Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace, Gary.

Michigan

March 1, 2005

Gary,

I met with Steve Smith today to pick up a prisoner. Steve reminded me that this is the 5th year since your passing. I do not think any one has forgotten. We have a constant reminder of you on the Highway with it being a memorial Highway in honor of you. Steve was telling me that he knows you would be proud that he writes a bunch of tickets and kicks up the dust. You affected so many people, in a positive way. You are still "Mr. Traffic" because many Police Officers emulated themselves after you. I know I did. You are great Buddy! LOVE MIKE

Dep Mike Soltis
Ingham County Sheriffs Office

January 25, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

January 25, 2005

Hi Gary - I can't believe its been 5 years today. I miss you very much. I miss our Sir Pizza & Relli's Soup lunches! and I KNOW you would have loved the new Mexican place, since you & Brandman used to drag me to that DIVE on 27 which they finally closed. Anyhow -we miss you buddy - I'll never forget you.

Sandy Billingsley
DeWitt PD

January 25, 2005

gary...hard to believe 4 years. i'm sure perrys right there with you and both of you are right at it with the jokes and trying to out do each other! still think of you often as does jake-he's a senior this year! you'd be proud of him, as are we! think of you often! your megan and ryan are getting so big as i'm sure you see!! gotta go you & perry behave !! ha!
love deb

deb lott
clinton co sheriffs

April 22, 2004

Gary - Hard to believe it has been 4 years. The kids sure are growing-I think you would be proud. I still think of you often - had strawberries last night and can still remember when you brought us some - bad timing!
Perry's there with you now-there's got to be so much laughter! Know that you are both remembered and missed always.

Deputy S. Worthington
Clinton County S.O.

April 8, 2004

Gary,

I had the HONOR of being on the Honor Guard at your funeral. Even though I just knew of you it was still tough. It is so hard to be there when a fellow officer had died.

They have re named part of I-69 as a memorial to you. I often drive through that stretch and remember that you gave your life doing what you loved. That is an inspiration to me and I want to thank you for that.

I read the other tributes to you and remember the balloon that passed over, I didn't know the significance at that time but I do now. Between the Big Bird, Balloon, and being Mr. Traffic you have left a legacy. Your compassion for your job and people will always be remembered.

Anonymous

April 2, 2004

Gary, we lost another one in our county. We will miss Perry very much. I couldn't help but stop and think of you and think, "Wow - now Gary has someone else to share those "Yooper" jokes with!" Hee Hee!!

We miss you - I won't call you Big Bird - you always went crazy when we did that - but it's still funny!

I still think about you every spring when my catalog that you signed me up for comes in the mail - funny, no matter how many times I move - that catalog always finds me and I think "Mail from Gary!"

Talk to you later, Buddy!

Anonymous

April 1, 2004

Rest easy, Brother, you are not forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.l

January 25, 2004

To my friend and role model....

Everyday I would come off the Round Lake road exit on my way to work. I would see you parked in the median with your radar gun at hand. If you were not there in the median, I would generally find you a mile or two further with a car pulled over. Every time I passed you I would wave and in return you would wave back.  In January as school got out, I headed to work, excited to see you at the median, but you were not there.  As I continued on I was in shock to see the smashed patrol car and the highway blocked off. I said a quick prayer and moved on, hoping for the best. When I got home, I watched the news only to hear your name and that you were no longer with us. I was in complete shock. At that time I was a part of the Michigan State Police Expolorers and I attended your funeral. I cried as the guns shot off and the hot air balloon was launched. Everyday from then on, its hard to pass the Round Lake road and not see you in the median.  It's hard to know you are not going to be just those few miles ahead. You will remain in my heart forever. I will keep you memory in my heart for all the years to come as I pursue my career as a law enforcement officer.  I know you will be by my side to guide me. You are greatly missed Officer Gary Priess!

***future police officer

Anonymous

Every day I still find it so hard to believe that you are gone.  Everytime I see a hot air balloon, I think of all the balloon pins you were so proud of.  Of all the times you sat at my computer scanning in those pins to send off copies to someone else to try and trade for a pin that you didn't have.  Everytime I see a bright red Jeep Cherokee, I hope that it all was a bad dream and that you are behind the wheel.  It is almost Halloween now, and I keep waiting for you to bring your pumpkin carving patterns to the copier to get them to the right size for the pumpkins you have chosen for your display.  Not a day goes by that I don't wish to hear your hearty laugh coming from the report room.  I know you are now up in Heaven watching over each and everyone of us.  I am so thankful for having had the chance to know the "real" Santa Claus.  We all miss you Gary, and you will never ever be forgotten. 

Anonymous

Not a day goes by that I don't think about Gary and his family. Gary trained me and he was a good friend to all. None of us will ever forget his infectious laugh or his unstoppable sense of humor. Besides being a great person, Gary was a great Officer who knew his job and took pride in his profession. He will be sorely missed by everyone.

Anonymous

Each day I walk the halls we shared for the last 14 years, and I miss you.  I see your badge mounted on the wall with your picture, and remember your laugh.  You trained me when I started here those many years ago, and it was my privilege to know you and work alongside you.  You now ride on patrol in my heart.

Goodbye friend.  Until we meet again,

B

Anonymous

Today I drove by your spot on Round Lake Road.  As i looked over in the parking area, I remembered all of the times I would drive past there and see you setting in your patrol car with the window rolled down.  You would always have that radar gun resting on your forearm, clocking evey single car that drove by you.  I remember seeing you setting there, I would wave at you every time I drove by and you would always smile and wave back.  Today driving by there was a little tuff, you were not there for me to wave too.  However, I know that you are in heaven with God and you are up there watching over all of your fellow officers. The stuffed Big Bird in your department is there to represent that even though you are in heaven a piece of you is still down here with all of us.  So I say good-bye to the traffic man.  I will never forget you.

future law enforcement officer

FINALE 10-42

Today we siad good-bye

to a very important guy.

Over 700 Police Officers and Fire Fighters,

all in blue, brown, or green

came to pay their finale respects.

We stood at attention,

As members of your department

carried you by us, one last time,

and again during the 21 gun salute.

We watched the hot air balloon represent

your love, as it floated through the sky.

As they folded your flag

and handed it to your wife

and two young children,

there wasn't a dry eye among us.

In honor of your hard work

and untimely death,

your chief retired both, your

badge number and call number.

Badge #1 and call #749 will

always belong to you.

Now you are in heaven

and watching us from above.

You are on Patrol of

Gods roads, Paved in Gold,

protecting us from above.

Today we said good-bye

as you went 10-42, one last time

and were reasigned to your

finale resting place in heaven

to watch over us all from above

and to protect us with your Angel wings.

You will never be forgotten, but remembered by all.

Anonymous

An honor for you Officer Priess,
It was stated that the highway that you patrolled will be named in your honor. Gary Priess's Memorial Highway extends on US 27 where it intersects 69. I am hoping this will give drivers a reminder to slow down and move over when they see a stopped police car. I drive that stretch quite frequently and think of you. I hope to become county deputy and be as great as you. Rest in Peace my brother in blue. You are still greatly missed.

Anonymous