Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I had the sad honor of attending Don Miller's funeral last week. Althought I had never met him, after I heard his family and friends speak, I felt as though I had lost a friend. I felt the pain and sense of lost they were all feeling. I have attended more law enforcement funerals then I care to remember and each one touches me in special and unique way, Don's was different. I will take three things away from this tragic event, the first being the strength of Don's family. I had the chance to meet them at the hotel and I just cant say enough about them especially Don's mom and his wife Tracy. The second is how he touched the lives of the people he worked with, Don was truely LOVED by his brothers and sisters of the New Bern PD. The last thing that I will remember is "rest is rust" I have started running and working out again...for the gift of health and for your dedication to our profession I say to Detective Donald Miller.....Thank You.

Corporal L.J. Palombo
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Fl.

Don you taught me as well as alot of others about self determination. I will truly miss you brother. I will see you once again.

MPO1 Todd Conway
New Bern Police Department

Don was a great officer. It was such a tragedy the way he died. I work with the Wilmington Police Departments Detective Division and was called out the night Don was shot. I was called out to assist on the investigation and it was the second hardest thing I have ever had to do. I knew Don and worked with him when he worked for Wilmington PD. My prayers go out for Tracy (Don's wife) and for their two small children.

Sgt. Michael Clemmons
Wilmington Police Department

There are no words, no phrases, no quotes to express my sadness so I will not try. Everyone just remember Don as he was and will always remain in our hearts, the proudest of fathers, the happiest of husbands, and the most loyal of friends, and one of the best road dogs I have ever known. Don lived his life with action not words and lived more than some of us ever will. Be honored as I to have known him. Don was a victim but so are we all please keep his wife and children in your hearts, prayers and most importantly your lives because they will always be part of our family. I regret now not taking more time out of my life to get to know him even better than I did.
Don I know where you are and I hope to see you again, shake hands and pick up where we left off.
God Bless You and thank you from the bottom of my heart

Sergeant Chip Dombrowsky
New Bern Police Department

dear madam, i am very sad to hear of your loss. i will pray for you and your family. god bless you and all of us

oficer jack santos
san francisco pd

I was saddened to read of this officer's death. I spent some time in New Bern, NC at the Craven County Airport taking some flight training, years ago. That training helped me become a pilot with the FBI. I attended a church while there and met a woman who's brother would later become my Pastor hear in Michigan. I have, since, always thought fondly of New Bern, NC.

May his family, friends and colleagues be comforted at this time of distress and may God be a Father to his children.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division

We all acknowledge that the nature of our job is dangerous, but who stops to realize that the danger is there around the clock? I pray that God will look out for Detective Miller's widow and newborn child. Christmas is always a bad time to lose someone you love, but especially in a senseless manner such as this. While celebrating the birth of Christ you must also mourn the loss of a loved one. Even though off duty Detective Miller put his life on the line and who knows how many lives were saved. My family's thoughts and prayers are with the Miller family.

Sgt James Bateman
Summerville Police Department, Summerville, SC

We said good bye to our friend today.

We knew he was our friend because when we were in trouble and needed help, he was there. When the bad guy had to be caught and the fight was on, he was there. When a joke was pulled and we looked around, he was there. When the job had to get done, he was there. And when it came time to make the ultimate sacrifice that any lawman can make,.....he was there.

We will all miss you Don. One day when the dust has settled and the blood has dried, somewhere in time, we will all meet again. Until then, rest easy. We will be there for you now....

Good-bye my friend......

Off Neil Troutman
North Carolina DMV Enforcement

I would like to say that I and my family are DEEPLY, DEEPLY sorry for the loss of Detective Donald Miller. It is a great shame that the world has lost yet another great person and it is also a great shame about how this New Bern Police Officer has lost his life. Our deepest condolences we extend the family of this officer, and to everyone else who knew and loved him. We know that he is now in good hands, GOD's hands.

Sincerely,
Doug, Andrea, Moy,
Marisa and Hunter

N/A
N/A

My thoughts and prayers are with the Miller family, the officers of the New Bern Police Department, and the citizens of New Bern. May the Lord be with us all.

Deputy Kevin B. Kelley
Carteret County Sheriff's Office

Detective Donald M. Miller, the dedicated husband, father, son and partner will always have a special place in our hearts. Each of us have our own "special memories" and for that I am especially thankful. Don was constantly doing something to bring a smile to your face. He was a true friend and a wonderful human being. Please keep Don, his family and friends in your prayers.

Until later my friend...

Captain W. Alex Setzer
New Bern Police Department

The closest time I spent with Don was Bike School. He didn't just show us how to ride the bikes, but how to push ourselves, like he did. He showed he was no better than us, when he endo'd just like the rest of us. The only photo I have of Don shows him on his hands and knees, laughing at yet another one of us wiping out. That's how I'll remember him. "Rust in Peace." You know what I mean.

Officer Tom Houlihan
New Bern Police Department

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Donald Miller.

Please know that you are part of the police family and we will be there for you always.

Margo Carpenter
Widow
Officer William W. Gullett, Jr.
Prince George's Co. (MD) Police
EOW 02/16/69

Margo Carpenter

Don Miller will always be remembered as a dynamic and active officer, joking and good natured, with a bit of a wild side - just wild enough to make a person laugh at his antics. Daring but never crazy in his pursuit of justice even though it got him in some tough spots. A good friend. A loving dad and husband. We will miss his smile and jokes, his wisdom and encouragement. Yet we will have all those things with his memory.

MPO3 Sharon Witcher
New Bern PD

What could word say to someone who has touched so many lives. You are a friend and a brother forever. as we have said so many times 624 will never be 10-42. We love you and miss you. God Speed my friend

Sergeant Art Spang
New Bern

I wish I had the words that would make the pain disappear. Cherish the sweet memories and smile at them. Those will bring you joy when nothing else will. I am praying that God would show you His peace and comfort that passes of of your understanding.

Cathy Hill, Widow
Deputy Barrett Hill
HCSD
12/4/00
Phil 4:13

Cathy Hill, Widow

You gave your life to save others and we will never know how many lives that you saved. Don, you are a true hero! You are one that brought so much to the people that you came into contact with. You will be missed by all so much. We will see you again one day. And I know that even up there you will be watching over all of us and your wife and children. My heart and prayers go out for your family that you were so proud of.

Inv. Amy Ward
Wilmington Police Dept.

Unbelieveable. I am at a loss for words. This is the most heart breaking story I have ever heard. His newborn child will never know him. I sometimes wonder why this country is so lost. God bless the Miller family.

Officer Matt Morton
Traverse City Police Department, Michigan

To the Miller family,
I was so sad to hear that another officers family would be facing such a hard time during thas Holiday season. As I read this posting I thought what a special man Donald must have been to put other peoples safety first, even on his own time. That is the true heart of a heroic man, Donald probably saved several lives with his own. I am so sorry that you his family and friends are having to face this very hard time. As a surviving family we want to let you know that you have the support of so many people you have never even met and we will not forget your family and the sacrifice that you have all made. We pray God will provide you with strength, wisdom and most of all peace as you make a new way.

Colby & Angie Matteson
Bother of fallen Officer Brad Matteson EOW 10/5/200 FWPD

Det. Donald,

You are a true hero. Our world has just recently become to know the true heros in society, and now your name has joined all those before you. I know that as an officer and as a father you felt you had no choice but to confront that man; you probably saved several lives that day while giving your own. My heart and prayers go out to your family. May they find the support they need to help them, and may they remember your support is always available to them in their hearts. You've served your time. Enjoy the streets in heaven.

Emily Beal
Wife/widow of Indiana State Trooper Jason Beal
1/15/00
[email protected]

Emily Beal
Widow of IN Trooper Jason Beal

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Chief Benford Turner
Pink Hill N.C. Police Department

It hasn't seemed like it was 5 years ago that I was talking with Don and eating breakfast with him after having worked the midnight shift together in District 5 in Wilmington. We all liked Don's spirit and wit. I will miss him a lot. I do not know how to express my sympathy to his wife and family during this season. This really cut into my families heart to know this happened. I guess what I should express, is Don's spirit will carry on with all of us who knew him, and for him letting us to know him, and laying down his life for others on what should have been a happy evening. We Love you Don! May God Bless his family and fellow members of his Department.

SGT Jason R. Tyson
Wilmington Police Department, NC

God, why? This family asks why. You know the answer. It is us who must recieve the blessings that will come from it.
Lord, cover this family with your hand. Give them peace beyond our understanding. Let your vengeance be upon this man who took this life. Direct us this day with your Spirit, I pray. AMEN!
Chaplain Scott Whitmire
Simpsonville PD
South Carolina

Chaplain
Simpsonville PD

So very sorry about your loss. May God Bless and Keep the friends and family of this man who gave his all so that we might be safe. Godspeed, Detective Miller. Thank you for your unselfishness.

unknown friend

I was praying that there wouldn't be any officers killed during the holiday, but a death such as this couldn't be more tragic. I'm very sorry that Detective Miller's wife and children suffered such a great loss. You will be in my prayers.

Explorer Sgt. Patrick Siemon
Baltimore County Police Explorers