Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thinking and wondering about you all the time.............

#318

October 14, 2003

To my fellow brother, Dyke "AJ" Coursen,

I've been staring at a blank page for about 20 minutes now, AJ, wondering what to write. What can I write? Our friendship was too short. There was still more for us to do, to enjoy, to laugh at. The more I sit here and think about it, the more I feel like I am just being selfish because I want you here for me. So I am not sad any more. Is that wrong?

I saw your wife today. I know you led me to her to help her and be there for her. We talked about you for hours. It wasn't enough though. I know that you were also there with us. We laughed and cried. We were happy and sad at the same time.

Law enforcement officers have a way of watching each other's back. You watch mine and I'll watch yours. Isn't that how it goes? Well AJ, I still have your back. Now and always. Just like you still have mine and every one else here who love and miss you. You are not gone AJ, you have just moved on to heaven with God. I realized that today. You have helped me realize that. Stay safe my brother and please continue to watch over us until we meet again? You'll always be in my heart.

Police Officer Joe Laferrera
Retired NYPD

We miss you so much! There are still moments we want to pick up the phone to call you and reality reminds us that we can no longer hear you at the other end saying, "Hi, pal!" or "Whats the weather like in Ohio?" However, your voice is still clear in our minds.
You would be proud of DJ..she is doing great. We all laugh as we talk about all our fun memories with you. You had a list of places to visit and things to see that you never got to take us, but DJ took us to all those places and we had a great time. We could almost vision you riding that 4-wheeler on the beach! Dyke, you have made a special friendship between your wife and us.
Our sons often reminds us about their last phone conversation with you. They cherish that conversation.
We know from the very beginning you have been our daughter's angel watching over her. Dyke protecting our "Beaufort Baby" from heaven.
Everytime we find those pennies we smile knowing that you are thinking of us. We love you, Dyke.

Charlie and Jill Michalak
Ohio friends

I remember when I got the call from Dj... it was such a surprise to hear from her.. we hadn't talked in awhile as she and AJ had begun their new lives together in a new place. They were starting afresh and enjoying every minute of it regardless of any hindrances that sometimes fell in their path.... Dj is a sincere and loving person and AJ sensed it from the start...I know that part of Dj's heart has broken since this tragedy however she is carrying on and doing work that is positive and beneficial in response to this. No one knows why these things happen.. are they predetermined or are you in the 'wrong place at the wrong time'. BUT the importance was the act of bravery and service that both officers were fulfilling. They were answering a call for assistance and they responded with the utmost of sacrifices. My heart goes out to all family members, friends, and ofcourse my truly good friend Dj...... I know you will never forget and you shouldn't but I want you to find peace of mind and harmony. I know that you're a great person and in time the bitterness and hurt will dissipate. Peace out sistah...good things are coming your way...........

I'm still sitting here 15 months later with tears streaming down my face thinking of how God could decide to take someone so wonderful, so early in life. You are loved by so many and touched so many lives. I'll bet you never realized how many people cared so much. Sometimes so modest and so unsure. I'm glad you spent your last days where you wanted to be, and so happy. I can't tell you how many days I stop to think of you and laugh at the good times we all had working and playing together! You were always such a wonderful friend and confidant. Never judging, just helping. I miss you, and know that you are now one more angel to watch over my husband and all the other officers and help to keep them safe while they are on duty up here in Ohio and everywhere else. God bless you and watch over your wife and family. You are missed so much and will never, ever be forgotten.

Kim

Corporal Coursen,
It's been over a year and it seems like yesterday that we talked to one another about old times. When I put my uniform on I always think of you and not take life for granted. Your services was very hard on me, because we have spent a long time together since high school and the years we had in Law enforcement together. I been to many Officers Funeral, but not like the one I went in SC. I lost a friend and a brother.

God bless you, your family and the Beaufort County Sheriff Dept. My heart is with all of you.

#5609

Officer Bob Swope #5609
Olmsted Falls Police Dept. Ohio

Cpl. Coursen, This week I went to hear your wife speak at a conference..Her love for you is stronger than ever. She told us about your many accomplishments and how she intends to carry on your legacy. You were truely a hero and gave so much to everyone that crossed your path. I can see why the two of you were a perfect match. Both of you have inspired me and I know many others. God Bless you both and thank you Dyke (AJ) and DJ Coursen

Anonymous

01-08-03 CORPORAL COURSON, YOU LEFT US ONE YEAR AGO TODAY. WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND WAS COURAGE,WISDOM,AND HUMILITY. YOU AND L/C TATE BOTH DIED HEROS. BOTH ARE GONE,BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.REST IN PEACE MY BROTHERS. GOD BLESS.

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

You gave the ultimate sacrifice. Corporal Coursen, you may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten. We are all family in this job, sometimes we are the only family each other has. In pace requiescat, Rest in peace! Keep a watch on the rest of us as we go on shift each day.

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice." (American Indian Prayer)

Isaiah 40:31

Ptl. Kimberly Moses
MTSU Campus PD, TN

For all the wonderful friends and Brothers and Sisters in Law Enforcement of Dyke (AJ) Coursen. I want to thank you for all the kind words that your have left in memory of my wonderful husband.

This is a poem that I wrote in honor and menory of AJ

My badge is polished and my boots are shined, I am getting ready for the most glorious Christmas for I am spending it with the Lord.
The lights here in heaven shine like diamonds, the streets are paved with gold, I have many brothers and sisters here no longer on patrol. So you can see I am never alone.
The Stories are true they do have a special place in heaven for the men and women in blue.
The sight here is so spectacular and free of crime so please wipe away your tears I am doing fine.
The sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here. I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring for it is beyond discription to hear angels sing.
I know how much you are missing me I can see it in your hearts,remember what the Lord said we are not so far apart.
So put a candle in the window and I shall shine a star to keep as a symbol of our undying love.
Please love and keep each other as our father said to do I can't count the blessings and love he has for each of you.
Have a Merry Christmas and try not to shed a tear and remember. I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I will always love you sweetheart, DJ

DJ Coursen, Loving and Surviving Spouse

Although i never knew A.J i would just like to say as a fellow police officer that my thoughts are with his family and his colleagues, and i speak for the entire Metropolitan Police Force when i say ' We are sorry' and that are thoughts are forever with comrades fallen. Most of all my thoughts are with his wife.

PC karl Cannon
Metropolitan police

True heros are never forgotten, Corporal Coursen was a true hero. Rest in peace my Brother. Once a brother, always a brother. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this hero.....

Chief Steven C. Guibord
Naples Police Department

It is so tragic that Corp. Coursen lost his life this way. To the family and friends, my heart goes out to you. Please know that as a fellow Officer, I will do everything I can to take the thugs and cowards, such as the one that took Corp. Coursens life, off the streets. I will keep each and every one of you in my prayers, God Bless you all.

Officer S.C. Sales
PCMH Police Dept, Greenville, NC

Do the tears ever stop? does the pain ever subdue? How can one comprehend the tragic loss of life.

As I sit here and re-read what has been posted and remember the day this tragedy took place I cannot help but to weep as I still see the reports on the news and see the funeral procession thay followed both DJ Coursen and Dana Tate. Usually here funerals and the lines of cars are met by frustrated motorists trying to get to their destination but not your funeral. The only horns blowing were those Sending you home. The immortal dismissal of your unit by dispatch will forever ring in my head "alpha 35... alpha 35... copy secure with God in Heaven" may we never forget you.

todd maschino

To the family,Friends and fellow Officers who worked with
Corporal Dyke A. Coursen:

On behalf of the 1500 members of the New York State Supreme Court Officers Association I wish to express our sincere and Heartfelt condolences for your tragic loss. Corporal Coursen's death was not in vain. He is one of THOUSANDS of Officers who have over the years INSPIRED men and women across this country to SERVE in the Law
Enforcement Community.God Bless Corporal Coursen for giving others the courage to Serve!


James T.Carr
President
New York State Supreme Court
Officers Association

Senior Court Officer James T.Carr
New York State Courts

Dyke,

Its been almost 5 months since we saw you last, I miss you as much as the minute I got the awful news. The hurt is not any better, and the void in my heart gets bigger and bigger. Missing you like crazy! Just wanted to let you know, there isnt an hour that goes by without something reminding me of the you or our times together. As you rest in peace you must know we all miss you so much!

Anonymous

It is special men like your loved one that make The United States of America truely great.

May the God of all comfort place his tent over you. Please remember to throw all your burdens upon the Lord and he will sustain you. PS.55-22

IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE OVER TWO MONTHS AND I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THIS TRAGEDY ACTUALLY OCCURRED. I THINK ABOUT YOU AND DANA ALL THE TIME AND I STILL FEEL LIKE A PIECE OF MY SOUL IS GONE. I PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILIES, AS I KNOW THE PAIN IS UNRELENTING FOR THEM. I PRAY JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED DURING THE TRIAL, BUT I DREAD THE TRIAL AND ALL THE DETAILS AND PUBLICITY IT WILL BRING. IN A PERFECT WORLD, NOT ONE MORE LAW OFFICER WOULD BE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY....FAMILIES AND DEPARTMENTS WOULD NEVER GO THROUGH WHAT WE HAVE ALL ENDURED IN THE PAST MONTHS. BUT WE ALL KNOW THIS WORLD IS NOT PERFECT. I PRAY THAT AS TIME PASSES, SO WILL THE PAIN. GOD BLESS MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT...BE SAFE AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. REST IN PEACE AJ.

BCSO

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY OF CORPORAL DYKE COURSEN AND ALSO TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY S/O IN SC. MAY GOD BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU, AND MAY HE KEEP YOU IN HIS ARMS. STAY SAFE BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

PTL DUANE CARPENTER
GONZALES POLICE DEPARTMENT

TO THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. AND TO CPL. COURSEN'S FAMILY. MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU. I AM CERTAIN THAT CPL. COURSEN CONTINUES ON HIS TOUR OF DUTY FROM ABOVE AND IS WATCHING OVER AND PROTECTING US. ALTHOUGH I NEVER KNEW HIM, LIKE ALL GOOD COPS, I AM PROUD TO CALL HIM MY BROTHER.
I GRIEVE FOR HIM AND FOR YOU. ONCE AGAIN THE BLUE WALL HAS LOST ANOTHER BRICK AND WAS MOMENTARILY WEAKENED. BUT REST ASSURED, THE WALL WILL BE REPAIRED AND IT'S STRENGTH REPLENISHED. LANCE CPL.TATE AND CPL.COURSEN WILL SEE TO IT.

SGT. J.M.APPLEBY
MARYLAND STATE POLICE

SGT. J.M.APPLEBY
MARYLAND STATE POLICE

In the wake of September 11th I wouldn't have considered there to be more danger than here in NYC. Unfortunately I was wrong, and shocked to see that Dyke could be slain along with his partner responding to a domestic disturbance. This is truely sad for he had recently moved to this new Department with his wife. God bless his family in their time of grief.

PO David A. Davis
MTA Police

All my prayers go out for the officers family. May He look down from heaven knowing he did his job well and to watch over us as we do ours....

from your friends at CWF.....GODSPEED and REST IN PEACE...

rick

Anonymous

My heart goes out to the family for such a tragedy. Working in law enforcement myself I wait, listen, hold my breath just waiting for the radio transmission to return and I hear that "Code 4". Yes, I'm a 911 dispatcher for the Bullhead City Police Department in Bullhead City Az. Fdrodeogal, my AOL friend, I'm so so sorry this happened. Girl, if there is anything in this world I can do for you, please contact me. My prayers are with each and everyone of you at this time.

Sincerely,
Debbie & Mike Powell

Debbie Powell
Bullhead City Police Department

It's been almost a month since that tragic moment when my two shift-mates, mentors and friends were killed.
AJ I will miss you greatly and still grieve heavily over your death. I will surely miss your off-guard humor, harley stories, pictures of Cory, and honesty.

Deputy Sheriff
Beaufort County Sheriffs Office

Dykester, every time I see a burgandy/gray Chevy truck I'll think of you. I'm sure everyone has something different to remember you by. I also know that the love you had for German Shepherds, but you always settled for the shepherd mixes that needed love.

You're in God's hands now
Vicky