Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May God's grace sustain you, May His arms hold you during this very sad time. My deepest sympathy to each of you who knew, loved and worked with Trooper Heck. My prayers are with you.
Trooper Heck, Thank you for your service to your country, you will be missed but never forgotten, as our Hero's live forever in our hearts.

Ohio
summit co

Anonymous

October 28, 2008

I still think of you frequently and tell stories about you. We still miss you. Time softens but does not erase.

Corri Conkle
Friend

October 15, 2008

Bruce,
You are gone but not forgotten and are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We will never forget you and your sacrifice.
Dave

Sergeant David Jones
Alaska State Troopers

May 9, 2008

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

February 7, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

January 10, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 3, 2008

Shark Two;
Working on my 2nd retirement and thinking of the good times in rainy Ketchikan. I see shark One on occassion and we talk about you and him poaching all of my DUI's. Thanks for being there that night with that big ass drunk. You saved my bacon. Miss you buddy, rest in peace.
Jim

Officer Jim Janke
Customs & Border Protection

December 30, 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

November 14, 2007

Dad - Tomorrow I will stand, in uniform, and remember you again, and when they play the bagpipes I will once again cry, and I know you will be up there laughing at me.
I miss you lots! I wish you could be here to watch your grandaughter grow, I wish you could be here next month to watch you son get married, I wish so much...
Love ya!

Alisha Sell

May 18, 2007

Bruce,
I met you once, very briefly, a year before you left us. That day still haunts me in a way, I still have questions about what happend and why. You are so dearly missed. Sometimes when I'm in the gym and feeling drained, I think of you and I push for another half-hour.

Last summer, Lacy and I went to Haines and Juneau for our anniversary. We stopped at your memorial on the way back and I left the "square miles/Troopers" T-shirt I had with me on the rock to remind people what the mission of the Troopers entails. I miss you, my friend.

Rest easy, Bruce; we've got it from here.

Alan Mitchell
State of Alaska Div. of Juv. Justice

May 2, 2007

G-d Bless.

January 10, 2007

Bruce, this time of year I think of you and another Friend who left so many of us behind. I remember only the good times....but will never forget the day all your Friends gathered to say goodbye...it has been some time now...but the memories are with me always....I will see you one day.

Helen

Helen Stice
Friend

December 27, 2006

It is so hard to believe that we are coming up on the 10th anniversary of your "heavenly birthday". Even though our lives have moved forward and are healthy and happy, we will never forget your time with us. As I watch your children grow, get married, and have their own children, my heart is saddened knowing how much you would have loved to see it all.

Merry Christmas.....Love, Laurie

Laurie Heck Huckeba
Spouse

December 24, 2006

Rest in Peace, Trooper Heck. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

November 2, 2006

Bruce,

Been thinking about you for the last few days as the anniversary of your death passed.
Just wanted to let you know that your not forgotten and never will be. I hope your new "beat" is treating you well.
See you soon, my friend.

Craig Robinson
Wasilla Police Department

January 17, 2006

Bruce:
Many a night and day I have thought of you and the way you respected all and treated all in fairness. You are sorely missed in our Family. This month I passed by 21st year and wish to dedicate my time to you and yours. I hope that I have served in a small way following your lead. Take care and we shall meet again I hope. To your family I hope I can share just a small part of the love that he gave all the time.
Rick Pyles
AST, Palmer Post, AK

Trooper Rick Pyles
Alaska State Troopers

April 13, 2005

I never meet Trooper Heck, but I used to drive by where he was killed on the Glenn Highway and I always thought of him when I did. I had a chance to go to the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in D.C. and I found his name. We haven't forgotten you, brave trooper. God be with your family and friends.

Federal LEO

July 9, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

(Formerly of Seward Alaska)

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 6, 2004

I never met Trooper Heck in person, but I know his kind-good, honest, hard working people trying to uphold the law in their little corner of the world. I have family who live in Alaska, and I'd like to thank Trooper Heck for helping to make their lives safer while he served.
Rest easy, Brother, you will never be forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.l

January 10, 2004

I had the honor of finding Trooper Heck's memorial in June, 2000, while travelling through Alaska. It was the beautiful scenery that originally caused me to pull over at the turnout, & then, to my surprise, discovered that this was Trooper Heck's memorial site. I read with sorrow about the events that occurred leadning up to the loss of his life, somewhere in the vast wilderness that spread before me. I was able to take some panoramic photos of that memorial stone & the area before continuing on my way. To those of you who work in the 'Last Frontier' - Stay safe, and do not let Trooper Heck's memory be forgotten.

A.M. Serr
Ventura Police Dept., CA.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF:

TROOPER BRUCE A. HECK

The following poem was written in remembrance of Trooper Bruce Heck who was killed in the line of duty January 10, 1997 while working patrol in Glennallen, Alaska. Trooper Heck started his career with the Alaska State Troopers in Juneau where he was originally hired as a Building Security Specialist in 1976. In 1981 he was promoted to Alaska State Trooper and attended the Recruit Academy in Sitka. After graduating from the academy Bruce was assigned to Juneau, Ketchikan, Palmer and finally to Glennallen. Bruce was 21 years old when he started working in Public Safety and spent the better part of his life continuing that effort because he believed in the cause. Even though Bruce had served the people of Alaska for over 20 years and had recently married, he chose to continue to serve alongside his friend and partner, Don Pierce.

On January 10, 1997, Trooper Bruce Heck was patrolling the area in and around Glennallen, when a call came in of a stolen cab heading towards the area from the direction of Palmer. Trooper Heck located the cab in the area of mile 155 of the Glenn Highway and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver of the cab attempted to flee and shortly thereafter went off the road and into the ditch about 30 miles West of Glennallen.

The driver ran from the vehicle and was pursued into the woods by Trooper Heck. The exact chain of events from that point are only known by the suspect, however, they can be largely reconstructed from the physical evidence at the scene. One thing that we do know is the end result - Trooper Bruce Allen Heck was killed doing his duty to the community he swore to protect.

Trooper Don Pierce was at home, off duty. As is often the case in our rural posts, Trooper Pierce was listening to his portable radio - keeping one ear open in case a coworker needed assistance. Trooper Pierce heard what was going on and immediately responded to help. Once on scene, Trooper Pierce was able to locate the suspect and contain him until more help arrived to assist in taking him into custody.

Shortly after this tragedy, Trooper Don Pierce retired. He, like Bruce, had elected to stay past his 20 years to continue to serve the people of Alaska.
The suspect is currently housed at Cook Inlet Pre-trial in Anchorage and the trial for the murder of Trooper Bruce Heck is set to start on January 12, 1998.

Trooper Heck is survived by his wife, Laurie and his three children Brian, Alisha and Christopher. Don Pierce is currently spending as much time as possible hunting and fishing.

The poem that follows was written in large part as a sort of catharsis as the author tried to make sense of a tragedy that was both personal and public. As you read this poem please take a moment to reflect on the great friend and Trooper we all lost that day.

THE MEASURE OF A MAN

Unless you really knew him,

you wouldn’t understand,

the many things to consider,

in the Measure of a Man.

He loved his work, he loved this life,

his children and his wife.

But if there was someone in need,

to the call he’d go with speed.

It was a work of service,

of laughter and of tears.

But unless you really knew him,

he’d admit to have no fears.

He treated all with fairness

to them he left no doubt,

No matter if you’re right or wrong,

he’ll help you work it out.

Many claim to have met him

in one way or another.

Some of those he arrested

said they were treated like a brother.

His smile was ever present,

some say it was contagious,

something came and took it away,

the circumstance outraged us.

If you count up his years of service,

you’d see it was half his life.

A figure made significant,

one dark and sad cold night.

I’d like to know him better,

but the chance I’ll never have

to look inside and understand,

THE MEASURE OF A MAN.

Anonymous

I will always remember Bruce as the guy who could always come into the Palmer Trooper Office, crack a joke or laugh, no matter how heavy the caseload or or how hard the shift was...like nothing could ever get him down as he loved his life and job so much...Bruce we miss you.

Deputy Brad Anderson
St. Louis Cnty, Mn