddo. love, your sister, (you know, the wacky one...LOL....)kim

no rank, kim
sister

December 23, 2013

Kenny,
I met you sister Kim the other day. I only spent a few minutes with her but I could tell she loves you and misses you very much. She told me how proud she is of you and sacrificing your life so that others may live.
Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. May you and your famiyl find peace this holiday season.
"In valor there is hope".

Sergeant Sean DeGrilla
Orange County Sheriff's Office, FL

December 14, 2013

just got this damn computer fixed, so thought i'd stop and say 'nite,i'm tired of this damn machine! but love ya Kenny


kim

no rank,sister kim
sister

December 11, 2013

kenny, i was just writing about stuff and telling you some very kind officer down here gave me this web site. your bravery has never been forgotten, not by one day. i miss you so much, you wacko funny brother!i know you hear my prayers, though i need not worry, for i know you and everyone else in the family are in the safe loving hands of the Father.That officer gave me a wonderous gift with this web site. i almost feel like when we wrote while you were in boot camp, and we were sharing so much of what we both had to do. i loved your letters, i didnt feel like i was alone in boot camp, you know. remember the lawn on the college? oh,shoot.i looked at you and said, oh my god, thats my brother! fun days wish you were here, but i shall see you soon,give mommie and kitty and angelo and all the others my love. tell Gary that i really miss his 'Lucy, I'm home! i know he's making you laugh. love you so, kim

kim tagani, sister, no rank
sister

December 10, 2013

just saying hi again big brother.you know I always said that even though you were my baby brother. but you always took care of us, which made you look big in my eyes..you are the best man even have known. oh, how I miss you. The Father knows how badly I needed you right now, so yesterday, I met an officer who recently lost a brother in blue, really kind man and told me about this web site. He surely knows our needs. hope Daddy and mommie and Big Gary are doing good. I miss you, brother, you are in my thoughts everyday and this is the only way I can let you see my words. member the day I saw you in your dress blues? I jumped on you like a little monkey. happy memory, one of many. love you more, your sister kim

kim tagani
sister

December 10, 2013

Kenny,, I love you so much,this is me, but you already know this. you are my hero and I am so proud of you. but I would rather have you with me. you know what has happened so just hang to the love and admiration so many people have for you. you are my hero. I pray I will be with you soon. remember the love and laughs we shared. mommie ,kitty, dad, angelo. I want to be there with you guys. see ya soon,favorite brother.:] kim

kim tagani
sister

December 9, 2013

25 years ago today. You saved our lives in that bank. You have never been forgotten.

Susan Whitson
Friend

May 27, 2013

Ken, today we, The Marines of the Phoenix Police Department, will buy a memorial brick bearing your name, to be placed as part of the walkway, at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA.
Although, you and I had never met, we Marines never forget our own. Rest Easy Warrior. Semper Fi!

Lt. Steve Soha PPD / (MGYSGT USMC)
Phoenix Police Dept / US Marine Corps

May 3, 2013

We attended your memorial today Kenny, Senior would have really enjoyed going but we know you both were there with us. It was such a nice event, Hatcher Kenneth was unusually calm and behaved for his normal 3 year old self. Even though I never got the chance to meet you, you live on through my children. Love Gary Jenny Taylor & Hatcher Howes

Jenny Howes
Daughter In Law of Gary Sr Howes

May 1, 2013

Just popping in to say I was thinking about you, Kenny.
Love Anita

anita
niece

August 9, 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

May 27, 2012

Rest in Peace Brother, we have the Watch

Policeman
Brother in Blue, Phoenix PD

April 8, 2012

god,son another birthday passes today i;ll make sure you get a beer how we all miss you and think of you everyday and the pain does not leave but more of us are getting closer to hanging out with you hope you got some new tunes keep watch over us son and kiss mother for us we love&miss you dear ol dad gary howes sr

gary howes sr
step dad and best friend

November 10, 2010

22 years later and I still think of you often. You are missed. Thanks for the ice cream.

Jodi
Friend

August 18, 2010

miss you ...

ofc syl masino 3687 ret
ppd

July 25, 2010

I can see your face as though I saw it only yesterday. Thanks for keeping watch over us from heaven.

Phyllis Hansen Flores

May 27, 2010

Remembering you sir on the 22nd Anniversary of your murder. Keeping you in my prayers. Rest in peace hero in blue

M.E. Berryman
Former I.D. Tech Pinal Co S.O.

May 27, 2010

I still think of you often....Im 37 now and remember you from when i was a little kid...Turning on your lights for me and siren whenever i asked even if for only a second... I had just seen you days before your death and at such a young age i was sad to here the news. I'll never forget you and the job you did to protect and serve the public. I cant thank you enough.

Anonymous

May 24, 2010

It's amazing to me that all of you have left so many wonderful prayers and memories. Kenneth was a wonderful brother son and uncle. We all miss him terribly to this day and it is so comforting that everyone still keeps him in their thoughts.

Kara Michael
Niece

March 23, 2010

It's been 21 years; I still think of you with fondness. Until we meet again..........

Phyllis Hansen Flores

May 27, 2009

Ken and I were in the same academy class. We became good friends at the academy, as well as afterwards. It has been over 20 years since his death. I have retired. Yet, I still think about him. He was a good man, a good friend, a good police officer, and while I didn't know him during his USMC years I'm certain he was a good Marine as well. What a wasteful tragedy his death was. I pray his family has learned to cope with the loss.

Ofc. Matt Ridener #3857
Phoenix Police Dept. (Ret)

March 11, 2009

Officer Collings,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your murder, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Phoenix. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

May 27, 2008

Ken has always held a special place in my heart; he was truly an amazing person. There are constant reminders of him; a certain Waylon Jennings song heard on the radio, the Marine emblem, watching hockey, driving past certain intersections (I avoid driving on McDowell Rd between Grand and I-17), sometimes just seeing a patrol car will do it. My daughter asked about him the other day and telling her stories about him brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Miss you but I know that you are watching over all of us and that we will see each other again someday.

Phyllis Hansen
Friend

May 27, 2008

I worked with Ken at Cactus Park Precinct for several years. As the precinct secretary, I read his reports, sat with him on committees, and spent time just chatting before he hit the street. He was a splendid officer and friend. I was raising my teenage son and often sought Ken's advice; he always had time to listen. He is in my prayers.

Susan J. Elias
Phoenix Police Department

May 8, 2008

Brother Ken it is coming up on 20 years since you left us for your new assignment in God's police department in heaven. It doesn't seem that long ago that I heard your laugh and seen your quiet smile. I know you are enjoying the company of all our fallen heroes and being with Jesus. The city is preparing to dedicate the site of your departure and I know you will be present to look over all your "old brothers" who come to honor your family. Until we meet again in God's house, farewell brother, God speed.
In Christ, Tom Bradley #456, Arizona State Chaplain, FOP

Tom Bradley,Retired
Phoenix AZ PD

May 7, 2008