Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace brother. You served bravely.

Offc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

June 7, 2004

My sincere condolences to Officer SAYWER's family and friends and the members of the Sterling Heights Police Department. I'm saddened by the number of times I read about these senseless incidents...God bless.

WHEN GOD MADE POLICE OFFICERS

When the Lord was creating police 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 police 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 his uniform. "He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day
on observations, cover a murder scene that night, interview the
neighbourhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day. "He has to
be in top physical condition at all times, running on tea, coffee and
half-eaten meals. And he has 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 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, "Can I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and
wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of
his head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front
that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, "You'll be all
right mate, when he knows it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this
tomorrow." "I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a
16 stone drunk into a police van without incident and feed a family of three
on a pittance." The angel circled the model of the police officer very
slowly, "Can it think?" she asked. "You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell
you the elements of a hundred crimes; tell you who the local thugs are in
its sleep, detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the
street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality
of the stop... and still it keeps its sense of humour. This officer also has
phenomenal personal control. He 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 police officer's are not sensitive to the
rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the
police 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 fellow officers killed and injured on duty, for
commitment to their job, for justice." "You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.

Anonymous

Constable
Chatham-Kent Police Service, Ontario, Canada

June 7, 2004

A coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies but one.

May God be with Ofc. Sawyers and his family in their time of grief.

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

June 7, 2004

Thank you for protecting our city and for selfishly putting your life on the line every day. My prayers are with your family, friends, and fellow officers of the Sterling Heights PD. May the coward who did this be swiftly dealt with.

Matt

June 7, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

June 7, 2004

Officer Mark Sawyers was a great and dedicated Officer and did his best to protect and serve. The event that happened June 5,2004 will only make other Officers more determined to do their job. On behaf of the Sterling Heights Police Explorers our sympathy goes out to all the family and friends of Officer Sawyers. Gone but not forgotten.

Sterling Heights Police Explorers Post #80

June 7, 2004

To the family of Officer Mark Sawyers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Though we have never met, my heart weeps with yours..My prayers are with you. Your husband, father, son.., is a hero. There are no finer people than those that defend our streets and our country.

May God bless you and carry you through this valley..

wife of Seattle Police Officer

June 7, 2004

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family.

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

June 7, 2004

We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the wife, child and family of Police Office Mark Sawyers. What a coward this person was to take the life of this fine Officer. We sincerely hope they will be captured and receive just punishment for this terrible crime. May God bless each of you, and you will be in our prayers.

Sincerely,
Lyndell & Elizabeth Taylor
Parents of
Morris Lyn Taylor
Deputy Sheriff (Roseburg, Oregon)
EOW 9-14-02

June 7, 2004

Officer Sawyers - You are a true Hero and your sacrifice to your community will not be forgotten. God Bless you and your family. RIP Brother!

Patrol Sergeant
Clearwater PD, Florida

June 7, 2004

This is an absolute shame. What a cowardly act. Often times, officer killed summaries are read in roll call at my department.(typically when the suspect is still at large) Like most agencies, roll call can be a time for light joking and commaraderie. When I heard of this tradgedy, my heart sank...the room got quiet. Rest in peace brother. You will not be forgotten.

patrolman
EauClaire WI. PD

June 7, 2004

MARK, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I'LL SEE YOU ON THE OTHERSIDE MY FRIEND.

PO G.STEELE
DET POLICE DEPT

June 7, 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 Mark did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Mark 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 Sawyers' 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 Mark 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 Mark was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Officer Sawyers 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

We know how you are suffering and we feel your pain. May the family and friends of Officer Sawyer find support and love among one another.

Family member of our hero,Michael H. Wise, who also completed his last tour of duty on June 5th in Reading Pennsylvania.

Family Member of Michael Wise
Pennsylvania

June 7, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Mark Sawyers and the Sterling Heights Police Department our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Mark... 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

June 6, 2004

My sincere condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Mark Sawyers.

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. May God Bless you and all the other men and women in blue.

Sarah
Citizen

June 6, 2004

To Officer Sawyers' family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in the prayers of many, and that his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten!

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter, Ptl. William B. Bell
EOW 11-19-02

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell, EOW 11-19-02, Summerville PD, SC

June 6, 2004

MY HEART IS WITH YOU. I LOST DEPUTY JOSH BLYLER, MY SON MAY 5TH 2004.

JEAN BLYLER

June 6, 2004

Our sincere sympthy and condolences to the Sawyer family and the Sterling Heights PD. May the fact that Ofc. Sawyer sought to serve and protect others comfort you in the days ahead.

eric chiang
San Francisco Police Department

June 6, 2004

May you rest in peace Officer Sawyers. Thank you for a job well done.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

June 6, 2004

To the family and friends of Officer Sawyers, and to the SHPD members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; you are now 10-42 go walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in here, you are a blue angel, R.I.P. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Brother

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Bartow, FL

June 6, 2004

"A PART OF AMERCICA DIED"
SOMEBODY KILLED A POLICEMAN TODAY,
AND PART OF AMERICA DIED.
A PIECE OF OUR COUNTRY HE SWORE TO PROTECT, WILL BE BURIED WITH HIM AT HIS SIDE.
THE SUSPECT THAT SHOT HIM WILL STAND UP IN COURT, WITH COUNSEL DEMANDING HIS RIGHTS...
THE BEAT THAT HE WALKED WAS A BATTLE FIELD TOO, JUST AS IF HE'D GONE OFF TO WAR.
THOUGH THE FLAG OF OUR NATION WON'T FLY AT HALF MAST, TO HIS NAME THEY WILL ADD A GOLD STAR.
YES, SOMEBODY KILLED A POLICEMAN TODAY, IN YOUR TOWN OR MINE.
WHILE WE SLEPT IN COMFORT BEHIND OUR LOCKED DOORS,A COP PUT HIS LIFE ON THE LINE.
NOW HIS GHOST WALKS A BEAT ON A DARK CITY STREET, AND HE STANDS AT EACH NEW ROOKIE'S SIDE.
HE ANSWERED THE CALL, OF HIMSELF GAVE HIS ALL, AND A PART OF AMERICA DIED.

OFC. M. KUNATH
STERLING HEIGHTS P.D.

June 6, 2004

Ofc. Sawyers,

You truly are a hero. Your brothers in blue could only wish to be as stong as you. My prayers are with you and your family and all the members of the Sterling Heights Police Department. RIP.

Ofc. BM Damon
T/ Manlius PD, NY

June 6, 2004

I want to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Officer Mark Sawyers, and the extended law enforcement family as a whole. Another hero taken from us so tragically! You will not be forgotten Mark!
May God's grace and mercy comfort us all!

Dispatcher Liz VanDerMolen
Kent County Sheriff

June 6, 2004

What a senseless act of violence!I can not for the life of me fatham or comprehend such a cruel,vicious,anamalistic act.May your attackers face a quick capture and the most svere of punishments.My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Sawyers,his family,friends and the Officers of the Sterling Heights PD.Rest in peace brother.

Texas Peace Officer
University of Houton Downtown Law Enforcement Academy Class 89

June 6, 2004