Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Frank, just thinking of you and your family. My prayers are with them always. Its hard to beleive three years have passed since you have gone. We miss you, take it easy brother.

LT McCollum
USMC friend

November 12, 2006

Dink,
I miss you. My cousin, who you knew, passed away last month and I hope you greeted him with your smile. I still remember the all good times we shared back in Inverness. Rest in peace brother. I love you.

Tony

September 21, 2006

Hey Frank

I was thinking about and your family last night and this morning. It's hard to believe three years have already gone by. Your name is brought up often. I still carry the picture April gave me of you in your Sheriffs Office uniform every day. Oh yeah, remember the one of many early morning conversations we had about full filling some of our dreams? Well I told you I would tell you when I accomplished any of them. So, I finally changed jobs and I work for Cary Police now. I have hopes it will further my career dispatching Police as well as Fire and EMS. Time will tell. Besides that, not too much going on here. When the rest of those dreams fall into place I'll let you know. Please continue to watch over us. You are missed and will forever be in our hearts.

Joy VanDruff Emergency Communications Of
Cary Police Department

September 6, 2006

I was just thinking of you and April tonight on the anniversary of your death. I think of you often and what a great person you were, we all miss you!!!

Amber and Family
Church Family

September 5, 2006

Remembering Deputy James on the 3rd Anniversary of his death.
To his family, friends and Co-workers, he will always be remembered for the committment he had to his work and family.
God bless you and may he continue to give the comfort and strength you need for the coming days and years.
glb

September 5, 2006

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 3rd anniversary of your end of watch. You have not been forgotten and are a true hero. I know their pain and want them to know that they are not alone. There are no magic words of comfort I can give them except to keep your memory alive by talking about you and asking others that knew you to tell them stories. Keep watch over them and protect them from harm and help them with their grief. You will never be forgotten.

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

Bob Gordon, Chicago Gold Star Father

September 4, 2006

Frank,
Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you. I am training a new officer and I have brought your name up several times. I just thought I would let you know, we all still miss you and your antics very much and we are always thinking about you.

Officer M.Patterson
Holly Springs Police Department

August 5, 2006

Dear Frank,

I am the daughter of a Policeman and wife of a former Marine. I did not know you but I do know April from church. I recently moved here and became close friends with April, Karen and Amber through church. I just found out recently that we are also close neighbors :)which is cool. I have to tell you that April is just an awesome person. I had heard the story of your death and it touched me deeply. I see everyone at church with your memorial t-shirts on. It is just amazing the outpouring of love and support!!! April is such an awesome person to be around. She is just full of energy. I feel like I have known her forever! She really helped me through some things recently. She is so sweet and thinks of everyone but herself...Like for example: I told her I had never been to Goodberrys and she was like "What?!?" I said yeah never have...well...a few days later she said "I have a surprise for you" and she took me to Goodberry's. How awesome is that! I was so floored by the gesture and we never even had to eat the icecream even though it was reallllly good!!!! It was just the point. She is just sooo sweet!

I love being around her...she is just a fun person and we laugh alot and she is so great with my kids. Like I said I do not know you but I do know what a fantastic person April is and I can only imagine what kind of man she was married to. I recently talked to April about you and she lites up when talking about you. She really loves your Mom too she talks very highly and with the utmost love for her! I told her that your story makes me appreciate my husband and family so much and makes me realize that tomorrow is not promised to anyone! Live life like you mean it!

Thank you so much for serving proudly in the Navy and in Wake County. I thank God everyday for my new church family and esp. for my friendship with April ~ she is the "real deal" What a strong woman and she really makes a difference in the childrens lives at the church! I am not really sure what else to write and maybe I sound silly because I am sure you know all these things about April already :) But I talked to her tonight and she is just the type of person who puts you in a great mood even when I don't wanna be~ LOL!

God Bless you and your family ~ :)

Diana Potwin
Church Family

May 22, 2006

Hello, Dear! Thank you for helping Greg get the position he has wanted since he has been at the Sheriff Department. I know that you had something to do with it. He was so happy when he received the phone call asking him if he wanted the position, he was beside himself. You and I both know that he will do very well. He is in training now and he loves everyday of it. He is picking up very quickly, so I don't think that he will be training much longer. Please be with him as he qualifies with Bosco. I know he will do well but I would feel a lot better knowing that you will be watching over him. I told him the other day that if you were still here, you all would be working together. Both of you would have gotten along so well. Yall have the same personalities and the same sense of humor.
December 2nd is coming quickly. I have something really nice planned for you, Phil, Mark and Gregs bestfriend who was a fire fighter, Todd. I think you will be proud. At least I know that you will be there in spirit and I know that you will probably be smiling. Just don't be in my ear telling me not to do it.
You know I still think about you all of the time and miss you like crazy. Please keep watching over me....
Love Always
Susan

Susan
Apex PD

May 11, 2006

I was just thinking about you and Owens and wanted to say I miss you both.
So much has changed but yet still the same. Continue to watch over this place.

Master Deputy D.L Smith
WCSO

April 2, 2006

Frank,
I still remember waiting outside the sheriff's office waiting for our K9 interview. We were waiting our turn in the hallway talking and I remember how excited we both were to be getting a chance to get on the K9 Unit. We even laughed a bit about the way one of the guys showed up in a pair of shorts for his interview. That kept us laughing until our turn came about. The unit has 11 dogs now and they are all good teams. Its a unit you would be proud to have been a part of. I know you would have been a great handler if you were here. I wish you were on the float with us during the christmas parade. We even got a couple eggs thrown at us in Apex. One of the bloodhounds ate the one that landed in front of her. Anyway buddy I just wanted you to know I still think about you and wish you were here helping us catch those bad guys that run away. Keep an eye on the guys while they are in the woods lookin one. Your a Hero brother.

WCSO K9 UNIT

Sgt. T.Hawley 990
K9 WCSO

February 19, 2006

Just wanted to say Happy New Year and also Happy Birthday!!!!!
Love
Susan:)

Susan

January 1, 2006

Hello.....MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Another Christmas without you. This is the third one you have missed. When we had our Christmas parade a couple of weeks ago, the Sheriffs Department had a float for the K-9 Team. The dogs and handlers looked very professional standing up there. I could not help but to hang my head and sob because if you were still here you would have been standing up there very proud.
Two years and almost four months have past. I still can't help but to think about you daily. What an impact you made in my life? Sometimes the road still does not seem the same with out you out here. It seems like the nights go by slower with out 25ing you.
April still seems to be doing good. I know it is hard for her around the holidays, but friends and family help keep her going(I am pretty sure you also help).
Thank you again for the STAR you sent to me. It was a blessing in disguise and all is still well. I am just waiting for December 2nd of 2006 to come so I can start my new life.
Merry Christmas Dear
Love Always
Susan

Susan

December 25, 2005

Hello Dear! Just thought that I would still let you know that I am still thinking about you.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Love Always
Susan

Susan

November 23, 2005

Frank, I finally took time to write to you today. I never got the chance to meet you but I feel like did. I remember so clearly how Phil had this look on his face when we recevive the call about you. My heart went out to April because I could ony imagine what she was going through. Phil was determined he could not go to your service. I tried to talk him into it but he refused. Who would have thought that a month later I would meet your wife at my husband's gravesite.
Since that day April and I have been just like sisters. I remember the 1st night I called her after midnight and she listen to me cry for i don't know how long. That girl is amazing! She truly loved you. We don't see each other as often as we like but we do keep cour comminication skills open. SHe's been my right hand lady in so mant ways. Please contnue to watch over her and ask God to send her someone good real soon. She doesn't love you any less she just needs someone now to help heal some of her pain. My brother, look after Phil for me and Mr. TUcker for Ma Pat. You guys take care of each other and we will take care of April.
Anitra Howard- Owens
2003 Survivor

Anitra Owens

October 3, 2005

Frank

I miss you ...I miss your laughter, I miss your silly grin, I miss the way we use to talk about all the weriod things at work...and of course all the weriod people!

I'll never forget the day you said I have something I want to tell you. You were so excited. You said you were going to ask April to marry you, then you did and told me. It was a great day. I hope even if its for only a moment, I have the chance to have the same kind of love you shared with her with someone special to me. I can only Imagine...Take care dear friend. Talk to you soon.

Joy VanDruff
Wake County SO

September 6, 2005

Hey Frank

Well, it has been a long, busy night. It has finally slowed down long enough for me to say Hello. That's right, still hanging in there doing the dispatch thing. Can you believe it?? LOL!

So much has happened in two years. I know you were watching over me as well as my family as each one of us walked away from the accidents. I thank you for that. I'm still working on reaching those goals and dreams we liked to talk about. I will reach them someday and as soon as I do you'll be the first to know.

There are so many things I want to tell you, that I want to share, laugh with you about. Friends called tonight thinking of you and your family. Of course we all think of you often. There is isn't enough time or space to say everything. So I will say that I miss you dear friend and you will always be in my heart. I will check in with you again soon.

Joy VanDruff
Telecommuicator I

September 6, 2005

you will never be forgotten!!!

Sgt. Hake
WCSO

September 6, 2005

By reading your reflections, its clear that you were a great person who did a job he lived up till the very end. R I P

September 5, 2005

Two years........where has time gone. It seems like forever since I last saw you; yet two years ago seems just like yesterday. As I was working night shift, I looked at the clock and it read 0001hrs. I hung my head and said to myself, "I can't believe it's already been two years. I look back at what I was doing two years ago. I was just starting my tour of duty for the day. Of course, the regular, going to Perkins with C-squad. And you were at home sleeping so you could be well rested for night shift. I never would have thought 2 years ago today, that 2 years later I would be sitting here on a computer having to leave you a reflection instead of speaking to you face to face. This is my only communication to you and I don't want you to think that I have forgotten about you. I could never forget someone who meant so much to me. A best friend is forever and I know your still my best friend. You're still giving me advise, even though you are in HEAVEN.
I miss you more than you would ever know. I think about how things use to be when you were on the West side. Their was never a dull moment around you. I talked to Mark this morning. I asked him if he looked at the date. Of course he said he had. That's another person who will never forget 2 years ago day.
I just wanted to let you know that November of 2006, April will be a part of that special ceremony. If you were still here you know you would also be a part of it. However, I know you will be there in spirit. I will be lighting a special candle in rememberance of you.
I just ask that you watch over me when I'm 10-41 and keep guiding me in the right direction. You have done pretty good of the guiding part. Thanks again for the WSO star that you sent to me. That was the best thing a friend could give. True Love
I love you and miss you
Susan

Susan

September 5, 2005

Deputy Sheriff James,
On today, the 2nd anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service, not only for your community but for our Country as well when you served in the U.S. Navy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

September 5, 2005

Dink,
I think about you everyday. I miss you dearly. I am so happy to know you were there for me when Sue passed. I hope you welcomed her and showed her the way. You will always be my best friend. Thanks for your true friendship. I love you.

Tony

May 24, 2005

I've noticed that your mom has been out of town. Im guessing she went to DC but Im not sure. Anyhow, I know she misses you. I look at the light in her window each night before I go to bed and I look at it each day/night as I go to work. That light shines for you. I wonder if other people even know what that light stands for... Even if they dont know, my family does. We wont forget your sacrifice.

Anon

May 21, 2005

Frank,
I just wanted to let you know, like always, I am thinking about you. Still, not a day goes by that I don't think about you. You made such a big impact in my life, and I hope you know that. I really wish you were still here so we could talk. I miss our midnight talks; and when I was down or sad you always made me laugh and made me feel better.
I hope you take care of my grandma, since she is with you now. Let her know she is truely missed. I miss and love you!
Love Always
Susan

Susan

April 16, 2005

Frank, I know your lovey wife Apriland try to encourage her every opportunity I get. She is such a special person to me and I love her dearly. Help her to heal from the loss of you and help her tomove forward in her life. As I have said I love her dearly and I know she plans to be in Washington on May 15th for me. I was there for her last year and she feels duty bound tobe there for me. Help her to heal from your loss and move on with her life. She needs your permission... please give it! I ask as a friend, her friend, and as a survivor of a tragic loss of a LEO in the line of duty! Miss Pat

April 5, 2005