Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

fitz the man they called the polar bear,who stood 6ft 5in so people be aware.he was watching you day and night,he would sneak up on people in the middle of the night.so if you went to a call better be aware cause right behind you stood the man they called the polar bear.he was always happy and full of joy,he was always laughing oh boy.he loved his job you could see,where theres a problem theres where he would be.so fitz your on your way to a much better place so heaven be aware cause there goes the man that people called THE POLAR BEAR. WE WILL MISS YOU FITZ-704

moore co so

You are gone but not forgotten. We will always keep you in our hearts and prayers.

Anonymous

It was my honor and priviledge to know Fitz. When I learned of his passing I was shocked and sadened. Fitz was a bear of a man, and about the last person I ever expected to be hurt on the job. Things tended to quiet down when he showed up, and he did show up. No matter if he was called in to help back up the PD, or if he was just in the area and it sounded like a bad call, he was there. I was always glad to see him show up on a scene. I can think of a thousand kindnesses he showed me. If I ever needed a favor done for me out "in the county" he always lent a hand. He knew not only the county like the back of his hand, but he knew the people as well. He knew every name I ever mentioned to him, and more than likely where they lived. He was a living example of community policing. Fitz was a fine Deputy and an exemplary law enforcement officer.

The deputies, officers, and citizens of Moore County will miss Fitz. I know I do

Former Patrol Officer Greg Shelton
Dumas Police Department

Fitz , i write this with a heavy heart. Over the years i worked with Fitz, i found never another man that could fill his shoes. Mike was a dedicated officer to the people of Moore County. As a friend he was there to help off and on duty, during his shifts he was the Counties guardain angel while on patrol as he covered the whole county. He knew the County like the back of his hand. Never a night went by that Fitz didn't brighten up your life in some way. His big broad shoulders and smile carried peace to all. God bless Fitz, you will be remember from now on.

Citizen Troy L. Walker
Retired Peace Officer

"Fitz" was a gentle man, Whom I loved to work with. He was our midnight Sargeant who knew exactly what to say and how to do it. I have known Fitz for 4 years. No one knows this county like he did. I was dispatching that night and had the oppertunity of having to contact his fellow worker and friends to tell them what had happened. This was the hardest night of my life. I then watched those fellow friends and co workers come to the office and see the pain in their eyes. We all loved him very much and we miss him dearly. I hope he is watching over us now as he did then.

Nikki Lint
Moore County Sheriff's Office

I'LL BE OUT AT THE ALLSUPS A MINUTE OR TWO, I'LL BE OUT GETTING REFRESHMENTS FOR TONITES ENTERTAINMENT, AND FITZ HAVE A GOOD NITE AND BE CAREFUL, HIS REPLY, OH YEAH. WE LOVE YOU, MISS YOU SO MUCH.

Anonymous

DISPATCHERS WHO WORKED EVENINGS KNEW WHEN THE PHONE RANG AT 10:30PM THAT IS WAS FITZ. HE WOULD ALWAYS CALL TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY BEFORE HE CAME OUT FOR HIS SHIFT. WHO OR WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR. IF IT WAS A STOLEN VEHICLE HE WOULD BE THE ONE TO FIND IT, HE ALWAYS DID. FITZ WAS CARING, COMPASSIONATE, LOVING, AND LOVED HIS JOB. FITZ COULD ALWAYS HANDLE ANY CALL OR SITUATION. JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THIS AWFUL TRAGEDY, HE WAS ON HIS NIGHTS OFF AND WE GOT A CALL OF A SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE, HE WAS LISTENING. FITZ GOT IN HIS UNIT AND AS USUAL HE LOCATED THE VEHICLE AND IDENTIFIED THE SUBJECTS. I DON'T THINK HE EVER SLEPT. THIS MAN WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO REPLACE HIM. I HOPE ALL DEPARTMENTS HAVE AT SOME POINT IN TIME WILL HAVE THIS KIND OF OFFICER. ALL DEPARTMENTS IN THIS COUNTY LOVED AND ADMIRED HIM. HE HAD EVERYONE'S RESPECT, BECAUSE HE EARNED AND DESERVED IT. EVEN THE YOUNG PEOPLE. THEY KNEW THEY COULD COUNT ON HIM TO BE THERE. FITZ, OUR POLAR BEAR, WE LOVE AND MISS YOU. PATROL THE UNIVERSE MY FRIEND, ITS NOW YOUR BEAT.

Anonymous

I WANT TO HONOR A MAN WHO I HAVE COME TO KNOW OVER 10 1/2 YEARS OF WORKING WITH HIM. FITZ WAS NOT ONLY MY DEPUTY SGT, HE WAS MY FRIEND. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST DEDICATED DEPUTIES I HAVE EVER KNOWN. EVERY DEPT I WORK FOR KNEW THEY COULD COUNT ON HIM AT ANY TIME. WHEN FITZ WOULD SHOW UP AT A CALL, WHETHER IT WAS DOMESTIC, A FIGHT, A WRECK NO MATTER WHAT, HIS PRESENCE CALMED EVERYONE THERE. FITZ HANDLED EVERY CALL WITH PATIENCE AND CARING. HE WAS LOVED BY SO MANY IN THIS COUNTY AND WILL BE MISSED SO MUCH THAT WORDS COULD NEVER EXPLAIN IT. HIS FELLOW OFFICERS ALWAYS KNEW THEY COULD COUNT ON HIM. SINCE FITZ HAD DISPATCHED BEFORE HE KNEW DISPATCH LIKE THE BACK OF HIS HAND AND ALL OF US CALLED ON HIM MANY TIMES FOR HELP, DIRECTION AND HE WAS OUR SOUNDING BOARD WHEN WE NEEDED TO VENT AFTER A HECTIC NIGHT. HE WAS ALWAYS THERE. EVEN ON HIS NIGHTS OFF OR VACATION TIME HE WAS LISTENING, AND WOULD GO ON CALLS AND TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING. OUR DEPT HAS LOST ONE OF THE GREATEST MEN EVER TO ENTER LAW ENFORCEMENT. I HOPE THE GOOD LORD WILL ALLOW HIM TO BE OUR DEPUTY SGT GUARDIAN ANGEL. I WILL PERSONALLY FEEL BETTER KNOWING HE IS LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER TO GUIDE AND HELP ME. AND BE THERE FOR ALL OF THE OFFICERS I HAVE CHARGE OVER DURING MY SHIFT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GOD NEEDED HIM MORE THAN US, BUT IT MUST BE ONE SPECIAL MISSION. WHEN ITS MY TIME TO GO I HOPE HE'S WAITING AT THE PEARLY GATES FOR ME, WE HAVE ALOT TO TALK ABOUT. FITZ IF YOUR LISTENING I SAW THE SHOOTING STAR THE NIGHT OF YOUR FUNERAL AND KNOW IT WAS YOU. WE MISS AND LOVE YOU.
BRENDA MCCLURE
MOORE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
EVENING DISPATCHER

DISPATCHER BRENDA MCCLURE
MOORE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

We all knew Sgt. Mike Fitzgerald simply as "Fitz". That's the way he wanted it. Fitz was a very dedicated law enforcement officer. Fitz was excellent at his trade as a law enforcement officer. He was also my partner. But most of all, Fitz was my friend.

He was a big man, 6 foot, 5 inches tall, 370 lbs. Fitz had a loving and giving heart that was bigger than he was. Fitz was always there. You could count on Fitz, everyone knew it.
Fitz was a kind and generous man, an honorable man, a good friend. I miss him more than words can express. God's speed Fitz. Semper Fi, Brother

Deputy Don Fugett
Moore County Sheriff's Office

Moore County’s rural roads are lonelier tonight.
Moore County, Deputy Sergeant Mike Fitzgerald died in the early morning hours of July 8; the victim of a head-on crash as he responded to a “suspicious car” call in rural Moore County.
“Fitz”, or “Polar Bear” was a big man, over six feet tall.
He carried a chrome-plated Colt pistol; a .45 long Colt, with a six-inch barrel and target sights. It was a big gun that never looked big while “Fitz” had it strapped around his waist.
The cluttered cockpit of his Caprice prowl car looked much like a home well-lived in. The passenger seat was piled up with a brief case, papers and folders. Between the front seats was a wall constructed of plywood upon which hung six or more sets of handcuffs and manacles. The dashboard was strewn with more paperwork. It was, it seemed, at once chaos and organization. At least as “Fitz” understood order.
After a midnight shift patrolling the backroads of Moore County, and while sitting in the office writing reports, the uniform he’d pulled on the previous evening showed the results of riding all night. He reminded me then of a plush and comfortable, rumpled, unmade bed.
I would like to say that I could have called “Fitz “a friend. But I’m afraid I couldn’t. I was merely an acquaintance; and that’s my fault and my loss. I really knew very little about him. I had known him about six years and had no knowledge of his personal life; if he were married, (according to news reports he wasn’t). What foods he preferred; his favorite movie genre. What women did he find more attractive? Blondes, brunettes, redheads? These are things a friend knows and an acquaintance doesn’t.
The paths of “Fitz” and myself had crossed at accident scenes and at the jailbook counter in the sheriff’s office. I can never remember seeing him out of uniform. I had never seen him drive any vehicle except his Caprice Crusier. Because I never saw him off duty.
But, through observation I did learn a few things about “Fitz”.

I know that he had a cop’s sense of humor, wry, dry, and quite often irreverent. It’s a trait; a defense mechanism if you will, often shared by law enforcement officers, firemen, emergency personnel and reporters alike. It’s how we protect ourselves against the frightful things we sometimes must see and hear.

I know as an officer he was firm but fair.

I know he was dedicated to his work. He often stayed hours past his shift change completing paper work.

I never observed him be disrespectful to anyone.

I know he loved his job.
Fitz‚ was a good man. I hadn‚t seen him in nearly a year; and though I don’t feel I had earned the right to call him friend; I miss him already.

C.F. David

Anonymous

Mike Fitzgerald or Fitz as we all knew him was a big man, the size of a polar bear. Mike was the kind of officer that when you called for back up you knew he would be there as fast as he could. Fitz would show up when you hadn't called for back up, just because you just might need a helping hand.
Mike talked with the truckers that came thru our county via CB most of them knew him as Polar Bear. If they need help Mike was there to give a helping hand. I remember a night this last winter when Fitz responded to a jack knife truck at the bottom of Big Blue, it had rained and the roads were covered with black ice. When Fitz got to the scene his squad didn't want to stop, even when he had put it in neutral, he kept slidding. When he was able to get his squad stopped he made his way to the truck to make the driver was ok. Fitz called for a tow truck to come form Amarillo to get this guy out, he had to find a way for the tow truck to come in without slidding into the truck, which he did. During the time which they waited for the tow truck, another accident had occured at the top of Big Blue. Fitz made his way to the top to make sure everyone was ok and to get any help they may have needed. Never once did he think of himself only those who were in need of his help.
Fitz we will miss you, knowing that you help make Moore County a better place to live. I want to thank you for always being ther to give a helping hand.
Sergeant Mike Fitzgerald ( Fitz)
is 1042, 10-7

Mother of an officer
moore county, tx. citizen

I am so saddened to hear of the loss of a fine officer in a traffic collision. This sadly proves that vehicles continue to be the top killer of peace officers and no task is "routine" in our work. I pray for his family, friends and colleagues. We all are hurt by this untimely loss because we are all family of the badge, no matter where we work and what uniform we wear.

He died a hero in the Lone Star State. He now walks a beat in Heaven with St. Michael. God Bless and be safe out there.

Cheif JA Millan

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools SP, Avery Dist

Yet another deouty is called home while the rest of the world morns. My heart goes out to the Fitzgerald family. I too know the loss that even in time seems to only get easier to understand. I lost Adam at atime when we both thought we had found our soul mate. If deputy Fitzgerald had the same my heart goes out to her as well. We are often not seem as much but our pain is just as great. To his family remember all the police family. I have found they are the strongest to lean on. And in time it gets easier and sometimes you think you will nenver get over it. Just take one day at a time and remember the good time and Jesus. For the Lord is the only one who will help you get through it.

Katrina Hickox
Girlfriend of Adam Fleshner E.O.W.1-13-03

Although we have never met, I feel the pain of your loss. Rest easy brother knowing that your life was lived in VALOR and you will always be remembered as a HERO. My prayers are with you and your family.

You have fought a good fight,
You have kept the faith,
You have finnished the course.

Rest in peace and may GOD bless.

Deputy Sheriff W.F. Fitzgerald
Jacksonville Florida Sheriff's Office

My heart goes out to the family, friends and brothers in blue of this brave man. May he rest in peace.

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

Thank you for your service and dedication you will not be forgotten

Officer Burcham
Decatur Police Dept (AL)

My sincere condolence to the family,friends and co-workers ofDeputy Fitzgerald. The loss is to many. We will remember.

Sr. Trooper Keith Miller
Oregon State Police

Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

TO DEPUTY FITZGERALD FAMILY AND FRIENDS. OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. MAY YOUR LOVE ONE REST IN PEACE. AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
MOTHER OF OFFICER RON JONES
PPD, EOW 12/26/01

Rest in peace blue angel.

Shannon
concerned citizen

Rest in peace brother

Police Officer
Burlington Township Police Department(NJ)

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. YOU ARE MY HERO AND A TRUE WARRIOR. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUED AND DEDICATED SERVICE. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. WALK THE SAFE STREETS OF HEAVEN NOW, WE HAVE THE WATCH. R.F.P. EOW 06-23-03

Officer P. Graziano
Virginia Beach Police Dept.

God bless you, Fitz, you were a friend to everyone. You will be missed.

Sgt. J.A. Rodela
Borger Police Department

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOUR SACRIFICE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

POLICE OFFICER
NYPD - 44 PCT

May God Bless you and all your friends and family, as we all in the law enforcement community share your grief.
God Bless

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Constable Pct 2