Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hello Sweet Irish Rose,
Thought I had forgotten you, well I just never will. I keep all of you hero's very much alive in my heart. Your ST. PATRICK"S day will soon be here, and I know you will be looking down on the green river that day. They say I am crazy and maybe I am Mike, but I had rather be crazy in remembering you Hero's, than to be sane and forget you. That will never be. As long as I do have my mind. Mike, it hurts me to see people today, just think of themselves, when you and Jeff laid down your lives for people like that. Every officer out there is risking their lives for us, and I get angry when I see those uniforms taken so for granted, or hear of another officer down. And then to top that, the pay is nothing. They should be paid more than any VIP out there. The way I see it, they should pass a law in congress, that the police officers, highway patrolman,fireman should get raises and hugh ones. Well I doubt they would ever elect me to an office with feelings like that. But they sure don't mind voting themselves a six figure raise, do they? Democrats and Republicans. I not sure I trust any of them, at least I would be honest and fair. Also thrown out in just two day's. I will stand and pledge that flag, repeat those ten comandments, pray where I want to, and out loud if I want to. Mike, think about it, they take the prayers out of our schools, the ten comandments from our court house,then hand a man in prison a Bible....maybe they would't be in prison, had they not taken these things away from them, at least some.
Well haven't I just sounded off to you. But Mike, if I wasn't so old and had my health back, I would be right in the middle of it all, trying to fix what has been broken. Like your Dad, they would hear my voice. Who knows, maybe someday I can, by way of the computer. So you and Jeff lend a little help from upstairs will you?
I think your Dad should write a book,it would be a best seller. He has expreienced so much himself,then working with others with broken hearts from loosing a child or loved one.
Well I giess I've ranted enough,so I will get back to you and Jeff soon. Love and miss you, Carolyn

Carolyn Moore

January 30, 2007

Mike,

Your son Cullen had a 2nd grade recital tonight which me and Mom went too. Your other son Malik was the spot light man for the show, he did a great job too. Watching Cullen ham it up on stage was like traveling back in time when you were his age up there on that stage at Lincoln School in Cicero. Cullen looks just like you reincarnated. He had a spot to salute our military personnel, he was a Marine, he tried trading with the kid who was for the Army but he wouldn't trade him. I was the guest speaker at a DUI class today. I travel around doing talks of what its like being a victim, but also as a father and a police officers view, hopefully it wakes up a few people. It gives me a chance to push "Michael's Law," which some have come up to me at the break and tell me they have used it but now it means more to them as they know how the law was passed, why and in whose name. Keep watch over your brother Bob, as you know he's changed departments and you know how he's in the old neighborhood now on patrol. You know how violent it can get in the hood. Next time I'll have a Michael Story to write. You will be surprised how many people know me as the story teller when I meet them and follow your site, made me feel good that they look forward to them. Give me a few days and I'll be back with one. Keep watching over the little ones for me.

Love,
Dad

January 25, 2007

Dear Mr. Gordon,
Thank you for your words of comfort and support left on my Daddy's page. I have visited Mike's page before and today am struck by a few similarities: My husband, who was also shot and nearly died in the same incident that took my Dad's life, was an MP in the Army, and loved it! He learned a lot of survival skills there that helped save him that fateful night. We have 5 children, Mike had 4. My husband and Dad worked for the same Sheriff's Office, and my brother is now going through basic law enforcement training, with plans to work at that office. My oldest son is only 15, but has been on track to become a NC State Trooper since he was 5! With his build, character and determination, I have no doubt he will succeed. My middle son, the one who was witness to the shooting at 11 yrs old, is now in a private Military School with plans to become a Naval Aviator! All the men in my life are in uniforms!!! I'm very proud of them as I'm sure you are of your boys, but I can't help but be worried and pray fervently that I never see their names on this site or the wall in DC. No parent would want that and I'm so sorry that is your reality. Please know that I pray for Mike's family and that someone in North Carolina cares. Maybe we will meet at the wall sometime; I'm there every May.
God bless you all, and thank you again for your support. We couldn't get through these times without each other!
Lori

Lori Johnson Rowley, wife of NC LEO
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson, EOW 11/11/04, FCSO, NC

January 24, 2007

Hi Mike,
You know it breaks my heart everytime I come to your site to leave a reflection, when I see your picture. That crooked little smile and tears come to my eyes. For your family, I hurt. And I hurt that I never got the chance to meet you in person.

Then, I read one of the stories your Dad has left about you and then the tears go and the smile comes to my face,and soon I'm laughing out loud. I can just imagine the look on your face, when you were told you were sitting on a box of grenades. Military or not, I don't think I would have stayed on that box. But you would Mike, because you were faithful to the Army and faithful to the Chicago Police Dept.. Mike, everyone who knew you and those who just heard about you, love you. Not just for being a Fallen Hero,but for being the man you were. The MAN that still had that little kid part of him. The Man that will forever be alive in our hearts and memories. Thanks,Mike for all the good you left behind. The beautiful Parents, Brothers, and Children, through them we will forever have a part of you. You are forever in our heart. Love, Carolyn
P.S. Tell Jeff I love and miss him, will you?

Carolyn Moore

January 20, 2007

I love reading your stories. You a hero to all your family and friends. You touched a lot of people even me. You have a family of heroes. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice. I hope your family got through the holiday's okay. Your dad says your birthday will be here soon. That is a day to celebrate.

Sharon Atkins, Identical Twin Sister of Norfolk Officer Sheila Herring EOW 01-16-2003

Sharon Atkins

January 19, 2007

Hi Michael,

We all miss you every day. Sometimes I think this whole ordeal gets worse as we go along and not better as people say it will. I can only speak for myself. Probably the best days I can think of is when we use to work together in Riverside. I find out after you left some of the things you did and the guys hid from me. Nothing really bad or earth shaking, but you stood your ground and for that I give you credit. Right after we lost you I had the opportunity to speak with your Army sergeant who you and I talked about the last time I saw you. You were looking for him and unfortunately you didn't get the chance to talk with him again. I did, by telephone a short while after you were killed. He didn't hear about it. I remember back when you introduced me to him at Ft. Bragg, NC. He drove up with that big Lincoln with the Master Jump Wings license plate on the front and he got out and was calling me "Sir" and I gave him the present I brought for him and you. A 30 pack each of Old Style Beer. He was originally from Wisconsin and you couldn't get the beer in NC so you were both so thankful for it. Anyway, when I was able to talk to him after your death, I thanked him for watching over you in Bosnia when you were both there with the first Peace Keeping Force and things were really rough. I asked him for a story about you, and he did remember one and I don't ever remember you telling us about it but here it is:
Your base camp received a frantic message from the Russian sector, they were under attack and needed help so you unit scrambled. You got into your Humvee which has a 3 man team. Driver, Gunner and Medic. You were the gunner. Sgt Kalk jumped in along with a number of other soldiers to get to the fire fight. Well, some Corporal came running out of a building carrying a large wooden box and flagged your Humvee down, Sgt. Kalk took the box which you said wouldn't fit in the back so he stood the box upright and told you to sit on it and then they had enough room to let the Corporal also jump in. Racing down those bumpy bombed out roads, you were trying to keep you balance sitting on the box and you finally asked Sgt Kalk what was in the box, and he answered you, "GRENADES." Which is exactly what the box was, a case of granades. Sgt Kalk said he wished he had a camera of the expression you had on your face when he told you. I can imagine. If he ever reads this site, I want to say thanks to him for watching over you and all him men and bringing all of you back to us safe, even if it was only for a little while longer. Thank you Sgt. Kalk. Take care Mike, loved and miss you. Keep watch over the little ones for me.

Love,

January 16, 2007

Dear Gordon family , I just wanted to say that I was thinking about all of you guys. As the baby turn's three in a few weeks.Its just weird how the time seem to fly by. But still feel the pain that we feel..I can only imagine how big the baby is.Just thought we'd drop a line . The Rolniak family eow 2 4 04. God Bless you all

January 12, 2007

Dear Mike,
Wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you. But like I told Jeff, I think my eyes are on the pictures of you guys,that sit on the TV more than the TV. Yep!!I still wonder why....always will. I loved the story your Dad wrote about you begging. After seeing pictures of you when you were little, I can just see you doing that. And I can imagine your Mom when she saw you. I love the stories your Mom tells me and the ones your Dad writes. I have to tell you again Mike, your Dad beats all I ever saw. And your Mom. No matter who calls them, with whatever, they take the time to listen. How blessed you all were to have each other. I guess you and Jeff were standing at the door when another Hero entered Heaven yesterday. He was from NC. It hurts so bad to hear that another Officer had to go home. My heart aches for their families, as I know what they are going through. That pain never heals. The only thing I know is that we will all be together again someday.
Well Mike continue to keep watch over your family, and all of us down here in NC, will you? Love you and miss you Mike, don't ever forget it...Love to you and your family, Carolyn : Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hewitt EOW 04-04-04

Carolyn Moore

January 12, 2007

Hi Mr. Gordon!
I just checked Bill McEntee's site and see you left another reflection on his page. I'm sure his family appreciates the blue Christmas light you displayed in Bill's honor.

There's a home, not far from ours, that has a blue light shining amongst many colored Christmas lights. Whenever I drive by, I always wonder if the blue light is in honor of a Hero they've lost. And, thoughts of the Gordon family always cross my mind. I know that probably sounds strange, since I've never met you or anyone in your family. But, because I check your son's website regularly, it feels like I'm getting to know you. Mike was as lucky to have you for a father as you were to have him for a son.

The reflections from Cullen, Malik and India break my heart. It's funny how the boys want to leave all kinds of things on their daddy's gravesite. I had to chuckle about the Xbox game one of them tried to convince their mom to leave "for Mike"!

I got chills when I read about the medium a family member held. They saw Mike with a small child, but didn't know who the baby was - until a reflection was posted about the baby girl who died around the same time as Mike. It's amazing the way in which God works! I'm certain your son is looking over her.

I know the holidays have been especially difficult for you and your family. I wish something could be done to ease the pain. You've done an excellent job of keeping Mike's memory alive and "introducing" him to those of us that never had the opportunity to meet him. I enjoy reading your stories about him......especially the last one about him BEGGING outside the train station for money -until your wife/his mom found him and brought him home!

I hope 2007 is less painful for you than the last few years have been. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kelly Cox Bievenue

Kelly Cox Bievenue
MO citizen

January 10, 2007

whats muchacho, been a while but never far. may not always be on your site but always remembering. saw the pics of the upside down funnel yesterday. that was good.

take care see you soon.
abe

p.o. lara
cpd

January 9, 2007

Mike,

Holidays are finally over. Next will be your birthday in another month. There is not a day that goes by that we are not thinking of you. Someone asked you to take care of a little baby that joined you, funny because someone in the family was at a medium and this person said they saw you with a small baby taking care of it. We didn't know who the little baby was.

Grand kids helped me get through Christmas as they were here opening their presents and were really thrilled with most of what they received.

I know people like Mike stories, so here we go. I thought of this one this morning when the guy came up to my window looking for a donation as I sat at the red light in my truck. Back when you were a little boy, living in Cicero on Austin Blvd, we were only about 2 blocks from the commuter train station stop and people would exit the train and walk down Austin Blvd to their homes. Well, Mom looked out the window, there you were in raggy clothes, with an old ivy league hat in your little hand, outstretched to each person that passed you, BEGGING. Mom got hysterical, ran down from the 2nd floor and went out after you. She found you had a quarter already in the hat, evidently it was your quarter and you put it in the hat so that it seemed as if others have given you money when you would tilt the hat to the people as they walked by. I don't think you were out there very long as you only had your quarter in the hat, no one donated. After Mom interrogated you, she found out that you evidently saw this on a tv show at the time, Please Don't Eat the Dasies, and figured you could make some easy money doing it.

Take care Michael, we all love and miss you terribly. Keep watch over all the little ones for me and all those officers still out on patrol guarding over the Thin Blue Line.

Love,
Dad

January 8, 2007

Hey Mike,
Thinking of you and Jeff and missing you so very much. As I came to the Memorial page and in still trying to leave reflections for families of Fallen Hero's of 2006. I saw where the first Officer of 2007 had been taken from us. Mike, I know that you and Jeff were waiting for him. You know Mike, for you and Jeff, there was no trial to go through for your families. Thank God!!!! It was hard enough just to accept you were gone. I guess the first year, we are all in shock, the second, the wondering WHY.... The third, and after reading about all the others that lay down their lives for us, Well Mike, I beleive that I'm just angry.... I'm angry that you guys gave you Tlife for punks out there that have no respect for an officer, whatsoever. I'm angry that the creeps get a trial. I'm angry that I can't do a thing to bring you and Jeff back,and I can't do a thing to make someone respect what the uniforms you wore stood for. The Trooper was from Tn., and had stopped a car. The guy shot him in the head. I guess it's a good thing I'm not a cop, because if I caught the low life, I don't know that I could get them to the jail safely. Boy Mike, I don't even know if you will get this reflection, they may not print it. But, I hurt for families so bad, you know that I'm pretty easy going Mike. But it seems to be getting so out of hand these days. I was taught to respect the ones in uniform.
Well I guess you are getting tired of hearing me, so I'll go for now. Would you tell Jeff, I love and miss his, as I do you to. But I just don't think I can go to his site right now. And again the tears are rolling down my face in remembrance of all the "FALLEN HERO'S. I love you Mike. Thanks for listening and please keep watch over the rest of us.

Carolyn Moore

January 8, 2007

To The Gordon Family:

I just wanted to let you know that over this holiday season your family and your beloved Michael have been in my thoughts and prayers. Every time I see a blue Christmas light display I think of him and all the others you have given their lives for us.

Mr. Gordon - I have emailed you twice in regards to your Michael and why his loss is so significant to me. Michael passed away less than twelve hours after my Goddaughter was born and we lost her to SIDS December 14, 2004. I remember sitting in the hospital room holding Sinclair and watching the news and hearing about Michael. I shed some tears, which I tend to do when an officer is lost and said a prayer for your family and Michael. The news of your loss stayed with me from that point on. I wanted to thank you Sir for your kind words and support in the replies you sent me. They have helped me more than you could ever know.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you, and Michael please cradle my Sinclair close I know she will be safe with you.

Cat
Citizen

January 6, 2007

After reading some of your many reflections I see what a great guy you were. It is hard on parents to have to let go of their children. I want to thank your dad for leaving a reflection on our son's page. The holiday times will always be hard because we miss you all so much. You all are brave heros who have given the ultimate.... Rest in peace Mike and many lasting memories to your family.

Linda Archuleta..... Mom
Daniel Archuleta EOW 9-12-04

January 4, 2007

Hey Mike,

I got to go out with some of your old friends last week, an 8 hour ride-along in Riverside. Not much has changed over there, as I probably rode up and down 1st Ave. 50 times like we used to do. It was a good time, and I could tell that the people in that department miss you more than you could ever realize. Walking in the front door of the station and seeing your picture framed with a blue light next to it made me smile since your face was one of the first faces I saw over there. Keep an eye on those guys and on your family. Maybe next time I sign this I'll be able to put "Officer" in front of my name too...maybe I could use some help with that. Miss you Mike.

Brian Greenenwald

January 3, 2007

I want to thank your father for the thoughtful words he left on my fathers memorial page. It is so nice to see so many people still remember and are outraged by the injustice. To your family I'm sorry for your loss. My father was killed when I was 2 and not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I wonder what he would have thought of all his grandchildren. But I have all these wonderful stories about him that I hold in my heart. The only upside is that your children have the best guardian angel ever.
Their father is watching over them and protecting them from above. May God bless your family.

Kathleen (birch)Gomez
daughter of a fallen office
William Birch, EOW 9/4/1966

Kathleen (Birch) Gomez
daughter of William T. Birch eow Sept. 4,1966

January 2, 2007

why????????

January 2, 2007

Thinking of you and your family this day.

Maryland Citizen

January 1, 2007

Dear Mike, Well, here we are on the brink of 2007. So hard to beleive it's going on four years since you and Jeff went to your final place of rest. When I read the Bible, and it tells me the streets are of pure gold, the walls are of Jasper, the gates made of pearl. How awsome it must be. No more heartaches,pain or tears. That the river of life is crystal clear,and the tree of life stands beside it. Mike, so many loved ones that went before you and Jeff, you have seen now. And as I scan the ODMP pages and read of Officer killed back in the eighteen hundreds. You guys must have a great time, each of you telling your stories.The Texas Rangers that were killed by the indians. Or just telling each other about your families,or the times you arrested this criminal or that one. Each of you, protecting the rest of us. Mike as 2006 slips away,know that I will be thinking of you in the New Year. Keep watching over the rest of us. All of you will forever be our Hero's, forever alive in our thoughts and memories. Forever loved and missed. So Happy New Year,Mike, we'll see you soon. Carolyn Moore mother-in-law of Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hewitt EOW 04-04-04

Carolyn Moore

December 31, 2006

Dear Michael Patrick and Family,

What a feeling of comfort came over me when I logged on today and saw once again Daddy Gordon had been on Matt's site. Remembering, sharing words of comfort, reassuring us that my son is not forgotten.....as you are not also. I treasure each reflection that you leave because you truly KNOW and UNDERSTAND. As Matthew never leaves out thoughts or hearts for a second I know Micheal's life and love and very presence is with you constantly. That does not lessen the ache to see their beautiful, precious faces again and hold them and be held.

Our thoughts and hearts are bound to you with love and thankfulness for Michael and Matthew and all those that stand with them.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Officer Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

December 26, 2006

GORDO,
Merry Christmas and God bless - miss you. Still owe you that Chipotle burito! Hope they have a good burito spot up in heaven.

WEST SIDE GUY
FRIEND

December 26, 2006

Merry Christmas Dad!

Santa brought me some new video games and an electric scooter. It's awesome! I went on it today and it went really fast. I also got a model car from the fast and the furious. Mom made a really good Christmas dinner today.
We went to your grave on Christmas Eve.
The other day we went to the 11th district with John and we got to go on a tour. We even got to see where they put the bad people. Everyone that you used to work with was really nice.

I love you and I miss you.

Your loving son,
Malik

Malik Gordon
Son

December 25, 2006

Daddy,
I miss you very much. I hope you are having a fantastic Christmas up in heaven.
Santa brought me Willie Gault's autograph and Mighty Helmet Racers.
I hope you like the tweety bird and the Cubs ornament that me and Malik and Mommy put on your grave.
I love you really much.
Love,
Cullen

Cullen A. Gordon
Son

December 25, 2006

Your dad's reflection on Peter's page means a lot to everyone I know. I'm sorry they had to celebrate Christmas without you, too. Guin is so strong, and your dad carries on your legacy beautifully. I know the Christmas party in Heaven must have been insane

LEO fiancee and friend of Peter Grignon EOW 3/23/05

December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas Michael.

CHGOPDWIFE

December 25, 2006