Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

**Never Forgotten**

Officer
Bay City (MI) Police Department

February 4, 2014

Mark,

Thank you for all of the signs the last few days! I saw 76 everywhere. I love that I still get these signs and feel it is you. Please send some signs for your mom. I pray she can open her heart to them and see them as a sign of your love.

I miss you dearly, and still have bad days. However, I have so much in my life that makes it full and happy. The kids are getting so big. Lily almost wears the same shoe size as me! Camden lost his first tooth the other day. They love to annoy one another as brothers and sisters do best, but they also make me laugh with their funny dances and things they do together. They are out sledding with Matt right now. He's so good about doing the fun activities that memories are made of. God has given me another wonderful, loving husband and I am beyond grateful for it. I just have this feeling that you see all this and have helped to make our lives what they are today as our guardian angel.

Christmas morning all six grandparents came over for breakfast. I sat there and watched them all talking and interacting, and almost cried. We are so blessed to have six amazing people in our lives that come together for the kids, get along, and make it our 'normal.' Your mom got here first and started taking charge cooking breakfast. You know how she is, she's all business! I love that about her. I never have to worry when she's around about getting stuff done. Your dad cooked everyone's eggs. It made me smile because you were my egg man for breakfast, too. I know that you are so proud of them for how they have handled all of this. I know I am too. They have such big hearts and I love them so much.

I missed our Caesar so much, so I started looking for a dog to rescue. I found a puppy that is four months old that we took on a week trial adoption. We told the kids Christmas morning that we were keeping him. Lily loves him a lot already! I know it will be a lot of work, but I am excited! He's going to be a big boy!

I know I don't wrote on here as often as I used to, but I guess that's just part of the grief process. No one is ever healed, but time does help. So does a busy life! I try my best to live life, make memories, and be thankful for all that God has given me. My favorite analogy is the one about God weaving a tapestry. It reminds me that he is always there, and that my life is a work in progress. Thank you for being a beautiful piece in that tapestry. You are a part of me forever, and I love you so. Merry Christmas.

Yvonne
Wife

December 26, 2013

Merry Christmas Mark, I love and miss you so much. These ten years have been HELL not being with you. You had so much going for you and your family. It just breaks my heart, It is so unfair that all someone wanted was a gun. All you ever did was want to protect people. So senseless. He took mine and JR son, Michelle and Michael's brother, he took Yvonne's husband, and Lily's Daddy. Why!!!!. It is making me crazy thinking about it. You were getting to the point where you had everything going for you. You had two careers, a great wife and baby, looking for the Big House and you loved your job. It pains me to run through all this so I better stop and focus on the reason for the season which I know is Jesus Christ. I just wish you were here. I am so sorry that there was nothing I could do to protect you.
I love you Mark and can't wait to get to be with you. I love you.

Mom

December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas Mark!!!!
Your mom is still having a hard time with losing you. She goes on crying spells and it is so sad. We try to be of help but sometimes she just wants to be left alone. She is on a better medication and it seems to help but she just wants you to come home. I feel so bad for her. She is never going to see her Mark again. I can't immagine it. The daily pain. All we can do is try to be there for her. We need to help lift the Sawyers Family Up. The 10 year anniversary is coming and they are trying to blot it out but they do want to go to DC and be a part of it. They just hurt all the time and I wish we could do something to help.

Warren PD who knows the whole family
Warren PD

December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas Mark! Still thinking of you and your wonderful family.

Sgt
Stelring Hts, PD

December 24, 2013

Dear Mark,

Happy 40th Birthday. Look down, you can see the blue 76 numbers all lit up from a long way off. I miss you everyday. You are still always on my mind and always will be.
Lily was down today and her hair is getting darker but her facial features are just like yours. She is doing so well in school. A smarty just like you. Tomorrow she is coming down and spending the night. We are going to Huckleberry Railroad.
On Saturday we will put the wreath down that Lily picked out for Christmas. She always picks out something really pretty. I have not written in awhile because it it very painful. It breaks my heart to write to you and not be able to talk to you.
I try to enjoy the holidays but it is hard. You should be here, it just isn't right or fair.

I love you and always will.

Love Mom

Faith Sawyers
Mom

November 28, 2013

Mark, I look at you and I see Lily. I look at Lily and I see you. This warms my heart.

Diane
Mother-in-law

September 23, 2013

Your badge number has been popping up in my world a lot the last few weeks. "76" seems to be everywhere. Seeing it, noticing it, realizing it makes me smile, no matter the situation it always brings me comfort. Thank you Mark, for continuing your Watch from Heaven.

Friend
SHPD

August 25, 2013

Rest in peace, my brother...

Sgt. J. Sawyer A7979
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

August 12, 2013

Sterling Heights put on a lovely candle light vigil last night. Kathy talked a lot about you and Lily. She did a great job. Lily was a little nervous so played with one of the canine dogs. Anyways, it was nice. and Kathy and Colleen did all the work for it.
Tonight, we had 54 people came for dinner, and share story about a time they had with you. Everyone has had a time that they got to do something odd or weird with you. We all have our share of memories and they are the ones that we keep right close to our heart. Lily is going to be 10 soon and she is so smart. She keeps growing and I am trying to keep her little.
Anyways, I love you, I will always love you, and I know that one day we will be together.
That is my prayer to God. The other one is that one day my sister and I will reunite and have a sister relationship. I have tried to get her and I to work on a relationship but she does not seem to want one. On a good note today, Heidi and Heather came to my house for the Memorial Dinner. Heather brought her baby Jordan who is cute as a bug. She seems to be a good baby. I was so happy to see them all.
Anyways, I love you and miss you very very much.
Your friends we all here except Harold to celebrate your life.
He could not make it this year. He has another baby on the way. (3)Love Mom

Mom

June 5, 2013

The song lyrics "in the arms of an angel" played over and over in my head all day as I thought of you, as it was from one of the songs played at your funeral. It brings back the memory of a few years back when I drove to Mark's park on your EOW anniversary. I was having a bad day with it, and as I pulled up to the park, this same song started playing. I felt as if you were there telling me you were ok, as you were in the arms of an angel. This song will bring me to tears for the rest of my life every time I hear it. I know you are ok as you are with God and the Angels, but those you leave behind will never fully be ok. I pray for peace for Yvonne, Lily, your parents and your siblings.
Miss you still and always.

Diane Bawcum
Mother-in-law

June 5, 2013

RIP my brother...your service is not forgotten.

Sergeant Barton
Garden City PD

June 2, 2013

Thinking of you. I cannot believe that it's been 9 years. I think of you often.

.

May 22, 2013

Mark,

Thinking of you today as Sterling Heights honors you at their Peace Officers Memorial service today. I wish I could have attended.

As always, thinking of you.

Diane Bawcum - Mother-in-law

May 16, 2013

Sir,

Thank you for your brave service and for your sacrifice. It is easily seen how you have touched the lives of so many. Continue to keep your fellow officers, your friends, and for family safe as you look over them. You will NOT be forgotten.

To Officer Sawyers Family, including his wife and mother,

I am truly sorry for your loss. All these years later I can see your pain. I can tell that Mark was a good man, I hope that you can find peace in that. My prayers are with you now and always.

God Speed.

PKL
Son of Police Officers

March 25, 2013

**Never Forgotten**

Police Officer
Bay City (MI) Police Department

February 22, 2013

I've called Sterling Heights home for the last 15 years. After working in Detroit everyday, it has always made me especially grateful. I honestly love the SHPD & appreciate the men & women who keep us safe. Your death was so sense less it breaks my heart. I want you & your family to know that you are not forgotten. Thank you for your service...

Angela & David Coudenys
Corrections Officers
Detroit Reentry Center/RRF
Michigan Department of Corrections

February 4, 2013

Mark,

We were blessed with a lunch break today, so I went to Target to pick up a few things. As always, I spent a few moments in the lot, in "the spot" still clearly identified with "76" painted in blue. I will never forget ya Sawyers!

"Who You'd Be Today"


Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.

It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?

Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.

It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?

Today, today, today.
Today, today, today.

[Instrumental Break]

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
The only thing that gives me hope,
Is I know I'll see you again some day.

Some day, some day, some day.

Kathy
SHPD

January 15, 2013

Dear Mark,

We saw Lily on New Year's Day. She is doing great in school. She is growing up so quickly. I am trying to think of a way to keep her little but have not figured that out. She has so much of your ways and looks.

Happy New Year. I love and miss you.

Mom

January 5, 2013

Dear Mark,

I miss you and love you. Take care of all the little children from Connecticut. Merry Christmas.

Love Mom

Mother of Mark Sawyers

December 25, 2012

Mark,
Thinking of you on this Christmas day wishing you were here.

Diane Bawcum
Mother-in-law

December 25, 2012

Mark,

As I began my shift tonight, I sit here and listen to my co-workers taking calls. Tonight was the first snowfall that was of any significance. They took accident call after accident call, We had some family troubles too. I find myself thinking about you even more lately. Maybe it's because of time of year, Maybe it's because some people think that our job is not a personal service. I wish they could feel how personal it actually is.. Anyway, I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and your family.

Merry Christmas Mark....

Adam Vanderleun
Sterling Heights Dispatch

December 24, 2012

Mark,

Happy Birthday, baby. Wishing you were here to say it to you. I still try to picture what you would look like at 39 years old. It was nice to see your parents, Michelle, Alexis, and Rich. Lily is just so enamored by your sister. It's cute to see her looking up to her. Of course, she talked everyone's ear off about horses :-) She just got moved up another level. Youngest in her class. She looks so little out there! I can't help to think you would be proud of her and her passion for the sport. She's a brave little girl! We love you and miss you. Xoxoxo

Yvonne
Wife

November 29, 2012

**Never Forgotten**

Police Officer
Bay City (MI) Police Department

November 11, 2012

Dear Mark,

Dad and I were out to White Chapel last week and it was really nice to see that someone from Harper Woods had been out there and left a challenge coin and patch. I am thrilled that someone would take the time to stop in to visit your grave. Thanks to whoever that was.
Lily is playing volleyball and loves it. She is taller than a lot of kids her age so that is an advantage for her.
Dad and I went with Michelle to see the Ovations(the band that Dad grew up with). It was in Corbin and we had a great visit with Dad's family. Demon was there and they remember you visiting when you were maybe 8 years old. They remembered you playing basketball with Michelle and their girls in the driveway.
Well anyways, I love and miss you. Your are Always On My Mind........

Love Mom

Mom
Mom

September 23, 2012