Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP

M. Lyons
RETIRED: DHS, Oceanside PD, & USMC C.I.D.

July 3, 2023

Trooper Griffith, it has been 27 years since you were taken from us. Northern New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices that you and too many others have made for us. Thank you for your service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

April 16, 2023

Drew, still miss you to this day.
Rest easy brother.

Det. Sgt. Robert McFetridge
Clinton Maine PD

April 15, 2023

Thought of you today Drew when reading about the highway dedication for you. 25 years this year......where does the time go? God graciously allowed me to make it to retirement. Thanks again for your service.

Lieutenant John C. Moore
Wisconsin State Conservation Warden & State Trooper (Retired)

October 15, 2021

Dear Drew---our daughter is a police officer, and perhaps that's why my heart hurts for CPD officer Ella French. Like you, my funny man, she is in a good place now. But our world is poorer because she's gone. It is my blessing, as a survivor, to know that the L.E. family already has its strong arms around those who are most heavily burdened by this loss: Ella French's family, her co-workers and comrades. I send my prayers, too.

Elizabeth Kate Braestrup
Maine Warden Service, Maine State Police Survivor

August 10, 2021

Trooper Griffith,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Maine. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 15, 2021

Drew,

I still remember you and miss you to this day . I hope you are resting well my brother.

Detective Sergeant Robert McFetridge
Clinton Maine Police Department

April 15, 2021

Rest in peace Trooper Griffith.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2020

National LEO Memorial Day 2020, Drewpy. Every day is memorial day for me, as it will be for Hilary and all the other LE survivors: we don't forget. That's okay. It's a good thing. Love you.

Kate Braestrup
Maine Warden Service

May 15, 2020

I just read the story your wife wrote about you in the newspaper.
Thank you for your service, and may God be with you and your family.

Suzuki Nathie

January 31, 2019

You came up in conversation today Drew, in Wisconsin of all places. I was talking to a Wisconsin Warden who recently heard Kate speak at a training conference. When I told him I knew you and had worked with you, he was a little surprised. I got to tell him about you and your impact on my career as a young officer. You were a good Trooper and I am glad to say I was influenced by your service. Thanks again. God's speed sir.

Lieutenant John C. Moore
Wisconsin State Conservation Warden

October 30, 2018

I worked for the Knox County Correctional Facility a lot of years. I knew Drew and Rock quite well. He would frequent our facility with “ The Rock”. He was a awesome person and Trooper. It was a big loss to our area.

Sergeant
Friend

March 25, 2018

Just listened to your wife tell a story on The Moth Radio Hour. She is an incredible story teller who very effectively delivered a powerful message about grieving families and the amazing ability we all share that allows us to cope with these traumatic events in our lives. Police academies across the country would be well served to include her story during their death notification segment of training.

A Sergeant
Minnesota State Patrol

April 10, 2017

Drew, you are remembered today and every day.
Thank you for your sacrifice. I feel like I've been able to get to know you a bit through Kate's books; she seems to be a fantastic, strong woman who has made the best of a terrible tragedy and I love the fact that twenty years later, she is in a way, living out your dream.
Sounds like you should be very proud of the entire family you created together, and I know that they are all proud of you.
Rest in peace!

Charles C. Black II
Son of fallen Maine State Trooper Charles C. Black (EOW 7/9/1964)

April 15, 2016

Twenty years ago today, time has gone by so quickly. It seems like only yesterday when you assisted with a call at a Bible Revival on the waterfront in Rockland. I remember running by your cruiser as you pulled an unruly man over the fence and to the ground and all I could think as I ran by your cruiser if Rock was going to jump out and grab me. I also remember hearing of your untimely death April 15, 1996. What a sad gray day in a lot of people’s hearts that day, although it was bright and sunny outside. I believe Drew would be very proud of his family as they grow and venture on with their lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family and the entire brother and sister family in blue that are missing you especially on this day… God did answer Kate’s prayers when she asked him to take care of her “Drew”. God Bless Drew’s family… REST IN PEACE BROTHER, LEST WE FORGET.

~ Semper Aequus

Det. Terry Michaud
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

April 15, 2016

Awww, your comments make me tear up and smile at the same time. Thank you everyone. This month, it will be twenty years since Drew died. I still miss him and love him, feel lucky to have been his wife and to be the mother of his children, and I am very honored to continue to live and work among you, my brothers and sisters, as a member of the law enforcement family. Drew would be proud of all of you.

Kate Braestrup, widow of Trooper James A
and chaplain to the Maine Warden Service

April 9, 2016

Dear Drew,
It is hard to believe that it has been almost 20 years since you passed tragically on the job. I still remember the night that I heard that you got killed. I had met you not long after you came on the job in the old State Police Garage in Augusta. You had heard of me back when you were on the US Capitol Police in Washington, DC and knew that I had joined the Maine State Police. You subsequently joined the Maine State Police and did an outstanding job as a Trooper in Troop D and went on to become a MSP K-9 Handler. I attended your wake and funeral to honor a brother Trooper and be there for your Family. It was as great a sendoff as best as it could be. We missed you on the MSP. You have a lot to be proud of as your family is strong and true. Your four children have all grown up to be very good citizens and your wife, Kate brought them up well. She went on to be an Author and a Maine Warden Service Chaplain to serve and give even more as you did. You will never be forgotten Brother and the great example you set will live on for generations. Thank you for your Service and your Supreme Sacrifice. Rest in Peace Brother.

Trooper Richard Maguire
Maine State Police

December 28, 2015

Today your Dad came to see you. I have a very big sadness but I am hopeful you were were there to greet him. I will miss you both until I see you both again.
:-(
My son Andrew is here with me and he speaks of you and he will know you well through my memories of you and he hill always know his "Ralphie".
Bless you BOTH.

SMSgt David "Chip" Forward
Bro

July 22, 2015

I 'accidently' found Kate's book just this past Thursday, 4/12 in our church library. While sitting through choir practice with my husband (he sings, I don't)I picked this book off the shelf, knowing nothing about Kate or her story. Since then I have read the book twice and am on my 3rd time. It is a magnificent book, tellinsuch a good story, extremely touching. Then just awhile ago I found the notice about Little Drew. Unbelievable. I can't stop crying.
My love to all of the family, amid your surrows.....
may you have greater high moments...may you accept these words from a stranger. PS - I don't believe in 'accidents'..I was led to Kate's book.

Patricia Goodwin
Pocono Lake, PA

no rank Patricia Goodwin
just an interested bystander

April 15, 2012

Born in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain, not far from the Tennessee River, Drew was born. It is people like him that makes Tennessee proud to be called the Volunteer State and she has produced none greater than my brother.

Ed Griffith
brother

April 15, 2012

Dear Everyone,

Thank you so much for saying such nice things about my dad. Henry Clements- I got an image of you saying to your Lab, "Stop peeing on the furniture Drew!" and I know my dad would get a kick out of that!

Yesterday, I was working on an art project at my volunteer job at the Center for Grieving Children here in Portland, ME, and it was a "memory lane" in which you write and draw about the people you have loved that have passed away. Suddenly ALL these memories came rushing back! There are so many of course, but I will always remember the day my dad pulled over my school bus, sirens and everything because we were late getting to the stop. I was five.

A few years ago my dad's sister Mary took me to the police station in Hartwell, Georgia, and they had an entire display of newspaper clippings and photos, and nice messages dedicated to my dad, and the guy-o's working were SO nice! They told me it was an honor to meet me, but really, I was the one with the honor of meeting them! I also had the privilege of handing out my Dad's memorial scholarship several years ago to one of my good friends. It was such a great feeling.

I can't believe it's been sixteen years already. Those years have been filled with love and support, family, friends, and amazing community members. Thanks once again for everything, all of you!

Love, Ellie

Ellie Griffith
Daughter of JAG

April 14, 2012

To all Drew's friends and comrades, to all law enforcement officers: On Sunday, it will have been sixteen years since Drew's death. The children are fine---they aren't even children any more, but young adults! And Drew's son Zach has applied to the Maine State Police. If all goes well, the next Trooper Griffith will begin at the Academy in August.

A law enforcement widow declared, memorably, "It is not how they died, but how they lived that makes them heroes." The corollary to this is that you don't have to die to be a hero: All of you are heroes too. My love and thanks to all of you---Kate (412-A)

Chaplain Kate Braestrup
widow, and Chaplain, Maine Warden Service

April 13, 2012

Drew,

We always knew if you were on a raid with us that we'd be a lot safer.

We miss you, but haven't forgotten you. I just named my new Lab puppy after you. I hope he's as loyal and brave as you were.

Ronnie Damon and I can't get together that your name doesn't come up.

Harry Clements DEA 1971-1995

Senior Special Agent Retired
Federal DEA

June 29, 2011

Trooper Griffith,

May you always be remembered for your service. I recently read your wife's book and as a police widow myself (also LOD),was so touched by your marriage and relationship-I completely relate. Your wife is an inspiration and I so enjoyed her book about her journey into her 'new normal'. Thank you for your service and may your family know they are not alone. You will always be remembered.

L. Parry
Wife of Det Sgt Mark F. Parry
Balto County Police Dept
E.O.W. 1-21-02

Anonymous

October 26, 2010

I also read your wife's story in Reader's Digest...what a wonderful and strong woman. Rest in Peace.

Ofc. Williams
UGPD

December 23, 2009