Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I haven't forgotten, and I miss your smile.

NICOLE BROWN
MUSKINGUM COUNTY S.O.

January 8, 2006

RT,tomorrow will be four years since you went to live with the Lord.I still remember hearing you sign on the air as I was heading home that night that changed our lives forever. We all miss you very much. Thank you for touching my life and many others. I'm glad we are friends.

Deputy Sheriff
Muskingum County Sheriffs Office

January 7, 2006

Merry Christmas Tanner, I miss you.

Teresa Fisher

December 25, 2005

We still miss you and think of you everyday!

gpd

December 7, 2005

I still think about you everyday, you are still sooo missed and forever will be. Rest in peace 17.

November 7, 2005

G-d Speed My Brother

uc
odps Inv Unit

October 5, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Robert did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Robert be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Tanner's family, friends, and co-workers must have gone through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. Please know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (Dennis' department will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Robert but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Robert will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Robert, even for a short time. I pray that Robert will continue to watch over us along with all the other fallen officers all as only they can.

Thank you Deputy Tanner for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who loved you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

August 27, 2005

We still miss you!

June 11, 2005

WELL TANNER IT HAS BEEN 3 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS SINCE YOU WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM US. I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. WISH NONE OF THIS EVER HAPPENED, WE LOST YOU AND SO MANY OF US HAVE CHANGED. BUT WE STILL FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT EVERYDAY AND TRY AND STAY STRONG HOPING THAT THIS NEVER HAS TO HAPPEN TO OUR SHIFT, AND OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AGAIN. BUT THE SAD TRUTH IS IT WILL SOMEDAY. I MISS YA AND REMEMBER TO KEEP WATCH OVER US.

D12
MUSKINGUM CO SO

May 16, 2005

Bob, the night you left us, my daughter was only 2 months old. Today, I was looking over your Reflections and had tears running down my face and she asked why I was crying. I told her your story, and when I finished she was in tears too. This week we remember all fallen officers with a blue light over our front porch. Bob, I remember you everytime I see a "17" sticker. Everytime I pass an officer on the road, I wave to them. Thanks for all that you have given to make us safer. You will never be forgotten!

Ron Birkhimer
Dresden REACT

May 6, 2005

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Tonight, January 8, 2005 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy Robert Michael Tanner Jr., who died in the line of duty on this date two years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Deputy Tanner sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

January 9, 2005

Today, your memorial came up when I was going to one of my saved websites. A coincidence, I don't think so. It reminded me as does the #17 sticker on vehicles that you gave the ultimate sacrafice. Your leaving was not in vane, we appreciate each precious moment of borrowed time. Blessings to those you left behind to never forget and always know you left us doing what you love -- protecting and serving!

Blessings to all this holiday season!

December 21, 2004

Tanner,
A little over two years has passed and you are still very much on my mind. You were always a friend to all and a great deputy. I have been to see your name on the wall in London. I know that I will be there again someday and again will stand before the wall and have fond thoughts of my friendship with you.

April 11, 2004

I just wanted to let you know i was thinking about you and that i miss you more than ever...

3-21-04

Jeanette Tanner

March 21, 2004

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER!!!! :>

71
mcso

February 12, 2004

Deputy Tanner and Family,

I can't believe that two years have passed already. It only seems like yesterday when we all heard the tragic news. I know too well what you, your family, your department and the community have suffered. For we too have lost one of our fellow officers, Michael Blankenship, end of watch February 10th, 1997, he is listed on this very memorial. I first met Deputy Tanner when he was in the police academy at MATC. I was in college at the time working on my degree. I remember walking to class and seeing all the men and women, one of which would become my future wife, standing at attention in the hallway in their academy uniforms. You served your community like a hero. All one has to do is read the pages of reflections attached to your memorial page to understand what kind of a man and officer you were. I think of you often, especially when I see the 17 stickers. I still display one on my own vechicle.

May God bless you and your famliy Robert and please contiue to watch over us from the heavans.

Officer Doug Cunningham #306
The Ohio State University Police Department

February 9, 2004

I had the honor of knowing Deputy Robert Tanner when I attended class with him at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in 2001. I had only knew him for a week but, I could tell he was a good hearted officer and someone who would be there for his fellow officers. I remember the night we got the call, and the cold night searching for his killers. I could not understand how that could happen to an officer who I spoke with a year before about being careful on traffic stops and how we took no chances, could be gone. Time has past but, I still think of him and how he has touched my life. It has made me a more careful cop and I try to make each day count as if it was my last. I am proud to have known you Deputy Tanner and I will always honor you! My prayers go out to all the Muskingum County Deputies and all of your family.

Guernsey County Sheriff's Office Unit 25

Deputy Fred Umstott
Guernsey County Sheriff's Office

February 6, 2004

Two years ago yesterday our lives changed along with Robert's. Each time I see the #17, I am reminded how precious life is.

Family, friends and colleagues, know that Robert while not with us physically is with us each and every day in spirit. Be safe, be careful and most of all appreciate life!

Someone who Remembers

January 9, 2004

Earlier in the day, our shift went out to Dunzweiler Drive and left a wreath at the memorial marker set into the ground where you made the traffic stop. You know, the neighbors that lived nearby paid to have a stone marker made, and placed it in the front yard of the nearest home. That's because they respect what you stood for. You were a protector, a person standing up to try to make things better, a person willing to do what others are afraid to. They wanted you to be remembered. A light snow was falling tonight when I got off work. I stopped on the way home to wipe the snow off the wreath so it could still be seen. There were flowers, a candle, and other decorations that had been placed there. It's been 2 years, but you are still honored and remembered by many. We salute you.

To the Muskingum County Deputies that read this, "Be Safe, Be Careful."
Lt. Bill Shaw, Zanesville Police and the Afternoon Shift.

Lieutenant Bill Shaw
Zanesville Police Muskingum Co.

January 8, 2004

Robert,

It is a struggle, but we are learning to live with this. We miss you - we love you - we will NEVER forget.

Father-, Mother- & Brother-in-law

Phil, Bev & Steve

January 8, 2004

Tanner, It's been 2 years today, you are still so missed by everyone. You are thought of everyday!!!! Thanks for all the laughs 17!!!

Friend, Teresa

January 8, 2004

JANUARY 8, 2004

IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS TODAY .. I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN, YOUR STILL VERY MUCH MISSED.. I THINK OF YOU EVERY DAY.

S-71
MCSO

January 7, 2004

It's been 2 years now...and i miss you more each day. There isn't one single day that goes by that i don't think of you. Everyday, something happens to me to let me know that you're still watching over me. I love you so much and miss you so much more.

Jeanette

Neice, Jeanette Tanner

January 7, 2004

As President of the 2003 Indiana Police Unity Tour we were honored to carry from Indianapolis to Washington, DC the photo of Deputy Tanner along with those other officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in each state that we bicycled through. Spending time with the Tanner family May 4, 2003 made me proud of what we were accomplishing and please know the name Robert Michael Tanner, Jr. will be a hero I will never forget.

First Sergeant Gary Dudley
Indiana State Police

I had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Tanner during the National Police Week last week in DC. It was an honor to meet her and watch and look to see how strong she is. Her husband was a wonderful man (through the stories I have read) and I'm just extremely sorry things ended up the way they did.

Stephanie Betts (Lima, OH), Sister of Officer Christopher Betts (EOW 12-22-02) East Point, GA

Stephanie Betts