Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mark I know you live on forever above and always in our hearts! I have not seen you since grade school and the memories you instilled in me then are those of a soft spoken, kind hearted boy. I knew you would grow up and continue to touch hearts. It doesn't surprise me you would enter a job to help others.

You have touched so many lives in your time here and we will all meet again someday. It is so true that all the good people go to heaven first I guess he has bigger missions for you!

Kelly Pate-Pellow

Kelly Pate-Pellow

June 29, 2004

Mark, You were a man of honor. I had your wife for a Teacher @ Utica High School what a great person. We always used to talk about you when you worked in Detroit. I always talked to Mrs.Sawyers on how much you loved your job, and when you got hired in Sterling Heights i went to visit Mrs.Sawyers after i left Utica and she said " Avis, did you Mark got hired in at Sterling Heights Police Department" i said " No, when did he get in she said this year i said ooooo thats great he will love it their. What a great Police Department to work for. Mark i just want to tell you if you ever need anything to let me know. Mrs.Sawyers and Lily will be well taken care of. Until the day i start my patroling with you heaven I LOVE YOU. Avis Antoun SHPE POST# 80

Avis Antoun Sterling Heights Police Expl
Sterling Heights Police Explorers Post# 80

June 28, 2004

Family & Friends of Officer Mark Sawyer,

I'm sorry for your loss and please know that you will be in my prayers. I pray that justice comes fast for the cowerd who committed this act of violence. Rest in peace my friend and know that you will never be forgotten.

Patrolman David Carroll
Choctaw P.D. Choctaw Oklahoma

June 28, 2004

Mark, you will be remembered for your brave work and service to our community. I am going into the US Navy to be a police officer, and will do everything that I can to uphold the honor that you, and so many others have brought to your noble profession. The city of Sterling Heights has lost a son, and you will not be forgotten. Thank you for your service Officer Sawyers, and may god bless you.

United States Navy

June 26, 2004

to the family of officer sawyers and the entire sterling heights police department.
it has now been 3 weeks since this young man had his life taken away. and for these past 3 weeks i have been wondering the same thing over and over. why did this monster who took mark away from you choose to act out in the manner that he did ? this tragic event has horrified me to no end. this man not only turned a families life upside down, but for a few hours the following day, a normally quiet neighborhood was also turned upside down. how do you explain to a 3 year old who is crying because i did not feel safe enough to take her out for an evening walk that there would be no evening walk to the park, when she asks why there are so many police cars around, how do you answer that ? but most importantly, how do you explain to a 1 year old little girl the reason she will never see her father face to face again ? to the family he was a great joy to have and they are very lucky to have had the time that they did have with him. to the citizens he is a hero who shall never be forgotten. as i stated in one of the pomes that i wrote following officer sawyers death, THROUGH ALL THE SEASONS, WINTER SPRING SUMMER AND FALL, BADGE 76 WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL.
god bless you officer mark anthony sawyers, god bless your family , may they take comfort in the fact that they have a new guardian angel to constantly watch over them, and god bless the sterling heights police deaprtment. and one day we all will be able to smile again.

karrie martin

June 26, 2004

Mark,
It has now been three weeks since that terrible night when your life was stolen from you, and our hearts were stolen from us. I still cannot believe that this has happened to you, to Yvonne and Lily, to our families and to everyone else who knew and loved you. If only it were a nightmare that we could wake up from.

Do you hear me when I talk to you througout the day, and every night? I ask that you will forever be a Guardian Angel to Yvonne and Lily. I also ask that you help guide and protect your fellow officers in their search for this monster who is responsible for destroying our lives.

The only thing that can make me smile now is seeing that beautiful baby of yours. She loves you so much. Remember how many people said she looks just like you from the moment she was born? I take comfort in that now. When I rocked her to sleep the other day, my tears started to flow again just thinking about what has been taken from her and Yvonne.

I want you to know Mark, that I am so grateful for the time Yvonne did have with you. You were a wonderful husband to her, and a great daddy to Lily. I still hear your voice, and see how your face lit up whenever your eyes met theirs.

I promise to always keep your memory alive to Lily for the rest of my life. She deserves to know what a kind, gentle and loving man her daddy is.

We love you and miss you so much Mark.

Diane Bawcum
Mother-in-Law

June 26, 2004

Kim and I continue to pray for you and your family, you have so many people that care for you. Thanks for looking out for us while we're on patrol.

P.O. Kowalik
Harper Woods Police Dept, MI

June 24, 2004

I PRAY FOR THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF OFFICER SAWYERS. HIS DEATH IS JUST ANOTHER SENSELESS ACT THAT MADE ABSOLUTLEY NO SENSE. GOD SPEED, OFFICER SAWYERS.

OFFICER J. ZILGE
NEWPORT P.D.

June 22, 2004

Mark,

I hope you enjoyed Lily's Birthday party yesterday. (She sure seems to love cake!) Everyone pulled together and tried to make it a special day for her & Yvonne. WOW! Does she have your smile....you know, the one that lights up a room! She is so beautiful!

I think about you every day. I promise to keep the candle burning until we find "him".

I miss you Mark

Kathy G

P.S. Did you catch the balloons?

Sterling Heights PD

June 21, 2004

Mark,
It was a honor and privledge to know you and to work alongside you. There was a smile on your face each and every day when you came to work. You treated every person with complete respect. Mark, you are a role model for how every police officer should act.
The most difficult task I ever had to perform was to stand next to you in that hospital room, alone. By holding your hand, it allowed me to have the strength and courage to be strong for your loving wife and family members.
As a member of the department's honor guard unit we had to be a rock. Hour after hour, I stood next to your casket, watching guard over your body as thousands of your family, friends and brothers and sisters in blue paid tribute to a fallen hero. It was your spirit which allowed us to stand still showing no emotion, when deep down we were hurting along with everyone else.
Mark, you are a hero not for the sudden and tragic way you were taken from us, but for the way you lived your life. I know you are proudly walking the streets of heaven with God, because that is how you walked them here on earth. Rest easy my comrade knowing that your loving wife and your beautiful daughter will have an entire department watching over them. Mark, your life will not be forgotten.

Officer Todd Langenderfer
Sterling Heights Police Department

June 18, 2004

It's been just a little more than a year ago that we lost a brother officer in a senseless murder. Now Sterling Heights PD has to go through the same pain. May God grant you peace on your new watch, and swift justice to the evil man whose cowardice and depravity led him to commit a cold-blooded murder of a brave, innocent man.
To the rest of the Sterling Heights PD, I can only give this small comfort as it was given to us by our brother:
"It's a glorious day--let's do the Lord's work, fight crime, and suppress evil." - Ofcr Patrick K. Hardesty, Tucson PD, EOW 05-26-03.

Anonymous
Tucson Police Dept.

June 18, 2004

In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death. --Proverbs 12:28

Ptl. I. A. McShane
Deptford Township Police Department

June 17, 2004

My condolences to Officer Sawyers family. It is ever so senseless that some perp can walk up to a police officer and shoot him in cold blood. It is beyond comprehension. with Godspeed, the perp will be caught. I hope Michigan has the death penalty as that is what he deserves. Bless you Officer Sawyers and bless your family everyday.

SFC William L. Farrell SFC (Ret)
US Army Military Police Corps

June 17, 2004

Go now, rest in peace. Your brothers in blue here on earth will carry on your journey. Your killer will be found and brought to jusitce!

Ofc. Wyatt #1433
Veterans Affairs Police Dept. (MN)

June 17, 2004

Mark,
It has been nearly two weeks since you were taken from us in a most horrific manner. In my mind, I still see your smiling face around the station, or out on the road, and can hear the kindness in your voice on the radio. At your funeral, many eulogized you with such graceful words. I felt it an honor to be just one of the thousands that paid final tribute to you that day. At the Police Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., there are four 2500 pound bronze Lion statues standing guard at the entrances. Inscribed on the wall at one of them are the words: "It is not how these officers died that made them heros, it is how they lived" (Vivian Eney - Survivor.) Without question, you lived your life in such a manner that you impacted people to their very core. I am humbled by your passing, and grateful to have been a comrade. Please watch over us all !

Terry (X-14)

Ofc. Terry Laurencelle
Sterling Heights Police Dept.

June 17, 2004

Brother, may God bless you and your family. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI New York

June 16, 2004

Psalm 23:4,5
Yea , though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Patrolman
Frankfort P.D.

June 16, 2004

A faithful young officer is laid to rest...

He takes his place among the best.

Respects were paid from near and far...

#110 will never be on another patrol car.

Badge 76 called out with emotions high...

Office Sawyers took his place patrolling in the sky.

Father, Husband,Brother, Son and Friend...

One day they will all be together again.

A life cut short and we can only ask why...

As the pipes played, we tried not to cry.

Tears were shed and throats were tight...

He was laid to rest in bright sunlight.

A tribute so grand, fit for a king...

Heartstrings pulled as we heard them sing.

As the bagpipes played Amazing Grace...

Tears welled up and ran down our face.

21 gun salute honored this man...

His soul delivered to God's Hand.

The Brotherhood of blue in numbers so strong...

Joined by the badge and yet a family all along.

They will continue to be involved to call and to care...

If ever a problem, they will be there.

Marks family must know they are never alone...

Officers call them one of their own.

With heavyhearts Mark Anthony Sawyers was laid to rest...

Not just one of many, but one of the very best.



JPelle 06/09/04

Judith Pelle
Beaumont Emergency Room

June 16, 2004

Mark, you will never know the honor I felt by being able to play the bagpipes for you one last time. I know you heard it in heaven. In my heart, you will always be my partner "C-30"
.......Godspeed, my friend

C-31
Sterling Hts. PD

June 16, 2004

Yvonne and Lily; our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. Mark was a hero, and will never be forgotten.

Angie & Chrissy K.
WCS

June 16, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at home and work. Thank you for paying the ultimate price. "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Thank you for your service.

Detention Officer J. Fickle
Bedford PD

June 16, 2004

My thoughts are prayers are with the family, friends, and coworkers of Officer Sawyers. Rest in peace our brother in blue. We'll take it from here.

Police Officer
North Carolina

June 15, 2004

My deepest sympathy for the family and fellow officers. My brother John was shot and killed on Christmas Day of 2003. We feel for you and pray for you.

Mary Wilkinson, sister of fallen officer

June 15, 2004

We passed a LEADS teletype around roll call a few days ago. It told of the cowardly attack against you. I had read of your tragic loss on this web site before that but somehow the teletype made it hit home. I thought of you throughout my shift that day. Rest well, my brother! My prayers are with your family.

Off. M.J. McRill
Sidney Police, Sidney, Ohio

June 15, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Sawyer. These times are hard now and it might get a little harder, but just always remember that Mark is up there watching over ALL of us, and I know that is a comfort to me even though I never knew him he is still my brother in blue. Rest In Peace Brother, and I will keep your family and friends in my prayers.

Patrol Sergeant, K.E. Bish Jr.
Virginia State University Police

June 14, 2004