Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Last Friday night, I sat in a "Dunkin Donuts" (sad, huh) with the Commander of my Hostage Negotiation Team as he discussed with me his concerns over my overcommitment to the HNT team and my roll as a casualty assistance officer.

As I explained to him, in time of need, I want to help my fellow deputies and their families as our family was so cared for by the members of the FWPD - Still, we all talk of your kindness and eagerness to listen to us tell you of the great man Pat was and how much he is missed.

Pat surely was with me that night as a complete stranger walked in and approached us and thanked us for doing our job. She said she was visiting from Federal Way! As we talked further, she said she was on a corner waving a sign with her kids as Pat's procession rolled to the church.

I think the Commander got it after that! To suffer this loss with so many compassionate and empathetic people surrounding us deserves to be repaid many times over.

Pat you are not forgotten and so missed. Give Mom Mom and Pop Pop a big hug for me!

Love you,

Mary

Sgt. Mary Huggins
Orange County Sheriff's Office

November 3, 2006

Dearest Pat,

The sight of your struggle to live and to fight on after you were shot never leaves my mind. Your assasin now sits in Prison with 3 squares and a cot, but you're gone and I miss you.

I remember our last briefing together, moments before your life was taken, wherein you giggled and humored our squad with your infectious wit and smile. I remember sitting across the briefing table from you as you joked, and thinking to myself, "boy am I glad he's with us." As your FTO, I did my best to impart in you the true meaning of our service as policemen. Your last call is a true statement as to the kind of Cop you were to your last breath. You are the "Sheepdog" Pat. The Sheepdog you told me you aspired to be after we left Col. Grossman's seminar on Officer Survival. Your life of law enforcement service to mankind is legendary and my kids, and grandkids, and theirs will know your story and how their grandpa got to serve with one of the finest Lawmen the world ever saw. I miss you brother. I pray for your peace in Heaven. I pray for your family. I pray for all of our public servants whose mission, like the sheepdog's, is to face violence square in the eye and engage it, so the others can be safe and sound.

Though I have left the service after your death, I carry your memory in my heart and soul until my last breath.

See you in Valhalla Patty Boy,

Your Brother in Arms,

Miguel Monico

Miguel Monico
Federal Way Police Department, Retired

October 9, 2006

Pat,

I know it has been several years now since I have had to give you the keys to my patrol car but I just wanted to let you know something. My oldest son's literacy class has been talking about hero's. The teacher wants an example and he came and asked me for information on your heroic sacrafice. He stated he wanted others to know of your great sacrafice and what a hero really is all about.

Thanks for still being an example of what a "True" hero is all about.

Detective Douglas Laird
Federal Way

September 26, 2006

Just thinking about you and your family this month especially.And wanted to let you know that you are still remembered everyday and missed by all who knew you. Honolulu PD lost one of its best when you moved and then lost you again when you were called home. The class of 124 will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of our graduation and I can only hope you will be smiling down on us all.

Aloha Pat!

Ofcr. E Flinn
Port of Portland PD/Honolulu PD

August 22, 2006

Hey Pat,

Words are silent. Many times I have wanted to leave a message here. The words are silent. I miss your smile, your understanding, your laughter. You have left me with a lot of memories. For that I am grateful. I am very happy that Mandy has found a good man to be with and that they have set a direction for their life together. You would be ever so proud. I know you and the rest of the family are watching over us, guiding us, and laughing with us. You are with us in all we do. Thanks for being my brother. Thanks for honoring yourself and what you believed. Thanks for all that you left behind. You are remembered. You are missed. You are loved.

Teresa Maher
Sister

Teresa Maher, CPPS
sister

August 5, 2006

Sometimes you stop the bad guys and sometimes the
bad guys stop you. Remembering you on the third anniversary of your departure and knowing that time
won't diminish your sacrifice. May God bless all those
who you love and all those that love you.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

August 3, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Officer Patrick Martin Maher and his fellow officers with the Federal Way Police Department:

On this the third anniversary date of Patrick's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Patrick, I feel as if I know him through the loving reflections left by loved ones and friends. His valor and courage will never be forgotten.

His family has had to endure so much heartbreak. To lose Patrick and then his son Nathen 3 months later is horrific.

I hope that God is holding his wife and children in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Patrick was robbed of his life so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Patrick gave to his community and the citizens of Washington, and for the twenty years patriotic service to his country in the Coast Guard, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 2, 2003.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 2, 2006

My thoughts are with your family during this 3rd anniversary of their loss. I know your wife had to suffer losing her husband then the ultimate loss of a child which is probably the worse thing that can happen to a parent. Keep watch over your loved ones and wrap your wings around them to protect them and help them with their grief. You have not been forgotten and are a true hero.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

August 1, 2006

Pat,

Another year has passed and it is hard to believe that it has been 3 years since you were taken from us. It also is still unbelievable that all this happened to our family. You are truely missed by everyone, but we go on with your spirit in our hearts. We will never forget your kind heart and caring personality. Your service in law enforcement and dedication to our country shows people what kind of person you were.

You have so many of our loved ones with you now, there is no doubt, you all are having a party in Heaven.

With all our love,
Jim & Peggy and the kids

Peggy Dreher
Sister of Patrick Maher EOW 8-2-03

July 23, 2006

As we approach your 3rd anniversay it is still very hard to believe that such a heroic act met with such a tragic end. I hope the lives saved that day appreciate your sacrifice and have valued the warrior that came to their add.

Our family moves through life with daily routines, celebratons, milestones mixed with joy and sadness, just life. But not a day goes by that you are not thought of and missed.

I know you are in great company, but please keep an eye out for us all.

Miss you and love you,

Mary

Sergeant Mary Huggins
Orange County Sheriff's Office

July 21, 2006

We never forget one of our own and it is my duty to check in and let you know that you are still a very important member of our department.

We miss you Pat. Even though you are not here with us physically, your spirit lives on strong and you guide us every day.

For that I thank you.

Officer Shawn Swanson
Federal Way Police Department

June 28, 2006

Officer Maher your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Care now. May you rest in peace brother....God Bless !!

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

March 22, 2006

Hard to believe it's been over two years since Pat's "End of Watch".

His humanity, compassion, and accomplishments continue onto this day ...as Patrick lives through each one of us.

Semper Paratus.
Paul
Ferndale, WA

Officer Paul Werth (USCG Retired)
US Customs and Border Protection

February 19, 2006

Patrick, you gave the ultimate but you are not forgotten. Rest in Peace Brother.

Deputy Sheriff
LASD

February 17, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT!!!!

Peggy

January 21, 2006

I never had the opportunity to meet Officer Maher, but I did have the chance to volunteer with the Federal Way Police Department in September 2005 for the Annual Reebok Triathlon. It was an honor to work with the FWPD officers, many of whom served with Officer Maher.

D.Nolten
Member-Federal Way Community Action Team

January 7, 2006

Hey Pat,

I just got home from Seattle. I was able to spend some good quality time with Mandy. You would be so proud of her. Just like the rest of this family, we have all been through a lot. We have all had to overcome a lot.

I sat and watch this awful person who took you from us. The only thing that he said that was true was that he was not "man enough" to look at us. Boy is that true. I had the letter read that you wrote dad for his birthday. That letter has so much of you in there. Your pride, humor and love for family. Your fellow officer's as well as the family were able to find a chuckle listening to you in that letter. All of your fellow officers sat there in that court room giving their over whelming support to us, sitting so proud to honor and remember you. I am sure that you know that because I know that you were there too. You choose to work for a great department. They have been there for us through this whole thing. They are ALL honorary Maher's (God help them) and we will be there for them as well.

I can not leave here with out saying that I know that you must be disappointed with the Judges ruling. We all are. Your deserved better, each of us had hoped for the maximum allowed here, but it is now out of our hands.

I am going to say good bye for now. Merry Christmas bro. I miss you.

Love Peggy

Peggy
Your Little Sister

December 11, 2005

Patrick, finally some sence of justice, though not in my opinon. 30 years, I feel he should have got more beings he avoided the death penalty. I never knew you But I have gotton to know your wife, and son, I have met some of your siblings and children. Youe wife is a very strong woman. All who spoke to the judge, PA, DA, and courtroom all refereed to you as a hero, they were all correct in making that reference. We wont forget you.

A HERO TO MORE THAN HE KNOWS. ©2004

Emory - Ephrata, WA
brother of Ferry County WA Undersherrif Matthew J Lane, EOW 5/30/03

December 9, 2005

The coward that took you away from us just got 30 years in prison....

Rest in peace brother, justice was served.

Senior Officer T. Huff
CBP

December 9, 2005

Missing you more each and every day.

na

September 28, 2005

Patrick

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and the last tiem I saw you in the locker room during shift change on the morning you were called home. I still see that expression on your face and I still remember telling you to get ready for our training to be held during the upcoming week. (Violent Encounter Survival Techniques) Don Gulla dedicated the class to your memory.

I miss you. You will never be forgoten. I promise you that my son will pass on to his children and grand children, the story of one of the greatest men I ever had the privledge to have known

I'll see you when I get there.

Donald King

Officer Donald W. King
Federal Way Police Dept (formerly)

August 19, 2005

Thank you Maher family for making my family feel safer. None of the officers of the Police Dept. get or hear a thank you near enough. I commit to thanking every officer I come in contact with to honor you. Thank you again...you are a hero.

Jim Dobbins
Citizen of Federal Way

August 16, 2005

Pat it stills seems like yesterday when we heard the news. Miss you so much and thinking about you everday I put this uniform on. You were a man of integrity and a great hero.

August 9, 2005

Remembering a hero today. My thougts and prayers extend to the Maher family. Stay strong and know that Patrick is not forgotton.

A HERO TO MORE THAN HE KNOWS. ©2004

Emory - Ephrata, WA
brother of Ferry County WA Undersherrif Matthew J. Lane, EOW 5/30/03

August 2, 2005

I know today is a sad anniversary for the Maher Family.

I want to give my Salute to Off. Maher for his unselfishness in giving his life in saving two souls, in my eyes this is the ultimate sacrifice as a peace officer.

Please also accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your son Nathan.

Gods Speed Officer Maher.

Sgt. Kristiansen
Norwegian Army (ret)

August 1, 2005