Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

A friend is someone we turn to
when our spirits need a lift.
A friend is someone we treasure
for our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives
with beauty, joy, and grace.
And makes the whole world we live in
a better and happier place.

Thanks for always being there for me Denise. You are an amazing person and friend.

Love you,
Lynn

Lynn Melchionda
Proud wife of Matt Melchionda

June 3, 2008

As the days go by you would think that things get better. Well it is tough thinking that someone as young as you lost your life in the line of duty. You are dearly missed and I wish you were here to let me tell you what you meant to me. Your family is so dear to me. They are there when needed and that means alot. Please watch over all who love you and patrol the heavens and be safe

June 3, 2008

I still think of you everyday and wish things were different. I know your happy and safe but I wish you were here. Miss you more than you know.

May 29, 2008

it's 4:47am, just thinking about ya bro, keep us safe down here ok... we miss you everyday

TPR 1
NJSP

May 27, 2008

Thinking of you on National Peace Officers Day.

May 15, 2008

Just thinking of you Bert and MISS YOU!!!

Michele

May 12, 2008

I never had the honor of knowing you, but I know many people who did and they only have wonderful things to say about you.
Even though I never knew you, I think of you often. You are not forgotten.

April 30, 2008

bert just letting you know that i havent forgotten you, and i think of you still all the time.
i met a family memeber of yours at a party with my family, and it was so good to talk to someone who knew you so good, and was part of your life. i was happy to meet her.
your always in my thoughts
lorraine

lorraine
friend

April 12, 2008

Bert – Bobby had his 1st T-Ball game last night. I know you were their watching over him. Knowing how much you loved baseball I know you were thrilled to hear he was going to play T-Ball. I know if you were still here with us you would not have missed last night for anything. You would have been standing on the sideline cheering him on and laughing right along with us. I got a little emotional when his team went out on the field for the first time and they had him playing Center Field. At that moment I knew that you were their with him watching over him. It’s things like last night that make me so angry at what happened to you. Then today we signed Bobby up for Kindergarten. Yes I said Kindergarten. It’s so hard to believe that next year he will be going to school. There are things he does that I know as his Uncle you would be giving him high 5’s for. Just know that he loves & misses you very much. I was telling him how you played baseball and how center field was your position. His response was I played center field tonight just like my Uncle Bert and you know me I instantly became an emotional wreck. He asked me if I could print out the pictures so he can bring them to the cemetery to show you. So I told him I would and over the weekend I would take him.

I love & miss you very much!!!! Please continue to watch over all that love you. You will never be forgotten. We will always keep your memory alive.

XOXOXO
Love,
Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
SISTER OF TROOPER BERTRAM ZIMMERMAN III - EOW 2/5/04

April 9, 2008

Just letting you know that we are thinking about you.

mike
njsp

April 3, 2008

I never dreamed it would be me
My name for all eternity
Recorded here at this hallowed place
Alas, my name, no more my face

"In the line of duty" I hear them say
My family now the price will pay
My folded flag stained with their tears
We only had those few short years

The badge no longer on my chest
I sleep now in eternal rest
My sword I pass to those behind
And pray they keep this thought in mind

I never dreamed it would be me
And with heavy heart and bended knee
I ask for all here from the past
Dear God, let my name be the last

Sergeant
Atlantic County

March 31, 2008

Hi Denise, thinking of you always it has been four years since our husbands have been killed I was in Arlington Cemetery to be with Joe and I always mention you to him my prayer is with Bertram and with you I hope that we can meet again under happy times your Mom and Dad wrote me a few lines and i was happy to hear from them take care and god bless you. Love Gretchen Le Claire

Gretchen Le Claire
widow survivor

March 25, 2008

bert, just want you to know, my heart is still broken that you were called back home to god. life was so full for you, it still blows my mind you are gone. a person so full of life, it just doesnt seem fair.
my memories of you are all good, and happy ones, and that i carry in my heart forever.
i was at michele's tonight and saw the sign you had in your basement, that denise gave michele and shawn. it brought back so many memories, that i felt overwhelmed.
i knew you from that young boy who came to me with things you wanted to talk about, and we had a friendship i dont think anyone could understand.
just know i will never get you out of my heart and thats how we carry you on through life. life does go on, but a piece of our hearts are gone and that is the sadest thing.
ok troop..................keep us safe, and know we never forget about you for a second.
love you forever................lorraine

lorraine
friend

February 10, 2008

Denise,

I cannot believe it has been 4 years. Sometimes it seems like yesterday. But most of the time it seems like a lifetime ago. In the aftermath of the tragedy we have become good friends and for that I will be eternaly grateful. I know it is hard, but the best way to honor Bert is to realize that life is a precious gift that can be taken away in the blink of an eye and to live the life you have left to the fullest. Bert no longer has that chance but those he left behind here on earth do. The greatest thing that can be done in memory and in honor of Bert is to live the life he no longer has to the fullest. To do anything less would be a disgrace to his name and memory From everything I have come to know about Bert he did everything BIG. He lived BIG and he loved BIG. He would want you and the rest of us to do the same and to savor every precious moment we have left here on earth. And most importantly, he would want those that he left behind, especially you, to be happy and to be loved. That is the greatest gift he can give to us. You keep your head up and keep doing what you are doing to honor and remember Bert and the love and life you shared. Those that truly know you and care for you know that while you continue on this beautiful journey of life that you will always hold your love and memories for Bert close to your heart.

Bert - I am so grateful for the friendship that has developed between Denise and I. But there isn't a day that doesn't go by that I wouldn't give up that friendship to have you back with her, because if it wasn't for that tragic day she and I may never have met. I have tried to take some valuable life lessons out of that tragedy so that your death will not be in vain. My husband and children are always my priority, I choose to no longer waste my precious time with those who are concerned with petiness and drama, I only surround myself with those people who bring happines and joy to my life, and I no longer put off to tomorrow those things that will make me happy today as tomorrow is never a certainty. On the 4 year anniversary of your death, another Trooper who my family knows well was in a serious accident. While it looks like none of them are life threatening, he has sustained very serious injuries. Please look over him, his family and your entire family in BLUE and GOLD and continue to keep them safe.

Colleen Brandt
Proud Wife of a New Jersey State Trooper

Colleen Brandt
Wife of a NJ State Trooper

February 5, 2008

Bert – It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 years since that tragic morning. There is not a second that goes by that you are not thought of or missed. It is still so hard to accept that you are gone and that we won’t be able to grow old together. I know you watch over me and keep me safe. You are in the thoughts of many people today. I know you are very proud that mom, Andrea, & I continue to keep your memory alive. That we didn’t let it die. You can know that we will never let your memory fade or let people forget about you. As always we continued on with our tradition of all of us meeting at the cemetery as a “Family” and then going to your favorite diner for dinner. John came and joined us for dinner which was really nice. John & Jim are like our rock. I am so glad that they are part of our family. I can say I don’t know what I do without them. I know you that you are very proud of them for taking care of us all the time. I know how hard this day is for them and how much they miss having you around. But together as a family and with you watching over us is what helped us to get through this day. At the cemetery I looked at all the kids and couldn’t believe at how big they have gotten since you left us. It’s amazing at how much things have also changed. I look at Justin who will be 7 months old next week and it makes me very sad that you never got a chance to be a part of his life. But I truly believe that you and dad brought him to us. He was a way to bring the both of you back in our life. He is my little miracle baby. Considering I wasn’t going to have anymore. But I look at him and can’t imagine my life without him. There are times I look at him and see both you and dad in him.

I sometimes wonder how after everything that has happen to me, how I can get out of the bed in the morning. I have to admit some days are harder than others. I lost both my father and brother 2 people in which can never be replaced. I think the only thing that keeps me getting from one day to the next is the kids. Because I know you would want me to keep going for them. But there are some days I’d like to just crawl under a hole and not come out. The broken heart and empty feeling I have I know will never go away. People say it gets easier. We’ll after 4 years I wouldn’t say it got any easier. It still hurts as much as it did the second I found out what happened. I ask you Bert to please give me all the strength to get through the next few weeks. Because very soon I will be faced with the day that dad was taken from me. I love you Bert! You will never be forgotten and will live in my heart forever!!!! I know that we will all be together again one day. So until then I ask you to continue to watch over all that love you.

XOXOXO
Love,
Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
SISTER OF TROOPER BERTRAM ZIMMERMAN III - EOW 2/5/04

February 5, 2008

god bless you on this day

February 5, 2008

Henry County Police Dept., GA, Evening Watch North, rode in your memory today. God speed brother, Gone but never forgotten.

Lt. Jeff Maddox
Henry County Police, GA

February 5, 2008

Rest in peace TROOP, you are gone but will never be forgotten.

Kevin T Ryan
Ex Burlington County NJ Cop

February 5, 2008

Remembering you today and always.

Special Officer (NJ)

February 5, 2008

Denise,
Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you today. I know that this day will always be a difficult one. But please know that I am always here for you if you need me and I am so very grateful for our friendship. Love ya, Lynn

Lynn Melchionda
Friend

February 5, 2008

Just know that I am thinking of you today and everyday. It just isn't the same.......still. You are missed and loved.

February 5, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

February 4, 2008

Bert- Cant believe its another year...Time goes by sooo quickly! We all miss you soooo much. My kids are all getting so BIG and I wish you were here to see them. Thinking of you and your family this time of year. Love YA Friend! Michele

Michele
Friend

February 1, 2008

Have been thinking about you alot lately, so I thought I would stop by and say hello and let you know that you are dearly missed. I wish I could just talk with you like always and get the scoop of what type of things have been happening on your shifts. I know I can't so just know that I miss you. Take care and watch over all of us, which I know you are.

January 18, 2008

Merry Christmas Bert!!!!! I can’t believe we had to spend another Christmas without both you & dad here with us. But I know that the both of you were with us yesterday. As hard as it still is for me the only thing that comforts me is knowing that dad is no longer alone up their and that he now has you to spend the holidays with. The kids had a great Christmas. Jenna’s favorite gift was the “Wii” and Bobby’s was all the “Hockey Stuff” that Santa brought them. Justin celebrated his first Christmas and even though he really didn’t understand he was just the cutest thing. His favorite was trying to eat the wrapping paper. I look at Jenna, Bobby, & Justin and it makes me sad that you and Dad aren’t here to be a part of their lives. But I know that you both watch and protect them from heaven. They have the best 2 “Guardian Angels” watching over them. We went down to your memorial and decorated it for Christmas. The kids love going their and making it look nice for their Uncle Bert. I know they would rather go over your house to visit you but since they can’t it’s nice to know they have a place to go to that they can feel close to you. Right now they are still too young to understand why that memorial is their but when they are old enough I will be sure to tell them. But for now it is just a place that they can go to and visit with Uncle Bert.

I can’t believe 2007 is almost over. Where did the year go and what a year it was. 2007 had both good times & bad. The best was having Justin. I look at him and can’t imagine my life without him. The worst being watching so many people pass away. I think the hardest death that I had to go through was Bob’s Pop-Pop. I am just glad that he got to see Justin before he passed away. My only wish for 2008 is more good times and less bad times.

I hope you & Dad had a great Christmas. I will MISS & LOVE you FOREVER!!! You will always be in my heart and I will never forget you. Just know that one day we will all be together again. But until then I just ask that you watch over all that love you. I know that you are missed by a lot of people who truly cared about you.

P.S. That day we had to put on hold will be here soon enough. I know just like us you can’t wait. Let’s just say it can’t come quick enough.

XOXOXO
Love,
Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
SISTER OF TROOPER BERTRAM ZIMMERMAN - EOW 2/5/04

December 26, 2007