Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heart goes out to Officer Aaron's family and fellow officers during this difficult time. Please know that we are thinking of you.

Richie Grant
Surviving spouse of Dave Grant, Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Dept. EOW 5/31/

July 28, 2004

Thank You Brother, We will take it from here

BCOPD

July 28, 2004

To Duke's wife and his parents I say thank you. Thank you for the sacrifice you have given us. I will treasure Duke's memory always. He was a good man. The bar has just been raised. Every new MdTA recruit will now stand in Duke's shadow. I know the sentiment is not original, but it is heartfelt.
All gave some, Duke gave all. May God comfort Duke's family in their grief.

Officer II (Retired)
Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department

July 28, 2004

To the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Aaron, my prayers are with you. I'm so sorry for your loss, I know that you are hurting and there is nothing anyone can do to make it any easier. The pain is still just like it happened yesterday with me, but I try to carry on by thinking that Clint was doing what he loved to do and that was being a Police Officer and helping people.
Thank you Officer Aaron for watching over all of us while you were here on earth, and I know that you and Clint are watching over everyone in heaven. We will never forget you...

Connie Barker
Mother of P.O. Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04

July 28, 2004

We cannot believe you are gone.
We will miss your friendly but shy, goofy grin...you were always one of our favorites.
Rest easy.

Sharon Cope
BAY SPAN - Bay Bridge

July 28, 2004

I lost my brother a week ago doing what he loved most. He was not only a wonderful officer but a wonderful brother and uncle. In my loss for words he will be greatly missed but always in our hearts. I thank each and everyone for leaving there thoughts, wisdoms, support and prayers. It means so much to the family to have a family like you who know and understand what we are going thru. You all will remain in our prayers and thoughts forever.

Cindy Zimmerman (Sister)

July 27, 2004

As the wife of a police officer, I worry every night he goes to work. I always tell him I love him and pray God will keep him safe.

Mrs Aaron, although I didn't know you or your husband very well I had the opportunity to speak to you briefly at the funeral home. You were so strong and I'm sure your husband is so proud of you.

There is a poem I would like to share with you that I hope will give you comfort:

Do not stand by my gave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning,
Hush: I am the sweet uplifting rush
Of quiet birds encircling flight
I am the soft star shine at night
Do not stand by my grave and cry
I am not there...I did not die.

Rest in Peace Cpl. Aaron!!

Kim Haynes
Wife of MdTA Officer Bryan Haynes

July 27, 2004

We are truly saddened at Duke'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

Duke,
Everyday we saw your name on the schedule we knew we were gonna have a busy day in Communications. We also knew we had a highly qualified officer we could depend on who loved his job and did it very well. I never heard an unkind word from you or about you. You did what was asked of you and never complained. You will always be remembered and in our prayers. I'm proud to have known you and thank you for what your friendship has taught me.
You will be missed.

TCO. Debbie Morgan
Md Transportation Authority Police Dept

July 27, 2004

Prayers and sympathy to the family, friends and coworkers of Cpl. Aaron. Our hearts ache with yours as we mourn the loss of our loved ones.

Relative of Cpl. Christopher Shea, DE St

July 27, 2004

Sir, I never had the pleasure of meeting you, but I heard that you were and excellent person and police officer. As a cadet you are an officer I would look up too, and try to accomplish all that you have. Rest in peace Corporal. Thank You!!!!!

Cadet Rothenbecker #0875
Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department

July 27, 2004

Duke I never really got to know you, but I am proud to say that I got to wear the same uniform you did. You will be truly missed. Your family and you will always be in my prayers. You will be in great company. You truly were the best Police Officer in the State of Maryland.

Officer II Kevin Ayd
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 27, 2004

Duke, you will be missed. I was your cpl. and friend. I knew I could always count on you for a job well done with no worry's. I will miss seeing you in the morning with your grin, coffee and lunch box. Rest in Peace, your forevery sister Mary.

Cpl. Mary Bernoski
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 27, 2004

No one is ever dead as long as someone remembers. I will always remember. God bless you Duke and God bless your family and all your brothers in blue

Paul S
Friend of two fallen Officers from the Portland Police Dept.

July 27, 2004

Matt. 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Duke you are a peacemaker in the truest sence of the word. I am honored to be able to call you a friend, and a brother in blue. You will be truly missed, but I have peace in my heart knowing you have won the war. You will forever live in my memory till we meet again in eternity.

Officer Robert J. Rosso
Anne Arundel County Police, Maryland

July 27, 2004

Jen,
You know how much I liked working with Duke while he was a cadet, because we had so much in common. From the pick up trucks to the cowboy hat. I am lost for words of advice. I am hurting on the inside but on the outside still appears to be a strong police office. Our agency will not forget about you and neither will I. I am here for you to help carry you through these rough times, because I know Duke is helping me. For a small frame man, he had shoulders of steel and a heart of gold.

Officer Jeremy Birchfield
Maryland Transportation Authority PD

July 26, 2004

Duke, I'll never forget the first day that you walked in for Cadet training. The cowboy boots that you wore were spit shinned, the blue jeans and the cowboy hat that looked oh so big. You filled that hat by the end of the week. I knew then, that what we had was an individual that would not only make a good cop but someone that had cop running in his veins. Throughout the years I watched you grow. But most of all I remember the smile that would light up the room, the pride that you had for your work and especially the love for your sweet Jen. You will always be in our hearts and always on our minds. May God bless. Sgt. Jean Birchfield

Sgt. M.J. Birchfield
MdTAP

July 26, 2004

As the wife of a police officer, I worry every day about him getting hurt, or even worse killed. I always make sure that I say 'I love you" before he leaves the house for his 12 hours of duty.

I extend my deepest sympathies to Officer Duke Aaron's family, especially his wife, who I had the honor of meeting at the funeral home. Even though I know that she was dying inside, she held her head up high and welcomed all the visitors that came to honor her husband. I only wonder if I could be that strong in that situation. I hope she knows how important her husband was to the community. He will always be in our hearts and will look over all the husbands and wives who serve in law inforcement.

Officer Duke Aaron, may you rest in peace!!

Kate Hackett-Wife of Md Transportation A

July 26, 2004

May your family and freinds find peace in these heart felt reflection from your extended family. Go rest high on the mountain, god bless you brother!

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

July 26, 2004

If I should die and leave you here awhile,
Be not like others, sore and undone,
Who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep.
For my sake - turn again to life and smile
Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
Something to comfort other hearts than thine.
Complete those dear unfinished tasks of mine
And I, perchance, may therein comfort you.
A. Price Hughes & Mary Lee Hall

Rest in peace my brother for you are now with the angels who watch over the rest of us. May God comfort and guide those of us who are left behind.

Lt. Stephen Jackson
Baton Rouge Police Dept.

July 26, 2004

Mrs. Aaron,
As a police officer for the Maryland Transportation Authority Police again I would like to extend my condolences. I would also like to inform you of how you made me feel when I standing in line after paying my respects to Duke, during a conversation that you and I shared you told me not to shed any tears that I should turn my tears into agression and stop the offenders that are out there still doing what the person that hit Duke was doing. In my opinion it takes alot of courage to muster the strength that you showed on Saturday. I knew of Duke and had the occasion to speak to him only a few times. I thank you and Duke for the courage that you showed and will continue to show to all of us.
On behalf of the officers at the Tunnel Command please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.

Officer II @ Tunnel Command-
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 26, 2004

I worked for the Authority for a short time ang got to know several officers. To this day, when ever I hear something about the Transportation Authority I stil feel like it's a part of me. I am saddened by the loss of Duke, and can't imagine the pain of his wife. I just want to send some love and thoughts her way.

Dan Gaskill
Lawyer

July 26, 2004

Just three short days before Corporal Aaron's death, my friend and I had been in a small collision only yards away from the toll booth to go over the Bay Bridge. Since my friend has had her license, she had not been in any kind of accident, she was all shook up and worried to call her father because of the fact that she had damaged her car. Corporal Aaron arrived onto the scene to file a report and to make sure that everything was okay. He was able to calm us down and explain to us that everything was going to be okay. There was something about Corporal Aaron that really did make us feel better. He was a caring, genuine person and I am so glad that he came to our rescue. I was so saddened to hear the news, I did not believe any of it until it all became so real. The news channels, the newspapers, even the memorial set up along route 50 for him seems like it still isn't about him and that it's another officer that they must be talking about. Now I feel that I have met him for a reason and I was more than grateful to have had the chance to meet him. I hope you know that for that fifteen minutes of your life that you shared with me, will never be forgotten Officer Aaron. Yeah, you may say that you were only doing your job and that you do it all the time, but something about your voice just made everything better.You were more than just a police officer to me, and I feel that I can even call you my friend. Rest in Peace, you will not be forgotten.

Rhea Morgan
Resident of the Arnold area

July 26, 2004

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Officer Duke G. Aaron III. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

July 26, 2004

Officer Aaron, Rest Easy Brother. You and your family are in my prayers and will never be forgotten.

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, LA.

July 25, 2004