Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As a Missouri resident and an attorney, I am appauled to see that the convict was released after 120 days. But more importantly as sister/brother-in-law of Jonathan Dragus EOW 10/20/05, please allow us to express that Trooper Poynter and what he stood for will never be forgotten. Our prayers are with your family.

Shawn Rogers

November 18, 2005

I come to this site every day and read reflections. That is my way of seeing that these fine men and woman are never forgotten. It is horrible how many officer's on this site who have been murdered by a drunk driver. Here is another. A officer who was serving and protecting. But WHO protected him? His killer received 120 days. What is that about? She knew right from wrong. I wish they would make these drunk drivers FACE the family of their victims, especially their children who now are without their Mom or Dad. Maybe, just maybe they would think twice before climbing behind the wheel of that thousand pound machine. God Bless your family Trooper Poynter. One day you will receive justice.

OHIO

November 8, 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 Kelly did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Kelly be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Trooper Poynter'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 Kelly but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Kelly will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Kelly, even for a short time. I pray that Kelly will continue to watch over us along with all the other fallen officers all as only they can.

Thank you Trooper Poynter 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 28, 2005

There was no justice in the case involving the individual that killed you. I hope that for the rest of her life she thinks about how she took your life and brought upon your family grief and loss that will be with them for the rest of their lives. You will never be forgotten by those who love you nor the Blue Family. Watch over your family and close friends.

Robert Gordon, Father of fallen Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Robert Gordon, Asst. Chief, Retired
Riverside PD, Illinois

August 19, 2005

We still think of you often and remember your smile. You will always be remembered my brother!

An old Zone 4 Brother

May 1, 2005

I pass the memorial on Hwy 63 while traveling to my in-laws in Arkansas every year. I look forward to seeing the roadside marker, as it is a reminder of how precious my family is, and how important it is to stay safe during traffic stops. May God bless the family for their sacrifice.

Patrol Officer John Finco
Oak Creek (WI) PD

April 13, 2005

120 days for alcohol intoxication resulting in death?? While our hero LEOs continue to serve & protect, who can they rely to serve & protect them?
Let's not send the wrong message to the DUI society...

Rusty Ooi
Sydney, Australia

April 12, 2005

Trooper Poynter,
Thank you for your service to the citizens of the state of Missouri. That the drunk driver who killed you only had to spend 120 days in a substance abuse center to get the rest of her sentence suspended enrages me. Is that what a LEO's life is worth?
Rest in peace and we'll take the watch from here.

Anonymous

January 19, 2005

Trooper Poynter,
Thank you for your service. You are a hero.
Rest easy brother, we will take it from here.

January 18, 2005

I want to send my condolences to Trooper Poynter's family.

I lost a very close friend of mine who was a Dallas Police Officer in October of 2002. He was hit by a drunk driver as well and the crown victoria he was driving exploded upon impact.

I don't know what it would take to reach the people that have drinking problems and to get them to stay off the roads, but I don't think any miracle is going to happen anytime soon. These people just don't realize what damage they are causing to people due to their careless actions.

Police officers put their lives at risk every day for us, and there is no amount of thanks that could ever be said for their giving up their lives.

God Bless to the Poynter family!!!

Lisa Niswonger
Survivor

October 19, 2004

Kelly, you were a great guy and we all miss you. I will never forget your shy smile and quiet demeanor. God Bless You and Yours!

Sergeant Marty Elmore
Missouri State Highway Patrol

September 15, 2004

I cannot believe it has been 2 1/2 years since you have been gone. Our families think about you every day. You were a great man and someone I looked up to. To everyone that reads this, give respect to you local and state law enforcement, DO NOT drink and drive. You never know whose life you might just take.

Mike
Cousin

July 15, 2004

During my 39 year career I really enjoyed arresting drunk drivers for this very reason. I never let the lenient courts deter me from my mission. We must contiinue to pursue justice for those victims like Trooper Poynter. Someday maybe the judges and prosecutors will wake up and realize this is the crime of murder-not simple DUI. Rest in peace sir. We will never forget your sacrifice.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

June 8, 2004

You made an impact in the life of a stranger...we won't let you be forgotten

PJN

March 27, 2004

120 days and alcohol treatment...What is wrong with this justice system?

Anonymous

January 29, 2004

On behalf of the men and women of the Virginia State Police I extend condolences to Trooper Poynter's family, friends and the members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
While his watch is over, ours continues.

Senior Trooper
Virginia State Police

January 18, 2004

God bless you brother. Thanks for helping me through the rough. I miss ya Kelly. You gave the ultimate sacrifice. God bless you, Trooper.

Capt. Matt Ramsey
Capital Security Enforcement

October 24, 2003

It is for officers like you that I enjoy arresting drunk drivers.

Rest In Peace, My Brother

September 28, 2003

When I read this story of how Trooper Poynter laid down his life to protect the other persons at the wreck scene, I was saddened and afraid. I thought of my dad, who is a police officer, and how much I worry about him, that something bad
might happen to him. But, I remember something he told my sisters and me. He quoted us a line from Shakespeare:
"Cowards die a thousand times before their death,
The valiant never taste of death but once"

Trooper Poynter truly was a hero in every definition of the word. I am still very concerned about my dad's safety (and every law officer's) but I am very proud of the work that he and all other law officers do. It takes a very special person to be a police officer, and Trooper Kelly Poynter was a very special person. I pray for his family and hope that the future is bright for them always.

John B. Robinson
Son of Sgt. W. Scott Robinson, Metro Nashville, TN P.D.

With Sympathy, May God Bless All.

Deputy Gale
Laclede Co Sheriff's Dept.
Missouri

Deputy Sheriff
Laclede County Sheriff's Dept

You gave the ultimate sacrifice. You may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten. We are all family in this job, sometimes we are the only family each other has. In pace requiescat, Rest in peace! Keep a watch on the rest of us as we go on shift each day.

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice." (American Indian Prayer)

Isaiah 40:31

Ptl. Kimberly Moses
MTSU Campus PD, TN

On behalf of the Tennessee Highway Patrol our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this painful time and through the rest of your days God Speed Bro

State Trooper
Tennessee Highway Patrol

God bless your family, my brother. Words cannot explain the loss of a brother in blue. You have made the ultimate sacrifice...You are a hero.

Deputy Sheriff
St Francois County Sheriff's Dept

God Bless you, and may you rest in peace.

Anonymous

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of Trooper Kelly Poynter. It has not been that long since I lost a dear friend and fellow co-worker almost the exact same way, only wet roads were to blame instead of alcohol. Officer Candace Ripp was struck and killed by a vehicle in December of 2001 and she was a dear friend. I will always carry on the memories and all that she taught me. She taught me to be a better dispatcher and I intend to carry on her memory by continuing to dispatch as she would have wanted me to. As hard as that is we all must carry on and keep Trooper Poynter in our hearts and do as he would have wanted us to. He is watching over us now as is my friend Candace. Rest in peace and may God be with your families.

Melissa Cotnoir Dispatcher III
Metro Nashville Police Department