Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Kristin,

It has been over two months since we lost you and not a day passes that you don't touch my heart. You came to our shift with an excitement for your chosen profession I have not seen from a new officer in a long time. You had the most potential of any officer under my supervision. You wanted so much to be "one of the guys". It sure didnt take you long to fit right in. I remember that cold snowy night in January. You had only been on the shift a couple of days. Our entire shift met at the Wheaton Community Center for pizza that night. We all sat around cracking jokes on each other. I knew you would fit right in when you cracked the best joke of the night on me. From that night on you were a trusted member of our team. I always smiled when I saw your number on the caller ID on my cell phone( with one of your many questions). You were so eager to learn your job, never hesitating to find ways to better yourself. The night we lost you I was truely devastated. I felt as though I had lost one of my own children.

I say to Kristin's parents, you brought into this world a truely special person. She touched so many lives in so many ways. But, in so many ways she still lives in all of us. I know she does in me. I am thankful to have the privilege of being touched by Kristin.

Kristin, although you are 10-7, you will forever be 10-8 in our hearts. Rest in peace 1A5.

Sgt. Antonio DeVaul
Maryland-National Capital Park Police

To Kristin, her family and friends

I did not have the pleasure of knowing Kristin but from all of the reflections I have read so far, I wish I had.
This is the first time I had ever visited this site, and I have read alot of the reflections of the other fallen brothers and sisters, but so far, none had touched me in such a manner as this one did.
I have been an officer for four years now and in that four years I have made myself become so emotionally hardened that I did not even know if I could cry anymore.
I learned tonight that I can still cry.
Just two nights ago, I was discussing how this job can affect you and how much you change. I told the person that I was talking to that I used to go home, sit by myself and have a good cry to relieve some stress, and then I just got to a point that I could not do that anymore.
Until tonight, I had not shed a tear for about 2 years.
The messages that I have read about Kristin from her family and friends, have been a source of healing for me.
They have brought something out in me that has needed to be revived for a long time.
It seems that she had a great impact on people and was a wonderful friend, daughter, co worker and officer.
It seems so unfair that she was taken but I know that God has his reasons that we will not understand until we all meet again.
My deepest sympathy to each one of you and please know that even though she may not be with us in body, she is still coming to the aid of someone else, as her memory did for me tonight.
Rest in Peace Kristin

Deputy Sheriff
Hood County Sheriffs Department, Granbury, TX

Kristin,

It's hard to believe that I only spoke to you for the first time a few months ago.

It's harder to believe that we only spoke a few times, but became friends so quickly.

It's hardest to believe that I will never speak to you again.

Though we shared a friendship of great distance, I always felt that you were close to my heart. Thank you for the good times we shared and the talks I will never forget. You showed me that there's a lot to cherish in life and that we should always live each day to its fullest. You were and will always be a special person in my heart and in the hearts of so many others.

I know that in this time of great sorrow, you are smiling, and because of that, I am, too. I'll miss you and never forget you.

Cassandra

Dear Kristin, I never met you in real life, but knew of you from your writings. You came across as kind and compassionate. I just wanted you to know you touched so many lives and so many will miss you. I hope your next shift briefing is a place a happiness and joy and rest. I know it will be. Take care and know you are loved~Dotty

Dorthy morabito
n/a

Dear Kristin
The news of your passing has only just reached me and I'm still in shock. Though we never met, and lived so far apart, we became friends in a short time because of the mutual interest we shared.
You will missed forever and thought of always. My memories of you are committed to my heart.
Love
Lyn

I'll miss our discussions on the internet. All the girls on the group are stunned, we didn't know what happened and just found out. Thanks for being a good friend, even if we never met execpt over the pc. I will miss you.

Special Agent Mary McGaughy Neely
Tennessee Highway Patrol

I never had the privilege of knowing Kristin, except through the stories she wrote, which always touched me in some way. Reading all the thoughts and memories of her leaves me mourning not only a wonderful writer, but a wonderful person. My prayers and condolences to her friends, family and fellow officers. Thank you for letting me have a chance to know her a little bit.

BethB

Kristin,

I want to pick up the phone and call you, just to see if you'll answer. I have so much I want to talk to you about. Before I met you in January I didn't know I was missing such a good friend, now I have no idea what to do about the emptiness I am feeling. I know that I can never replace the friend you became. You were one of a kind. I miss you and hope someday we can pick up where our friendship left off. We have so much more to do together.

Love
Kim

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

I miss you, and love you with all my heart.

Anonymous

Kristin,
I miss you so much.

Love Dad

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 Kristin M. Pataki. 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

I miss the look of surrender in your eyes
The way your soft brown hair would fall
I miss the power of your kiss when we made love
But baby most of all

I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say to make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend

I miss the colors that you brought into my life
Your golden smile, those blue-green eyes
I miss your gentle voice in lonely times like now
Saying it'll be alright

I miss those times
I even miss the silly fights
The making up
The morning talks
And those late afternoon walks

I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with

Love you

Kristin,

Dont know really what to say. My hands are shaking while I try to type this reflection. There is such sorrow in my heart and I just got to know you. I cant imagine the depth of sorrow your parents, sister and family feel. There hasnt been a day that I havent thought about you. You always made me feel so good about myself. Always complimenting. I enjoyed our meal at Burger King, and I wish we lifted weights more often. Man I remember you wanted to make a lock up so bad you could taste it! And then you got the 10-60 guy. Thanks for the munchkins.

You balanced out our team with your overflowing joy and happiness. Didnt know how much we needed you till you arrived. How much more we need you now that you are gone. Wish you were still here. I wish we had more time. I miss you. When I get to heaven, I want to be on your squad...so hook me up. I hope heaven has email and you get this.

"Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, The Lord will be my light." Micah 7:8b

Peace
POIII Shibu Philipose
Shift 5

PO III Shibu Philipose
Maryland-National Capital Park Police - Montgmery Coutny Division

Dear Kristin,
When I was a kid at the age of 7, I always watched "CHiPs" and other police shows and I always wanted to become a police officer and 14 yrs later I am heading that direction. I really want to be a police officer is that you have the chance to interact with others around you, protect others from harm, saving others from being hurt and perhaps change citizens lives. I will be attending a near by academy and like 8 months from now I will be serving a community near by. Police officers like you are really what I really consider as a hero, top of cops and an officer that really love doing her job. I know that you're in a better peaceful world now. My deepest sympathies to your family and friends. GOD bless you! GOD bless ur family and friends!

BN
Criminal Justice Recruit

Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God. Matthew 5:9
Always hurts the most when a member of our greater DC area family leaves us. May you have blue skies and soft landings Angel, watch over us...

FTO C.E. Wyble
Pentagon Police (DPS)

My prayers are with your family. I am quite certain Montgomery County has lost a great individual. May you rest in peace.

V Chan
Montgomery County Police, MD

My thoughts are with the members of Kristin's patrol.

MP Damien Bower
Naval Police

TEAMMATES

Kristin,

This is the only consistent thought that comes to my mind when I think about you. It is been very hard to place words here for you. In doing so I hope that the healing part of missing you will work. You are a truely special individual. You came to the Agency looking to work hard and do a good job. You have surpassed your own expectations. I am honored that I was able to have dinner with you on the last night. You always were asking questions and wanted to improve. In doing so you improved everyone around you. Truely what TEAMMATES are about. A couple of nights a ago I had the honor of attending dinner with others who know and understand what TEAMMATES are about. Your Parents, Jason, your FTO's, your close friends and classmates, and your fellow TEAMMATES. As usual we all shared good times, with you being there. You will always continue to be there and be in my thoughts. As the OIC that night you taught me some very valuable lessons. I want you to know that they will never be forgotten and I hope that I can pass them along. I have read what others have written and said about you and the tears always come, just as they are now. So, in rememberance of you, a tradition -- a shot of JACK, a bottle of BUD, and a toast -- to those of us still on watch, to those who watch over us, and to Kristin TEAMMATES FOREVER!
Thank you for sharing your life with us, you will live forever in us.


TEAMMATES!
HOOYAH

POIV Stephen V. Grace
Maryland National Capital Park Police (Mont. Co. Div.)

I find that I am unable to adequately express the condolances I wish to leave for those whose eloquent words appear above. We are young, we are invincible, we love our new jobs, we are the police... and this is not supposed to happen to us. But it does happen to us all too often, and we are left to cope and to find meaning. So, to the family whose loss is inconsolable, to the coworkers whose loss is incomprehensible, and to the fiance whose loss is unfathomable: it is with sad eyes and a heavy heart that I offer with deepest humility my love and my prayers to all those left behind. Respectfully,

C.J. Rusk, Deputy Sheriff
Dare County Sheriff's Office, Beach District Patrol Division (NC)

Today marks one month since that sad tragic day. A wonderful officer and person was taken from the Park Police family as well as her own family. Our department will never be the same. This was something we had never experienced. A loss so large that it brought everyone together searching for an answer. As I stood outside of the funeral home and looked at all of our fine officers, I could not help but feel great sadness for them. But I also felt great pride. Pride for their dedication and professionalism-and for their love for their fellow officer, Kristin. She reminded us we have a wonderful job and that special comraderie unique to law enforcement. Your message to us is to be there for each other just as you were that night. To your family: Time is the greatest healer-we think of you and Kristin everyday and hope each day brings you more peace.

Lt. Laura Sheldon
Maryland National Capital Park Police

Thank you Ofc.Pataki for the sacrifice that you have made. My Prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace my sister in blue.

Anonymous

Dearest Kristin,
When I met you the first time, I was taken by how friendly you were and how easy it was to have fun with you. It would be a while until I would see you again,at a party with your fiance. You were telling us goodby. How ironic. Again, you had me laughing the whole time. My heart sank when I got the news and for some reason, I haven't been able to think of you without crying. Maybe because you were such a good person, maybe because you were so happy and it showed, maybe because you made me realize it could all be gone in a second. And that we should make every second count. In your memory, I will take nothing for granted and be thankful for each day I wake up, and for what I have. Please find a way to make J's pain a bit easier. It's so hard to hear about his loneliness and sadness. He loved you more than life iself. I will pray that you find a way to help ease this. I know you are watching over him, but he needs more. God bless you Kristin. You will always be in my prayers.

Anonymous

I've been a Police Officer for 24 yrs, and with the Honor Guard for 10, and I thought I was hardened to this kind of thing. Not so. I can't remember anyone touching so many people so quickly as Kristin did. Every time I talked to her, I liked her more and more. She was one of the most impressive young officers I have ever seen. So much so, that I was going to recommend that she take my place as the next K-9 handler, when I retire. I had dinner with Kristin two nights before her accident, along with two other officers. When the bill came, she snatched it up. "That's ridiculous", I said. "Let us put some money in." "Nah," she said, "I got it. You get it next time." There never was a next time on this earth. But, if I follow her example, I will hopefully get a chance to repay that debt in Heaven someday.
To Kristin's family and fiance: I am sorry for your loss. Our loss.
To Kristin's mother: If I may, Ma'am, if you're looking for a sign from Kristin, look no further than the reflections above. Is that not Kristin speaking to us? Her memory will live forever. Thank you for sharing her with us.

Ofc. D. Lewis & K-9
Maryland Park Police

Krissy,
Tonight is four weeks since you left us.Your Mom, Meredith, Brooky and I are hurting more then I could have ever dreamed possible. We hope you are at peace but we just dont understand how that could possible, Please send a sign to your Mom that your OK.
Love Dad

dad

Kristin,
I'm sorry I never had the privilege of meeting you. When I got to work that Saturday night and heard about the accident, all I wanted to do was cry. We lost a member of the Montgomery County law enforcement family that night.
Please watch over all Montgomery County officers from up in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and all who love you.

Anonymous
Montgomery County Police Communications