Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Upon the 25th anniversary of your death. I honor the service you performed as a deputy sheriff. You were also a professional airline pilot with Britt Airways and a good personal friend of mine. You were always there to help people. I recall the night you rebuilt my carburetor on my Mercury Capri. Things didn’t go together like they were supposed to, but you hung in there and spent an extra hour and a half making sure it was put together correctly. A true friend indeed. Thank you for your service and thank you for being a good friend.
Calvin Dreger.

None
None

July 24, 2024

Deputy Miles,
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 Johnson County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

May 28, 2024

Fri. May 28, 1999. Tracy Miles died saving another life. Just went by your cross when coming back from Nashville TN. Always look for that area when traveling. Didn’t really know Tracy, but knew his brother Kim. Heard they were quite the team, in a good way! Thanks for service.

Sandy Blocher
Cousin of Kim Mile’s wife Nancy.

May 22, 2021

Rest in peace Reserve Deputy Miles.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 20, 2019

Tracy you are still missed, you were a great friend. We worked a traffic accident one night and two days later you were called home.

Deputy Marshal Foss
Princes Lakes Marshal's Office 1994 - 2000

June 26, 2018

I noticed the cross on the side of the highway today. My thoughts and prayers tonight for Reserve Deputy Miles. I was a reserve officer many years ago during college in my home town in Minnesota. God bless him.

Bob Heales, Executive Director
World Association of Detectives

July 21, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 28, 2015

Tracy I miss you more than you will ever know. You were cousin that was always there for me and our family. Today Indianapolis laid to Rest another officer and today remember me of the day we laid you to rest!! The city is replace their front porch light with blue light bulbs to show respect to IMPD. I also did that in honor of you. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A HERO TO ME!!!

Anita Randol
Anita Randol

July 11, 2014

I miss seeing you on patrol, always with a smile. Now I pass your memorial every day so sad. Your life cut so short, long before your time. May you rest in peace brother.

David Lutz, Deputy Chief
Edinburgh Police Dept

March 26, 2014

For Lent I have decided to write a letter a day to someone who has inspired me, and on this Ash Wednesday, you are the first person that came to my mind.
For the past three years I have commuted from Franklin to Indianapolis for my job, and every day I drive by the cross that marks the spot where you lost your life. Your marker caught my eye early on because of how well maintained it always is. You have some very dedicated people that must have loved you very much! It is because of this that I wanted to learn more about you and your life. I came across this memorial and discovered the ODMP for the first time. I now visit this site frequently and offer up my prayers to those lost and the families they leave behind. You and your loved ones are always included in my prayers.
Thank you, Deputy Miles, for your sacrifice and for the life you lived which has now inspired mine. I ask that you look out for my LE loved ones, may they never have to pay the price you did, but if they must, please be there to take their hand.

Georgina Butler
Daughter of LEO & Wife to a LEO

March 5, 2014

I just learned about Tracy's passing from a former Britt Air pilot who now flies for Delta. I'm devastated. Tracy and I both flew for Britt but became great friends when we worked for ATA. He was funny. Smart. He gave generously and always anonymously. He adored his brother; they lived together. His father was his role model. Tracy was always pitching in to help his mother. Tracy was one of the most upbeat, optimistic people I've ever met. He would have made a great father. I ache for his wife and for his children. I will keep his family in my prayers every single night.

Lisa Diaz, Delta Flight Attendant
friend of Tracy many years ago

August 8, 2013

I frequently drive the Louisville - Indianapolis stretch, as my USAR unit is based in Indy, and my family lives in South Bend. Every time I pass Deputy Miles' roadside memorial I have always saluted him, not knowing the story, but always appreciating the sacrifice. Today I was able to find this page and tell you, his family and friends, of my tribute to his sacrifice, small though my tribute may be. Now my salute will mean even more as I feel the depth of your loss and appreciate the depth of his sacrifice. God bless you all, and God bless Reserve Deputy Tracy Lee Miles.

1LT Brian Dougherty
USAR Army Nurse Corps

May 31, 2013

Rest in Peace, Reserve Deputy Miles. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 5, 2013

My family and I were driving up 65 when we saw a cross with your name on it. I didn't remember ever hearing about a officer being killed there but I don't drive by there often cause I live in Greenfield. I would like to thank you for all that you did for your county and state. You are a true hero that didn't even have to be there. You volunteered your time and made the ultimate sacrafice. I know you left early and some may not understand but in the end we know that God has a plan!

Brian Webster
No relationship

March 10, 2013

As I drove northbound I -65 this afternoon returning from a family vacation I observed your memorial cross along the shoulder of the highway. I looked and saw your name on the cross. I continued down the highway thinking about how I wanted to get home and look you up to read about who you were. What saddened me as I drove down that highway was the fact that I was wearing a T-shirt bearing the name of yet another fallen officer. I was wearing a shirt in memory of Trevor Slot EOW 10/13/2011 who was murdered by two bank robbers in Walker Michigan on a highway as he tried to end a dangerous pursuit.

As I pulled up the Officer Down Memorial Page as I do several times a week the first thing I observed was your son, Tracy Jr. who left a message on Jan. 4, 2013. Jr. I am so sorry that you have to even be a part of this Memorial Page, but I can not thank you enough for your fathers sacrifice within the community in which he served.

As I scrolled down this page it ended with your wife, Tina, posting a message to you as well. As I read through this page I observed your son and your wife making comments about you.

It is with great sadness that I think of your boys this evening and the loss that your wife has endured. As I lay my head on my pillow I will say a prayer for the Miles Family.

Thank you, Sir, for your service.

Officer Mike Wierenga
Grand Rapids Police Department, Michigan

February 28, 2013

I know i never got to see you but im sure you would have been a great dad
I love you

Tracy miles jr.
Son

January 4, 2013

Tracy, Not a day goes by that I don't think about our friendship and where we would be today if you had not left us. I know that you know I always check on you when I am working the road. I miss my old buddy stopping by and asking me to go eat at Johnathan Byrds or calling me to go for a bike ride. I so miss having you around especially in times of need. You were the best.

Senior Inspector
United States Customs Service

May 22, 2012

Tracy,

Found your spot on this page by accident. You were a great L1011 Captain to work with at ATA and we chatted several times about my past Law Enforcement fledgling career and yours with the Sheriff when we weren't talking about weight and balance or flight plans :)

We at ATA were proud of your heroism in saving the other driver so long ago. You are not forgotten by those of us that knew you!!

Bob Lowe
American Trans Air

June 30, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the tenth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

May 28, 2009

Deputy Miles, I am a Hoosier (born & raised in Shelby Co.) now living in Florida. I always wanted to be in Law Enforcement (Air Force 1982-1992 & now a Detention Deputy 2005-present) to give back to my community! You are the fine example to follow! You gave for many years to your community and you made Johnson County a better place. What you did that night was not just heroic but proved you as a GREAT human being. You paid the ultimate price a LEO can pay! Your family (GOD BLESS them) lost a husband/father and best friend/hero. The rest of us lost a hero who wore and served the badge with pride and excellance! I am sure you are still 10-8 protecting and watching over all the men and women of Johnson County, who are part of the thin blue line of protection. Your Service and sacrifice will NEVER be FORGOTTEN!!!

Detention Deputy G. Carew
Seminole Co. Sheriff's Office

January 21, 2009

"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

January 9, 2008

G-d Bless.

May 28, 2007

I was in the JCSD Reserve Academy in 1999, and was a Reserve Patrolman in Morgantown, IN. I remember hearing the news of this tragedy when I reported to work one evening at the Morgan County Sheriff's Department. While I did not personally know Tracy, I immediately knew he was a hero. He was a hero for doing what he did everytime he marked 10-41. He was a hero to the Johnson County communities he protected, and most importantly, he was a hero to his loving family.

Reporting to class a few days later was surreal. The tears in the eyes of the men gathered around, and the great loss and sadness was thick in the air. Together, we carried on because we knew that was what Tracy would have done. We knew he would get the job done and that's what we did to honor him.

May God continue to bless Tracy, his loving family and dear friends. "Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God." - Matthew 5:9

CSIO Officer James Snider
AJCC, IN

May 12, 2007

For the family of Deputy Miles,
Like many others,I was horrified and saddened when I
heard the news about your loved one. Every time I drive
past Tracy's memorial,I saw a little prayer for him and
for you. Know that he is not forgotten.

Just a citizen from Johnson County

April 24, 2007

On Wednesday, I was driving northbound on I-65, near Greenwood, Indiana. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a sudden glimpse of a road-side memorial. Because I saw flags, I thought it might be for an officer...so I drove further north and circled back so that I could pay my respects. I thought of your sacrifice, other Indiana officers, and your families. We will never forget you Tracy, your sacrifice and your families.

S/A Mark Hannan
Illinois COPS

April 6, 2007