Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our thoughts and prayers or with you and your family.

Uncle of Mississippi State Trooper
Paul Denham
E.O.W.
12-27-99

Danny Gibson

I commend the bravery and commitment of Officer Douglas Wendel in defending and protecting the citizens of the City of Richmond. I leave this message with my deepest and sincerest sympathy for his family, friends and all law enforcement personnel of the Richmond Police Department. God bless Officer Wendel and all the heroes like him. I pray that God will comfort you and you will have his peace.


Dot Reynolds
Retired from Richmond Police Dept.

National White Collar Crime Center

Doug,
I remember on those slow nights (oh! so rare) when we would sit, car-to-car, just talking. We'll still talk, buddy, but it may be a just little harder to hear you respond. Thanks for being a friend. Richmond is a much poorer place now. Please tell Mongo that we still have some more things to fix down here.

Officer Paul Tuttle
Richmond PD

We morn the loss of officer Douglas Wendel for many reasons. In the past year our family lost a love one to a drunken driver. We well know that the loss of a close family member affects so many people. Obviously, the family and his associates will never forget his loss and the affect he had and will continue to have on their lives. There is a ripple affect among so many people that knew him that the emotional and financial devastation is hard to measure. God bless all those who serve in their efforts to protect us citizens and give us the chance to live reasonably secure in our little worlds. Thank you so much --- we have no idea what they must go through from day to day.

Anonymous

My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends of Officer Wendel.

Felix Sarfo-Kantanka, Jr.

An officer and a gentlemen.......Doug Wendell was an inspiration....in his tour of duty he set a fine example for all with his dedication and as an officer who truly loved his work.

I, as a dispatcher had the privilege of working with him and it was a good experience. He never complained, took all assignments and volunteered for many........ always polite with a "yes ma'am" and "thank you ma'am, you have a nice day". And the holidays at his end of tour signing off with greetings of the season.....with a merry christmas or happy mother's day! Little things mean a lot. He will be missed.

My heartfelt sympathy goes to his family, friends and co-workers. I can only assure myself that God had a plan for Doug and he served his mission well.

God rest his soul.

CO II Maelea Tweedie Cifers
Richmond Police Department Communications

A popular song out now from Diamond Rio may bring you comfort as we all try to cope with this tragedy.

"When you die your life goes on... it doesn't end here when you're gone. Every soul is filled with light, it never ends and if I'm right, Our love can even reach across eternity.. I believe, I believe. "There are more than angels watching over Me".

I am the mother of a young police recruit in Richmond, VA. My heart trembles and my soul aches for your family. This has to be the worst nightmare for any police officer's family. As many have said, he has walked the streets of hell, now let Office Wendel rest in peace.

He is a hero and an inspiration to the young recruits he leaves behind to walk on the same streets he has. May your soul rest in peace.

Our city of Richmond is a better place because Office Wendel once walked our streets and served out citizens courageously until he was called home. He will never be forgotten.

M. Gardner - Richmond VA

To the children, and family, of Officer Wendel,

I am truly sorry for your loss. He wore the badge to protect you, and others, everyday. He paid the ultimate saccrifice and he will not be forgotten for his heroism. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

To the Officers of Richmond PD,

You, my husband, and other fellow officers are my heroes. You put your lives on the line to protect strangers. You are remarkable individuals and my heart aches for you as you work through this difficult time. May God Bless each of you.

Tara (wife)
Virgina Beach Police Department

Thank you for your sacrifice. You have served your time in hell, now watch over us as we continue the good fight against those that needlessly endanger those we have vowed to protect.

Detective C.J. Burton
East Point Police Department

To Doug and his family: Our prayers are with you all. Thanks Doug for being a police officer. Only a few good people can make the grade, which Doug did. During the last 25 years four of our brothers have been slain by cowards, Mike Conners, George Taylor, Tom McMahon and now you Doug. I had the pleasure of knowing them all. Good cops all that wanted to give something back to the community they worked. The dedication shown by all is beyound reproach. Doug you will never be forgotton. Rest in peace. And most of all we thank the parents and family of Doug and all of fallen brothers families for raising people who care for all. God Bless Doug and bless your family in these trying times.

R. Acampora, Retired Richmond Police Lie
Richmond Police Department

Thnak You Sir for protecting me in this crazy world we live in, alot of people don't apreciate the things that go un noticed until something terriable happens. May God be with your family and be with you on your journey to heaven, I'll shake your hand in thanks when we meet again one day.

Larry Smith
Richmond, VA

Larry Smith
Citizen

No words can ever take away the pain and sorrow we all feel when a police officer loses his life in the line of duty. All my prayers and thoughts go out to the family of Officer Wendel - his young children in particular - your Dad is a true hero and won't be forgotten. May you find peace and comfort in the arms of family and friends.

Lynn Steigerwalt

Wendel, I will miss your wise-cracking humor and that undeniable accent. It's still hard to believe. Everyone is numb. You are sorely missed by all of us. May God allow you to find eternal peace brother.

Anonymous

Our prayers and thoughts are with Officer Wendel's family, friends and co-workers. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and you will never be forgotten.

Karen & Dave Whalen
Private Citizens

IT IS WITH GREAT SORROW THAT ANOTHER OFFICER HAS GIVEN HIS LIFE FOR THE CITIZENS HE OR SHE PROTECTS.
MAY GOD HAVE A SPEICAL PLACE FOR HIM IN HEAVEN AND THAT WE NEVER FOR GET OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIFE FOR US.

LT. THOMAS L. STUMP RETIRED
VIRGINIA STATE CAPITOL POLICE

How sad, another hero struck down in his prime as he unselfishly guarded humanity from evils that walks in our daily midst. It is such a needless tragedy. I pray for this fine officer's family, children, fiancee, parents, siblings, friends and colelagues of the Richmond PD in this time of sorrow.

All of us in the family of the badge share in this loss because we are all brothers and sisters, no matter where we work and what uniform we wear. We all wear a badge and we all bleed red.

I hope that the animals that perpretrated this vile deed are swiftly brought to justice.

He now walks a beat in Heaven with St. Michael, an honor well deserved of a fallen hero. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Bless and be safe...wear your vests!

CHief JA Millan

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist. SP

It was a great honor to have worked with Officer Wendel for a short time, while he worked with the Sheriff's Office. I knew he would make an enpact on the lives that he touched. When I first met Officer Wendel I felt that he was very special and positive gentleman. My heart goes out to the family and friends also, to the family of the Richmond Police Department. I feel your pain to have known Officer Wendel for a short period of time and the inspiration that he has had on our lives. May God Bless and, God can heal all pain.

Deputy Loretta Johnson
City of Richmond Sheriff's Office

Deputy Loretta Johnson
City of Richmond Sheriff

My thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Wendel's Family. Even though I did not know Officer Wendel personally being married to a police officer myself, Officer Wendel was a part of our "Police Family" and will never be forgotten.

Pam Maxwell
Henrico Police Officer's Wife

my thoughts and prayers go out to Doug's family. I work every day with these officer's and they do what most others could not.

mindy grizzard, probation/parole officer
richmond probation/parole office

My sincere condolances to the family,friends and co-workers of Officer Wendel. Without knowing him I am saddened that such a tragic end to a life full of hope and courage has gripped us all. God be with the family and ease their pain.

Anonymous

It was late one Tuesday evening,
Before a mother could sit down,
To tell her only child about
The terror that hit downtown.

She looked into the eyes of her son
God, she loved him so,
She felt her heart begin to break
And the hurt begin to show.

She gathered all her strength and courage,
as her story she began to tell.
"Baby don't cry, but I'm afraid daddy
Might be under a building that fell."

The boy looked back at his mother,
His eyes made not one blink.
And the mother's tears began to fall.
What would her baby think?

You see, his dad is a Policeman,
And his hero from the day of his birth.
He loved his dad more than anything else
That could ever inherit this earth.

The mother's head began to drop,
Her forehead resting on palm.
She thought her son would be upset.
Instead, he was very calm.

The boy leaned over towards his mom,
And put his hand upon her head.
In her ear he began to whisper,
And this is what he said:

"Mommy please don't cry,
I knew daddy wasn't coming home.
I talked to him just a while ago,
But it wasn't on the phone.

He told me that he loved me,
And he promised we'd meet again.
He told of his new home,
And the job he was to begin."

"God is building an army,
And there are many angels needed.
That, is where daddy and the others went.
They weren't all defeated."

It was then, the mother lifted her head.
The tears streamed down her face.
And she could feel her husband's presence,
As it filled her heart with grace.

It was then she knew her son was right.
He was in God's great army now.
She also knew her son was safe,
That he'd be kept from harm somehow.

So, evildoers of the world beware.
An army is on the way.
Bolstered by new angels,
Who left the towers that day..

Their commander has never been beaten.
His power has never been matched,
And if evil thinks He was almighty before......
Well, the surface has just been scratched!

Anonymous

A Police Officer's Prayer:

Help me, Lord,
to be a good and capable police officer.
Give me the Courage to face the unknown
and to act on my convictions.
Give me the Wisdom to remain above the temptations
and frustrations I will meet.
Give me the Dedication to do the best job
that I can do.

Amen

My husband and Doug patrolled Southside together a few years ago, and I had the honor of knowing Doug and calling him a friend. Doug, you will be missed by all and never forgotten. My heart goes out to his children and his family, please know you are all in my prayers. To the officers in Richmond, you have lost a great officer, and I have you all in my prayers as well. Be safe!

Annie Hudson
Wife of a Richmond City Detective

You will not be forgotten. Your family will not be forgotten. Though we met in passing, I could tell you were an incredible person. You were a brave man who died for a life you believed in. We will find our justice.

Officer K.J. Pugh
Virginia State Capitol Police

Mr. Wendel was one of my customers at Capital Pontiac-GMC. It was a joy to see him on each occasion. He seemed to be full of life and was always kind and courtous. My heart goes out to his children. The last time he was in our dealership, he was on his way to the park to spend the afternoon with his children. He was be greatly missed.

Lisa Harris

From my wife & I, mother & father, and my brother and his wife, we wish the family of Officer Wendel and the Richmond Police Department our deepest condolences. Our heart aches for the wife and children of Officer Wendel.
For those who serve in harms way only to have them taken away to soon in the ultimate of sacrifices, let Liberty's Bell ring to remind us and never forget how precious a gift the fallen have given us.

Phill, Sheila, Paul, Joy, Billy & Sandy
The Burroughs