Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Isaac,
I haven't been here in a little while and just wanted to take a moment to say hello to you and your wonderful family and let you all know, still, not a day goes by without you in my heart and thoughts.

I came across this poem the other day and thought it was so fitting to share with you, as you epitomize the words and lived a life that mattered...

WHAT WILL MATTER?
Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
All the things you have collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass on to someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel in irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear into equal irrelevance.

So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, desires, ideas and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so crucially important will fade away.
It won’t matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on in the last days.

It won’t matter whether you were beautiful, brilliant, or both.
Your gender and the color of your skin will mean nothing.
So what will matter?
How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built.
What will matter is not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught others.
What will matter is not what you think of yourself, but how your children describe you.
What will matter is every single act of integrity, compassion, courage, honor, purpose and sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many feel a loss when you’re gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories of those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered by whom and for what.
What will matter is not how many hours you spent working, but that your family knew you.
What will matter is not how many respected you, but that you made children smile.
What will matter is not what you held over others, but what you were willing to do for someone who could do nothing for you.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident, it’s by living in a state of consistent sincerity.
It’s not a matter of circumstance, it’s a matter of choice…

Choose then, to live a life that matters.


You, brother, are the one this was written for and I thank GOD for all you've given and continually inspire me to be.

God Bless.

Damian

Officer Damian Jackson
Escondido PD / Palomar Police Academy

September 27, 2008

You are so much on my mind and in my heart.

I love you,

Mom

September 8, 2008

Thinking about you today and everyday.

Auntie

September 4, 2008

Brother,
I think about you every day. Sometimes I laugh and smile and other times I just cry. It's still so hard for me to believe. I miss you terribly. I look at Aiyana and imagine you playing with her and Bella sometimes. I love you.

Regina
sister

August 14, 2008

Thank You for your service brother, We Will Never Forget.

Trooper
Virginia State Police

August 4, 2008

You still cross my mind. You won't be forgotton.

Anonymous

July 18, 2008

Zak,

It's been a while since I've left a reflection. Please know that you are always thought of and wished peaceful blessings...it was finally my time to heal, I don't know any other way to put it. I just heard the song, "Dance with my Father" and thought about Renata and Bella on the plane together, I have never forgotten that reflection. Sending you birthday wishes, a shot of Jager from my freezer, and loving thoughts of your family and friends.

Patty Brown
SFPD, BAYVIEW MIDS

July 17, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY TREASURED SON.

I LOVE YOU,

Mom

July 16, 2008

Happy Birthday Gorgeous! I love you and miss you terribly. Thanks for always watching out over us. I will never forget you.

♥I

Anonymous

July 16, 2008

In the depths of my despair
Lost and confused
I said to myself,
What shall I do?
Where shall I go?
Who can I trust?
I am nothing and
I am no one.

"Climb, climb the mountain,"
my spirit said;
"You're drowning in the
Valley of Tears."

Then I heard a voice, your voice.
"Don't worry," you said,
"I've taken care of everything."

Surprised and hopeful
Hurt and missing you
Gradually feeling better
Ever so slowly
I come alive again.

I love you,
Mom

Anonymous

July 15, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN ISSAC, I KNOW THE HEAVENS ARE AGLOW WITH CANDLES FOR YOU. YOU ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN AND ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS AND MIND. LOVE MARIAN AND FAMILY

Anonymous

July 15, 2008

Happy Birthday my brother, my nephew. Your life was much to short for me. I think of the times we had, they were to little. I think of the talks we had, should of had, they were to little. I think of your birth, what a glorist joy you were, a little boy, my Godson. I felt an honor to be that for I knew, if ever you were alone I would be there for you. That never happened becasue you were too great a person. Now you are gone and it hurts to know that, for I cannot talk with you, see you, have those special times with you, and it hurts to know that. I love you and miss you like it was yesterday.
Auntie

Anonymous

July 15, 2008

Hey Cuz: I was reminded of your birthday yesterday when my sister had false labor last night, we hope she delivers tomorrow on your bday or Saturday on my dads. Either way, we miss you and we love you. Thinking of you, and thank you for putting good thoughts out there for me with my new job at the SFPD. So much has happened for me, finished my BA in psychology on Thursday, started a new job, things just keep getting better and better, I wish you were here so I could tell you.. Love ya!

Big Cousin

July 15, 2008

There's a stirring in my soul.
Memories of your birth are upon me.
Happy memories of days gone by.

Aching in my body
Those days no more.
How quickly life
comes and goes.

Four years already since
that devastating night.
The grief still lingers on.

Remember me.
I will remember you.

I love you, Mom

Mom

July 14, 2008

Always with a memory in our hearts, and always in our prayers.

Sonia

June 27, 2008

Thinking about you on Father's Day and every day.

I miss you,
Mom

June 15, 2008

We celebrated Regina's birthday this past weekend. We missed you. We talked about you and laughed with joy remembering precious moments shared with you.

I love you,
Mom

June 11, 2008

Always on my mind, always in my heart. I love you.
Auntie

June 10, 2008

One of the things why people love and admire you is because your life exemplified how you were on a daily basis, You treated people with love and respect, and you showed us that what matters most, what will be remembered is how we treat each other on a daily basis here on earth & that is what really counts.

You cared about others and went the extra mile for your fellow person in your daily life & you treated everyone fairly and with respect.

June 9, 2008

I put a candle on the wall by your name in DC during Police Week. I touched your name and breathed a prayer for you and your family. We never forget.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/2004

June 5, 2008

This was sent to me today by someone close who yesterday lost their mother who was also like a mom to me. This made me think of you when I read the part about the smiles and happy times:

AFTERGLOW

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one,
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is gone.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times, and laughing times, and bright
and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before
the sun, Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

(Unknown)

June 4, 2008

I miss you!

May 30, 2008

Remembering you and all the good times we shared on Memorial Day. You live in our hearts and the memories you left behind.

I love you,
Mom

May 26, 2008

Thank you for protecting and caring for us. God Bless you and your family.

May 26, 2008

Dear Son:

I'm back from the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial in Washington, D.C. One of the most profound things I heard was just before the Roll Call of Heroes for 2008, at the Memorial Service in front of our Nation's Capitol. It was, "Let me go. I will be waiting here for you with all the heroes."

You know I have been working on letting go and acceptance.
You are my son, my motivator, my gift, my true friend. The following is one of the thoughts that have come up for me during my process of trying to find acceptance.

You were never mine.
I offered you up to God
in your first month of life.

I became accustomed
to having you around.
I thought you would
always be there.

As the years passed
I forgot you weren't
really mine.

The shock of your sudden
and violent death
shattered my being.

Now I must let you go,
and with you,
the love, hope and joy
of you here on Earth.

Until we meet again,
I WILL REMEMBER YOU.

I miss you.
Mom

May 18, 2008