Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Big Gordon,
I've thought of you every day I can remember for the last 26 years. Wish you were here. Love to you always.

Commander Lincoln,
My siblings and I would appreciate anything you have to offer concerning our father. I live in the Seattle area; perhaps I'll look you up at the PD?

To everybody,
It means a lot to us to be able to read your reflections. Thank you all for visiting this site!

Kate Bartel
daughter

January 15, 2009

RIP..you are not forgotten by the ones who love you.

Anonymous

December 18, 2008

Brewster

The years go by so very fast, but you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

John Conaty
Ingham Co. sheriff Office
Retired 1995

Capt. John Conaty Retired
Ingham County Sheriff Office

September 8, 2008

To Gordon's children. May 14th, 2008 I will be talking of my brief friendship with Gordon. He lived with me a short time when he was first hired by the Kodiak Police Dept. He gave something to me before I left Kodiak. If you want to, feel free to contact me and I can talk about it with you. dl..

Commander Don Lincoln
Tukwila Police Department

May 13, 2008

Gordon,
You are gone but not forgotten and are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We will never forget you and your sacrifice.
Dave

Sergeant David Jones
Alaska State Troopers

May 9, 2008

Gordon or Shara
Please contact me, I have something I want to give to you that once belonged to Gordon. He was not only a friend but a brother and I think of him often. Hope your mother (Robin) is doing well. Gordon Jr. you will always be Ruggy to me. Love

Sgt. Larry Panozzo (retired)
Williamston Police department

February 20, 2008

On the 25th anniversary of Officer Bartel's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Bartel is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

January 15, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 5, 2008

Mr. Mete,

I would really appreciate any photos you are willing to forward to me. I am planning a trip to Kodiak in the near future but this would be great in the mean time.

Thanks again.
gb

Big Gordon,
Thinking of you, as are many others. Wish I had the chance to know you better, as my last memory was of us arguing over a stick of gum... sorry.
Love you,
gb

Gordon Bartel

November 13, 2007

To Officer Bartel's family members: I live in Kodiak and if you all would like some photos of your dad's memorial plaque, the park and the street sign in his name, please feel free to email me and I will take some pictures and email them back to you. I drive down your dad's road everyday and always look at the memorial stone. I would be glad to do this. We have not forgotten your father's sacrifice for this community.

Greg Mete
Kodiak Resident

October 19, 2007

Hi Brewster
Just stopped by to say hi.
John

Captain John Conaty (Retired)
Ingham Co. Sheriff Dept

August 16, 2007

"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

July 25, 2007

Time goes by so very fast, but you now live with the angles and will always be remembered by your family and the people you served with.

John

Captain John Conaty Retired
Ingham County Sheriff Office

July 23, 2007

hi dad- i have been getting to know your cousin johnny. he is a great man, and it has been so,so wonderful to be welcomed into your family.
i have a feeling that i am going to learn so much more about you- and i can't wait!
always love you, always miss you

sarah bartel

April 19, 2007

Rest in Peace, Officer Bartel. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

November 2, 2006

Sarah and Gordon: Y'all have many kinfolks in the Southland who remember Gordon with great familial love. And that extends to y'all and your other sibling too. If you ever wish to contact us i am in the phone book in Elgin, SC, and Aunt May (married Buddy, Polly's brother)is in Cedartown, GA. She lives in the home of our deceased Grandpa (y'all's "great") Gordon Brewster -- your namesake Gordon. We have lots of family photos / documents y'all might like to see. Love, Your Cousin Johnny Stowe

CWB and SC RF Johnny Stowe
first cousin

August 9, 2006

Sarah

Your dad was a special person, well liked by all who came into contact with him. The good are always taken from us to soon in life. He was an outstanding law enforcement officer
and enjoyed his work and you can be assured he will be remembered by many friends and the people he served

God Bless You

John

Captain John Conaty`
Ingham County Sheriff Dept (Retired)

July 26, 2006

Hi dad- just thinking about you today- I love you.

I would like to express my appreciation for Mr. Conaty's reflections. You must have been a good friend. I've always wished I knew more about my dads life- it seems that he had it pretty good!

And to everyone who has expressed their sentiments- it is so wonderful to hear such things- really, Thank You all-

Sarah Bartel

Sarah Bartel
daughter

July 25, 2006

Just stopped by to say hi, time sure passes by fast but you are still in my thoughts and prayers.

Captain John Conaty
Ingham Co. Sheriff Retired 1995

July 24, 2006

My name is Alison Schaefer. I was a member of the jury during Officer Bartel's murder trial. Officer Bartel's death was tragic and senseless. All of the jurors took their jobs extremely serious and felt an enormous responibility to see that justice was served. I was really glad to find this site as I've often wondered how Officer Bartel's family was doing. During dilberations all the jurors just could not believe that this young life was senselessly taken over a parking ticket for illegal camping. The harbor master was a true hero to intervene and hold that guy at bay until other officers arrived.

Alison Schaefer (formerly of Anchorage)
Santee, CA

Alison Schaefer
Trial Juror

June 22, 2006

I am Gordon Bartel's daughter.
I dont remeber my dad as well as my older brother, but I have a feeling I miss him just as much.

To the dad I never got to know- but who is always in my thoughts and my heart- we are all fine- and will always love you.
Sarah Bartel
Tucson, Az

Sarah Bartel

March 4, 2006

I grew up in Geneva with Gordon. We went to school together on & off all the way through high school. I had moved away from Geneva & lost touch with everyone for years & years. I just recently actually found out what had happened to him. It was quite a shock. I'm glad to see he has a wonderful family. My deepest sympathies. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of some our escapades & adventures as kids.

Rob Stanfield
Dover DE

February 24, 2006

It has been some time sence you left us but you have a special place in all our hearts. Keep a place for the rest of us, as some day we will all be together once again.
John

John Conaty Captain Retired 1995
Ingham County Sheriff Dept

October 31, 2005

Gordon Bartel was my father. I would like to extend a thank you to the operators and caretakers of this site, it means a lot to me that I can visit here.

I would also like to thank the courageous citizen that held this murderer at bay until other officers arrived to arrest him. I don't know your name and only know you through stories, but thank you.

I would like to echo the sentiments of Mr. Stowe, but add that I am grateful his murderer didn't get the death sentence. There is no opportunity for parole, and execution would only shorten his sentence. You are not the only one who considered vigilante justice, but I feel that justice has been served.

Thank you all, and God bless.

Sincerely,

Gordon B. Bartel
Tucson, AZ

Gordon Bartel

September 20, 2005

Gordon Bartel was my first cousin. His Mother Polly Brewster Bartel and my Mother Fannie Laura Brewster Stowe were sisters. Many members of our family have fought for our country and some have been killed. Gordon's Father Tom Bartel was a decorated WWII veteran. I thank the citizens of Alaska for giving my cousin's murderer 99 years in prison, and i implore y'all to never release this murderer on parole. If his sentence can be changed to give him the death penalty then all the better. If we lived today in frontier days i would search out and punish his murderer myself, but since times have changed I respect the criminal justice system of Alaska and thank it for imprisoning this murderer. I wish all Alaskan Law Enforcement Officers and their families peace and happiness.

Respectfully,

johnny stowe
Elgin, SC USA

CWB Johnny Stowe
SC Department of Natural Resources

August 4, 2005