Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On this Memorial Day, we remember Officer Heck, and his family. We travel the stretch of highway with his name fairly often. Officer Heck, we remember your bravery, honor, and ultimate sacrifice. Continued prayers and remembrance for Officer Heck, and his entire family.

D. Baker
Community Citizen

May 27, 2024

Condolences to his family

Carson loveless

April 22, 2024

Paramedic-Laura Loe
I was one of the paramedics that responded with my partner Lisa Christen to this horrible 911 of a shooting.
We were unaware that it was an officer down call until upon arrival to the scene.
We were unable to drive our ambulance down the path to the victim because it was too narrow and muddy. We hauled all of our medical gear and headed on foot down that path.
I will never forget his partner’s face, officer Hefner, as we raced to aid his partner. He was in a daze but alive and upright. We went passed him and the Huntertown EMS crew attended to him.
We found Officer Heck feet first into a line of brush and his bullet proof vest was pulled over his head.
We immediately started ALS care to him and by permission from Sheriff Balliet we transported him via the perpetrators truck bed to our EMS and continued resuscitative measures.
I will not go into details of the medical resuscitation of Officer Heck. But I will tell you we fought feverishly and with the utmost medical treatment to save his life.
He was in the Hands of the Lord when we fought for his life.
I can still vividly remember that night 26 years later and only being a TRAA paramedic for over a year, it created a humbleness and dedication for me to help and save lives
There is a circle of medical personnel that were involved on that night and gather to continue to honor his heroic act of giving up his life for his fellow man!
Always rest in peace, Officer Heck!

Paramedic Laura Loe
TRAA

January 20, 2024

Dear sweet Taylor. I just learned about your father and who he was today, Sept. 6 2023. Many people loved him and still hold strong to his memory. ( a stranger told me about his bravery today after I told him where I live)I have a son who is your age and my heart goes out to you! I am writing to tell you that u are an amazing strong woman, no doubt due to your genes! I am particularly wanting u to know that I live on Billy Dr. And me and my family have always felt safe and protected here. Just last night my son said, " it's weird but I've always felt like we have a safety bubble surrounding us." I now know why!!! I strongly believe our loved ones never leave us, and that they are with God always watching over us. Thank you for sharing your love to your father for all to see. It must be very hard, but u are an inspiration and I'm very thankful for you and your father's story. Just thought I 'd reach out and give you a BIG hug! Love, Kassie ( your father would be incredibly proud!)

Kassie

September 6, 2023

Dad, thinking of you extra today. Life has been going great for me and I wish you were here to experience that with me. I still think of you every day. Thank you for your service and your bravery.

Love you always.

Taylor Jacobs (Heck)
Daughter

September 5, 2023

You made the ultimate sacrifice for another officer. Thank you
May you find unending bliss in heaven!

Private Citizen

January 28, 2023

Officer Heck,
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 Allen County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 15, 2022

24 years has not eased the pain. Miss you every day!

Michellr
Sister

August 15, 2021

Thinking of you and your family especially today. Peace!

Sheriff ACPD (Retired) Joseph and Rita
Allen County Indiana Police Dept

August 15, 2020

Your selfless actions are a true definition of the word hero. Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 15, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Heck.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 18, 2019

Merry Christmas Daddy.

Taylor
Daughter

December 20, 2018

Woke up this morning and you were on my mind. I miss you always.

Love you forever.

See you someday, daddy.

Taylor Payge
Daughter

July 15, 2018

NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Cops Cycling for Survivors
Www.copscycling4survivors.org

Monica Zahasky
Cops cycling

August 15, 2017

Missing you!

Michelle James
Sister

April 18, 2017

Just wanted to say thank you for being the brave and heroic officer you were. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. The mentor that taught me to be a safe, sound and fair officer just so happened to be partnered with you on ACPD. I owe you thanks for that, as well. Keeping him safe meant that he would progress through his career and eventually keep me safe. May you rest easy and may your family always be aware that support and appreciation for them and you always exists.

Deputy
Whitley County SD

November 12, 2016

It's so hard to believe that it has been almost 19 years since we lost you. I still remember dad calling early that morning to tell us the horrible news, he was crying. He loved you so much. I think of you often and am so proud to have called you family. You will never be forgotten. Until we meet again....

Karen Schultz Denney
Cousin

August 3, 2016

Raymond Chandler > Quotes > Quotable Quote
Raymond Chandler
“down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is the hero; he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor—by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world.

“He will take no man’s money dishonestly and no man’s insolence without a due and dispassionate revenge. He is a lonely man and his pride is that you will treat him as a proud man or be very sorry you ever saw him.

“The story is this man’s adventure in search of a hidden truth, and it would be no adventure if it did not happen to a man fit for adventure. If there were enough like him, the world would be a very safe place to live in, without becoming too dull to be worth living in.”

MICHELLE JAMES

May 5, 2016

He is remembered a fellow classmate of ILEA 93-112

Steve Gatchel Retired Patrolman
Wabash City Police

March 29, 2016

Today, I am really missing you. I graduated high school last year and I am close to finishing my first year of college. I hope you and Sean are having a good time up there... even though I really could use you both here with me. It's been hard loosing you and then loosing my step-dad my senior year. I think about you and your sacrifice everyday. Proud of you for being a hero but want you to be here with me more than anything. Starting my new life in Fort Wayne feels so strange. I'm there all week, pass your sign everyday.. but somehow I feel like the city has forgotten? I just would like you to know that I will never forget your heroic decision. I love you daddy. Miss you. Thanks for always protecting me down here. I wish everyday that you were physically here to see me grow. I wish you could witness my successes and even my mistakes. People tell me a lot that I have your giving heart. Can't wait to see you again someday.

XOXO

Taylor Payge Heck
Daughter

March 14, 2016

Kept me on my toes and alive because of his teachings to me. every day. Just retired, and think of him everyday. miss you my friend

master patrolman 23 years
acpd to columbia city pd

September 30, 2015

Hey, just talked to your mom. She is a wonderful lady. Wish I could have met that great son of hers. Someday.............

SA Ellen Pierson
US DHS- ICE- HSI

August 15, 2014

Wow, has it really been 17 years? I still think of you and your family often. We kept our neighborhood safe on both ends. When I pulled in the neighborhood, past your house around 12:30 that morning, I had no idea what was about to happen. But you stood your ground. . . You fought evil . . . And you gave it all . . . RIP my friend in the presence of our Savior.

Retired Captain
FWPD1536

August 14, 2014

I miss you...Shelly

Michelle James
Sister

June 20, 2014

todays 80's day at school. everyone said i look just like mom! we miss you a lot!

Taylor Payge
daughter

October 10, 2013