Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family
of Officer Dennis McNamara and to the Upper Darby Police Department.
I am very sorry for your loss.
I did not know Officer McNamara personally, but I know that
he is a true hero and will never be forgotten.
Anyone brave enough to put their own life on the line
never knowing what to expect, whether it is good or bad
from one call to the next, takes a great deal of strength
and patience.
As a life long resident of Upper Darby and daughter of a
retired police officer.
I know it takes a lot of courage to go out on these streets
to protect and serve.

May god bless you Mrs. McNamara and your children always.

May god bless Upper Darby Police Department and the men and
women of law enforcement.

Rest In Peace Officer McNamara


Janet Boerckel daughter of
Leo J. Cowley, Badge#38
Upper Darby Police Officer (retired 1992)

Dennis and I never hung out but we talked occasionally. I could never understand why he never seemed to slow down and was ALWAYS at the Police Station, even on his days off, working on something. He truly was a great cop and a great man, and I wish I had known him better.

Dennis, you and your family will be in my prayers always. You have left an empty space in the Department that can never be filled.

" QUALITY is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives."
-W.A. Foster

Dennis you were a "QUALITY" officer and person and you have inspired me. God Bless you!!

Anonymous Patrolman
Upper Darby Township Police Department

i just want to say how i grieve for you and you loved one's death.god bless you and your family.

jennifer sokolowski

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER DENNIS MCNAMARA AND ALSO TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT. GOD BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU AND MAY HE KEEP YOU IN HIS ARMS. STAY SAFE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

PTL DUANE CARPENTER
GONZALES PD

I just want to say that Officer McNamara was a true hero. I did not know him personally, but any person who swears to put his or her life on the line to protect and serve is a hero. It's Officers like Dennis who make the rest of the world sleep better at night, because they know that there is someone out there who will put his or her life on the line in a second. I know that Officer McNamara is a better place. I hope one day, when I become a Police Officer, I can be as brave and as dedicated as you were Dennis. God Bless you and your family and all who protect and serve.....

The hero comes when he is needed. When our belief gets pale and weak there comes a man out of that need who is bright and shining, and everyone around him reflects some of that glow, and stores some up against the day when he is gone. You are sadly missed terminator.

Third Squad
UDPD

Another hero has given his life. May God bless him and his family forever.

Cpl. Dean Johnson
Palm Beach County (FL) Sheriff's Office

Dennis I will never forget you, you are the definition of a cop and a great cousin. You will be missed by all of your Texas family. You did the job many dare not do, you took on the things many wont do, and you proved to make a difference.

Chris McNamara

Chris McNamara

" I think now looking back, that we are not fighting an enemy. Sometimes we are fighting ourselves and the enemy is within us. Make yourself no mistake; give all to your brothers in blue. Never let their badge go tarnished only because, Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. When we meet again brothers, then we will smile, if not then we know that this party was well formed"!

This is what I said when my partners was slain. I hurt every time a brother in blue leaves us for any reason. Please pray for their families and make sure the babies, and wives of our brothers survive.

With the deepest sorrow and the never forgotten honor,

Detective Matthew Heckman
New Bern Police Department
New Bern, North Carolina

As a former resident of Philadelphia, PA with relatives in Upper Darby I wish to thank you for your dedicated service to your community. May god watch over your family and protect them.

Thanks,

Lieutenant Frank Rongione
Baltimore County Police Department

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in the shadow for life, say to the Lord: "My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!" And he will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand. The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear:under his wings your refuge his faithfulness your shield. You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day; though thousands fall about you, near it shall not come. For his angels he's given a command to guard you in all of your ways; up on their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. And he will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand. Text adapted from Psalm 91.Now that you are in heaven with God, Dennis maybe you have some pull and bend his ear about our Flyers. God keep in Your prayers his children and his wife.

The Manuel Family
Upper Darby Township

Dennis, In my time as an Upper Darby Officer I had always dredded the thought of losing one of our own. Now it has happened, and I can't get over how incredibly painful this is. You were truly a unique, one in a million guy. I can't say I knew you as much as I now wish I could have, but I always respected you as a cop and a man. Our dept. has indeed suffered a tremendous loss in you. I certainly hope we did you proud with the send off we gave you. My personel proudest shining moment in my entire career was being a participant and showing the world how proud we were of you. It is said that as long as a man is remembered, he is never really gone. Dennis McNamara, brave warrior/hero will live on forever in the hearts of the U.D.P.D. Rest in peace terminator #121

Anonymous

Even though I work next door, I never got to know Dennis McNamara. But I have come to learn a lot about him over the past several days. I know that he was first and foremost a family man, a loving husband and father. I know that he was a cop's cop, that he excelled in a department that sets the standard of excellence in Delaware County. I know that he died because that cowardly animal recognized him for what he was--the single greatest threat to his undeserved freedom. Perhaps a lesser man would have been somewhere else on that cold, rainy night...warm and dry, watching traffic or patrolling in circles. Dennis died because he was doing what every good cop aspires to do. In the academy they call it "self-initiated activity," or, "aggressive patrol." I've heard that Dennis had a natural gift for seeing things that didn't "...look right."
Time and time again the citizens of Upper Darby, and society as a whole, unknowingly benefited from his efforts. These citizens are now aware of the work he performed while they slept. Perhaps more importantly, they are aware that Dennis's brothers and sisters in blue continue his work. They carry on, never forgetting his sacrifice, always aware of his presence, and determined to be there for each other. Dennis McNamara will never be forgotten.

Investigator Matt Hufnal
Haverford Township Police Department

The Final Inspection
Author Unknown


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 of us 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 awfully 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."


Rest in peace, brother.

Anonymous

Dennis-

While you're not with us physically, your spirit and willingness to leave your mark will remain with us and sustain us forever. It's rare to find someone who will stand for something he or she believes in, yet common to identify someone who will fall for anything. You certainly stood for what was righteous. Your bravery and valor will forever inspire me to emulate the attributes and attitudes that you brought to your job each and every day. Rest well, my brother, as your tour of duty was fulfilled with grace and dignity.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" -Timothy 4:7

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, and your peers on Upper Darby PD.....you'll be sorely missed, Dennis. God Bless.

Bud Harvey
Patrolman,Yeadon PD

Patrolman Bud Harvey
Yeadon Borough PD

The upper darby twp.administration,police dept.,and all public safty officers,along with the McNamara family did a wonderful job memorializing a special human being. We can only hope that in his death other people will recognize that there is more good in this world than bad, and that more people will do the right thing. Dennis McNamara will not be forgotten. Our prayers are with his family.

Bill & Patty Gardner

Firefighter Bill Gardnerupper darby twp
upper darby twp.

Dennis,

I have visited this page several times during the past 10 days, knowing that I wanted to post a reflection, but not really knowing what I wanted to say.

I wish you were here right now because there are so many things I want to say to you and so many things I want to ask you. I never really knew you that well, but I know you were a great cop. How do I know this? Because you were my husband's training officer, and he is a reflection of you. He would often come home with stories of things he had learned that day -- from you. You were a true teacher, and you probably never realized how many lives you affected during your short time here, because for you, it was all in a day's work.

On Wednesday you were honored in a ceremony only fitting for a true hero. Yes, Dennis, you were a hero just for doing your job each day. But knowing you, I'm sure you looked down at us from above and said, "Why did they go to all that trouble just for me?" The answer: We did it because you deserved it.

Dennis, I am so truly sorry and so deeply saddened that you were stolen from us in such a horrible way. But rest peacefully knowing that your wife and children will always be taken care of and that your fellow officers and their families are carrying on your legacy. We are so proud to have known such a great person, and we will NEVER forget you.

An Upper Darby Police Officer's Wife

On behalf of the National Drug Interdiction Association, I would like to express my deepest regards and sympathy to the family, friends and fellow officers of Officer Dennis McNamara. Nobody can ever be prepared for the unthinkable. We will all miss you fallen hero. Rest in peace brother, rest in peace.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

Douglas R. Wright / Board of Directors
National Drug Interdiction Association

First of all I want to tell the family how sorry i am for their loss. I know that he is in a special place now and will be watching over everyone. Please watch over all of your brothers in blue, and we will watch over your family!

a policeman's girlfriend

This officer was a great person and officer of the law. I am truly sorry that his children were left without a father and his wife without her partner. We will never forget him, for I know what it is like to be without a husband or a father for my children.

Anonymous

a sun has set
a star has fallen
the moon has dropped into the horizon
we'll meet again in a place full of glory
to laugh and hug and share our stories
and though we must wait a little while
what a pleasure it will be to see your smile
we'll make it through the time we're apart
knowing you're with us in our hearts
take care and look in on us every now and then
we'll look forward to our seeing eachother again

Dennis...see you in a better place..thank you for protecting us

UD police officer's wife

Dennis,

We know that you were always there for all of us. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten. I know you will be watching over us from above, may God bless you and your family.

You are a true HERO
Rest in Peace

Thank You

Patrolman Ted Sgro
Millbourne Boro P.D.

Officer McNamara, I never met you personally but I have heard wonderful things about you. I have always wanted to be a police officer and Upper Darby Poice Department is the one place I want to work for. You and your fellow officers are the most professional men & women in blue. I admire you as a person, husband, father and police officer. You have helped keep the residents of Upper Darby safe and now your fellow officers will keep your family safe for you. One day I will have the opportunity to serve as a women in blue and I can only hope to have a career half as the one you have had. Please know that I will keep you, your family and all the officers of the Upper Darby Police Department in my daily thoughts and prayers!!!! The Memorial Service for you was a beautiful tribute to a man well deserving.....I hope that UDPD does not have to plan another funeral like that for a long long time!! Rest in Peace!!!!

Probation Officer
Delaware County Adult Probation/Parole

Offc McNamara-
We all pray for you...for your sacrifice
We all pray for your family...for their strength
We all pray for each other...for the courage to continue doing the same job that you did
We all pray to St. Michael...for the power to overcome adversity
We all pray to our God...to give us peace in the hour of darkness.

Ptlm. Anthony Dintino
Media Borough PD

Dennis

You are the third friend/brother lost in the line of duty that I have personally known that has gone on to serve with Heaven's P.D.
You will be greatly missed by your family, friends, and your brothers and sisters in blue. But know that our determination, dedication and committment to what we do will be strengthened by your spirit.

And for the Upper Darby Police Department, and all of my brothers and sisters:


A Policemans Prayer

Lord, I ask for courage
Courage to face and conquer my own fears.
Courage to take me where others will not go.

I ask strength
Strength of body to protect others.
And strength of spirit to lead others

I ask for dedication
Dedication to do my job, to do it well,
Dedication to my community, to keep it safe

Give me, Lord, concern for those who trust me,
And compassion for those who need me.
And please, Lord, through it all,

Be at my side.

Poem by: Keri Kirkpatrick


Det. Glen Greenwalt
Delaware County C.I.D.

Detective Glen Greenwalt
Delaware County C.I.D.