Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Sgt Starnes Family,

Sgt Starnes is a true HERO. I live in a neighboring county and remember this well. My daughter actually lives in Morgan County. I appreciate the sacrafice that Sgt. Starnes made protecting my daughter and citizens of Morgan County. As a former Marion County Deputy (worked Morgan, Herdricks, and Marion county area SR67 vacinity)this his way too close to home. I remember my daughters actually commenting that they were glad I wasn't a deputy anymore when this Hero was taken from us. I have raised them to appreciate law enforcement officers and even approach them to say Thank you. Just know that Sgt Starnes is thought of whenever I see a Morgan County Sheriff's Unit. I didn't know him, but think of him often. God bless you Morgan County's finest. I will pray for Sgt Starnes family. I know he is on a "ride along" with his two favorite Troopers.....

Former Indiana Sheriff's Deputy

Former Indiana Deputy Sheriff

July 22, 2006

Dan, 5 years ago you made the ultimate sacrifice/with your life you paid the price/in the line of duty you had to fall/you are a true hero to all/a fallen warrior & our guardian angel in every way/you are in my heart & soul with each day/thank you for giving the boys & I strength, comfort & love/we know you are with us from above/I think about you every day/and I know you are with us in everyway.

I will always love you Dan,

Janice Marie
wife of Sgt.Dan R. Starnes EOW 7/10/2001

July 11, 2006

May G-D's love surround your family today, May you and His other Angels guard and keep them safe.Rest in Peace.

July 10, 2006

It's been 5 years since your departure. Time has not
diminished your sacrifice. God's richest blessings on
your wife and 2 sons and all the others who hold your
memory dear.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

July 10, 2006

Rest in peace, my brother....you will never be forgotten

PN and FF

June 18, 2006

Dan, Five years ago today you put your uniform on for the last time. Your EOW was really today. Thank you for your service to your community. Thank you for giving me a content & happy life. I am honored to have been your wife and proud of the sons we have. You are loved by many and missed every day. You are a hero, my hero.

Always in my heart, forever in my soul.

wife
Janice Marie

June 14, 2006

Rest in Peace Dan

Dep. Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

May 20, 2006

It will soon be 5 years since your tour of duty ended. You fought so hard to stay in this world and I commend you for your bravery and stamina in protecting your son when the incident occurred. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten by those that love you nor will the Family Blue ever let you be forgotten. Your sons and loved ones know they have a true hero for a father and one who had "Guts." Keep watch over your loved ones, especially that grandson who I know someday will follow in your footsteps. Wrap your wings around your loved ones and help ease some of their grief.

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

Bob Gordon

May 8, 2006

Dan, you're a grandpa now for the first time. The little guy is named after you & he's beautiful. Dustin & Shannon are so proud & Ryan can't keep his hands off him. He's a blessing for us, You now have another Starnes to watch over & protect.

Ryan graduates from the ISP academy soon. You pinned Dustins badge on him when he graduated from the same academy - now Dustin will take on the role and he will pin the badge on his little brother- I know you are so proud of our sons and their accomplishments.

I love you & I miss you so much, especially at times like these. I know you would be so proud of the boys and their accomplishments and I know you'd be the best grandpa little Daniel could ever have. He will know
everything about you. You will always be his special grandpa.

Always in my soul, we'll hold hands again one day & we'll be together again ~

Janice
wife

March 26, 2006

Dan, Janice, Ryan, Dustin:
I visit this site nearly every day, yet I am just now leaving a post. I just can't seem to find the right words when I get on here. Dan, I have few, but fond memories of you, and wish I would have had more opportunities to get to know you. You did a great job with your family, and helped to mold your children into the great men they are today. I am both lucky and proud to have such wonderful family in both law enforcement, and in life.

Patrol Officer Aaron McLearen
Arlington Heights, OH

March 19, 2006

God Bless the Starnes Family and Keep them safe.

Detective Robert Starnes
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
Chattanooga, TN 37343

Detective Robert L. Starnes
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

March 13, 2006

I am the Training Coordinator for our department and look on this site to teach Officers about the price Officers had paid defending our communities. I found out that Sgt. Starnes died serving in the line of duty. It was a shocking to me to see the name was listed on the Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. It made me think of the many times in my 23 year career, I could have been placed on that wall, if not for the grace of God. I very am proud to share the same name of "Sgt. Robert Starnes" as a brother in Law Enforcement. I am from a Law Enforcement family also. I admire your two sons for serving in our profession.
God Bless the Starnes Family and keep them from harm.

Detective Robert L. Starnes
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

March 6, 2006

Dan, I didn't know you, but under unfortunate circumstances I have met your wonderful wife. Until your department has lost an officer it is truly hard to understand the magnitude of the loss and how many people it truly affects. It's almost one year since Craig has gone and it's taken me that long to get on here. I just want you to know that in the past year, your wife has been such a great comfort and friend to me. There's just some connection she and I have. It may be in grief, even though it wasn't my husband we lost. She remembers you often and somehow in her own loss has the strength and courage to help others through theirs. I haven't met the boys, but they sound like a chip off the old block. It's so sad that you won't be here for that wonderful grandson who will be here anytime. I can promise that all that I know about Janice, that grandbaby will know everything thing about you even though he won't meet you for a long time. You are a great man, who had to leave a great family trying to protect others. May God Bless all of you.
Ann

Ann
LPD

March 4, 2006

Dan, Another holiday without you today/the ultimate sacrifice you had to pay/Christmas day began with memories of you/now the sun is asleep & the day almost through/reflecting back to what used to be/wishing you were here with the boys & me/you are in the wind I love/you are my strength from above/continue to walk with us in everything we do/Merry Christmas honey & please hug mom for me too/

Love always,

wife
Janice Marie

December 25, 2005

Dan, It's Christmas Eve - always your favorite time of the year/I miss you very much all the time but especially now I wish you were here/I know Dustin and Ryan continue to make you smile/as you walk with them each and every mile/You are always in my soul & in my heart/you are only away, we're not really apart/

Happy 30th Anniversary on the 19th of December.

Love always,

wife
Janice

December 24, 2005

Dan, Last night we had the project blelight ceremony. Ryan escorted Janice up to place her carnation. You should have seen him. He looked so good in his state police jacket. He is so squared away, you would be so proud of him. We all think about you every day. You are in our hearts always. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and for that i thank you. With all my heart.
Always, Samantha

Samantha Garrett

December 7, 2005

"The path of the Warrior is lifelong, and mastery is often simply staying on the path."

Thank you for helping us stay on the path. You shall not be forgotten.

65th Indiana State Police Recruit
Indiana State Police

December 3, 2005

Dad, I am sitting here at my desk at home. I was working on paper work when my thoughts and everything went to you. I remember in May of 2001 you went with me to the Indianapolis State Police garage. I think I was dropping off my police car for service or somthing. I remember that you looked at a new 2001 gray unmarked crown vic. i remember you saying that you thought it would be a "good" color to have if I ever earned a unmarked car. Well dad, I just turned over 52,000 miles on my 2004 gray unmarked car that I earned. The department lets the Trooper pick the color of the car. Well Dad YOU PICKED IT FOR ME. It is a good color and I think about the day that we looked at the 2001 Gray car in May of 2001 everytime I get in and out of my car.

Dad, Shannon is pregnant, and we are due in March of 2006. We found out it is a boy!! Can you guess your first grandchilds name?? (Daniel Thomas Starnes)

love Dustin

Dustin R. Starnes
Son

December 2, 2005

Dan, another holiday approaches & you are on my mind so much during this time. I miss you & wish I could
turn back the clock - if only I could..

Please continue to watch over Dustin & Ryan as they follow in your footsteps. You are always in my heart and my soul and you will always be in my heart and my soul.

I still need you.

Love,

janice
wife

November 21, 2005

Dan,
I only wish that we would have had a chance to meet. You would be so proud of your family. Ryan is in the academy now, and we are all extremely proud of him. I know that you are watching him every step of the way. He is going to have some rough times ahead but i am sure that you will be there to guide him through them. We all love and miss you very much.
Samantha

Samantha Garrett

October 31, 2005

Dan,

I was just sitting here thinking about the times we shared together while working the road and all the times I came to your house to visit. It seems like yesterday we were sitting in the median in Mooresville discussing things and we decided to go to Taco Bell to eat. This was the last time I got to talk, work and eat with you.

I know that you are looking down on your family from heaven and I know that you are very proud of them.

Keep on keeping all of us safe until we meet again.

(Do they have a Taco Bell in heaven?)

Officer/ Reserve Deputy
Indianapolis Public Schools/ Morgan County Sheriff

October 21, 2005

Mrs. Starnes,
I met you at the cemetery today while I was visiting Jake. I walked over to speak to you, but nothing that I really wanted to say would come out.

There were so many things that I wanted to say. The first thing I wanted to tell you is how sorry I was, but I remember how I hated hearing that when Jake died and I told myself that I would not say that to anybody to console them. I drove back to work with a pit in my stomach. I wanted to tell you that you and your sons are in my thoughts and prayers and I will continue to pray for you/them.

I am married to a Indianapolis Police Officer and I looked at you as I was pulling away and I just wanted to cry. You are living everyday with the hole in your heart that we as wives of Officers don't even want to imagine in our most horrid of nightmares.
We talked about how strong Debbie is, and Debbie has been an absolute angel to me. I looked at you and saw how strong you are. It takes a special kind of person to be a police officer, but it also takes a special kind of person to be the wife of one.
I asked if you ever go to this website bc I knew whatever was going to ramble out of my mouth would not be what I was really was meaning to say. Mrs. Starnes you are such an inspiration to so many, never question that! I hope that when I am out there again we are able to talk...
Your husband is a hero and know that when the load seems to heavy to bare, you have a family within law enforcement that would do absolutely anything for you! God Bless you, you are in my thoughts Mrs. Starnes...

I try to find comfort in Jakes death knowing he died helping others and doing what truly made him happy. I know that Jake has so many wonderful people up in heaven keeping him company.

July 22, 2005

Janice,
I just wanted to tell you that you are in my prayers today. I have read some of the reflections with tears in my eyes, I don't know why, but I hope the best for you and your two sons you truly have a lot to be proud of...God Bless.....

Wife of Ofc. Larry Brian Mitchell E.O.W. 5-30-01

Erika M

July 10, 2005

Dan, today it's been 4 years since you gave your life for your community. The boys and I miss you more each day. I have peace and comfort from knowing you are with us everyday, in everyway. You continue to be our guardian angel - You are loved by many and missed by everyone you touched. Especially, you are loved and missed by me so very much.
Thank you for being a wonderful husband, dad, and friend to everyone you met and even those who did not know you - thank you for your service to your community.

You will never be forgotten.

Always in my heart, always in my soul.

Love ~

Janice
Wife

July 10, 2005

Your tour of duty ended four years ago when you gave the ultimate sacrifice,
after having fought to recover from the wounds you received nearly a month earlier.
Thank you for your service to your department and the citizens of Morgan County,
and know that you will never be forgotten by the people whose lives you touched.
Your family, friends and fellow officers continue to mourn your untimely loss,
especially your wife, Janice, who now consoles families of other fallen officers and
your sons, Dustin and Ryan, both serving in law enforcement with you as their partner.

† Rest In Peace, Sergeant Starnes, May God Bless You †

Jeffrey Williams
Highland, Indiana

July 10, 2005