Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Denise -- What is left to say? Your strength amazes me. Your courage is beyond compare. Bert will always be with you. He'll find new ways to let you know that he's watching over you, protecting you like he always has. Just remember: If God brought you to it, He'll bring you through it. Love, Tricia

Bert -- You've paid the ultimate sacrifice. But now you are reaping the greatest of rewards. I didn't know you very well, but from what Denise and others always said, you ARE larger than life. It can't get any better than this for you now. God takes only the best. Until we meet again........Tricia Mathis

Zimmerman family -- My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Tricia Mathis
Co-worker/friend of Denise

February 21, 2004

"It's not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived."
-National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial- Washington,DC

God bless you Bert and your family. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten.

civilian
NJSP

February 21, 2004

Although, I did not have the honor of meeting Bert, I know after hearing his family and friends speak of him, he was truely a remarkable person. Denise was one of my best friends in college and someone who deserved to be loved by one of God's greatest. Clearly, Bert is one of God's greatest. When Denise spoke of Bert and their wedding you could feel the love between. She spoke with the utmost respect and loyalty - and the smile that showed in the photographs of them just proves how united they are and will continue to be.
My thoughts and prayers will forever go out to Denise and the Zimmerman family. I love you, Denise. God Bless.

Leslee Dominick O'Donnell
Friend of Denise and Bert

February 21, 2004

Your husband & our son will always be on our minds and in our hearts.
God Bless you and your family!

Nancy & Ray Litz
Parents of Deputy Brian Robert Litz
5/18/1967-2/08/2004

Mother of Deputy Brian Robe Litz Florida
Marion County Sheriffs Office

February 21, 2004

To my Best Friends Bert and Denise-
Denise-Not only do I not know what to say, I dont know what to do....
Our lives seemed to be going in the right direction: We both just got married and had a new addition to each of our families (our dogs) and then such a tradegy struck. There is nothing Shawn nor I can do to MAKE you feel any better but we can be here for you and help you get through it. I know that you are a strong person and will pull through! I know Bert.... and I know he WANTS you to be happy. He loved and loves you very much.

Love-
Michele

Bert- You will be Missed by many!!! You are a great friend an awesome husband, and a dedicated son and brother! I know you are in a better place and that we will see you some day. I know that you will be happy to see everyone and talking our ears off about whats been going on. It will be different with you not around but we will keep you in our everday thoughts! Rest in Peace my friend and see you in that BETTER place.

Miss you and Love you lots!
Michele

Michele
Best Friend of Denise and Bert

February 21, 2004

I am sorry to hear of the loss of Trooper Zimmerman III. My thoughts and prayers goes out to his wife and family.

Fellow Officer
Washington, DC

Anonymous

February 21, 2004

How can I ever explain the pain and sadness I feel right now? I have just lost my best friend, my husband, my love, and my life.

For those of you who didnt know Bert, I would like to give you a little background on him. Prior to his accidental death, my husband loved life. He loved baseball, scuba diving, movies, and power tools......but most especially, Bert loved being a New Jersey State Trooper. Bert has wanted to be a trooper since childhood. He was on the elite Tacticle Patrol Unit with just under 3 years of service while awaiting a spot on the SWAT TEAM. Although he did not know, Bert was the next man for the open position. The NJSP has honored him by burying him with the TEAMS patch because "he had earned it."

Words cannot express the loss of such a wonderful husband but your kind words, prayers, and thoughtfulness are all appreciated.

I am so proud of Bert and all his accomplishments in life, and those in the New Jersey State Police. He was brave, couragous, and a true hero ....and although we were only married for 5 months, I am proud to have been his wife.

I love you with everything I am Bert. I know you are an angel in heaven right now and my new guardian angel. Rest in peace and be assured that we WILL be together again someday.

Bert's loving wife of just 5 mos, Denise

February 20, 2004

Into Gods' mighty hands you go! No more suffering-no more worries. Although you will always be missed, you are in a better place, and someday soon, we will meet with you as you walk the "Streets of Gold"!

God Bless you and yours Trooper!

Captain Joe L. Gilliland (retired)
Danville Kentucky Police Department

February 17, 2004

God Bless you and those you leave behind. You will never be forgotten.

LEO Wife
NJ

February 16, 2004

Another HERO is gone!

Rest in peace brother. We will continue the fight!!

In memory of Trooper Bertram Zimmerman III and all the fallen heros, please light a blue light in a window of your home and let it shine 24/7!!!

RJF
CPD, NY

February 15, 2004

Sir, we now know that you are in a much better place, away from the pain and suffering here on Earth. May you walk the streets of high above wearing your new badge with pride and valor because you are a true hero among us. And to Mr. Zimmerman's friends and family I ask that you please remember that you are still a part of OUR family and we are with you always. Our deepest thoughts from all of us here at the Osage County, KS Sheriff's Office.

Your Brothers and Sisters
Osage County, Kansas Sheriff's Office

February 15, 2004

We are truly saddened at Bert's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

February 15, 2004

My heart aches for the family, friends and fellow officers of Officer Zimmerman. The world lost another hero as heaven gained another angel. Officer Zimmerman paid the ultimate price for protecting us and our loved ones. He is now watching and protecting everyone from up above just as our son is. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Gone But Not Forgotten

Cindy Distel
Parent of Officer Shannon L Distel EOW 8-27-03

February 15, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Bertram did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Bertram be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Trooper Zimmerman's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Bertram is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Bertram was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Deputy Sheriff Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/01/03)

February 15, 2004

Thank you for your service. Rest easy Brother!

Trooper First Class
Georgia State Patrol

February 14, 2004

God speed, brother. We'll take it from here, so please rest. Please keep us safe while we're out there.

-SMM, LGPD Montgomery County, PA

Ofc. Shannon McBride
Lower Gwynedd PD, Montgomery Cty, PA

February 14, 2004

May God bless Tpr Zimmerman and his family.

Anonymous

February 13, 2004

From our family to yours:
May Trooper Bertram Zimmerman III
rest in peace. Our best wishes and sympathy on a job well done. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. You and your family will always be in our heart and prayers. God bless and God Speed. Thank you.

Anonymous

February 13, 2004

From our family to yours:

S.C.O.
N.J.D.O.C.

February 13, 2004

It was an honor to ride with you Bert. I'll carry the knowledge you passed on to me for the rest of my career. My God Bless your family and Wife in this time of strife. You will never be forgotten. Rest now my Brother, we'll take it from here.

Trooper
NJSP

February 12, 2004

REST EASY BROTHER! YOU HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND YOUR BROTHERS ARE PROUD.

I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE NJSP ON BEHALF OF THE ONONDAGA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, NY.

"A SOLDIER IS NEVER GONE UNTIL HE IS FORGOTTEN"
WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Deputy Sheriff
Onondaga County Sheriff's Office

February 12, 2004

Bert,
I hope I never have to carry another squad mate to his final resting place. I was with you on the night of your accident but the day of your funeral was one of the toughest in my life. Thanks for the good times and Godspeed. We will pick up the slack. Thoughts of you and your family will be with me forever.

TPU-1
NJ State Police

February 11, 2004

TO A HERO ,THIS TROOPER MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.YOU WILL LIVE ON IN ALL OUR HEARTS,GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY ,FELLOW OFFICERS AND FRIENDS WITH STRENGHT TO GET THROUGH HARD TIMES. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU... MY BROTHER IN BLUE.

P/O JASON ORTIZ
NEWARK POLICE - S.C.T.F

February 10, 2004

My sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Trooper Zimmerman. Although I know of no direct relation to Bertram, I feel as though I have a duty to serve and protect as I know he did, and to continue honoring him and others who have made this ultimate sacrifice.

I will continue to carry on the family name until it is my time to leave this earth, and I will walk the thin blue line knowing that he is watching down upon me until we meet someday.

God speed and thank you for all that you have given.

Det. Terry Zimmerman
Reading, Ohio P.D.

Det. Terry Zimmerman
Reading, Ohio PD

February 10, 2004

My thoughts and prayers go out to trooper Zimmerman and his family. May God bless you our brother in blue.

Pltm Rob Miller#96
Bloomfield, NJ Police Dept

February 10, 2004