Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The hardest time for me is driving to and from work. My failed attempts of escaping my thoughts or providing an adequate distraction is my affirmation that the mind is an amazing thing. It does not let you forget. I miss you.

Officer Kimberley Heyda
Minneapolis Police

I want to say how proud I am of my co-workers for their display of respect for Officer Schmidt. Sgt. Mark Suchy made sure that all of us here were able to wear black bands in grief for our fallen Officer. He went all over town to collect enough bands for everyone. We represented our grief to Officer Schmidt's Department, her family, her friends and all of the men and women represented in this site. I will take her heroism with me as I work toward my peace officer license. Her passion for her job is what I admire most of all. I will take all the wonderful things that have been said about her and implement them into my future career.

Grieve as you should, for only time will heal. I pray for the peace officers working their beat and putting their lives before others. I am so proud of my Department that I work for and of the family you become in Law Enforcement.

Officer Schmidt, I salute you.

Leslie Wermers

Correctional Officer Leslie Wermers
Ramsey County Sheriff's Department

Other officers have told me that in a career you will have few true partners. I had one in you MJ. I am better because of you, a better cop and a better person. You are a part of me. I didn't tell you often enough how much you meant or how honored I felt to be your friend and partner. You kept me safe, you kept me sane, and you watched my back. I wish I had been able to do the same for you that night. Now, I will do what I have to do. I'll take care of my partner in the only way I can, by making sure you are remembered as the compassionate, courageous woman you were. To my friend, my partner, my mentor, my hero....rest well. Some say the dead can hear our thoughts, so you know now how I think of you, even if I too often neglected to say it. Watch my back partner?

To Melissa's family and friends, some I knew and some I didn't, words do not do justice to what your grief must be for I feel it too. We must all hold fast and know that she is watching over us from above.

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Squad 652 requesting a rollby....

Officer Catherine Johnson
Minneapolis Police Department

Rest in Peace "Missy", your journey on Earth is over, your watch from Heaven has just begun.
Thank you for watching over us. Peace be to your family.

Shalom

Bloomer

Thank you for your service to your community and your Country. Semper Fi Marine.

Anonymous

Shalom, Melissa. God's mercies surround you forever. I pray that your family will be comforted and sustained by grace beyond measure, now and in the days to come.

Anonymous

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to know you. Your constant support and ever-present smile made each day brighter and I am proud to say that you were my friend. Although we lived separate lives, your loss is a part of my life that will go unfilled. Nothing in the world could have prepared me for our last ride together, Melissa--I just hope that I was strong enough for you. May you rest in peace. Una Stamus.

P.S. If you have a chance, could you stop in? I could use a hug. 458 from 1596

Officer Scott Downing
Minneapolis Police Department

The women and men who become police officers are a very unique group of individuals. The profession of a police officer is far more than a job, far more than a career...it is a lifestyle. My husband has been a Minneapolis Police Officer for nearly 15 years. Very early on he asked me to try to understand the unique relationship that an officer has with their partner and with other officers. They must trust each other with their lives, while fulfilling their purpose of protecting and serving the rest of humankind.

My husband was on duty in the fifth precinct the evening of August 1st. He responded to the "Officer down" call. When I saw him next, I asked him if she was o.k. and he very sadly said "No". I felt the pain of his loss. Even though I never knew Officer Melissa Schmidt, I felt I had lost a member of my family. She was a hero, among the many heros wearing the badge, who gave her life protecting and serving. She was a police officer that I'm certain any officer would be proud to call "partner".

Melissa, my family will never forget you. My children now know who the true heros in our world really are. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. May you rest in peace.

the family of Officer Jim Bulleigh

Family of Officer Jim Bulleigh
Minneapolis Police Dept

God bless you, Officer Schmidt! Thank you for doing the job you did! May you rest in peace!

Sgt. Danna Vaughn
Chattanooga Police Department - Tennessee

I didn't really know Melissa. I think I was only on a call or two with her, but when I woke up the morning following Aug. 1st, 2002, my heart sank.

See, when I went to sleep that night I figured she would make it. She had made it to the hospital and was in surgery. I guess I kind of felt like we (cops) were all like superman, invincible. We aren't supposed to die. I read about our loss at a coffee shop in the local paper. I had to work that day and I cannot explain the feeling within the department, how quiet it was. I attended the funeral and I cannot explain the feeling within the law enforcement community, how sad, yet united it was. As we walked that last mile, all you could hear was foot steps.

I am extremely proud to be a police officer. I am proud of Melissa. She will forever be remembered by her brothers and sisters in law enforcement, even after she is forgotten by the community she served.

I would like to say I am sorry for the extreme loss that Melissa’s parents and family are feeling. This tragedy has caused my own parents to question why I do what I do, and I tell them, “It’s just who I am.”

Thank you, Melissa. I am proud to wear the same uniform as you......

Squad 1651, Rest in Peace, your last call was answered. Please watch over us all, God knows we need the help.

Officer Aaron Morrison
Minneapolis Police Department

Thoughts and prayers to Officer Schmidt's family, friends and collegues.

Patrol Officer M. Wilhelm
Georgetown University Police

We are the parents of Melissa J. Schmidt and want to thank everyone for their thoughts and kind words.

We have been reading every message posted and are greatful to everyone using this site to share in our sorrow!

Carole and Steve Schmidt

It was with deep sadness that I read of yet another Police Officer lost to the community, as a result of the evil they often face in the line of duty.
Although not a Police Officer myself, I do give my time in retirment to activily supporting Law Enforcement in my State of Victoria, Australia.
Any Police Officer lost in the call of duty in Australia, or your great country, the USA is also my loss.
My deepest thoughts of hope for a future better world remain strongly with the Family, Police Officers and friends of Melissa Schmidt. May God be with us all.

Luke Bryant.
Admin. Officer. GALPEN (Vic) Inc.

Luke Bryant
GALPEN (Vic) Inc. Australia.

On 8/1/02 I had to say goodbye to a friend. This experience has left many of us, especially those that loved her, angry with the haunting question of Why?

It has been one of the hardest, sadest moments of my life. Melissa went from nobody to most to nationally known in a moment of respect. After the media has died down she has gone back to nobody. However, for those of us that loved her she will always be somebody special.

Although I know in my heart that Melissa knew that she was jumping into harms way and that she would repeat that moment again the very same way, I would give almost anything to have been there to help her, hold her hand, or change the event.

You see my friend was a laid back but proud, strong, and couragious individual that lived life to the fullest and I am so proud to have known her. I only wish we had gotten more time. I picture her walking her heavenly beat (with not a hair out of place or a wrinkle in her uniform mind you)wondering what all the fuss is and it makes me smile with tears in my eyes.

There will always be a space in my heart that is reserved for Melissa. I look forward to the day when we may watch football again and argue over Vikings vs. Packers.

I will miss you my Micholob drinking, cigar smoking, Cheeseheaded, Packer-backer, FRIEND!

Friend - Dona Bacon
City of Roseville

8-7-2002: Officer Melissa Schmidt, I attended as you ended your last tour of duty in your hometown of Bloomer, WI. From a small town officer to a big city officer you have encouraged all officers and set the ultimate example of what a police officer is. You will forever inspire me to continue a shared belief of Law Enforcement and the meaning of providing safety and caring in my community. God Bless you, Officer Schmidt.

Chief Sheryl Gehrman
Balsam Lake, WI Police Dept

It was an honor and a priviledge to be one of the many officers who stood to pay our respects to Officer Schmidt and her family. I regret that we never met personally, from all reports, Officer Schmidt was an extraordinary officer. She will be greatly missed. I know that God has a special place in his kingdom for police officers who have completed their tour here on earth.
Eternal rest grant our Sister, Lord, and may perpetual light shine on her.

Deputy Sonya Eastham
Ramsey County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard

Hey devil dog, you did your time in hell. You will now be patrolling heaven's streets. Semper Fi.

Anonymous

Sometimes reporters and police officers are like cats and dogs because sometimes we believe we are natural enemies.

To Missy: Thank you for providing me great insight into why a police officer becomes a police officer. Thank you for always being frank, when you could, and being firm, but polite, when you couldn't. It was you, Missy, who enlightened me about a cop's life and how hard it was. It was you who explained and taught me that cops DO want to only protect and serve. I never stopped asking the hard questions but, because of you, I, as a reporter, learned to respect and even love your mission.

I guess some locals might know who I am (Missy is probably looking down and laughing her head off reading this), but I wish to remain anonymous because when I cross the Rainbow Bridge, I want to meet Missy anew again and reform our friendship without all the burdens and expectations of this earthly life. You weren't a person who became a hero because you died in the line of duty: YOU WERE A HERO WHO THEN DIED DOING YOUR JOB. You know you taught me the difference. SEMPER FI, girlfriend, SEMPER FI!

Anonymous

I attended the funeral for Officer Schmidt, and I must say that I was very impressed with the showing from the Law Enforcement community, and how well everyone came together. Thank You all it feels great to belong to a group of officers. I can't think of anything else in this world I would rather be doing then coping.

Sergeant Tom Roy
Sauk Rapids PD

Although we never knew Officer Melissa Schmidt we want to offer our condolances to her family, friends, and fellow officers. She must have been a very special and wonderful person who touched countless lives in her all too short time on this earth. God had a reason for taking her home at this time, and good will surely come from this tragic event.She has gone on to a far better place, and God willing we will all join her someday. God bless you all our prayers are ever with you.
Al&VJ Swanson

Al&VJ Swanson

It Just Hurts.........

Anonymous

My heart broke at the news of yet another hero taken from us this year. To the hero's that remain, you've got another angel to watch your back on patrol.

Thank you for your bravery Ofc. Schmidt.

Anonymous

I ONLY MET HER A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I KNOW FROM THOSES TIMES THAT SHE WAS A GREAT PERSON. THAT IS THE WAY I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HER. FOR HER SMILE AND HOW SHE ASKED HOW YOU WERE AND REALLY CARED TO KNOW....WE COULD ALL LEARN A LESSON FROM HER......WER WILL NEVER FORGET YOU MELISSA..KEEP HEAVON SAFE FOR US.

MISS YA

Anonymous

We have never met, but I said goodbye to you today. Through your friends, we have become close - and I want to thank you for making the world a better place. I pray for you and your family and promise I will strive to follow your example.

Anonymous

Officier Schmidt,

Thank you for having the courage to do a job that others cannot. Be sure to keep watch over your fellow officers, both in Minneapolis and around the country.

Police officers are God's angels in human form.

EMT Jennifer Hill
Baldwin WI Emergency Medical Service