Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You are and are always on my mind.

Love Mom

Anonymous

June 1, 2010

Dear Mark,

I missed you on Mother's Day. I could see your face as i looked at Lily. She looks just like you in the face. I was talking to Yvonne and did not want Lily to know something so I spelled it and as soon as I finished spelling it Lily said "Grandma, I can spell", and she repeated what I had spelled out. We all had a good laugh. I wish I had learned that Chinese double talk that you and Michelle would talk when you didn't want me to know something. Lily and Yvonne got me a beautiful heart necklace for Mother's Day. The heart has diamonds and sapphires all around it. I have a ring that I bought in Montego Bay that it matches. Lily told Yvonne to get me a gold chain and not white gold because she knows it matches the ring. To me the blue sapphires represent you (police color) and the diamonds represent our family and your friends because they are all gems to me. Dad and I are going to the service that Sterling Heights is having today in honor of you and the other two people that lost their lives in the line of duty too. Getting back to Mother's Day. I am so proud of you as a soon. Not for losing your life while on duty but for being the person that you are. You had a lot of great friends and you chose those friends because they were great people too. We treasure those friends today because they are special to us because they were special to you. I am proud that you picked a wonderful wife and mother for Lily. Yvonne has done such a good job with both Lily and Camden. She is a strong person. Much stronger than I could ever be. She is always there for me and knows what to say. I am proud that you became a police officer. Police officers are special people that should be held in the highest regard by everyone. I try not to dwell on the fact that you lost your life because you were a police officer but rather that God had a more important calling for you in Heaven. I know that you are in Heaven and looking after my mom and dad and the new officer from Detroit named Brian.
I miss you very much and love you with all my heart and soul.

Love Mom

Anonymous

May 13, 2010

**Never Forgotten**

You're always on our minds, Mark. Always.

Officer
Bay City Police

May 8, 2010

Mark,

It sure has been a long time since I have written on here. I still check the site every day, but I just haven't found it in me to write anything. For a while it was very helpful, and then I just went through a period where I would sit here not knowing what to write. Sometimes it's overwhelming because there is so much happening and how do I put it all down? But I have solace in the belief that you see us and watch over us every day.

I'm watching Lily out the window right now. She's outside playing with Matt and Camden. She is such a character. I'm sure you get a kick out of all the things she says. She is just so much like you, it's uncanny. Even the questions she asks me about which animals teeth are bigger and which would be more dangerous!

She is finishing up first grade, on the student council, playing soccer, and just having fun being a kid. We went to Disneyworld and she had a blast meeting all of the characters. She loves her little brother, but of course she gets annoyed with him knocking over her toys or stealing her glass of juice!

me and camden created a play calld the camden and lily show. Im in 1 st grad my numbr is 18 my favorite number is 76. im going to spell sumthing that dos not eggzist.yrgvfchywfdcbcsh it is funny hu I love you daddy . I now what is 5-4 is .it = 1

We love you and miss you!
xoxoxo

Yvonne

April 28, 2010

Dear Mark,

I forgot to tell you we went to Kathy's big birthday party. We saw a few officers that we know. Colleen did a great job organizing the party. I consider Kathy a part of our family just like some of your good friends. Rich is definitely a fixture with us. I met Michelle and Rich and Dad at Kozy for Michelle's birthday last Friday. I see why you chose Rich for a good friend. He and his whole family are just great people. Donnie's little boy is getting big. I think he is almost 6 months old. He is Daddy's boy. It is time to get to school. Only about 7 weeks to go. Can't wait.
I love and miss you.

Love Mom

Anonymous

April 27, 2010

Dear Mark,

We had a great time in Mexico but it would have been greater had you been with us. Lily called me last night and wanted me to come over. She said she loved Florida. She gets so excited when she tells what she did there. I hope to see her this weekend. She is getting so big.
We are into May and spring is here. I sure wish you were. I miss you so much.

Love Mom

Anonymous

April 27, 2010

Hey Mark

Another shift change is upon us. A lot of "new guys" got bumped to dayshift. Its strange when I think how you were only here for one shift pick, one shift change...yet you had such an impact on all of us.

Your family and friends are a blessing to me. I was so proud to finally have the opportunity to introduce them to my own family. Your Mom is funny...she says I'm "stuck" with her no matter how I feel about it! Well, I wouldn't have it any other way! Love you Faith!!!

Until the next time Sawyers....

Kathy

Anonymous

April 11, 2010

Dear Mark,

I still think about you every day. I miss you terribly. Dad and I were talking about some of the things we did when you were little. We talked about the time we went to Myrtle Beach and someone said a man caught a shark. We have you on the video saying did you hear, did you hear about the man who caught the shark. Michelle, Rich and I were talking about the cruise we went on and how you and Donnie were not quite ready to leave the ship when it was time to disembark. We have lots of good memories and pictures although it is hard to look at them.
Lily is on her way to Disney World. She is so excited. When I went in February she asked me if I saw Aerial and if she remembered me from when we went in 2005. I told her yes of course she remembered us and I told her to tell Aerial I said hi. She is a riot.
Well another Easter is here and the weather is beautiful. The only thing missing is you.
I love you and miss you.

Love Mom

Anonymous

April 3, 2010

Dear Mark,

I have been thinking of you a lot lately. Silly things, like watching TV, when a show came on about lions vs tigers. Tracy said "that sounds like a Mark question." Or seeing a picture of a dog that looks like Caesar reminded me of you playing with him. Of course, every time I look at Lily, I see so much of you in her. Hard to believe she will be seven this summer. She has your quick wit, that's for sure. Please know that we all still miss you, even more as every day passes, and know that we carry you in our hearts forever.

Diane Bawcum
Mother-in-law

March 12, 2010

As I read the reflectins left by family members, namely your mother, it's obvious that there's still alot of pain.

To your faimly: Mark is remembered by officers from all over the country. When you hurt, we hurt! So use the strong shoulders of his brothers/sisters in Michigan, to brace yourself on those tough days. Or where ever you are, when memories become difficult, find a cop, we will listen!

God Bless You, Officer Sawyers, your family is in our prayers!

Officer Shane Gadoury
Tampa Police Department, FL

January 19, 2010

I started visiting this site soon after Mark was taken. I followed it for a very long time, as I felt like I knew him and his family personally. It has been a little over a year since I last visited and felt that after all this time I should leave a message. It was because of Mark that I put up blue lights in my Christmas decorations. Most people don't understand the meaning but I do. I hope that Mark's family knows how much it means to the citizens of Michigan that he gave his live to protect all of us. I wish his family the best and want them to know even though I never met him I think about him often.

Anonymous

January 13, 2010

Mark,

I just wanted you to know we are thinking of you and yours through the holiday season and new year. Your Lily is a beautiful young lady, she looks so much like you. You are loved and missed soo much, by so many. I hope your playing disc golf with Michael up there. Rest in Peace.

Andrea Mitchell(Mosher)& Family

January 11, 2010

Never Forgotten.

952
Ottawa Co. Sheriff's Office

January 6, 2010

Dear Mark,

Another Christmas is here and I miss you terribly. It's been 5 years and the pain I feel is still so great. Dad went with to light the candle at the grave site. It just does not seem like it is forever. I keep hoping you are going to walk in the door and tell me it is a bad dream. Life can really stink at times. I miss you so much. You are always on my mind and in my heart. I love you. Merry Christmas

Love Mom

Anonymous

December 24, 2009

Happy Birthday Brother...

Anonymous

November 29, 2009

Happy Birthday a few hours early Mark!

Kathy

Anonymous

November 28, 2009

Dear Mark,

Happy Birthday. We miss you so much. As we played "Always On My Mind" on the karaoke machine Wednesday night we were all thinking about you. Tomorrow we will celebrate you life with family and friends. You made us proud and I can only hope that you are looking down, helping to keep us safe, and are proud of us. Its been a tough battle but we are continuing on. We just go on with broken hearts. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you.I look at your picture everyday. When I see Lily I see you. Her facial features are just like yours. Her constant questions are just like yours when you were younger only in a different nature. She always wants to know why things are. She is so smart. She has so much to say about everything. She is like a little walking dictionary and encyclopedia all in one. Yvonne continues to be a wonderful mother and role model for Lily. I know you knew she would be when you married her.
Happy Birthday.
I love and miss you.

Love Mom

Anonymous

November 28, 2009

**Never Forgotten**

Anonymous

November 9, 2009

Dear Mark,

We had Lily Saturday night. Michelle invited us to her kids Halloween Party. Trenna and Aaliyah went with us. The kids had a ball. The basement was decorated and they had music and a fog machine going. They had games for all the kids and lots of food. Lily loved being with the girls. When I was taking her home Sunday she informed me that she will now fly anywhere for a vacation. Up until now she was pretty set that she would not fly anywhere. I think Diane told her to try it and she might like it although we have been telling her that. Plus she has flown four times before. It is just something she got in her head and decided she did not want to do it. Yvonne really wants to go to Florida. I told her to go with us to Monte Bay and then we would do Florida. Don't know if I sold that idea. Anyways we had a great visit with Lily. She still looks like you and has your eyes.
Friday I leave to go to Little Rock for the parent retreat. I am looking forward to it but I know it is an emotional weekend too. I hope I can be of some help to the new parents that will be there.
I love and miss you.

Love Mom

Anonymous

October 26, 2009

Be with us at Emma's appointment today.
We love & miss you.

Stephanie, Keith & Emma

Anonymous

October 22, 2009

I just played the DVD and while it is a beautiful tribute to you, it is still so hard to watch. Seeing your call sign in print brings me to tears. "C30" belongs to you forever. You are deeply missed by your friends and co-workers everyday. Please keep watching over them Mark.

Kathy

Anonymous

October 10, 2009

Dear Mark,

I am finally getting my classes use to my routine. Alexis is at the second round of the pass,punt and kick contest in Troy. If she wins this round she goes to Ford Field for the finals during a Lions Game. We are going to watch Kyle's football game today and then Alexis has a doubleheader in basketball.
Lily went up north with Yvonne's mom and dad. She was really excited about going and it is going to be a nice weekend. The colors should be changing. Lily was voted her class representative to Student Council. The class liked her speech the best. Maybe we have a politician in the family (republican of course)haha
Dad loves retirement. He says it is not for everyone because it is certainly different being home alone everyday. He helps with all the housework and cooking during the week. I work the two nights in adult ed so I have a lot too.
Well that's about it. I love and miss you. You are always on my mind. Hey the guy from KY that won America's Got Talent sang that song. He should have won and did. He deserved it.
I love you.

Love Mom

Anonymous

October 10, 2009

Mark

I want you to know you are still in my thoughts when I reflect on the fallen friends of the past. I like to think of you as a heavenly officer now. Instead of just being a guardian of people in the flesh. You can now help protect their very souls. Until I see you again ..

James Lewis
Friend

August 25, 2009

Mark, In the last week there have been things that have reminded me of you more than normal. I, like alot of people see things or have have strong sensations that you are very much a part of everyones life still. Yesterday was the first time I have visited you at the cemetary since 2005. Sorry, for that. It is still very sad that your gone. There is not a day that I dont think about you and your family. I'm proud to have known you and thank-you for everything. Although you never hand a chance to meet him, my son Andrew wanted to leave that memorial band for you. Keep looking out for us brother.. Adam

Anonymous

August 23, 2009

Dear Mark,

We all went to the police softball tournament last night. Lily threw out the first pitch. I worked with her for about 5 minutes before hand. She did pretty good. She got the ball to the plate but it was a little low. Oh well, she did a great job. We are so proud of her. She stood there for over a half hour in the heat waiting to do her little job. Look out for all the officers who took the time to come to play in the Wouters/Sawyers Tournament. We met a lot of nice guys. We all hung out and watched the homerun derby. We willl pulling for Jason from S.H. but he was eliminated in the second round.
Today a bunch of us went to Michelles to swim and have a cookout. Rich, Ed and his family, Donnie and his kids, Yvonne and her kids and me and Dad. We had a lot of fun. Of course the kids all loved the pool. Lily is spending the night with Alexis.
Well that's it for now.

I love and miss you very much. I write like you are here because to me you are still here. I feel your presence and get my signals from you. You are also in my heart and soul. You always will be.

Love Mom

Anonymous

August 15, 2009