Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Still remembering you throughout the year. A hero's legacy is never diminished by time. God bless your family.

Mom of Sheriff

December 20, 2007

It is another Christmas without you. But you remain alive
in my heart. I think about you every day. I love you
Kenny.

Merry Christmas to you in heaven.

Love,

Your sister, Karen

December 18, 2007

Ken,I have never met you but have heard alot about you from your sister Karen.You are a true Hero.I pray for you and your family daily.Rest In Peace

Karen Black

December 10, 2007

"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

September 20, 2007

Remebering this hero on the anniversary of his passing. God bless the family of this young man who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the public. He is never forgotten.

August 31, 2007

well. today is the anniversary of your passing and each year that goes by, doesn't get any easier. it's been 24 years now. i miss you everyday and know that my life, our whole family's life as well as your friends would be alot different if you were still here with us. but i know that you are with our loved ones that have passed too and that i have the best guardian angel! please, kenny, watch over and protect me and brett. my son and you would have loved each other, in a way he kind of reminds me of you, he has your nose and the wrede teeth. today i will be with family, friends sharing the time with them and swapping stories about you. you are loved, you are missed, and you are treasured. love you, miss you, your little sister, kerry

kerry swartz(wrede)
sister

August 31, 2007

I was living in West Covina when I opened the newspaper and read the headlines that Officer Wrede had been shot and killed by a suspect high on drugs. I remember that the article said something like that Officer Wrede tried to restrain the suspect, but the suspect so high on drugs, had the strength to remove the shotgun. I also remember being so terribly sad and even though I could not attend the funeral I read that the streets were lined with hundreds of people waving flags. I do not know why I have often thought of that day. I was newly maried to a LAPD Sgt., and I was so overcome with grief knowing that a life had been taken by a criminal. I remember sending a card to the office where his wife worked letting her know that there were those that did not know her husband, but still felt a loss of a hero. So many years have passed. My daughter, who was a little over a year old at that time is now a Deputy Sheriff in the Sacramento area. I will always remember the day I read that newspaper article and the feeling I felt...so sad. God bless the family of this fine hero and I will never forget him. Some people are just unforgettable even if you have never met them...there is a goodness that is everlasting. BR

August 10, 2007

i will start off today by saying how much i miss you, how much of our lives you never got to be a part of. i know that if you were still alive that you would be there for me and help me through this mess i am going through. i know that i ahve the best guardian angel and i know that you will protect me and brett. love you, kerry

kerry swartz(wrede)
sister

July 24, 2007

it's the fourth of july kenny and i will always remember how much you loved the fireworks. i miss you and i know that you are in a better place with all of our loved ones. say a prayer for roy, tell everyone that we all miss you. i know that no matter how bad my life is, i will always have you to protect me. please keep a watch over brett and i , protect us, love you, kerry

kerry swartz(wrede)
sister

July 4, 2007

i miss you everyday, people say that time heals all wounds but not this one. you never had the chance to meet my son who you would have loved so much. my life, our family's life will never be the same without you. it's been a long time but to me it seems like an eternity without you.i miss you and i love you very much. your sister,kerry

kerry swartz (wrede)
sister

June 28, 2007

Hi my dear brother,

I hope you have had a chance to see your freeway signs on the
10 freeway in the city of West Covina which you loved so
much.

I also want to thank you for bring Stacy and Jedd into my
life. I would never had met them if it were not for you.

I miss you every day. And I love you!

your sis,

Karen

sister

May 23, 2007

To the Wrede Family,

First off I want to say how extremely sorry I am for your loss. I am a recruit in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. I have the honor of doing a presentation on Officer Wrede. I was hoping to get in touch with someone who can give me more insight on his life. I appreciate any help you can give me.

Sincerely, Recruit Gerszewski (Class 158)

Jedd Gerszewski
Los Angeles County Sherrif Academy

March 14, 2007

I was a good friend to Kenny. We Lived in the same apartment complex along with other West Covina Police officers. He always looked out for me. We always had a code in case I needed his help. As a single women at that time, he always told me, "all you have to do is call me". I remember being at his apartment several times and seeing his bike propped up against his wall. He was always so kind and I miss him very much to this day. I Love and miss him very much. God Bless you friend! Love Vicki

Vicki Steele
Veey Good Friend

March 3, 2007

Monday, February 12th would have been your 50th birthday.
On Monday you received a gift of love and honor. You
received 2 freeway signs in West Covina renamed as "Police
Officer Kenneth Scott Wrede Memorial Hwy. The ceremony
included over 100 people. I hope you liked your gift. We
will all treasure your life forever!

I love you my dear brother!

Karen

Karen-Sister

February 16, 2007

Ken, you were a great friend, and I will always remember
the fun times we had when I was visiting my sister and brother in law in California. May you always be that special Angel in Heaven watching over us. Always your friend, SLH

Suze Hoffman
A friend

December 26, 2006

Dear Ken,
We all miss you here at WCPD. Although many years have gone by, your loss will always be remembered. I know your family will never fully recover from this tragedy, but we will all carry on, together, in your honor.

Lt. Paul LaCommare

Lt. Paul LaCommare
West Covina Police Department

November 28, 2006

It is Thanksgiving day, a holiday we looked forward to every
year. We still leave a chair for you. Don't worry, we will
cut some dark meat for you (I know you always said the white
meat was too dry). I miss you my precious brother. I think
of you every day. I will continue to honor your life.
I love you!

Your sis,

Karen

November 23, 2006

Thank you kind people for your messages regarding my brother.

My brother was a beautiful person, inside and out. I will
always keep him in my heart and know that he is still close
to me.


Karen Bledsoe
Sister

Ken Wrede's sister - Karen

November 22, 2006

Sir,

In class on Sunday, we talked about making contact with people who are high on drugs (ie: PCP). Officer Wrede's name was brought up by our Captain and, in turn, he told us the story of Officer Wrede's death. I just wanted to let you know that Officer Wrede's death was NOT in vain and his memory lives on. Even though I obviously never knew Officer Wrede, I felt the need to say I appreciate everything he did in his career. Thank You Sir...

Cadet M. Love
Public Safety Academy

September 26, 2006

After over 20 years the memories still bring tears to my eyes.

I remember doing a burito run to the Green Burito one night while we were working. I put a stick of gum in Kenny's burito, he chewed on that for some time before figuring it out. Kenny loved life and he could make you laugh . . .

Kenny took my beat that night.

Brian Hovey
Partner

May 12, 2006

To Kenny's family,

I have many times reflected on and repeated the story of Kenny's tragic death. The rotten killer never received justice. That will occur on judgement day. This earth will pass and fade away, but God's judgment will surely not. Vengeance is mine saieth the Lord Almighty.
Put your trust in God and lean not on your own understanding. I think of how we put this truth from God in perspective and realize how futile our worries are.
I had the opportunity to work with and know Kenny. He was an easy going, caring, fun guy that would always be there to lift you up. I have read how you, his parents, Danielle, and others have pushed for some "justice" only to be let down by our failed justice system.

I know he is in heaven with our Lord, Jesus...God bless you all,
Tom Alsky
SBSD

Sgt. Tom Alsky
San Bernardino Sheriff's Department

December 29, 2005

I remembered a long time ago when I was a kid hearing about this tragic incident. 20 years later I was working as an supplemental bailiff at the Pomona Superior Court when your incident went into the sentencing phase again. I heard transcripts of what had happened, and to this date, it makes me cry. Although I may have been but just a little boy when this happened, even the new generation of coppers remember you. Rest in Peace Partner.

R Lavoie
LA Sherrif's Department

December 13, 2005

On the 22nd anniversary of your death, you are still not forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice and dedication to the people of West Covina,CA.

Former Resident of Covina,CA

August 31, 2005

Ken you were a great friend and officer. I think of you frequently, and especially as I pass the church where your services were held. I will never forget all the great times we shared in breifing and on the streets. Rest in peace partner, you were one of a kind.

R/Lt. John A. Menart Ret.
West Covina

February 25, 2005

THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT KEN. HE WAS MY BESTFRIEND IN THE POLICE ACADEMY.KEN AND I WENT TH0UGH GOLDENWEST POLICE ACADEMY IN CALIFORNIA. I WENT TO WORK FOR FULLERTON POLICE DEPT IN CAIFORNIA AND KEN WENT TO WEST COVNIA. THE PACKED THAT KEN AND I MADE IN THE ACADEMY HOLD TRUE FOR ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WEAR THE UNIFORM NEVER GIVE UP. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS KEEP ON GOING 10-8. KEN I LOVE YOU BROTHER.

KERRY L. ZUCHOWSKI, DEPUTY SHERIFF
UNION COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

February 19, 2005