Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace, brother. You will not be forgotten.

John Cumberland
Starkville Police Department, Ms.

July 29, 2004

Bert, I just wanted to let you know that you are thought of constantly. Everyone misses you dearly. It is not the same without you. Just contine to patrol the highways of heaven and watch over all of your family, friends, and
co-workers. Rest in peace my friend, you are dearly missed.

Your friend and Aunt
Aunt Sue

Sue Pearce

July 28, 2004

Bert, Today is July 25th and a very tough day for me. Today as you know was my 27th birthday. It was very tough to celebrate it because it was the first birthday that I had to celebrate without you. Yesterday as I was cleaning out one of my closets I came across the birthday card that you had given to me last year. Little did I know a year ago that it would be the last one I would get from you and the last time you would call and tell me Happy Birthday. I put the card in a box that I have. I will cherish that card forever. Birthday's were always special in our family. We would all get together and go out to eat. But I can honestly say that birthdays and holidays just won't be the same anymore. I can say I faithfully go on this website at least once a day sometimes more to see the reflections that people leave. Somedays it's tough to read them but after some tears I get through them. It is just amazing to see how many lives you have touched and just how many people loved you. You were an amazing person and one of a kind. I still to this day don't understand why god had to take you but their is a title to a song that says it all "Only The Good Die Young" and that is so true. Please continue to look over us and keep us safe. You will never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts and prayers. I LOVE AND MISS YOU!!! LOVE, JAMIE XOXOXO

JAMIE MANOS
BERT'S SISTER

July 25, 2004

Today is the anniversary of the day we met, July 25. I still remember our first date that night...I remember where we went, what you wore, what we talked about, and how we got our wedding song. I can still see you... I wish with everything I have that I could go back to that very same night. If we only knew then what we do know now....

If you would have asked me where we would be in 2004 on this very same day, I'd say that we would be married with hopefully a child on the way, our house the way we wanted, our jobs exactly what we wanted, and our life- TOGETHER. I never thought this would happen to us Bert. Never. Now we are spending our anniversary apart. I always think of you when I hear this song because its exactly how I feel sometimes...although we can not physically be with each other right now, you are still with me in my heart, in my memories, and in my dreams.

"I’m here without you baby but your still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
I’m here without you baby but your still with me in my dreams
And tonight, there’s only you and me"

No matter what I do or where I go in life, you will always be with me and I will never stop loving you. Thank you for my sign today...you already know what it is and it made me happy and sad. But it was so nice to know you were saying I LOVE YOU on our anniversary. I knew you wouldnt forget! I love you honey and I miss you so much.

Love always and forever,
Denise

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

July 25, 2004

BERT, I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE ALL STILL MISS AND THINK ABOUT YOU. READING THESE REFECTIONS, SAYS IT ALL, HOW MUCH YOU TOUCHED EVERYONES LIFE YOU CAME IN CONTACT WITH. I KNOW YOU HEAR ME IN MY PRAYERS AT NIGHT. I PRAY FOR COMFORT FOR DENISE AND YOUR MOM AND SISTERS AND ALL THE NJSP THAT NEW YOU, AND BECAME FRIENDS WITH YOU, ALL OF US. WE KNOW THAT YOUR FINE. I AM SURE GOD SAVED A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU UP THERE.
I WAS DRIVING LAST NIGHT DOWN THE WHITE HORSE PIKE. A STATE TROOPER CAR WAS BEHIND ME AND SAW THE WINDOW MEMORIAL I HAVE ON MY CAR FOR YOU. HE PULLED UP TO ME AND SHOWED ME YOUR PICTURE THROUGH THE CAR WINDOW. EVEN YOUR POLICE FRIENDS STILL THINK OF YOU AND MISS YOU. THE LOOK ON HIS FACE WHEN HE HELD THE PICTURE UP, SAID IT ALL.
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND, CONTINUE TO KEEP US SAVE. YOU HAVE LEFT A PERMANENT PLACE IN ALL OF OUR HEARTS FOR YOU. I JUST STILL CANT BELIEVE YOUR GONE.

lorraine (michele's mom)

July 22, 2004

Bert,
Just wanted to let you know that you are not forgotten. I know...pretty simply stated, but you're not. Ruts are starting to form in front of your house from the patrol cars that go by during the midnight shift when we check on Denise and the dog. Your picture is posted in several of the offices at HQ and also in our cruisers. Missed yes, but not forgotten.

Continue to keep an eye on us from up there as the streets keep getting busier and the phones keep ringing and we'll do our part down here to make you proud. Stay safe brother.

Sgt. Bob Stavola #125
Gloucester Twp. Police

July 20, 2004

Bert, what more can I say then I wish you were here? Things definately are not the same, when I want to tell you something I can, but unfortunately I get NO answer. I miss your voice, your laugh, and more than that, I miss your support. You were always there to listen, comfort, and give advice. We always had a good time together and I miss those more than anything. Know that I am always thinking of you and care about you.

Heather

July 19, 2004

Bert- Its almost 6 months since you have been gone. I still hear you calling Me and Shawn and saying "YOOOO Girlllll, What are you guys doing!" I still miss you so much. I watch my wedding video and listen to the toast and those words you spoke " I look foward to the four of us growing old together and having families." But you know what,you WILL be there as we grow old. You are and will be thought of daily. So much Has Changed and so many things have happened ALREADY but I know you are with all of us as we go through it. Your strength gives Us the will to go on with our lives and to be HAPPY when we think of you. You are and always will be a great person and a strong role model for all you neices and newphews.I will never forget you and the memories that we shared for the past 16 years. You were a great friend and are deeply missed on this day.

Michele
Friend of Bert and Denise

July 16, 2004

Bert, I just wanted to say thank you for looking over Jenna today and keeping her safe. And for the time that I couldn't be with her when she got her surgery I knew she would be ok because she had you & dad with her. So THANK YOU & I LOVE YOU!!!!! Love, Jamie

JAMIE MANOS
BERT'S SISTER

July 9, 2004

Hi honey. Today is July 7th.....7-7. I love you and think of you always. I miss you more than you will ever know. Love your wife, Denise

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of New Jersey State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 02-05-2004

July 7, 2004

You are thought of often and dearly missed by all who know you. Things are not the same without you. Miss you dearly. Watch us all and God Bless

July 7, 2004

Bert, It's really hard to believe that it has been 5 months. It seems like just yesterday. Their's not a minute that goes by that I am not thinking of you. I look at your picture every day and still can't believe this has happen. My heart still breaks and I would do anything to have to back in my life. Know that I LOVE & MISS you!! I know you watch over all of us but please if you could look over Jenna extra hard this week as I'm sure you know she is having surgery on Friday. Please keep her safe. I LOVE YOU!!! Love,Jamie

Jamie Manos
Bert's Sister

July 5, 2004

Hi my honey. Today was hard, 4th of July. I want you to know how much I miss you and how often I think about you during the day and in my dreams. They say things get easier with time, however that is not happening for me. I miss you as much today as I did the day I found out you were taken from me. I love you always. Love, Denise

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

July 4, 2004

Happy 4th! Thinking of you always.

July 4, 2004

Bert, I still think of you everyday, and it soesn't seem to get easier. I find myself laughing a little less and crying a little more since you have been gone. I know you are safe and I hope you continue to keep all of us safe. Miss you. Heather

Your Friend Heather

June 24, 2004

Today is fathers day...I am sad today because I hate that I will never get to see you be a daddy...I always used to imagine what you'd be like as a father to our children. You loved kids so much...I used to love to watch you play with Gracie, Michelle, Jenna, and Bobby. And now there is another baby here, Joey, and another one on the way...Julianna. I know you will be watching all these precious little ones from heaven. You were a fun uncle and I promise to never let any of them forget you...they will always remember their Uncle Bert, even the little ones that are too little to remember on their own. I love you always Bert, you are forever in my heart.
Love your wife, Denise

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

June 20, 2004

I saw someone today that reminded me of you. I just wanted you to know that you are thought about often.

Andy Schwartz
childhood friend

June 17, 2004

Hi honey. I heard a song yesterday that made perfect sense to me:

It only hurts when I'm breathing
My heart only breaks when it's beating
My dreams only die when I'm dreaming

How perfect to describe how I feel since you've been gone. You were my one and only true love in my life and I miss you so much. I know you are still with me, I can feel you sometimes. Thanks for watching out for me and taking care of me from heaven. I love you forever, that will never ever change.

Love always and forever, Denise

DeniseZimmerman
Surviving Spouse of New Jersey State Trooper Bert Zimmerman End of Wa

June 13, 2004

To the family of Trooper Bertram Zimmerman,

My son, Dan, is the 1st recipient of the Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman Memorial Fund. We were so honored that Dan had received this award in memory of Trooper Zimmerman. I came to this website in order to learn more about the character of Trooper Zimmerman. In reading these reflections, my heart is so moved. I printed out the page with Trooper Zimmerman's photo and Biography so that we can remember him and his family and to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. I hope that my son, Dan, can live as your son and husband lived, with courage and zest for life. Thank you.

With all my respect for your family,
Michele Bunnion

Michele Bunnion
Mother of 1st recipient of Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman Memorial Fund

June 8, 2004

Bert,
I never knew you, but always hear wonderful things about you. My father is buried where you are and I stopped by your grave. Your family must love you very much,everything there is so beautiful. I love the picture of you and your wife. What a tragic loss for her. May God Bless you and your family.

June 8, 2004

Denise- I wanted you to know that I think of you often and I still do not want to think that this terrible day actually happened. I have a lot of respect for your strength and courage. I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts even though I do not get to talk to you as often as Shannon. If Shannon has a boy in September, I hope he grows to be as good of a man as Bert and has a beautiful, loving wife just like you. Keep strong, keep your head up and remember that Bert will never leave you. Yours truly-- Jeff Heaney

June 3, 2004

On Memorial Day, millions of people honor the many men and women who gave their lives defending this great country and rightly so.

However, many forget the brave men and women whose names appear on these pages who also made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

We will never forget any of you. You are all heroes.

Thank you Bert and thank all of your new friends in heaven. We love you and miss you. Rest in Peace my son.

Vicki and Carmen Petrelli
Bert's in laws.

June 1, 2004

Memorial Day is hard. I was at the accident site this morning and it was very sad. They are trying to rename Highway 83 "The Trooper Bertram Zimmerman III Memorial Highway" and we should find out by next month if the bill passed through legislation. Each and every day is hard Bert, but especially today, when we are all honoring and mourning fallen heros. You are without a doubt a hero as well as my own personal hero. I look up to you for your bravery and courage. I know you are not afraid where you are because you were never afraid. That is what made you such a wonderful state trooper. Thank you for all the wonderful memories as my loving husband. I love you and you will forever be in my heart. I miss you every single day but I know you are and always will be with me forever until we can be together again someday.

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of New Jersey State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 02-05-2004

May 31, 2004

Bert, I just wanted to say thank you. I dont even have to tell you what for because you already know. I love you and miss you everyday.

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of New Jersey State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 02-05-2004

May 30, 2004

In loving memory of Trooper Zimmerman:
Another sad and tragic day for law enforcement. Your death diminshes
us all. Thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice. It is a
long road to healing that lies ahead, but I know that our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ will extend His mercy and comfort to all who reach out to
Him. There is none greater than He. We don't get to Heaven based on
what we do, but what He did for us!! AMEN! There is now a huge void
that cannot be filled. God be with all those who mourn and may His
promises lift all those with heavy hearts for many years to come.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

May 30, 2004