Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It has been almost 5 years now little brother. I want you to know that I think of you each and every day. More than anything in this world, I long for your company, your smile and your handshake.

I love you and I will see you in my dreams.

Donald Ward
Brother

April 9, 2009

4 Years! Forever friends............

Det. Todd D. Baxter
Vermont State Police

July 2, 2008

My love,  it's bince you were taken three and a half years since you were taken from us.  I still see and hear the grief that your fellow officers continue feeling.  Your greatly missed and I am told there is a void in the department since your EOW. Your son is now three and your daughter is now six and a half and they are both splitting images of you.  Big blue eyes, stubborn, witty and full of life.  God knows I made some huge mistakes since you left but I know you have been there to make them right again.  I want you to know there is not a day that goes by your children and I dont miss you.  We talk about you till no end about all your accomplishments and what a great police officer and role model you were and are. Everyone tells me it will get better well, im here to tell you it doesn't you learn to live a different type of life.  Your daughter wanted to let you know that she loves you very much, is amazed by all your acheivements and misses you everyday.  There has been so many other fallen officers since you left and my heart aches for them. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and coworkers who are now going through the grief process that I am still working through. I hope know you are doing great things in your new life, Take care my love and know you are missed more than you can imagine.

crystal
wife

January 5, 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

December 18, 2007

3 Years! Forever Friends.....................

Det. Todd D Baxter
Vermont State Police

July 3, 2007

Today marks the third anniversary of your death. I pray that your family is well. May God continue to bless them and give them strength to move forward in life.

Police Officer L. Garcia
Los Angeles Police Department

July 3, 2007

Always thinking of you... Best friend, cousin, We miss you and love you a lot...Hope you and chip are teaching Lucy and Sam to hunt bunnies... you are in our thoughts every day and forever!!!

love, David M. Ward and family

David Ward
cousin

January 6, 2007

God bless you, your family, friends and co-workers always. Continue to keep watch over everyone from above.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Ofc. Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

July 3, 2006

Two years ago you were taken much too soon. May God continue to bless your family.

Police Officer L. Garcia
Los Angeles Police Dept

July 3, 2006

A man so remebered with love and respect never dies but continues to live on in the hearts and minds of others.

July 3, 2006

DW, it was 2 years today that Hog and I watched the helicopter take flight from the scene of your last call. You fought the good and honorable fight and live on in all those you touched through your selfless acts. You live on in all of our hearts.

Continue to Rest in Peace my Brother, my Friend.

Deputy Timothy J. Hand
Allegany County Sheriff's Office

July 2, 2006

2 years! Forever friends...................

Det Todd D. Baxter
Vermont State Police

June 29, 2006

Dear Crystal,
Our prayers are with you. Hope to see you during police week. Your husband's sacrafice will be remembered always.
The Shields Family,

Jeannette Shields, survivor
Buffalo NY PD

February 20, 2006

Derek, i have a lot of awesome memories of you. I came to Angelica in 7th grade. I noticed right away that you loved to make people laugh. Many laughs you gave to me. You truly are an exceptional man. I miss you. I think of you a lot. You served this community well. May the Angels be with you and your family. God Bless you all. Say hi to Chip for me.

Bahama

July 19, 2005

Remembering you on the first
anniversary of your death. Just from
reading a few reflections I learned
what a loved, respected and honorable person you were. This
makes it all the more difficult to lose
you. May God continue to help
people heal from this canyon of
grief. Thank you for your excellent
dedication to a very dangerous
career and for your supreme sacrifice. No one can fill your shoes.
with love from one coast of America
to the other.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

July 3, 2005

One year......................forever friends.

Todd

Detective Trooper Todd D. Baxter
Vermont State Police

June 30, 2005

Deputy Ward,

Although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing you, I did get to meet your wife, Crystal, in Washington DC. You have a beautiful family and it broke my heart to think that you will not be there to watch your children grow up. You, like other officers, gave the ultimate sacrifice in serving others. You served your community and gave selflessly. I know that in talking with Crystal that she will honor you in bringing up your children. I'm certain that you'd be proud of her and of how she carries herself.

Crystal, know that you are not alone. That was very evident in DC. I will pray for you and the kids. I'm glad that I got to know you.

Kelly Gunsell
Former spouse of Deputy John Gunsell

May 19, 2005

DEREK I HAD THE HONOR TO MEET YOUR BROTHER AND HIS WIFE AT THE CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL AT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL ON MAY 13,2005. I SAW A ALLEGANY COUNTY SHERIFF UNIFORM AND GROWING UP IN THIS COUNTY (ALFRED,NY) I APPROACHED THIS DEPUTY AND INTRODUCED MYSELF. AFTER SPEAKING WITH YOUR BROTHER I COULD SEE YOU IN HIS EYES. I WILL DO EVERYTHING FOR YOUR BROTHER TO KEEP HIM STRONG. HE UNDERSTANDS THE THIN BLUE LINE WE WALK EVERYDAY AND THAT HE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT OUR BROTHERHOOD. I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR BROTHER WHEN I TRAVEL BACK TO NEW YORK AND BE THERE FOR HIM WHEN HE COMES TO HONOR YOURSELF AND THE BROTHERS DURING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK. DEREK YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY MIND AND HEART AND DOING THIS WILL KEEP ME STRONG. GODSPEED AND BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Officer First Class Chad B Mothersell
Ridgely Police Department, Ridgely, MD

May 18, 2005

I want to make it known to everybody that this man is very respectable to me, giving his life in the line of duty to protect others. I also want to include that my Criminal Justice class in Belmont includes our memories and respect toward this fine officer.

Adam Klodzinski

March 16, 2005

I am with you today,though not of this world,as you gather to honor my name.My spirit lives on in my love for you,an undying,eternal flame.A police officers mission is a glorious quest,defender of justice and laws.Grateful for the privilege to change the world,ready to fight for a true cause.Weep No More..

Master Police officer
Scottsdale Police Dept.AZ.85251

October 8, 2004

I only had the pleasure of knowing Derek for a very short time. I met him earlier this year when he was teaching at the Corrections Academy. The first time I met him during our defensive tactics class I though we were done for, I thought he was going to work us to death, but he didn't he was a very caring guy he just wanted to make sure we understood everything they were teaching us. He wanted to know that we would be able to defend ourselves if need be. I only wish I had the chance to actually work with you I think I could have learned so much more from you. Derek you will never be forgotten, just the other day I was told by an FTO that i should try to make my officer presence like DW because he was "a perfect example." It was an honor to have you as a teacher I truley admired you. God Bless you and your family.

Correctons Officer Jaime Dennis
Allegany County Sheriff's Department

August 27, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND MAY HE GRANT YOU THE STRENGTH TO CARRY ON AND KEEP HIS MEMORIES ALIVE TO ALL

911 DISPATCHER, ERICA TOLSON
LANCASTER/GARRARD 911

August 16, 2004

My thoughts and prayers to Deputy Derek Ward, his family and to the Allegany County Sheriff's Department.

You will never be forgotten!!

Sergeant Damon Cole
Double Oak Police Department, Texas

August 1, 2004

Derek,
I wanted to write this many times, but thought that the words I wrote would never be right. I am writing this to let people know what kind of exceptional father, cop, brother, and son you were. You never took a deed halfway, like so many of us do. Every role you had you excelled at it. You learned fast and loved every minute of every day. Everyone around you was a little better or a little sharper because of you.
Sometimes I get in a red and white without a partner, but know you're there as my partner every step of the way. I straighten my tie, shine my shoes, and walk straighter because of you. I remember how you told me to either wear a stetson or no hat at all because it didn't look classy.
I also wanted you to know that we're there for your wife and children. We will try hard to soften this hard blow of losing you, always remembering that it will never go away completely.
It was an honor to have known you and to learn from you. You made our lives happier and we will always remember you and your smile.

Thank You & We'll All
See Ya Later Ol' Boy

Coleminer

DEPUTY
ALLEGANY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

July 29, 2004

We are truly saddened at Derek's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

July 27, 2004