Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Saw the EOW Tribute to you. RIP Brother.

PO RJL
SCPD

May 2, 2008

Hey Dale, you are an uncle again, Braden Dale Tenhaken, born on 2-11-08. Miss you bro......

Allan
Brother

March 15, 2008

"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

February 22, 2008

I can still remember what I was doing the day I received the call with the shocking news of your death. I was stunned beyond belief. Besides having graduated from the same high school as you and being a classmate of your brother, I was also a fellow deputy with that same brother and your dad. I remember the pain I felt, both for our agency's loss and for your family (having known all of you). I remember talking with the pastor before your funeral. He asked me what emotions we were experiencing as he wanted to directly address those at your funeral. By then I had been to a lot of law enforcement funerals, but I still believe none had the impact of yours. What a powerful message the pastor presented to a church that didn't even have standing room left it was so full.

Your death had a huge impact on our small home community also. We were raised in a village where everyone knew everyone else. To lose one of its own to a brutal and senseless murder was so difficult to accept. After all, it wasn't supposed to happen here! At least not to someone we know.

The night of your death I left for work (I was 2nd shift at the time) and I remember it being the first time one of my brothers said "you be careful out there." It heightened my awareness so much. Every time I drive by the cemetary where you are resting, I think of you... the fact that you paid the ultimate price, that you had so little time to enjoy the career you loved so much, that you never enjoyed the blessings of marriage and children, but most importantly, that you knew Jesus Christ as your personal savior and we will one day see you again. God bless you Dale until we meet again in eternity! And may God protect both of your brothers, who are still active police officers.

Sgt. Kristy De Blaey
Sheboygan Sheriff's Office, Sheboygan, WI

February 28, 2007

It has been 8 years since your end tour of duty ended and you have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case. The Blue Family will keep your memory alive forever. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 22, 2006

Dale,

You gave the ultimate sacrifice doing what you loved to do. God now has you in His paradise forever, where you truly belong. Hopefully He has helped to ease the pain your loved ones faced the day you entered into His Kingdom.

Wisconsin L.E.O.

August 20, 2006

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

March 20, 2006

To the family and friends of Patrolman Dale TenHaken and his fellow officers in the Manitowoc Police Dept. and most especially to Patrolman TenHaken:

Although it has been 7 years since Dale's brutal murder, I wanted to extend sincerest condolences on behalf of our entire family for the grievous loss they suffered when he was killed.

Patrolman TenHaken, your valor and dedication will never be forgotten.
You died at such a young age and I grieve for you and the lifetime of memories and experiences of which you were robbed through such a senseless and horrific act.

May his family continue to be comforted by the support and caring of your law enforcement community, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Dale gave to his community and the citizens of Wisconsin, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 23, 1998.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

September 23, 2005

In loving memory of P. O. Dale Ten
Haken on the sixth anniversary of his tragic death:

Thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice. It is a long road to healing that lies ahead, but I know that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will extend His mercy and comfort to all who reach out to Him.
There is none greater than He. We don't get to Heaven based on what we do,but what He did for us!! AMEN! There is now a huge void that cannot be filled. God be with all those who mourn and may His promises lift all those with heavy hearts for many years to come. I found this poem on another's site and wanted to share it.

We may never understand it,
the risks these brave ones take,
but occasionally we see a bit
of the difference their lives make.
Some do it for the action,
others find it a callin'.
All find the satisfaction,
and few become the fallen.
Being an officer is what he loved,
To him as good as it gets.
Law was what he dreamed of,
He would have no regrets.
And though it saddens all of us
to lose him in this way
He knew how an officer must
Live life to the fullest everyday.

You are in my thoughts. You are missed by your fiancee, family and friends. What a cruel way to leave.
I wish I could erase the pain.

Lynn Kole
Bellingham, Washington

September 23, 2004

I thank you for your service and salute you for your sacrifice.

A grateful citizen.

September 23, 2004

I STILL REMEMBER WHERE I WAS THE DAY YOU WERE TAKEN FROM YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I WAS IN N.W.T.C. STUDYING POLICE SCIENCE. I STILL REMEMBER THE DAY THAT THEY HAD IT ON LOCAL NEWS STATIONS ACROSS WISCONSIN. OFFICER TENHAKEN I NEVER MET YOU BUT YOU STILL ARE TALKED ABOUT WITH MY FAMILY. I AM FROM GREEN BAY WISCONSIN AND MY FAMILY IS STILL THERE. I LIVE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS AND I KNOW THAT MY FAMILY ALWAYS WORRIES ABOUT ME EACH TIME I PLACE THE UNIFORM AND BADGE ON. I STILL PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY AND THE MANITOWOC POLICE DEPT. I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO LOSE A BROTHER IN BLUE. WE JUST HAD A DEPUTY TAKE HIS OWN LIFE. IT STILL HURTS. TO TAMMY I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WATCHED BY DALE AND HE WILL NEVER STOP LOVING YOU NOR WILL HE EVER STEP AWAY FROM YOUR SIDE. THANK YOU FOR SERVING YOUR COUNTY, CITY AND STATE WITH PRIDE. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

DEPUTY J. KROENING
# 8588

DEPUTY J. KROENING
MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S ( FLORIDA KEYS )

August 28, 2004

Rest in Peace Officer TenHaken. My condolences to the family and my prayers.

Mother of a Texas Police Officer
Oklahoma

August 22, 2004

Dale-I didn't know you. But I hope one day I will be half the officer you were. You paid the ultimate sacrifice just doing your job. There are not many Heroes left in this world but you were a true hero. Every time I put my uniform on I will try to do my best to honor you and your family.

PO Michael Hamann
Milwaukee Police department

March 17, 2004

I will pray for your family. God Bless and thank you.

Erin Lawn-sister Officer Richard Lawn

September 23, 2003

Rest in peace officer. You did your job. We continue the watch, never forgetting.

Senior Trooper
Virginia State Police

September 23, 2003

More than you know, Dale, your face will be impregnated in my mind.  We all take to our tours of duty with the acknowledgement that it may be our last.  The acceptance that our friends and loved ones may never talk with us again.  But what we don't often prepare for is that it can happen to our partner, our co-worker, our friend.  Not a day goes by after two years that I don't think about the sacrifice you made to our community, the people here, and me.  My sincerest condolences again to your family.  We will not forget.  Your name is written in stone, and your face carved in our hearts.

Anonymous

It has been one year since you were taken from us, friend, and we miss you every day. It has been a very hard year for us without you. We know you are watching over me as I go out each night to do the job you loved to do so much. You gave the ultimate sacrifice, and we will never forget you Dale.

Your friends,

The Stoners (Mike and Caryn Stone)

Office Mike Stone
Manitowoc Police Dept.

Dale-

You will always be a hero in my eyes. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and will never be forgotten. I will never stop loving you. I will make sure you live on forever. I love you baby!

Your fiancee

Tam

Tammy Hermann

I just wanted say that we will never forget you Dale. As time goes on we will heal but not a day goes by without thought of you. I am so proud to have been your brother. You will always be in my heart. So many had made that sacrifice before you and so many since. It breaks my heart every time I visit ODMP.I miss you Dale you are forever my hero....

Allan TenHaken CO
Wisc. Dept. Corrections KMCI

I did not know Officer TenHaken but, he was in the same college I am now enrolled in. I have also learned that, he was in the 1993 recruit class, he was in the same room I am
now in studying my police science classes, and I also was in the part time recruit academy. I am an armed public safety officer in Milwaukee, I know a lot of police officers, and I
want to some day soon be a state trooper. I really hate when a law enforcement officer is killed; especially how officer TenHaken died. My prayer is out to the family of this officer.

Anonymous

I did not know Officer TenHaken, working in Milwaukee a city a few miles south, I wish to say that there is no greater sacrifice then a man lay down his life to keep others safe. My prayers go out to the family and fellow officers.

PO Ron Lindsey
Milwaukee Police Department, WI

The City of Manitowoc lost a great officer and friend when Dale was taken from us so suddenly and in such a senseless way.  He was kind and fair to all he met and was always smiling.  He loved being a police officer and helping others in his community and surrounding areas.  He will be sadly missed and will always be a hero to us.

Friend

DALE ALTHOUGH WE HAD ONLY MET A FEW TIMES YOU LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON ME OF HOW YOU LOVED YOUR JOB. I NOW LOOK AT YOUR PICTURE EVERY DAY AS I LEAVE FOR MY NEXT TOUR OF DUTY. WE ALL KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOW AN ANGEL LOOKING OVER YOUR BROTHERS IN BLUE. GOD BLESS

FCO MICHAEL MITCHELL
RALEIGH PD

I just left a reflection for Adams Co. Deputy Shannon, he has now joined you and the rest of our heroes you will never be forgotten.Love Bro.............

Allan

Dale- With Police Week approaching my heart goes out to all the people who are going through the first year of losing someone they love, they told me that time heals all wounds, well I am still waiting for the pain to go away of me missing you. I still think of you everyday and wonder what it would be like if you weren't taken from us. I miss you so much and I will never stop loving you....I thank the Lord above that I had the opportunity to be loved by you. Dale please watch over your fellow brothers.

Loving you forever your fiancee...
Tam

Tam