Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am a wife of a Phoenix police officer and struggling to get through the events of the last week (losing Eric and Jason). I was touched by the refelction left by Don's wife. My heart goes out to her and Don's family and I can't even imagine the daily pain and loss that is felt. I think we, the spouses of officers, have learned such a lesson by your loss and that of the wives of the other fallen officers. Live each moment as if it were your last. Never take your relationship for granted. Please know we have not forgotten Don and the sacrifice he made. He will live on in our hearts.
God bless.

Karen Peterson

September 6, 2004

Well honey it has been almost four months since your death. In that time two very young Phoenix Police Officers were shot and killed on Aug. 28th, but you already know that because they are with you. It has been a hard week for me and other survivors, I now understand the gut wrenching pain at hearing another officer has died.
I wanted to tell you that one of your wishes has come true. Remember how you always said that when you retired and your announcement was printed for everyone to read you had hoped people would say "Who was that, did he work here?", well I have to tell you that I went to both visitations and funerals for the officers in support of the wives left behind. I can not tell you how many people still didn't know that we were married, only 11 years and 24 days, but we did keep things private. What really shocked me were the amount of people who in less then four months did not remember who you were or that you were killed in the line of duty also, this included a Commander who I approached. Each time I had to explain who I was and who you were and remind them that they had just gone to your service in May a little more of my heart was ripped apart. No official from the Police Department, Mayers office, Govenors office or any other department that was represented at the services spoke to me. I would come home, cry and be sick to my stomach. Suddenly you reminded me that you wanted people to not know who you were all along so I started laughing, you got your way after all.
I've made a good friend in Wayne Scott's widow Alissa. She and I together went to the visitations and introduced ourselves to the new widows, gave them things for themselves and the children along with our phone numbers for them to call when they are ready. I could not have gone alone, she didn't want to go alone and we both felt we needed to go so it worked out fine. I think you would be proud of me. I hope you would be proud of me for the way I've handled things. I still can't believe I went with you being gone less then four months. Remember in your wedding ring I inscribed "MY LOVE MY LIFE" you still are and I wear your ring every day.
I just will always wonder that at what point while you were trapped under that gate with the water rushing at you pushing your body as far under that gate as it could and your mask ripped away from your face and flowed out leaving you with no air did you realize that your dive team members were not going to rescue you and you were going to die. I know you had time to think about it and understand you weren't getting out of this one OK. I felt your spirit go through me that afternoon and I was filled with peace and love. I didn't understand what it was at the time because I didn't know you were in trouble. I have no explanation other then it was you coming to say good-bye.
I miss you every minute of every hour of every day, week, and month. The 10th of this month will be four months since you died I will grieve all over again in my own way.
I miss you, Lisa your wife

Wife Lisa Schultz
Ret. Phoenix PD

September 6, 2004

I want to send my condolences to the family members and all the officers and to anyone else that is truly concerned of this tragic accident of this fallen officer. I was truly upset to hear of this and wish Gods' speed on comforting his family and friends.

God Bless all of you,

L.P.

Linda Perine

September 1, 2004

It is a sad day to hear that one more fellow officer was taken from us., Although I did not know Ofc. Schultz personally, I'm sure I saw him flying over my house when i lived in Phoenix for six years. I have a dear friend on the Phoenix Police Department, and i know he was supportive of my loss on Christmas of 2003 when John Watson was killed in the line of duty, and my thoughts and prayers go out to him, as well as all of the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department. To his family, I love you. To his department, I love you. We are all one team, pulling the wagon in the same direction, so the hurt is felt all over. If there is anything i can do to help please contact me, Aaron Turnage 907-283-7879

Patrolman
Kenai Police Department, Kenai Alaska

August 11, 2004

You gave the ulimate sacrifice and will never be forgotten. You now have a new place to serve. Your a true hero.

Ken Koehler
Illinois

August 8, 2004

A Public Safety Divers Prayer

When I'm called to duty God,
To dive beneath the waves,
To search for an unfortunate soul,
Whose body thy have claimed,

Let swiftness be my virtue,
To find that soul in time,
Please let this be a rescue Lord,
And not the "other kind".
Be my eyes in the darkest lake,
And guide me with your hand,
That this person be saved,
When we return to land.

If this is not your will,Oh Lord,
Then please show me the way,
To sort out this mystery,
And dive another day.

If things become their darkest Lord,
And its me that you call home,
Please guide my freinds and family,
That they'll never walk alone.

God Bless and Hoo-Ya!! Sir!

Ken Clements, Diving Supervisor
Nassau Co SO, Fl

July 17, 2004

We are truly saddened at Don'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 Don did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Don be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Schultz' 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 Don 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 Don was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Officer Schultz 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 Officer Schultz 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

I am always saddened to learn of a fellow officer who will not be coming home. Myself being a Police Officer, Diver and Pilot, Don's lost touched me in three ways. My sincere condolences go to the Schultz family and the Officers of the Phoenix Police Department. I am greatly saddened by your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. May God give you the strength and courage to get through this difficult time, and the years to come. Although our brotherhood has suffered a tremendous loss, we know that Don is now safe in Gods arms guarding the gates of Heaven. God Bless you Don, for all that you have been, and for all that you have meant, to the people whose lives you have touched..."

Sergeant Richard Lopez
U.S. Capitol Police

June 2, 2004

To Officer Schultz family, friends, and the Phoenix Police Department. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. You have lost a beautiful soul, but heaven has one more shining star. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Officer Schultz for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

May 31, 2004

In loving memory of P.O. Schultz:
Another sad and tragic day for law enforcement. Your death diminshes
us all. Thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice. It is a
long road to healing that lies ahead, but I know that our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ will extend His mercy and comfort to all who reach out to
Him. There is none greater than He. We don't get to Heaven based on
what we do, but what He did for us!! AMEN! There is now a huge void
that cannot be filled. God be with all those who mourn and may His
promises lift all those with heavy hearts for many years to come.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

May 30, 2004

Thank you Brother for your faithfulness to service,duty,& dedication.Death will not sever the tie that binds us all to The Thin Blue Line. Rest in Peace & the knowledge that your loved ones are never alone. We are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson, U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police

May 28, 2004

As a former Phoenix Police Officer I am saddened to hear of another fallen brother. The members of the Boise Police Department send our deepest sympathies to Off. Schultz family and friends.

Off. Charles LeBar
Boise Police Department

May 27, 2004

Thank you for your service. God bless you and may the family find the peace to heal

Jason Fontana

May 25, 2004

Don was a wonderful person with an unbelievable zest for life. We learned so much from him and really enjoyed the time we spent together. Don was both a hero and a friend to us. He will be greatly missed. May God bless Don and his family!

PPD

May 24, 2004

Don, thank you for being such a good friend to Bob, he is going to miss you so much. We will watch over Lisa.

Icela Brown: Police Officer
Phoenix Police Department

May 24, 2004

Thank you Don, for your dedicated service. You will never be forgotten. God bless your family and friends.

7110

Ofc. Jason Schechterle
Phoenix PD

May 23, 2004

Don, you are a hero to so many but also to me, to Rob, and to your nieces and nephews. I wonder if you had any idea what your life, friendship and sacrifice mean to those who loved you as family. You are sorely missed-God bless you, my friend.

Cindy
Your sister in law

May 20, 2004

Just want to thank Don for being our "eye in the sky" on numerous ugly situations. It is always a comfort to see the blue bird overhead. We wish his family the best. Thanks Don!

Police Officer
Phoenix Police Department

May 20, 2004

Thank you very much for your dedication. I hope that we can serve as well as you did. Your watch is over. We will take over from here.

Police Officer
AZ

May 19, 2004

To Officer Schultz Family,

May god watch over him and take care of your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you each and every day. We too know the loss that you are suffering.

CLJ
Sister-n-law Sgt Michael W Johnson EOW 6/15/04

May 19, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you.

shannon
concerned citizen

May 19, 2004

It is never easy to lose a brother officer. We lost one last week and it really leaves a void in your life forever. Our prayers are with Don and his family and his family at the Phoenix Police Department. Rest in peace brother, we will meet again later on.

Corporal John Beckler
Lee County Sheriff's Office Traffic

May 18, 2004

To Officer Schultz 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