Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Nick,
It seems like things in DC were very nice. You should be so proud of yourself! You have never been the type of person to brag about your accomplishments, but you should be so proud of yourself! I'm sure you were with your everyone in DC as they went to honor you last weekend. It is amazing how so many people care about you, Kirsten, Gavin, and your family. It is so great how you have touched the lives of so many different people, and it is unfortunate that some of these people never had a chance to meet you. You were taken way to soon. That just shows how important and wonderful you were to everyone. You have touched so many people in so many ways. Jessi, Barner, Marc, and I bought a cross and some flowers to put by the liqour store so people can remember you when they drive by or are just in the neighborhood. We will put it there soon; we are just waiting for the right time. Continue to help all of us down here as you have been doing. I miss you and I will talk to you later.

Tracie

May 21, 2005

Nick,
I was never granted the privilege to meet you in this life, but this year at National Police Week, I met your beautiful Kirsten and your adorable son Gavin. Although I didn't get to spend a lot of time with them, I was lucky enough to see a small "glimpse" of what your life was like before you were tragically taken away.
Kirsten,
Your collage that you left at The Wall spoke more than a thousand words to more people than I could count that day at The Wall. It was easy to see in each and every photo how much Nick loved you both. Thank you for sharing some of Nick's life with me, and I will be thinking of you, and Gavin in the following days and months to come.
Sincerely,

Juli Verkler
Widow of Ptlm. Bryan S. Verkler EOW 12/13/03

May 20, 2005

Nick - I met Kirsten and Gavin in DC this past week and man are they awsome! Gavin is so cute and I know you are smiling down on them. Keep watch over Kirsten. She is wonderful and me and "The GA Jess" love her. We are all gonna stick together and honnor you guys the best we know hi. Say hi to my Daniel for me.

Kir - Hope you are doing well!!

Love,
Jessica Ruhl
Fiancee of Police Officer Dan Starks

May 19, 2005

NICK:

Hi Son.

A lot of things have been going on since we last talked. The Memorial Service in Jefferson City, the Memorial Breakfast downtown and of course Washington D.C. As you know we left last Wednesday and returned home on Monday. Kelly described to you a lot of what went on in Washington. It was really a class act. The COPS organization, FOP and all of the law enforcement agencies involved did a great job. It was such an honor to talk to so many Officers and their family members that really care.

I attended a few classes offered by C.O.P.S. One session was for Fathers that have had their Sons/Daughters murdered. It was very moving to see fifteen very proud men trying to tell what happened to their loved ones. Through the tears and sadness, each one told their story. It was amazing to see how each one of us has so much in common. As one father said, "It is bad enough to lose you loved one, but then you have all of the other issues to deal with everyday". Two of the fathers were also police officers and the other fathers could not understand how we could ever go back to work.

I tried as a hard as I could to attend the ceremony on Sunday, but a high fever and the flu kept me in bed Saturday and Sunday. Thanks for helping me make it home on Monday without any problems.

Mom, Kelly, Heather, Josh, James and Baby Bobby did a great job Sunday. I could tell when they returned to the room that evening how proud they are of you and how much they love you.

I received two phone calls yesterday from friends that told me that heard rumors about Washington D.C. It is so sad, that a very small group of people continue to spread rumors about Mom and I and only tell half of the truth of what went on. I agree 100% with Nicole, your cousin, when she wrote to you on April 26, 2005, that you would not believe what is going on since you left. One day Nick, this very small group of people will have to meet you again and I feel sorry for them.

Nick, when you left us on January 30, 2004, a large part of my heart and soul were ripped from me. But there is and always will be a special bond between us that no one could ever break. One of the Officers asked me in Washington what it felt like on that tragic day. I told him it felt like someone hit me in the head and chest at the same time with a sledge hammer, and the pain has yet to stop.

I am very proud of you and I would give anything to see that beautiful smile, to hold and kiss you, and tell you how much I love you.

DAD

DAD

May 19, 2005

To the family,
My heart goes out to you guys,I always come to this page i dont know why,but oneday i clicked on this page and my heart broke for this young and "very" good looking guy.I ran into the sisters of nick,and these girls really loved their brother.He was a true hero,i told joshs family about nicks story before we ever got to D.C. and when i heard BUSH speak about nick i knew the whole story,you guys should be very PROUD to know that he died doing what he loved.I sure would,when i see josh on the news it makes me so proud because we dont want anyone to forget him.

Ya'll hang in there.

April Blyler
Josh Blyler,sister inlaw.

May 18, 2005

Nick,
It sounds like the memorial for you in Washington was very nice. Someday we hope to all go there to see your memorial. I know you were with Gabe, Kay, and all of their friends and family as they welcomed their little girl into the world. Now you have another little person to watch over. I hope you also stay close to Kirsten and Gavin, they have been going thru a lot of stuff lately. She needs you to help her keep her head up and keep her going. You are always missed, we love you! love, Nicole

nicole-cousin

May 18, 2005

Officer Sloan,

I don't know where to begin. First let me thank you for your service and your ultimate sacrifice. You may rest in peace knowing that your St Louis Police family has taken over your beat, including watching over your family.

I was very fortunate to meet your partner late Saturday night in Washington DC. He was sitting at The Wall, and while he appeared to be alone, I know in my heart that he wasn't. You were right there with him holding him close. I am sure you know how lucky you were to have him with you on that fateful night.

You will never be forgotten!

To Gabe,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You saw my pain, and though you were grieving you came to me. Your kind heart, your words, and your touch allowed me to bid farewell to my friend Mark Sawyers. Not goodbye, never goodbye. I am so sorry that I couldn’t find the right words to comfort you. I want you to know that from that moment on, you have been in my thoughts and you will be forever in my prayers.

God Bless You

Kathy, Emergency Dispatcher
Sterling Heights PD (Michigan)

May 17, 2005

Nick,
We just got back from Washington in your honor. We had several emotions while we were there. They ranged from being very proud of you to crying because we want so badly for you to be with us. I went to several of the classes that they offered for siblings and it helped. I was able to talk to several people going through the same things that we are. I will be keeping in contact with them. As James said, everyone that we saw and met are so nice. I know you were with us while we went through everything. I don't think that we could describe to anyone what everything was like from us getting off of the airplane and having 5 officers there to greet us and help us with our luggage, the candlelight vigil with officers waiting for us when we got off of the bus to escort us to our seats and give us roses, meeting the three officers that rode in your honor for the Police Unity Tour and they gave us the bracelets they wore with your name on them, all of the people that came up to us to say that they heard about you and wanted to meet us. I don't think that we can ever tell all of the people involved how much this meant to us.

We know you were with us on Sunday. It was an honor to meet the President and take pictures with him. We have it all on tape since Dad was very sick. He tried to go and was just to weak.

We cannot thank Vern enough for everything he did for us. He went above and beyond what an escort should do.

I love you forever little brother,
Kel

Kel
Nick's sister

May 16, 2005

Nick,
I just want you to know I'm thinking about you . Everybody is heading up to Washington. I definately want to go to that candelight vigil one time in my life. I think it will be neat to take my girls when they are older and can understand better. I miss you everyday!
Stay close with Gabe and Kay, their big day is getting close! I love you! Michelle

May 13, 2005

Nick,

i never met you in person, but i feel like i know you so well. i love hearing stories about you from kir. i talk to you precious, precious son on the phone sometimes - he is going to be such a little flirt! ;P i know you watch over kir and gav every single day, but please be on patrol especially during this weekend and next week as it is police week in D.C. kir is doing the best she possibly can - she is such an inspiration to me. i don't know how she does it some days. her pain is so real and so deep, but i am so glad that the two of you brought gavin into this world to brighten her days just a little. help kir's family - i know they considered you a part of the family, and it is hard to walk in their shoes as well. no one has been left untouched by your life and death. i wish i could have met you, but i know someday i will.

i know your family misses you greatly too. help them get through this next week as well. i cannot imagine, altho i have watched cole's mom physically hurt from missing him so much. i can only imagine that your parents do the same.

please know that we will always remember you, nick, and the sacrifice that you had to make much too soon. i hope you and cole have become buds up there...keep him out of trouble! ;P

very much love and thanks,
jessi

Jessi Garger
Fiancee of Cole Martin EOW 4.25.03

May 6, 2005

nick,
hi baby. just wanted to say that i love you very much and mothers day is sundayas you know. i know that gavin is not old enough to really understand the whole holiday thing. could you maybe watch over us this weekend. i will never ever forget my first and only mothers day with you here. i will also never ever forget what gavin( you) got me either( a tent). how awesome is that. ya kmow its just not the same with out you here on any holiday and you also know that i wuld not be a mother if there was no you. i still thank god everyday for everything you have given me. please be with your mom also. i can not even begin to imagine how she must feel to not have her baby to spend it with. she needs you.
love you lover
love kir

May 6, 2005

Hey Nick--
I just missed you and wanted to say hi. I am so proud of you as so many others are. I know that if Gavin grows into half the man you were, he will be the second most courageous and woderful man that I will ever meet. Kirsten is doing such a wonderful job raising your baby. I hope you can do something to make her Mother's Day special, because I know it will be lonely without you--as all other days are. Help to protect her and Gavin (I know you have been) and watch over the rest of us. We all need it.
Love Jess

May 5, 2005

hang in there brother. we're thinkning of you. help us be strong and live to be happy.

May 5, 2005

nick,
miss you so much my love.gavin is so funny he makes me laugh. i know how proud you are of our son. he is soooooooo smart everywhere we go people tell me that he is so smart. seriously at least once a day if not more. i am so so proud of him and us!!! my dad and joe have been here so much lately trying to fix things. sat and sunday my dad came down just to fix things at the house. he fixed the big hole in the wall by the back door ya know the one home depot did whe they put the door in. and the lawn mower and trimmer and the fence does the list ever end!!! it is soo nice to have them here helping me because i have no idea how to do those things. just when you think i miss so many things about you the list gets bigger and bigger everyday. man how life can change int he blink of an eye. i know you can see all the people who help with me and gavin and the house. i know you are thankful to them because you can't be here to do it but it still does need to get done. we will always be our cute little family no matter if you are here or not. we are still yours and always will be.
love ya lover
kir and gav

May 3, 2005

Nick,
I found this poem on a web site for police. I thought it was so sweet and very sad.

Somebody's Daddy

somebody's daddy,
somebody's son,
won't be coming home,
when this day is done.

whether by the hands of a man,
an accident or a gun,
there is now one less daddy,
one less son.

By Lydia Warner Miller

I love you
Heather

Heather
Nicks sister

May 3, 2005

Hey Nick! I just wanted to say hi and to see how everything was going. I went to the cemetary the other day. I left you a message, a balloon, and a little stepping stone that has "peace" written on it. I miss hearing all the stories you used to share with all of us. I was at your house the other day hanging out with Kirsten and Gavin. He is so cute and has an amazing personality. Kirsten is so strong and is doing a great job with him. It was so funny the other day, we went to lunch and then we came back to my house. I didn't have many toys for Gavin to play with. So, I had a boxing glove, a ball, and a little tractor for him to play with. It was so cute watching him try to figure out how to put the boxing glove on. This reminded me of the week that you and Kirsten were so sick and I watched Gavin for you guys; you forgot to bring toys to my apartment, so he just played with pots and pans and Tupperware. Well, I just wanted to say hi and let you know I was thinking about you. I will talk to you later.

Tracie

May 2, 2005

Nick,
How are things going up there. I hope you are doing good. Josh made us a CD with songs that remind us of you. The one song is called Heros, its by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. My favorite line in the song is "I can't count the times he made me laugh, but this time he made me cry. There is nothing quite as hard as watching your hero die." That reminds me of you, because you could always make me laugh. I miss you so much. I love our visits together. They make me very happy. Im glad you still come and play with Bobby, even though you taught him how to frog. Thank you. I know you are up there laughing every time he frogs me. He is just like you, when we were little you would always frog me. Thanks for making me laugh. I love you.
Love,
Heather

Uncle Nick,
g hiukkll...
(Bobby says "Uncle Nick, say you a frog. I love you and miss you.)
Love,
Bobby

Heather
Nicks sister

May 1, 2005

HEY NICK! I HAD A REALLY SAD SAD DAY YESTERDAY. I WAS THINKING ABOUT KIRSTEN AND GAVIN AND THE FACT THAT I COULD NOT REMEMBER WHAT YOUR VOICE SOUNDED LIKE ANYMORE. HOW COULD I TELL GAVIN HOW MUCH OF A WONDERFUL PERSON HIS DADDY WAS IF I COULDN'T REMEBER YOUR LAUGH AND THE WAY YOU SMILED? I WENT TO BED VERY UPSET, BUT THAT NIGHT YOU CAME TO ME IN A DREAM. YOU HUGGED ME AND TOLD ME THAT NO MATTER WHAT, YOUR MEMORY WOULD NEVER LEAVE MY MIND. I WOKE UP SO SURPRISED BECAUSE I HAD PRAYED THAT YOU WOULD SEND ME A SIGN THAT KIR AND GAV WOULD BE OK, BUT I FIGURED YOU HAD SO MANY PEOPLE TO COME TO THAT IT WOULD BE A WHILE BEFORE I GOT TO TALK TO YOU. A FEW MOMENTS LATER I REALIZED THAT THAT HUG WAS THE FIRST HUG I HAD EVER GOTTEN FROM YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT GIFT. I MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY. JESSI

Jessi--

April 26, 2005

Kirsten,
You are in my thoughts and prayers every day. I know how much you love and miss Nick. It's obvious from what you have told me and from what everyone has posted that Nick was a wonderful guy. I want you to know that I pray for your heart to heal as you deal with your grief for Nick and as you raise your sweet little boy. I'm here for you always.
Love you,
Kelly

To Nick's Family & Friends,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you miss Nick greatly.

Kelly Gillain
Sig. Other to Deputy Sheriff Joshua E. Blyler EOW 5.2.04

April 26, 2005

Nick,

Wow, what can I say. First of all, thanks. Your family has been a HUGE help to us in our time of need. Unfortunately lately they have been a little busy. Your Mom and Dad are awesome people, who have obviously tried to shed some light on such a tragic situation. April can't say enough about Kelly and Heather. It means so much to her to talk to someone who has been through what we have. Although your family has been through much pain, be assured they have eased some of ours, and given us that shoulder to lean on.

I know you and Scott are busy up there, especially after last weekend. Ralph is in a good place now, and for sure has at least two smiling friends that greeted him at the gate.

Tell Scott we say hi, and we love him and miss him.

Watch over those of us who protect.

Po Matt Barthelmass
Brother-In-Law to PO Scott Armstrong, EOW 01-12-2005

April 26, 2005

nick,
i just wanted to let you there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. You wouldn't believe how things have changed since you have been gone. I'm glad that you are in a peaceful place where you don't have to ever be stressed or sad. We all miss you very much, Gavin sure is a blessing to all of us. He has a way of lighting up a room,when he walks in people can't help but smile. Keep watch over everyone, especially Kirsten and Gavin. we love you and miss you!
love, nicole, josiah, and grant

nicole- cousin

April 26, 2005

Officer Sloan, your parents were at the sides of Trooper Ralph Tatoian's parents for most of the four awful days that followed his death in the line of duty. Ralph's family will try to honor your memory, and repay their invaluable kindness and support, by being there for someone else. God Bless and rest easy!

private citizen

April 25, 2005

Nick:

Last week was tough for a lot of people. The law enforcement family lost another great member. I told MOM that this has to stop. Too many young officers are leaving their families and friends way too early.

The funeral service for Ralph was attended by many of his family members and friends. Baby Bobby said that he saw you standing by the curtain at the funeral parlor. I am sure that he was correct. I know that you were there with Ralph and his family.

Hopefully Mom, Kelly, Heather and I were able to help Ralph's family during this painful time. We will be there for them as our friends are for us.

I know that you are busy, so I will talk to you later.

Thank you for helping me deal with a lot of issues...

Love forever...

DAD

DAD

April 25, 2005

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Daddy,
I love you daddy and I miss you so much. I'm playing today at Aunt Kelly's house. I Love You.
Gavin

Gavin
Nicks son

April 24, 2005

Kirsten -

Want you to know that everyone on the signficant others board is thinking of you. We miss hearing from you and know you are busy. I have been reading through Nick's reflections and know he was a great man. I don't know why but something brought me here tonight and I thought I would let you know I am thinking of you. I am staying with Jessi in DC and am hoping we can all meet up so I can meet ya. You sound like a strong person and I bet Gavin is such a joy. Wanted to let you know I am thinking of you.

To Officer Sloan's Family - You are in my prayers. I know that my Daniel must have helped Nick into Heaven and is showing him around!

Take Care -

Jessica Ruhl
Fiancee of Police Officer Daniel Starks
Ft Myers PD EOW 10.25.03

April 23, 2005