Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Some people come into our lives then quietly go...Others stay awhile and leave footprints on our hearts...and we are never the same.
May Our Lord continue to wrap His Arms around Josh's loved ones especially tightly.

April 30, 2006

It will soon be two years that you were called away from duty. I know the tears still flow from your loved ones. They think of you every hour of every day so you know you will never be fogotten. Also, your brothers and sister in BLue will never let you be forgotten. There are no magic words I can offer to those that love you and miss you except that all they can do is take one day at a time and never let your name be forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and protect them from harm. Wrap your wings around them and ease some of their grief. You are a true hero and you will never be forgotten.

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

Bob Gordon

April 24, 2006

To Josh's family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you for the 2 year anniversary. Yes they were right, life does go on but the pain will never end. We have to hold our heads high for our sons. On May 1st there will be a memorial service for David and other fallen officers. I will think of you and your family that night. God Bless you All

Pam abella
mother of Deputy David Anthony Abella

April 24, 2006

Dear Josh, Dad & I made it through another holiday. The last Easter you were alive you spent the day with your brother. I remember being in the mountains so worried that you were going to be alone that Easter. I called all through the day. I am so happy that you & Mitch had that day. God knew you would not be with us much longer. It doesn't seem real - (you) not in our lives. I love you!MOM

JEAN BLYLER
MOM

April 17, 2006

Josh,
Rarely do I post on the ODMP. I happen to be on the site today and when I am I always look you up.
Kelly, your beautiful girlfriend, is an amazing young women and you would be so proud of her. She is definately an example of Christ. I have become very close and she is truly a blessing to me.
I ask that today and all the days that follow you show her, in your own special way your deep love for her. May the breeze blow softly on her cheeks as she receives your kisses from heaven.

April 13, 2006

Josh,
I never got to meet you, but feel I know you very well. Your Mom and I have become very good friends through Concerns of Police Survivors. She is a very special lady. She loves you with all her heart and soul, and is so very very proud of you. I will do my best to comfort her. She means a lot to me. She told me about your new girlfriend and how happy your were. Sure wish your Mom could have met her under better circumstances. But the Lord knows what is right for us. If you get a chance, please look up my Uncle. I don't really look at him as a Uncle, Steve Dennard. You see he was only 18 months old when I was born. He was a Corrections Officer with Union Correctionsl Institute and was taken from us on 5/5/03. We all miss him very much. He was more like a brother to me. Maybe you and Steve could go fishing in heaven. Please watch over us as we travel Washington next month for the Police Memorial. And watch over your Mom and I as we try do what is right to keep the memories of all of our fallen officer's alive. I just became the new President of COPS Organization and your Mom is the Secretary. Josh, we think so much alike it is scary. You would get a good laugh at watching us I am sure. Thank you Josh for being a real hero and making the ultimate sacrifice. Your family is very precious and loves and misses you very much.

Debbie Newton
President, NE FLA COPS

April 12, 2006

My dearest and most precious Josh,

May 2nd is right around the corner. For the last (almost) 2 years, I feel like I have lived another person's life. I want my life back...I want you here, sharing every day with me. I know that you're with Jesus and that's what makes this whole tragedy bearable, but it's so hard not having you here with me. I miss you every day.

You'll always be a part of me. I'll love you my whole life. Today, I'm one more day closer to you. You're forever in my heart. Love you...always and forever.

Love,
Kelly
(Your Perfect Angel)

Kelly Gillain
Josh's One & Only Love

April 6, 2006

Just thinking of you today, holding your memory in our hearts.

Love,
Linda Rittenhouse
Matt's Mom

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Officer Matthew Rittenhouse E.O.W. 9/16/04

March 19, 2006

Dear Josh,
I wanted to write you and tell you how much I love you and miss you. It's St. Patrick's Day, one of my favorite holidays, as you knew so well. :0) I remember the time you took me to the Irish restaurant in Fernandina that Jeff recommended. We had such a fun time, laughing hysterically. It was a crazy restaurant where the most random things happened. We got such a kick out of that place. I love all the memories we made together.

Every day, I wish to see you, hear your voice, hold your hand....I wish to be with you every day. I found this poem today. It's an Irish poem called "Remembered Joy". It made me think of you. I love you, Josh...always and forever.

"Remembered Joy"
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all...
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life's been full, I've savoured much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief—
Don't shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

Kelly Gillain
Josh's One & Only Love

March 17, 2006

Josh my Brother, I was at work today, and was thinking of you. I still see that "smile" you always wear, and the pride you had in the uniform. I read the reflections left, and see that many others think of you on a daily basis also. You are still my guardian angel everyday I put on my boots and head to my Motor for another 8 hours. You touched so many lives in your short stay, but brother you were quality and I know you are walking heavens streets. Give my mom a hug and kiss and tell her I love and miss her also. Until we are re-united in heaven, continue to look after your Family and Kelly.

Ex SJSO 3141

Ofc William Schrader
Lakeland PD

March 6, 2006

DEAR SON, YOU HAVE BEEN AWAY 22 MONTHS TODAY. IT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER. I KEEP THINKING I WILL WAKE UP FROM THIS TERRIBLE NIGHTMARE. I AM SO THANKFUL OUR TIME TOGETHER WAS A BLESSING TO ME AS A MOM. I HEAR SO MANY STORIES HOW SO MANY YOUR AGE ARE NOW ON DRUGS, HAVE NO DIRECTION IN THEIR LIVES OR JUST THINK IT IS COOL TO HANG OUT. YOU AND MITCHELL ARE GREAT SON'S WHO BECAME AWESOME MEN. THANK YOU! LOVE MOM

JEAN BLYLER
MOM

March 2, 2006

Rest in peace Josh. I have read a lot of your reflections, and I can only imagine the huge loss that all your loved ones are feeling. It was a tragedy that you departed so soon, but the Lord works in mysterious ways, and he must have needed a good guy to help him out when he called upon you. I wish all affected by your passing the strength to carry on, and make the best of their lives until the grand reunion in the sky. God bless you all.

J.M.
Gardai (Irish Police Force)

February 28, 2006

Ever time I hear this song I think about all the young people that have died to early. Just know that god is with you. To the mother of Joshua I can only imagine what you go through with kids of my own. I'm so sorry for your lost.



Sunny days seem to hurt the most
Wear the pain like a heavy coat
I feel you everywhere I go
See your smile, I see your face
I hear you laughing in the rain
Still can't believe your gone

It ain't fair you died to young
Like a story that had just begun
But death tore the pages all away
God knows how I miss you
All the hell that I've been through
Just knowing, no one could take your place
Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today

Would you see the world
Would you chase your dreams
Settle down with a family
I wonder what would you name your babies
Someday's the sky's so blue
I feel like I can talk to you
And I know it might sound crazy

Sunny days seem to hurt the most
I wear the pain like a heavy coat
The only thing that gives me hope
Is I know, I'll see you again someday

Someday, someday


Holly Spikes
Chalrton county SO
Adam R. Fleshner
e.o.w 1-13-03

Holly

February 26, 2006

DEAR JOSH I WANT YOU TO LOOK OUT FOR LITTLE CAYLA. I HOPE YOU WERE ABLE TO HUG HERE AT THE DOOR AND ASSURE HER IN YOUR WORDS"IT'S ALL GOOD"! I LOVE YOU AGAIN & AGAIN. LOVE MOM

JEAN BLYLER

February 23, 2006

Dear Josh,
Hey Valentine. I wish that you were here to spend this day, and every day with me. I would give anything to hear your voice, see your face, or have your arms around me. I have some really amazing Vanetine's Day memories with you that I am thankful for. I'll be thinking about those today, accompanied by the thousands of other memories we shared together. You will always be my Valentine, Josh. I love you & miss you more than words can say.

Your valentine,
Kelly

Kelly Gillain
Josh's One & Only LOVE

February 14, 2006

Dear Josh,
Valentine's Day is approaching...my second one without you. I miss you so much. I come to this site so many times and am at a loss for words. I will never be able to adequately describe how much I love you and miss you. I found this quote today and thought it suited us perfectly. Until we meet again...Happy Pre-Valentine's Day, Josh. I love you...forever and always.

"True love stories never have endings." ~Richard Bach

Forever yours,
Kelly

Kelly Gillain
Josh's One & Only Love

February 10, 2006

Josh
Hey buddy I was just thinking about you . It still amazes me at the reflection you have and how many people leave them . I hope your watching over Tyler over in Iraq. I love and miss you.
Aunt Candy

January 26, 2006

My dearest Josh,
Love you....miss you, always.
Forever yours,
Kelly

Kelly Gillain
Josh's One & Only

January 16, 2006

Joshua,
I read some of your reflections tonight, you were a great officer and a well respected person. I could tell that you had a one true love in your life, and she writes alot to you. It is hard for her but she had something great with you that keeps her going everyday. I thank you for you time of duty, and you are hero to me and other policemen. God bless your family and friends.
Trooper
Kentucky State Police

Trooper
Kentucky State Police

January 13, 2006

Dear Josh,
The lasting characteristic of a man is the ability to understand correctly the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ in his life, and the ability to explain it to others. The overruling passion of his life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you see this quality in a person, you get the feeling that he is truly man after God's own heart. It is the true test whether you are spiritual or not. We saw this in you Josh.
I'm reminded of the day I was(Di)was shopping with your Mom and she called you to have lunch with us and you came and sat with us. Some days later you were with "Jesus." You wore you uniform proudly that day,and though you served the people here I knew you served God first...

Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus,
I've lost sight of all beside,
So enchained my spirit's vision,
Gazing on the "Crucified."

"Happy new year with our Lord",
until we meet again...
Bro, Robert & Dianne Kelley

Bro. Robert Dianne Kelley

January 4, 2006

Don't think of them as gone away,
Thier journey has just begun.
Life holds so many facets,
this Earth is only one.
Just think of them as resting,
from the sorrows and the tears,
in a place of warmth and comfort,
where there are no days or years.
Think of how they must be wishing,
that we could know today,
how nothing but our sadness can really pass away.
And think of them as living in the hearts of those they touched,
for nothing loved is ever lost,
and they were loved so much.

Author unknown

January 3, 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
HOPE YOU KEEP WATCH OVER US THIS YEAR AND PROTECT US FROM ALL HARM,BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR "GAURDIAN ANGEL" NOW.WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES AND THE SILLY PERSON YOU WERE WHEN WE ALL WERE TOGETHER. I TALK TO ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO SEEN YOUR STORY ON THE NEWS AND HOW SAD IT WAS.YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
LOVE ALWAYS
APRIL....

APRIL BLYLER-sister inlaw

January 1, 2006

Dear Josh,
I'm sitting here thinking about you...missing you so much. I love you, always and forver.
Love,
Kelly

Kelly Gillain
Josh's Kelly Forever & Always

December 29, 2005

My dearest Josh,
I cannot find the words to express how much I love and miss you every day. I've spent another holiday season without you. At least I'm one more day closer to you. I thank our Lord daily for your salvation and eternal security with him. With the peace of your salvation comes a hope that I claim every day...the hope (the promise) to see you again. You are a part of me and always will be, as I am with you. Thank you for every dream you send me; for every message from heaven; for every friend who takes care of me. Every day a memory of you brings a smile to my face. I love that about you...you always make me smile. Oh, how I wish you were here with me. I love you...forever and always.

All my love,
Kelly

Kelly Gillain
Josh's One & Only Love

December 26, 2005

Josh,
Just wishing you a Merry Christmas. Please keep Kelly and your family close. I'm sure you are having a wonderful Christmas in Heaven.

Merry Christmas,
Lynn Harwell
Fiancee' of Terry Melancon

December 25, 2005