Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

i cannot believe that there is another young man who has been taken from this world and who was soooo very young. my fiancee was a little over a month shy of turning 21 when he was killed. my heart goes out to this family. know that you are NOT alone in this. you will all be in my thoughts and prayers daily. know that josh is watching over you along with the other officers who have been called to duty in Heaven. God bless you all, and take care.

much love,
jessi garger
fiancee of p.o. cole martin e.o.w. 4/25/03

Jessi Garger

January 18, 2005

HEY JOSH,
WE MISSED YOU THIS CHRISTMAS, YOUR MOM,DAD,AND MITCHELL ARE STILL VERY HURT FROM YOUR LOSS. THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU,LIFE FOR YOUR FAMILY IS SOOO EMPTY AND LONLEY NOW,IT'S LIKE EVERYONE IS THINKING ABOUT THE SAME THING BUT NO ONE LIKES TO BRING IT UP BECAUSE WE ALL GET SAD. YOUR DAD WAS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM ALL BY HISSELF JUST LOOKING AT YOUR PICTURE CRYING CHRISTMAS EVE. LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME...........

APRIL HOLMAN

December 28, 2004

We went to the academy together Josh..you will be missed. He was always smiling and happy, a wonderful man.

none
none

December 9, 2004

Joshua was an amazing and very sweet young man, I remember him always smiling next to his brother. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Blyler family. I am so sorry.

December 6, 2004

To Josh's family:

Hold fast to your memories to all of the cherished moments of the past.
To the blessings and the laughter, the joys and the celebrations, the sorrow and the tears.
They all add up to a treasure of fond yesterdays that you shared and spent together, and they keep the one you love close to you in spirit and thought.
The special moments and memories in your life will never change.
They will always be in your heart today and forever more.

Teresa Goss
Zone 4, Sector K-ShaDco, Jacksonville, Fl

December 2, 2004

Josh was truly an amazing person. As we spent this last weekend participating in a Memorial Bike ride for fallen officers, it reminds me how precious his life was to us. As our family spends more and more together and the holiday season approaches it means so much to be close. We miss you and love you dearly Josh.

Amy Bell

November 21, 2004

Josh will never be forgotten. The memories I have of him bring smiles to my face every day. I will carry each memory in my heart for as long as I live.

I know there are many people who knew Josh and loved Josh. It is not easy for any of us to live without him. But, in the midst of all the grief, we can rest assured that Josh is in Heaven, and that he has received his promised gift of eternal life with Christ.

Kelly Gillain

November 18, 2004

Josh,

You are sorely missed my friend. It has been several months since your passing and I still can not read these reflections without getting choked up.

Josh was a good friend and brother LEO. I had the pleasure of being hired with Josh, going through the same training and being assigned to Alpha shift with him. And even though we were in different zone assignments I saw him daily.

I miss seeing you at the fuel pumps at the start of the shift Josh. Protect those we all love who are with you now, and continue to watch over us.

I'll 10-56 with you soon, but not till my work here is done.

Deputy Steven Lay 3268
St. Johns County S.O. Florida

October 3, 2004

So so sad.

Rest in peace buddy. A true hero.

SC Brad Taylor
Metropolitan Police (London)

September 9, 2004

As I sit here and read all the kind words of everyone that cared enough to honor Josh, it amazed me that they are leaving kind words and never even met Josh. Thank you for the kind and loving words from all of you. Words can't even begin to describe the person that Josh will always be. He was a high strung, loving, God fearing, accepting person. I so wish we could turn back the hands of time and be able to hear that BIG BEAST coming down the dirt road again. We all knew when Josh was coming. You always heard the BEAST first. For all that don't know,"The BEAST" was this vehicle that Josh drove on our road. It was the loudest, tallest, and most hideous vehicle I had ever saw. But he was soooo proud of that BEAST. I remember when I was pregnant with my youngest son, Josh came down and wanted me to crawl up in that thing and go for a ride.... WISH I HAD NOW!!!! Josh, We all miss you from the bottoms of our hearts. We are sooo proud of you Josh. I just hope they have some fluff sandwiches in Heaven for you. Oh, by the way... keep the BEAST running, when I get to Heaven I promise to take a ride with you!!!! From all the Battle Family (David, Cathy, Eric, Boo Boo, and Cayla) I'm sorry you and Cayla never got to meet. You would have adored her. WE LOVE YOU JOSHUA EDWIN BLYLER!!!!!!!

Proud Cousin- Cathy Battle
Family All The Way

August 27, 2004

HEY BROTHER I KNOW IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE WE, ST. JOHNS COUNTY, HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU. YOU SHOULD KNOW OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY. I KNOW THE AFTERLIFE IS SAFER WITH YOU PROTECTING IT....ALWAYS KNOW THAT WHEN WE LOSE AN OFFICER THE WHOLE WORLD FEELS OUR LOSS. I KNOW WHEN MY TIME COMES YOU WILL MEET ME AT THE GATES AND WELCOME ME..... GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS THE BLYLER FAMILY

Deputy William Petty
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office

August 15, 2004

Josh, We miss you soooo much.Mitchell and i think about you every minute of every day.It's hard to believe you have been gone for 3 months already,it seems like we just talked yesterday,it feels like your coming over tomorrow.Sometimes we sit outside at night just talking about you and how much we wish you were here, and the whole time i'm waiting for mitchell's phone to ring knowing you would be on the other end. I would LOVE to see that smile on mitchell's face again. The smile of being so proud of his little brother,and if he could hear your voice just one more time,what would he say to you? JOSH, you were a great guy!! I can't wait to see you again. love april.

APRIL HOLMAN

August 5, 2004

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

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

June 11, 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 Joshua did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Joshua be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Blyler'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 Joshua 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 Joshua was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Deputy Blyler 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)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry, Davis Co. Iowa - EOW (

June 6, 2004

Rest in peace brother, may god be with you.

Clp L. A. DeLaCruz #949
U.S. Army/J.S.O.

June 1, 2004

Dear Jean,

Even though we have never met, I would like to take this opportuity to convey my sincere sympathy to you at this time on the loss of your son. My daughter,Tyra Keplinger,is FHP and as a mother I cannot imagine the sorry that you are encountering. I know that I pray daily for Tyra's safety. But my peace comes in knowing that the job she does, she truly loves. I pray that you will know God's peace and feel his presence during this very difficult time.

Tyra called me and has told me what a wonderful person your son was.

God Bless you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sharon L. Moore
A FHP's Mom from West Virginia

Sharon L. Moore

May 31, 2004

3142 10-55 3257, BRO YOU WERE A GREAT ZONE PARTNER, YOU WERE ALWAYS THEIR WHEN I WAS READY TO GET INTO THINGS AND STIR SOMETHING UP JUST TO MAKE THE NIGHT GO FASTER. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY ME NOR THIS AGENCY. KEEP LOOKING OVER US AND WE WILL CONTINUE THE ALPHA NORTHEAST MOTTO: COURAGE, HONOR AND COMMITMENT. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR LAST WORDS TO ME THAT NIGHT AT THE SCENE "JOSH DONT WORRY ABOUT ME, ILL BE OK! " YOU KNEW THAT YOU WERE BEING APPOINTED TO HEAVEN'S LAW ENFORCMENT AGENCY UP ABOVE. YOU'LL BE IN MY PRAYERS ALONG WITH YOUR FAMILY. 10-98 TILL WE MET AGAIN BRO

DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSHUA UNDERWOOD
ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

May 27, 2004

Rest in Peace 3257

Fellow Deputy
Franklin 29

Deputy Jim Ward
Franklin County Sheriff's Office

May 26, 2004

ST JOHNS, 3257,,,,,10-65 10-43(Can ya copy message), I only met you a few times whenever you came into the world of booking, but always you had an upbeat and great personality, and always had a smile. Thank-you for who you were and what you were, a true unsung hero. Keep a watch on your fellow co-workers,friends, and family.
We know that you are walking the streets of heaven. And smiling down on us. I will keep your friends and family in my thoughts and prayers. Peace be with ya. 10-48

Laura Morgan
St.Johns Co.So(booking)

May 23, 2004

As a classmate of Josh's in the academy, I grew to know Josh and who he was...After being sworn in together on the same day as Deputy Sheriffs, I know how excited we were to be doing the job that we had always wanted to do. The two of us were roommates, cops living together, every thought and breath we had was consumed with policing. Deputy Josh Blyler was someone who grew to be like a brother to me. Josh was a great deputy and I will truly miss him. We have all suffered greatly, and we have truly lost a Hero.
To Josh..My hope is that one day I will grow to be half of the Deputy that you were to me. To Josh's family and loved ones..my deepest sympathies. I know that no words can heal your pains. To the St. John's County Sheriffs Office... thank you! You allowed Josh to wear his uniform proudly. Your support was overwhelming.

Greater Love hath no man than he, that lie down his life

GodSpeed to you Deputy Josh E. Blyler, till we meet again.

Former Deputy Adam Kline
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office

May 20, 2004

Josh,
You will be surely missed.I will always remember you and the laughs we shared in school and at work. God bless you and your family.db

Dep. Delbert Burkes
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office

May 20, 2004

My prayers are with you brother

Officer Newhouse
Tallahassee Police Department

May 20, 2004

Josh was the man! When he was around it was "all good"! He always told me the day he was able to have ride alongs I would be the first! Unfortunately I never got to see that day with him but when we meet again in heaven we'll be riding with God's speed! He was one of our family and was one of the best assets to Alpha North East and I will never forget him for all the times he made me laugh and blush..many of those times helped along by my dad!! To mama Jean you knew how to raise them right..I love you! Josh just look down on me man and keep me strong I feel ya here...and knowing that you are where you are in the final place you were longing to be I know "It's All Good!"

Explorer LT Nicole Quintieri
St Johns County Sheriffs Office

May 18, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

May 17, 2004

GENTLEMEN DRESSED IN GREEN
We arrived at the house late
As the sun was going down
Our hearts were beating fast
Not knowing what would be found.

It was then we experienced
A most peculiar scene
The pleasure of being introduced
To the Gentlemen dressed in green.

They stood silent in their service
To the side they did stand.
We noticed that their stars
Had been covered with black bands.

Heads held high in honor and respect
Though hearts were pierced inside,
It was easy to understand
Why here they chose to abide.

Many days they were with us,
Standing closely by our sides
Lifting high our heavy burden
There were tears in every eye.

Though our hearts still ache inside of us.
Grief has pierced our very being.
Our hearts are forever grateful
To the Gentlemen dressed in green.

Thank you SJSO for being with the family during this time in our lives and for showing us what true careing is all about. May God bless you and be with you and keep you safe at all times. Josh would have been proud of you. Love and Prayers, The Elmores
Franklin, N.C.

Larry and Martha Elmore
Haven of Rest Franklin, N.C.

May 14, 2004