Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Although we never met. Retired Army; continued in law enforcement; husband of one; father of three; friend of many; I guess I knew you quite well. Rest in peace.

Jack Purcell, Special Investigator
Federal Bureau of Investigation BICS Unit

July 16, 2004

Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. "Mack" was well thought of by all of us here at Martinez Fire Department. We will always remember his big smile and kindness. He will be missed by all of us.

May Peace be with you!!

Martinez Fire Department

July 16, 2004

May GOD bless the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Mack at this terrible time. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

July 16, 2004

Deputy Mack,

Rest in Peace Brother...You will never be forgotten. My prayers are with your family and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. GODSPEED....

Officer
NC

July 16, 2004

We will dearly miss Wesley. He was one of the few deputies that had the respect of most everyone, even those he arrested. Wesley's smile was infectious. You could not be around him for long and not feel at ease. He seemed to make every moment a happy one.

God has a new motor officer. Those gold paved roads will be safe for all those that are lucky enough to meet Wesley in heaven.

SSG Harvey Woods
Columbia County Sheriff's Office

July 16, 2004

I first met Wesley when we attended the Columbia County Sheriff's Office reserve academy in 1997. He was the class leader. We immediately became friends, not just because he was so easy to get along with, but because we also shared the same last name. I looked up to Wesley. I respected him. He gave 20 plus years to the Army, and still decided to continue in a career of public service. Whenever Wesley saw me he would say "What's up my brother?", "How's Momma?" I found out after his passing that he had told people he had a white brother on the department. We always joked and told people we just had different fathers. Although not uncommon for people to share the same last name, it seemed to have been a bond between Wesley and I. I'll always have one especially fond memory of him. He invited me and my then expecting wife out to the lake to go out on his boat. Wesley dragged me around that lake for what seemed like hours trying to successfully get me up on water skis. I never could do it. Seeing him in the boat looking back at me laughing so hard is the Wesley I will truly miss. I wake up thinking about him now and I can't get back to sleep.
I preyed for you Wesley. But God's plan is True. I know that God has taken you in his loving embrace. I hope to someday see your smile again, because I know you will be smiling forever now. Rest in Peace Wesley Mack

Deputy Dennis Mack
Columbia County Sheriff's Office

July 16, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Deputy Mack for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

July 16, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 16, 2004

GOD BLESS YOU!

MARCH ON,SIR

melissa gotcher
CCSO AUXILIARY

July 15, 2004

My family would like to extend our sympethy to the family, friends, & co-workers of deputy Sheriff Wesley Mack...you're in our thoughts & prayers. God bless.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

July 15, 2004

I was not as fortunate as the many people who saw Wesley on a daily basis. I work in a neighboring county and would see him only occasionally. I thank God that the Friday prior to this tragic loss, while enroute to work I saw Wesley on the road with a disabled vehicle. As I passed, I slowed and said hello, as usual he turned on that incredible smile and returned my greeting. I am deeply saddended to know that was the last time I would see that smile which everyone loved so much.
Wesley, you touched many people while on this Earth and God has now chosen you as one of his angels.
Rest in peace brother, your mission was completed.

Deputy Shea Bunch
McDuffie Co. Ga. Sheriff's Office

July 15, 2004

Thank you Deputy Mack for the service of your country as a solider and most recently as a law enforcement officer. My prayers are with you , your family, friends and fellow officers. Rest easy my brother.

Motor Ofc. C.H. Spurlin #237
Gwinnett Co. P.D.

July 15, 2004

You will be greatly missed by all of us. Your smiling face brightened my day everytime I saw you. Thank you for your service to our county and our country. God Bless You Wesley Mack!!!!

Angie Carter
Columbia County Sheriff's Office

July 15, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

July 15, 2004

Wesley was a good friend and role model for is fellow officers and the community he served. He distingusihed himself as a team player and public servant. His smile and radiant personality will be missed and a little brightness from the world will be gone.

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Farewell my friend, We have the watch now.

Captain Jim March
Columbia County Sheriff's Office

July 15, 2004

For the last couple of days I have been trying to come up with an explanation for this tragedy! My daughter overheard me talking and knew how upset I was and asked if Mr. Wesley was ok. She absolutely loved him. He always asked about her and made time for her. I told her that he was not ok and that he had went to Heaven. She looked at me and said that I was very wrong. She said that he was in Heaven with her Peepaw, her dog and her fish and that now they have a new best friend to take care of them. It's funny how a 6 year old can make you stop and think about things differently. Obviously Wesley was summoned because he has a very important mission in Heaven. He will most definitely be the angel with the Biggest Smile. We love you and miss you!

Diana Newsome, Columbia County Sheriff's

July 15, 2004

I saw the heavens open.
The Earth shook with Fear.
For Evil., knew of God's Army.
They were Heroes, Men on steel horses.

Sgt. James Crawford
Lower Providence Twp Police Motor Unit, Montg.CO PA

July 15, 2004

Thank you for the years of service that you gave our community. May the Lord bless your family and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office in this time of sorrow.

CSRA Resident

July 15, 2004

Today we mourn as yet another Georgia hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Mack. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

July 15, 2004

Wesley was a wonderful, caring, giving and humorous man. He was an excellent example and role model for Law Enforcement and wore his badge proudly. God Bless you Wesley and thank you for everything and for being my friend; I will miss your hugs, and most of all your smile. Thank you for your service and dedication, we will miss you.

Your Friend,
Cindy Phillips

Cindy Phillips
CCSO Auxiliary

July 15, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Wesley did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Wesley be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Mack's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Wesley is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Wesley was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

July 15, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Sheriff Wesley Mack and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Wesley... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

July 15, 2004

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

July 15, 2004

AS A PERSON WHO I SPENT 6 MONTHS IN A SOLID DEPT AS CCSO AND WENT DAY IN AND DAY OUT AT THE RESERVE CLASS #8 I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU MY BROTHER

WYCLIFFE D. CAPPS

July 14, 2004

You have always been a friend to us in the fire department, and to some have come to be good friends too. You will be missed very much. Rest in peace

Poem: "Fiddler's Green"
for a Fallen Soldier

Halfway down the trail to Hell,

In a shady meadow green

Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,

Near a good old-time canteen.

And this eternal resting place

Is known as Fiddlers' Green.


Marching past, straight through to Hell

The Infantry are seen.

Accompanied by the Engineers,

Artillery and Marines,

For none but the shades of Cavalrymen

Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.


Though some go curving down the trail

To seek a warmer scene.

No trooper ever gets to Hell

Ere he's emptied his canteen.

And so rides back to drink again

With friends at Fiddlers' Green.


And so when man and horse go down

Beneath a saber keen,

Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee

You stop a bullet clean,

And the hostiles come to get your scalp,

Just empty your canteen,

Lt Jim Howell
Martinez Fire Department

July 14, 2004