Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dan,

It has been almost 4 years since you were taken from us. And everyone still bears the pain knowing you are no longer on this earth, doing what you loved best, serving the public. I miss our days together at Bayshore. All the fun we all had, the occassional pranks, and good natured laughter so common in a firehouse. It's comforting to know, you are in heaven now, watching over us. We've all moved on in life, but no one has forgotten. Your love for others, and your dedication to your duty will inspire and move us the rest of our days. Godspeed #311

William Floyd EMT-B
Lee County EMS

August 20, 2007

My former partner just recently got hired by the Fort Meyers Police Department. Could you look in on him from time to time ? I never had the chance to work with you but judging by the things that i've read about you,it sounds like you would help me out.He was a great partner and remains to be a great friend.Thanx in advance.Rest easy brother,we'll take it from here.HEROES ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN.

PO S.Harris #273

August 10, 2007

daniel darling

i love you

momma

July 14, 2007

Hey Dan,

I haven't talked to you since we were both Explorers, I was with the Lee County Port Authority. I was there for you funeral services though. Rest in peace.

Officer Gary Grosser
Seminole Police Department

July 6, 2007

Hey Dan,

I was just thinking about you today. I just wanted you to know that you are in my heart and I will never forgot the great times we had growing up. I haven't been in Ft. Myers in a long time. I just can't believe you're gone. I pray for your family and I know they miss you so much. One day we all see you in heaven. Love you Dan!

Erin B.
christian family

June 22, 2007

I wanted to stop in and leave a reflection to let you know that you have not been forgotten. I know law enforcement had to be a dream of yours for many years, even though your career was cut short by this tragic incident, some solace is that you died doing something you loved so much, being a cop. My son Michael was the same way. You both are true heroes and are thought of every day and tears still flow in your memories. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones, protect them and keep them close and let them feel your presence around them. You will never be forgotten.

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

June 11, 2007

Dan,
I just wanted you to know that I think about you everyday! I know you are in a better place and looking over all of us. We miss you very much!! I also wanted to say thank you for the precious gift.
Gone but not forgotten!! FMPD#311

Rachel Underwood

April 10, 2007

HEY DANIEL,

its been oh so long but not soon enough before we all see you again. well my daughters getting big, time is flying by and people are still mourning you. You will never be replaced with the joy and happiness you brought you your parents, finace, and all of your friends. you were a character. everytime i see that black stripe somewhere i get goose bumps. I miss ya. i go to fire school in august. Im siked! thinkin about doing forestry. not sure yet. well you are missed and loved. You will always be my big brother sharing the best birthdate in history Jan 17th! always
Tes
theresa musielak

THERESA MUSIELAK
GREAT FRIEND

March 21, 2007

Dan,

Time has went by so fast. It seems like yesterday when I heard what happend while I was deployed to Kuwait. I wish I could have been there for you. You were a great friend, I miss the times we had as Explorer's and as Volunteer Firefighters at Bayshore. You always put others before yourself, and did what you could to help them. I know you are in heaven looking over all of us. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN FMPD #311, BFD 817.

Sgt Underwood
U.S Army

February 10, 2007

hi honey

i just wanted to tell you how much i love you. i still miss you every single day. the superbowl party at church got cancelled. do you remember taking your recliner - it was so cold. or bundling up in the back of your truck.

im so glad we had those time together to remember.

i love you

mommy

February 4, 2007

It's is hard to believe that it has been so long since you were here with us. I find myself talking about you more and more each day. I miss ya man, I still have your name and number programmed in my phone. I know that you are watching over me and keeping me safe and that makes me feel good when im out there all alone and there is no back up for miles. Thanks bud, I miss you man. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTED # 311

Deputy Travis Daniels
Lee County Sheriff's Office

January 31, 2007

my darling

yesterday was your birthday. its hard to believe you have been gone for 3 years. it seems like just yesterday we got the knock on the door. i pray you had a wonderful day in heaven. save a place for us - we will join you soon.

love forever

mommy

January 18, 2007

Happy Birthday Daniel! I can only imagine what you guys are getting into in Heaven right now. I am sure that you all are having a HUGE celebration with lots of chocolate!! Please send your mom, dad, brothers, and the little girl some heavenly love! They all love and miss you so much. Please tell my Terry that I love him with all my heart.

Love,
LA Lynn

January 17, 2007

happy birthday darling!! :)

January 17, 2007

i know i am still with you
in your prayers, your thoughts, your heart,
and though you cannot see me,
i will always be a part
of life's sweet celebrations
in those times when you reflect
on how, though things are different,
through our love, we still connect.
we'll see each other someday
when our spirits all are free,
until then, i am with you
because you remember me.

i am with you because you remember me.

gone but never forgotten.

December 29, 2006

hey dan,
i just wanted to tell you merry christmas. i hope you boys are having fun up in Heaven... maybe it's sunny and bright instead of dreary and rainy like it is down here. i hope you've sent some love down to your family and to jess. the holidays are always so tough. take care of my angel for me, please.
love,
GA jess

December 25, 2006

my precious son daniel darling

merry christmas.....i miss you so.....have a wonderful christmas in heaven. i know i will see you soon.

all my love my precious child

mommy

December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas from Heaven

I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
On cold wintery nights

I still share your hopes
and all of your cares
i’ll even remind you
to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
you stand head and shoulders
above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment
To stay in His grace
I came here before you
To help set your place

You don’t have to be
perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
if you continue the climb

To my family and friends
please be thankful today
i’m still close beside you
in a new special way

I love you all dearly
Now don’t shed a tear
Cause I’m spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year.

Copyright 1990
John Wm. Mooney Jr.

December 25, 2006

Merry Christmas my Daniel Darling. :)

December 25, 2006

Jessica,
Thinking of you and your family especially through this holiday season. Remembering Daniel always in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Donna-Corey's Mom
In Loving Memory Of Corey and Michelle James
8/17/2003

Donna-Corey's Mom
Friend Of Jessica

December 23, 2006

Dear Dan, Family, and Friends: I never knew Dan but I was at his funeral. I myself was once an explorer but with a different post. I know that being a police officer is a tough job. But officers make a big impact on our community. I am on my way to becoming a fellow officer. I don't want to do it for me. I do it for the people. I remember everytime I needed someone to be there it was always a police officer. EVERYTIME there was always an officer to back me up. When I was a little girl, about 3, me and my family got into a serious car accident. The only thing I can remember was the police officer that stayed holding my hand through the car window becuase I was scared. He never left my side. I don't know where people get the idea in their head that cops are bad but I know that they will always be there. I know that Daniel and all the other fallen officers will be watching out for us all. And to everyone else, I hope you read this and know that your efforts are worth something. It may be the simplist little thing that you do for one person that you don't think would matter, but it changes that person for the rest of their life.

future officer

November 5, 2006

Dan,

I was at work today and I just happened to look at the clock and it was 3:11pm and I just thought of you but I didn't realize the significance of the date until I got home. So here I am. I hope that you are doing okay up there. I know I never got a chance to meet you in life, but I feel like I know you from hearing stories about you from Jess and your mom. You were surrounded by some great people in your life and I'm blessed to be able to call a couple of them my friends. I can't believe it's been three years already that you've been gone and coming up on four years that Dennis has been gone. Time just seems to have flown by in a lot of ways. Thanks for continuing to look out for everyone down here. I hope that you've had a chance to meet up with my Dennis. He was a good man despite his "hillbilly" roots. LOL Give him a good kick in the pants next time you bump into him. Take care and thanks for your service. You have not been forgotten here in Canada.

Keep Smiling!

Jocelyne :)

PS: Jess, I know you have a lot of changes coming up in your life. Know that you always have a guardian angel watching over you in Daniel and a friend here in Canada to lean on. *HUGS*

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

October 26, 2006

Daniel’s Family:

Your son will never be forgotten. I knew Daniel as an explorer with Fort Myers post. Every time I pin my bad on my shirt I think of “Dan”. He was always kidding around at delegates meetings and state conference. I meet Dan several times and was very well acquainted with other explorers in his post as well as the advisors. It is hard to believe some times it has been three years since this loss. I think of friends I have had for many years that were explorers and are know officers. We chose to follow and protect the “Thin Blue Line” at a very young age. Thou we were sometimes ridiculed and made fun of by our peers, many of us stood proud and became officers. This truly is a testament to Dan. Exploring is a valuable asset to many agencies.

Dan’s passing date was a very special date in my life for a very unique reason. I was an explorer and went to work in corrections. After several years I went back to the academy and became LEO certified. I though of Dan as I completed this task. The week I was sworn in was the first anniversary of Dan’s passing. As I stood there before friends and most important family as I took the oath, I was truly in awe.

I know my family was proud and scared at the same time. All families have these feelings. We as a law enforcement family are truly unique. Mrs. Starks, god bless your family for this officer. Dan was not only a reflection of his agency but his family and their values.

As the etching on the memorial states “Is Not How These Officers Died That Made Them Heroes. It Is How They Lived.” This statement is so true of Dan.


Mrs. Starks, your family is still here if you need us.

Ofc. William Peterson
Pinellas Park Police Department

October 26, 2006

Just thinking about you Daniel, and wondering why you all were given to us and then taken away the way you were. We will never forget, even as we go on.

With Love,
Matt's Mom

Linda Rittenhouse

October 25, 2006

A man remembered with so much love and respect never dies but continues to live on in the hearts and minds of others.G-d Bless.

October 25, 2006