Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Just wanted to thank you Bob for leaving a reflection for Clint and my family. I seem to be on this site, probally more than I should, but all of these men and woman that have given their lives, I feel the need to learn about all of them. And I never will forget them.
Michael you have quite the family of LEO's, keep watch over them, I know they miss you. We will never forget you. Thank you for your service, I will be looking up, cause I know all of you are looking down.

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04

January 17, 2006

You are still a hero not only to your family and the community but also to the people who never knew you. It takes pride, courage, dedication and most important the willingness to give your life for your brothers and sisters. I thank your father also for his service to the community. I just want to say I love and appreciate both of you. Michael for your sacrifice and Dad for making sure his sacrifice will never ever be forgotten!!!

Sharon Atkins, Identical Twin Sis of
Hero Sheila Herring Norfolk Police
EOW 1-16-2003

Sharon Atkins

January 16, 2006

"Michael's Law"

Mike,

I stopped in Riverside today, they advised me that there were two arrests under your new law. Chicago PD made the first and Riverside made the second. Now all we have to do is get everyone else in the State on the ball. Chief K and Tom are going to work on that one for you. Hey, come on Illinois officers, if you stop in here and read this reflection, check out Illinois Vehicle Code, section (DUI Statute)
11-501 (c)(d), plus you grab their vehicle and if you win it through the forfeiture hearing, its yours to sell for your city or keep for your use.
If these DUI drivers run into marked squad cars, the general public doesn't have a chance out there. Officers across this country are being killed every year by these drivers who should not be out there. Was in the station talking old war stories with the older guys. Funny, once a cop it always seems you just can't get it out of your system. Some even slip and tell me some of your war stories from Riverside. Take care, watch over the family for me. We miss you and talk about you every day.

Love, Dad

Dad

January 13, 2006

To the family of Officer Gordon,

Thank you for your kind words and hearing those words from others who have gone through the same thing mean the most. You will be in our prayers and perhaps we will meet in Washington or at a retreat in St. Louis. Both were helpful in healing even though we will never be completely healed.

Faith Sawyers
mother of Officer Mark Sawyers EOW 6-04

January 13, 2006

Mike,

Was going through some things and came across an old Fathers Day card you sent me from Bosnia when you were stationed there. The card said, "Dad, someday I hope to be as good a cop/detective as you are". I may have spent over 30 years in law enforcement and you, counting your military police career, spent 9. Son, you were a better cop than me. Each day is a real challenge for your mother and me but we get through it. We wear your picture button and people ask us who you are and we are proud to tell them all about you and always will. Keep watch over your family, especially the kids. We love and miss you.

Love,
Dad

Dad

January 11, 2006

Dear family of Officer Gordon,

I wanted to let you know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers as you begin another New Year without your beloved Michael.

And to Mike's dad, Bob - I read your reflections on so many officer's sites and I want you to know that your son is also not forgotten. Nor is the sacrifice he made.

To Mike's wife - I share your agony. My husband was killed in the line of duty 9 months ago, leaving me to raise two children on my own. This is a very, very painful journey that I never expected to take. I am comforted when I come to the ODMP and read about families - like yours - who have found the strength and courage to continue on. It gives me hope. Michael and Jesse are walking Heaven's streets of gold and are eternally safe in the arms of the angels. We will see them again some day.

I'm looking forward to meeting your family in Washington in May, when Michael, Jesse and all the other heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty are honored.

Thank you, Officer Gordon, for your service and sacrifice. May God bless you and may you rest in peace, Blue Angel.

Carin E. Sollman
widow of Officer Jesse E. Sollman, EOW 3/25/05

January 10, 2006

Going on in my 14th yr. o the job and i never wore my seatbelt on or off duty, since your trajedy I wear it all the time in yor honor and rememberance.May God Bless You and Your Family. Never Forgotten

A.R.
Chiacgo Police

January 6, 2006

MIKE,

I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT I JUST ORDERED MY MICHAEL GORDON MEMERIAL BRACLET, I WILL WEAR IT WITH PRIDE AND HONOR. I GREW UP IN CHICAGO AND HAVE ALOT OF FRIENDS WITH CPD. YOUR MEMORIAL HAS TOUCHED ME AND IT IS GREAT TO SEE HOW PROUD YOUR FAMILY IS OF YOU AND LOVES YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OVER US AND GOD BLESS YOU.. BE SAFE

DET. TONY BRISINTE
ORANGE CO SHERIFF / ORLANDO FL

January 6, 2006

Michael,
I didn't know you personally, but we shared - and continue to share - the same uniform. I actually spoke of you tonight over some coffee while we bs'd at the White Hen. How I was ashamed to say that it took the loss of a fellow brother to make me conscious about always wearing my seat belt. You will never be forgotten. May God watch over your family always.

CPD P.O.

January 6, 2006

I was very glad to see the law passed in your honor. God bless you, your family and all at the CPD. Please watch over all of us. REST IN PEACE brother.

Det. Tony Brisinte
Orange Co Sheriff / Orlando

January 4, 2006

Mike,

I was on a talk radio station in Chicago yesterday talking about your life and "Michael's Law" that went into affect on January 1st concerning drunk drivers. The host referred to you as "Super Cop" she didn't get that one from me but from one of your peers. Now for the good news, I stopped in Riverside today, spoke with allot of your friends there, would you believe they made 141 DUI arrests last year? Not bad for a town with 12 patrol offficers. I also heard the race was on as to who was going to make the first arrest under "Michael's Law" but Chicago PD made one this morning and beat them out. They came close, had some realy tiny girl under arrest for DUI and she destroyed the booking room. I guess those little packages are loaded with dynamite. She stepped up to the breathalyzer and ended up pushing it off the counter onto the floor. She got nailed with the Criminal Damage charge. I believe a new one is going to end up costing her in the neighborhood of $10,000. I also stopped at Scout Headquarters today and they were all talking about you and the first Police Explorer Post you were a member of. If we could only go back to those days. I was sent a short DVD make froma video of you guys acting up when we were all down at the National Explorer Conference in South Carolina. After viewing it, I wonder where the heck I was when all the stuff on the video was going on. Nothing really bad, except the part where you guys scalped the one explorer we had in the post with a tail and there you are standing there holding it in your hand, a 6" tail all braided. Well, better end. Keep watch over the family, say hi to Jeff. I'm sure you two have all kinds of war stories you are exchanging, the good ones you would never tell us about. We think of you every day and miss you.

Love,

Dad

Dad

January 3, 2006

Dear Mike,
Think of you every day. On Christmas my family and I released a blue balloon in your honor. Each member of our family released one in Jeff's honor, each one carrying a personal message attached. We included one for you with a message of love and caring. There were about 30 released and we watched as each one rose toward heaven! The thin blue line went on forever. I know your mom and dad are really going thru alot of pain because we are going thru the same. Watch over them and take special care as they work thru their grief. Heaven has so many of our precious sons and daughters and only God knows the reason why. Keep watch with Jeff and guide us all as we try to make it thru each day without you both. Today I copied over two hundred printed pages of Jeff's reflections and we'll cherish each and every one of them because we know they come from the hearts of all who have placed them there. I've placed each sheet in a sheet protector and placed them in a notebook . Each day I'll update it as I visit his reflection. We'll read them many times over as the weeks turn into months and the months into years. I know your parents and friends feel the same as we do. What a blessing to be able to visit this site. What a comfort to read the words written there. I can so clearly see you and Jeff and you stand watch over us. God bless your parents.
Mother of Sgt. Jeff Hewitt
Buncombe County Sheriff's Dept.
Asheville, NC

January 1, 2006

Happy New Year, brother...I miss you terribly!

John Gordon
Brother

January 1, 2006

Hey Mike,

I wanted to take a minute to say Happy New Year and to thank you for everything. Things seem to be going really well for the boys and me and deep down I feel like I have you to thank. Without you on my shoulder who knows where I would have ended up. I just hope I’m making you proud.

Please continue to watch after us all.
We miss you,
India

"The only way to take the sorrow out of death is to take love out of life."
Author Unknown

India S. Gordon

December 31, 2005

Hi Michael,

Last night a bunch of us celebrated my Birthday and we had a shot of Jamison sitting on the bar until the end of the night in your honor. Every toast that was made included you. At the end of the night, we passed the shot around each of us taking a sip. I know you were with us last night and I know you will always be watching over us. Thank you for sharing my Birthday with me Michael. Happy New Year!!!

Love,
Sheryl

Sheryl Palermo
Riverside PD

December 31, 2005

Happy New Year Mike,

It's New Years Eve and you know all the nuts will be out in the city tonight at the stroke of midnight shooting those guns up in the air in your old district and the guys will have to roll on all those shots fired calls and deal with the intoxicated revelers. Keep watch over them and protect them from harm. Me and your two brothers were at Police Headquarters yesterday at a news conference with the CPD Superintendant supporting the Michael Gordon Law that takes affect tonight at midnight concerning drunk drivers. Allot of people helped get it passed, it won't bring you back but it gives law enforcement in our State a little more to go after the bad guys by making it a felony to drive drunk with no license or insurance. Me all miss you and think of you every day. Not an hour goes by that I don't think about you and wonder where you would have ended up in your career as you had such drive, promise and ambition. You loved, ate and slept being the "Real Police." Please watch over the kids, Guin, your brothers and Mom. Don't forget the guys on the West side tonight too. I love and miss you.

Love, Dad

Dad

December 31, 2005

Merry Chirstmas Michael! We think of you today and everyday.I never had the pleasure of meeting you but through your reflections I feel like I have. I think of you and Jon Walsh every day, you were both loved by so many! I wish your family happiness and peace in the new year. May you never be forgotten....

wife
joliet police department

December 30, 2005

whats up brother, just because sometimes we get lazy, doesnt mean your not in my thoughts. want you to have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. make you ride with us on new years eve cause were gonna need you on all our shoulders. take care and paco is still scared.

abe

p.o. lara 19429
cpd

December 25, 2005

Mike,

Merry Christmas. Last night the family was toasting you with shots of Jameson, would you believe even your Grandma Puf had one. It seems like we missed you more this year than ever before. We really don't look forward to the holidays without you here but we go through with them for all the kids, especially the little ones. Please keep watch over the family and all those still out on patrol. We all love and miss you beyond words.

Merry Christmas, Love,
Dad

Dad

December 25, 2005

Mike, Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thanks for watching over us brother.

Andrew Cuomo
Chicago Police Department

December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas Michael. I miss you everyday. Please continue to watch over all that love and miss you. You are always in my heart.

Love,
Sheryl

Sheryl Palermo
Riverside PD

December 24, 2005

Dear Michael Patrick,
We are remembering you this day and your family. I know you are as proud of your daddy as he is of you. He is such a source of comfort to all of us and so faithful to leave a note. We decorated blue trees at our business and the police department in honor of all of you who gave all for us. We send our love and gratitude.

Matt's Mom
Linda Rittenhouse

December 24, 2005

Christmas Eve 2005. Hope you and all the other police officers are having a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year while watching down on yout families. Please continue to watch down on your wonderful family so they can make it through another year. You meant so much to them. God bless. Take Care

Kristen Npd
Naperville Police

December 24, 2005

Dear Mr. Gordon,
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection on my son Jay's memorial page. It touched my heart to read your kind words and to know that others remember Jay.
We light blue lights in our windows every night in honor of Jay, Michael and all of their colleagues who now rest with God. Michael was a courageous hero who died much too soon. We shall not forget him.
May this Christmas bring you and your family moments of peace and time to share precious memories of Michael.
Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

December 23, 2005

Officer Gordon..wanted to say MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! hope you & the other fallen heros have a great time celebrating our Lord's birth..

please be with your family so that they maybe able to make it through yet another holiday season without their beloved son - husband - father & cousin..

Mr. Gordon..i would just like to say that i believe loosing a child is worse than loosing a parent..you keep grieving for him as long as it takes you..never mind what other people say..while i haven't expierenced what your family is going through..stay strong & know that Michael is with each & every one of you..

YOU ARE GONE..BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!

girlfriend of a dpd
detroit, mi

December 23, 2005