Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Det. Potienko,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Cheektowaga. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 29, 2022

Rest in peace Detective Potienko.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2020

I said a little prayer today for Detective Potienko and his family. He may be gone but not forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

October 28, 2015

You are a hero & an angel. God bless you & your family.

D/S Timothy Hernandez & D/S Christina Hernandez
Escambia County S/O. FL

October 29, 2013

You have not been forgotten. True heroes never die. Continue to watch over your loved ones.

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

October 29, 2009

Ill never forget walking in to work that day and finding out what happened. It seems like yesterday that I was down in your office talking to you. The date is almost here for the annual golf outing thats held in your honor.

CPD PSD

August 3, 2009

The anniversary of your EOW has arrived and I know it is always a hard day for those that love you to get through. The only thing they can do is take one day at a time and keep your memory alive. You have not been forgotten.

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

October 29, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this sixth anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

October 29, 2008

"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

December 18, 2007

I salure you, Sir, on the fifth (05) Anniversary of your tragic and untimely death. May your family and friends take comfort in knowing you will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten!

DET SGT, Retired
AR

October 29, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 29, 2007

Heros are never forgotten. God Bless your family.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

October 29, 2007

To the family and friends of Detective Wasyl Potienko, and his fellow officers with the Cheektowaga Police Dept:

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Detective Potienko was tragically killed three years ago. His dedication and valor will never be forgotten.

Our family grieves with you and for you.
We share your agony as we lost our beloved Larry Lasater of the Pittsburg Police Dept. when he was fatally shot on April 23, 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers.

May you continue to be comforted by the caring and support of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. There are many who will always be with you each step of the painful journey you face.

This refection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Detective Potienko gave to his community as a law enforcement officer, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 29, 2002.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater, Pittsburg Police Dept, eow 4/24/05

October 30, 2005

I had the honor of both working with and knowing Det. Potienko. When the Galleria Mall started a new policy Det. Potienko was there helping everybody adjust and giving advise on how to make it work. I know I'll miss him and may he rest in peace and god bless Mary.To his brother officers of the CPD god be with all of you.

WGSD Officer Lysek
Walden Galleria Security Department

August 8, 2004

God Bless you and your family.
Cousin of one of your fellow Cheektowaga brothers, Valentine Zimniewicz.

Deputy Sheriff Frank N. Felicetta III
Pinellas County Sheriffs Office, Florida

January 11, 2004

Dearest Mary,
Our prayers will ever be with you. and Bill will always be remembred.
Love, Jeannette & Chuck

Lt. Charles Shields, retired
Cheektowaga

November 12, 2003

Dear Mary,

Jeannette Shields
Survivor

Dear Mary, We both know what love is and we will never forget Jim and Bill. They are true heroes, not just because they died in the line of duty but because they loved and were deeply love, Our prayers continue to be with you
Jeannette Shields, Jimmy Shields' mom (12/30/02)

Jeannette Shields
Survivor

My thoughts and prayers are with Detective Potienko's wife, family, friends and co-workers. You are not alone in your pain and grief. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

I would like to send my condolences to Detective Wasyl Potienko family,friends and to the Cheektowaga Police Department.


Robert Wigton # 9516
Patrolman
San Antonio Park Police

patrolmam robert wigton
san antonio park police

Our deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Potienko. Now he is watching on us from above.

Recruit Don Reichhardt
60th Class Basic Police Academy
Crater Criminal Justice Academy

Officer Don Reichhardt
Virginia State University Police Department

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS OF DETECTIVE POTIENKO. WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR SACRIFICE.

THE MEMBERS OF THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN BUFFALO,N.Y.

NFTA TRANSIT AUTHORITY POLICE DEPT. BUFFALO, N.Y.

FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY POLICE DEPT. IN BUFFALO, N.Y. ALL OUR SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS OF DETECTIVE POTIENKO, MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

OFFICERS OF THE TRANSIT POLICE DEPT.
NFTA TRANSIT AUTHORITY POLICE DEPT.

My heart goes out to the family of Detective Potienko. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

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

To Mrs. Potienko, the wife of a hero. Your husband will truly be missed. You have my deepest sympathy for your loss. You are in our prayers. May you rest in peace Detective Potienko.

Ptlm Olson
Holmen PD, Wi