Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We are truly saddened at Doug'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

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Douglas did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Douglas be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Chief Shertzer's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. 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 Douglas 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 Douglas was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Chief Shertzer 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 7, 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 Chief Shertzer 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.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

June 6, 2004

Chief, thanks for the work and dedication you put in.

Patrolman
Kansas City International Airport Police

May 21, 2004

On behalf of the Gallup Police Dept., Gallup NM, we send our condolences to the family and friends of Chief Shertzer. May God be your strength.

Jen
Gallup Police Department

May 19, 2004

TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND FELLOW OFFICERS. MY HEART GOES OUT TO EVERYONE WHO NEW OFFICER SHERTZER. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
ALTHOUGH I DID NOT KNOW HIM PERSONALLY, I DID LOSE A VERY CLOSE FRIEND IN FEBRUARY, OFFICER BERT ZIMMERMAN, STATE TROOPER IN NEW JERSEY, SO I KNOW THE FEELINGS YOU ARE HAVING ALL TO WELL.
THERE IS NOTHING I CAN SAY TO MAKE THIS ANY EASIER. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM.
LORRAINE
NEW JERSEY RESIDENT

lorraine from jersey

May 19, 2004

On behalf of the all State Troopers from the Florida Highway please permit me to extend our deepest sympathies to Chief Shertzers family and the Lititz Borough PD. Please let it be known that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.

Lieutenant Leonard R. Zimmerer
Florida Highway Patrol

May 19, 2004

To Chief Shertzer family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you

God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl 11/6/86

May 18, 2004

My heart and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of Chief Shertzer. May God be with you all in this terrible time of loss.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee D. Azure
EOW 08/06/02

May 18, 2004

Thank you for many years of service.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
CHP

May 17, 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

Northport, NY

My deepest sympathies to the Shertzer family and to the Lititz Borough Police Department. Rest well my brother, you will not be forgotten.

Officer Schrade
Dept. of Veterans Affairs

May 16, 2004

Condolences to the family of Chief Shertzer and the Lititz Boro PD from a former Ephrata Twp Officer.

Special Agent C.W.
U.S. Dept of State- DSS

May 16, 2004

Dear Shertzer Family and Friends,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Please take some comfort in two verses from the Bible: "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted." Matt.5:4 and "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the Children of God." Matt. 5:9. God Bless.

Ofc. Mike Snyder
Coral Springs PD, Florida

May 16, 2004

Chief Shertzer,

You truly are a hero. Your brothers in blue could only hope to be as strong as you. My prayers are with you and your family and all the members of Lititz Borough PD. RIP.

Ofc. BM Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY

May 16, 2004

My deepest sympathy to Chief Shertzers family and the Lititz Borough PD. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. May God be with each and every one of you now and always.Even though Doug is no longer here with us, he is always close in the memories he has left,the lives and hearts he has touched and the difference he has made through his service to community. Be Safe...

Ptlm. DM Quill
PA. State Capitol PD

May 15, 2004

Rest easy brother, My prayers are with you and your family.

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La

May 15, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH CHIEF
SHERTZER, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

May 15, 2004

Sir, Rest in Peace. Command from above.....

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

May 14, 2004

God bless the blue angels.
Those willing to go, everyday into the valley of the shadow.
and those who now find peaceful shelter on the other side.
You are forever in our hearts and prayers.

ACooper
Emt

May 14, 2004

Sincere condolonces to the greiveing family,friends and co workers of this dedicated professional. Policeman you've carried your burdens well,now go to pass through heavens gate. You have made the ultimate sacrifice and will be forever remembered as a hero.

Police Officer John Zito
Stroud Area Police,Stroudsburg PA

May 14, 2004

On behalf of Blue Knights Missouri Chapter VII, we send our condolences to the family of Chief Shertzer. God bless you and your family at this tragic loss.

Doug Eatherton
St. Louis Police

May 14, 2004

To:The family;loved ones;friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER:--- O,gentle Lord. Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental,physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work,endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord,I ask that I may return safely,after my tour of duty,to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer;and after my tour of duty is over here on earth,may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well.AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE*** Sent to you by the father of First Class Officer J.D.Koeppen,Capital City Raleigh NC and Trooper D.C.Koeppen , N.J.State Police.

Chief (retired) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

May 14, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Chief of Police Douglas A. Shertzer Sr. and the Lititz Borough Police Department... our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Douglas ... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

May 14, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends, and co-workers of Chief Shertzer

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

May 14, 2004