Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Yvonne-
I can imagine what an odd time in your life this is right now with a new husband and baby. I've never met you, but think about you and your husand Mark, often and the sacrifices both you and he made to keep my community safe. You have shown grace and courage when many others wouldn't have been able to. I wish you continued happiness and it brings comfort on some level to know that you are no longer alone.

Patrice

August 7, 2007

Hi Mark,

I just got back from visiting Pam in Georgia. The trip went well. I love and miss you so much.

Love Mom

August 7, 2007

Yvonne, I join "Texas" in staying that I don't know you either, but enjoy reading about how Lily is doing. You lived a devoted life to Mark, and now that God has brought him home, you DO need to move forward, enjoy life, enjoy loving again. After the birth of my first child, I thought I could never love another baby like I did the first. But then came the next child, and out of my heart came even more love. Loving another man in your new life with Lily does not mean you stopped loving Mark, or forgot him. Loving another man means that you are blessed to have a heart so incredibly strong and big, you have room to love more. Continue to be as happy as you sound as you move on with your life. It most certainly had to be a day full of mixed emotions, happiness and tears. We all know how much you miss and love Mark and always will. As you go forward, you'll undoubtedly look back and reflect, and the beautiful memories of Mark will be fill your heart! That's a beautiful thing! May God always, always bless you, Lily, your new husband and unborn child.

August 4, 2007

Yvonne,
I've never met you, yet through your reflections I feel you have to be the most loving, compassionate, caring, intelligent and amazing woman there is. You were correct when you said people want to know about your life we do, we all have a bond that come to ODMP we've either lost friends,partners,sons,daughters, ect... and your right you do not forget you do not love any less,however, God took our loved ones to such a wonderful amazing place and we are left to complete 'something' you are not done Yvonne congratulations on your pregnancy and marriage peace be with you and your life be filled with continuous love. Again I do not know you, but, Yvonne I honestly think Mark is relieved you and Lily are not alone anymore. God Bless you.

Texas

August 2, 2007

Daddy,

nbxlurazzzzzzzzzzzzzzz216iiuytreffdv vbnbnjhmkkppolliyytree4r444rrrgggggnnbntjm.,,dddm
nbvcxzzsswe3222ghjjjjjjjjjj.,mnbvcxzyteeeeeeeeww
wggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

I miss you. I love you.

Love
Lily
oxoxoooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox
oxxooxxxxxxoxoxoxooxxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxooxooxo
oxoxoooxoxxooooxoxxoxoooxxoxoxxxxxx
(lily did her own x's and o's and she said she was putting lots because she loves you lots)

August 1, 2007

Mark,

What a crazy couple of months it has been. I wanted to write on here so many times, but the words are hard to find.

Saturday was my second wedding day. Matt and I were married. Lily was the flower girl. So many friends and family were there to support us. It was not easy these last few weeks preparing for all of this. I found myself in tears quite a bit. It's hard to describe all of the emotions that go through me. A lot of it was just the harsh reality that you and I are not together. It had nothing to do with being unsure of anything. I am very sure about this new stage of my life. It is a very happy time, yet so sad as well.

I feel that I have your support on all of this. I know you see how much love Matt has for me and Lily and how much respect he has for you and your family.

One of the hardest parts was seeing how happy people were when I told them I was engaged. It felt like they were thinking "she's all better now." This doesn't make anything better. I feel like a part of me will never live again, there will always be a hole in my heart that can not be healed. Another love does not replace that or you. It doesn't change what happened and what we went and continue to go through, or the fact that you should be here with me and Lily.

I want you to know that I have not changed. I still talk to you and about you to just about anyone who will listen. Lily and I talk about you all of the time. She is very excited to have a stepdad, but she knows who her real dad is, and always will. You will always be in our lives. We will always tell her how much you love her, do our best to tell her everything we can about you, show her videos and pictures, and anything else we can to help her feel close to you.

I do feel blessed that I have so much love in my life. I always tell Lily that the wonderful thing about God is that he made our hearts so big, we have room to love lots of people.

Your family has been very supportive of me. I know you would be proud of them. I love them all so much. I know this is not easy for them, and they have been so wonderful to me. I am amazed at their strength, graciousness, and loyalty. I will always be grateful to them for the love and support they continually give me. Everyone always asks how my in-laws treat me, and I am so proud to say that they treat me as family, as their daughter and sister.

I also have another blessing coming. We are expecting a baby boy December 2nd. I think God sometimes knows what we need even when we don't. I am very excited to have another child. Lily is overjoyed at being a 'big sister.' I've been pretty sick with this pregnancy. That's one reason I have not written in awhile.

The other reason is out of respect for you and your family. This website is about you, not me. I didn't really want to write about what was happening in my private life. Yet so much of it involves you, that it was hard to draw the line on what to write and not to write. I also know that many people still read the reflections to find out how Lily and I are doing.

I don't know how much I will be writing on here, alot I keep inside or talk to family and good friends about. I guess I will just let it come naturally.

I hope you saw my blue pin on my wedding dress, and the candle with your badge that we lit in your honor at the reception. I wanted people to know that I was not moving on and leaving you behind, but moving forward and carrying you with me. I will always have you and your family with me in my heart and my life.

You gave me so much in the short nine years we were together. I love you with all my heart and soul. I know when we see each other again it will be as if no time has passed.

All my love,
Yvonne
xoxoxo

August 1, 2007

Officer Sawyers God Bless you and your family.

Grand Prairie Police, Tx
Sergeant Greg Hunter(06-18-04)

August 1, 2007

Its been quite some time since I last wrote to you. Not to say that I haven't stopped by this site a half a million times! (ok--maybe a little less than that!) I think of you every day, and still wonder "what might have been".

What do you think about your talented little Miss Lily?? She's in love with kaoreoke!!! Nothing like a 4 year old holding a crowd captive with her version of "Down Town"!! She is forever surrounded by so many people that TRULY love her and care about her. People that will make absolutely certain she is always safe and happy and loved. People that will always talk to her about her Daddy. You will always be her Hero! She loves and misses you so much Mark. We all do!

Until the next time,

Kathy

SHPD

July 31, 2007

Dear Mark,

I have not written in a while. It has been tough being home a lot. I have too much time to think and relieve the whole thing. I love and miss you.

Love Mom

July 20, 2007

Dear Mark,

WE had a great family reunion here on Saturday. The only thing missing was you. I took everyone to the Mark Sawyers Family Park on Friday. They were happy and surprised at how nice it was. Everyone loved the two signs. A neighbor there was watering the flowers that another neighbor planted. I thanked him and told him how much we appreciate all that they do to remember you.
Lily was quite the performer on Saturday. Everyone remarked on how well she talks and is so smart. She had her performance on Saturday night and Yvonne said she did good. I could not go but will watch the video and see pictures.
I miss you and love you so much.

Love Mom

June 25, 2007

Not a day goes by that I don't think about June 4, 2004. I didn't know you or your family but, they have been in my prayers daily since then.
I live right across the street and my family takes nightly walks and that night we were running 15 mins late leaving our door. I also have a little girl (just a little older than yours) and didn't know what was going on so I took her back home and waited to hear what happen. You and your family have touched my life forever.
I want to say thank you for doing your job to serve and protect the residents of Sterling Heights. You will always be in my heart as a hero!

Donna

June 19, 2007

Mark,

What a week it has been! Lily's party was on Saturday. She had a blast. A lot of people came to her party. She knew exactly what kind of party she wanted. Barbie with pizza and cupcakes. I made all of the cupcakes myself. The Big Boy bakery experience came in handy for decorating them! She loved it. She asked Barbie all kinds of questions. She loved the karoake machine your parents got her. She was jumping up and down with excitement when she figured out what it was! I hope you saw her. The kids were all so well behaved, and like usual, Lily wanted to be right next to Alexis the whole time!

We went to the cemetery yesterday for Father's Day. Lily picked out a balloon to leave. It was a Get Well balloon. I told her that God made you all better in heaven, so you didn't need to get well. She said, well, it's for God to get better. She was adamant so I just let her get it. People at the cemetery are probably a little confused by it, but such is life. She picked out pink and yellow flowers to leave and a Dora Father's Day card. Dora is dressed as a pirate. She said she wanted to leave you the "aarrgh" card because you would like it!

The whole way to the cemetery she asked so many questions. Mostly to do with what burying someone means, and if you are alive in heaven, and if you can see, touch, etc. I did the best that I could. But it is so hard to answer her questions. When I give her an answer, she doesn't quite understand and has to ask more questions, which of course, I have no answers, just my beliefs. I had to tell her she reached her quota for the day and she couldn't ask me anything else. She said "but I want to talk to you!" I said you can talk to me, just no more questions right now.

After the cemetery we went to your parents to swim and eat. Lily loves the pool. Then we went to my parents and played outside. She played on the playset, in the sandbox, and fished in the pond. She had a great time. Yesterday she kept saying "I'm four now, I can do anything I want." or "I'm four, you can't tell me that."

Yesterday being her actual birthday and Father's Day kept me thinking about the past. Remembering the day she was born and all of the special things between the two of you. I wonder about what it be like if you were still here. It saddens me that you are missing out on all of this. What keeps me going is the hope that you are seeing everything from above.

I have to get going. Lily is very cranky. She wants me to hold her on the couch. I don't think she feels good. I wanted to write real quick though to tell you I thought of you all weekend. Happy Father's Day, honey. Thank you for the best gift of my life. I love you so much and miss you even more.

All my love,
Yvonne
xoxoxo

June 18, 2007

Hi Mark

Your baby is four today. We went to her party yesterday and she looked so much like you. Her hair is dark but her face is you all over. She had lots of lttle friends there and Barbie paid a visit. She loved that. Barbie was beautiful.
Lily jumped on the trampoline with her friends and played games. She gots lots of presents and was a little overwhelmed with so many. I know she would have liked to stp and play with each one as she opened them. Yvonne has done a great job raising Lily. But make no mistake, she is just like you. That stuff she comes up with. Yvonne thought maybe Barbie coming was a surprise. Lily already knew and had told some people that Barbie would be at her party. She is too smart not to know everything that is going on.
We got to see Harold and Lisa's little Mark. He is a cutie.
I better go but I wanted to wish you a Happy Father's Day.

I love and miss you so much.

Love Mom

June 17, 2007

Hey Mark, I wanted to wish you a peaceful Father's Day as you watch your little girl from above! What a fun and cute piece of work you and Yvonne created. We saw her when we went to your memorial at Target and she was singing for us and she kept staring at Nathan! It was very nice to see everyone again, it's been way too long! I know you are busy watching them all today as they gather for Lily's birthday party. Nathan was planning to go but then grandpa was coming down to visit and he wanted to see him for Father's Day! RIP Hero and we think of you and your family often! Happy Father's Day to you!!!

Yvonne, I know how hard tomorrow will be for you and Lily as I feel the same...know that my thoughts and prayers for strength are with you!!!

Take care all and we send our love
Kari

KARI

June 16, 2007

Three years. Wow. You were taken from your family the same day Michael was taken from us. For that we will always have a special and very strange bond.

To Mark's friends and family--I wish you peace at this time of year. Believe me, I know it doesn't get any easier. The tears may not come every day but I know you still think of Mark and miss him just as much as the week he died. Please take some comfort in knowing that you are not alone and that we are all family.

Take care. God bless.

Denise L. Wise
Widow, Michael H. Wise, II EOW 6/5/04

June 6, 2007

Mark,
I don't know what to say because there is so much to say. 3 years.... Not a day goes by that we don't think of you and pray for your family..
We will remember forever the terrible night 3 years ago yesterday and the finality 3 years ago today.

We miss you.... We still love you...

You know how we feel...

June 5, 2007

Just wanted to let you and your family know that I'm thinking about you and praying for them. You are a hero, and I will never forget the sacrifice you made today 3 years ago, and the sacrifice your family will have to go through for the rest of their lives.
On Clint's first anniversary, I never liked using death, so I decided to say it was Clint's first birthday in Heaven. We celebrated Clint's third birthday in Heaven on January 14th of this year. So I hope you don't mind; Officer Mark Sawyers is celebrating his third birthday in Heaven today.
The blue candles are burning 24/7 in my windows.
Your family will be in our prayers.

Connie Barker Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04 Prattville, Al

June 5, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Sawyers on the anniversary of his passing. My heart aches for your family. Don't ever forget he was a hero. He paid the ultimate sacrifice trying to make this world a better place to live.
May God give you all comfort.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

June 5, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 3rd anniversary of your EOW. It still sickens me how one individual who was nothing but a coward brought all this pain and grief onto your loved ones. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case. You are a true hero.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

June 5, 2007

Dear Family of Mark,

We are thinking of you today, knowing that this date and it's happenings will never seem real, and that the tremendous loss of Mark in you life on this earth will never get any easier. It seems like there should be something that we could say or do that would undo everything and make them walk back in the door. All we can say is we will remember Mark and pray for his strength and goodness to help you carry on day by day.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

June 5, 2007

Mark,

It is so heartbreaking visting your website and reading all the nice reflections. Today, however, we are visiting to remember you and the sacrifices you made for each and every one of us on that day, three years ago. In reading Yvonne's reflection below about how everyone still wears your t-shirts, we also still continue to wear both our t-shirts and sweatshirts in your honor, and will continue to do so. It is still amazing how time passes so quickly. It seems like just yesterday we were all sitting around a table at Liberty Park after softball having a good old time! We are so proud to say that we were your friends and memories of days like those will always stay with us!

Your Friends,
Den & Jen Brozowski

June 5, 2007

Today we remember you, Officer Sawyers. You went where others feared to go. You did this for the protection of people you never met. In doing so you gave your life for the safety of the innocent. Thank you, sir. YOU ARE A HERO!

TROOPER TOLLOND
MASS STATE POLICE

June 5, 2007

Officer Sawyers,
Three years ago today, heaven gained an angel. I cannot imagine how your family has managed the strength to carry on - they must have learned this strength from you. You and your loved ones are in my thoughts today, and I thank you for having what it takes to have served in the capacity of protecting us.

a Pennsylvania citizen

June 5, 2007

Still remembered......
Wife of a michigan deputy

June 5, 2007

Today - a day of;
Tears,pain,heartache,sorrow and memories. Followed by an evening of the same the night before as we held our candelight vigil for you.

Thanks for the signs. Miss you.
Love Diane

Diane Bawcum
Mother-in-law

June 5, 2007