Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace blue angel

S. Yates

Thoughts and prayers go out to your family. May both your sons carry on the proud law enforcement tradition for many years to come. The proud and few are Indianas' finest who put on the brown or blue. Keep strong Dustin and Ryan!
There is no JUSTICE, there is JUST US!

Fellow '99 VU Law Enforcement Grad

Officer Kyle R. Landgrebe
Bloomington Police Department

Honey, A year ago today, you were just waking up from working until after midnight on June 13th. Ryan was going to ride with you as an intern one year ago today. Dustin called to say hello & the two of you talked for a little while. You & I shared the morning together, like usual~just hubby & wife~happy, content, enjoying each others company, still so much in love after 25 1/2 years of marriage. As mid-morning turned to almost noon, you started putting your brown uniform on for another day of warrant duties. This day was different though. As you put your change in your pocket you said you had a feeling you shouldn't go in, that something just told you not to. I remember asking you what you meant and you said it again, almost in a whisper. I told you that you were worrying me and starting to scare me and ask you to say it again. You did say it again~I told you just to please stay home. In your quiet voice, you said, "no honey, it will be ok..." But when you looked at me, your eyes weren't telling me it would be ok. I had a horrible feeling as you kissed me good-bye & told me you loved me. I remember stopping you 3 times when you were backing out of the driveway with Ryan. I used anything that came to my mind, anything to have you pull back into our drive-way. We just looked at each other for a long time on the last time I called you back into the drive-way. Something was "different" and we knew it, together, we knew it. I watched you & Ryan pull out of our drive. I stood in the living room as I heard you run a 10-28. I wanted to hear who the license plate would come back to. When I heard the name, I remember you had another dealing with this same coward~ This wasn't the man you were heading out after at all. I recall putting my shoes on & staying in the living room to hear your traffic on the scanner. I heard your voice~& remained frozen. The sounds of Ryans voice and your voice, the horror, the fear...our lives forever changed. The suffering you did for 27 days because this coward shot you 5 times at arms length. The shot that was fired at Ryan hitting him in the side....we would never again live our happy content loving lives together. Into the justice system the coward ran, he still will meet you at those pearly gates one way or another and honey, I know you've got one more warrant to serve and this cowards name is on it. You won't send this coward to jail, with Jesus at your side, you'll send him straight to hell.

We love you Dan. Always. Please continue to be with us as our guardian angel. Watch over your buddies in law enforcement too. You've got a lot of "watching" to do. Until I see you again, remember I love you always.

Janice So Proud to be your Wife
Sgt. Daniel R. Starnes
Killed In The Line of Duty
July 10, 2001

janice
wife

It's hard for everyone without you here, Dan. There are some days that are really hard, and no one knows what to do, or how to deal with the lack of your presence. You gave your life for our safety, so I feel selfish asking you for a favor...but please, please help us through each day with a little more ease and happiness. We really need that, and I know you've been watching over everyone. Please help us to move on, without ever forgetting you, which would be impossible to do.

Anonymous

Sgt. Starnes was more than a brother-in-law, he was a friend. He and his wife, Janice raised two sons that have followed in Sgt. Starnes footsteps. They are both in law enforcement. Sgt. Starnes was a one of a kind police officer. He used wit, smiles and patience in getting 'his man' - and it worked. He is missed very much by his family, especially his wife. This incident should have never happened.....it cost Sgt. Starnes and his family. We miss you Dan.

Brenda Mount

Dan, I'm so proud of you! I've always said you're my hero & now so many know just how much a hero you are! Your name and Ryan's name was added to the American Red Cross Hall of Fame on March 28, 2002~something else you and Ryan will share together forever. Dustin accepted your award ~ and although it was hard to do, I'm sure you saw how proud he was to accept it! We all miss you so much & we love you dearly. FOREVER and EVER ! You will not be forgotten, & the sacrifice you made will never go without HONOR as long as I have a breath in me.

Happy Easter 2002 Honey.

I love you,
Janice Proud Wife of
Sgt. Dan R. Starnes
Killed in the Line of Duty
July 10, 2001

Wife
Janice

Sgt. Starnes was my brother-in-law and I thought a great deal of him. I am proud of his sons carrying on their fathers work and beliefs. Sgt. Starnes was a unique police officer. He had his own way of handling situations in a friendly, smiling way and it worked until that dreadful day. He is missed a great deal by his family. This man is truly a hero. A hero is one that gives of his life for another - and he did so for his son. A hero is one that puts their life on the line...not one that plays basketball or football. We should be able to look in the dictionary and look up hero - it should say Sgt. Dan Starnes. I pray for his family every day....I miss him very much.

Brenda Mount

Today is Valentine's Day & we should be sharing dinner, or a talk, but instead I will go to NEBO and share quiet moments thinking of you. I love you Dan, you will never be forgotten in our community - you are always in the hearts of those who love you, those who knew you, and even those who did not meet you, but have the highest respect for you and what you stand for.

Love you,
Janice

JANICE
WIFE

To my special Dan,

6 months ago today honey GOD looked down from above,
HE saw us at your bedside & HE saw a hero we all loved.
God hesitated for 27 days knowing we needed you too,
HIS tears were many as HE cried with us when He took you.

GOD needed a hero,& angel a devoted man with a good soul,
HE quietly took you with HIM-& HE wants us all to know-
You are our guardian angel-you walk with us everyday,
You continue to protect us- you are never really "away."

You are the gentleness that allows us to peacefully sleep,
We know it's you honey, that wipes our tears when we weep.
The boys & I feel the comfort of you in everyway,
You are our guardian angel, we know you hear what we say.



GOD needed you & took you home on that warm July day,
HE heard our prayers wishing you could just stay.
Our pleads we made to HIM have not been forgotten at all,
GOD always keeps HIS word- you hear our every call.

Honey we know GOD stands with you, and hears what we say,
We know HE is beside you, walking with you everyday.
HE guides you as you guide us in everything we do.
As you stand beside us, GOD has his arm around you.

Love you forever,
your wife, Janice

wife Janice

Dad, it's been 5 months since you left us. It still seems like yesterday. I will always remember what you said to me on the scene, "I love you". At the hospital, you pointed at me and told me that I was your hero..all I ever wanted was for you to be proud of me. You are MY hero dad, if it werent for you I would be gone. I kept telling you that in the hospital, but you were to humble to realize you saved my life. I live every day striving to do just that - live, and to do it to my best ability. I know when you look down on me you smile! And in the future I cant wait to see you opening the gates for me. We begin this new year without you dad, but we know you're still with us in our hearts, our souls, and our memories.
I love you dad, always...and I think of you every day.

Ryan Starnes, son

Honey, Today is Jan 1, 2002. I missed your Happy New Year kiss, the first one since we met in 1974-27 years of well wishes from you, to none. The boys gave me their hugs and well wishes-a blessing to me from them both. They are so helpful, so caring, so strong. I love you Dan.

Always your wife, Janice

wife, Janice Marie

Merry Christmas 2001 Babe! This is my first Christmas without you in 26 years-I love you & miss you VERY MUCH.
You're having Christmas with Jesus this year & as our guardian angel. Things are different in so many ways, yet the boys continue to keep things in such a "normal" way - as much as possible. I know you're beaming when you watch your sons as they continue to get stronger everyday in everyway-another one of your traits they are blessed with. Although I don't have anything under the tree for you this year, honey, you are forever in my heart & soul & my life.
YOU are the reason for the season-you will NOT be forgotten.
God needed a General, he certainly got one when he got you! I love you forever. Merry Christmas babe.

Love you, Janice

wife janice

Dan was a wonderful friend and his passing leaves a void as big as his heart which was huge. Wonderful sense of humor and love of life were special gifts to my husband who grew up with him. He truly is missed!

Ranny and Valerie McCown

Honey, Today, December 19, 2001 is our 26th anniversary. It's so hard for me to understand "why" & to realize you REALLY are in heaven-10-42 here, but 10-41 above. I think about you all the time. When I see your "little boy smile" & reminders of you telling me "everything will be ok" I can get through the day. The boys are so strong, so determined, so wonderful. Their strength pulls me through each day. I miss you very, very much. I will love you forever. I know you are our guardian angel.

Happy Anniversary honey.

Forever your wife, Janice

janice
wife

Officer Starnes will be greatly missed by the people of Morgan County. He was a gentle man, with a big heart. He was a loving husband and father to his family. He also cared about his neighbors, friends and community. He was known to do things the peaceful way, even on June 14th when this tragedy took place.

Dan, our prayers are with you and your family.

Sumner Family
Friends

Dan, (11-21-01)

It's the eve of Thanksgiving and I was thinking out you, Janice, Dustin, Mandy and Ryan....and I know how lonely they are without you. My heart goes out to them. I wish I could take away all the pain and suffering that you endured and the pain and suffering that they are continuing to endure. I can't put into words how much you are missed. Not one day goes by without my thinking about you, Janice and the boys.

I know that you are an angel and that you are watching over Janice, Dustin, Mandy and Ryan -- protecting them just like you would if you were still here with us. I know that you are very proud of Dustin and Ryan -- they have grown up to be very outstanding young men. They, too, are very proud of you. God Bless You, Dan!

Love, your sister-in-law, Robin

Dan, you are thought of each day. Please be with Mark while he's on duty. I know that you're in his heart. You are in my heart. Love, Jen

Jennifer Overpeck

To the Starnes:
The breath of life, God gives it, and he recives it when it is gone.There is one thing I do belive and that is when God recieved his he knew he had got one of the best there is.You all are in our prayers.
With all our love Nathan,Angie,Jerica and Makayla Burnette

Dispatcher Nathan Burnette
Morgan Co Sheriff'sDept

Dan, I think you know how you have touched each of our lives by the memorials that are here. I thank you for the opportunity to come to know your family. My only regret is that it was at the price of your life. With the loss of you it has made each one in our family realize how very important it is to tell those we love how much we love them for we don't know what lies ahead. To Janice and the Boys be patient with one another for each person has their own time frame of dealing with loss, and please always remember Charlie and I are here for you anytime you need us.
Love you all and May God Bless Each who have felt the loss.

Shelly Beaver, Sheriff's wife
Morgan County Sheriff's Department

It is only a few months after Dan's death that we are all able to go on. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. I hope that his death will not be in a vain, but instead something for all to learn by. Dan thank you for doing your job everyday. You are our hero.

Anonymous

IT SEEMS AS IT WAS YESTERDAY WHEN DAN WOULD WALK THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE CONTROL ROOM. DAN WAS ALWAYS SO PLEASANT AND LOVED HIS JOB AND WAS SO PROUD TO DO IT. I ALWAYS ASK EVERYONE WHO HE REMINDED THEM OF THEY WOULD SAY I DON'T KNOW WHO WELL JUST LOOK AT HIS EYES HE DOES HIS EYES JUST LIKE THE ROCK WRESTLER RAISES HIS EYEBROW. THIS WILL BE HOW I REMEMBER DAN AS A ROCK. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN YOUR FRIEND KAREN BAUER

karen bauer controller
morgan county sheriff

Dan became my first aquaintance when I moved across the road from his residence in Martinville. Right away he struck me as a sincere man who thrived on friendship. We became closer friends as the years passed, always coming to each others aid when the need would arise.

His kind words helped me to cope with the disolution of my marriage. He had a way of being supportive without taking sides and I always felt he had a sixth sense about me and would say just the right things to uplift my spirits. I love him as only a brother could and his friendship will remain with me for an eternity.

I know you are watching over us all Dan and I hope you have left your mark on everyone elses life such as you have mine,this way I know that your time here was not in vain. Your influence helped us all to love one another and to see the good in all people. God blessed those who had the opportunity to become one of your many friends. I hope that I am worthy to have made your list. God bless you General.

Chuck Rogers

Dan, you are such a good person and you are very well missed. From the first day i met you I knew we would be good friends and we are. Dan you made me feel so good and like i was a part of the family before i married in to the Starnes and that meant so much to me. I am so glad that you were able to see one of the most happest days of my life. you will always live in my heart and i know that you will always be with all of us. i miss you so much. love mandy

mandy daughter-n-law

To the family...
I did not know Sgt. Starnes but from what I have read about him, he sounded like a great man! My thoughts are with each and every one of the family members...may God be with him while he watches over his sons.

Sgt. Jon Richardson
Peru Police Dept.

To the family of Daniel Starnes:
I am sorry to hear about your loss. May peace be with you as each day passes. I believe officers are angels on this earth as well as in Heaven. I hope in time that more people will come to learn this. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Karen,
Sister of slain officer, Kevin Cox, Lubbock PD

Anonymous