Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Doug. God bless the Wendel family and the Richmond Police Department.

Trooper Kevin Rogers
Massachusetts State Police

I just want to say My heart goes out to Officer Wendels Family and Friends. You won't ever be forgotten Officer Wendel.

Wife Of A
Chesterfield Police Officer

My prayers and thoughts go out to the family of Officer Douglas E. Wendel. Officer Wendel was killed not too far from my home protecting me and the all the citizens of Richmond. My brother First Sargent Joseph F. Drexler of West Point retired from the Virginia State Police on June 1st after 35 years of service. Fortunately for him and our family he served without being injured.

Officer Wendel, may the angels welcome you to your heavenly home and may you rest in the arms of God until we all meet in the house of the Lord.

Doug, you will guide your children from heaven now. To Doug's children, no person ever dies. Only the body dies - not the soul. Your dad is still w/you, watching you and loving you.

Detective Jennifer Musselwhite
Richmond Police Department

Doug,
It seems like yesterday when we'd eat at Capt. D's, sit in the cars near the tracks and talk about life or the kids, or enjoy one of your pool parties ... it's still hard to believe. You were a great officer and an even better friend. You'll be missed beyond what words can describe. Rest assured that the monster responsible will be caught, convicted, and punished accordingly.

Your family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. The kids will be continuously reminded of how much their father loved them and that you died a hero protecting those that can't always protect themselves.

Rest easy brother ... we've got the watch.

Detective Jason Hudson
Richmond Police Dept.

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. May God grant your family ,coworkers and friends peace and to the animal that did this ,you will be found and justice will be served

police officer Eddie Kavanagh
virginia Beach Police

My thoughts and prayers are with Off. Wendel, his family and the Richmond Police Department. When it happens so close to home it affects us that much more. I am sad and angry by another senseless murder of a police officer just trying to do his job. When I was in the police academy and my sergeant told me I would attend several police funerals, I thought I'd see two or three in my career. I've been a cop for five years now and this will be my sixth, each one more difficult than the last. You're a hero, Doug Wendel. We'll keep you in our thoughts.

Officer Matt Tuttle
Virginia Beach Police Dept.

Although I am no longer with Richmond Police my heart goes out to those who are left. Officer Wendel was a fine officer. He was one of the officers who never forgot his dispatchers and always found time to drop by with a friendly word or two. I know he will be greatly missed.

Dispatcher
University of Arkansas Police Department

On behalf of my family and all Ruritans within the Richmond area I want to thank his family for sharing him with us. We all understand that this is a very difficult time for all the family but please have some comfort in knowing that we share in your loss and will keep each of you in our thoughts and prayers. We were all blessed to have someone like this Officer serve his community and mankind. We all will share in the loss. Yours in Ruritan service, John L. Hancock

John L. Hancock, Vice President
Ruritan National

This is why we need money to take our streets back. Drug dealers are destroying our community. We need to use all resources to win this war against violence and crime in the City of Richmond.

When Project Exile losts funds, we lost resources for the people such as Officer Wendel who put the needs of our community ahead of his personal well-being.

Now more than ever, we need leaders, elected officials, concerned citizens, and anyone else who wants to make a difference in our community to STAND UP AND TAKE A STANCE.

SAY NO TO DRUGS ON OUR STREETS
SAY NO TO VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES


THE TIME HAS COME.


Officer Wendel did his job, now its time for all of us to do our jobs as concerned citizens of this city.

Anonymous

Doug you came here full of energy and idea's. You worked as hard as any I have known. You made a difference. I pray the lord look out for your children. As I put on my uniform today I thought of you and the other officers I have seen fall since I have been here. And it is for you guys that I will continue to put it on. I don't pretend to understand why this happened, and I am very angry! The war in our streets rages on, but your battle has ended, when you fell a piece of every one of us fell with you, but for you we shall remain strong and vigilant. You took the round that was meant for all us. I will miss you. You are my brother

PO Bob Hartnett
Richmond Police Department

I don't want to believe that I am sitting here having to write this today. I still remember the first time I met you on the back deck of the academy with Mark. You guys were almost through with your academy and mine was just starting. YOu teased me and said some funny things. Then I was lucky enough to work with you for over a year at 3rd on the powershift. So many times you would send me messages about little things to watch for and jump on me everytime I wanted to cut my back up off. You just really cared. It never mattered what was going on in your life whenever you saw me you would check on me as well. We use to laugh at each other everytime one of us would say " we like each other no matter what anyone else says" I was blessed to know you as my co-worker but honored to say you were my friend.

Thank you Doug...There are some lives out here that were forever changed by your life. But your death will keep us all going. Please know that none of us will stop until we find this person. There are no good bye's in this world we chose to work in it's always an honored... see you on the other side.

To your children...Be proud. Your dad loved you guys. He talked about you all of the time.

Rest easy Doug...See you on the other side....

P.O. 2362
Richmond Police Dept.

To officer Wendel's family, friends, and the entire Richmond Police Department who are in mourning for Doug:

"I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." (Jer. 31:13) Better days are ahead. God had a plan for Doug's life, and he still has a plan for your life. We don't have to understand it, but we do know and can trust that God is good and his plans are good. I hope that He comforts you as only He can.

I hope and pray for each Police Officer's safety as they go to work each day and I thank you for your dedication and the risk that you take each day to keep the rest of us safe, and to make our city a better and safer place to be. God Bless You.

~ Wife of a Richmond Police Dept. Detective ~

Doug, I did not know you very well, we only work together a few times. That doesn't matter we are still brothers and you will be missed. Doug here is poem is for you and all Police officers and their families.

A Tough Job

I start my workday wondering if I will make a friend
I hope that I don't make any enemies
Chances are good that either could happen
Each day of work I encounter many people
Some are glad that I am there
Others would rather I was somewhere else
A few probably don't care where I am
I am expected to be everywhere at the same time
And to be there 24 hours a day and 7 days a week
When I can't they don't understand why
Gratitude doesn't come very often
When it does it makes me feel good
And glad about the profession I choose
Police officer easy to hate hard to love


John B. Sheppard

Copyright ©2003 John B. Sheppard

Officer John B. Sheppard
Richmond Police Department

Rest in peace brother in blue.
The watch is ours now.

God bless your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

To The Wendel Family: Our Son was Officer Ryan Cappelletty from Chesterfield, Va. He was also shot in the line of duty. Our hearts ache for you. This is such a deep ache that only God can heal. Stay close to your family and friends. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless You and all the Police Officers trying to protect us everyday. He died for all of us. Sincerely, Rick, Robin & Rae Anne Cappelletty

The Cappelletty Family
Erie, Pennsylvania

Our deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Wendel. He gave the greatest sacrifice, his life to protect our city from harm. To his children: your father is a hero and is now in the arms of our Lord.... please remember that he loved you greatly and will always be in your hearts. To his other family members, we thank you for your unselfish support of Office Wendel as he chose to serve and protect and put his life on the line. May time heal your pain and preserve your memories and love of Officer Wendel.
Rest in peace Doug.

private citizens in Amelia County

My prayers are with you all. God Bless.

Jan

Our Hearts and Prayers our with Wendel family and the members of the Richmond Police Department. God bless you all.

Sgt. Rocky Maze
Edmonton Police Service, Alberta,Canada

IF YOU HURT ONE OF US, YOU DEAL WITH ALL OF US. TO DOUG AND HIS FAMILY, I HOPE THERE IS SOME SORT OF COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT AND JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE STATE AND NATION WILL NEVER STOP LOOKING FOR THAT COWARDLY WASTE OF SKIN UNTIL JUSTICE IS DONE.

Anonymous

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Officer Douglas Wendel...and the Richmond PD..... our hearts and prayers are with you all......Thank you for a job well done Doug ... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests..

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue.com

Vin and Pook - Site owners
Beyond The Blue - LE web site

As a former Richmond Police Officer, I was fortunate to have known you,"Doug." God has taken you to a better place. You will be missed. God bless your family and all my brothers and sisters from the Richmond Police Dept.

Police Officer Rafael E. Bouyett
Fort Lauderdale Police Dept.

Doug, you are a part of our family and we will miss being with you. You did not die in vain. Your sacrifice has served to remind us all that the fight against evil can be dangerous and costly. May God bring comfort, strength, guidance and safety to us all as we go through the difficult times that lie ahead. God bless you and keep you.

Lt. Tim Morley
Richmond Police Dept.

After reading all the Reflection messages, I am left in tears. I worry about my son in law each day and pray for his safety and all officers. I know it takes a very special person to take on this type of job and a true coward to take that life away. You will be found "Coward" and you will have to face your maker one day.
May God truly comfort the fellow officers and family of Douglas Wendel and know that everyone has them in their prayers always.

Judie Armstrong - mother in law of
Jason L. Pittman, Richmond City Police

Judie Armstong

I worked with Ofc. Wendel while he was with the Richmond Sheriff's Office. He was always a hard worker and a caring friend. He would do anything for anyone, no matter the task. Doug will be sorley missed. Not only as a hard worker, but as a true friend.
To his family and children I send my condolences and he will always be a hero. God Bless.

P.O. 2 R.T. Flynn
Lynchburg, VA P.D.