Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I would like to thank all law officers who are willing to stand between me and the criminal elements of this world. Without you all of us (including the criminals) would live each day of our lives in fear. I deeply regret the death of this officer and pray God's blessings for him, his family and each policeman on the force. You gentlemen deserve our sincere gratitude and your familes our deep apprecation.

Wilma Stubblefield
citizen

Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. Doug made the ultimate sacrifice in his effort to protect the citizens of Richmond and his brother and sister officers. Doug you are a true "hero" and your memory will live on in our hearts and souls. May our loving Father hold you in the palm of his hand and comfort you. Let us all pray to St. Michael the Archangel - Our patron Saint to protect and guard all our brother and sisters in law enforcement each and every day.

Lt. john F. Keohane
Richmond Police Dept.

To all of Officer Wendel's family, friends and co-workers. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Know that Officer Wendel died protecting others and that he was and always will be a hero...... Thank You for all that you have done and please watch over us everyday.

Deputy Vicky Malone
Shelby County Sheriffs Office

You were the best, you helped me every shift that we worked together. I could count on you to take calls not only on your beat, but other beats across town. You were the only officer to call me and thank me for a job well done. My heart is breaking right now for your family. I know that you are now watching over your friends and family.

I remember how you hated having to wear that hat, and didn't want the drug dealers to laugh at you with the hat on, well you have the last laugh now, you are free of pain and worries and can rest, and wait on the rest of us.

Goodbye my friend, you did an excellent job and what you enjoyed doing, and you will be remembered for your integrity, your willingness to work and help others.

COII Communications Officer Kathy Hamlet
Richmond Police Department

First my deepest sorrows to your family especially your young children that have lost their dad who was doing his job when a coward took your life in vain over a piece of dope. You are our hero doug, an officer who stepped to the plate to enforce the laws of this united states of America. when will they learn that the war is here not abroad so as you look down on us from above help the next cop get through his day that he may see his kids again. You will be missed brother truely missed, this is so sad.

Sergeant Jim Arrington (Ret.)
Baltimore County Police Dept.

On Wednesday Night, the valkyries escorted a truely great warrior into Valhalla, the viking heaven. Doug's warrior spirit and courage will live on. His children should be proud to have had such a heroic dad. He made a difference in the city and beyond. No words will express the sorrow we feel for what happened. Rest easy Doug......
To those responsible, We are coming...........

Police Officer, 4th Precinct
Richmond Police Officer

I remember when you first came to Southside as a rookie. I remember your deep New York accent. I remember that despite your late start in our profession, you displayed the energy of a "young buck" which inspired the younger rookies around you. I remember you, Doug, and no one here will ever forget. Our anger is only tempered by our need to pray and stand by your family and loved ones. Thank you, brother.

Sgt. D.A.M.
Richmond Police Dept.

So, so sad, again! Another soldier killed fighting in Richmond's war zone. Will it ever be peaceful and safe again in this City? Officer Wendel surely did his part to make it a safe place -- now, what can we do to show that his death wasn't in vain? My condolences go to everyone affected by this tragic loss -- and that is everyone in this community. Thank you Officer Wendel. You will be remembered by many.

Mother of Richmond Police Officer

My prayers and sympathy are with Officer Wendels' family and friends and RPD. I truly lift up in prayer for the safety of our officers of the City of Richmond. My prayer is, Lord protect these outstanding men and women daily from harm and danger and use them mightly on "OUR" behalf. Lead them to the Perpetrators swiftly!

Citizen of City of Richmond, VA

My sympathy goes out to the family of Officer Douglas E. Wendel and to his co-workers. I thank him for his dedication and loyalty to the City of Richmond. Doug's smile, laughter and personality will be missed......but never forgotten. This tragedy has reminded me of other Officers Killed In The Line Of Duty. Especially Officer Thomas McMahon (Mongo).
On July 30, 2003 God called Doug home. Thank You God for letting us have Doug in our Richmond Police family. Watch over him.

Sgt. John P. Darnes
Richmond Police Department

Being a sister of a police officer makes my heart break everytime I hear of a tragedy happening to another fellow officer. To Doug's family..I send my most heartfelt sympathies and pray for you all in this time of great sorrow. Doug was and always be a hero and will never be forgotten. To the City of Richmond Police Department ...every night I will continue to pray for all of your safe returns home after your shifts. May God touch all of your minds and hearts at this time to ease your pain and may he be with you each day to guide you and keep you safe while you keep all of us safe.

Kimberly H
Sister of City of Richmond Police Department

My prayers go out to the family of Officer Wendel. May God bless them during this time of great sadness and loss. No words can replace the loss of a loved one. Hopefully through God's grace they can find comfort and peace.

Barry S. Coleman

All the citizens of the Richmond Metro Area should be very sad over the loss of Office Douglas E Wendel who gave his life trying to make this area a safer place to live! He is looking down at us now from the ultimate land, heaven. He will know no further pain and have no further fear for his life or the lives of the ones he loved so dearly.

To his family, his friends and his acquaintances I say "Sorry for your loss, as I know your pain seems unsurmountable at this time. Celebrate his life and his accomplishments as you grieve for him. We will all miss him, as we have lost one of the bravest and most caring police officers in our area."

God bless you and keep you,
T W Taylor

As the wife of a Chesterfield Sheriff's Deputy, my heart goes out to the family of Officer Wendel. This event is the fear that I live with every day. I balance that fear with the knowledge that my husband is doing the job that he loves. I will keep the family of Officer Wendel in my thoughts and prayers.

Rosemary G. Morris
Citizen

Rest easy my brother, we have the watch now.

Thank you for all that you have done to serve and protect the City of Richmond. Your bravery and dedication will not be forgotten and we will bring justice to the person responsible for taking you from us so soon. The anger that boils inside of us all as we go about our patrol today is unbearable. To lose another brother to a cowardly act is more than we can stand. We will however continue to fight, so please Doug, watch over us from heaven as we continue to try to clean up the streets. We will never forget you! Your family and fellow RPD officers are in our thoughts and prayers.

Tell Trooper Mike Blanton hello from his brothers and sisters in blue.

Godspeed!

Trooper
Virginia State Police

I am very sorry for the family of this fallen officer. I hope they can cope with this. I hope they catch the killers that did this and get them where they belong. It is so sad that people do this to innocent people. I really hope these people are brought to justice. To the children your father is a true hero and always will be in our hearts.

Donna Sanders Private Citizen
Department of Social Services

I am deeply sadden for the loss of Officer Wendel. To his family and friends you have my deepest sympathy. I am the wife of a former police officer, hearing the words officer down sends such sorrow to my heart. May your faith be your strength and God your comforter.

Anonymous

Doug,
I will miss those jokes you used to share with me while working on the MCC. You are a hero! I will never forget that you fought the fight for all that couldn't. Rest in peace my btother.

Sergeant Gary Ladin
RPD

Doug you are an outstanding police officer but more importantly you are an outstanding friend. I will miss you greatly. My heart broke when you were taken away from us. I will never ever forget you. People only have a few people in life that they call friend.. It is terrible when someone loses a friend. Doug you will always live on in my memories and in the lives of your wonderful children. Remember you were loved by all of us on the force. If you can schedule us a T-time up there I promise I will play a few thousands rounds with you..always your friend...tommy

Sgt. Tommy Lloyd
Richmond Police Department

My prayer for Officer Wendel's family is that you solely depend on the strength of God, the Father. He will never leave you or forsake you. He is your very present help in this time of trouble.

Mrs. Maria Loney
Chesterfield Co. Resident

I am truly sorry this has happened.My prayers are with the family and also my prayers to all police officers.May god be with you and keep you safe.We need law enforcements everywhere.Officer Wendel was just trying to clean up the streets to make it safer so our children could be children without fear of playing outside.His actions proved to be herioc,to give his life to help others .May god be with you always.

We will all miss you doug, you are a great warrior. We love you and will always remember your courage. As god said to us all: "BLESSED ARE THE KEEPERS OF PEACE, FOR THEY SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE CHILDREN OF GOD."

To Doug's Children: Your father was a hero, Your father faught for those who could not defend themselves and he did so with great honor. Daddy will always be watching out for you!!!

Police Officer III, Kenneth Cornett
Richmond Police

My family and I would like to send our heart felt condolences to Doug's family. I met Doug 2 years ago at the courthouse and again at the airport where I use to work. He was a very respected officer and a good man in general. We will miss seeing his face, but his spirit will continue on.

Anonymous

...."in His house their are many mansions...but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God...we are blessed. God has gone before you and made the mountains low and the valleys high and the crooked places straight. Favor compasses about you as a shield. You have fought with those who fight with God and He is more than a conqueror. No weapon formed against Him will prosper." (Deuteronomy 28:6, Isaiah 40:4, Psalm 5:12, Romans 8:37, Isaiah 54:17 ICor.6:11) Rest

Lieutenant Adrianne E. McLemore
Richmond Police Department, Second Precinct

Dougie was a great police officer. Never apprehensive to do whatever job needed to be done. We played golf together and it was nice to play with somebody as BAD as I am, but it was our relief from the daily grind of working as a police officer. I will miss his northern accent and his New Yorkish slang. The City of Richmond will never be the same. HE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Police Officer Mark E. Wiggins
Richmond Police Department