Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sometimes things just don't make sense and all the
questions in the world just don't have answers. This is
just so sad for all involved and my heart goes out to you
on this 4th EOW anniversary.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

March 31, 2008

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 4th anniversary of you being called away from duty. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol. I know those that love you think of you every hour of every day and keep your memory alive in their heavy hearts. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

March 30, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESION YOU CHOSE. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 28, 2008

hey chris sorry i have not said hi in awhile.been nuts herecant beleave next month will be four years,still hard tobeleave.everyone say its going be easy but its not.but i know u are up there watching over everyone keeping on smiling.thats how i rembmer u is that big smile keep awatch over your family wife and son.we all miss u chris.god bless u chris afriend from troy pa denise

February 13, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 15, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family... Rest in peace brother...............

Sgt. Chad Aldenderfer
Jersey Shore Borough Police Dept.

April 24, 2007

DEPUTY BURGERT, THANK YOU, SIR, FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. CONTINUE KEEPING WATCH OVER US.

NC LEO
WINSTON-SALEM PD

March 31, 2007

hey chris just want to say hi.today i was thinking about u and your family.i cant beleave its been 3 years everyone tells me o it get easy.but it dosent i went into towanda the otherday went by the court house i sat there thinking about u and mike. i started to cry but i looked up at the sky and smiled. because i know u are on my side.everyone miss u so much.u just keep on smiling and keep kim and your son save we al miss u so much u are our angel god bless u chirs afriend from troy pa denise

March 31, 2007

Chris,

An Officer who knew you two is now working for Gates PD. He started a race to honor the two of you. This year he has added to the race another fallen officer; AJ Sperr. He works so hard at ensuring all fallen officers are remembered and speaks highly of you two as well as AJ. Please know, we are here for him, as well as your family including the rest of your family in blue.

God Bless,

Ellen Guerdat
VP WNY Concerns of Police Survivors

Ellen Guerdat
VP WNY COPS

March 31, 2007

Remembering you today and everyday.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

March 31, 2007

To my favorite sister in pain,

I'm thinking of you as the anniversary approaches. It's 4:35 a.m. and I can't sleep. You know the feeling. I thought I'd come here to the ODMP and read Chris' reflections. I wonder if our boys have found each other in Heaven and are hanging out together. I know at the very least they are watching us and smiling down on us. I'm also sure they're glad we have each other.

Hang in there, Sweetie. Love ya.

Denise L. Wise
Widow, Michael H. Wise, II EOW 6/5/04

March 23, 2007

Chris, it has almost been 3 years, the time has gone with out you here. It has been sad. I know you are watching over all of us. The crime of law enforcement does not stop, and that is a shame. Just yesterday there was another one in Flordia, a wife and a innocent deputy that was coming to check on her. When will it stop. Just want to let you know that we are still thinking of you and Kim and Christian. He will be very proud of his father, a hero in Bradford County. You are our Hero everyday that goes by. Kim I want to say to you God bless you and everything you have done and continue to do for Christian You are my Hero. I could not do what you have done. We pray for you everyday. I also hope school is going well for you. We love you.

A officer down page watcher

January 31, 2007

Chris, I remember the times we had been deployed and just hanging out at the base in Syracuse, NY. You always had a smile on your face and you always spoke about your family. Thank you for the memories and the stories. You are loved so very much by all. God bless you and I know you are looking down on your brothers and sisters that carry the badge.

Kyle

Deputy Kyle Laitenberger
Madison County Sheriffs/ 174 SFS

January 22, 2007

Well Chris, it will soon be your birthday. I'm sure Kim will come up with a wonderful way to celebrate it but will be sad that you are not here to actually turn 33. Christian is such a little cutie and Kim is such a positive role model for the rest of us who have lost our loved ones to the job.

Happy Birthday.

Denise L. Wise
Widow, Michael H. Wise, II EOW 6-5-04

December 7, 2006

I can't believe the time. Kim I am so glad you have given us a update on you and Christian. Good luck in school! You are a very brave women to have gotten this far. Keep the faith. Will always remember what Chris had done for us. God bless you.

a officer down page watcher

September 29, 2006

hey chris just wanted to say hi to u its been awhile just still seams weird still i know it be 3 years cant beleave u are gone but i know u are up there watching over everyone and your wife son and the rest of your family u just keep them save and keep on smiling god bless u chris afriend from troy pa denise

September 17, 2006

I had the honor of meeting Chris as I attended police academy with him. Always ready with a smile, and a willingness to help. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. So hard to believe that he is gone, but very much in my heart.
I know that he is watching over all of us.
My thoughts, and prayers are with his family.

Patrolman Denise Pratt (Yost)
Penn Twp PD Hanover, Pa

September 9, 2006

I'm sitting here crying reading the beautiful reflections, thank you so much. I thought I would give you a quick update- Christian will be 5 in another month and will be starting kindergarten this September. He talks about Chris daily and knows that all Police are Superheros who take care of us, some from the stars and some here on earth. I am still in school and still working, but mostly spending time with my angel who is the spitting image of his daddy. I am so lucky and blessed to have him. Thank you to all you superheros that have supported us and taken us under your wing, we love you so much, Kim & Christian

Kim Burgert
Wife

July 26, 2006

Chris,

Its been awhile since I wrote to you but I wanted to just say you are thought of daily by all of us and we miss you more then words could ever say.

Keep watching down on the rest of us , everytime we hit the streets we do it for you!

Police Officer Shane Dickey
Spring Twp. Police Department (Centre County)PA

July 19, 2006

I had met you once in a training class prior to you going 10-7. My heart goes out to you and your family and will forever be in my prayers.

May you be with St. Michael protecting the gates of heaven and your spirit is with all Police Officers that serve or have served in NEPA.

God Bless you and your family

Ofc.
Cottage City Police Department MD.

May 31, 2006

There are not enough words to tell you how much I miss you. I look forward to the day we meet again. Your friend forever.....

May 12, 2006

To Deputy Christopher Burgert 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 Chris gives us some understanding of what a kind and honorable young man he was.


Chris, 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 Burgert. 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 Chris 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

Friday will be 2 years 3/31/2006. I can't believe it. You are still missed Chris. The trial is over and he was guilty with the death sentence. Seems like it was yesterday and there was a massive manhunt for him. We all miss you so much. This has opened our eye's about the drug problem here in Pennsylvania. I just hope it gets better. I want to say rest in peace and to let you know that we miss you two guy's. Please watch over us. The mighty lord has taken a 21 year old this last week in a killing, please take him under your wings and show him around up there. Untill I meet you again Chris save me a spot Please. Love you.

March 29, 2006

Chris is a friend of mine. Almost two years and I still miss him just as much. The verdict and sentence bring some peace and resolution, but there is still such a large void. I look into his son's eyes and see Chris. I look at his widow and remember the laughter. I know Chris is in a much better place, and I hope he knows how much better he made our world. I hope to see you someday, friend.

March 23, 2006

I cannot believe almost 2 years has past since that horrible day. So much has happened. The only good thing that has come out of this event is that the law enforcement community in bradford county is closer than ever. We think everyday about our former classmate and friend. I hope now that trial is over you (chris) can spend your eternal life watching over your loved ones and friends. I felt you and mikes presents in the courtroom everyday of the trial. Now chris you can watch over kim and christian and rest in peace. you will never be forgotten. cheri harkness

C/O lyle and cheri harkness
bccf

March 22, 2006