Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family.
May all of America's prayers help you in this trying time.

Marchie Norman

Richmond Civilian

Thank you for doing a job you loved to protect and serve the community. It makes my heart grieve to know that your life was lost, for it would be a far better world if the good people could be around longer. May your memory live on. Though your family and friends grieve, may thoughts of sadness be brief, and the memories of the good times be cherised and remembered always.

Anonymous

Thank you Sir, for keeping the watch. Rest in peace knowing we will never forget what you have done for the sake of safety, happiness and harmony in our city.
You are a Hero.

Tammy Gugliciello

Romans 13:4

The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong.

The members of the FBI Agents Association thank you for your service and extend our heartfelt condolences to your family, friends, and colleagues on your loss.

Godspeed!

Darin L. Paul, Special Agent
FBI Agents Association

It's a sad day when an officer is killed. Many dreams die with a young life. America is a better place because of people like you who will risk their life to presevre freedom and justice. You are a hero! My prayers are with your family and may god give you your just reward!

Capt. David J. Arnold
York City Police

Thank you for your endless nights of keeping the city safe for our children and loved ones. Rest in peace Officer Wendel.

A very gracious citizen

My condolences to Officer Wendells family and to all Officers of the law. May God keep you in his care and watch over each and everyone of you.

Martha ? Private Citizen
N/A

Our prayers go out to the children, family, friends and co-workers of Police Office Douglas E. Wendel. May the Lord give you comfort and understanding at this time.

Sincerely,
Lyndell & Elizabeth Taylor
Parents of
Deputy Sheriff
Morris Lyn Taylor (Douglas County Oregon)
EOW 9-14-02

Thank you for trying to keep my neighborhood safe. You are the reason people like me can feel safe in our homes. Rest assured....your family will be looked after

Jay Rupkey

4 in the metro Richmond area in less than 1 year? When will this
stop? This is yet another demonstration of how each and every
officer puts his life on the line for the people he serves. May God
bless Officer Wendel and all of our nation's policemen.

Jesse C. Burgess
Richmond, VA

Rest in peace my brother. May God watch over the family you left behind and grant them peace. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Sergeant Clinton C. Schott
Chesterfield County Police Department

Just want to say my heart goes out to the family - especially his kids and his extended family - the police department. Now we have another blue angel to watch over the other police officers that have fallen. Again my deepest sympathy to you.

Anonymous

God Speed Officer Wendel, May God watch over your family and department. You have paid the ultimate price.

Det. S. Ferrell
Lehi Police Dept. Ut.

I extend to Officer Wendel's family my deepest sympathy for your loss. May God give you the strength and comfort that you need so much at this time. You will be thought of as you go through this unbelievable time. I will pray every night that Officer Wendel's killers will be brought to justice.

Anonymous

I just took my dress uniform off from Officer Capalletty's funeral in may. He worked for Chesterfield County PD, one of our neighboring jurisdictions. Once again tragedy has struck my department with the death of an outstanding Officer. I was off last night but shortly after it happened I was notified and it brought back memories of Mongo. He was killed a few years back by gunfire, a 20+ year veteran. I was there that night and it will always stay with me, god be with my fellow brothers/sisters. I ask the Lord to please be with Doug's family, god please hear his three children. I am sure god you have a plan for Doug but I am still very angry, I cannot help my emotions. To the family if I can do anything for you i am here, my whole family is here. I to have lost a brother but remember that I and many like me will continue the fight against evil. This cowardly act by something that is not even a human being only makes us stronger and justice will prevail. God please be with his family, friends and the entire Richmond Police Department. Rest easy Doug.......we have the watch now.

Officer S. W. Harrell
Richmond P.D.

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Douglas did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Douglas be the be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Wendel's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his fiancee. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Douglas is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Douglas was well respected and well loved. Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Drakesville, IA)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

My sincere condolences to P.O. Wendel's family and colleagues. To officer Wendel's sons remember your daddy was a hero and will never be forgotten. Rest in peace brother.
GOD SPEED

P.O. David Calla
NYPD

Oh the price we pay to hold that "Thin Blue Line". Thank you Officer Douglas Wendel. Your brother in blue. My condolence to family & friends.

Sr. Trooper Keith Miller
Oregon State Police

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officr Douglas E. Wendel, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest in peace now my brother, We'll take it from here. You are a true hero!

Ofc. Mark A. Richardson
Louisville Metro PD-Louisville, Ky.

Thank you for courage and dedication, only those fight for freedom understand it's true meaning. You are a true hero to all. Rest in peace Brother Douglas, you will not be forgotten.


Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

Rest in peace my brother -

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD
NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to
work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been
violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that
wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly tears. I know I
don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around
except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me Lord, it needn't be so
grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

Deputy Sheriff
Dane County Sheriff's Office, WI

Rest in Peace Brother.

Officer V. F. Agosto
Chesterfield County Police, Va.

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Wendel..please accept my deepest condolences on your loss..all of you will be in my prayers..

Jr. Johnson - Brother
SCHP Trooper Corporal Jeff Johnson EOW 7/7/02

Jr. Jihnson

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Douglas Wendel's family, friends, and co-workers with the Richmond Police Department.

God Bless. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

The policeman stood and faced his God
Which must alwya come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
.Just as brightly as his brass

Step forwad now policwman
How shall I deal with you
Have you always turned the other cheek
To mychurch have you been true

The policeman squared his shoulders
And said "No, Lord I guess I aint"
Because those of us who carry badges
Can't always be a saint

I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was rough
And sometimes I've been violent
Because the streets are awfully tough

But I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills just got too steep

And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear

If you've a place for me here, Lord
It needn't be so grand
I never expected or had too much
But if you don't..........I'll understand

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the policeman waited quietly
For the judgement of his God

Step forward now policeman
You've borne your burdens well
Come walka beat on heaven's streets
You've done your time in hell

Sincerely Yours,

Amie E. Larish
Buffalo,N.Y.