Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I MET MIKE DURING TRAINING AT PENN STATE.HE WAS A GREAT GUY TO KNOW.I AM THANKFUL FOR MEETING HIM WHEN I DID.HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY ALL WHO NEW IM.WE ALL MISS U MIKE.

DEPUTY KELLIE JEZEWSKI
WESTMORLAND CO. SHERIFFS DEPT.

February 28, 2007

To Depputy Sheriff Michael Van Kuren and his loved ones:

On this the second anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
Reading the loving reflections about your beloved Michael gives us some understanding of what a kind and honorable young man he was.

Michael, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Deputy Michael Van Kuren. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication. I am so sorry your life was taken from you at such a young age when you had a lifetime ahead of you. How your loved ones must miss you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Michael gave to his community and the citizens of Pennsylvania, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family and his partner made on March 31, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 4, 2006

Mike,

You were one of the best instructors that I had at the academy. While you were taken from us entirely too soon, your memory will live on forever. Like the poem says "you've done your time in hell, now walk a beat in heaven". Rest in Peace brother.

Cpl. Joshua A. Stine
York County Sheriff's Office

March 26, 2006

TOWANDA - After about three hours, a jury Thursday sentenced Dustin Briggs to death for killing two Bradford County sheriff's deputies on March 31, 2004, in Wells Township. "Blessed are the peacke keepers, for they are the children of god"

Deputy Robert Porter
Pickens County Sheriff's Office SC

February 10, 2006

It has been a long time coming, but justice has prevailed. You took an oath to protect & serve, and now those people for whom you served & protected have spoken with a resounding "guilty". The man that took your life has been brought to justice. I knew you, Mike, in high school, graduating with you in 1987. You had adversity in your life then, but one would have never known. I don't know your wife, Elane, but have followed the events of the last 2 years, and through it all, she has been dignified & courageous, and she & the kids are in my prayers. Rest in peace, Mike, justice is the victor.

February 8, 2006

They found him guilty...

February 8, 2006

Such a senseless act that has brought so much pain and suffering to two families and others that loved you and your partner. I wish there were some magical words I could offer to help ease their broken hearts, but there are none. All they can do is take one day at a time and keep your memories alive Neither of you have been forgotten and are true heroes. Keep watch over your family and wrap your wings around them to protect them from harm and ease some of their grief. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

February 5, 2006

To the families of both Deputies Van Kuren and Burgert,

We are quickly approaching the Christmas Season, and my thoughts and prayers join each family in this season of trial for all of you. My brief assignment with the Bradford County Sheriff's Office in the absence of these two highly respected Deputies will never go unthought of, as they will never know the far reaching aspects of their fights. We will never forget the legacy, and will continue to think of and pray for those left behind in this senseless tragedy. My heart goes out to you, my prayers go out for you, and I pray you have the continued strength as you venture through these holidays, and know that somewhere in Heaven, thought there will never be law breakers, it is good to know, the two of them will be sniffing out the drug violators and sending them to the south portals of their fiery demise. God Bless each and every one of you!

Chief David Franke
Douglass Twp. Police Dept.

December 21, 2005

Though I did not know Deputy Sheriff Van Kuren nor Deputy Sheriff Burgert, there is not a day that I don't think of this tragedy. I live in PA, and so did my brother Fallen Officer Rodney F. Pocceschi, EOW 6/23/03.

I feel the pain and sorrow of these families and want to extend my condolences. They were brave heroes, and we a citizens should kiss the ground they walk on for allowing us to feel safe. Thank you for all you do, law enforcement!

Reality

Imagine how our world would be
If every police officer quit
Turned in their gun, turned in their badge,
Just finally had enough of it.

No respect, no loyalty,
No appreciation of all they do,
They’d give their lives for all of us,
These wonderful officers of “Blue”.

Kicked at, spit on,
Punched, stabbed and shot,
Everyday assaults on officers,
Done…without thinking a second thought!

Our laws are in favor of criminals,
There’s always some loophole in their case,
Out again to commit more crimes and murders
…creates pain, that we, the family and friends
…in time will never erase.

Why should they do it?
Why take the risk?
Why put their life on the line?
Subject their loved ones to endless suffering,
When their precious life is lost while fighting crime.

More murders, more kidnappings, more robberies and rapes,
Just to mention a few,
Please ask yourself how life would be,
If there were NO officers in Blue!

Would you do it? Could you do it?
And for how many…would YOU give it all?
Rewards are a 21 gun salute, a Medal of Honor,
And your name gets added to the Wall.

Think about it. Why are they here?
And why do some hate them so?
Because they enforce the laws that put convicts and murderers
In jail serving time, or on “Death Row”.

All give some and some give all,
It’s a risk they chose to take:
To put their heart and soul in it,
To put their lives at stake.

So, please take a moment,
Please give it deep thought,
Think of what “you can do”…

To help show respect,
To help follow the laws,
So we’d quit losing our Heroes in Blue!

Written by Jaclyn Pocceschi Mosley
Sister of Fallen Officer Rodney F. Pocceschi EOW 6/23/03.
www.fallenofficersremembered.com

Fallen Officers Remembered

December 16, 2005

Mike, not a day goes by but I think of you and pray for Elaine, your Mom & kids. I pray for comfort for them.

I want to also thank you for everything you did for our beautiful town. Being a wonderful role model for us all, esp. Jason & Tyler.

We shall see you some day in heaven. GIve our best to your dad and to our beloved son, Jason.

Thank you again Mike. We miss you!

November 6, 2005

hey mike like i told chris im sorry. i have not been writing and u know too my grandma is with u so u too need to watch her.u takecare of your family and watch over them u takecare mike and god bless u denise afriend from troy pa

August 18, 2005

May you Rest in Peace. God Bless,you,your family and the Law Enforcement Community,may you watch over and guide them in all their endeavors.When a Law Enforcement Officer dies a piece of each one of us dies also.
God Bless

RetPaState Narcotics Agent II DiMiceli
Pa Office Of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations

July 12, 2005

hey mike just want to write to let u know.everyone is missing u and chris alot.and we know u are up there looking down on us.until another day u takecare and god bless u mike denise afriend from troy pa

July 2, 2005

Iwant to let the family of Deputy Michael A. VanKuren know that I also cried when I heard about the tragic events on March 31,2004.My prayers and thoughts are forever with your family and loved ones.I know the pain-I'm a surviving sister of a fallen Officer.I will keep praying for everyone day after day.God Bless and be with each and everyone of you(I know He is always).My deepest condolences.

Karen Black

March 31, 2005

To Michael's Family, Friends and Co-workers- As the wife of a fallen officer and as a former resident of Athens my heart goes out to you. I know that this year must have been so hard but there are many people that continue to hold you in our thoughts and prayers. Michael will never be forgotten and his memory will never be lost. He was a hero.

Rachel Cappelletty
Surviving Spouse of Officer Ryan E. Cappelletty E.O.W. 5-28-03

March 31, 2005

To mike's family just wanted to say.Iu al are being strong i know its gong to be hard tomorrow u arent alone i wish i can take back that day but i cant i wish i cant take the pain away from u but i cant as long u know mikes up there smiling and watching over u thats a good thing god bless u and mike god bless u fore who u was a great deputy denise a friend from troy pa

March 30, 2005

While I only knew Mike as a child, he was a friend of my brother Paul's, his loss is deeply felt even today. It has been almost a year and it still seems like yesterday.

Mike, Your watch has ended here on Earth. While your spot on the Thin Blue Line has been picked up by others in your absence, you will always be remembered as a HERO.

To Mike's family & to Elane, never forget that Mike loved what he did. Keep his memory alive for all others to share in his light.

Robert McCracken
New Hanover County 911, North Carolina

March 21, 2005

hey mike like i wrote to chris i cant beleave its almost a year.its still hard fore everyone. that u are not hear.just want to tell your family to be strong mike is watching over u al mike thank u fore being a great person and a great police officer god bless u and your family a frien in troy

March 8, 2005

It is coming close to a year since the tragedy of my uncle. I feel unfortunate in the fact that I didn't have the opportunity to know him as much as I would have liked to. But none the less he was family and I feel blessed to see that so many people have so many wonderful things to say about him. It pleases my heart to know that he is not forgotten helps me better understand what a wonderful person he was. My thoughts and prayers go to the rest of my family all the time, I hope they know they are in my heart and God Bless them.

Natalie Browning
Biloxi Mississippi

Natalie Browning
niece of michael van kuren

March 2, 2005

I lived in Little Meadows PA and knew Mike and his family when I was a child. My parents were friends with his parents. I also knew his cousins, Tim Shaver, Tom Wood who are my best friends, even today Tim and I still talk. God bless them and all of the deputies and their families.

Ptlm Christopher Yarns
Clarks Summit Borough Police, PA

January 22, 2005

to michael family just want u to know im still thinking about u my heard is still with u i wish i can take your pain away someday that pain will be gone mike is looking down on u with a big smile a angel looking down on u some day we will meet again and he will be waiting god bless u al and mike gog bless u see u again some day keep heven save

denise

December 22, 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 Deputy Van Kuren 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.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

November 10, 2004

to deputy's kuren faimly. i just want to tell u al deputy kuren was a great deputy and he is watching u everyday and he is with u everyday god bless u al and deputy kuren god bless u too thank u fore being a great deputy denise afriend from troy pa

denise

August 2, 2004

Thank you for your thoughts and words for Michael. Be safe.

Elane Van Kuren
Michael's wife

June 17, 2004

We are truly saddened at Mike's loss.
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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.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

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

June 11, 2004