Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Duke,

Well yesterday through today was eventful in a terrible way. The issue with MD roadside memorial crosses has now become news in DC and Virginia thanks to the wonderful media. I am ready to have your cross taken up. I know you would agree. You didn't like to be the center of attention and we lived such a quiet and personal life. I am getting tired of the media rehashing everything. I want you to be able to rest and your name being drugged into someone else's issue (a negative one at that) is killing me. I will be calling SHA and having them move their sign down to the crash site. Hopefully everyone will understand my reasoning to take the cross down.

Just as I thought that was the only issue I had to worry about yesterday, my dad suffered a terrible loss at his house. Junior and I were house sitting and I went over last night (like I was supposed to) to feed the fish and get the mail. When I walked in his house, his living room and sun room roofs were caved in. Water was pouring out of them all over. I ran upstairs and the bedroom roof had caved in and water was pouring out of it everywhere as well. A pipe on the third floor was turned on by the renters in Uncle Gary's house and my dads entire house sustained severe flood damage. I had called 911 and the fire department came and shut off the pipes and the electric. His basement was flooded. It was a disaster. Junior, Mark, Mr. Phil, Uncle Gary and Aunt Margie rushed over. I do believe you and my grandparents were looking out for my dad. We were able to save the pictures of my grandparents my dad had displayed in his room, along with pictures of us, my brother, and my sister from our wedding. We were also able to save his stuff in his curio cabinet, which also housed your pictures and memorial stuff. The reason why I say you and my grandparents were looking out for my dad is because they were a few of the things that absolutely did not sustain water damage and they were the only things I know my dad had on his mind as he was rushing home from his trip after I had called him. The only spots from the ceiling water did not come through was those two spots and slightly over his entertainment center. Every other part of the roof had fallen down. My dad cherishes all his photos. Thank you to you and my grandparents for looking out for that stuff.

Well I really need to get to sleep. I was up for twenty-two and a half hours from yesterday through this morning. I got six hours sleep and got up and went back to help again, but my poor dad was up for over thirty some hours. He told us not to clean up anything, but once everyone went home, he stayed up the rest of the morning and into this evening and went through stuff and bagged ceiling tiles and other ruined stuff. He is so much like my grandpop when it comes to being able to stay up with having little to no sleep. You on the other hand had to have your eight hours of sleep every night (or close to it). You had your nightly routine and you were always determined to be in bed by a certain time. Sharon and I talked about that recently and we were laughing at you. By 9:00 pm (mostly on nights you had to get up for work the next morning), you were turning into a pumpkin LOL.

I love you. Sleep tight my love.

Love,
Jenn

May 2, 2006

Dear Jenn and Aaron,

I cannot remember if I have ever left a reflection for you or not. I have been reading your reflections for so long I feel like I know you....and I guess now I do. You all have such a precious love story to tell. Thank you for sharing it with us. We are travelling such a painful road now it helps to be a part of a bigger family that understands that while you are gone from this earth you are STILL in our lives. You both are a blessing to me.

Love,
Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse, EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 1, 2006

Duke,

Today is our first furry babies 8th birthday. My how time goes by so quickly. That means in seven and a half weeks from now, we rescued the most beautiful little doggie we had ever seen. I will never forget the day we rescued Amber from being tossed out on the street. I will never forget you saying "we can't leave her here" and "if they weren't our friends I would turn them in" because a relative of friends of ours dumped her at their house and they didn't want her. I was surprised at how concerned you were for her well being and so we took her and cleaned her up and took her back to my house. From that moment on, she captured your heart and could do nothing wrong in your eyes. You would go Christmas shopping for her (and the cats as well), you would give me cards from all of them on Christmas and Mother's Day (and I would do the same for you on Christmas and Father's Day), you would cuddle with her, you would take her for car rides and walks, you would comfort her during thunder storms, doctors visits and fireworks. You nicknamed her "Am". You taught her how to sit, lay down and roll over all at the same time, you helped me giver her baths, you fed her in the mornings before you would go to work. Your form of discipline was "oh stop that" in a gentle quiet tone of voice. Yeah, that's why she liked you better LOL. When I would come home from work, you and Amber would both be sitting on the steps together waiting to greet me and I would pet you both on your heads LOL. She always slept on your side of the bed and you would sometimes get so hot being trapped in the middle of both her and I that you would try to move her gently and just enough to kick the covers off because you didn't want to disrupt her sleep. You were always concerned about getting off of work on time to go home and let her out to potty and if you were forced to work over, you would tell your work that you had to go home first to let her out. I remember when we lived in the apartment all those nights in the snow and rain how you patiently walked her and waited for her to go potty. I will never forget the time you were walking her in front of the apartments and all those mice started popping up out of the grass. You froze in your tracks and was so concerned about one of them biting Amber. There was nothing you wouldn't do for Amber because you loved her so much (and you loved and did for the cats as well, but Amber was "your girl").

Please give your girl a hug and kiss if you haven't already, but I am sure you have been with her today. The five of us love you and miss you Duke. Sleep tight my love.

Love,
Jenn

Jenn Aaron
Duke's Wife

April 30, 2006

Jennifer,

I saw you leave a relection on another fallen Officer's site and felt the need to come here. I cannot imagine your loss and reading the words you've written here for Duke makes my heart ache for you. My biggest fear as I put on this uniform is not that I will leave this earth, but that I will leave my loved ones alone, should something happen to me. Your words, so filled with love for him, touches me in a way that I cannot explain in mere type. Your Duke was a wonderful man I'm sure. Thank you for sharing him with us. God Bless you, Jennifer, you are not alone.

Laura Madore

Officer Madore
NC LEO

April 30, 2006

Jennifer
I saw your post for Officer Chambers and came over here to see Duke's Memorial. Your writings made me cry like a baby and I have been a cop a long time and seen it all. I am so sorry for the loss of Duke. Please know that my prayers are with you and I am sure Duke is looking down on you from above with a huge smile.
Officer

PO
St Louis, MO area

April 27, 2006

Hey my Snookums,

I just wanted to tell you about this past Saturday. It was my sister’s bridal shower. Yeah, can you believe Stephanie is getting married in July? I can only think about what you would be saying... Poor Tim! LOL. I remember you commenting one time how you couldn’t believe you knew my sister for ten years and that when you met her she was a little girl that had just turned ten years old. You seemed to be amazed at how she was all grown up when she turned twenty and was steadily dating Tim. Saturday made me think back to the day of my/our bridal shower. It was on a Saturday as well and it rained just as we were loading the vehicles with the gifts our families and friends gave to us (it rained all day on Steph’s by the way). I will never forget that morning. I was invited to have lunch with my mom, my cousin Missy and her girls and my grandma. You had an ear ache that morning so I decided to stay home with you instead. You were trying to convince me you were okay and that I really needed to just go ahead with my plans. Of course I was more concerned about you and called my mom to tell her I wasn’t coming. She thought I was joking and lying (and here you literally did have an ear ache) which lead me to believe that something was going on so I decided to play along. I remember calling Becky (because she was my Maid of Honor) and she was also acting strange. I told her I was going to the Ocean for the day just to get a reaction out of her. Needless to say, she was also more concerned with me going to lunch with my family than anything else as well so I knew something was up. After you reassured me that you would be okay and that you were just going to lie in bed all day while I was away, I met my family at the Poplar Inn.

As I pulled into the lot, I thought I had seen my dads truck, but when I was seated with mom, Missy and grandma, there was no one else in there so I figured it must have been someone else’s truck with FOP tags. All of a sudden, the accordion doors opened up and everyone screamed, “surprise”. OMG I jumped because it caught me off guard. There behind the accordion doors sat all our family and friends. The joke I had been playing on everyone all morning was then on me. They got me really good. Our families together gave us a beautiful bridal shower. Our cake was a double hart trimmed in our wedding colors peach and green (that was also recreated from a picture of my mom’s bridal shower cake when her and my dad got married). I remember the one gift I was reluctant to open up at first because I thought it was something naughty (because you know how modest I am about some stuff). I remember sitting there with this shirt box on my lap and telling my mom I didn’t want to open it up. She swore it wasn’t anything I was going to be embarrassed about and when I opened up the box, it was a beautiful apron your grandma handmade us for our apron dance. The situation with opening up that box reminded me of another time before we were married I got a box on Christmas Eve I contemplated on opening up (until you convinced me it wasn’t as bad as I was thinking it was going to be) remember? I think I sat there by our tree for ten minutes or so before I finally opened it up. I remember your mom asking you what a certain charge was on your credit card bill (because she thought it was your dads credit card bill, but you still had mail coming to their house and it was actually your bill). It took us both a few seconds to figure out what it was ourselves because it was the stores abbreviation. I forgot what you made up and told her it was, but I remember her saying “oh” and as she looked like she was going to ask another question, you said we had to leave. We left quickly remember LOL.

Anyway getting back to my/our bridal shower, I remember there was one gift that my mom would not let me open up because she bought it personally for you. When you arrived (with cotton hanging out of your ear because your ear was still hurting), my mom gave you your gift in front of everyone. She and Mr. Phil bought you a milkshake maker. You were so happy because you liked to make milkshakes and now you had a milkshake maker so you didn’t have to use a spoon anymore to stir everything together. We got so many beautiful gifts that day, including a travel bag your sister made us with our last name on it and horses (since we were going to Nashville on our honeymoon). We were both grateful and thankful for everything that we got from our families and friends. We took everything back to the apartment and stored it in the spare bedroom until be bought our house a couple months later. To look at those pictures of the shower and to see the smiles on everyone’s faces, including ours is another stab in my heart when it comes to facing the reality of living the life I am living now without you. Not just the shower pictures, but all of our pictures make me feel that way. I just keep telling myself how lucky I am to have had all that we had in the ten years we were together. I am one of the luckiest people in the whole world that’s for sure. Keeping that in mind puts a smile on my face all the time.

I love you Duke!

Love,
Jenn

Jennifer Aaron
Duke's Wife

April 24, 2006

Hey baby,

I hope you had all the white chocolate bunnies you could eat today for Easter. I left one for you at the cemetery. It should be interesting to see how long it will take to melt in the box LOL. I can still see your face when I would give you your little Easter basket filled with candy on Easter mornings. I miss that, but then again, I miss everything about you and us.

The past couple of weeks were eventful. I knew you were with me while I was on vacation. It was the first official vacation without you. It was tough, but I made it through. The firsts of everything without you are tough, but after I get through them, it is like a breeze from thereon. I just knew you were with me. Your name is not common and I heard the name Duke twice. Once was a singer that was the opening entertainment the first night of the trip and although I forget where the second time I heard it was, I know I heard it. Then in between hearing the name Duke, there was this customer service guy who was assisting me with fixing one of my rings who all of a sudden looked up at me and said, "you look beautiful in that dress". Both nights that I had to dress formal, I kept thinking about how I would always ask you how I looked when I was all dressed up. You would always tell me how beautiful I looked. When that guy all of a sudden stopped looking at my ring and looked up at me with a serious look and said those words, I couldn't help but think that you somehow had something to do with that. I thought about the movie Ghost when Patrick Swayze overtook Whoopie Goldberg's body to tell Demi Moore "ditto". Yeah I know, I'm crazy, but...

Your State roadside memorial highway dedication sign has officially been put up and it is beautiful. It was put up while I was away and my mom and I went down to see it last Monday when I got off of work. It says "In Memory of Ofc. Duke G. Aaron III, Maryland Transportation Authority Police". It is standing roughly twenty to thirty feet before the crash site. I am so appreciative of Tony for his hard work in getting those thousands of signatures together and into Sen. Jimeno's hands right after the crash. I am thankful Phil was able to pass those signatures over to the State. Of course the State procrastinated on putting the sign up, so yeah, you know I spoke up on the issue and it was up within a week of me making the right contacts. There was to much hard work and time that was put into the petition to get that sign erected and I was not about to see all of that go to waste. Tony and I are planning a day to go down and plant flowers around it. Once we figure out the day, we are going to ask everyone to see if anyone wants to come out and help. It will look beautiful I am sure. Also, Tony is due to be a daddy this coming week. Little Jackson Anthony should be coming into the world this coming Wednesday. Please look after Tony, Melissa and Jackson during that time and make sure everything goes perfect if you can.

Speaking of roadside memorials, this past Thursday was controversial. Here I was working hard at work when my cell phone rang and a reporter from the Capital asked me about your roadside memorial and if I knew that the State was thinking about taking all roadside memorial crosses down because of one incident that happened on 97 where there was overkill on the decorating at the site that the accident in question took place. It caught me off guard that's for sure and it was disheartening to hear. Here one situation is going to ruin it for everyone else's memorials including yours. I told him how your close co-workers/friends put your memorial up for you the day after the crash and how your co-workers are still seen meeting there and how our friends and family still go there on occasions, including myself (even though you passed away at the hospital several hours later, the cross and flag pole mark the site where the crash took place). I immediately called the guys to see what they wanted to do because I wanted them to make the final decision as to whether or not we should take the cross and flag pole down. Between Gerald, Tony and I, we came up with our plan. I will have to wait until tomorrow to see which way the plan is going to go when I talk to the guy in-charge of SHA. No matter what, I am forever grateful that the guys in their time of sorrow erected one of the most beautiful roadside memorials I have ever seen and I am thankful that so many people (your sworn and civilian co-workers and some of their families, as well as some of the residents who live behind the service road) helped to maintain the memorial since its erection. I also have the beautiful pictures of the guys putting up the cross and flag pole to cherish.

Well Snookums it is getting late so I should get off of here and get to bed. I got to get up early for work. Monday mornings ugh!!! Daisy is curled up on my lap and Amber is on the floor snoring LOL.

I love you more than anything in the world. Sleep tight my love.

Love,
Jenn

Jennifer Aaron
Duke's Wife

April 16, 2006

Jenn,

Please know that you are thought of and still prayed for daily. As time goes by the hurt may fade, but I know it never goes away. Just wanted you to know someone was thiking about you...and Duke. Look up and smile, you will always have Duke on your side.

Duke,
You are not forgotten...look down and smile, Jennifer will always have you in her heart.

Happy Easter.

April 14, 2006

Duke,

I took Debi and Katie to Chuck E Cheeses tonight in your truck (a.k.a the family mobile as you would always call it). I was telling Debi along the way how we were riding in Uncle Duke's truck and she said "why". I told her you liked the truck so you bought it. I went on to tell her how you used to take her for rides in the truck and she suddenly got all excited and said "this is really neat". Then she said "I like it". I had to laugh. Your two and a half year old niece has the same enthusiasm you had over pick-up trucks. Pretty scary thought :) LOL.

This past Monday, I shared several pictures my dad took at the Christening with my family, friends, and co-workers. One of the pictures was of Katie and I. My co-worker Steve told me how I needed to print that picture and hang it up and if I didn't that he was going to. He told me he hasn't seen me smile like that in almost two years. It made me feel good to know that he recognized how happy my life was with you before you were taken away. He was right. I haven't smiled like that since you have been gone. But I am so proud of Katie and I am so honored to be not only her aunt, but her godmom. That is something worth smiling about.

I love you Snookums. Sleep tight my love.

Love,
Jenn

Jennifer Aaron
Duke's Wife

March 23, 2006

Happy St. Patrick's Day! All day I thought about how you would be telling me how much you hate cabbage with that little look you would make on your face and me telling you that you did like cabbage because you liked cole slaw. You would sigh and tell me you meant cooked cabbage. Hey, you were the one that needed to be more specific. It’s funny, you were such an easy target to mess with LOL. I would gross you out when I would pour vinegar all over my corned beef and cabbage and then add mustard on top of that. I remember trying to get you to try a little tiny piece of corned beef. You ate it then shook your head in disgust. I just laughed at you and told you it wasn’t that bad and that it was all in your imagination. Sauer kraut was worse for you to smell though. You would tell me how much that stuff stunk LOL.

Several weeks ago, I finished up putting all the photos of our life together in the albums. I had the picture of you and little Debi, that Mary took of you both after your in-service that one day, made into an 8x10. I also had the picture of you, Brittney and Hannah from the Disney Cruise of the three of you in your life jackets made into an 8x10. You loved them girls so much and they loved you.

Speaking of our nieces, Katie is over nine months old now. She is getting so big. I babysit both her and Debi on Thursday nights. Last night Katie was asleep in my arms. I couldn't help but think about how we should be together babysitting them. She is going to miss out on that. I am going to officially be her godmommy on Sunday. It will be tough being there without you. I look at the pictures of Debi's christening when we were holding her while she was crying. Yeah, that will be something to show off to her boyfriends when she gets older LOL. I guess I shouldn't think of this so soon, but one day when Katie gets older, I am supposed to tell her about you. It won't be fair when I pull out pictures of you and Debi together and when I pull out pictures of her... you won't be in any of them. It is sad to think about. I love to hear little Debi say "Uncle Duke" when she sees pictures of you. I can't wait to hear Katie say your name. I believe she is you reincarnated. I will never forget Mary in labor screaming, "Jennifer, this is all your husbands fault". I was laughing and crying at the same time and the doctors were looking at me puzzled. I had to explain to them what she meant by it being all your fault and how you were deceased and everyone thinks Katie is you reincarnated since she was conceived right after your death. She loves to tell people that you (as well as my grandma because of little Debi being conceived right after grandma's death) must have been waiting for that right moment to get back into our crazy family. Crazy yet ironic isn't it!

Well it is time to go home and let Amber out to potty. Mark made a comment last night at how white Amber has gotten under her chin. Our "first furry baby" will be eight years old April 30th. You loved her so much and I know you still do. When all four of them curl up in bed with me at the same time, I can't help but think how you should be there with us as well. But I know you are.

I love you Duke.

Love,
Jenn

Jenn Aaron
Duke's Wife

March 17, 2006

Jenn-
You don't know me, although I have to say it would be my honor to meet you someday. I have started to leave a reflection about a million times and never had the nerve to complete it. I have always looked at this site as "sacred" for your reflections and for you to talk to Duke. I visit this site often to remember Duke and to hear stories about him. I always check to make sure that you are "ok" although I know that you will never again be "ok" without your Duke.

It is quite evident to me that you and your husband share a love that others are envious of. You have what every little girl grows up wishing for, a knight. You are so blessed to have found it.

I want you to know that Duke will never be forgotten. He sacrificed his life each and every day to protect the nameless and faceless that travel the roads each day and for that I am eternally grateful. Continue to be strong for your husband in his honor and name.

Duke-
We didn't know each other in high school. I'm sure you didn't know I existed. I remember you as shy, quiet & always in a concert tee-shirt and jeans. With that same quiet determination keep watch over us and protect us when you can. Keep watch especially over your earth angel Jenn as she carrys on without you but always in your name. Rest Easy...

Johanna Torres-Gartside
CHS -Pasadena MD
Class of 93'

Johanna Torres-Gartside

March 15, 2006

Hey baby,

Well it has been awhile since I have written. So much has happened since Valentine's Day. Some stuff for the better and some stuff for the worse. I briefly attended the State Police Awards Ceremony on the 17th. I say briefly because I walked out of it not to long after it started. It didn't help seeing the crew from Trooper 6 there. Although it was nice to see Sgt. Beck and speak with her briefly, the though that kept playing through my mind the entire time was how she and her co-workers were the ones trying to save your life on the day of your crash. Then on top of that, I saw one of the Captains that is heavily involved with the COPS organization. Then you add into the equation me looking around the room and seeing all the men and women in their Class A's with their happy families and me thinking how the last time I was at an awards ceremony it was with you when you were getting an award and how I wished you were with me when I was getting my award and well... I just lost it. I looked at the guys I work with and I told them I had to leave. I started shaking and weeping and I was becoming disoriented as I walked to the door to leave. I missed a step and looked up to see an anchorwoman from WJZ catch my eyes. I got the deer in the headlights look as she recognized me and started walking towards me leaving the person she was interviewing. I made a beeline through the muddy grass and she caught up with me. That is when it really all went downhill from there. She asked me if I was the cops widow and I told her yes I was. She kind of insulted me when she said "what was his name". I told her your name and she told me how she wanted to get in touch with me to apologize for getting your rank wrong when they aired the stories about you and the trial. She mentioned how a family member called the station to correct her mistake. I told her that was me that called the station and how at the court I told everyone there that your rank was officer and here even though they had the correct information, they still aired it wrong. She then looked at me and asked me if I was alright. I told her no and how I just walked out of an awards ceremony that I was supposed to get an award at and how I just wanted her to leave me alone. She again told me she was sorry and walked away. Thank goodness Joy worked on the third floor where my Headquarters is located. I went to her. She got me calmed down. She has a picture of you at work that she looks at when things get tough for her. She misses you Duke. We got to talking about Senior Week 95. Did you know there were incriminating pictures floating around from that trip??? LOL. Neither did I! The only pictures taken were the ones we had done at the Old Time Photos and the one Joy took of us holding your license plate you had made for your truck. It amazes me how gossip ran wild through your Department about that vacation the four of us took. It is funny how almost eleven years later I am still piecing together the rumors. What is embarrassing is how Mrs. Jackie and my dad were also hearing these rumors because they worked there LOL. After Joy and I went to lunch, I was calmed down enough to drive back to work. I had to tell Jack that I didn't attend. Needless to say, he was disappointed. We don't talk about it even to this day. A part of me knows I let him down. I should have been much stronger than I was, but everything going through my mind got the best of me. I talked to Carson later that evening and apologized to him as well. He told me how well written the story surrounding my award was. It even mentioned you. That alone would have been enough to make me burst out in tears in front of all those people. Even though I may never get the chance to read the write-up and even though I didn't attend, it makes me feel grateful to know that I was recognized for what I do around there. I work with a great group of co-workers that's for sure.

The other week I got a dreaded letter in the mail regarding your situation. Of course I drove to the cemetery to be with you and to talk to you about what I need to do in your best interest. I still run to you when I need to talk about you and us. Unfortunately I didn't get to tell you how I felt because there was a police funeral ready to take place. I have impeccable timing don't I. Here I am already upset about the letter and then I get stuck waiting for the funeral procession to drive by before I could leave since there is only one entrance/exit. The cop was a retired Deputy Chief. Once everyone was in place, I was able to drive out of there. Luckily I didn't get stuck in there for the entire event because I don't think I could have handled it. He was getting a full honors funeral. When I was stopped at the red light there at Furnace Branch Road going back to work, something told me to look up in the sky. There was the flyover going toward the cemetery. I always told people how I wanted to see your flyover so bad at your funeral, but since we were under the tent, I could only hear the helicopters. How ironic was it that my instincts were telling me to look up at the sky while at that red light at the very same time those helicopters were going to the cemetery. You really do hear me don't ya!

This past Saturday was my mom and Mr. Phils 11 year wedding anniversary. I took them to dinner. Becky and little Debi came along as well. It was enjoyable. I thought about that day. You, my brother and my cousin had a little to much to drink. Come to think of it, I think pretty much everyone there had a little to much to drink. I remember my mom always telling you how you better always behave because if you didn't, she was going to pull out the video and show it to your parents. You would always grin and giggle when she said that to you. You were wearing your one and only favorite multi-use black suit. You sang karaoke. Remember when we were all outside with my dad destroying their car with shaving cream and "balloons". That car was a mess. You had shaving cream all over you and you put it on me. You can tell how toasted everyone was in those pictures LOL. That was an awesome wedding reception wasn't it? I remember you and I spent that night at my dads house that night when he lived in Westminster. I remember waking up the next morning and running downstairs to the family room to curl up next to you on the couch.

After I dropped mom, Mr. Phil, Becky and little Debi off, I headed down to the Ocean for the evening to be with some friends. I had an enjoyable time with everyone there. As I was driving to and from the Ocean, I thought about the times we went there. My most memorable trip was the day you proposed to me on the beach in 1995. I passed the hotel we stayed at in Cambridge (the one you would also stay at when you went hunting) that night since we couldn't get a room at the Ocean because everything was booked up. I remembered us talking about the little house not to far from it that was made to look like a haunted house. I thought about you taking care of me when I got heat exhaustion from laying out on the beach waiting to have scopes taken of the two of us in 1996. Not to smart for someone with fair skin huh! Thank goodness I felt better later that evening because you were ready to take me to that little medical center there on Coastal Highway. I also thought about when we went four-wheeling on the beach. I am so glad to have those memories. On my way home, I stopped at the roadside memorial to clean it up. I took down all the old Christmas decorations and old silk flowers that were weathered. I just wanted to make it look fresh. As I was sitting in my car, I was startled by this lady who walked up on me. I guess I was in such deep thought because I didn't even see nor hear her pull up behind me. She asked me if I was any relation to you. I said yes, but I didn't reveal who I was. She told me she lived down the street and every morning she drives by and tells you hi. She said she knew your name and she will never forget you and your situation. It got me crying because it was so nice to hear her kind words. I then told her I was your wife and she told me she thought so. She told me how she still sees your co-workers gather there on occasions. We talked a little more and then she gave me a hug and left. I also heard horns honking at me and when I would look up, people were waving to me who were driving past. For someone who was so shy and quiet, you made a huge impact on the community. You are not forgotten. It does my heart good to know that so many people cared and still care.

Tonight when I got home from work, I did some weeding in the side flower garden. I kept thinking about the day we planted the trees and flowers and put the mulch around them. I was telling Jarod how I needed to get more mulch. Remember the huge truck load of mulch we had? You were nice enough to offer Brian and Jarod some of it for their gardens because there was so much of it. The flower garden in front of the house is next to clean up. The flowers are starting to bloom because Spring is coming. I look at the pictures we took when we first planted both gardens and I look at the flowers and trees now. They have really grown. Jarod also mentioned that it will be soon time to open up the pool. I don't think he will ever forget that day he helped you and my dad put it up.

Well I guess I should be getting to bed. One more thing before I go though... Please keep any eye on Kevin, Jim, Tony and Rob. They all need their friend right now. I know you can't be at four places at once, but do your best.

I love you Snookums. Please continue to keep me strong. Sleep tight my love.

Jenn Aaron
Duke's Wife

March 13, 2006

Meet Officer Aaron in 2002 and was very greatful that I've restored my 1965 ford police unit. Last year I met with his wife Jennifer at two ceremonies on behalf of his departure in 2005. I've laid a wreath at the site along rt. 50 where Duke left us all. Everytime I pass that location I sound my air horn on my tractor-trailer to let Duke know that he's not forgotten by me. He's missed by me as well of others, he was and still is my friend and I'll still let 'em know everytime I pass by.

Robert J. Hathaway

March 11, 2006

Duke,

This morning I drove over the Bay Bridge and said a prayer for you as I passed the beautiful memorial that your fellow workers have created in your memory on Route 50. As a brother police officer, I flash back to that warm day at your memorial service and the love for you that was shared by your family, co-workers and by all in attendance. As a resident of Maryland, I salute you sir, and all the members of the MTA Police Department for the outstanding job you do in keeping us all safe. I pray that God keeps you safe by his side and that he continues to watch over your family and give them the strength to continue. You will never be forgotten and Thank you for giving the ultimate acrifice.

Assistant Chief Bill Healy (Retired '06)
United States Secret Service Uniformed Division

February 26, 2006

I was only in the Maryland Transportation Authority Academy for a week (Class 36) and never met Officer Aaron, but when I heard the news, it made me mad that someone I may have worked with one day, a fine officer, had been taken away before his time.

Rest in Peace, brother.
We'll take care of things here.

MDSP Trooper Candidate Applicant Jameson Hughes

Trooper Candidate Applicant Jamie Hughes
Maryland State Police

February 18, 2006

Today is Valentine's Day. The very first song I heard this morning on the radio as I got in my car to come to work was Clint Black/Lisa Hartman-Black's "When I Said I Do". Although I don't know how the rest of my day will go or where I will find myself until I meet up with Kim, Jen, Shannon and the boys tonight for dinner, I know where my heart will be not only today, but eternity. I will love you forever Duke G. Aaron, III.

"When I Said I Do"

These times are troubled and these times are good
And they're always gonna be, they rise and they fall
We take 'em all the way that we should
Together you and me forsaking them all
Deep in the night and by the light of day
It always looks the same, true love always does
And here by your side, or a million miles away
Nothin's ever gonna change the way that I feel,
The way it is, is the way that it was

When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time
Be faithful and true, devoted to you
That's what I had in mind when I said I do

Well this old world keeps changin', and the world stays the same
For all who came before, and it goes hand and hand
Only you and I can undo all that we became
That makes us so much more, than a woman and a man
And after everything that comes and goes around
Has only passed us by, here alone in our dreams
I know there's a lonely heart in every lost and found
But forever you and I will be the ones
Who found out what forever means

When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time
Be faithful and true, devoted to you
That's what I had in mind when I said I do

Truer than true, you know that I'll always be there for you
That's what I had in mind, that's what I had in mind,
When I said I do

Jenn Aaron
Duke's Wife

February 14, 2006

Duke,

Remember how I always joked around and told you that I would never catch up with you in age no matter how old you got? Sadly I am eating my words. However, thank you for making my wish come true for my 29th birthday. The snow (that fell from the heavens that I know you had a hand in making, along with my grandparents) and the entire experience at Ski Liberty was what I always envisioned (remember how I always talked about wanting to go to a ski resort for my birthday). I got to sit by the fireplace (ironically the table closest to it was empty) and drink my hot chocolate. The only thing missing was you. Oh yeah and my brother also because he had to work and couldn't get off.

Today is Sharon's birthday (remember hers is on the 12th and mine of course you know is on the 11th, but she and I always thought it was neat how close they were together and we still do). Please don't let her have to shovel to much snow later on today LOL :0)

Well it is shortly after midnight so I guess I should be getting to sleep. I love you and miss you more than anyone can imagine Snookums. Sleep tight my love.

Love always and forever,
Jenn

Jenn
Duke's Wife

February 11, 2006

Hi daddy,

It's me Amber Lynn. Well mommy, Daisy and I went through another first without you tonight. We went to the veterinarian. I was scared daddy as usual and Daisy, well she stunk up the car when she poohed in her cage and she meowed the whole way there. Typical her huh! Mommy would laugh at you because you would roll down the windows to air out the car the entire trip down the beltway. Mommy was misty eyed when we were in the exam room. I sensed that her heart was aching from knowing you were not there to share in the experience. She told me it was alright and not to be scared, but it didn't comfort me like it used to do when you said it. Dr. Conard told me it was alright as well. She told me it wasn't like it was my first time there and that I will go out of there with the same body parts I came in there with. I wasn't falling for it. Yeah, she forgot about the time she spayed me. Rocky and Blackie are next to visit the veterinarian. I don't have any sympathy on them.

Last night, mommy gave me a bath. I didn't give her that hard of a time. As a matter of fact, I jumped in the tub myself. I still know what B-A-T-H means. She can't fool me when I hear her spell that word out when she tells people what she is going to do to me, but she still knows how to trick me to get me in the bathroom. It used to take the both of you to give me a bath, but mommy has been doing a good job on her own. What other choice does she really have right! That bad man took you away from me and the cats. He deprived us of hearing you call our names at nights to go to bed, he deprived me of going for rides with you in the truck and vette, he deprived me of having you there during thunderstorms and fireworks (and veterinarian appointments) to comfort me and tell me that "it's alright Am", and the list goes on and on with all the stuff that you and I and the cats did together.

Well daddy I should go for now. My vaccinations are making me sleepy (just like Dr. Conard told mommy they would do) and mommy is getting ready to let me out to potty so we can all go to bed. Please continue to keep watch over all of us and remember daddy that the cats and I love you unconditionally. And mommy loves you unconditionally as well. Believe me.

I Love you daddy,
Amber

January 30, 2006

Jen,
Hope you are well and staying strong. Even though I left the Authority, I still think of you often and you will always remain in my prayers.
Diane Sollers

Diane Sollers
MdTA

January 24, 2006

You truck turns three years old today. My car, had I have kept it, would have been two. I will never forget the day you bought that truck from German. It was you, my dad and I that went to look at new trucks. Remember my dad and I convinced you to go all electric and upgrade instead of just settling on a new truck just to have one (because you really didn’t even need a new one because the one you were trading in was only two years old, but we always traded our vehicles in every two years so…). German gave you such a good deal didn't he! I will never forget the manager coming over to me and congratulating me on the purchase of “my new truck". You chuckled at the fact that I officially owned a Pick-Up truck which I swore I would never own (because I put my name on the title as co-owner) and when I told him "It’s not my truck, don't congratulate me, congratulate my husband. I would never buy anything from you people". That box of cookies you got in the mail not to long after your purchase still gets me :) (I still wish one of my co-workers sold vehicles on the side and would give me good deals and cookies). Anyway, I remember the next day you seeing your truck you traded in taking off down the road out of the dealership and you followed it to the muffler shop and waited for them to cut the Flow Master muffler off so you could have it put on the new truck right then instead of waiting to pick it up from the dealership later that week. Oh yeah, and this weeks visit I had to make to the service department only reinforced why I hate that dealership so much. Ugh!!!

Tonight is Brittney's dance recital at the high school. I am picking up her boyfriend and taking him there. Should I actually take him there or drop him off somewhere else far far away LOL. I know you would be having fun with this guy. She is already afraid of what he and I will be discussing on the way to the school. I saw Kim, Stan, and Matt last night at dinner. I told Stan about me picking up Brittney's boyfriend today. He said you would be pulling the Will Smith’s character Mike Lowrey’s scene in Bad Boys 2 when he pretended to be the uncle. Stan and I busted out laughing because you always said you were going to screw with all our niece’s boyfriends like that when they started dating. Don’t worry babe, if I get up the nerve, I will mess with him a little in your honor LOL. I told Brittney she had nothing to worry about he-he. I think I will go to Giant and pick her up some flowers to give to her after her performance.

I love you Snookums!

Jenn
Duke's Wife

January 20, 2006

Duke,

Today is apparently (according to my mom and her co-worker's) the 10 year anniversary of the blizzard of 1996. I remember you and I were on the phone constantly that day because we couldn't get out to work or to see each other. The next day, you made it out and came over to pick me up and take me back home with you to spend the night because I missed you so much and cried my eyes out because my parents refused to let me drive to your house (for fear that my little Cavalier would get stuck on the way there or I would get into an accident) to be with you. You had me spoiled with your love and I couldn't get enough of it. No amount of snow kept us apart did it! :)

I Love you,
Jenn

Jennifer Aaron
Duke's Wife

January 6, 2006

Duke,

Something has been on my mind since New Year's Eve/New Year's Day. I saw Price. He said you were a redneck and not a wanna be (like I always told you that you were). He said he had conversations with you when he worked with you down at the Bridge and you were definitely a redneck. I told him I guess I was the one in denial and he said I was LOL. But then again, that was coming from a redneck himself! :)

I just got a call from my mom. She had to take Annie to the veterinarian yesterday. Her condition does not look really good. Please Duke, keep an eye on Annie for us as we hope her condition turns around by tomorrow. You used to like Annie, but then again, you liked all my families furry members. And of course you loved our furry babies.

I love you Snookums.

Love,
Jenn

Jennifer Aaron
Duke's Wife

January 4, 2006

Happy New Year Buddy!

Stan

December 31, 2005

Hey Duke,

It is New Year's Eve. I have been thinking about this past year for the last week or so and I must say, I am ready for the new year to come. I never thought I would say this, but every time I tell someone what we did last year up till the time of your death, my stomach turns to knots and I am really ready to be able to say "in 2004" rather than "last year before he was killed" when I tell stories about you and I because knowing we were together and happy for half of last year breaks my heart because all that was taken away from us. I am hoping the new year starts off and ends better than this year as well. On my birthday in February, I watched the little black cat get hit by the truck on my way to dinner with my family. Then of course Turner's death on July 16th in front of everyone's eyes at the memorial charity race in your name, the one year anniversary of your death on July 20th, the court battle with the guy who took your life and the media all up in our business in October, and then the elderly gentleman I was unable to render successful assistance to that was hit and killed by the car in the lane beside me on the 26th. Then if you add in all the drama some of our friends and some of my family have gone through with their own personal lives, I would love to see 2006 bring peace and happiness to all.

I got to spend the evening with Kevin and the kids and Sharon last night. All the kids are getting so big. I asked Kyle if he remembers hitting you where it hurts and he started smiling and tried to deny it. Yeah, Kevin and I both told him he was lying and he laughed. You poor baby, we all felt sorry for you that time. On the way home, Kevin wanted me to keep up with his Mustang. Although I knew the new corvette could have passed him, I didn't take that chance. I thought about how you would have definitely have taken that challenge though. Then I let him drive my car while I took his. As much as I love the sound of a Mustang, I love my corvettes much better. He had Amy with him and while I was on the phone with him, I could hear her getting nervous. When we got back to the house, I tried to get him to go up Ritchie Highway with me since I knew the teenagers would have been out wanting to show off (remember how they would pull up next to the corvette and want to race you), but we stayed home and watched some of the media coverage that Glenn had taped for me of the crash instead. It was the first time Kevin got to see any of the coverage. He misses you so much Duke. Mike also came over Sharon's and it was like old times hanging out front with Kevin and his crew, Mike and Sharon, Rick and the kids. I knew you were with us all last night. I could feel your presence. Your presence was also apparent on Wednesday when my dad, Michele, and I took Brittney and Hannah to Hershey to see the Christmas lights. Everywhere we looked, there you were. We ate at Duke's Restaurant where their featured items were the turkey club, sirloin steak, and meat loaf (some of your favorites). Then there was Duke the seal at Hershey Park who was laying there on stage just minding his own business. I was surprised to see the seals out this time of year, but the cold weather didn't seem to bother them. Remember when we went to Hershey Park to see the Christmas lights and how bitter cold it was? I think the trip to Christmas Village was colder though. Remember how cramped we were in the back of my dads Durango and how your legs were falling asleep? I am so glad I can look back and have those cherished memories to remember about you.

Today after I left Hunter out for my mom since she is in Atlantic City (remember our first New Year's Eve together was spent in Atlantic City ringing in the year 1995), I visited you at the cemetery. Right before I got there, it started to rain. I told you that you had better stop the rain because it wasn't going to stop me from visiting you and sure enough, by the time I got there (only a quarter of a mile from where it started to pour down), the rain had stopped. Yeah you knew you were not going to win that time because the rain didn't stop me in the past from visiting LOL. On the way to the cemetery though, I was listening to the radio and the Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Tim McGraw (about the death of loved ones and friends) songs were constantly being played on the radio. Then after I left the cemetery, I went down to Rt. 50 to the roadside memorial. As I was getting back into your truck, my brother pulls up with a friend of his and parked in your spot that you were sitting in when L-4 was hit. He told me not to cry and then he smiled at me. It just reinforced to me that you were with me the entire morning. How else could you explain everything from the songs, to the rain, and then up to that moment. Of course you know when he told me not to cry that I started to, but then I looked at him and said, "I wouldn't sit there to long". All three of us started laughing, he told me he loved me, and then his friend pulled off. The warped sense of humor you displayed came through on me again. It reminded me of the time that Glenn, Lantz, Wilson and I were standing there joking about the same thing when Lantz was parked in that spot. Speaking of Lantz, I see he came to visit you at the cemetery and so did Shapiro. I saw what they left for you. Keith had been talking about visiting you as well. I will see him and his little boy Adam hopefully tomorrow. It breaks my heart to know that so many people are hurting from your loss. None of us should ever have had to endure your loss because it never should have happened. But Kenny Chesney is right when he sings his song "Who You'd Be Today" and says, "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". I know we will all get to see you again some day Duke. Until then, continue to look over us all from above and continue to give me strength and guide me through the rest of my life until we are reunited again.

I love you more than anything in the whole wide world. Here's to a new year!

Love always and forever,
Jenn

Jennifer Aaron
Duke's Wife

December 31, 2005

Jen,

Thinking of you, Duke and your families during the holiday season!

December 29, 2005