Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heart goes out to Det. Millers family. I too lost my husband in the line of duty in September. I wish you all of the comfort that God can provide. Trust in him everyday.
God bless you.

Tiffany Collins
Wife of Deputy James B. Collins
Bladen County Sheriffs Dept.
E.O.W. 09/26/01

Tiffany Collins, Wife/Widow

May God Bless you Don, and your family, forever.

Anonymous

I just want to say, Don was a great man and older brother and I loved him very much. I also want to thank all of you for the reflections you've taken the time to write. Don and I were very close and it is very heartwarming to see that so many people loved him. My brother can never be replaced but I find comfort in the fact that time will help with the sorrow and pain. Please know that Tracy and the kids will be well taken care of. Thanks to all of you who attended and helped with planning the funeral.

Sharon Miller Farris, Sister

I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of one of our brothers on Christmas Day. Words cannot express the feelings that are running rampant through my body as I write this. As I passed the news of this great tragedy on to members of my department, I was amazed of the outpouring of concern and love for a fallen brother that they had never known. I had the priveledge to speak briefly at a small prayer service given in Det. Miller's memory at my agency where I was able to tell briefly the attributes of Det. Miller that Det. Matt Heckman had passed on to me. Our hearts and prayers go out to all that have experienced his loss and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Godspeed Don..and God bless.

Sgt. Jeff W. Mitchum
Orangeburg Department Of Public Safety S.C.

Det Miller,
You are a true hero in my eyes. I know you are in a better place and my heart goes out to your family. When I heard of the news I held onto my wife and cried. You will always be remembered as a friend and a hero. The job you do is seldom appreciated. It takes a special person to commit to the profession, and strive to keep the people safe. You my friend were one of these people, god bless you and your family.

Allan Haddock
Former NBPD

Don, I did not know you as well as I wish I could have, but I knew enough of you to call you my friend. I am gratful for the time I knew you, and will keep your memory as a motivation and source of inspiration for the rest of my life. You are trully a great man. I will miss you and will see you again my brother. "REST IS RUST"

PO B.L. Lewis
New Bern, NC

I am deeply saddend for Det. Don Miller's famliy, especially when they were experiencing the most joyous time of their lives-a newborn.

I too am a 33-year old police officer with ten years experience and a "rookie" father who can not begin to understand the family's greivances.

I grew up in Wilmington, N.C. and once lived across the street from where this tragedy occurred. I got to know several of the Wilmington and NHRMC Officers, but unfortunately I never met Don and I'm sorry for that. I think had this not occurred, I would've one day met Don.

On the day of Det. Miller's funeral, three hours away, my department was also having a funeral for Officer Sheila Twyman who was killed in the line-of-duty. Although I was not able to attend Don's funeral, he was mentioned in Sheila's eulogy.

From reading everyone's comments, I know Det. Miller was a real joy to work with and was a dedicated husband, father and officer. He proved this by his last effort to maintain the peace.

I am sorry for Don's loss, his wife's pain and most of all...the relentless questions his children will ask about who their father was.

Don,

Understand that everything will be fine here, you will not be forgotten and your family will be looked after. Say hello to Sheila.

P.S. I'm going to buy a treadmill.

MPO II Parker Howey
High Point Police Dept.

First I want to send my love to the family of Detective Donald Miller. When I heard of the tragedy on John Boy and Billy, it blew me off my feet and it made it real hard to work the rest of the day. "The Big Show" did an excellent, and respectfull job of announcing it during their morning show. They stopped the sillyness and put the jokes aside to do something serious, for someone that took his job serious.

Detective Miller's brothers and sisters across the country will wear a black band to remember him, but they we will NEVER forget him. I never met, knew or worked with Detective Miller, but we will be brothers threw and threw. I just hope I can do my job half as well and Detective Miller did his.

Sincerely,
Deputy Jesse L. Dibble S.O.47

Again, my love goes to everyone in Detective Miller's family and all of his brother and sisters in the New Bern police dept.

Deputy Sheriff Jesse L. Dibble S.O.47
Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, Charlottesville, Va

May God remember the ones that have to live with the pain of the loss of Don Miller. We will help with the rest.....

FSC Bob Belcher
ROCIC

Today, just as yesterday I am here to say, that I miss my Brother! Don Miller is my partner and he will be forever. There were many (partners) of this great man as well as brothers that served with him. His brothers come from Wilmington NC., New Bern NC., DEA, FBI, AFT, and if you wore a badge Don was your partner.
My name is Matthew Heckman. Don Miller is my Partner. Words could not tell you how much this great man was an inspiration. Readers here have all experienced pain in the heart that no person can explain. I can shed a tear for any fallen brother, but I have to stop now and cry all the tears I have for my fallen partner, my brother, my best friend.
I was given the greatest Honor. I was able to speak before hundred's of officers at the funeral about our brother. I want to share with you the words spoken about our fallen Brother.


We are here together today to say goodbye. We are here to say goodbye to a Husband, a Father, a Son, a Brother, and a Great friend, and a fallen brother “Don Miller”. I wanted to stand here today, before you, and talk about this wonderful man. This is a man without question that words will never be able to describe. Don was so many things that we all wanted to be. Most of all he was a great husband and father, he loved his entire family and spoke of them often. Don was also a true friend; true friends don’t come around too often. Don was the kind of man that would not take any B.S. and would tell you how it was. If you were angry, then Don was angry. If you were happy, then Don was too. And if you were sad then Don was sad and gave you a shoulder to lean on. I could stand here today before you for hours talking about this great man. But I am going to keep this goodbye somewhat brief.
I can still remember the very first time that I met Don. I was called on the radio and told to go to PD and pick up a new officer and ride him around to show him the streets. I had only been an officer for about 2 ½ years. As I pulled up to the station there was Don standing there. He got in my car and we rode around for a little while before we started to talk. My thinking at the time was this is a rookie and he has lots to learn. As I began a conversation with Don, I found out that he was still driving back and forth from Wilmington to New Bern everyday to go to work. Next I found out that he was in fact a salty/ veteran officer with more time on the street than I had, to include my military time. The next thing I said to Don was "I am going to take you to your car so you can go home with your family". I told him that there was nothing that I could teach you, because to you sir, I am a rookie.
Later in time, Don and I worked patrol together. After that Don, Ralph and I worked in a special unit in a high crime area. This was the time I got to know him best. Next, Don beat me for a position with our Narcotics unit. Of course I was upset but I knew he beat me because he was the best cop for the job. Soon I was able to join our brother as a Narc. Don and I became partners again. (Make your self no mistake) I was not the only partner of Don Miller. Our entire agency worked close with him and brought justice to America. And up until that tragic day he spoke with honor about his partners and brothers at the Wilmington Police dept. He worked with anyone wearing a badge, a star or a shield. Don worked with us all to fight the bad guys to include the Craven County SO, SBI, DEA, ATF, FBI, Secret Service, Beaufort County SO, Carteret County SO. and so many more agencies that I can’t begin to name. Together we are all partners with our brother.
There are many things that we can think about that make us all remember our brother. One of the many funny things that Don would do is not let you forget a mistake you made whether it was a funny mistake or not (Of course, I would keep Don busy all day long reminding me of the mistakes that I made). Another was to sit around being lazy. If you were not physically fit or smoked, Don was the first to let you know. He strived to be the most physically fit man that anyone could know. By the time that Don told me I was late for work, he had already ran 6 to 7 miles in the morning. He went to the pool and swam a few miles, and was pumping iron in the police dept weight room with Brooks or other brothers there. Don lived to run. He was the master to all that worked out with him. He brought so many things to our agency in the form of physical fitness. He along with other friends and brothers brought to the world the “TEAM BERN”. Together they won many FIRST place medals, only to make other teams train harder. Don’s favorite words are "REST IS RUST!" He would send messages around the PD about what the team had accomplished. This was pride and honor to Don (The first time I worked out with Don, I could not move my arms or legs for days because I was so sore). Don gave the little time he had to coach children’s soccer only to try to teach health and fitness to Americans at a young age. Don wrote the policy for NBPD on physical fitness only to get his brothers in shape. All the time on the streets together my worst fear was to lose a foot chase while Don was with me.

Yesterday, I was so scared to step before you and speak. Today, I have been giving the strength from our fallen brother to come to you and tell you to never forget what he stood for (Rest is Rust) and to tell you to never forget what he has done for you and us.

Please do not misunderstand me for what I am about to say. But now I myself, am scared to go to where this great man will meet us all one day. This place is called Heaven. Don Miller will have Jesus Christ and our Lord on the bench press, running, and swimming only to build the strength to send angels to watch over all of us. I believe this and I know this in my heart.

Another thing that has happened in our final resting place is, that our brother waiting for us has already started Hawaiian shirt Wednesday.

I thought that after my father passed away that I could not cry another tear. Well I was wrong! My heart gave me more tears to cry because there will never be a day that goes by that I will not shed a tear for our Brother
Don Miller.

Please pray for Don’s family because they need your love. I will leave you with this. No matter what 624 will never be 10-42. End.


Please help the family. There is a fund set up for the family. Det. Don Miller at any First Citizen's bank in North Carolina.

I miss you my Brother, and please know that I will take care of your family while your gone, no matter what my brother!


I think of you every day,
Matthew C. Heckman
Partners forever
625
P.S. Just in case you did not know, I love you my brother!

Detective Matthew C. Heckman
New Bern Police Dept.

my heart goes out to the family,but the wife is most important to me.i also lost my husband,officer killed in the line of duty,after 25 years together.and watching him go to work & come home every night there is a lot of hate ,also misbelief. my husband was killed 5-19-2001 name sgt. wilbur berry.bulloch county sheriff's dept. statesboro georgia. see he also left behind 5 kids ages. son 34,daughter 32, son 25,terry 19,son 12. i hope and pray that you will lean to [GOD]to help you heal the pain.my prayers are with you.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband. I don't know why things happen the way that they do, but I comfort myself by knowing that there is life after death, and we will see them again. God bless you and your children. They will give you strength.

Kristina Vazquez, widow of Ohio State Trooper Frank Vazquez 7/2/75-11/6/01

Kristina Vazquez

Don, you were more than a partner, you were a true friend. From choir practice to the tour de pain, you will never be forgotten. You will always be with me.

Derek P. Dubay
New Bern Police Department

Don,

You were the funniest guy I ever worked with and I will always remember you, including the things you did just to get a rise. Hillbilly teeth, Lava lamps, hawian shirts, speedos and neckties. We will try to preserve your halloween party the best we can. I love you man, Rest is rust.

Sgt. Ed Preston
New Bern P.D

There is a destiny that makes us brothers,
None go his way alone,
All that we send into the lives of others,
Comes back into our own... You have made the supreme sacrifice, Dectective, and through these reflections I see just how special your memories will be for those you left behind, please tell Billy Walls(EOW 11-13-01 JCSO) that his wife and child are in good hands...I pray that your wife and son will have your strength and courage in the days to come. God Bless, we will never know how many lives you saved on Christ's birthday....

Officer J.V. Jackson
FCPS-DLE

Very sorry about your loss. May God bless you and your family. Look to the Lord and he will get you through.

Don,

We shared good and bad as the closest of friends and fellow officers. I remember our days of nintendo football tournaments, wireball games, and cookouts in an off-duty capacity. I also remember our drug corner takedowns, eating breakfast at city market, and your silly imitations of bevis and butt head in an on-duty capacity. Nothing can replace those memories....I am glad we got to speak at the last Narc conference we attended together. I will miss you Don.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and may God bless you for the sacrifice you have made.

Supervisory Agent
N.C. Department of Revenue Unauthorized Substance Tax Division

It saddens me to see yet another brother officer leave us. Words cannot express the loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. You gave the ultimate sacrifice so that others could live in a peaceful world. You are in God's hands now where there is no violence in his kingdom.

Sergeant Salvatore A. Torelli
Fauquier County Sheriff's Office, Virginia

I've read every Reflection since my son was killed on 7-10-01 while on duty. When i read Officers Millers reflection, It was one of the saddest i've ever read. New Baby in the Hospital, Christmas day, All the the worse ingredients imaginable.I sure hope all of officer Millers fellow officers and friends help the family get thru this terrible ordeal. God surely stepped in just in time to jam the gun of the killer before he killed officer Millers wife to. Just remember Peace keepers are the children of God. He is surely in good hands now. Kenny

deputy Sheriff Kenny Hetrick
Ottawa County Sheriffs Dept

There simply are no words... May God Bless Don and his family.

Wendy Cooler- Locklear
Former Wilmington Police Officer

It was heartbreaking to hear about the death of Det Miller. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet him or get to know his family, but I did attend his funeral service. It was incredibly hard looking into his wifes eyes knowing the pain she was suffering. It is absolutely my worst nightmare what she was living. I saw their young son and it was so sad that he was to young to realize what had happened. He will never get the opportunity to get to know his dad and its because of someones selfishness. Before I left that day I hugged his wife, and although I didn't know her, I know it helped knowing that so many people cared. My thoughts and prayers are with Det Millers family now and will always be. Although it seems impossible now, I hope their days get easier as time goes on..

Heather Tuhro
Pinellas Cnty Sheriffs Ofc - Dispatch

Such a sad and senseless story. As a father, I grieve for this man's family.

Captain Derek Stafford
High Point Police Department

It is my desire to express sincere thanks and gratitude to all of the men and women who serve and protect our country. My condolences extend to the family of Detective Miller, and also to his friends and peers. Although I did not have the honor of knowing Detective Miller, I have a close friend who feels his loss deeply, leading me to believe that he was a husband, father, friend and professional of the highest cailber, and a man who I would have liked to have known. Hold your heads high, and continue to protect the community with the passion that makes this a strong country. God Bless and be safe.
Respectfully,
Dave Worthley

Dr. Dave Worthley
Massachusetts Department of Corrections

My prayers go out to the Miller family in this trying time. May god be with you.

Police Officer James J. Blount
Chesapeake Police Dept

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Detective Miller. He paid the ultimate sacrifice doing his job. God Bless his wife and newborn child.

Officer Brian Hellinger
Louisville Division of Police