Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Brian,

I got an interesting phone call from your Uncle Byron several days ago. He introduced himself as a cousin of my grandmother, Lorraine Russell Barger, and was interested in putting together some family history. He spoke of you and stated that you had died in the line of duty. I have not heard about you until this phone call and wanted to look you up on ODMP. I am truly sorry to hear of your ultimate sacrifice. I know that your uncle and the rest of the Tunnel family are extremely proud of you and love you to this day. I wish I would have known of you when I used to visit Miami as a young boy. Thank you for your service and may God continue to bless you and your family.

Officer Mike Russell
Utah Department of Corrections

September 11, 2008

B.J.,YOU AND I ONLY MET ONCE,(AT THE POLICE STATION IN VINITA ABOUT A YEAR OR SO BEFORE YOU WERE TAKEN FROM US)...KINDA STRANGE ,...3RD COUSINS,CAREER OFFICERS,WORKING ONLY 30 MILES APART,YET NEVER GOT TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER. I STILL REMEMBER THE EVENING YOU WERE TAKEN. I HAVE NOW BEEN A COP FOR OVER 31 YEARS NOW,...AND HAVE BEEN IN SOME REALLY TIGHT SPOTS OVER THE YEARS AND I KNOW,WITHOUT QUESTION,THAT YOU WERE STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD WATCHING OVER ME. B.J.,..I WILL STAY THE WATCH DOWN HERE TILL' WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN.

DEPUTY SHERIFF JIM HERMAN
CRAIG CO.(OK.) S.O. / COUSIN

June 5, 2008

Patrolman Tunnell - neither you, nor your sacrifice, will ever be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

March 21, 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

January 9, 2008

I'm named after a man that I never got to meet. My only memory of you is small picture posted on my grandpa's wall. You're pretty much a complete stranger to me but I love you. Thank you for everything you've done. I know that I know you a little bit, your six brothers(and my dad) are all alike and I'm sure you're in there. One day i'll meet you and I can't wait to meet my uncle who I never to know. Your niece

Brianna Tunnell
Uncle

October 18, 2007

I recall playing on your youth league basketball team and then helping you coach for 2 years. You are an inspiration to all! RIP my friend!

Rob Rollins
friend

May 29, 2007

BJ
It's been a long time Brother! I think about you every day. You are always with me, watching my back. I miss our Sunday evening meetings at W.Central and 'C'st. We'll meet again before long. Keep an eye out for me!!

Assistant Chief Jeff Coble
Miami Police Department

June 6, 2006

B.J.
It's been 18 years. There aren't many of us around here at the department that were here when you worked with us. I miss you, my friend! I told my son, who was 6 at the time of your passing, that God needed another police officer in heaven, so he looked down and took the best! I still believe that to this day.
Looking forward to working with you again someday.

Ken

Sgt. Ken Brodrick
Miami Police Department

June 5, 2006

B.J., NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DONT STOP AND LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENT GROUP PHOTOGRAPHS AND WONDER WHAT IF. WE ALL MISS YOU AND KNOW SOMEDAY ALL THE BOYS IN BLUE WILL MEET FOR THAT FINAL GROUP PHOTOGRAPH.

PATROLMAN GLENN JOHNSTON
MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT

October 8, 2005

BRIAN,

IT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS BUT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN MY FRIEND.

I STILL THINK OF YOU EVERY DAY, THANKS FOR BEING WHO YOU WERE.
MY PRAYERS ARE STILL WITH YOUR FAMILY.

CHIEF OF POLICE J. MARK WALL
GROVE , OKLAHOMA POLICE DEPARTMENT

September 1, 2005

My reflection is that i wish my uncle Brian by marriage to my aunt Brook could have still been alive to see his neice and now his great neice of 8 yrs. He was fun to play basketball with at grandpa Neil Morris' farm in Wyandotte Oklahoma. He is dearly missed..

Melody E. Morris Brown
none

January 25, 2005

My fiance Dennis was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Even though he's been gone just over a year he's still missed and thought of just as I am sure Brian still is. If Brian was anything like Dennis, I am certian he is still watching over us trying to make this world safe for us all from above.

My condolences go out to his wife and family. No one can know the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish you strength as you go on in this "journey" called life. Take care of yourself.

Peace, love, luck, and happiness to you,

Jocelyne

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Deputy Sheriff Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/03/03)

February 28, 2004

BJ You are gone but never forgotten. Rest in Peace my dear brother, we will meet again.

Former Undersheriff Steve Rutherford
Ottawa County Sheriff's Department

December 27, 2003

Rest in peace Brother Brian, you are not forgotten.

Son of G. truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

November 18, 2003