Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today at a training my fellow officers and I watched the video of your tragic death. After the video there were no words and a few tears. God be with you brother, WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

Patrol Officer, Nicholas Suminski
Washburn Police Department

March 2, 2006

Kyle: I learned of your horrible death and I cried many tears. I knew you as a young boy and teenager and remember you as energetic, athletic and full of fun and laughter! You loved your family and you were their pride and joy! It doesn't surprise me to know that you went into law enforcement -- you always seemed like a leader! What a tragic loss to all of us that you were murdered in the line of duty! You are still touching lives as shown by the many people from around the country who remember you here -- especially officers in training and their families. I'm praying for your mom and dad, your wife and kids. Your life was far too short, but you were blessed to have so much love around you! Kyle, we will never forget you!

Kathy Harner

February 27, 2006

I JUST WATCHED THE VIDEO OF DEPUTY DINKHELLER GETTING MURDERED BY THIS COWARD HE HAD STOPPED ON TRAFFIC. NO WORDS CAN EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS. R.I.P. BROTHER. YOU ARE IN HEAVEN PATROLLING THE STREETS OF GOLD...GOD SPEED. IN REFERENCE TO THE COWARD VIOLATER YOU ARE WHERE YOU BELONG.

K. MCGEE
MURPHY,TX POLICE DEPT.

February 19, 2006

This deputy did his level best not to have to take a man's life. He did everything he could, to avoid having to use deadly force. He was repaid for his care and professionalism with violent, tragic death. We are all poorer for his loss. Anyone who has ever done a traffic stop could have been D/S Dinkheller. Before becoming a prosecutor, I was once a police officer (Military Police, U.S. Army) and I saw myself in more than one traffic stop in years past, when I saw his video, and knew that there but for the grace of God went I.

Asst. State Attorney Victoria J. Avalon
State Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit-Florida

February 3, 2006

I stopped by the scene of your murder today on the way back home from training in Forsyth today. I left my St. Michael (Patron Saint of Police) prayer card at your memorial cross. I know you are keeping watch over us in heaven. I pray for you and your family. Your death was not in vain as I think of the tragic final minutes of your life every time that I make a traffic stop.

APO. G.S. Coleman
Savannah-Chatham Metro P.D.

February 3, 2006

I was deeply shocked and saddened as I viewed the video of this tragic event. I simply wish to salute Deputy Dinkheller's courage and dedication, and also thank him because viewing this video may save my life or the life of one of my fellow officers some day.

Kyle, you are an inspiration to us all up here in Canada and you will not be forgotten. God bless your wife and child.

Sgt. Guy Lapointe
Quebec Provincial Police (Canada)

February 1, 2006

Well buddy, A few days late. 14jan06
Eight short years, seems like just yesterday.
You are missed every day.
And Thanks for watching out for us.

Anonymous I think not.

January 14, 2006

Kyle,

Although I never had the opportunity to meet you, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about your sacrifice. Through the tragic experience captured via your dash cam, you have made the rest of us better cops.

Please watch over us as you patrol the streets of heaven.

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

Adam Keith
USAFA K-9

January 1, 2006

Kyle,

I was a forward observer in the Army from ’72-’76 and taught small arms at Officer Basic. Now I am an Air Force chaplain and I have worked with a variety of Security Forces through the years. Many times I am a part of people’s lives in moments of their greatest pain. However, I’ve never witnessed such brutality juxtaposed by such mercy. It’s easy for me to say, “Shoot! Shoot!” while I watch in horror, but perhaps, in your heart of hearts, you believed your purpose was greater than the sword; maybe it was to make every effort to save; to redeem the unredeemable. And the sword will deservingly fall on that vile person, both here and in eternity, which deprived you of your youth, your wife, your children and family; yet you are neither deprived of your integrity nor your good name. May the greater good of your sacrifice save others, and in this, perchance you will have fulfilled your mission.

Chaplain, John Tillery
USAF

December 29, 2005

Kyle,
Several months ago, a training seminar introduced you to me under the most unfortunate of circumstances. Since then, there has not been a day when I have not thought of you! You have prompted me to tunnel deep within my "self" to sift through and examine what I truely value most in my life. You've assisted me in re-adjusting my priorities and the manner in which my job is performed; for that, I thank you. I know you keep a good eye out for your family and all of you have and will be in my prayers. Rest easy my Brother, you have done us all well.

Officer Seann Scanlon
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department

December 28, 2005

I played the bagpipes for Kyle's funeral. His was the fourth public safety funeral I had played for. I've played for 26 other police officers, sheriff's deputys and fireman since then, but his was one of the hardest to play for. It was the first one where I heard the final radio call on the radio net. I knew how Kyle was murdered but I had not seen the video from his car until this morning. It left me speechless. While I watched it, I was screaming in my mind, "Kyle Shoot, Shoot". We know he didn't. Kyle, I will always remember that cold rainy day in January, when we paid our final honor to you. I will always remember you. So I never forget, I have your Department patch on my wall with your name underneath it. It is a reminder to me and to others in our Department of the ultimate sacrifice you made. I will remember you and your family in my prayers. God Bless you and Angela and your two babies. Rest in Peace Brother.

Sgt Matt Freeman
Roswell Police Department (GA)

December 24, 2005

I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF DEPUTY DINKHELLER. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY, FRIEND AND CO-WORKERS. IT HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE THE INCIDENT, BUT NOTHING CAN TAKE AWAY THE PAIN AND I AM SORRY FOR THAT. MAY GOD WATCH OVER HIS REMAINING FAMILY.

PATROLMAN CHAD MULLEN
HORNELL CITY PD, NY

December 21, 2005

I had annual refresher training yesterday and we watched the video of Deputy Dinkhellers murder. It was very hard to watch!! We had a training scenario based on his encounter earlier in the day. I know practicing to defeat that attack and watching how he responded will help us out a great deal. Kyle, I never knew you but I know you are missed and will never be forgotten!!!

Officer Bill Clock
Ann Arbor, MI Police Dept.

December 16, 2005

This video of your ultimate sacrifice is a shocking reminder of how deadly our profession is. I'm going to use your story in a training session at roll call so that others will learn from this stark reality. Rest in peace.

Sgt. David Covely
Evesham Police

December 13, 2005

The world we live in is full of pure evil. Only GOD knows what lies ahead for our future and how we will pass on. I know there is a purpose for everything even in this tragedy as hard as it may seem. One day we will all be judged for our actions on earth and the pure evil filth that slay you will be met by his maker. As for your family it sadens me as a husband and father to know that you are not here anymore to take care of yours. May God Bless your soul and look over your family as you rest.
In Christs Love.

LCSO

December 12, 2005

I just saw this video via a PoliceOne email link. It was one of the more disturbing videos relating to our job that I've seen in a while.

Rest in peace, brother. At least I know you're now in a place where you will feel no more pain and sorrow.

Officer R. Law
Burbank Airport Police Department

December 10, 2005

MAY GOD BEST BLESS DEPUTY DINKHELLER FAMILY AND FRIENDS HE'S GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN SLEEP ON OUR BOTHER ///

DEPUTY WILLIE MITCHELL
BIBB COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

December 8, 2005

I would like to echo my deepest sympathy to Kyle's family. Undoubtedly this was a horrific event that unfolded on Kyle's car camera. Watching it truly turned my stomach and left me wishing for a chance for Kyle's survival. But as police officers, we do our part vigorously to make a difference in assuring the safety citizens. Unfortunately in some cases it requires our lives.
May God continue to bless Kyle’s family and provide them with comfort as we continue to live with this horrific event.

Deputy Keith White
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

December 7, 2005

Wow. I saw this video on a website just a few days ago. I am so, so sorry that you and your family had to suffer such unimaginable loss. The screams and the gunfire I heard have left me in a great depression this evening and sometimes I wonder why you had to suffer so much in the line of duty.

I can imagine what it must have looked like, smelled like that day, but for guys like me, I will never know what it is like to KNOW what that kind of situation is like. I would like to thank you and your family for laying down such a costly price for the sake of the public's safety. It is officer's like yourselves that truly display rigorous courage under fire and define the meaning of the word hero.

May your family, fellow officers and department know that your sacrifice most likely saved more lives. The maniac that gunned you down could have easily killed over and over again. Your courage and your duty saved many lives.

Although the physical pain you suffered was terrible, the amount of friends, officers and civilians that love, respect and honor you daily at least lessen's the burdens you and your family have suffered. May the sacrifices you have borne not go in vain, nor be forgotten by the very people you protected that fateful day.

With the most sincere condolences to you, your department and your family..

Mike S.
Dayton Ohio

Mike Sansone

December 6, 2005

The video of the terrible death of Deputy Dinkheller made its way to our Department. There are no words to describe the feeling that goes thru the senses of a police officers when they see the events unfold. My hope is that this video get played for all officers and learn the lessons it provides.
God bless Deputy Dinkheller and his family.

Chief of police
Yakima Police Department

December 3, 2005

Kyle's memory lives on, as a reminder for every peace officer to be safe and stay sharp.

One of my sergeants played Kyle's video in briefing not long ago, and it was incredibly disturbing for me.

Like many officers out there, they may have a photo of their spouse and/or children in their locker. I keep a photo of my wife and I on the inner side of my locker door. Every day I get ready for patrol, I touch the photo before shutting my locker. The last thing I do before hitting my "10-8" button in the patrol car is kiss my wedding ring, as a pact with my wife to come home every night. Life is precious and ever so delicate.

May Kyle's life serve as beacon for law enforcement officers everywhere.

Be safe out there!

Dave Herrera
Brea PD
Orange County, CA

Ofc. Dave Herrera #1514
Brea PD (Orange County, CA)

December 1, 2005

Having watched the video of this incident for the first time I must say that I am numb. Seeing a brother officer gunned down this way truly leaves me speechless. I can only hope that we all take something out of this experience that may someday save one of our lives. Dep. Dinkheller you should know that you did not die in vain. I know that you are in a better place now. May God watch over your family and may the suspect that did this to you rot in hell.

Det. Brian Connolly
White Plains NY PD

November 28, 2005

The video from that fateful day was shown in the academy I recently graduated from and I must say I've never seen a video that could silence a room of 70 grown men and women.It had each and every one of us in tears by the time it ended and we could only sit in silence afterwards.I was in total and complete shock during the video and my body was literally numb watching it.The perp that did this was truly a coward underneath it all,because only a coward could and would kill like he did.My thoughts and prayers,along with the Arkoma POlice Department, go out to the Deputy Dinkheller family,your husband and father was a TRUE hero.He lived the worse nightmare that any of us could face and now he is in heaven watching over all of us and watching our back so we may go home to our loved ones.Deputy Dinkheller,your working a much nicer beat and I know in the end all of us will be with you in heaven.May you rest in peace and continue watching over us all.

Patrolman Daniel New
Arkoma Police Department

November 27, 2005

MAY GOD BE WITH THIS FINE OFFICER AND HIS FAMILY ALWAYS ANYONE WHO READS THIS POST PLEASE SAY A PRAYER NOW.I HAD SEEN THE VIDIO AND COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES OF WHAT HAD TRANSPIRED BETWEEN THE P.O.AND THIS FILTHY MO---R F---ING ANIMAL WHO SHOULD BE SLOWLY TORTURED BEFORE BEING PUT TO DEATH!!!

DETECTIVE
N.Y.P.D.-BRONX NARCOTICS

November 24, 2005

Talk about a hero. He could have easily have shot the suspect earlier on and saved his own life. But he wanted to gave him a chance and kept on trying to get that cowardless sad excuse of a human to cooperate. God bless Deputy Dinkheller and his family. We all owe such individuals who risk everything to keep us safe. They ought to add his name in Webster's dictionary as a synonym for the word hero.

November 23, 2005