Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The policeman stood and faced his God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
just as brightly as his brass.

Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
No Lord. I guess I ain't.
Because those who carry badges
can't always be a saint.



I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough...
and sometimes I've been violent
because the streets are awful tough.

But I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime
when the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around
except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much.
But if you don't...I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne
where the saints had often trod,
as the policeman waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman.

You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets.
You've done your time in hell.

Deputy Meredith Ward
Gulf County Sheriff's Office (FL)

January 13, 2007

Dancing, crossing and hopping clouds with no shoes upon your feet has been busy business. Sharing your love with all of us is exhausting as well. It seems too me, that all we ask for here is your last bit of bread to eat. You’re swimming out to save us in our last of inspirations, dedications and promises. Asking for faith and healing also requires giving. We have asked you so many times to look after us. That, you have done well. We together (joining all submissions to you, letters and messages as a whole) are all for you. Take this time to rest for you.

Rest my brother, for you have earned it. The river of time has allowed us to be carried away. Although, Rest is Rust. Let us, this time carry your heart, It is still with us and that will never rust. Legends are shined; rust is only on the surface.



PS

Sgt Spang gave the SRT Team a memoir coin when he left us. The team was given two of them. He told us to keep one of them and to keep it close to our hearts, for we have earned it. The second one was to trade. The one close to my heart is buried in a box in Miller Park under the sign. There is will stay.

Matthew Heckman

Det. Matthew Heckman
New Bern Police Dept.

January 11, 2007

God Bless you and thank you, Don

LAM
NBPD

December 27, 2006

The boys and I miss you so very much!! We made it through another Christmas without you, but the pain is still the same as 5 years ago. We love you!

Tracy, Gage & Logan

December 26, 2006

So, wow man, it's been five long years since you since you were called away from us. Your memory still lives strong in alot of us who ever had the chance to encounter you. The PD has changed ALOT as you know. So many new faces, but I can honestly say with a doupt, no one has matched your drive. Hey, see how this sounds "Sgt Daniels", humm, funny huh. Yea man he made it and he is soon to be my SGT. I am looking foward to that, he is a good guy and I know he will do a great job. Anyway Bro Matt still speaks of you often as you know. I hate to see this time of year because I hate to see another brother in pain. Another thing, keep a good eye on Capt Sezter with his surgery and recovery. Let him know you are there. Til the day we meet again. Peace be with you, Tracy and the boys. Love Ya

Investigator Williams
Brothers til death

December 26, 2006

It's hard to believe that the Lord took you from us five years ago. I once again visited Miller Park today. I see your park as an inspirational place that I can reflect on my own life. This year was special I took my daughter and wife with me. My daughter is eighteen months old and I want her to understand how important your sacrifice was and how important our job is even though it takes us away from our families so much. Your family is always in our prayers and you my brother are always on our minds.

Sergeant Daren Fuller
New Bern Police Department

December 25, 2006

Hey Boy,

Again, Respect is all I can give. Earning it, and giving it is all you have done. I have my babies with me this time. I had to take a second out of there time to spend with you. I had to stop here and pay my respects. Merry Christmas boy, I love you and miss you dearly. Silence is only so deep that the soul can hear. I just keep thinking about those happy years. I’m at peace with my own, You’re in my heart, mind and soul. With that I will never be alone. With that all I can do is smile.

Respectfully,

Detective Matthew Heckman

Det. Heckman
New Bern Police

December 25, 2006

REMEMBERING DETECTIVE MILLER TODAY ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH.
TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS, BUT TODAY HIS FAMILY IS REMEMBERING THE EVENT THAT TOOK HIS LIFE.
WE ARE THINKING OF HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS AND PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO THEM GIVE STRENGTH AND COMFORT ON THIS DAY.

MOTHER OF A FALLEN DEPUTY.

December 25, 2006

I wanted to leave this reflection for Officer Miller on the 5th Anniversary of his EOW. I pray that his family is doing well. To be reminded of such a tragic event on the most joyous of days...I cannot even begin to imagine. To all of officer Miller's family and friends I send you my prayers.

Senior Patrol Agent
United States Border Patrol

December 25, 2006

Just thinking of you brother on this sad anniversary. Keep watch over the rest of us.

Gordon
NC Wildlife

December 24, 2006

Well almost 5 years to the day that we lost one of our most beloved friends...no, FAMILY. You will always be family to me Don. You, Tracy and the boys. We miss you so much. It seems like just yesterday that we were upstairs in the Narc room cutting your birthday cake. I miss Tracy and the boys too. I do wish you were still here to brighten our lives. I can't express the pain and sorrow that I feel because you are not here with us and your family. I look at Roger and see how big he has gotten and think fondly of Logan. I only regret that Gage and Logan will have to grow up not knowing personally how great their father was, is. Only to know from the tales of others that did know him. You are one of our brightest stars in the sky. Keep watch over all the brothers in blue and especially our families and friends. Keep watch over Shelby, Roger, Gage and Logan as I'm sure you are doing right now.

With all our love,
Jenn, Shelby and Roger

Jennifer Heckman
Friend

December 19, 2006

Hey Buddy,
It seems like only a short time ago that we all hung out together. I cherish each moment that was shared among our circle of friends and I will never forget those special times. Whenever Daniel and I speak of you we always end up laughing and smiling....as you will not allow it to be any other way! I miss you as much today as ever.

Love Brande

Brande Grant-Rhem
Former New Bern Police

November 30, 2006

I miss you, Don and still there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you.

I went to visit Randy in Florida on your birthday. We drank and made many toasts to you. Tracy and I are very close, like you always wanted and the boys are well.

I come to this site frequently and re-read what has been written about you. It touches my heart to know that so many others loved you as I did.

You taught me to be strong, you were always there for me and you always knew what I needed to hear. I will always look up to you.

I love you.......I love you...good night...

Sharon Miller Farris
Sister

November 29, 2006

Time has allowed me too give a flood of tears. It comes from thinking about those happy years. Like all the good times that are no more, there gone, gone forever more. My love for my brother is for ever more. Silence so deep only my soul can hear, says now the past is what I feel. The future isn’t what it used to be. Only today is what’s promised me. The flowing river of time has washed away the pain and healed my mind. Flow on river of time.
As you already know my brother, I am back where I belong. The river of time placed me here, leaving some things far behind. Being a Narcotics Detective is what I do best. Superman is seeking vengeance for Flash. Ooohoo 10-4 it’s not only the vengeance that I seek, it’s also the reckoning. So spread your angel wings wide, because you have a lot of us who love you. Keep a special watch over My Laura Ann. Keep her closer to your halo while you protect us under your wings.



I love you my brother…

Detective Matthew Heckman

Detective Matthew Heckman
New Bern Police Department

October 26, 2006

Hey Don, can't believe how long it's been. We all still miss you very much and life sure is not the same without you here. We all think about you quite a bit and it is still very hard dealing with your loss. Thinks have certainly changed some for worse and some for better. But just wanted to say that I'm still thinking of you fondly and proudly! Keep shining and keep watch my friend.

With all our love,
Jenn, Shelby and Roger

Jennifer Heckman
Friend

October 17, 2006

Hey Don. Man I still can't beleive you're gone. When I got the news that day it really hit me hard. We had some great times together at Wilmington PD. You were always there when I needed backup and you always came wide open. I miss you buddy and will keep your family in my prayers. Gordon.

M/O Gordon Hobbs
NC Wildlife

September 1, 2006

Don,

What, up bro. Things the same here in so many ways, yet different in others. PD has changed alot, faces wise. I guess it always will. As you know the SRT Teams moved up in rank on our last conference. Man did we learn alot and had fun. During our time there, I kept thinking "This is Don here" and how much you would have enjoyed running us in the dirt. See my title "Investigator", never seen that coming HUH. Me either. Don, you are still missed, your laugh, your drive, just the person you are. Sometime I wish the City, PD and "US" officers could do a little more to remember you each day. I know theres not to many days that go by that I don't remember the hell week in Bike School you put us through. Man, I'm just thinking of you. Tracy and boys, miss you too, hope you guys are doing well. I know the boys are getting big.

Investigator Jason Williams
New Bern PD

April 20, 2006

Don,

I did not have the privilege of personally knowing you, but I worked many years with your Father, a man of rare high character. I feel that you too were likewise a very fine man, husband, father, and officer. My heart sank when I learned of your death, and I felt great hurt for your family. The Lord has taken home another one of his treasures.

God bless you and all your loved ones,

Bruce Gammon
Williamston, NC

Bruce Gammon

March 1, 2006

Don,

I stopped by tonight to talk to you a while. Officer Survival class began today and this was one of those days that you kept talking to me. Christmas has come and gone again, the season change and you are still missed. We keep on living and doing the best we can, but you never forget the ones that made a difference, and know that you did.

Ed

Captain Ed Preston
New Bern PD

February 13, 2006

Don,

I was never lucky enough to know you personally, but rest assured that through Matt, Jason, Bob, and other Officers that knew you and loved you, your memory lives on. I can't tell you how many stories I hear about you, through laughter now that time is easing the pain. You have influenced so many people here and you still continue to. God Bless and thank you for watching over all of us.

Laura

Officer L.Madore
NBPD

January 6, 2006

This day,
Again came and will soon end. This day, will never pass without me paying you my respects. As I mentioned the other day when this happened four years ago, things are tough all over. But the memories are still the same. The memories I have will stay with me forever. I can always remember us when we were at our best. Even though you are gone we are still a team. You have too know I will not break the same way again my brother. I have learned some hard lessons over the past few years. But, it never fails I always bounce back and end up on top. I’m just trying to do it right again. No matter what happens at the dept. every day and every time they pull me down, I have shown them that I will end up on top. I have learned too just grabbed this world by the horns and I’ll live it my brother. It used to be hard with you not around, but I know you’re in heaven watching down. Until the day we meet again, inside my heart is where I keep you my friend. The memories of you give me the strength I need to proceed and the strength I need to believe. It gets better as it goes my brother, even if things are tough all over.

This day,
You will not be forgotten.
I love you and miss you the same my Brother,

Respectfully,

Matthew Heckman

MPO-3 Matthew Heckman
New Bern Police Dept.

December 25, 2005

Don,
I often spend a few minutes in Detective Don Miller Memorial Park looking at the river thinking of the good times that we all had. It’s really tough working Christmas every year because I am reminded how much we all miss you and how much you gave for everyone else. I often speak of you to new officers and encourage them to strive to be half the officer that you were. We love you brother.

Sergeant Daren Fuller
New Bern Police Department

December 25, 2005

Hey Boy,
I can never forget how this day began and ended back in 2001. The shock is over, but the memories are still the same. We went through tough times together. Of course you know things are tough all over, but the memories are still the same. I’m still here doing it and still, every time it’s for you. I just wanted to let you know I still remember this day when it started. I will have more to add on the day it ended. I love you, my Brother, I always have.

Matthew Heckman

Matthew Heckman
New Bern Police Dept.

December 23, 2005

Well Brother, another year is almost gone. Just sitting here a 0000 hrs thinking about you and wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I tell you, looking at the recent falling Officers, man the gunfire rate is going up, but I will refuse to let these criminal stop me from doing my duty. So much has changed around PD as you know, alot of new faces and people in charge. Well bro I'll continue to think of you. May God and you continue to watch over us. Rest is Rust

Officer J D Williams
New Bern PD

December 15, 2005

Merry Christmas Don I will always miss you.

Former Officer Brande Grant-Rhem
New Bern Police Department

December 9, 2005