Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Burkett.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 6, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Burkett,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Berkeley County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 31, 2021

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

February 5, 2013

Deputy Sheriff Burkett,
On today, the 11th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Berkeley County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 31, 2013

John
Not a year goes by the guys and I don't talk or think about you. One day we will meet again my good friend.

Russell
Good Friend

January 31, 2012

class of 108th. A tragic loss, thankful for the pleasure of knowing you.

Ronald Combs II and Family
Mercer County Deputy

February 16, 2011

I want your parents and all who love and miss you to know that you are not forgotten. RIP.


Amanda
[email protected]

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

January 31, 2011

John,

I think about you daily and the good times we had, and I really wish I had stayed and been the one to take that trip. You had so much to look forward to, and so many plans, but those dreams never came true. I really feel at a loss sometimes thinking about you and how it should have been me taking that trip, why was my life spared and yours taken? I guess the Lord had other greater plans for both of us, and I pray that others who decide to go into Law Enforcement will look to you as an example! Even though I beat you in the academy tests, you were always a great friend, and I cherish the moments we shared together while driving to Weston and other places! I will pray for your family daily.

Anonymous

November 10, 2009

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

February 25, 2009

John,

It was eight years ago yesterday you were taken from us, and I still miss you! I know you are in a better place, and how that should've been me taking that trip instead of you! I still think about you daily, and am thankful though that you are in a much better place!

Anonymous

February 1, 2009

To the family and friends of Deputy John Burkett and his fellow officers:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to pay honor to John's memory on the eighth anniversary of the day John so tragically lost his life. His heroism, valor and bravery will be forever remembered.

May you be continue to be comforted by the support and caring of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. We grieve for you and with you. Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater when he was fatally shot in April of 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, so we know the anquish you are still experiencing.

Please know that the brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement and police survivors will always be by your side on each step of the journey.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of service John gave to his community and the citizens of West Virginia, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 31, 2001.

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

Anonymous

January 31, 2009

Thinking of you and your parents on this day. I know the struggle your parents face each day as there is not greater loss than to loss a child, no matter how old that child may be. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones, protect them and guide them. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 31, 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

March 2, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 22, 2008

Rest in Peace Dear Brother. You are not forgotten.

Sgt Jim May
CMPD Charlotte, NC (ret)

April 22, 2007

Rest in Peace.

Correction Officer Stephen Celestino
Westchester County Dept. of Correction

April 10, 2007

My thoughts are with your parents and loved ones today on this 6th anniversary of your end of watch. Continue to keep watch over them, wrap your wings around them and keep them close to you and protect them. I know they think of you every day and will for as long as they walk this earth. You are a true hero and heroes never die, you will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 31, 2007

NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 13, 2007

Its been a long time John, but the 108th basic class from the WVSPA still remembers you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

Deputy U.S. Marshal (former WV patrol of
U.S. Marshals

April 8, 2005

May you rest among the other fallen brothers and sisters in blue, and always remember, you will never be forgotten, may you rest in peace. 10-42 my brother in blue

Ofc. J. Sharp

John was a great guy and will be missed by myself and other members of the 108th Basic Class from the WVSPA.

Deputy M G Moore Jr
Cabell Co SD

Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous

I recently found out about the death of Deputy Burkett, as I was looking through the Officer Down Memorial Page, and saw Deputy Burketts name, and his agency as the Berkeley Co. Sheriffs office. Allow me to take this time to tell the family and friends, that they will be in my thoughts and prayers. The sheriffs office will also be in my thoughts, it is up to you, to keep his memory alive..This kinda hits close to home for me, I was born and raised in Morgan Co., and my family still lives there, I miss the area and people more and more everyday. Rest in peace, my brother in blue...

Ofcr. Susan Harmison
Tampa PD Tampa,Fl

I have been where you fear to go...
I have seen what you fear to see...
I have done what you fear to do...
All these things I've done for you.

I am the one you lean upon...
The one you cast your scorn upon...
The one you bring your troubles to...
All these people I've been for you.

The one you ask to stand apart...
The one you feel should have no heart...
The one you call the man in blue...
But I am human just like you.

And through the years I've come to see...
That I'm not what you ask of me...
So take this badge and take this gun...
Will you take it? Will anyone?

And when you watch a person die...
And hear a battered baby cry...
Then so you think that you can be
All those things you ask of me...?

"Tears Of A Cop" - author unknown

Kevin Hale, President
F.O.P. #86 Logan, WV