Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another brother is lost...sleep well brother, you fought the good fight. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten!

Ofc. Brian Gillaspie
Pacific (MO) Police Department

It has been just over two years now... seems like just yesterday to me, since I got that horrible news, and had to tell our precious children that you would not be coming home that day! It has been just over two years now... seems like a life time ago since you held me in your arms, whispered sweet nothings in my ear, and tenderly kissed my cheek. I miss you! It is not easy to "get on with my life"... falling in love with someone new while still in love with you isn't as easy as one would think (but what you and I have will never die). Thank the Good Lord that the man I am falling in love with is an understanding man, who is not only good with me but with our children too. The Lord blessed us with good children, they are doing great, good grades, good behavior etc. I know you are happy where you are, and I would never wish you back here, and you can rest comfortably knowing that God has His hand in everything we do - so you know we are well cared for.
Until we meet again...

wife

Matthew 5:9-10
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

HCSO Watch Command

Joe,
Today an officer was lost in HPD. Each time I hear about these incidents, it's like losing you all over again. I cry for the officer's family, because I KNOW what they are going through. My prayers will be with them. Even though the name of the officer has not been released - God knows who I'm praying for. I know I will see you again, because I know you are in Heaven waiting and serving. Until then - know that you are still in my heart and missed deeply.

Anonymous

i love you brother

brother you are with me every single day in my prayers.I will allways wish that i could be with you again on this earth ,but i know that i will save everything that i could not tell you now untill i see again in heaven and we will never have to experience this hell again.there will only be love in our hearts.and we will never have to experience this broken heartedness that can never go away There will never be a single day that i will ever stop looking for you.iI will allways love you and look forward to the day that i see you again.. Ps. joe if you can hear me your camero looks like it was brand new. love you forever..
your brother mike.........

mike
brother

To every one who sent a reflection to Joe's family:

This to let everyone know that Joe's family really does appretiate the reflections you all have sent.

I am a senior at Cy-Fair Senior High School. I will be graduating this coming year and I only wish one thing now and that is for Joe Dennis was sitting beside his sister and parents to see me walk the stage. I have missed Joe the most ever since we, the Duncan family, moved out here. This has been the hardest out of the past 18 mths. I miss you Uncle Joe and I wish everyday that you were here to see Brandon, Chelsea, Rene, and the rest of his family grow together as a whole.

Joe you are in my heart and in my soul and I have missed you deeply. Seeing Brandon with his Uncle Kevin deer hunting and seeing Chelsea with Rene and my Mom, Debbie Duncan.The only thing that can come into mind is you and how proud you should be of your children and family. I have been strong for you and everyone in the family. I wish you were here to see me walk the stage and just because I miss you deeply and I love you too.

Love always Joe's Niece,
Christy Joanne Duncan

Niece/ Christy J. Duncan
Joe's Niece

As I read the reflections of the last 17 months I still cry those deep tears of anguish as though it were yesterday. My beautiful sister, not only beautiful in the physical sense, but even more so of the heart... lost her best friend and soul-mate.

Cheryl, Joe's Sister-in-law
Rene's Very Proud Sister

As I read the reflections of the last 17 months I still cry those deep tears of anguish as though it were yesterday.

My beautiful sister, not only beautiful in the physical sense, but even more so of the heart... lost her best friend and soul-mate.

When I learned I could no longer have children and wanted 3 more, Rene' and Joe said I could share theirs. They were so true to their word... Brandon and Chelsea have been a source of absolute delight since their births. Those two beautiful gifts from God and their "Sweet Mommy" were the most valued parts of Joe's life. He would tell you they were the only life he had!

Joe loved my children, too, and they lost the only true uncle they have ever had. My daughter Kelly is 22 and recently married... the wedding wasn't what we planned since Uncle Joe couldn't take part, but we have no doubts HE WAS THERE! James, my son who is 18, is playing football and talks to his Uncle Joe while standing on the sidelines waiting his turn to play. My husband, Jerry... lost his best friend. The only real one he ever had! His hunting, fishing and just in general BUDDY. When we lost everything we owned, 2 weeks after Joe's death, was when I think it hit Jerry the hardest. Joe was the one he depended on to assist in putting things right with our house, our car and many other things. Joe was always there when we needed him, as Jerry would be for him. One of my fondest memories includes the last time Joe was at our house helping Jerry put in the new Kitchen floor. (April 2001) Those two laughed and cut up for hours as they labored in our kitchen! I mostly remember their butts in the air as they lay the flooring, their knees were too sore to sit on them anymore and Rene' and I stood in the livingroom watching our husbands, bestfriends, looking like total idiots. They were a great pair! As for me, I lost my "Bubba", the only brother (and BEST brother) God ever gave me. Joe was always there for me. My absolute most favorite memory of all times is Jerry's 40th surprise birthday party that Rene' and Joe carried off so successfully. Joe did all the cooking and he and Rene' hosted it in their home. I just keep a picture in my mind of Joes face when he realized I really kept it a secret and Jerry truly had no idea we weren't there to pick up Joe, Rene' and the kids... we had successfully pulled off the 6 months of planning. I was so pleased as Joe hugged me and told me how proud he was. Though younger than me, Joe was my big brother and I looked up to him. I respected him and cherrished him as my precious sister's husband and the father of 2 of the most precious miracles in my life... Boo and Diddle!

I thank God for every minute He allowed us to have Joe in our lives. I thank Him even more for the wonderful times He allowed my sister and her children with Joe. Needless to say... he is, even still, missed terribly.

I have said all of this in order to assist those reading it to understand what I mean when I say... "I will do everything in my power to assist the family Joe left in our care." His children will never forget him or the love he held for them. My sister and her children will never "do without" because of his absence. Though we are a distance apart, Jerry and I will forever be watchful over his family... just as we know he would have ours had circumstances been reversed.

To Joe: Bubba, thank you. For being so much to so many. For always being there. For more love and fun and joy than many many people on this earth have ever experienced!

Cheryl, Joe's Sister-in-law
Rene's Very Proud Sister

Baby, its been over a year now and I still miss you just as much today as I did a year ago. My heart still aches for you, and my arms long to hold you tight. I know you are in a much better place and you are helping to prepare a place for me there too, because WE WILL MEET AGAIN. Until then our souls remain connected, and MY LOVE FOR YOU WILL NEVER DIE!

When you left this world down here,
the Sheriff's Department lost one of its best deputies,
the deputies in the S.O. lost one of thier best comrads,
the public lost one of its truest friends,
your parents lost their eldest son,
your siblings lost their eldest brother and good friend,
your dog(Cujo)lost his best bud,
your children lost their best friend, and playmate,
their 'get out of trouble free' card,
the VERY BEST DADDY IN THE WORLD!
and I...
I lost...
my husband,
my person I could say ANYTHING to & you would listen with attentive ears,
my, ever so gentle, intimate partner,
my very caring shoulder to lean on, or cry on,
my strong teddy bear arms that held me tight and told me 'everythings gonna be alright',
those gentle brown eyes that always stared down deep into my soul (you could always tell me you love me with your eyes and never have to say a word),
my ROCK that I could lean on when times got hard (and times are at their hardest now!)
but most of all...
I lost my VERY BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD,

I MISS YOU BABY!
& I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!
untill we meet again...
Rene' (your BABY)

Wife / Rene' Dennis

OUR BELOVED SON:JOE
There is so much that I could say. We are so proud of you. Our love for you will always be there in our hearts. We watched you grow from a child and all the way until you turned into the perfect man that you turned into. We hurt to see that we cannot spend the rest of our lives with you. As a Deputy,Son,Husband,Dad and brother you could not have done a better job. We are proud to be your DAD and MOM.

WE MISS YOU SON:
LOVE ALLWAYS
MOM+DAD

JOANNE DENNIS
MOTHER

TO ANYONE WHO KNEW JOE DENNIS: MY BROTHER WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON. HE LOVED HIS FAMILY VERY MUCH. IF YOU WERE TO ASK HIM WHAT WAS THE MEANING OF LIFE HE WOULD TELL YOU IT WAS HIS FAMILY. HE LOVED RENE' MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD AND BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM THEY MADE TWO BLESSINGS, BRANDON AND CHELSEA. SOMETIMES I AM ANGRY AT GOD FOR CUTTING MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY BROTHER SHORT, BUT THEN I AM REMINDED TO BE THANKFUL TO HAVE HAD A BROTHER THAT WAS AS WONDERFUL AS HE WAS, EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME. HE WAS WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A GENTLE GIANT. I KNOW THAT HE WOULD NOT WANT ME TO BE HATEFUL, BUT I AM THANKFUL THAT JUSTICE WAS SERVED. I HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE NOT TO TAKE ANYONE FOR GRANTED. WE ARE ALL GIFTS FROM GOD. TRY TO TELL THE PEOPLE THAT YOU LOVE THAT YOU DO LOVE THEM, DON'T SAVE IT FOR TOMORROW. I LOVE YOU JOE. I MISS YOU.
YOUR BROTHER, MIKE

TO OFFICER DENNIS'S FAMILY,
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND HOLD YOU IN HIS ARMS AND GIVE YOU THE COMFORT AND PEACE THAT YOU DESERVE. I DID NOT KNOW OFFICER DENNIS BUT I SEEN HIM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD STORE SPINZERS. HE ALWAYS SPOKE AND HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE. I KNOW THE TRAGEDY AND THE DESPERATION YOU ARE GOING THROUGH BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN THERE ALSO. MY SON WAS A HARRIS CTY. DEP. CONSTABLE PCT 1. ITS BEEN 3 YRS NOW AND IT STILL FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY. WE KNOW THAT IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY BUT GOD WILL HELP YOU GET THROUGH THIS. AGAIN GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. DO TO A LOT OF SENSELESS MURDERS WE HAVE A LOT OF GUARDIAN ANGELS IN HEAVEN TO WATCH OVER US AND TO PROTECT US. MAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR. I WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS. GOD BLESS. SINCERELY BARBARA JOHNSON DEP. RAY EAKIN'S "MICHEAL" MOTHER.

barbara johnson

TO OFFICER DENNIS'S FAMILY,
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND HOLD YOU IN HIS ARMS AND GIVE YOU THE COMFORT AND PEACE THAT YOU DESERVE. I DID NOT KNOW OFFICER DENNIS BUT I SEEN HIM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD STORE SPINZERS. HE ALWAYS SPOKE AND HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE. I KNOW THE TRAGEDY AND THE DESPERATION YOU ARE GOING THROUGH BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN THERE ALSO. MY SON WAS A HARRIS CTY. DEP. CONSTABLE PCT 1. ITS BEEN 3 YRS NOW AND IT STILL FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY. WE KNOW THAT IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY BUT GOD WILL HELP YOU GET THROUGH THIS. AGAIN GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. DO TO A LOT OF SENSELESS MURDERS WE HAVE A LOT OF GUARDIAN ANGELS IN HEAVEN TO WATCH OVER US AND TO PROTECT US. MAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR. I WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS. GOD BLESS. SINCERELY BARBARA JOHNSON DEP. RAY EAKIN'S "MICHEAL" MOTHER.

barbara johnson

To any who knew and loved Joe as much as we did:

My uncle was well known for all he did with his kids ,Brandon and Chelsea. I can tell you from a proven fact how much he loved and cared about everyone no matter what even for those kids. He may have looked scary but he was always loved you. When he even looked at Rene' you could even tell how much love he had for her.

I as well as my mom ,Debbie Duncan, will miss him. I think of him every day. Holidays are the hardest for me because we hardly saw them. If I could ask my uncle one question it would be "What could I do to help your family?" If I could say one more thing to him it would be "I love you Uncle Joe!" I will help Brandon, Chelsea, Rene', and everyone out as much as I can because I loved Joe and I know he would want me to do that.

Uncle Joe I love you more then anything, and I miss you.

Love your niece,

Christy Joanne Duncan

Christy Duncan

WE STAYED THE COURSE AND THE JURY FOUND HIM GUILTY. JUSTICE WAS DONE. "NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT".

IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY WE WERE AT THE REHAB AND OUR CAREERS WERE JUST BEGINNING. WHERE DID THE TIME GO? YOU WERE A GOOD FRIEND AND DEPUTY AND I'LL NEVER FORGET. SAVE A PLACE FOR ME FOR I'M NOT FINISHED HERE YET.

ALWAYS...

Anonymous

the day seems like yesterday when i got the call about joe being shot. it was like a big nightmare. the day before the incident i attended a houston police officer's funeral. i never would have thought in my mind that the very next day it would hapen to some one i loved. joe was a wonderful guy. in my eyes as well as a lot of people joe is still a wonderful guy. Renee i will stand by you and help you in anyway that i can. if you or the kids ever need anything im here. joe we will miss you and all the cook outs you love to have. when i finally become that houston police officer i am going to dedicate it to you joe. you have shown me a way and now im taking it. thank you joe for everything that you showed me. i hope that you and the lord are up there right now watching the steelers win. god bless you renee and the kids and i love all of you.

willie harrison (aka) budger

p.s.o. w.r. harrison
houston police department

i am looking forward to one day becoming a houston police officer. i knew joe he was like an uncle to me. i have grown up around joe and his family. joe was a great deputy and in a heartbeat some smuck took that away from him. if i could only turn back time and try to change what happened i would. joe we will miss you. one day the suspect involved will get the death penalty and soon he will met his match but when he does i believe it will be joe that will not let him in heaven.
willie harrison (aka) budger

pso w.r.harriosn
houston police department

Deputy Dennis, your watch is over and our department salutes you and your tour. May you watch over the gates of heaven, as you watched over the citizens of Harris County, Texas.

Deputy J. Allen
Hidalgo County Sheriff's Department, Texas

Deputy Dennis, I lost a friend in Corpus Christi the same way on September 9, 1987, Corpus Christi Police Sergeant Joseph Daniel Bock. Reading your story brought back those dreaded memories of that fateful day, it was beyond describing, and even today I think about it, but I want to say, you, just as JD served the community with courage, and you will always be remembered for that. I served in the Harris County Constables Office Pct 5 many many years ago, and I remember how volatile things were then, I know today they are much worse. May God Bless your family and comrades

Lay down and sleep now, but dont find it a sign of weakness, valor is not weak, only those who seek to twist the laws of God are weak, you fought for them, and today He has added you to his list of most favored Angels. Heaven rejoices....Thank You Sir for your service.

Scott Parker
Former Harris County Deputy Constable

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE DEPUTY AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY...JUST SHOWS YOU OUR MEN WEARING THE BADGE ARE IN DANGER AT ALL TIMES.SAD TO SAY WHAT A WORLD WE ARE LIVING IN...
EXTREMELY HAPPY THE GUNMAN WAS CAUGHT..I HOPE HE GETS MORE THAN LIFE IN PRISON...TOOK A FINE MAN AWAY FROM LOVED ONES AND TO THIS, I DONT THINK SHOULD HAVE A PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY..

GOD BLESS HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN AND TO THOSE WHO LOVED HIM
I AM SURE DENNIS IS WITH OUR LORD IN HEAVEN..

MARY GROVE

To Anyone who knew and loved Joe:

My brother was admired and loved by many. The thing I loved and respected the most was his love and appreciation that he had for Rene' and his family. He always had a smile on his face at the mere sight of Rene' and the kids. I do not know many fathers who participated in their children's life the way he did. There was not anything he would not do for them and that includes changing dirty diapers (and we all know how most dad's feel about that). If all children had a father like Joe there would never be any unhappy children in this world!

I will personally miss him more than I could ever express. I know that if I could ask Joe anything he would say to take care of his wife and children and remind them every day how much he loved and cherished his time with them. I will devote everything I can to be sure that he lives on through me and I ask that everyone who knew and loved him to do the same. This would be the best gift that you could give to Rene' Brandon, Chelsea and everyone in his family.

Joe I will love you always and you will remain in my heart forever!!!

Love always your sister,

Debbie Dennis Duncan

DEBBIE DUNCAN

I've just finished reading the many reflections sent in about my "son" (& the best friend Rene' - my Daughter - ever had). I couldn't help but cry through most of them.
Your words of encouragement mean a lot to Joe's family and friends. I personally want to thank all who have sent condolences, said prayers and/or attended the viewing services and the funeral.

Many people have been with Rene' during the days following Joe's death. You are heaven sent and helped not only Rene', Brandon (9), Chelsea (5), & Joe's family, but Rene's family as well.

It's wonderful to know so many people loved our Joe. Of course we all knew how wonderful a husband and father he was, as well as a good son and SON-in-law, but it warms the heart to know that others felt the way we do.

Please keep his wife and children in your prayers as they go through a lot of "first" without Husband & Father. As in, Father's Day, 4th of July - he liked to "cook - out" - Thanksgiving and Christmas to name a few. Then remember them in your prayers when Joe would have been 36 (on 1-17-02) as well as on the children's birthdays, and through May 22, 02 - when Joe will be gone for a year. We hope by then that things will be better. Not forgotten - ever, just easier for all the family.

It's so good to know so many - even out of state - are concerned about Joe's immediate families.

Joe was a wonderful person and all who knew him, couldn't help but love him. He is missed!
Mom

Marilyn McDonald, Mother-in-law