Patrolman Leo M. Bessner

Zadie, it warms my heart so much to read these beautiful tributes to you. From the way Dad, Bubbie and Uncle Shel spoke about you, I always knew you were a special person who touched so many lives. There are so many things I want to tell you, and really - I think you know. Your presence is always here and we talk about you often. I want to tell you how proud you'd be of your namesake, my brother Leo. He has your heart for family, he's so devoted to his family. He was so good to Bubbie. He's the only one she would listen to and for sure the only she would behave with. She loved to bust chops, but never Leo's.... Sorry Bubbie, you know it's true... Zadie, he's a damned good cop. I never worry about him because I know he's that good. He cares too, and I know that's probably harder than I know, especially how things are today. I want to tell you about how I talk to my boys about you. How I tell them about your character, and I tell them to be proud because we come from such good people. I tell them about how hard it was for you growing up, I tell them about everything you had to overcome and how it never soured you or turned you bitter. Rather, how you chose to devote your life to your family, how you helped others so readily, about your good nature and fun loving spirit, and how you served, putting your life on the line and paying the ultimate price. I want to tell you how I used to think it was so unfair that you died so young, that we never got to know you; but now as I'm nearly the age you were when you died I realize something I never could have imagined. That there are far greater tragedies than dying young. That you lived life so well, that we still benefit from you. That yes, you are with us, your presence is still felt. That if you do it right, this is how people remember you. I guess most of all I want to tell you thank you Zadie, I love you and I'm so proud to call you my grandpa. I hope I can leave half the legacy you have left.

Roxanne
granddaughter

April 4, 2017