Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's been over 7 years and your daughter is growing so "wonderfully", so why am I sitting here now, crying as I look at your picture and remember your laugh??? Well It's because you are more to me than a memory....you are more to me than 20 years in prison (as was the sentence for the monster that murdered you), you are more to me than living a second on this earth and not cherishing your life. You laughed so often, you loved so much, you brought happiness to many.
Your death will always haunt me but your love will always lift me. I FEEL you when I cry and I FEEL you when I'm frustrated with parenting. I FEEL you when I call your name asking for guidance... I know that you are still with me.

It sucks SO SO MUCH that our baby girl, well she's not so much a baby now, has to grow up without you and your love. She was just looking through some of your things and asking about you and your work. Your time in the military and at NATO. I told her how special you are and she is so proud of you. As she should be. I am proud of you. Just wish I could tell you in your ear as I kiss your cheek. I deserve that. I wish I could just kiss you on your cheek and tell you I love you and I'm proud of you. I miss you. Your whole family misses you.

June 7, 2005

Even though you didn't know me and I didn't know you, words cannot express the frustration and helplessness I felt as I treated you in the ambulance that day. I was with you when you left this mortal world to be with our Lord and Saviour. The events of that day are forever branded in my mind and I'll never forget you. As a Paramedic and a former Deputy Sheriff I have been involved in two fellow officer shooting deaths. Both were senseless killings for no apparent reason. Our loss is Heaven's gain. To your Family " Keep the Faith and know that Brandon is watching over You" God Bless-- Phil Ramage

Phillip R. Ramage EMT-P 1017-P
Lyon County EMS (retired)

June 6, 2005

When ever I look at your picture, when I see your face, my first reaction is to laugh. I see your smile and your eyes and I know there is funny story behind them. There always was some funny thought, story, idea....It always feels good to look at your picture, your smile, your thoughtful brown eyes.
How I wish your smile were so close I could touch your lips...your eyes so close I could feel your breath, your voice so close, I would be sure my mind is not playing tricks on me when I hear you say, "I love you" or "I'm proud of you". I remember your breath, your laugh, your smile, your voice, and the way you looked at me through those deep eyes of yours. I miss you, Brandon. What I'd give to go back in time and have you here, in the flesh. I love you Bran.

May 31, 2005

You continue to inspire me and it's the love you gave to me, the hunger you had for truth and justice, the selflessness you demonstrated and the honest and honorable person you just were. You didn't aim to be that way, you simply WERE that way. You knew no other way other than truth and justice. Books are written teaching people how to have the values and morals that you had.

You continue to inspire me to do my best every day. To reach out and always do what is RIGHT even if it's not popular. I love you for being you and I am so blessed that I was able to know you, to love you, to be loved by you, and to watch you hold and love our baby girl. This world would shine a bit brighter if you were still living....I look forward to our reunion, because I miss you so much every day. EVERY SINGLE DAY!

May 20, 2005

TIME HAS NOT LESSEN THE LOVE WE HAVE FOR YOU, OR THE HURT THAT YOU WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY SO YOUNG.
APRIL BRINGS BACK THE MEMORIES MORE, BUT YOU ARE THOUGHT ABOUT ALL YEAR LONG.

AUNT EDNA THACKER

April 13, 2005

It's closing in on 7 years since you were senselessly and mercilessly killed.
7 long years and the *missing you* never gets easier...it never goes away. You are never out of my immediate thought, you have never left my heart. The brokenness of our life can never be repaired.
Oh, if only others could have heard Katherine talking tonight at Girl Scouts, sharing about their parent's careers, she talked about her dad, the police officer.....and the girls started questioning.....my heart sank. She didn't talk about how it made her feel, but a part of me was proud that she felt comfortable sharing you...yet another part of me felt so sad that it raises eyebrows just for her to mention YOU, her father, her daddy, the man who loved, loves her so greatly...you are so much a part of her...such a shame she'll never know just how much of you she has within her.
I found myself in envy of all the other mom's, the other girls, who don't have a story like our's. The girls who get to know their dad. the mom's who get to raise their children with the help of Dad.
I miss you, Bran.

March 22, 2005

Brandon,
UK won another one today. Everytime I watch a game it makes me think about you, I know how much you enjoy the Cats.

Special Agent D. Louis Mitchell
FBI Miami Div/Palm Beach Resident Agency

February 26, 2005

YOU ARE MISSED! SO SO MISSED!!!
MISS YOUR HUMOR, YOUR LAUGH, YOUR STORIES WITH THE IMPERSONATIONS!
JUST PLAIN MISS YOU. WILL FOREVER MISS YOU UNTIL WE ARE REUNITED IN GOD'S KINGDOM. WATCH OVER US ALL.

February 1, 2005

Missing you greatly. As the snow fell today, we bundled up and enjoyed the snow on our eyelashes and cheeks and Katherine stuck her tongue out to catch as many snowflakes as she could, and we fell down and made snow angels, and built a snowwoman....I remember that last winter we spent together, I recall you shoveling the drive ....shoveling a path in the yard for Duke, and I remember all 3 of us outside, enjoying the snowfall. Katherine, getting to experience and enjoy it for the first time. You were always able to make the simple things seem new and wonderful and special. Merry Christmas, Brandon. This was your favorite holiday and I miss spending it with you. As always, we miss you more than mere letters and words could describe. Love you

December 22, 2004

As the holidays creep closer and closer, I cannot help but wish you were here to cook up those amazing apple dumplings. Just wish you were here to sing those Christmas carols. I find, (since I've suddenly realized that Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner), that I am more aware how another year will turn soon which means another year of life without you. Katherine has grown and changed. She's so independent and while that's wonderful, I still wish I had YOU here to help me raise her. She NEEDS you. I just wish that life could be fair....that those who play by the rules could win... because that would be US. We played by all the rules...lived honestly and earnestly..you were the more honest and play by the rules person I've ever known....it's hard to explain to our daughter, who just turned 8, WHY...WHY...WHY. I don't even know WHY. I find myself remembering and thinking of you more often and more thoughtfully as the holidays approach. I remember you every day; however, during these times of school Christams programs and holiday parties, your absence speaks louder. I am missing you deeply and always forever loving you and all that you were.
I hope that I can demonstrate one half of the character and values that you always did. You were the truest person I've ever known. I'm so blessed that you shared yourself with me. Still wish I had more of you.....

November 15, 2004

Brandon,

You were on my mind today. I think of you often. Take care my friend.

Shon

MAJ Shon Adams
Military Police Corps

November 5, 2004

Katherine is now in the second grade. I can remember a time I couldn't imagine living to see this day. Living without you in this world just seemed too much to bear. Yet, with God's grace, here I am sitting in carpool, driving Katherine to girl scouts and gymnastics, etc. You'd be so happy, next month she'll start Tae Kwon Do with Master Choi. You always wanted that and I'm sure you've been wondering when I was going to get her in it. I can't believe how many qualities she has from you. From leaving the pretend, but really hairy, tarantula on my pillow, to being sensitive about what her teacher said to her. She's funny, she's sensitive. Yet she is still really sad....she tells me so often that she wishes you were alive. I remind her that she still wouldn't get away with her typical 7 year old antics....yet I know she would love to hear you correct her....and love to hear YOU say, "I love you, Sugar Bear". We both miss you. We both imagine what life would be like if you had been coming home for the last 6+ years. Cannot believe that it has been this long. Cannot believe that I'm coming up on what would have been our 10 year wedding anniversary. Holding on to the promise that we will all be reunited....and loving you always.

September 15, 2004

Brandon,
Just letting you know that I'm thinking about you.

Special Agent D. Louis Mitchell
FBI Miami Div. Palm Beach County RA

August 29, 2004

Your baby misses you. Sometimes she can put it onto words, other times she is just sad and angry and I know deep down it stems from not having you here. It's unforgivable that she has to grow up without you. It's just not right. I can come to terms with many aspects of our life now, but I will never come to terms with your baby having to grow up in this world with you in Heaven. You are missed more than you could imagine.

July 27, 2004

Just today, Katherine exhibited so much of you.....first it was, "Mommy, look I can make myself cry." Will she win an Oscar someday?
Then it was, Why did the chicken cross the road...Why did the turkey cross the road? ...". Will she be applauded as a comedian someday?
And then it was her beautiful voice...she loves to sing. I don't know if she got the love from you or me, I'm not sure where she got the gift, but when she belts out a tune, I can't help but remember you belting out the National Anthem, or some John Mellencamp song that you loved. Will she be on stage someday? She holds a tune so well.
I wonder, often, what your face would look like when she sings....or when she tells a joke or pulls one of her stunts. She's always trying to trick me or startle me. Just a regular comedian like you were. I wonder what you would be teaching her....would the two of you be planning a trick on me? I can almost hear you laugh....Oh, I miss your laughter....but I hear you laughing when she gets me....
Katherine said tonight at bedtime, "I bet in Heaven there is lots of laughing. I bet we laugh all the time. And love. We laugh and we love"
I think she's right and I know you're HOME wherever there is laughter and love. I can't help but wish you were at this home, where we love all the time and we laugh.....thanks to your sugar bear, we are able to laugh. Not like when you were here, but we still laugh. I miss laughing and dancing with you. I've never laughed the way I laughed with you. You're one of a kind. Irreplaceable. I'll always miss you and always, always love you. I'm grateful and so thankful that you loved me. Thank you for giving me the gift of your love and the gift of being the mother to your precious child. I'm so blessed to have loved you and to have been loved by you. I look forward to our reunion. I love you, Bran!!!

June 30, 2004

I had never been to this site before, but when I found it I began browsing the Ky Officers that had been killed. I knew of Brandon through a friend, and when I read the reflections I could do nothing but cry for you and your family, so maybe you won't have to today. GOD BLESS YOU

SGT

June 28, 2004

Wow.I can't believe how long it has been. I remeber reading about this in our local newspaper, and saying to myself, "I wonder if Brandon worked with this officer, until I got to the name in the article. I sat numb in our office in disbelief. "This couldn't happen to Brandon" I said to myself. I went to the academy with Brandon. He would amuse us with his "Tap dancing." When I read about what happened to Brandon, it was like someone tore a huge hole in my heart. Although we only knew each other for 10 weeks, we made a committment to each other as a class that know matter what happened to any of us, we would NEVER forget. Mrs. Thacker I have sat at my computer and read every entry on Brandon's page. I am so sorry for what happened not only to Brandon, but for what your entire family goes through everyday. I think of Brandon often, and always remember how funny he was. The tap dancing was a riot, the spanish accent, "you name it." I hope that evrything is good with your family. I actually have a video tape of Brandon tap dancing that I took while we were in the academy. If you would like a copy of it, please feel free to call me at our office. Once again, I pray for you and your family to have peace. When the days on earth are over, everyone will face the judgement for what they have done here on earth. I would love to be the deciding vote on that jury. I know Brandon is very proud of you and your daughter. He spoke of you often while we were in the academy. If you want a copy of this tape please let me know. 606-739-5135. Watch over us all Brandon, we miss you.

Sgt Rod Williamson
Boyd COunty Sheriff Dept

June 13, 2004

I WISH YOU WERE HERE TO NOW. I NEED A GOOD "MAKE MY BELLY ACHE" LAUGH. I NEED TO FEEL THE SAFETY I FELT WHEN I KNEW YOU WERE NEAR. GOODNESS KNOWS I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU, SO MUCH I WANT TO DISCUSS WITH YOU. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING AND WHAT YOU'RE OPINION IS. I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD MISS SOMEONE SO MUCH FOR SO LONG. BUT I SURE DO MISS YOU. I ALWAYS WILL. ALWAYS.

June 12, 2004

Katherine's been making up knock knock jokes, wanting to make me laugh just like you did. I remember the first time I met you, you were telling jokes to me and Jackie and Alan. I told Jackie that I had never laughed so hard. And then you got my phone number and called me and I continued to laugh at you and with you for many more years. It was such a gift to know you and love you and laugh with you.
Remember that last New Years at William and Teri's? One of Teri's friends asked me, "How do you live with him? He is so funny. You must laugh all the time."
I miss laughing. I have never laughed the same. I miss you and I love you.

May 29, 2004

You were on my mind today. Just wanted to let you know you are not forgotten.

Maj Adams
Military Police Corps

May 10, 2004

Good friends are hard to find,harder to leave and impossible to forget,

Anonymous

April 23, 2004

Life's daily battles and struggles seem so trivial in the light of losing loved ones. Fate and circumstances only allowed Brandy, (Jennifer) and I to connect once as "adults" (my brother Perry's wedding in Ohio...June 1995 or 6), but I remember a little guy who loved to team up with his older teen cousin in many a whiffle ball game against his two older brothers. We always whuped up on Sammy and David Aaron (atleast that's how I remember it!) So proud of the man that Brandon became and also of the men that his brothers are today. Thank you.

Wendell

Cousin Wendell Thacker

April 19, 2004

My prayers are with you and your family. May the Lord bless you and keep you for all eternity.

Investigative Aide from Mt. Sterling, KY
Kentucky ABC

April 17, 2004

What a handsome young man! What a loss for his wonderful family! With gratitude to Brandon and to all our law enforcement men and women who risk their lives each day to protect us. God's blessings on you all.

Marolyn Dowdy

April 16, 2004

I had ONE person call me today to let me know you were remembered on this date. April 16th, that last day you were alive, the last day you lived. This date has been swarming me like bees, I run to the park, to the mall, and it is still all around me. I guess I'm supposed to be over it, maybe that's why no one called. Or the old stand by....no one knows what to say. That's suppose to make me feel better. I know what to say........ I just wish someone would say "I remember. I remember Brandon. I know how horrible it is that he is not here with us. I know what today is." Heather did remember, amazingly enough, with all she's going through right now, she remembered you and she called me to let me know. That made my whole day a little brighter!
I've decided the sixth year SUCKS. You'd think that I could sit here on this day and not cry like a baby, but the truth is, I feel so sick inside, just like I did six years ago. The truth is I still miss you so much and I'd give just about anything if I could go back six years and one day ago and change something to make today different, to make it so that today, YOU would have tucked Katherine into bed and kissed your sugar bear goodnight. I miss you, Bran......I just miss you to my core!

April 16, 2004