Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I cannot believe 41 years have passed since that tragic day. We've lost so many now over the years, and lately age is a factor in our losses of brothers, sisters , partners. We never really thought of those things when we were younger. It was our calling, not a "job". I think of you often and will never forget. RiP my friend.

Deputy Chief, Retired RD Steel

May 25, 2024

41 years have passed by since you were killed.
I miss you to no end.
I think about you every day.

Widow Nancy Hart

May 25, 2024

O God of Peace, so many of America’s Peace Officers who are on the front lines to protect us never make it back home to their families. We pray for these fallen law enforcement officers, Lord God, who gave their lives for us. We pray for the families of these heroes, who have to now endure life without their loved one. Lord God, society tries to move forward, but there is always bloodshed occurring. We approach Your throne of glory and grace to beg of You for peace. Lord God, bring peace to this land – the United States of America. We plead for Your divine intervention to quiet our hearts and unify our communities. Stop the violence that occurs amid our cities. We thank You for all America’s Peace Officers who have died protecting us, and ask that You send an everlasting peace so that America’s Peace Officers on the streets may be safe and return home to their loved ones at the end of their assigned shifts. In Christ Jesus, Your blessed Son, I pray. Amen.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 ESV]

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” [Psalm 23:4 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, NCCA, FCPO-USA
Ordained Christian Global Outreach Minister No. 36526
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

July 22, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Young,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Coconino County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 25, 2023

Mike, you are not forgotten.

Gene Wikle
Coolidge Police Department 1974 - 1975

May 25, 2023

It’s May 25, 2023…40 years have passed…
I want you to know “I’ll leave this world loving you”.

Nancy
Widow to Mike

May 25, 2023

You were only 39 years old when you were killed.
I am in disbelief that you have been gone for 39 years now. :’-(
A week ago, I was watching (and listening to) Freddie Mercury sing “Another One Bites The Dust” and I burst into tears and sobbed for what seemed like hours. My how you loved rock and roll. I grew up with old time country and heard rock for the first time with you.
I am so happy I met you….but I miss you so. I love you.

Nancy
Widow to Mike

May 24, 2022

Mike, I came up from Peoria PD and got hired- I had to replace you. I had to drive your patrol truck. I saw the effect on N. It broke me. But Terry and everyone did a great job drilling your and John Jamison's events into me. They made me know your story and read the reports and forensics. Mark and Keith were great to me. Thank you for fighting the good fight. Coco60

former CCSO Deputy
former CCSO deputy

July 17, 2021

38 years ago...seems a lifetime.
I miss you SO much. I will never forget you.
I love you, Mike.

Nancy Hart
Your widow

May 25, 2021

So many years since February 1975. Rest in Peace and know you helped so many.

Richard (Dick) Goodridge
Past Co-worker

May 26, 2020

Every year I remember, since 1983, the sacrifice you made bringing this fugitive to justice. It always hits hard, the tragedy of it all but I always remember, never forget... we both loved music, motorcycles and at time I was Sgt on Motors, you were a friend, my brother

Deputy Chief, Retired RD Steel

May 25, 2020

Another year has passed Mike. You taught me so much as a young cop. Rarely does a day go by that I don't think of you in one form or another. Thank you for all you did.

Detective Kel Helmick; Retired
Coolidge PD, then Chandler PD

May 25, 2020

Every year I remember, since 1983, the sacrifice you made bringing this fugitive to justice. It always hits hard, the tragedy of it all but I always remember, never forget... we both loved music, motorcycles and at time I was Sgt on Motors, you were a friend, my brother

Deputy Chief RD Steel
Page Police

May 25, 2020

May 25th will be 37 years ago you were killed.
I still miss you terribly. You were a good husband to me...
I love you.

Nancy
Widow

May 25, 2020

36 years ago on the 25th of May...you were killed.
This year is hitting me hard.
I miss you.

Nancy
Widow

May 25, 2019

Found this page again for the first time in a long while as one of Mike’s classmates from Bladensburg High School asked about him. I sent this link to her. I left a reflection before not knowing there were so many others who left their own testimonies and memories. Reading them made a surge of missing you swell within me. Hopefully no one asks me what I am writing as I am sure the emotions would blossom in my chest and pour out of my eyes with tears.

I think about all the years stolen from us Mike, where we could have shared our lives, our kids, our loves after our careers had run their course. I hope I have lived my life in such a way that you would be proud of me. I miss you and love you. And I have to remind you that I have never held you responsible for our accident. It was a huge significant event in our lives that we shared and I do not know a different life without it.

Colonel USMC (Ret.)
Brother

January 27, 2019

Mike, I was a rookie police officer in 1974 and you were assigned to be my training officer. You were the best as a training officer and as a new found friend. Susan and I enjoyed having dinner with you in our home. I miss those second shift patrols in Coolidge where we experienced the “Wild West” and talked about life.

Gene Wikle, Major USAF retired, Phoenix
Coolidge PD 1974 - 1975

September 10, 2018

Well Mike, I have had some time recently to reflect on you and how much time has passed since you went away.
With the current state of affairs in our country, I can only imagine what your position and comments would be. I do miss our visits when you would ride up to Forest Lakes and spend time with me.
Leslie and I have been married 37 years this September, and are considering moving back to Arizona soon.
We think about you often and hope to see you again, God willing!!

Det.Paul M. Ferroni (Ret.)
Coconino County Sheriff's Department

July 8, 2018

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

May 26, 2018

Oops, it has been so long I misquoted how long we would have been married!
It would be 40 years.

Nancy
Widow, 5/83

May 26, 2018

Hi hon...besides trying to find some of your close friends leaving reflections, I came across a pink book marker I wrote on to you. (We were always leaving notes for each other)
I was apologizing for the messy house I left before leaving for work. When I came home, you had already left. I read your response to my note...Hon, the house ain’t messy, just lived in. I love you, Mike
35 years now. 35.
We would have been married 39 years on May 27, 2018.

Nancy
Widow of this wonderful man, 5/83

May 25, 2018

It has been 34 years but it seem like yesterday, I remember all the good time we had, you were a good friend and every time a police officer is killed I remember you.

Danny Bulletts Jr., Director
Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks Depart.

June 7, 2017

It's May 25, 2017.....I have learned, throughout these past 34 years, that I'm not the only one who misses you so dad-gum much.
I love you, Mike.

Nancy
Widow

May 25, 2017

Mike, It was staggering and to have to get your truck, your beat, and I could never.... It was an honor beyond measure to learn the whole story, and to help carry on your memory. To spend time with Mark J, Keith J. And you'd be very proud of Terry K, and all of them for pushing forward any lessons learned with great respect and courage and quality. I never stopped saying a prayer for Nancy.
I didn't really know you, and I will never forget you. Coco 60.

Tim Kovacs

December 27, 2016

May 25th marks the 33rd year we all have not had you in our lives.
I miss you.
I can still hear you say as you went to work....it is wonderful to get paid for working the beautiful northern Coconino County.
You also talked about when you retire, you wanted to have a business making and selling waffle cones.
I miss you.

Nancy
Widow

May 25, 2016