Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I JUST TALKED TO YOU A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED! SEEMS LIKE A DREAM NOW! YOU ALWAYS SAID SOMETHING TO MAKE US ALL LAUGH AND BRIGHTEN OUR SHIFT! YOUR SPIRIT AND POSITIVE ENERGY IS STILL HERE WITH US! YOUR GOOD WORK AND EFFORT IS STILL BEING DONE OUT HERE!

DEP Q.P. JEFAYE'
RICHMOND SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Although I did not know Officer Wendel personally, I am deeply affected by his story and his kind spirit. It hurts my heart to know that officers are out there, giving their all on a daily basis to keep us safe, and this is the thanks they get.

Rest well, Officer Wendel, and know that your wonderful spirit will carry on throughout the ages. For every life that you touched with your kindness, many more will benefit. And now that you have passed on, many like me, who did not have the pleasure of knowing you, benefit as well.

Thank you for all that you have done. You will not be forgotten.

A. Arrington
civilian

To Officer Wendel's family, fiancee, friends, and coworkers: My heart aches for your loss. I know only too well the pain that come from losing one that means everthing to you. May you find comfort and strength in the knowledge that he died doing what he loved. May the community surround you with love and support and may your many memories one day bring you peace. It takes a great man to serve and to give his life for what he believes. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Rachel Cappelletty
Widow of Chesterfield County Police Officer Ryan Cappelletty E.O.W. 5-28-03

Rachel Cappelletty

You will be missed by all your brothers and sisters in law enforcement. Thank you for your service and dedication, we will not forget.

Deputy R.Damron
Henrico County Sheriffs Office

GOD bless Ofc. Doug Wendel, his family, friends and coworkers! Know that he is in a far better place where there is no more pain & sorrow. The cowards that committed this act will get their due justice. It is left to us to live good and productive lives so that we can see Doug and all of our loved ones again when we too go home. Until then ...

Deputy Sheriff
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Florida

This will not bring Doug back,..but I would like everyone to know that the suspect in his shooting death was apprehended on 08-01-2003 at approx. 0930 hours. I would like to thank all of the jurisdictions: VA. State Police, Chesterfield P.D. Henrico P.D., FBI, U.S. Marshalls,and The Secret Service. I worked with some commited and focused Officers during this trying time and as always they did not let me down. Special thanks to Richmond SWAT , W.E.B.B. and K-9. Doug will not be forgotten. There is no greater family than the Law Enforcement family . "We shall not fail or falter; We shall not weaken or tire... Give us the tools and we will fininsh the job ." (Winston Churchill)
Rest easy Doug, We have the watch now.

Anonymous

R.I.P. brother, You Will NEVER be forgotten.

Officer
Clearwater P.D., FL

Officer Wendel brought many, many arrests before me for probable cause hearings. It was always a pleasure to see him. His sense of humor was great and he often made us laugh. He spoke of his children often and was PROUD of all his kids. He was a good man and a good police officer. He will be missed by many for a long time. God Bless him and his family.
City of Richmond, Magistrate Maureen Page Brown

Magistrate Maureen Brown
City of Richmond Magistrate's Office

I had the pleasure of knowing Doug for only a brief while, but it was enough to know that he was one of a kind. He used to come into our office and joke and laugh, and always had nice things to say to everyone. His accent was undeniable, as was his presence in a room! It hurts to know he'll never walk through our office door again.
To the family of Doug, may God hold you in your time of need. I especially hope his children will get through this troubling time, knowing that their daddy loved them during his time on earth, and still loves him from above. God bless you, Doug.

Anonymous

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS
WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS
AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER WENDEL, HIS
FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS....

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

My prayers and thoughts are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Wendel God bless you and your family
and may you rest in peace. Thanks for a job well done

Ralph L. White (Retired)
Richmond, Va. PD

Dougie, no one knows how my heart sank when I heard the news. The world lost a damn fine officer and an even better man. You will never be forgotten. God bless you and your family. I'm sure you're sitting in a pool you designed right now. Rest easy old friend.

Officer William Breedlove
Roanoke County Police, Former RPD

On behalf of the Officers, Board of Directors, and members of John Marshall Lodge #2, Fraternal Order of Police, Richmond, VA, we extend our most heartfelt sympathy to the family, loved ones, friends, coworkers, and brother and sister Lodge members of our member, Officer Douglas Wendel. It is indeed a sad time for all of us when one of "our own" meets an untimely death at the hands of an uncaring citizen of he community he so sacrificially serves. Doug, "blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God" (Mathew 5:9)
God's arm were wide open that day to welcome you home, "my son".

Lynda M. Cooksey, Chaplain
John Marshall Lodge #2, Fraternal Order of Police
Richmond, VA

Lynda M. Cooksey, Chaplain
John Marshall Lodge #2, FOP

ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER FELLOW OFFICER HAS MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE EXTENDED TO YOU AND YOU'RE FAMILY.

POLICE OFFICER M. STASI
QUEENS TASK FORCE NYPD

Words escape me. Wendel, my thoughts and prayers go out to your family at home and your family in Blue. Please know that you made a difference in the lives of many and your heroism will never be forgotten. Justice will be served and I look forward to that day.

To all the other heroes who walk the streets of Richmond, it may not be said enough, but we love you - be safe.

S.Y.D.
Citizen, Richmond, Virginia

On behalf of the officers and members of the Richmond Retired Police Officers Association (RRPOA) we extend our deepest symapthy to the family, loved ones, friends, and coworkers of Officer Douglas Wendel. It is a sad, sad day when one of our "brothers in blue" suffers an untimely death such as his. Doug, "you ran the race, you fought the good fight..."

Lynda Cooksey, Secretary
Richmond Retired Police Officers Association
Richmond, Virginia

Lynda M. Cooksey
Retired Patrol Officer

Linda,
My great friend. Doug, Linda's love. Linda my heart is with you even though I am not! I am here for you and I love you! Doug I didn't know you that well but if you were good for Linda you were good in my book. As for Ofc Wendel the police man, I take it very personal when I send an officer on a call, they are my ofc. It could have been me and i cant tell you how may times that I have heard "Radio I'll advise" when I hear that phrase now I get a cold place in my stomach! Officer Doug ( as I knew you ) Wendel God speed and be a city child's angel
with all of my love

Robin Pierce Richmond DCE and Past Richmond Ambulance Employee
Linda I love you!
Robin

COII
Richmond Police Dept

I'm not an officer or anyone from duty, just someone that appreciates someone from that respect..I can only go on with appreciative and respect with honor and intregrity...and someone with children that they will always honor and have respect for...that in itself is a true hero...god bless your children...they will forward themselves through you...what an honor:) god bless

It is so hard to believe that we have lost another brother within our wonderful family. May God bring peace to your fiance, kids, family, and fellow officers of the Richmond Police Department during this time of suffering. May God bring this animal to justice soon so he can face the consequences of his cowardful act. This was such a senseless act of cowardness. Be rest assured, every brother and sister in this large family of blue will be looking for him with your guidance from Heaven above. He will be found. May you and the rest of the fallen officers keep a watchful eye on the rest of us.
May you rest in peace my brother. God Bless what you have given and what you have done.

A.J. Gordon, Police Officer
Henrico, Virginia Police Dept.

Doug:
May The Lord watch between me and you while we are absent one from another....amen

Anonymous

May you rest in peace. God bless your heart and soul. We all know that you will guide us and protect us from above. Your memory will live on forever.

Special Agent
Department of Homeland Security

A police officer died today, and the sun stop shining.
A police officer died today, and our smiles turned upside down.
A police officer died today, and his brothers in blue cried.
It did not matter how he died, he died doing, doing what he loved. Wendel you are relieved of duty. Sit back and take your rest we all love you, but God loves you best.
Oh yeah Doug I did take it up a notch...for you brother...
Thanks for all you did.
To the children, always remember Dad loved you and will always be in everyones hearts and minds.
FALL OUT SOLDIER!!! YOU ARE DISMISSED!!!!

Anonymous

"...even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil..." These are the words that keep coming to me when I think of what happened to Doug Wendel. I pray that God will keep his angels all around these brave men and women...thank-you, Doug, for your generosity and caring for people...may you truly be rewarded for this ultimate sacrifice...and I know that the culprit will have to pay for the consequences for not only your death but for the agony inflicted upon family and friends. Jesus said that He was made stronger in death...may you, Doug, do the same!

One who loves a Richmond Police Officer
Richmond, VA.

I did not know this officer but, some good friends did and sent the information. I pray that God's arms enfold the his family during this difficult time.

Anonymous

I'm starting to find myself without anything to say. This is beginning to become a little too common. It seemed like yesterday we lost Ryan. Now another brother, another father, another friend, another warrior has been lost. This loss if felt thoughout the public safety community. Despite being from different agencies, we're all family. My deepest condolences go out to Doug's family and the Richmond Police department.

God bless us all as we continue the fight. Doug, rest easy brother, we have the watch.

Mike
#2293 RPD
#107 CPD

P.O. Michael J. Gray
Chesterfield Police Department