Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mrs. Sherwood,
I am sorry for your continuing pain. I can't imagine the fear and deep sadness you feel. It is one that every officer's wife dreads and thinks of everyday. My prayer for you at this moment is that you are reminded of Kevin's love for you & your girls. I know you will never get over losing him, but I do know that God will be with you all the way....holding you everytime you need to be held. God bless you today & always.

June 22, 2005

I recently ordered a NLEOMF bracelet with your information on it. I wear it daily to remind me of the sacrifice you and our fellow officers have made.

You are always in my mind Kevin. Please watch over us.

Mike
ISP

June 20, 2005

WHEN I'M GONE
by Lyman Hancock

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile

Forget unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day

Then forget to grieve me for going
I would not have you sad for a day
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay

And come in the shade of the evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a moment beside me
And remember only my best

June 20, 2005

LEFT BEHIND
by Lydia Warner Miller

Those that are left behind
when others have gone,
are the ones that cry
all night long.
Under the cover of the night
so many tears fall,
we cry ourselves to sleep
until there is nothing within us left to weep.
Tomorrow,
our tears will start anew
for those that are left behind,
what else is there to do?

June 19, 2005

Happy Fathers' Day. This is one of the worst days of the year for Meagan. We miss you so much!!! I love you so very much - my heart is so broken, shattered, and torn. Trying to get myself out of this feeling sorry for myself horror. I am so blessed to have the girls - they give me every reason in the world to smile. It's funny because I will watch them do things and somethings are done in the same mannerisms that you would use. Gwendolyn constantly colors on herself - if there is a marker or a sharper then there will be drawings on her body. I don't even get upset about it because I can vividly recall the numerous times I walked in the house and you had drawn on one of our girls. Our girls have grown so much over the past year and a half - I need to believe you see them and are proud of all of us.

June 19, 2005

PAPER DADDY
by Lydia Warner

My daddy is a picture
Hanging on the wall,
There's another one just like it
In the police department's hall.
I kiss his paper face
Every night before I go to sleep,
Sometimes I pretend I can feel
His whiskers tickle my cheek.
I take Daddy fishing
When momma isn't around,
If I climb on a chair
I can take Daddy down.
Once I thought I saw
A tear in his eye,
I didn't know
That paper daddies could cry.
My daddy is a picture
Hanging in the hall
There's another one just like it
On the police department's memorial wall.

June 18, 2005

Today I traveled from northern Michigan through to central MI and drove along US 27. It was my first time on 27 since the highway was named the Kevin Sherwood Memorial Highway. I saw the sign and immediately felt totally proud to be traveling on a stretch of road dedicated to this selfless, loving deputy. I thought about Kevin, Katy, their daughters, and Mr. & Mrs. Sherwood. I thought about all the fine deputies that are serving Clare County and heroically placing their lives in danger to make our roads safer. I thought about the sacrifices they make, the names they are called by ungrateful citizens, an the "beatings" they take just because they wear a badge. I tried to think of any other profession or career in which people have to wear a bullet proof vest to work, or carry a gun, to protect themselves. Clearly, their job is one of the hardest, often times underappreciated. When you think about it, police officers deserve more than a 'week' (Police Week) of recognition. I am so very proud of each and every one of the men and women that chose law enforcement for a career. God bless them all, each and every one. And God bless the Sherwood families. I felt honored to be traveling on Kevin Sherwood Memorial Highway this afternoon.

Northern Michigan

June 17, 2005

Aaron, thank you for the many kinds words you write about my son, and most of all, to Katy and the girls. You have more insight and kindness than I have ever seen in a 15 yr old. I grieve for you, as well, over the loss of your mom. She must have been a wonderful mom for you to be the kind of man you are.

I check this site everyday, and my heart feels so good when I see your words. I know they mean a lot to Katy, too. To all of us.

You would have loved working with Kevin. As you probably already know, he was a very straight-arrow deputy, and was kind and patient with everyone. I would be proud if you could attend some of the local memorials with us. Ask Chief Rynearson for my email address, and we can talk about that.

Thanks, Aaron.

Mother
Deputy Kevin Sherwod EOW 10/9/03

June 17, 2005

Mrs. Sherwood:
You are infact strong. Your tears do not make you any weaker than what you are. You have lsot someone important in your life. You have the right to cry. On May 25, 2005, I lost my mother and I cry. It will not make you weaker. You are living through this time of pain as strong as you can. A lot of people would have given in, but you haven't. I am only 15, but with the loss of my mother, I speak the truth. Tears will not make you weak. Everyone must cry. Every so often, I go into the Sheriff Department and see a Deputy standing at a small memorial placed outside the squadroom, and he/she too, is crying. Tears are not a sign of weakness. You ARE strong.

Explorer Aaron McLearen
Clare County Sheriff Department

June 16, 2005

Katy, hang in there. We truly are all pulling for you. You, your girls and Kevin's parents are in our everyday thoughts and prayers. And Kevin's spirit is there with you. I honestly believe that. We can't change what has happened, but we can pray that God will help you find peace and give you the strength that you need to get through these difficult times. Don't ever feel alone. We are here for you. God bless, and we are sending you hugs.

Up North

June 16, 2005

Mrs. Sherwood - hold tight to your faith because it will see you through in the end. Life is cruel but it is what makes us who we are. Hold on to the love you shared with Kevin and let it guide you to find happiness and love again. I have heard much about you and I know how much you deserve it. Good people can be hard to find on this earth but heroes, like you, stand in the shadows with strength to help us all.

June 14, 2005

Our baby girl Meagan turned 11 years old today - I can't believe it. I remember the day she was born and how desperately you tried to avoid being there. Very few people realized how you could possibly not want to be present the day your child was born but I knew and that was all that matter. You told me there was no way you wanted to see me in pain that you could do nothing about. But as hands of fate would have it you were escorted into the delivery room as I started to push. I can vividly recall the sheer panic on your face and the ghostly shade of white you turned. But you were there holding tight (more I believe to keep yourself standing than to give me support) to my hand. I think the girls birthdays are the worst days for me because I watch them grow another year older without their daddy. Meagan had her last softball game and we had the team over after for a swimming pizza party. That helped the day not be so horrible but the house is getting quite. These last few weeks, since your birthday, have been filled with emotional ups and downs. I am trying to move forward with my life but today I feel like my little world is falling apart around me. The Michigan Sheriffs' Association honored me this weekend as a "strong" surviving spouse - it felt great to be recognized for that but then life smacks you a good one. Strong - what a funny word to describe me. If they could only see me crying on the floor in the closet wrapped in your shirt or beating the !@#$ out of your clothes because I am so angry at life. I was not given a choice in all of this and three beautiful little girls give me the reason to wake up everyday. Forever in my heart I will love you. I keep hearing that God only gives you as much as you can handle - when will he believe I have had enough?

June 13, 2005

I miss you so very much. I am trying desperately to figure out who the new me is suppose to be. I have felt so much pain for so long - I want it to go away but the only way I can figure out for that to happen is to travel back in time. Every time I find a little happiness it seems like cruel reality steps in and takes it away. I can't believe I deserve to feel an unending life of misery - just like I can't believe you deserved to die. I hold on to my love for you like a life line but when you feel no love in return it becomes desperation. It takes everything I have to hold together our little family. Feeling sorry for myself today - hate these days. Life is cruel Kevin and I wonder if that will ever change. My heartaches but I have a happy spot there that holds your memory and our love.

June 13, 2005

I've been thrown into this journey that I do not want to travel. We made a commitment to stand and face life's ups and downs together. I now face them alone. I miss you Kevin and just want you to come home. I am not sure if I can even describe the pain - I know I can't. Sometimes I think I feel your spirit and other times I just cry. I love you! I continue to carry you in my heart and will until I come join you in Heaven. I have a long road ahead of me and I am doing my best to keep the faith.

June 10, 2005

Stopped by to drop you an email (as your family calls it!!) to thank you again for your sacrifice and service, and to let your family know you are still thought of, appreciated and missed every day! I am certain your spirit has never left their side and that you hold them in loving arms every day! God bless you all!

Up North MI

June 9, 2005

Kev, you were also a soldier....today is also your day.

Mom

May 30, 2005

Hi Kev,
We all jokingly refer to this as your email, so I wanted just to stay in touch. You would be very proud of me, I am getting stronger everyday. I am directing my pain into more positive stuff....you know what I'm doing.

I talk to you everyday, and miss you just as much as day 1.

This year I see and appreciate the sunshine and really hear the birds....Washington was very good for me.

Seeing the first year survivors makes my heart ache....God how I know what they are feeling. Your dad connected with an Arizona family that he actually served at a COPS function! They remembered him!

Katy stays so busy with the girls...that is her salvation....and boy are they amazing. You know that, too.

I don't have to tell you to stay safe, you surely are.

I love you and miss you so much, and as always, I am so proud of the person you are. I am so blessed with all three of you kids and your families.

Mom

May 28, 2005

I am not sure if it was a dream or not but I swear I felt you hold me in my sleep. Thank you - I needed that so much!! Loneliness is one of the hardest parts of living this life without you by my side. I love and miss you so very much. You are forever in my heart.

May 23, 2005

It is true that
Love in life is bitter sweet
But so much worse
Is to live life incomplete



Kevin I miss you and I love you.

May 22, 2005

The house smelled like your cologne when I walked in last night. I almost couldn't breath. Slowly reality sunk in but I couldn't shake the feeling. I gave all of your cologne to Zach so I know it wasn't possible. I never would have believed that I would be raising the girls by myself. I miss calling you and telling you a story about what one of them had done or with the play by play of a softball game. The other night Gwendolyn was talking to herself in the living room. I came out and asked who she was talking to - she looked at me and said "I talking to my dad". I asked where you were and she said "Hims a picture" and she pointed to the wall. You weren't here to ever hear her talk and she had only just started to walk. She now talks all of the time and there really is no walking for her - it is a constant run. I hold fast to the faith that you see all of this - I only wish she could see your smile or feel your hug. I love and miss you so very much.

May 20, 2005

Hi Son,
I've never been much for words. I haven't had a full nights sleep since Katy called me October 9 2003. I miss the impish grin that you had everytime you would mess with someone in the family. The last time I talked to you on the phone I ask you if you didn't get tired of the work on week ends and Holidays.You told me how much you really enjoyed being out there and being busy. You and Katy had a Love that was envied by everyone that knew you both. A Love that most couples will never experiance. I haven't talked to very many people about whats inside of me and probably never will. I know you know how much I Love and miss you. I wear a braclet 24/7 that has your name on it. I have your photo in my office in several places.We can't change the past and thats a shame, so we go on.
I just returned from Washington where your mother, sister, brother Robert, Katy and the girls, and Katy's parents Art and Maryann were for National Police Week. It was so special to spend time with people that were so much a part of your life. We laughed, we cried, and at times had some fun. Some of us did a little toasting to you. Well, honestly, some of us did a lot of toasting to you. We met a Police Officer from Mount Clemens Michigan named Jim Disser and his wife Cyndi. Jim was working the night of your accident and remember it very well. He was kind enough to dedicate and play a bagpipe solo to you. We met several very nice people in the few days we were there, and have established some real friendships.
Son, there isn't a day that goes by that your not thought of several times during the day.
Katy and the girls are well looked after by all of your special friends. I had the opportunity to meet several in Washington last year.
You touched so many people while you were here, and made such a lasting impression on them, I believe even you would be amazed.Please excuse the spelling they don't have spell check.
Missing you so very much.
Dad

Curtis L. Sherwood
Father of Kevin

May 19, 2005

Always in our minds.
Always in our hearts.
Always watching over us.
Always protecting us.
Thank you Kevin and God bless you.

MVN

May 17, 2005

As a Clare County Explorer, I have heard many tales about Deputy Sherwood. I have heard from Officers that I have ridden with, and from people on the street. No one wanted Deputy Sherwood's life to be taken away, especially not in this chosen way. We now must mourn day after day, but we still live strong.
I did not personally know Deputy Sherwood, but I am sure that he was a good man. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
To his wife and children: It is always hard to lose someone you love. It is good to know that you are striving without him, although he is here in our hearts.
To the Department: Hopefully the Clare County Sheriff Department will not lose another one of their Deputies. We can only mourn for the lose of a Deputy. The mourning never quits, it never goes away. Even almost two years after his death, I still see civilians, and Deputies mourning over the loss. The pain never goes away.
"To Protect and Serve" That's what he did, and he always will, here or not here.

Explorer Aaron McLearen
Clare County Sheriff Department

May 12, 2005

My emotions are going a little crazy this week. I miss you so much. It hurts so much to look at our girls and think about how much they have lost because you we're doing your job. I am so proud of you. I have accepted that somehow this is the way it is suppose to be - somehow it is in God's plan. I have become a different person because you were such a great part of my life. Hopefully a better person. You own a piece of my heart Kevin and I will love you forever.

May 12, 2005

Happy Birthday, son. Was not able to do the computer thing on your day.....I'm sure you are fully aware of our "move". You never left my thoughts....all those wonderful ones of when you were born and your little boy antics! What a kid! I am beginning to find some sort of peace...but it doesn't diminish how much I miss you and how proud I am of you. The pain will always be there....I never want that to go away....

I love you son. Thanks for your visits in my heart....

Mom
Deputy Kevin Sherwood, EOW 10/09/03

May 6, 2005