Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Remembering Cory on the 6 year anniversary of his line of duty death. Your surviving family is in our thoughts and prayers, especially today, as the date is most certainly a difficult one for them. May God grant you a peaceful rest, Cory, and safety over those on the thin blue line.

Michigan

April 3, 2005

Just wanted you to know that we are always thinking of you. Keep watching out for all of you brothers and sisters. Mawhorr

Trooper Dan Mawhorr
Indiana State Police

March 1, 2005

Amy, Mr. and Mrs. Elson and family:

It is Friday, February 18, 2005. The date carries no special significance. I simply want you to know that I and many members of the Fort Wayne district, think and speak of Cory. I want you to know he is not forgotten, and neither are you. Many times I do not know what to pray, because there is no explanation for his death. That may be one of the toughest things to grasp. I usually simply pray that God send an angel to hold and comfort all of you.

District 22
Indiana State Police

February 18, 2005

Merry Christmas From Heaven

I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
on a cold wintry nights

I still share your hopes
and all of your cares
I"ll even remind you
to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment
to stay in His grace
I came here before you
to help set your place

You don"t have to be
perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
If you continue the climb

To my family and friends
please be thankful today
I"m still close beside you
in a new special way

I love you all dearly
now don"t shed a tear
cause I"m spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year

Poem by John Wm. Mooney Jr.

Anon

December 18, 2004

Not a day goes buy that I dont think about my friend when putting on my uniform. I keep your humor in mind everytime im out there. Every time something funny happens on shift to myself or many of the other officers who's lives you touched, I think you had something to do with it.:).....from a friend.

Matthew A. Hansell
St. Pete Police Fl./Marion County Sheriff Dept. IN.

October 13, 2004

Cory will always be remembered for his friendly smile and willingness to help where help was needed. The world lost more than it knew the night that coward killed Cory.
Rest in peace, Brother; you will never be forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.l

April 3, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Trooper Elson on the fifth-anniversary of his death. I know the heartache you are feeling. I lost two close friends with the NC State Highway Patrol (Calvin Taylor, October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill, May 30, 2003).

God Bless You.

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

April 3, 2004

Amy: I just wanted you to know I think of you often and wonder how you are doing. I remember when Cory came into the office to show me the ring he had made for you and the weekend he had planned. He was so excited. I miss you so much. I hope it is getting easier. Take Care.

Tammy

Tammy Seed
Friend

January 23, 2004

Rest easy, Brother. You will be always missed, but never forgotten.

Sgt. Barbara Beland
Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, IN

January 4, 2004

I live in Ohio "But one day these guys on Harleys stopped at my house To look at the Animals. We got talking and i found out they were both Troopers in Indiana. I told them about my Son being Killed while on Duty; And they both said they were friends of Corys and then they told me what happened.It was almost impossible for me to believe what they were telling me.I looked Cory up on the ODMP and found out every thing they said was true. I feel great sadness for his Wife and family every time i look at his picture. Cory and my son and all the other officers are in a much better place now.I wonder what it will be like in Washington May 15. ? Kenny

Deputy Sheriff Kenny Hetrick
Ottawa county Sheriffs Dept

To Gaston, Cory and Jason,

You were not just our friends and classmates you were our brothers.  You will never be forgotten.  Thank you.

Indiana State Police
56th Recruit Class

For Lori~

Lori I just wanted you to know how sorry I am for the loss of your brother.  Its been close to a year now and I still think about you often.  I don't think I've seen you since we graduated, but I wanted to tell you I'm thinking of you often.  I don't think I could handle loosing my brother, and I hope I never have to endure the pain you've had.  You have a lot to be proud of, and I'm sure you know that.  Know that many thoughts and prayers are with you still.

A fellow graduate of BHS '95

Shannon

It hurts to read stories about fallen brothers, even when I have never met them. We do the same job, each day going to work knowing well we may not come home that night. Its a thought that would frighten most into seeking a different line of work, yet we push it into the deepest recesses of our minds, each and every shift. And when it happens, we all hurt, because a little piece of every police officer died with you.

Your death was tragic and senseless. I know the pain your friends are feeling, but can only imagine the pain your family is going through. May God give them strength to overcome and press on. On behalf of the New Hampshire State Police, we send our deepest regrets and our prayers go out to your family and loved ones.

Trooper Scott Bowen
New Hampshire State Police

In Eternal Rest...

I never dreamed it would be me,

My name for all eternity,

Recorded here at this hallowed place

Alas, my name, no more my face.

"In the line of duty," I hear them say:

My family now the price to pay.

My folded flag stained with their tears;

We only had those few short years.

The badge no longer on my chest,

I sleep now in eternal rest.

My sword I pass to those behind,

And pray they keep this thought in mind.

I never dreamed it would be me,

And with heavy heart and bended knee,

I ask for all here from the past:

Dear God, let my name be the last.

Anonymous

And if I go, while you're still here

know that I live on

Vibrating to a different measure

behind a thin veil you cannot see through.

You will not see me though you must have faith.

I wait for the time when we can soar together again,

both aware of each other.

Until then, live your life to the fullest.

And when you need me, just whisper my name in your heart

And I will be there

Tom Elson

I was on duty when you gave your all.
I said I prayer for you when I heard the call.

I know we were brothers, though we never met.
But always remember, I'll never forget.

Mark Reece Deputy Sheriff
Henry County Sheriff's Dept.

You were killed doing what you loved. You are now a guardian of the guardians. May God Bless you and your loving family. You will be missed. And for all the good things you have done and never heard a thank you...

Thank you Trooper Elson.

Deputy Anthony D. Ardeel
Pittsboro Town Marshal's Office

I was on duty when you gave your all, I said a prayer for you when they gave out the call. We were brothers even though, we never met. But always remember, I'll never forget.

Deputy Sheriff Mark Reece
Henry County Sheriff's Department

To the Elson Family:

In memory of Cory I write this poem
And with you I wanted to share
Hoping in some way it would help comfort you
And to know there are others who care

When the Lord takes away the ones we love
We feel they are gone forever
But in our hearts they are always near
This we need to remember

"How do we go on?", you ask yourself
The strength comes from God, we pray
May He ease your pain as time goes by
Keep you close to Him, each and every day

A tragedy happened to our small Decatur town
We'll question it for years to come
But more importantly it happened to you
When God took your Cory "home"

We didn't know Cory, he was new to our city
But now he is known by all
It's been said he was a kind and gentle man
They've said a friend to many, I also recall

When we lose someone so dear to us
To things so tragic, or some so small
Life seems to stop, stand still in time
Experienced by few, or by us all

Now there is one less person to protect our kids
One less officer to serve our town
He will be missed by many, I am sure
One less pal to have around

May God enrich you with memories of Cory
May God bless you each and every day
May God bless our small Decatur town
May God bless us all, let us all remember to pray.

Thinking of you,
Mrs. Kevin (Sandy) Adams

Mrs. Kevin (Sandy) Adams

Although I did not know you, I am also new.

I pray for you each night like everyone should too.

You worked your beat each and every night

To keep the bad guy at bay and the citizens from fright

You are a hero and always will be

Remembered forever by my family

Officer Chad E. Gish
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

Master Trooper Dave Miller

I too was working the night you lost your life. I remember it well. As I stood in Indianapolis with fellow brothers working the beat, I heard the tone and the A.T.L.
We searched hoping he would happen our way, to serve up justice that day.

I was there the day of your final ride. I saluted you tearing up with pride. We all knew you gave it your all, eventhough it was your time to fall.

Now your in heaven watching over us all, waiting for the next officers final role call.

Cory, you will be greatly missed.

Deputy Sheriff Lancen Shipman
Bay County Sheriffs Office Florida

Thank you Tom and Carol;
May you have solace knowing Cory touched many lives and awaits you at the Gates of Heaven.
I send this as a tribute to Cory and all families.

A PART OF AMERICA DIED
Somebody killed a trooper today
And a part of America died.

A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.

The suspect who shot him will stand up in court
With counsel demanding his rights
While a widow and mother must work for the kids
And spend many long lonely nights.

The streets where he worked were a battlefield, too
Just as if he'd gone off to war
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
He won't be home any more

Somebody killed a trooper today
It happened in your town and mine
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors
A cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost has the beat on a dark city street
And he stands at each rookie's side
A trooper answered the call
Of himself gave his all
And a part of America died.

God Bless all Public Service Officers

First Sergeant Gary Dudley
Indiana State Police