Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I come to this page often, and I only want you to know that you are not forgotten

Dispatcher
University of Arkansas Police

September 15, 2003

Although I have never met Officer Wendel, my thoughts and prayers are with his sons, daughter, family, co-workers, and friends. I know how hard it is because my daughter lost her husband earlier this year.

Cynthia McKusick
Mother-in-law of Officer Ryan Cappelletty
Chesterfield P.D.
EOW 5-28-2003

September 7, 2003

Hey Doug, You were such a good guy. I couldnt have had a better stepdad. You had a way of making me laugh, and making me so angry: but I love you so much. We always had a great time together. You were a excellent police officer, who treated everybody fairly. I miss you so much, and the pain only gets worse day by day. Ill see you soon, DOUG:worlds best stepdad.
To the kids: i miss you so much and you will always be my stepbothers and sister. i love you guys, and so does my mom. i will see you soon.
Love You Doug,
Erika

Erika Misseri Stepdaughter

September 4, 2003

Uncle Doug,
It has been a really hard time since you past away.I still think of you everyday ,when i first found out i was really shocked to hear that my Uncle was gone.I still cant get over the fact that i'm never going to see you again.I just wish that it shouldn't have been you -for that fact it shouldn't have been anyone,but there is nothing i can do to bring you back ,I miss you alot,I love you too.
love Erika

Erika Wendel
Niece

September 1, 2003

Uncle Doug,
I am still in a state of shock. There isn't a day that goes by that i don't think about you. You were such a great person a wonderful father, great police officer, devoted to everyone in the family. There wasn't anything you wouldn't do. I just hope that justice will be served and something so terrible will never happen again. I just wish i could see your big smile again and we could take all the kids to GO- KART CITY and back to my pool, that was a great day that i will never forget. There's so much that i have to say,to long of a list to name all the wonderful things that you did for all of us. I won't forget any of it. Can't wait for the day that we can all be together again, who knows maybe it's better up there. I love you and miss you soooo much. God bless you.


Your niece Jennifer

jennifer napodano niece

September 1, 2003

Doug,

I didn't realize that your death would affect me like it did. Rest easy hero. Thanks for always giving your all.

Anonymous

August 26, 2003

God bless his family. If I can be of any service to the family please contact my email....It's men like this that give their lives for us that makes me appreciate the country I live in and the great people that live here...

Guy Williams
Citizen

August 25, 2003

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Wendel.

While I did not the privilege to have known you, I am sure you have earned your place in heaven. Rest in Peace my friend, those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

August 25, 2003

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Wendel, please accept my deepest sympathy. What a terrible tragedy. May you be surrounded by loved ones to comfort you during this difficult time, and those ahead.

Jamie Johnson, surviving sister of
Officer Jon Cook
San Francisco Police Dept.

August 22, 2003

Doug, you were truely one of a kind. You leaving us has impacted me more than anything else ever has in my life. Thank you for all you did. You will never be forgotten!

TODD BEVINGTON
RICHMOND P.D.

August 21, 2003

Though I haven't seen Doug since HS graduation, I feel like I have lost a good friend.... my prayers go out to his family. I am so sorry for your loss. Please remember that Doug is a hero.

Jill Bartolotta (Levy)

August 21, 2003

Doug,

A day hasn't passed that I don't think of you and what you mean to the City and Police Department of Richmond. Although I couldn't be at your side as you were laid to rest, I grieved from a distance. Your laughter and work ethic were contageous and I am a better person for knowing and working with you. Rest in peace always, you did it right.

To Linda and Doug's Family,

It was an honor working with Doug, and we all miss him dearly. Take comfort in the support of friends, family and the thoughts and prayers from fellow officers nationwide. This page reflects a portion of the impact Doug had on his community and his co-workers. Doug had my back on many occasions, and I regret not being able to have his at the time he needed it most. He is a true hero in every sense of the word. He did it right.

Special Agent H. Lidsky
DEA Maui, HI

August 21, 2003

rest in Peace Brother and Thank you for your service

Off E. Kavanagh
Virginia Beach Police Department

August 19, 2003

In honor of the Ultimate Sacrifice that this Brave Officer made to Protect and Serve his community.

To Officer Wendel's family,

Know that Doug did not die in vain, and have strength knowing that he was doing the job that he loved. Doug is walking a beat on heaven's streets, with others who have fallen before him.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they sit at the right hand of the Lord."

Rest In Peace, Brother.................................

Deputy
Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Florida

God Bless Buddy!

Sgt. E.
RPD

I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Wendel. Your loss has hit us particularly hard since we have officers in our department that were close friends with Officer Wendel and worked with him in Richmond. Rest assurred that his memory will live strong amongst your brother and sister officers in Montgomery County.

PO3 A. Elkin
Montgomery County Police (MD)

My heart and my prayers go out to the family, agency and community who have lost a great man. May God bring you peace of mind and may all officers continue our tour of duties with pride in what we stand for and a love for our families and the people we serve every day. Your loss makes me as an officer more determined to give all i have to serve and protect, and be the best officer i can be. May god be with you at this tme and bless you always, jenn

patrol officer jenn patterson
rangely police department, colorado

On behalf of the Chickahominy Family YMCA, we extend our most sincere sympathy to Officer Doug Wendel's family, friends, and co-workers. Doug touched many lives in our community in and out of his uniform.
Doug, we will miss your voice, your humor, dedication and your smiling face as you coached and encouraged Erich, Brigitte, Charlie and all of their teammates out on our soccer fields.
I am happy to announce that our Fall Soccer Season is dedicated to Officer/Coach Doug Wendel in honor of his bravery and dedication to making this community a better place for all of us.
Erich, Brigitte and Charlie; your father is a hero, he was so very proud of you!

Many Blessings,

Tammy Engels

Tammy Engels
Chickahominy Family YMCA

Time passes, but we do not forget my brother.

Anonymous

Doug, I did not have the pleasure of meeting you, but I saw the light you brought to Linda's life. I heard all about you and feel as if I knew you for years.. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to you, Anne and the kids, the rest of your family and Linda. I am forever grateful to you and the men and women who watch over us while we volunteer to make a difference, even in the most dangerous parts of Richmond and Chesterfield. You truly were a hero and an inspiration. God bless you, Doug.

Matthew Clark
Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad

Doug,
It was a honor to work with you and to be able to call you a friend. The times we shared will never be forgotten. Rest easy friend, we have the watch now.

Bryan
RPD

To Doug’s family and friends,

Doug applied for a job working for my husband’s swimming pool business when he first moved here from New York. At first Keith and I neither one knew exactly how to take Doug but he was determined to become Keith’s friend as well as employee. I’ll never forget fixing Keith and him
breakfast one morning when they stopped in to pick up some supplies and Doug was teasing me
about my accent and I thought his was hilarious. A couple weeks after that the day care where
Eric was called to say he needed some tennis shoes so I called Doug to let him know this. He
said “what are tennis shoes?”. We went back and forth for a while then he really raged me about
they were not tennis shoes they’re called “sneakers”, in his NY accent. I’ll never forget it.

Over the years Keith and Doug became very good friends. We know how much Doug wanted to
be a police officer. I’ve never seen anyone so excited and determined to fill his dream. But no
matter how busy he was he was always there to help others. He helped us build our house and
pool as well Keith helped him with his house and pool. He always called Keith in the spring
when he knew the business would be the busiest and offered to help. Keith told me the other day
he couldn’t go to a job without thinking about him. Over the years he had probably helped him
at some point on very job he had.

Doug was truly one of Keith’s closest friends. Unfortunately we sometimes don’t realize how
much someone means to us until they’re not there anymore. Recently our daughter Lindsey
would get so upset with Doug for calling and making fun of her nick name Boo. He’d call the
house and go on and on calling her Boo over and over. Now she’d give anything if he could call
again.

Doug was so proud of his children. He told Keith that Eric wanted to be an astronaut when he
grows up. We all hope you’ll fill your dreams Eric and know your dad will be watching over
you.

Doug was great a father, friend and police officer. We all miss him more than we can express. It still doesn’t seem real that we’ll never hear his voice or see his big smile again. But we have to remember that he has gone to a better place and that one day we’ll meet again.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all always and if there is ever anything we can do please
do not hesitate to call.

Love,
Karen, Keith, Lindsey & Brandon

Karen Henley
friend

Dark is the night
But we can weather the storm
Never say die
We've been down this road before

We'll never quit
We'll never lay down
See we promise you that we'll never let you down

We'll never give up
We'll never give in
We'll never let a ray of doubt slip in
And if we fall, we'll never fail
We'll get up and try again

We'll never lose hope
We'll never lose faith
For there's much too much at stake
Upon each other we must depend
We're not looking for place or show
We're gonna Win!

Men of Honor

We owe you and your family that much. God Bless you my friend. Job well done. Rest now, we've got the watch. May God bring comfort and hope to your family.

Officer Brian N. Robinson 2085/Motors
Richmond Police Department

I am truly sorry for officer Wendel's death. My prayers and the prayers of all the virginia chaplains and officers at
staunton are with you. We grieve with you and we will
continue to keep you all in our prayers, hearts and minds.

CHaplain Bob Johnson
Staunton Police

Doug --

May God bless you and your family. Richmond has lost one of its finest, but not in vain. Your legacy of service and valor will long be remembered and will inspire those still fighting the battle. I wish you and your family peace. Hopefully, the pain of your loss will be eased some day as your children grow to realize that their daddy was a true HERO.

Watch over our brothers and sisters who are still on the battlefield -- JS, TJ3, M. Adams, and Sgt. Mac (RPD) and Will ("Junior" -- CPD) can always use your advice and a little extra supervision.

You fought a good fight and will not be forgotten. I wish you peace and God's eternal love.

Tedrick

Tedrick
Indianapolis, IN