Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Denise~
I was reading some of the old reflections left for Bryan and I thought I leave a reflection for Bert. I think of you so often, but with the time change it is so difficult to catch up with you. Please know you are always in my thoughts and always on my mind.

God Bless you and your family, all of Bert's friends, family and co-workers on this Thanksgiving holiday.

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

November 22, 2005

Sir, you, as well as New Jersey's other fallen Troopers, will always be honored by those of us who continue to do the job and carry on your name. This Outfit will never forget the sacrifice that you and your family have made. I wish I had the chance to serve with you, but I know that yourself and the rest of our fallen brothers watch over us everyday.

New Jersey State Police

November 21, 2005

hey denise...

i was just on chris' page leaving him a message and i thought of you and bert, as i always do when i am here...

sorry i have not gotten back to you...it was a stessful moment when you called...the kids were so "well be-haved" at that moment...my stress level was high, and i was trying to deal with them and keep patient at the same time...that is NOT easy...

i hope your birthday party for jayda was fun today...i'm sure bert was with you guys...

have a nice Thanksgiving, and i will be thinking of you...

love you girl!

susan

Susan C. Shea
Surviving Spouse DSP Cpl. Shea 07/18/04

November 19, 2005

Hey Bert! just wanted to write a message on here to say that we all still think of you --everyday! We miss you so much. I wish lil'Shawn had the privlege of meeting and knowing you....but im sure one day he will! sometimes i sit here and still cant believe your not here. it seems like yesterday that you were here but sometimes it seems like forever. we love and miss you so much.....
michele

michele

November 19, 2005

Bert, yes today is Jayda's 2nd birthday. I often wonder if you laugh at Carmen and I when we have Jayda. I was not a dog lover by any means until Jayda came into our lives. I remember that Christmas Eve over Uncle Rich's and Aunt Marge's when you told me you were getting Denise a Weimeraner. You were so excited. I thought, oh, must be some kind of jewelry, and then you showed me the picture of Jayda's mother. I have often wondered since then did you know what you were doing? And then I thought yes, somehow you knew how important Jayda would become to all of us. She has helped Denise and us so much through all this and I will love her forever for that. I sometimes refer to Jayda as "Bert's little joke on us" when Jayda does something silly or crazy, or runs through our house, and yes, she gets spoiled when she is here. She understands so much that it scares me sometimes. Denise mentioned how Jayda still smells your scent and I believe she sees you even in our house. Remember where you favorite spot was to stand waiting for Denise to get ready for your dates? Jayda will look over there and then to your wedding picture. And your father in law and I just nod our heads believing you are there checking on Jayda. I remember how scared I was when I had to care for Jayda by myself. I asked for your help and you gave it to me. Thank you Bert. And I am sure you will be laughing at us and with us whever Jayda is at our house.

Love, Mom Petrelli

Vicki Petrelli
Mother-in-law

November 19, 2005

Hi my honey. Today is our baby Jayda's birthday. She is 2 years old today. I can't believe that she is 2 already. It seems like yesterday sometimes that we just brought her home. The last time you saw her, she was only 12 weeks old, a little peanut you zippered in your jacket and took anywhere with you. She is so big now, and I only hope that you do see how she has grown and have been watching her grow up. She is so funny. I know she still misses you, she goes nuts when she smells things that were yours. I think dogs have a great memory, especially through smell. We still have that very first black nike sock you gave her! You know me, I am having a birthday party for her today! I know you'll be here with all of us and your puppy. WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU BERT!!!!!!!!!
Love, Denise and Jayda

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of NJ State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 02-05-04

November 19, 2005

Always in our thoughts. Keep looking over everyone and continue to keep them safe.

November 2, 2005

Denise, I found this poem and could hear your husband saying the words to you. Just wanted to share it with you because he IS always with you, even though you can not see him.

And if I go, while you’re still here…

Know that I live on,

vibrating to a different measure

behind a thin veil you cannot see through.



You will not see me,

so you must have faith.



I wait for the time when

we can soar together again,

both aware of each other.



Until then, live your life to it’s fullest

and when you need me,

just whisper my name in your heart,

…I will be there.

October 31, 2005

Denise,
Thank you to your mom for the awesome reflection:) It was really cool how my mom and your parents met at the COPS In-Laws Retreat. Do you remember how I met you at NPW last year? I followed your dad around because I saw Bert's face on the back of his shirt? :) I am so glad that they met, it is truly exciting to have an "extended" family that gets to meet up at National Police Week. We will definitely all go to dinner in May. I am thinking of you Denise, Carmen, Vicki and all of the Zimmerman family.

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

October 30, 2005

Uncle Bert,

We LOVE & MISS YOU VERY MUCH!!!! You are and always will be the BEST Uncle. Please continue to look over us. We will never forget you. As we look up into the sky we know that you are the brighest star up their. Halloween is Monday and we know that you will be with us watching as we are Trick or Treating! "YO UNCLE BERT"!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU UNCLE BERT

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Jenna & Bobby

Jenna & Bobby Manos
Bert's Niece & Nephew

October 28, 2005

Rest easy Troop! You are thought of every minute of every day

October 26, 2005

I'll Be There - The Escape Club

Over Mountains
Over Trees
Over Oceans
Over Seas
I'll be there
In a whisper on the wind
On the smile of a new friend
Just think of me
And I'll be there
Don't be afraid, oh my love
I'll be watching you from above
And I'd give all the world tonight,
To be with you
Because I'm on your side,
And I still care
I may have died,
But I've gone nowhere
Just think of me,
And I'll be there
On the edge of a waking dream
Over Rivers
Over Streams
Through Wind and Rain
I'll be there
Across the wide and open sky
Thousands of miles I'd fly
To be with you
I'll be there
Don't be afraid, oh my love
I'll be watching you from above
And I'd give all the world tonight,
To be with you
Because I'm on your side,
And I still care
I may have died,
But I've gone nowhere
Just think of me,
And I'll be there
In the breath of a wind that sighs
Oh, there's no need to cry
Just think of me,
And I'll be there

October 26, 2005

Hi honey, I just wanted to let you know that I miss you so so much....I think about you everyday and I am finally beginning to smile when I think of you instead of always crying and being sad. That is a good feeling to be able to laugh at things we have said or done and be able to tell stories about you. I LOVE TALKING ABOUT YOU! God I miss you and wish I could have you back, but I also know that you didnt really go anywhere, because you will always be right here with me! I love you!
Love, Denise

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of NJ State Trooper Bert Zimmerman

October 26, 2005

BERT, YOU DON'T KNOW ME BUT I KNOW YOU, ALL ABOUT YOU. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I LOVE DENISE SO MUCH AND I WILL HELP HER AND SUPPORT HER TIL THE END. I KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT YOU FROM HER AND YOU SEEMED LIKE A WONDERFUL PERSON, TROOPER AND HUSBAND. I KNOW YOU KNOW HOW MUCH SHE LOVES YOU, EVERYDAY WE TALK ABOUT YOU AND MY DAD, KEEP MY DAD SAFE AS I KEEP HER SAFE. AND I THANK YOU FOR HER, SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL PESON INSIDE AND OUT. MY MOM AND MYSELF HAVE LOST OUR DOG THIS WEEK, WHEN YOU SEE HIM PET HIM HE LOVED IT, HE IS A MAMA'S BOY BUT HE WILL LIKE YOU. DENISE HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME THROUGH SOME OF THE HARDEST TIME AND I PROMIS YOU I WILL BE THERE FOR HER , REST IN PEACE AND WE WILL SEE YOU SOON.
LOVE YOU
SARAH

SARAH LAMONACO
AUGHTER OF TROOPER LAMONACO

July 19, 2005

Hi honey! I am so glad that your boat is back in the water again! Especially because it patrols the nuclear power plant in Salem County, which you also patrolled in your troop car many nights. After I spoke with the NJSP, the reporter from channel 10, and the reporter from the Courier Post, it seems that your boat is getting so much publicity! I love that your name will be patrolling NJ's waters. You loved the water so much! I love that some of the troopers working on your boat knew your personally, which makes their job even more meaningful to them.

I love you and miss you everyday. You are STILL my first thought when I wake up EVERY morning and my last thought before I go to bed EVERY night, no matter how life moves forward.

I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY!!!!!!!! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART, IN MY MEMORIES, AND RIGHT BY MY SIDE!!

Love your wife,
Denise
7777777

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of NJ State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 2-5-04

July 15, 2005

Bert as I'm sure you already know MOM did an interview today with Channel 10 News and was also interviewed by the Courier Post. They were down in Bivalve today to see the vessel that was named in your honor. I can only imagine how hard it has been for mom to do all the interviews she has done over the past 17 months. When it is time for mom to do the interview she puts aside all the heartache and pain from losing you and does the interview because she is not only proud of you but also honored that you were her son. When asked to do an interview or speak about you mom has always said yes. I can see on the outside how her face lights up when she speaks about you but I know on the inside she is very sad and hurt. The guy from Channel 10 news wanted to do the interview in front of Andrea's truck because of the sticker that she has on the center of her back window. I know you have seen it and love it. I mean you can't miss it. It is something that Andrea designed herself and had made right before we went to Washington back in May. It goes along with the Tattoo that I had designed and got on my back in February. I guess you can say we are SISTERS that are proud & honored that we have you as a BROTHER and a way to say “THANK YOU” for the Ultimate Sacrifice that you made on the early mornings of February 5th 2004. As I watched the news tonight I was very proud but also sad at the same time. I can honestly say that I would give everything back and not have met the people we have met, and we have met some pretty amazing people, to have you back. Mom, Andrea, & I MISS & LOVE you very much!!! I know for a fact that there is not a minute that goes by that we are not thinking about you. You will always be in our hearts. So please continue to look over us, as I know you already do everyday. I LOVE YOU BERT!!!

XOXOXO

Love,
Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
Surviving Sister of Trooper Bertram Zimmerman III - EOW 2/5/04

July 14, 2005

Bert – This is a poem from me to you. I LOVE & MISS YOU VERY MUCH!!! It is so perfect because to me you are an Angel. You are A Perfect Angel and I know you watch over me all the time. So continue to watch over me and every night when I wish upon the “STAR” I know that one day soon you will make that wish come true and just know like always you and dad will be the first to know.

“A Perfect Angel”

Such a tragic accident,
How can this be true?
Your precious life was taken,
There was nothing I could do.
You filled my life with happiness,
With that sparkle in your eye.
Your smile that touched my heart,
Made it hard to say goodbye.
You wanted the most out of life,
Striving for the best.
I’m just so glad that all your dreams came true,
Before you were laid to rest.

Our relationship was special;
Words cannot describe.
Every time I turned around,
You were standing by my side.
We lived our lives slowly,
Taking it day by day.
The memories I have of you
Can’t be taken away.

A Perfect Angel-
How can this be?
Didn’t God realize?
How much you meant to me?
I had to say goodbye;
You will always be in my heart.
The memories we shared
Bring a joy that will always last.

XOXOXOXO

Love you Always & Forever,
Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
Surviving Sister of Trooper Bertram Zimmerman III - EOW 2/5/04

July 11, 2005

You are in our thoughts always and missed more than ever.

July 7, 2005

We’ll Bert, as you know it was the 4th of July weekend. I know you & dad were up their looking down at all the fireworks and eating all the hotdogs, hamburgers & sausage you could. But the difference between your food and dads was that all your food was plain. All the times we would say how picky of an eater you were. How I would have loved to make you a plain anything this weekend. We did a lot of BBQing this weekend. Andrea had a BBQ at her house on Saturday. We went swimming in her pool, cooked out, had cake for Bob’s birthday and then watched the fireworks from her deck. I know that you & dad were there with us all day. For a little while I took over the cooking on the grill and when it was time to put the cheese on the hamburgers do you know how hard it was to put cheese on all of them. I just wanted to leave a couple plain for you just how you liked them. When we were watching the fireworks I looked around at everyone and got very sad because we were there together but two of the most important people to me weren’t standing there. I know you & dad were there in spirit from the sign the two of you sent me but I wish you both could have been there in person.

Thank you for looking over Bobby & Jenna. I can’t even begin to tell you how much the two of them miss you. Jenna talks about you all the time. She remembers all the fun she had with her Uncle Bert and she even has a picture book of you. After you left us the only think Jenna wanted were pictures of either you & her or pictures of just you. So we went through all the pictures and pulled them out and she made her own book of Uncle Bert. So when she gets sad and misses you all she has to do is open it up and their you are. Now Bobby he’s a whole different story but I don’t have to tell you that because you already know. Not only does he talk to you but also he sees you as we’ll. He tells me all about it and I know this is true because when we were in his room right before he told me you sent me a sign to let me know you were their. I share these stories with many people. Please come visit him anytime you want. He loves to see & talk to his Uncle Bert. It makes me very happy to know that he is able to communicate with you. I use to get sad when I would think of how Bobby never got to know you and always wondered if he would remember you. But I no longer have that worry because he does know who you are and he has his own relationship with you now and I am thankful for that.

Please continue to look over us. I LOVE & MISS YOU VERY MUCH!!!!

XOXOXOXO

Love your “Little Sister”
Jamie

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

July 5, 2005

Happy 4th of July honey. I just got back from a much needed vacation which you know. When I was on the plane, I kept looking out the window in the clouds to see if I could see you. Sounds silly probably. Who really knows where heaven begins, ya know? Maybe heaven is a lot higher than any airplane could ever reach, but I know I was wishing I saw you. I kept wishing Id see you in your NJSP uniform with your angel wings on. Even though I couldnt see you, I know you were there. You are everywhere I am. And I know I dont need to SEE you to know that.

I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO MUCH BERT!
Love your wife,
Denise

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of NJ State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 2-5-04

July 4, 2005

Denise,
I just read the reflection you left on my husband's page and I feel the same way. I hope that Bert and Mike are hanging out together and looking down on us and smiling.

Bert, your wife and I haven't know each other long but we have a strange new bond and will take care of each other. I'm trusting that you and Mike are in a better place and can no longer worry or feel pain.

Denise L. Wise, widow of Michael H. Wise

June 29, 2005

Hi my honey! Thank you so much for the sign you gave me tonite! I miss you now more than ever!

I love you!
Love your wife, Denise

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of NJ State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 2-5-04

June 27, 2005

Hey Bert as you know yesterday was Father’s Day! I’m sure before you left us Father’s Day was as tough for you as it is for me. Sitting and watching everyone else be with their fathers is very tough for me because unfortunately we weren’t able to do that. When most people are spending the day with their dad’s we had to go to the cemetery to be with him. I’m thankful for all the Fathers Day’s that Andrea, you & I were able to spend with him but now the ones that we are not able to are really tough! But I know that yesterday you spent Father’s Day with dad and that makes me smile. I know that he is now not alone and has you to spend his days with and to keep him company. I know that the both of you watch over us and we couldn’t have asked for two better Guardian Angels than you two. Please tell dad HI and that I love him! I miss you both more than you know. I love you Bert and will miss you forever!!!!

XOXOXO

Love your “Little Sister”
Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
Surviving Sister of Trooper Bertram Zimmerman III - EOW 2/5/04

June 20, 2005

DENISE,
THINKING OF YOU TODAY, FOR THE DAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN AND THE DAY IT IS. KNOW OUR STRENGTH AND COURAGE GOES TO YOU IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PATH YOU WALK FORWARD. IT'S A GOOD PATH AND WALK WITH YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH. MOST OF ALL REMEMBER TO LET YOUR HEART LEAD THE WAY AND ALL WILL BE BETTER FOR IT. I'M HERE FOR YOU.

DONNA

DONNA LAMONACO
WIFE OF TROOPER PHILIP LAMONACO

June 19, 2005

Happy "Furry" Father's Day Bert.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Ofc. Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

June 19, 2005