Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

John and Andy I have always wondered if Cam and I would have gotten there faster would that have made a difference. I guess only God knows that particular answer. What I do know is I am terribly sorry for what happened to you both that night. I have played that night over and over in my head just want you both to know how sorry I am that we did not get there faster to help you both. For that I will be forever sorry...God Bless you both...

Special Agnet Scott Umphlet
FBI Richmond (former CMPD officer)

October 3, 2013

It's approaching 20 years to the night you and Officer Nobles were taken. I was working that night as a Paramedic for Cabarrus County and was in the bay at the hospital when you were brought in. I remember how sad we all felt upon hearing you did not survive. Your memory lives on.

Annette Archer EMT-P
Cabarrus County Sheriff Office

September 30, 2013

You were then and still are today my hero, so many years gone, I was blessed by the man up above to call you my friend, my love. One day we shall be face to face again and I will be able to say thankyou for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. You were a good man an honorable man. ~love~

name withheld

April 2, 2013

Uncle John..
I was only 3 years old when you were taken from me, but all of the stories and pictures are with me everyday. You are my hero, and I think of you often. I wish you could have been here to meet Skyler, because I know he sure would love you! He will always know the story of his great Uncle John, and know that he loves us and is looking down! I love you and miss you!

Could you do me a favor and hug my Pawpaw and kiss my little sister for me?

Love always,
your niece Brooke

Brooke
Johns Niece

March 9, 2013

Thinking of you John. I carry your memory with me on every patrol. I know that you are happy in heaven with our Father but everyone from the old ADAM 2 misses you and Andy tremendously!

Officer Taylor Smarr
Vancouver, Washington Police Dept

October 5, 2012

John, not a day goes by that you are not remembered and thought of. You were such a true blessing from God to our family. We miss you and love you so much, and look forward to seeing you again one day. I love you, your cousin Shelley!

Shelley Watts
Cousin

October 6, 2011

You are not forgotten! You and Andy will always be in our hearts. Will see you again someday. RIP Brother

Patrolman M. D. Whitlock
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept

April 19, 2011

Still think of you everyday. This week in Tampa 2 policemen were killed all the saddness of 10-5-93 came rushing back. I will never forget all the nice you did for me and the kids. I still think of and love you!!

Windy

Windy Abernethy
friend

July 1, 2010

John, I still think of you and Andy often, of the days when I worked with you guys while I trained you both on the range. I remember that night and how I wish it never happened, we have lost too many and they all have been fine officers. I'll be seeing you one day my friend.
Ken

Ken Hancock
CMPD (ret)

November 12, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 16th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 8, 2009

RIP Brother, you will always be in our thoughts and prayers at CMPD.

Howard Mitchell
CMPD

October 5, 2009

It’s almost been 15 years since that tragic night. I remember meeting both Burnette and Nobles a week before they were killed. I was only 6 years old; we were at a birthday party for a kid in my neighborhood whose parents were officers with CMPD. I remember how kind they were to me and how they talked to me all afternoon. I told them I waned to be a policeman. Now it’s been 15 years and I am graduating from Basic Law Enforcement Training. I remembered these officers every time I thought a test or PT would break me. I remembered how dedicated to the job they were and I kept going for them. I will never forget these two officers who made such an impression on a six year old boy. Thanks, you’re my heroes.

Robert Medlin
BLET student

September 26, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 26, 2007

You are remembered todayand thank you Sir for your service,

pat Van Den berghe
NH

October 14, 2007

My prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

October 5, 2007

OFFICER BURNETTE, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

October 5, 2007

God Bless your family. You and Officer Nobles are true heroes to the great city of Charlotte, North Carolina.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
GOODBYE MY FRIEND !!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
Cpl. J.W. Lowder
Union County Sheriff's Office
Monroe, North Carolina

Cpl. J.W. Lowder
Union County Sheriff's Office

July 12, 2007

John it has been almost 14 years since you left us. God Bless you for the sacrifice you made. You are not forgotten.

Sgt. Jim May
CMPD (ret)

April 17, 2007

John,
Now you have two of your CMPD brothers to show the ropes up there. I hope you get them whipped into shape. We all down here need as many guardian angels as we can get. God knows only his reasons for what he does. I hope your family has healed some in the last 14 years. I will never forget you and the sacrifice that you made.

Sleep with Angels, my brother

Deputy MA Burgess
Henderson County, NC Sheriff's Department

April 4, 2007

Heroes like you,who sacrifice their lives to save ours deserve all respect,thank you.

Teache Badr omar

February 14, 2007

NEVER BE FORGOTTEN NOR YOUR FAMILY'S OUR BROTHER'S REST IN HEAVENLY PEACE

Sergant M Medlin
union county sheriff's office

February 8, 2007

You did make a difference...Thank You. Rest in peace my friend.

Debi

January 7, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

December 10, 2006

John,
There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you or see somewhere that we were together. Its ironic that I had seen you 2 weeks prior to this incident with your dad in a place I didn't expect to see at. I wish I had that day back to say I still loved you and that I was sorry. I miss you so much and I know that you hear whats in my heart.
I always think back to that day when my own brother goes on duty. I wonder what if.... but if he dies he will die doing what he loves.
We all miss you dearly.
Tamara

Tamara Herring
Friend

December 4, 2006

It's hard to believe that it's been 13 years since John Burnette and Andy Nobles were killed in the line of duty. I knew John for a relatively short time, but I quickly came to respect what a good person he was. Ironically, just days before his death, I asked him if he worried about the dangers of being a police officer, and his response was that he loved the job, and the people he served so much, that the fear just sort of faded into the background. His sense of service to his community should be an inspiration to all, and it should be a mission that we all carry on for him.

John Southwick
Friend

October 6, 2006