Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Its been two years and it seems like yesterday I got the bad news. I miss our conversations...I miss visiting you in Texas and going out to eat what we love doing best. I miss the warmth of your home always, always trying to get your family to come out and visit. Well, at least I can say I did on many occasions. I miss you tremendously. I still have that beautiful picture of the 3 of us (me, you and Eric) when we went to six flags. You will always be on my mind. Your death has reunited me with your sisters Anna and Debra and their families. Debra is pregnant again. Maria and Kayla are so grown. Your nephew, Michael, is a splitting image of you. We all still grieve. Tell grandma and grandpa hello from me and that I will be joining you when my time has arrived...they say its a better place.

Karri Velasquez (cousin)

January 2, 2006

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. You were a true hero and we all thank you. Your family will be in my prayers. I hope to one day follow in the footsteps of all the brave men and women who serve in all police departments around the country.

Future Officer Brandon Whitfield

November 29, 2005

Another tragedy due to a drunk driver. What makes it even worse is that was an Officer, someone who serves and protects us. May Officer Cantu's family find some comfort in knowing that he has not be forgotten. TRUE hero's never are. God Bless

OHIO

November 5, 2005

He was my eldest son, I still miss him very much, there was so much that was left unsaid between father and son. I know that some day I will join him and see him on that great roll call up in the sky. Love Dad.

retired HPD officer. Frank Cantu (father
HPD....Houston

October 7, 2005

Rest in Peace, Officer Cantu. Your loss will not be forgotten, as your heart, soul and memory will live on in your family and friends forever.

Well take it from here, brother.

God speed

Police Officer
Metro-Boston, Nassachusetts

August 23, 2005

Frankie was not just my cousin he was my brother and my friend. We hung out as boys, often sneaking out of my uncle’s house in the piney woods of North Houston to walk around in the cool of night in the middle of a hot Texas summer, sometimes playing tennis by the light of the moon and other times going for a cooling dip in the subdivision pool, talking about the things that are important to 13 year old boys. We spent countless days at Astroworld trying to meet girls. Double dated at homecoming games and Sadie Hawkins dances, survived the Disco era and later Line Dancing, we were often competitors but always friends and I loved him well.

Decades later we were still hanging out, fishing the Gulf of Mexico, and watching boxing matches on TV, going to the movies, giving conflicting advise to my son on the best way to swing a bat and as always trying to out cook each other. And of course there were high school football games to scout:

It is a little known fact that Frankie devoted a tremendous amount of his personal time helping coach the football team at Jefferson Davis High School where he was the school Cop for many years. Always the statistician, Frankie could quote the figures of all the top players in Texas. He always found time to be a positive role model for those kids at Jeff Davis, not only giving them words of encouragement to do their best, Frankie would also provide them with more substantial things: transportation to summer football clinics, Gatorade, power bars and other snacks (from his own funds) and of course the benefit of the data he gathered scouting other teams.

Other little known facts about Frankie:

Even if Frankie was born in California, he was a true Texas Cowboy. For many years Frankie participated in the Texas Law Enforcement Rodeo Association. His event was Chute Dogging. Always a powerfully built guy, Frankie picked the event that pitted his strength one on one with his bovine opponent.

True to Frankie’s athletic nature he played in the only men’s hardball association (at the time) in Houston; the semi-pro league at Memorial Park.

Always the giver, for years Frankie was a Corporate Sponsor of the Houston Police Department’s MS Ride for Life Bicycle Team. Countless times I’d pop over to his house to find Frankie constructing “Honor Boxes” and filling them with candy. He had these boxes distributed all over Southwest Houston and even though, as he confided in me, he could never seem to break even on his expenditures, he kept on going, spending his time and money for the love of helping others less fortunate.

Lastly incongruous to his manly man surface Frankie loved plants. His home and yard were a tribute to his passion. Many a time he would swing by my house in his big F-250 Quad Cab and pick my son and me up to go plant shopping. We’d hit the plant nurseries like other folks hit garage sales. His Azaleas were an envy and the walk to his front door was an intoxicating rush of scent from his rows of lush Gardenias. But, his pride was in his palm trees. He must have spent a year studying and researching palm trees before buying the four he finally planted in front of his home.

It’s funny how the mind makes associations of its own. Of all the things from cowboy boots to platform shoes, fishing poles to football jerseys of the many things that spark a fond memory of good times spent with my cousin Frankie, it’s seeing a palm tree that puts a lump in my throat.

I miss you my cousin, my brother, my friend.

Philip J. Cantu

Philip J. Cantu

August 4, 2005

Frank,

Still reflect on the several conversations we shared. I always had a high respect to your dedication to the badge and the Houston Police department.

James Zeh

James Zeh
DOD Civilian

June 29, 2005

I recently attended the memorial in Austin and the national memorial in Washington and they both were just beautiful and moving. I just wanted to tell you again, thank you for serving and protecting. I proudly have my blue ribbon on my car and my blue light in my window. Thank you again and rest in peace.

Shirley Roberts - La.
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-3-14-04

June 11, 2005

A Tribute to the Heroes Among Us

Dedicated to Emergency Response Personnel everywhere and F.A.M.I.L.Y.

Our hearts go out to you and your families. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough for men who are heroes when we need them, but invisible, ignored, and unappreciated when we don’t.

You rescue us, save our possessions, our lives and our families. You are the heroes among us. You are always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we call, we just expect that you will come and do whatever it takes to help us. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring. We show our appreciation with low pay, little respect, and indifference for the issues in your lives, most of the time. As young children, we want to grow up and be you until we get older and realize the risk isn’t worth the reward.

As outsiders, we envy you, secretly. You have benefits in your careers that our jobs just can’t provide. Your work is not the same old thing every day. You get the opportunity to be heroes every time you go to work. You obviously love what you do, and you’re a family. You have a oneness the rest of society longs for. You care about and support each other. You know each other’s families, share each other’s lives. The rest of us face life’s trials and tribulations alone. You are never alone. You have each other, always.

It is our loss not to know you better. This world, this country, your individual towns truly are better places because of you. To lose one of you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We should be grateful for and to you, and honor you regularly for all you do for us day in and day out without a word of thanks or praise.

We should be ashamed of ourselves; and yet, you continue to do all you do for us in spite of our behavior, which speaks to the people you are. How many of us are willing to do a job knowing we may not go home at the end of the day?

Maybe one day in the future, you will be recognized for all you do with better pay, and the community support and respect you so richly deserve. Until then, hang tough together, and God Bless You and your families.

Anonymous
Houston,Texas

November 27, 2004

A Tribute to the Heroes Among Us

Dedicated to Emergency Response Personnel everywhere and F.A.M.I.L.Y.

Our hearts go out to you and your families. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough for men who are heroes when we need them, but invisible, ignored, and unappreciated when we don’t.

You rescue us, save our possessions, our lives and our families. You are the heroes among us. You are always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we call, we just expect that you will come and do whatever it takes to help us. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring. We show our appreciation with low pay, little respect, and indifference for the issues in your lives, most of the time. As young children, we want to grow up and be you until we get older and realize the risk isn’t worth the reward.

As outsiders, we envy you, secretly. You have benefits in your careers that our jobs just can’t provide. Your work is not the same old thing every day. You get the opportunity to be heroes every time you go to work. You obviously love what you do, and you’re a family. You have a oneness the rest of society longs for. You care about and support each other. You know each other’s families, share each other’s lives. The rest of us face life’s trials and tribulations alone. You are never alone. You have each other, always.

It is our loss not to know you better. This world, this country, your individual towns truly are better places because of you. To lose one of you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We should be grateful for and to you, and honor you regularly for all you do for us day in and day out without a word of thanks or praise.

We should be ashamed of ourselves; and yet, you continue to do all you do for us in spite of our behavior, which speaks to the people you are. How many of us are willing to do a job knowing we may not go home at the end of the day?

Maybe one day in the future, you will be recognized for all you do with better pay, and the community support and respect you so richly deserve. Until then, hang tough together, and God Bless You and your families.

Anonymous
houston,tx

November 27, 2004

Thank you for your service, Sir. I sometimes think that this is a thankless job when our son calls us and tells us of stories that most of us do not have the guts to deal with. Please know that you did not die in vain. We will continue the watch from here and ask you to guide and pray for us from above. We love you and will meet you someday at the Peace Officers Family Reunion in the sky. God Bless You.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

November 7, 2004

It makes me so mad to think how someone could be so irresponsible to take another persons life. The so-called good time this drunk driver had that night cost someone his life. How sad is that? GOD BLESS YOU OFFICER CANTU and thank you for choosing a profession that helps people and not hurts them.

Can't stand drunk drivers

June 25, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Cantu for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

April 20, 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 Frank did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Frank be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Cantu's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. 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 Frank 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 Frank 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 (01/03/03)

April 19, 2004

To the Cantu family, friends, and the Houston Police Department. You have lost a beautiful soul, but heaven has one more shining star. Our thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Officer Cantu for all you have done for your brothers and sisters; rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

April 13, 2004

Another Fallen Hero taken from us to walk the streets in Heaven. Officer Cantu will be remembered by us all in our prayers, as well as HIS Familia and Friends.

Belia Fessenden
Pinal County-AZ-retired

April 11, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 4, 2004

Officer Frank Cantu, rest in peace. Family, friends and co-workers of Officer Cantu can rest assured you will obtain peace if you look to the LORD in these sad times. GOD BLESS.

Cpl. Vernon Brown
Orange County Sheriff's Office, Fl.

April 3, 2004

To all Family, Friends, and Co Workers of this Officer:

On Behalf of myself, and the Family of Police Officer Daniel Starks (Ft Myers Fl, E/O/W 10-25-03) we want you to know that you are all in our prayers! The Lord will sustain you as you go through this difficult, and trying time, but just remember your loved one is being cared for in Heaven, and is now eternally safe. We hope that you all remain as strong as possible, and know that we are all thinking of you. No words are quite ever adequate, but Police Officers make the ultimate sacrifice everyday, and our hope, and prayer is that they will always be remembered for their heroic efforts, and kind hearts.
Blessings Always,
Jessica Ruhl (Daniel’s Fiancée) & the Family of Officer Daniel Starks

April 2, 2004

God bless, brother. Keep things safe for us until we get up there to back you up. Dulcius Ex Asperis.

Michael Ferguson, Instructor
East Texas Police Academy

April 1, 2004

I would like to say on behalf of the Troopers of the Pennsylvania State Police, our prayers and thoughts are with you, your friends and loved ones. God Speed Brother……

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

April 1, 2004

Every time I see another name on this site my heart drops. The thin blue line gets thinner and thinner, hopefully God will allow the rest of us to do our jobs for a while longer, for some reason he needed this ever growing bunch of officers to come home. Make sure you let your brothers and sisters know that you appreciate them going with you into whatever you go into, serving a warrent, domestic, gunfire, etc. before you have to tell their family on a site like this. We're a small, special group of people and we're losing too many.
God Bless you Officer Cantu, your family and agency.

Corrections Officer
Marion County SO

April 1, 2004

May God Bless Officer Cantu and his Family! You will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace My Brother!

Officer Richard Cheatham
Va Beach Police Dept

March 31, 2004

I knew Frank briefly. He passed through my life for a very brief moment. I can only say that Frank Cantu was a very happy person. Always joking...and making me laugh when I was going through a hard time in my life. That is the person I will always remember. I attended his funeral today 03/31/04 and was so proud to hear all of the nice things that were said about him. It is a great loss indeed. I send my condolences to all his family, his friends and the Houston Police Department. I'm sure you are patroling the streets of heaven. May God always be with you Frank M. Cantu, Jr.

Always,
Muneca

Nancy Castellanos
Friend

March 31, 2004

God bless this Officer and his family for his 19 years of service and the ultimate sacrifice he gave for the people that he protected and loved.

Senior Patrol Officer Andy Westbrook
Austin Police Department Texas

March 31, 2004