Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace

Mark Mottola

February 10, 2020

Officer Ottis , rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 24, 2019

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim Russo

February 11, 2017

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

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 23, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this 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

February 10, 2010

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

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

February 23, 2009

To Officer Eric Ottis, his children, his parents and other loved ones:

On this the seventh anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart is with all family members who call you beloved. They are all in my thoughts and prayers today. To Daniel, I know you were proud to have Eric follow in your footsteps and I know how terribly you must miss him as I
too know the meaning of lives forever changed by the loss of a cherished son.

Eric, this world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Officer Ottis. I am so humbled by your valor and service.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Eric gave to his community and the citizens of Nebraska, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 10, 2002.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 10, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 8, 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 11, 2007

OFFICER OTTIS, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. OUR CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR YOUR FAMILY AND THOSE WHO MISS AND LOVE YOU. GOD BLESS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

August 27, 2007

Five years later, and ALWAYS remembered for his supreme sacrifice.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 26, 2007

I knew Eric and had often spoken to him about testing for the department I worked on at the time. Everyone who knew him felt he would be a great addition to our department. Eric is buried in what was part of my partol distric and I often went to visit him while on duty. I have met members of his family and have tried to express to them how highly we all thought of Eric. I hope this reflection helps show them and others that I truely meant every word.

December 14, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Eric did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Eric be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Ottis' family, friends, and co-workers must have gone through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. Please know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (Dennis' department will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Eric but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Eric will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Eric, even for a short time. I pray that Eric and Dennis will continue to watch over us along with all the other fallen officers all as only they can.

Thank you Officer Ottis for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who loved you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

August 29, 2005

I spend a lot of time looking at this website after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill May 30, 2003).

I try to write a short note to the families/friends of others who have experienced the same pain as I know. I just wanted to say that your son/friend will never be forgotten. We appreciate his service to his community and to the USA.

God Bless You!

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 3, 2004

"One thing I know: the only ones who will be really happy are those among you who have sought and found a way to serve." Albert Schweitzer
Although Officer Ottis did not get the chance to serve very long, he had a chance to dedicate his life to the profession he believed in. Few people get that chance. Bless him for his service.
I pray that his family and friends will be comforted by their memories of him in happier times.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, IN

February 10, 2004

Rest in Peace Officer Ottis. Your sacrifice for Bennington, Ne. will not be forgotten.

Officer Mike Davis
Omaha Police Department

September 24, 2003

My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Ottis' family, friends and co-workers. You are never alone in your pain and grief. Your law enforcement family will always be with you. Psalm 55:22

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

What a waste!! Another young man lost in his prime. God Speed brother. Watch over us

Anonymous

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and co- workers of Eric. So young with his whole life a head of him, M dad was also in law inforcement. I was very proud of him as well. I sympathy goes out to you, god bless

Daughter of Deupty Dennis McElderry
Bloomfield Ia

To the family and friends of officer Ottis:
Since your anniversary is in a few days, I thought I would let you know that you are remembered. I know there isn't a day that goes by that someone doesn't think about you. May God comfort all those who still mourn this life cut short too quickly. God bless!!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

Deepest sympathy to the family of PO Eric Lee Ottis. May his son grow up knowing what a special man his father was.

Anonymous

Eric is my son who I had the honor and priviledge of knowing and loving for a short 22 years 5 months 25 days. Eric was not only my son, he was my best friend and partner, my last partner. We did everything together.

Eric was a natural at being a police officer. He learned quickly, retained what he learned and applied it like a veteran.

When Eric put on his uniform he would shine like the stars at night. He was very proud to be a police officer and I was very proud of him.

Eric was just as proud being the father of his son, Austin. They too were best friends and would have been partners as Austin also wanted to be a policeman like his daddy.

He will be missed more than I can put into words.

God's speed my son.

Investigator Daniel L. Ottis
Bennington PD

Officer Ottis, Although almost a year has passed since you were taken away from us, you are still fondly thought of as a friend and brother law enforcement officer. May god continue to watch over you and your family. We miss you Eric, From your friends in the Douglas County area, law enforcement agencies.

Chief K.C. Bang
Valley Ne. Police Dept.

Rest easy, brother. We will continue for you......

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

To the parents, coworkers, friends and child of Officer Ottis know that he was a true hero and Officer Ottis may you rest in peace.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Azure, EOW 08/06/02