Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another Christmas holiday is here and just wanted you and your family to know that you are still remembered and thought of.

Anonymous

December 24, 2010

Hey Darren, I know its has been a long time. I just want you to know everytime I look at the back of my ticket book and see your number I remember why I am out doing what I'm doing. I just wanted you to know that you have not been forgotten and never will. Thank you for all the good time times I remember for back in the days.

Anonymous

August 4, 2010

Merry Christmas brother

Anonymous

December 25, 2009

Just wanted to let ya know I stopped by the cemetery the other day and you are still being thought of.

Anonymous

October 5, 2009

Amazing how another year has gone by. Just once again letting you and everyone else know that you have never been forgotten.

Anonymous

June 13, 2009

I served in the United States Marine Corps with Darren. He was a hell of a guy, one that you could depend on for anything. My prayers go out to his family. Semper Fi

Steve Rinaldi, Special Agent
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Detroit

August 15, 2008

Darren,

I honestly cannot believe that it has now been four years. Time flies by, but you are never at all forgotten. You would not believe how many things constantly remind me of you.

Been hammering the drunks on a step program lately. Keep a good eye over us all. Your family is still always in my thoughts and prayers.

Just want everyone know how you touched each of us that knew you and how much respect people have for you. You are an amazing man.

June 12, 2008

Officer Medlin,

Your wife brought your story to Grapevine High School this year during the every 15 minute program. I did not know you personally, but I felt your family's pain through her story. I am thankful your wife shared your life and your terrible death with our young adults. My daughter's life was forever changed during this program as well as many of her friends.

My son is wanting to be a police officier. He read your story and said you must have been a wonderful person.

Thank you for your sacrifices. Our family will continue to remember your family as well as your fellow officers out protecting our wonderful city.

GHS parent

June 4, 2008

Even though I never had an honor to meet you, it seems like I have known you by all the great stories that the Grapevine officers have about you. Every time I go to the police department and on my way back home, I see your cross on the side of the road. God bless, my prayers are with your family

God Bless
Cody Harris #631
Grapevine Police Explorer

Cody Harris
Police Explorer

April 29, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 7, 2008

just wanted to greet you this New Year. Thank you for your kindness to all of us and the lives you touched. We miss you and will never forget.

Gillock
former Grapevine Explorer

January 15, 2008

Happy birthday, son. I miss you so much, it hurts. But I know I will see you One Day--that's what keeps me going.

August 14, 2007

You were a blessing and your sacrifice will always be appreciated. The search for justice will keep your memory alive.

Rest in peace.

Citizens Care

July 2, 2007

It has been 3 since you were called to Heaven. Rest in peace.

leo wife

June 12, 2007

May you rest safe in the hollow of His Hand, may He ever bless your loved ones and continue to give them grace and strength.

June 12, 2007

Darren its now been 3 years but feels like yesterday that you and me were cracking jokes at each other. I ztill think back on the things u thought me. There is not one day that goes by that I forget you. I had the chance to meet Gina and your sister and the rest of your family a while back and I wanted them to know that there brother was a great Officer and a great friend. Thanks for everything Darren. I miss u .

P.S. Just so u wont be let down your Family cause me Paco also.

Jose "Paco"Fernandez
Friend

June 12, 2007

It has been nearly 2 years since Darren's EOW. The heartfelt sympathy is still felt by the TPWD family.
Jim & I did have the pleasure & years of brotherhood within Region II ,Dist II and remember the good cases, programs, & hard work before Darren went to Grapevine PD. He & Jim were both red headed with fair skin & always had lots of sunscren and a big smile.
I am so proud of all the agencies sacrifices that they do every day for the community and our families. It takes a lot of courage and trust to continue working in such an everchanging world. What made me come & find this reflection page, We received an e mail that this webpage exisited because a young Game Warden of TPWD drowned this weekend in the line of duty, and he too was a great man of service and too terribly young to leave us. Several hundred Game Wardens & other agencies left out today for Ty's funeral and it reminded me of the overwhelming bond they all share. Darren is in our thoughts often and we wanted his family and friends to know that we are still missing him too.

Lauren Ballard (wife of Jim) TPWD
TPWD Family

June 3, 2007

I came across Darren's name while looking through these pages of the many heroes. I wanted to stop and leave a reflection to say he is a true hero and heroes never die. I know his loved ones think of him every hour of every day and the silent tears still fall. I ask that he continue to keep watch over his loved ones and protect them from harm and also watch over those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

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

February 22, 2007

Merry Christmas Big Brother. I miss you terribly but find great peace in knowing we will be together again with our Lord. Give Daddy a hug and kiss for me.
Your favorite sis, Kel

Kelli
Sister

December 27, 2006

Darren,

Another Christmas is upon us and another fellow officer was put to rest today. He too was killed by a drunk driver. Mark and I went to place a grave blanket on your grave Tuesday. It brought me peace to try and make something beautiful for you for the holidays. Mark misses you still so much. Please watch over him while he protects the city.

Love Always,

Dylania Kuppler

Dylania Kuppler
wife of Sgt Mark Kuppler, Grapevine PD

December 21, 2006

Officer Medlin, I can't remember why I searched your name online and found this page. When I began looking at other officers reflections it caused me to think about yours and return to your page. I really didn't expect to see the number of reflections that I did, but in having done so have come to wish even more that I'd gotten the chance to know you. It's like Jimmy said, after hearing and reading so much about you I felt like I knew you myself. Being a marine, a game warden, or just some type of police officer have always been my life goals so, when I read these things about you, it only made me more sad that we never had the chance to meet. But I know that your in a better place. Without knowing you personally (I had heard of you previously at the PD) I knew that the moment I heard the news. Without going off into a tangent, like I'm known to do, I will just say that your presence is still felt and that you are missed. May you be with God and God be with the family of a friend I never met.

Explorer Gillock
Grapevine

October 30, 2006

Sweet sleep be yours and May Our Lord Bless your family.

October 2, 2006

I recently took the SFST class taught by Sgt. Maranto of NRHPD and your friend Sgt. Schimick of Grapevine PD. At the end of the class, Sgt. Schimick told the class your story. It was really hard to hold back the tears as he spoke so passionately about you. He later introduced you to the class by showing us a video that was put together for you in your memory. I will always remember you, though we have never met. As I venture out into the field, you will forever linger in my mind. Take Care, brother.

Police Officer Ruben Lozano
Dallas ISD Police Department

August 1, 2006

Darren it has taken me two years to wtite this. I think of you often especially as I drive by the scene of your accident every day to and from work. What I remember most about you was your joy for life. I do not think I ever saw you and you did not have a smile on your face. Like me you truly enjoyed your job.
As the 4th of July fastly approaches we will do our best to take care of those DWI drivers like the one who took you from us. We will press on with our goal to make the city a safer place and do our best to make you proud.

My prayers are with Hina and your children and know that even though you are gone they will always be a part of our family.
God's speed and we I will see you again in heaven and the laughing will begin again.

Officerr
Grapevine Police Dept

July 3, 2006

Don't grieve for me now, for I am free, I'm following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that place at close of day. If my parting has left a void then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss ah yes, these things I too will miss. But not be burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I've savored much, good friends, good times and a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me God wanted me now, He set me free.
To the Medlin Family and GPD I am deeply sorry for your loss on this anniversary

Anonymous
Grapevine resident

June 12, 2006