Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I only worked with Trooper Mark Cosslett for a short time, but enjoyed chatting with him every time he came by the Virginia State Police Association office. As the 7th Division representative, Mark took on a tremendous amount of responsibility -- as a volunteer! He was involved in so many charities and was always willing to help out in any way he could. He was always polite, funny and listened to any complaints or concerns you had. I admire his wife for her bravery at his funeral. Going down Interstate 95 as we headed to Quantico, it was so touching to seeing all the blue lights lined up for miles in the procession and seeing area police officers and firemen lined up on the overpasses to salute their fallen comrade. There were even people stuck in the lines of traffic beside the procession who got out of their vehicles and put their hands over their hearts in respect for Mark. Though law enforcement officers do not always receive much respect when they're alive, it is comforting to know that so many people do care -- afterall. God bless you, Mark. Thank you for making Virginia and your country a safer place to live and work.

Tammy, VSPA editor
Virginia State Police Association

As I read these reflections Tears run down my face for not knowing why this happened as A Marine/Trooper this bothers me so much that This warrior has been taken from us. All I can say is God Speed Brother for you have done your time in Hell SEMPER FI my Brother.

STATE TROOPER
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL

If the army and the navy ever look on heaven's scenes,
they will find the streets are guarded by Unites States
Marines. Semper Fi, brother.

Anonymous

On 23 October 2002 as we sat in our seats listening attentively to the material that was being covered by the instructor representing the Virginia State Police, there was a disruption from her pager revealing news of a Trooper who was just involved in an accident in Northern Virginia. When we came to a breaking point in the lecture she made a phone call and came back to tell us that it was confirmed that a Virginia State Trooper just lost his life in a tragic motorcycle accident. We send our deepest sympathy and regards to the family of Trooper Mark Cosslett and the Virginia State Police on their recent loss and a fellow BROTHER IN BLUE AND GRAY. May GOD comfort you in your time of sorrow. GOD SPEED Semper Fidelis!!!

60th Basic Police Academy
Crater Criminal Justice Academy

Recruit Donald W. Reichhardt
Virginia State University Police Department

Semper Fi

A Brother,
Houston PD

Anonymous

From all of the officers with Chesterfield I would like to reach out and offer our prayers and sympathy to the family of Trooper Cosslett. I'm sure he will patrol the heavenly highways as well as he did those in Virginia.

"What we do in life echos in eternity"

Ofc. Michael C. Elliott Unit 430
Chesterfield County P.D.

MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THIS BRAVE MAN. GOD BLESS

Anonymous

SEMPER FI You have done your time in Hell I would like to leave this Prayer as I have carried it through Harms way and I hope It will Help with the pain to the loved ones and friends of this Brave soul
One night a Marine had a dream The Marine dreamed of walking along the beach with the Lord Across the sky flashed scenes from the Marines life for each scene the Marine noticed 2 sets of footprints in the sand 1 belonging to the Marine and 1 belonging to the Lord when the last scene appeared the Marine noticed many times there was only 1 set of footprints and this seemed to happen during the lowest and saddest times in the Marines Life this really bothered the Marine.The Marine questioned the Lord Lord you said once I decided to follow you you would walk with me all the way but during the most troublesome times there is only 1 set of footprints This Marine does not understand when I needed you most you left me The Lord replied I love you and would never leave you. During your times of pain and suffering when you see only 1 set of footprimts it was then I carried you.

SEMPER FI BROTHER

STATE TROOPER K-9
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL

My thoughts and prayers are with this officers family and his co-workers. May God comfort you through this very difficult time. Always tell the children that their father was a HERO..................

Shelly Ragsdale, surviving spouse
Officer Alan Ragsdale, Hohenwald Police Dept., EOW 11-27-00

So sad, so unbearable, except for God, the pain of the loss for Trooper Cosslett's family.... My deep, deep sympathy to them and to all his professional and personal friends. I was privileged to learn about what an outstanding trooper and man he was at the funeral service at Immanuel Bible Church. Truly, he was a hero and I am thankful for him and for all the other men and women of the Virginia State Police. The snipers had 14 victims; Trooper Cosslett was the last. May the peace of Christ comfort.

Dianna Sutherland
Virginia Citizen

God bless this hero taken from us.May you rest in peace my brother.God bless the wife and children.

Detective J.C. Johnson
Danville Police Dept. Danville VA.

To: Trooper Mark Cosslett's family.
I did not have the pleasure of personally knowing Mark. My husband and I attended Mark's funeral and were blessed by getting a glimpse of Mark through the many remarks shared about his life. May God grant peace and comfort to each family member. You are blessed with many good memories.

A Fellow Survivor

Maureen Wash Cuthrell, President
Old Dominion Concerns of Police Survivors of Virginia

Gone But Never Forgotten, For now we have the watch that you so bravely gave your life for. Honor and defend it we will, for now we have an Angel to always guide us. Rest In Peace our Brother, you shall Forever Be Missed.

Keith Porter
Son of VSP Master Trooper James E. Porter (Retired)

I am so sorry for your loss. Here on the west coast we slept peacefully in our beds- while Trooper Cosslett put himself at risk so that you on the east coast could sleep peacefully in yours. God bless you Trooper Cosslett- you died a true hero to us all.

Sami Thomson
Surviving niece of Officer Jon Cook
San Francisco Police Department

To the Family of Officer Cosslett,

Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I lost my brother Officer John C. Bohach, Reno PD just over a year ago. Officer Cosslett will forever remain a hero and his memory will live on forever. We must remain strong and live on. God Bless You.

Jean M. Buckley
Citizen of Virginia and
Sister of Officer Bohach
Reno PD EOW 8/22/01

God bless you and your family for your ultimate sacrafice.
May you rest in peace.

Deputy Mark L. Spencer
McKinley County Sheriffs Dept.

Thank you so much for keeping Virginia safe in pursuing the sniper that propelled the whole east coast into utter terror. Thanks to people like you, we can sleep a little easier at night. You are our defender, and we will never forget the price that some pay to provide us that safety. Rest well sir, and to your family, my sincere hope for closure, and peace. Thanks again.

Concerned Military Member
USAF

I WOULD LIKE TO SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO TROOPER C.MARK COSSLETT FAMILY,FRIENDS AND TO THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE.


ROBERT WIGTON #9516
PATROLMAN
SAN ANTONIO PARK POLICE

patrolmam robert wigton
san antonio park police

From one motorman to another. You did what you loved to do and that was to ride and do law enforcement. God bless you.

Motor-officer John W. Pretti
Tallahassee Police Department Florida

May you rest in peace. God bless you and your family.

Trooper GN Hartley
Virginia State Police

My prayers are with the wife and 2 small children of this brave man. He gave his life trying to help others. He is truly one of the many heroes that are now watching over all of us from above.

Lori Brown
Aunt of Deputy Renee Azure EOW 8/06/02

It sounds like thunder far away, but the skies are blue and bright..And soon they crest the hill nearby, and ride into our sight. They shake the ground with powerful sound, and they make some hearts beat fast.. They look so proud and noble, like knights come from the past.
Side by side, they always ride, and seem to move as one.. From early in the morning light, to the setting of the sun. And children point and wave to them, from cars that pass them by.. And young ones ask their parents, why the men have mirrors for eyes.
They ride the roads, and fight for good, and defend small ones like you.. They ask to ride, and do with pride, and sometimes they are few. Like men of steel, on silver wings, they sparkle in the light.. then with a roar and rumble, they ride out of our sight.
Sometimes when one has fallen, never to ride again.. You can hear the others calling, like thunder on the wind. Side by side they slowly ride, and their thunder is a mournful sound.. And the mirrors hide their eyes from us, when teardrops fall to ground.
So if you see one riding, and you look into his face.. You see your reflection in his eyes, you know that you are safe. For motormen are a special breed, they love to ride the wind.. And when you hear the thunder boom, the fallen one rides again.

This entry is for Trooper Cosslett's family & friends from a fellow officer, and brother Marine here in Michigan. Mark will never be gone...he now rides alongside every motor officer, and like the poem says you'll know he's there everytime you hear that roar of a police motor.
God Bless & Semper Fi

Ofc. Keith VanValkenburgh
Dearborn Heights Police (MI)

God bless those left behind. Rest in peace our fallen hero.

S. Yates
concerned citizen

SEMPER FI my fellow Marine and State Trooper. To the family, The TX DPS would like to send our deepest sympathy on your loss. Trooper Cosslett I did not know you personaly, but to be a Marine and a Trooper I feel I know you on a different level. GOD SPEED brother.

State Trooper
TX. Dept. of Public Safety

...as a former Marine and police officer and the father of Trooper John Bishop, 858 (Fairfax), may God rest the soul of Trooper Cosslett and his family...there is nothing on God's green earth lonelier than taps...all dues "paid in full"...

Chief Herman Bishop,retired
Adams,Mass. Police Dep't