Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Jess,

Well, we've tried really hard since we've been here at Ferris to honor you and raise money for your scholarship. Your family came up to visit us and had a little BBQ with the fraternity. It was a lot of fun. I just want to let you know that your memory is strong not only in your old fraternity, but throughout your alma mater.

I see your picture all the time in Bishop hall in the old Lambda Alpha Epsilon pictures when you were president, and then I see the pictures now of me and my brothers and sisters in the fraternity. I just hope we are making you proud.

Katy

April 21, 2008

HI Aunt Jessica we all love you and we all miss you .I miss you the most . Your mom does to she will never forget you and I wont forget you either .All I have to say is I love you so much and I couldn’t live with out you at all and if you weren’t in my life you wouldn’t give me any courage and I wouldn’t be able to stick up for my self and I wouldn’t be able to stick up for my friends at all if you did not give me the courage to stand up for people and I always want you to know that I love you and that we all love you and respect you at all times and we will try to visit the cemetery when we can and remember I love you and I will always love you to.


All my love Katelyn Alyssa Wallis.

April 19, 2008

Jessica,

You are in my thoughts and Im so proud to have known you and go through College with you. When im on patrol and enroute to any type of call i always think of what could go wrong and what i can do to protect myself and i owe that type of thinking to your situation.. Thanks for being the ultimate hero.

Your friend from Genesee Twp. Police Dept

Police Officer
Genesee Twp. PD and friend

April 7, 2008

Happy Easter!

Love
Mom

March 23, 2008

Just a note to let you know that I am thinking of you.

Love,
Mom

March 21, 2008

A week or so ago a man from the Ingham County Sheriff's appeared and came to my assistance right at the time I needed it. He was very kind & helpful; please watch over him.

Katie

March 16, 2008

I had training up in Clinton Twp last week, and stopped and visited you. There was a couple of squirrels running around playing. I know you would have really enjoyed it.

Miss you.

Dave

Dave
HPPD

January 29, 2008

Jessica,

Your name and information was on the fallen hero's section. I read your reflections and was touched by the love you brought into this world. Every wrote of their love. You and your mother have a special relationship. Know that you are missed, by those whose lifes you touched, and those that never were given the opportunity to know you.

God bless and keep you, God bless your family and friends.

Officer Michael Lowry
University of Colorado Police Department

January 22, 2008

Merry Christmas

Love
Mom

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas to you and to your family. We think of you every day and miss you terribly. Love, The Pontius'

Ken, Shannon, Josealyn & Kenny Pontius
Friend

December 25, 2007

Today is Christmas Eve. I have worked very hard to get into and stay in the Christmas spirit. At times, it has been very difficult. I wasn’t going to put up a tree, only Grandma’s Village. I cleaned and moved the furniture around only to find out, I just couldn’t bring myself to do. Every time I started to go into the attic to bring down the boxes, I cried. Grandma loved her Village and she couldn’t wait for it to get set up. We would start on Friday night and it would take weeks to get it just right. So, instead we put up a tree. We went and bought a small one but it looks pretty. All it has is the older ornaments on it. The ones you kids did when you were in latchkey, the ornament from the year your Dad and I were married (I can’t believe it hasn’t gotten broken) and of course, the ones from the years that each of you were born. We put it in front of the window. In the bay window, I have two blue lights and two candles, one for you and one for Grandma.

I had the 3 older girls one Saturday so we baked cookies, made chocolate covered pretzels and beaded candy canes and wreaths. For the cookies and pretzels, we put on sprinkles. What a mistake that was. We had tiny little sprinkles all over the kitchen floor but it was worth it. They enjoyed it and it reminded me of when you kids were little, decorating cookies for Christmas.

Dad is making a new tree for the cemetery. He is putting so much thought and time into it. It is his very special present to you. I know you will be able to see it up in Heaven.

This year, I did almost all my shopping on-line. I just couldn’t bring myself to go into the stores (I know, it’s hard to believe that I didn’t want to go shopping). I even have everything wrapped. Sydney called on Sunday morning crying because she didn’t think she was getting any presents from Grandma and Grandpa (I think Dad might have told her that story but he denied it). I had to explain that there are a lot of presents for her and she was going to really like them. Now she can’t wait for Christmas to get here. I put all the presents under the tree but had to hide Manda’s. I knew she would be over the house and start looking for hers, and she did. And of course, I have managed to lose a gift for Dad. I had it on Sunday, put it some place where I would remember and of course, now I can’t remember were I hide it. I think I am losing it.

I just wanted to let you know that I think about you and you are missed. Every day is hard but during this holiday season, it is so much more painful. There is this feeling that something is missing and it is, you. I don’t think it will ever get better; you just suck it up and get through the days.

Enjoy Christmas with Jesus and Grandma this year.

Love,
Mom

December 24, 2007

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones and close friends as Christmas fast approaches. I know how difficult each day has been for your loved ones since you were taken away and the holidays are the hardest. Continue to keep watch over all of them and those still out on patrol guarding over the Thin Blue Line. I have the outside of my home decorated with all blue lights, one of those lights is lit in your honor every night as my way of saying you have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 19, 2007

I just wanted to let all of you know that I think of your family and pray for you often. My husband and I are both graduates of Ferris. I never met Jessica, but I did meet Matt when he was a RA. I think about all of you a lot and think about all of the brave young people who decide each day that they want to enter the CJ program and are willing to risk their lives everyday for the rest of us. I just really wanted you all to know that there are so many people who think of you and pray for you, even people you do not know or have not met.

Fellow Bulldog

December 6, 2007

You would have been so happy today! The foundation donated money to the city of Swartz Creek to pay for the purchase and training of a K-9 dog for their police department. Today we had the pleasure of meeting the dog. His name is Ike. What a beautiful dog. His head and paws are so big and he seems very intimidating but he is so gentle with people (when he’s not working). You would have loved him. His partner’s name is Nick and together they were introduced to the City Council. We had the honor of being there and when they both walked in, the tears just welled up in my eyes. For some reason, it was very emotional. I guess I know you would be so proud. We hope this only the first of many more that we can purchase for Michigan departments in you honor and memory.

Love,
Mom

November 26, 2007

Happy Turkey Day! I am cooking the turkey and all the fixings but I wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and Grandma today. I have two candles lite in the window, one for each of you, letting you know that your light continues to shine on.

Love and miss you,
Mom

November 22, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 14, 2007

God bless you and your family.

Will

November 3, 2007

"Since Heaven has become your home I sometimes feel that I'm alone; and though we now are far apart you hold a big piece of my heart. I never knew how much I'd grieve when it was time for you to leave, or just how much my heart would ache from that one fragment you would take. God let this tiny hole remain reminding me we'll meet again, and one day all the pain will cease when He restores this missing piece. For Jesus heals each tiny part that holds your memory in my heart."

October 20, 2007

Hey Jess,
Just wanted to say hi and let you know I'm thinking about you. We were actually talking about you in my class the other day - I must say, I never before imagined you being discussed in my classes! You weren't on the agenda, just kind of came up. Anyway, I'm getting ready to graduate in December --- getting pretty excited now. But I'll be here for another year anyway. You're all around this place, Jess... And you make me want to be better than I ever thought I could be.

Love you,
Katie

October 9, 2007

It’s a beautiful fall day here in Michigan. Manda and I went for a drive up to Bad Axe today and on the way home, the memories of the past apple picking trips came back to me. I remember when you kids were little, going with Grandma B, Grandpa and Grandma, all the Aunts and cousins and then I remember the last time you and Matt went with us, the fall before you were taken from us. I thought memories were supposed to make you happy but for me, sometimes all they do is bring on the tears. It makes me miss you so much more than I normally do. And then I get angry because you should be here with your children and your nieces, enjoying the traditions that you, Rob and Manda did when you were little. We still go and I know you would want it to be that way, families being together as much as possible, enjoying ourselves.

I better stop blubbering and get ready to go. Dad and I are going to watch Rob play baseball tonight. I guess I just needed to let you know that we miss you and think about you all the time. Tell Grandma I miss her too. She was my companion and best friend for so long. Now she is enjoying having you all to herself (are you shopping?).

Love and miss you,
Mom

September 29, 2007

I met you several years ago, in fact, you came to my house one new years eve - you were with Melanie and Matt, Brian and Tiffany. All I can picture is you laughing as you were playing poker (and beating the guys!). I think of you often, and I think of your parents often too, hoping they are okay, which I know is just about impossible.

I even adopted a cat in your honor from the Hazel Park Police Department pound. I knew of your love for animals, and I hope you are still protecting all the helpless creatures that can't protect themselves.

Take care, Jessica, you will never be forgotten.

A friend

Friend

August 28, 2007

Missing you so much.

August 28, 2007

Jessica,
3 weeks ago was the 5 year anniversary. Tough to capture 5 years but I wanted you to know that your family has never forgotten you and will never give up on your legacy down here. I put a blue light out in my porch light all weekend and I hung my NLEOMF flag in my window. I was so bummed out I had to cancel going to DC this year. I missed being there. The 5 year remembrance was different this year since it was at an outside the park but it was more lively and I suspect you enjoyed that. I can't hang with the cops tho, they drink me under the table everytime! But they are a super good bunch of people, esp your Suz. I had some friends over for dinner the other night and come to find out by complete surprise, one lady knew you. I was touring her through the house and showing her the family photo your mother made for all of us the day of your sentencing and she recognized one of your 800 aunts! She is friends with Sarah, your cousin, who you used to play with you sometimes when you were younger. They say its a small world. I say its not. Its all connected how you make a difference in my life. A lot of people ask me how I can live in this house and I tell them--because I honor what your family has put into this house and they understand better when they see this beautiful place. I can never thank your family enough. They are very positive about sponsoring a K-9 to a city police agency soon. Its something to hear the excitement in the voices of the agency to receive this gift. Good things in your honor all over. And tomorrow I'm going to go pitch my idea of a state wide campaign to generate estate planning for every first responder in Michigan to the 18th largest law firm...wish me success. And if they won't assist me, I will do it solo.

Sarah B. Mason
Friend

August 20, 2007

Jess-

I miss you every day and more and more as I wish you were here to talk to and just talk about life and love and everything best friends and sisters should talk about. There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel like I hhave been robbed of the one one person that I knew would always and forever understand me.

I went home to celebrate your life after losing you five years ago and other than my family and yours Michigan just does not feel like home any more.
I wish you were there still but I know and feel you on my shoulder every day.

I love you Jess and please do not ever leave my side.
Your friend and sister forever.
I love and miss you.

August 12, 2007

Your Mom's poem said what has been in my heart for five years (I lost my son five years ago)as I read it I thought that is what I have been feeling, I want to thank your Mom for posting it on your reflections.Your Mom has been there for me and we have become good friends.
I feel you and Scotty have met, give him a big hug from me.I know the two of you have been watching over your families.
Your parents are so proud of you, they are doing a great job of keeping your memory alive, because of them I feel like I know you.
From a Mom who knows,
Audrey Stewart

August 8, 2007