Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Mr. McNamara,

My name is Sean McElwee and I am a senior at Upper Darby High School. I'm sure you have heard my prayers, but I just wanted to add this as another "thank you". I recieved your Memorial Scholarship for my strong interest in music and church activities and I just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am for it. To be given an award, especially a scholarship under you name and inspired by your cause is truly an honor. You didnt know me then, but I attended your funeral to honor you and your dedication to your community. You've truly been an inspiration and I only wish that I could have known you personally.
Gratefully Yours,
Sean

Sean McElwee
Student, Upper Darby High School

June 1, 2006

Dear Dennis,
I thought of you today, looking out the window on the train. I think of you every single day, since that night, that I will never forget, when I got that call.

I don't think you, or your family, will ever fully understand how many people you have touched. You always had a smile for me, never forgot to stop in and say hello. I so enjoyed talking and laughing with you. I am privileged to have had the chance to know you, to work with you, to be your friend. I only wish I had told you how special you were. I don't think I ever said it. I only wish I had known that your time would run out. But I hope you know now.

You are missed more than words can say. Even now, thinking about it is sometimes too much to bear. Know that you are not forgotten. We are proud to have known you. Watch over your fellow officers and guide them as you rest under God's loving hand.

Anonymous
Friend

April 22, 2006

121....You are not forgotten.

April 21, 2006

Dennis, it has been 4 years since you were so tragically taken from us. Today I attended a Memorial service for you at Arlington Cemetary. The day started out overcast and very foggy, but just before the service the sun came out and the fog dissapated. It was if God cleared the way so you could look down on us. You must be very proud of the way you family both professional and personal and the community that you served so well and that loves you deeply,remembers you. The service was beautiful as was your family. As an outsider it warms my heart to see such outpouring of love for a man who gave his life to protect those he loved so dearly. One of your brothers helped me one day when I locked my keys in my car. He put me at ease with his kindness and humor. He made me see that policeman are very human. Since then I've attended your service as well as the Memorial Day the first Friday in May. Every time I see your family and the men you worked with I get goosebumps. You and your family and collegues are in my prayers always. Thank-you for the years you unselfishly protected us. R
est in Peace Dorothy Kerns

Dorothy Kerns

January 30, 2006

4 yrs. ago today Ofc. McNamara was taken from us. Sorry for your loss. God bless the McNamara family. Just know that what your husband/dad did will never be forgotton.

PO Retired
City of Miami PD (Fla)

January 30, 2006

Dennis, that fateful day when God took you from this sometimes vicious world, I was not wearing the badge. My brother shares the UDPD badge with you and many other outstanding Upper Darby officers. I have been given the honour of becoming one of your "brothers" and I will not disgrace you or your memory. Please watch over all of us as we continue to do the job that took you from your "family". Rest in peace brother.

Steve Benecke
Marple PD

January 12, 2006

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy new year to you and your family.

December 23, 2005

Dennis,
Just this past week we, my township's honor guard, honored the loss of another fallen officer. It was an immediate reminder of the day you were put to rest. It doesn't seem fair that such good people are taken from us. None of us want you to be our guardian angels out there on the street.
Dennis, I truely miss you. I didn't know you as one officer to another, but I knew you as one of the officers that changed my opinion of police officers and a man that influenced me to pick up the beat where you left off. I'm so thankful for where I am today, and I have kept you with me every step of the way. I hope you are proud of me.
Thank you for giving me the strength to keep my head held high at Brian's funeral last week. I didn't know I had it in me. And thank you for your sacrifice. You, along with Brian, have taught so many in the brotherhood an immesurable lesson. Your life will never be forgotten. And I will never lose the influence you provided me. And I'll do my best to make sure Diane can still smile. She'll forever be a great friend, I can see why you made her your wife.
I miss you and I hope you always listen when I pray to you for strength and hope. Don't ever leave me alone out there.

Much Love,
Jess

Ptlm Jessica Bloomingdale
Warrington Township Police Department

October 10, 2005

There is not a single that goes by that I dont think about you. I miss you. We all miss you. God bless you Dennis.

October 9, 2005

Dennis,
A day does'nt go by that when I open the car door to 121 car I don't think about you and your family. You were the best and always made me laugh. We miss you buddy. May god bless you and your family. See you when its my time to go home pal.

Tommy Nee 369
Upper Darby Township

September 25, 2005

Dennis, It has been a few years already but it seems like just yesterday that you were digging for answers like you always did. You are sadly missed by your friends & family. UDPD # 65

Jay Snoke #65
Upper Darby Township

September 20, 2005

Dennis, It seems so long ago when you would pick me up in the early morning hours in the police van, during my long walks from Margate road to SEPTA. and the way you would get on me about my un-polished shoes and how to polish them, when I was a Constable. I have your photo taped to my clip-board when I am on patrol now, I was working that night in January, a night I will never forget. Thank you for all you done for me in the nineties.

Officer John Scavitto
Marple Newtown School Police

September 17, 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. My Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure your Dennis did. It saddens me to know that my Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and your Dennis be the last to die this way.

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

Thank you Officer McNamara 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

God bless the McNamara's that go on without Dennis. Be proud of your fallen hero. He made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace now brother.

Borough of Macungie, Lehigh Co. PA.

August 24, 2005

Just wanted to let you know Im thinking of you Dennis. Please continue to look after my husband everyday that he goes to work. God Speed

June 15, 2005

I had the chance to talk to your wife today, she is an amazing woman. Has strength that most of us will never have. I dont know how she does it. Just dropping a note to let you know that you are thought about everyday.

March 7, 2005

Dennis:
I was just talkiing to an old classmate of ours from the Phila Police Academy People are always alive in our heart as long as we rember them.

Bless you Brother class 303 Phila Police Acdademy

P/O S.Hartzell
Philadelphia

March 5, 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.

Today, January 30, 2005 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer Dennis McNamara who died in the line of duty on this date three years ago.

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

Officer McNamara’s sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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

January 30, 2005

It's almost Christmas, and I wanted to let you and your family know that there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. Rest in peace.

December 12, 2004

Dear Dennis,
It has been over two years since you have left us. Your loss was such a tragedy to all of us in the township. It made us realize the policemen we take granted are not invincible people. Thank you for all that you did while you were here, and everything your doing now to watch over your fellow men!! Keep special watch over those Upper Darby officers...my daddy's one of them!!

Daughter of an Upper Darby Police Office

September 20, 2004

Still thinking of you Dennis. Continue to keep an eye on us from up there. Miss you dude.

July 31, 2004

Although many have forgotten and it's business as usual at the station, rest assured I did not forget you or how it felt that rainy night. God Bless.

July 6, 2004

Happy Birthday, Dennis.
You are so missed. I still think of you often, we all do.

Evelyn Bellenzeni

July 4, 2004

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 foward now policeman, how shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other check? To my church have you been true?" The policeman squared his shoulders and said "No Lord I guess I ain't, because those who carry a badge 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 awful tough. But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place amoung the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you've got a place for me hear, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected, or had too much. But if you don't I'd understand." There was a silence all around the Throne where the saints had often trod as the policeman stood quietly for the judgement of God. "Step foward now, policeman, you've done your burden well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in hell.

-Anonymous

God Bless

PTLM

June 5, 2004

miss you dude

April 22, 2004