Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You may be gone but you damn sure aren't forgotten Bret. You left us all with a lot of great memories. Rest in peace my friend.

Agent Grant Shay
ICE

September 23, 2013

Thinking of Bret on the 10TH year.

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 22, 2013

The year has come full circle again. Your second daughter is a senior in high school, the 3rd daughter is an 8th grader, and the 1st daughter is already 21. We all went out to visit the grave site and the wreck site today. My heart is as empty as a Monday morning church....used to be so full of faith, now there is only hurt. Every time I go there that is the feeling I take away....the emptyness, the lonliness, the fear of it really being real. And it is real, we still need you, love you, miss you, think of you every day. Wish you were here! God bless you and keep you.

Angela
Wife

September 23, 2012

9 Years & we think of ya every day my Brother!

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 23, 2012

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas." I hear you singing that song all the time. This Christmas season has been so difficult without you. I have yet to find the Joy of the season; and with only 2 days left and a list of things to accomplish a mile long I don't know if it will be possible. We will be getting together with your family this Christmas and I am looking forward to that. Their presense still in our lives means so very much to me and the girls. And the fact that they have accepted Kenton and Reese as part of the family too means the world to me. Bret I love you, Have a Merry Christmas!

Angela Tepe Gleason
Wife

December 22, 2011

Its not that I forget the important days...it is just that sometimes they are so hard to bare. I know Friday was the 8th anniversary of your death, but really this year it seemed like it was the first. The weather was even exactly the same as it was 8 years ago...all week long. Still, quiet mornings with no wind, a slight chill in the air. The kind of mornings that are so still and quiet you can hear traffic from 3+ miles away. That was the kind of day it was in 03....that morning when God blocked my ears from hearing the sirens that screamed through town. We had all the windows open that morning too. And I didn't hear them at all. I've been trying for a long long time, but no matter what I do, When I turn to leave my heart stays behind. I keep moving on running hard and fast, but everywhere that I run to, I'm just standing still-living in the past. Seasons pass, but they never change. A broken heart can't keep time. I love you and miss you...I want so much for you to be able to see your daughters....days are hard sometimes. I am happy and well loved..but part of me is back there. Take care

Angela Tepe Gleason
Wife

September 27, 2011

Hey Daddy, sorry i missed writing you on your birthday but i hope you had a couple beers and caught some big fish. Don't worry ill catch bigger ones later, lol. Your Grandson Aldyn is getting so big, he is walking & talking now, and oh boy he is such a busy boy, keeps me busy, which is good. My husband Will is currently over in Afghanistan, not much longer and he will be home, deployment is halfway over!! So between Aldyn & college classes im always busy. I love you so much, and I miss you tons. Happy Birthday Dad (well Be-lated birthday)

Here is a note to you from Aldyn:
uiuuii l,.hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhunhn /.in dfen6ermck8bmcgk,cx,c,h89vf9vrtfbkrfvrflkrtgrtl9l;kgtfrlfrevfufddsi 4nlkrenrjhonricvojncph7y74rgzm klnb bmo,6u7nv5r4,;fd

Jenessa Buterbaugh
Daughter

August 27, 2011

Bret,
I wanted to tell you that you have some really great friends. I will see them somewhere and they have always asked about the girls and me. I know that if I or the girls ever needed anything, they would drop everything and be there for us. There has been many times that that exact thing has already happened. I am so glad they post in here regularly too, it is saving grace to read their posts some days. I was remembering the story of when you pranked dispatch of the chickens in your yard....and then a few days later they actually got a call from someone else about chickens in their yard, and the dispatch lady wouldn't believe him and told the guy "SO6 I know it is you!" LOL Thanks for making us laugh. You sure did know how to have fun with everything.
Love Angela

Angela Tepe Gleason
wife

August 26, 2011

Bret,
Happy Birthday! I hope you are drinking a beer or two and celebrating your Birthday in Heaven. The girls and I listened to music you liked best today and sang until our throats were hoarse. I can still see you singing these songs to the girls and I. Man, I miss you. You would be so proud of your daughters, they are all so beautiful and smart. School started today for them, Avonlea a junior, Felicity in 7th grade, and Jenessa is taking classes in college. You are missed so much, I hope you feel the love from down here way up there in Heaven. Thanks for watching out for us. I Love You.

Angela Tepe Gleason
wife

August 26, 2011

Dear Daddy,
I miss you A LOT!!!! There is not a day that goes by where i dont think-What would life be like if dad was here? I remember when you would always give me piggy back rides around the house. I will never forget your hugs, smile, laugh, they are always in my head!! I wish you were to see how much Felcity and I have grown and so you could see your grand-kid Aldyn. Hes so cute. I love you Daddy and i miss you i will never forget you.

Avonlea
Daugher

February 15, 2011

Bret...

7 yrs have now passed since that terrible morning. The memories of that day are still fresh and details no doubt play over in our minds as this anniversary comes to pass one again... As you know, many things have happened in the time since that fateful day, some good, some BAD, and a little of everything in between. The one constant that has remained strong in our hearts is the memory of your smile, your stories and your dedication to your friends and community. Not a day goes by that a "Bret-ism" isn't shared amoung friends or reflected upon. You are greatly missed!!

Thank you for continuing to watch over all of us from your new post in heaven...

One of Many Friends
Ford County

September 25, 2010

Bret... 7 yrs later, so much has happened in the time since that heart breaking phone call advising of the accident...good, BAD and all sorts of things in between. But the one thing has always remained...our love for you.

Not a day goes by that a "Bret'ism" or a "straight skinny story" isn't shared amoung those that knew you best. Your daily presence is missed, but your memory lives on in our hearts!! Thank you for continuing your watch from heaven. We will see you again soon~

Anonymous

September 23, 2010

Hey daddy, I miss you like crazy. Wish you could be here to meet your grandson. He is even named after you, his name is Aldyn Duane Buterbaugh. I love him so much and his daddy is an amazingly great guy. His name is William he is in the army and currently has orders to deploy in spring. There has been so many time that I have caught myself wishing you were here to meet Aldyn in person and hold him, but believe me not, I will tell tons of stories about you to him, even though he can't meet you in person he will know his grandpa bret :)
I love you so much dad, wish you were here to see how well Avonlea, Felicity, and I are doing. Mom is doing great too, she has helped me out SO much. I miss your stories and hugs and kisses....hope your having dun with all that fishing in heaven, haha hope you have caught the biggest fish there is up there. Save some for me ;)
love you daddy, can't explain how much I wish you were here right now, I believe you would be proud of me, and proud of the way im living life!
miss you and love you forever
xoxo

jenessa
daughter

September 11, 2010

Brett,
You were a great man and a hell of an investigator. You were one of the finest friends a guy could have. You would come into the jail and hang out with us and see how things were going. Brett your watch is through now. Rest in Peace Brother. We will take it from here. Thank you for everything you did. I miss you a lot.

Former Detention Officer
Ford County Sheriff's Office

August 6, 2010

Can you believe this? Later this week you will be a Grandpa! Jenessa, albeit to young to be a mom, is going to have a baby! I am sad that you will never get to meet the baby. But if it is a boy she is going to use your middle name for its middle name. The father is in the Army, so she is learning all about military life.
Thanks to all who leave reflections here, it sure does help me on the bad days! Much love to all.

Angela
Wife

May 19, 2010

Investigator Tepe, Angela and family: Today is April 28, 2010 and I just found this reflection page and am honored to share with you today. Investigator Tepe was and always will be remembered for his humor. I got the opportunity to dispatch for the Ford County Sheriff's office thru the Ford County Communications Office. Bret was so full of funny stories when he took the time out of his busy day to come by and visit us in dispatch. I remember laughing on several occasions. Bret was just that way. He was such a true professional, I as a dispatcher didn't ever want to mess up anything that Bret (or anybody else) for that matter. I also got the opportunity to assist with the funeral services for this fine young man at Spearville. I assisted in getting audio from the Church into the gym so people could visually see on a tv and hear the audio. I will never ever forget how many emergency vehicles lined the streets in Spearville that day in honor of Investigator Tepe. It was such an amazing site to see. I will never forget you Bret and to Angela and the girls your in my thoughts and prayers everyday. "God Bless the broken road that will someday lead back to you." song lyric and closing courtesy of Rascall Flatts. One day Angela God will bless that broken road you suffered Sept. 23, 2003 and it will lead back to the glory days you and Bret enjoyed. God Bless you Angela and your daughters.

CS II Craig J Ney
Kansas Highway Patrol (former Ford Co Communications Officer)

April 28, 2010

Bret,
It has been 5 years since I've met Kenton. He is an amazing man. I thank God that he came into our life to help us girls. Sometimes I still hear your voice calling my name, Felicity is becoming more like you every day. The other day she told me the sun doesn't reach her room first, it reaches mine, that is why she can't get out of bed. That sounds an awful lot like the straight skinny you used to say! Love to you.

Angela
wife

October 29, 2009

Bret,

I often think about you, especially this past week. I miss not being able to talk with you. Your family is doing really good. You would be proud of each of your girls. I am glad Angela found Kenton, he is a good man. I respect and admire him for what he has done for your family.

I visit with your brother often. He has helped me cope, even though he probably doesn't realize he does. Thanks for being there for me all those years, say hi to my mom and God bless!

Deputy
Ford County Sherriff's Office

September 29, 2009

It's been 6 years since you made the ultimate sacrifice. I hope you know that you are still thought of each day. It was my honor to know you and work alongside you. I wear a NLEOMF bracelet with you name on it and tell all who ask about you. You continue your watch from above and we are all better for it. We will always miss you and remember you brother!

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 23, 2009

Tomorrow is your 43rd Birthday. Happy Birthday. The girls are back in school, Jenessa is a Freshman in college, Avonlea a Freshman in High school and Felicity a 5th grader. You would be proud of them. They are really doing well. Avonlea and Felicity and I went to COPS camp and had a great time. We're missing your funny stories right now, and the wrestling matches that the girls always lost. We are loving the memories. We still smile and sing real loud the "Fat Bottom Girls by Queen" song. All our love to you.

Angela Tepe Gleason
Wife

August 24, 2009

Brett you were a hell of a good guy and you will be always be missed. Rest in peace brother. Your watch is done.

Former Officer
Ford County Sheriff Office

June 18, 2009

So its 2009 and i'm getting ready to graduate high school and i turn 18 this year. Its scary and exciting at the same time. I'm scared to go to college, to go out on my own. But i know i'll mess up and make mistakes but i will jump back, i also know that i will do great. I tell stories about you all the time. About how you were stubborn and how you loved to fish and camp. Also about how you would always tell us girls stories, some funny, some scary, and some tall tales.
I love you daddy and i miss you very much.

Love your daughter, Jenessa

Jenessa Tepe
Daughter

March 2, 2009

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones and close friends on this day. Continue to watch over all of them as they have not forgotten you and will continue to carry your memory in their broken hearts. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

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

September 23, 2008

I was just reminiscing about O'le DC,KS and some of the things we all did there. It's coming up on five years now from your accident and boy time sure goes by. Just wanted to let you know you are still in our thoughts.

Lt. John Peters
Grover Beach, CA PD (Formally of DCPD)

August 9, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 17, 2008