Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's 22 years later and I still think of you as I drive the same road to work that you were last driving. I lost you - a friend and a coworker that shared the basement office space. You continue to live on within the hearts of Chippewa NF coworkers, your friends across the country and most importantly, your precious family. Peace be with you.

Ann Long Voelkner
USDA Forest Service, Chippewa NF

May 13, 2024

Rest in peace brother.

Charles Humphrey LEO
USFS

September 4, 2023

Rest in peace always and please know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your fellow law enforcement.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 4, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Staples.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 4, 2019

Searched for years my friend...and finally found you. After i left the service and our security detail together, our paths went other ways. But i never forgot you.

Til we meet again, RIP.

Dale Anderson 2dLt USAF ret.
USAF/NLSOP 1989-2006

March 11, 2018

Mike and family, we are but a few hours from the candlelight vigil for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their community.

Mike you and I worked together on “Linebacker”, Rainbows and a few other details. You were always professional and a model of what a Forest Service LEO should be.

I was at the first vigil when your name was placed on the wall 14 years ago and I’ll be there tonight.

I hope the best for your family and may God watch over them and protect them.

I hope you’re enjoying better cigars than those awful ones we had on Linebacker and at BLEO. They were cheap and horrible, but your company and friendship were priceless.

Lord
Please be with our colleague who has fallen whilst on duty.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Be with his family, comfort them and keep them in his absence.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

May he know that he has served well and grant him peace of mind and heart.
Lord in your great mercy,
Hear our prayer.

G
USFS LEI

May 13, 2017

Officer Staples, you are still serving others by being in the hearts and minds of those who loved you and the many people who admired and respected you. Thank you for your dedication and the example of professionalism you provided.

Tina Lewis Rowe
Captain, Denver Police Department (ret.)
U.S. Marshal, Colorado (ret.)

February 25, 2017

Officer Staples,
On today, the 11th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country-not just as an LEO but also when you served in the USAF as well. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 4, 2013

Michael Lee was my first cousin, our parents were siblings. We were born 5 months apart and he lived with us from time to time. He was like a brother to me. I always looked up to him. He was one of the most awesome people you would ever know. His smile could light up a room and make everyone who knew him feel special. As I stood at his grave today I could almost hear him say "Don't cry, we will see each other again some day". I remember the phone call that day as if it were yesterday. I love you Michael Lee ~ you will always be loved and missed.

Michele Lee Fredrickson
First Cousin/Sister

September 4, 2013

Thank you for your service to others, you have not been forgotten.

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

September 4, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

December 27, 2012

Just thinking of you and the family today. Listening to some music at work and thought about all the what ifs :) love you

ashley
sis

February 9, 2011

Thinking of you brother! I love you and miss you dearly!

Ashley
Sis

September 8, 2010

It was such a joy to have known and worked with Mike. There isn't a week that goes by when I don't think of him. I continue to pray for your family. RIP, Mike. I miss you.

D. D'Ercole, Sup Special Agent (Retired)
US Forest Service

March 9, 2010

Hi Brother!
i love you and miss you!!! im always thinking of adam and luke. I wish i cud see them grow, and i havent seen robin since you left. I wish them the best and i know your watching over all of us and i miss you very much!! i just remember the good ol days when we all met up at grandmas but one day we will all be seeing each other. LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!

ash
sis

December 31, 2009

God bless you. Rest in peace, my friend.

Anonymous

January 29, 2009

"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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 18, 2008

i just want to say that i miss you a lot! I love you and ur in my prayers...i think about you all the time.. love you! Love you robin and adam and luke

ash

February 12, 2008

Mike, it has been 5 years since you have been gone and I miss you just as much today as then. I think of you often with love and good memories. Rest in peace my friend.

September 14, 2007

Five years have passed and you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. Thank you for your service to law enforcement and to your Country. You have not been forgotten.

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

September 4, 2007

I had thought about Mike a short time ago and was wondering how he was doing. Sadly, in my search to find him I am confronted with the sad news of his passing. His smile and zest for the brighter side of a day is how I remember him. So it is with a heavy heart I express my condolences. May God bless his wife and children.

Rich Kostynick
College friend

October 15, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Officer Michael Lee Staples and his fellow officers with the U.S. Forest Service:

On this the third anniversary of Michael's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Michael's professionalism and dedication will never be forgotten, nor will his valor and courage. I also salute his patriotism to our country through his service in the U.S. Air Force.

I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul. No doubt that Heaven has another hero in Michael, but I am so sorry you had to lose your beloved. May you all continue to be comforted by your faith and your law enforcement family and other police survivors.

I am so sorry that Michael was robbed of his life so young and so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Michael gave to his community and the citizens of our country, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 4, 2002.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

September 4, 2006

My thougts are with your loved ones on this 4th anniversary of your end of watch. The pain still is present in their hearts and will be for the rest of the time they walk this earth. Keep watch over them. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten.

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

Bob Gordon, Chicago Gold Star Father

September 4, 2006

That day and to this day i still can't believe your gone. It was a total shock to me and everyone. I looked up to you and I thought to myself that I couldn't of had a better caring bigger brother in the world..Everytime we would see you and the family it would just bring this glow of happiness. Not a day goes by that i dont think of you and miss you....love you so much brother!

July 18, 2006

My Greatest Friend and Brother Officer. I strive to follow your example of professionalism, and dedication to both family and work each day. No finer Man than you has worn the uniform of a Forest Service Officer. No finer man has led his life as you had. We miss you Mike, but take comfort in knowing that you now guard Heaven's forests for us.

Special Agent Kurt E. Morine
US Forest Service - LEI

May 22, 2006