Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

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

March 15, 2010

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Wagers. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

Gary , you are still an inspiration to me despite the passage of time . Your words and actions continue to help me in being a better police officer and person .
Miss you Gary ! See you on the range .
Ken H.

Garda kenneth Harrington
Friend An Garda Siochana

March 16, 2009

You were a man of distinction, unforgettable by your families and friends. I know you are missed by all
of them and have left big shoes to fill. May the Lord
continue to heal those who still miss you as your
memory fondly lingers.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

March 15, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

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

March 14, 2009

My Darling Gary,

I miss you so much. Watch over me and our family.

Your loving wife,

Linda

March 12, 2009

Gary

All of these years later I am now a Sergeant. You are, and always will be the example of what a great field supervisor is. The troops I work with now in the Central Los Angeles office are so young - like I was when you mentored me. They borrow my keys to get into the PAS locker. I still have the Garda pendant you gave me on the key ring. I always tell the. "Do you know who gave that to me". When I mention it was you, I am pleasently surprised to hear that they know your name (probably from shining your plaque on the fountain). I still miss you, and use you as a constant reminder of what a great sergeant really is. Had you not been taken away from us too early, I imagine that you would be retiring about now. I will always regret not being able to attend that party and being given the chance to tell you how very much you have influenced my life. God Bless you Serg.

Sergeant W.P. Kenny #13987

Sergeant Bill Kenny
California Highway Patrol

April 28, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, nH

March 16, 2008

Gary always miss you . You are constantly in our prayers . At work or at home , on and off duty I remember . Colm who you taught to shoot on the range in Orange County is now a Garda stationed in Swords , County Dublin . The girls and Elaine say Hello . A mass will be said at St. Marks Parish Church at 10am. Saturday March 15 th.
Ken H.

Garda Kenneth Harrington
An Garda Siochana , Ireland

March 14, 2008

"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

November 21, 2007

On this, the seventh anniversary of his passing, we pause to remember. We remember not only the California Highway Patrol officer, but the man behind the badge.
It is in his memory that we continue on.
May his family, friends and fellow officers serving with the California Highway Patrol take comfort in knowing that he died serving and that his memory lives on.
Rest in peace sir.

Master Trooper
Virginia State Police

March 15, 2007

G-d Bless.

March 15, 2007

God Bless you Sir...May you rest peacefully. Thoughts and prayers sent from my family to yours Sgt Wagers. You are not forgotten.

Michigan

March 15, 2007

On the 6th anniversary of your EOW, you are not forgotten. Thank you for your service.

March 14, 2007

To Sgt. Gary Wagers, his wife and children, and his loved ones:

On this the fifth anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.

Sgt. Wagers, you rescued us, saved our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

From reading the reflections about you, it is obvious you were well-loved and well-respected. To have accolades from those you have led and mentored is a great tribute to your law enforcement career. Another legacy in your career is that your daughter followed in your footsteps and I am sure she wears her uniform with a special pride because of you.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Sgt. Gary Wagers. I am humbled by your valor and your dedication.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of distinquished service Sgt. Wagers gave to his community and the citizens of California, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 15, 2001.

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

March 16, 2006

Remembering you, honoring you.

The sentence in your story about working past your shift time brought tears to my eyes. Matt's chief used to tell him he HAD to take some time off. He always wanted to be at work, and like you it had to be the night shift.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Love,
Linda Rittenhouse
Matt's Mom Forever

LINDA RITTENHOUSE
MOTHER OF OFFICER MATTHEW RITTENHOUSE E.0.W.9/16/04

March 15, 2006

In the years since your passing we have missed you so much . Your kindness and gentle caring spirit will as long as we live inspire us . Ken Elaine Tracey Karen Colm and Nicola remember you .

Garda Kenneth Harrington
An Garda Siochana , Ireland .

March 25, 2005

Sarge, you were the toughest on us during our first year in Santa Ana. I am sure that Vic and I pissed you and the rest of the yard off more than once. You always knew the answer to our questions and if you didn't know you found someone that did. You prepared us for Court better than the Academy or any FTO ever did. You did your best to educate us about the job and life in general and I thank you for it. Rest in Peace Gary.

Officer Eric Newbury
CHP

July 15, 2004

Gary,
I had the privledge of meeting your wife Linda. I thank the Lord that I had the opportunity to meet her in Washington DC this year.

God Bless you and thank you for your service.

SGT Phil Abdoo
Macomb County Sheriff's Office (MI)

May 25, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

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

April 4, 2004

Remembering you on the 3rd anniversary of your death. Because of
all the nice comments about you, I know you are greatly missed and
had the respect and admiration not just of family, but also friends and
co-workers. May God comfort all those who are still grieving your
passing. Life is difficult at times and the Lord Jesus wants to help carry
our burdens. He gives us many beautiful promises in His Word to help us
through our valleys. I pray you will feel His presence and know His
peace. God bless!

Lynn Kole
Washington State

March 14, 2004

As the anniversary of Gary's death approaches Istill find difficulty coming to terms with his loss and can hardly imagine the grief suffered by his family and particularly by his loving wife Linda . I continue to remember Gary daily by trying to emulate him in my work and family life . The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be celebrated for him in St.Marks Church , Springfield , Dublin on March 15th . Rest in peace good friend .

Garda Kenneth Harrington
An Garda Siochana

March 7, 2004

Sergeant Wagers was the definition of an "officer's sergeant." He spent his time teaching road officers how to be more effective in all aspects of the job. He would take the time to show any officer how to write effective reports and testify in court. If Gary didn't know the answer on a particular subject, he would take the time to find it. He would go to bat for us when the District Attorney thought a case was not sufficient for filing. He believed in his officers and earned our respect and trust. The graveyard shift in Santa Ana has not been the same since Gary left and never will be.

I miss you Gary and talk about your antics all the time. I think of you everytime I see a bright yellow "baywatch" jeep. I know you are up in heaven smoking a non-filter Lucky Strike and talking up a storm. Watch over us "Yard Dawgs" Gary, we love ya.

Officer Aaron Knarr
CHP

January 28, 2004

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Sgt. Gary Wagers through his loving wife, Mrs. Linda Wagers. She speaks so highly of him. I know that they loved each other very much. I just wish I could have known Gary in this life. But I know that he is in Heaven with Brian and they are looking down on us and protecting us. I am just thankful to have gotten to share in his memory with his wife and see how great a man he was by just listening to her talk about him. God Bless Linda and their children, special parts of Gary left behind!

Denise Nichols - surviving spousee
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

January 5, 2004

Gary, when I think back on all the PARKING LOT discussions we had, I still remember you with one foot up on the push bar, the other on the ground and you reaching for those cigs hidden in your boot. What an endless source of information you were.

Our crashes were only 9 days apart. I wish you would/could have been as lucky as I was. I miss you, and hope you are up there looking down on the lot of us, yelling, and sputtering when ya see something amiss.

Fondly

deb =]

Officer Debby Grady
CHP

January 2, 2004