Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As being one of your fellow officers' daughters I have to say that I was deeply affected when I heard you were gone. I had seen and spoken to you before and I was shocked to know that one of the few officers I knew was no longer alive. All the times I had heard my dad talk about you it was always something nice. Duke you were a hero, any person who risks their life everyday for the safety of a citizen is a hero in my life. Officer Duke you are going to make god proud, you will be the best angel. I know we will all miss you but we know you will be with us every time we cross the Bay Bridge.

Thank-You for Being There
Goodbye Duke Rest in Peace

Tiffany Younghein
Daughter of a MdTA Officer

July 25, 2004

It's hard to put into words how I feel. I have lost a brother in arms.Even though I did not know you well Duke, I will miss you. May God bless your family. Rest in peace my brother.

Off. John McCarty III
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 25, 2004

As your class mate in the Md.T.A. Police Class #29 and co-worker at B.W.I. your presence will surely be missed as a POLICE officer and as a friend in your community. As you would always say "anyways" may you rest in peace Duke.

Off. II M. Kelly
Maryland transportation Authority Police

July 25, 2004

All of us in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Unit had the chance to watch Cpl. Aaron mature from Cadet to Officer, what a gift to leave to us. I think Sgt. Bocklage has it right, it's just not fair. We will all miss you Duke, rest in peace brother.

Lt. Michael Alban
Md Transportation Authority Police

July 25, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Officer Aaron's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Officer Aaron, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

July 25, 2004

Duke,
As I look back and think of all the good times we had, both at work and off-duty, it upsets me to know that you are no longer with us. You were a great friend and an even better police officer. Our dept. has truely lost one of it's best. Thank you for being such a great friend Duke, I will miss you. Rest easy Corporal Aaron.

Officer II, Brian Jordan #0701
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 25, 2004

Mrs. Aaron, unfortunately, I know all too well the pain you are feeling right now. My husband, of only 5 months, New Jersey State Trooper Bert Zimmerman, was also killed in the line of duty this year. We are similar in the fact that you and I never got to have children with our husbands. We dont get to see a little piece of them in our childrens eyes or in their smiles. If only we had more time with them.

Please know that your husband will be your new guardian angel. Although he is no longer physically with you, he is with you in your heart and in your memories. You will not hear me say "hes in a better place" because as surviving spouses, we think the "better place" is here on this earth with us. Being a police officer's wife is not easy, yet you always think "this wont happen to us, it only happens to other people". Sadly, we are living that reality.

I know our husbands are together now protecting us and watching over us while they are patrolling the highways of heaven. Mrs Aaron, you are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this most difficult time in your life.

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of New Jersey State Trooper Bert Zimmerman 02-05-04

July 25, 2004

We are all still in a state of shock over this whole situation, and feel a great loss of such an incredible person. However, we are overwhelmed by the love and support that officers from across Maryland and across the country are expressing. It helps to know that so many people are praying for us. We have been watching people who didn't even have the opportunity to meet Duke leave the funeral home with tears in their eyes for the loss of a "brother", and it makes us realize that you lost a family member, too. We just want to thank you and tell you how much we appreciate everything you are doing for our family now, and for all you do on a daily basis on the job. Duke would have probably been really embarrassed by all the attention, but he would have been so proud of the respect and honor you are showing him. We all lost a good one. God bless.

Rob Cline (Cousin of Officer Aaron)
On behalf of the Family

July 24, 2004

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

July 24, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Duke G. Aaron III and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Duke... 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 24, 2004

God Speed to your next call,,,
Your badge has grown some wings and your are walking the streets of Heaven,
Keep a watch over your family, extended family and friends,
God Bless,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Laura L Morgan
St.Johns Co So St.Aug Florida

July 24, 2004

Although I did not know you personally, you and I have shared many tours of duty together in the fight for the common good. Thank you for fighting the fight....rest in peace brother.

Deputy First Class Jason L. West
Frederick County, Maryland Sheriff's Office

July 24, 2004

Officer Aaron,

I'm sorry you had to pay the price at such a young age. I've read a lot of your reflections and the world has suffered a great loss. Rest in Peace my Brother...I look forward to meeting you at roll call from above. To your family and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department, you are in my prayers. GODSPEED.....

Officer
NC

July 24, 2004

A COP ON THE TAKE


First he takes the oath.
Now look at all he takes---

He takes it in stride when people call him a pig.
He takes time to stop and talk to children.
He takes your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket that you deserve...
He takes on creeps that you would be afraid to even look at.

He takes time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes your injured children to the hospital.
He takes the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
He takes his life into his hands daily.

He takes you home when your car breaks down.
He takes time to explain why both of your headlights have to work.
He takes the job that no one else wants---
telling you that a loved one has died.

He takes criminals to jail.
He takes in sights that would make you cry.
Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.

If he is lucky, he takes a retirement.
He takes memories to bed each night,
that you couldn't bear for one day!
Sometimes he takes a bullet.
And yes, occasionally he takes a free cup of coffee.
Then one day he pays for all he has taken...

GOD takes him!

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw P.D. Choctaw Oklahoma

July 24, 2004

Officer(Corporal)Duke Aaron was one of the most dedicated and hard working officers the MdTA Police has ever had. Duke deserved all of the Awards he has received during his career with the department and he will never be forgotten as one of the great ones. My prays go out to him and his family.

Detective Lieutenant Manny Crew
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 23, 2004

It's just not fair. Rest in peace Duke.
Tell Crouch, Pyles and Ramsberg to take good care of you. We still miss them also.

Sgt. William Bocklage
Md. Transportation Authority Police

July 23, 2004

Another hero has gone to patrol the streets of heaven. To those that mourn, this is a sad occasion; however, for those of us that remain it's worse, as we are still stuck here in HELL!!!!! Dear God, bless this officer, those that have gone before him, and those that will follow, and please God, have mercy on all our souls.

Ivan D Hurd

July 23, 2004

Corporal Duke Aaron, I worked with you when I was an Officer and you were a cadet. I worked with you when you graduated the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Academy and went from cadet to Officer. I will never forget your smile and happy go lucky attitude. I never had the chancce to be your supervisor and I wish I had. I remember a conversation we had when I backed you up on a stop a few weeks ago on Route 50. You always enforced the laws to the best of your abilities and you guided your ways with your heart and always had compassion. Sir I will miss you and the agency will miss you. May you rest in peace and may your family be blessed. We will watch over your family as you watch over all of us.

Sergeant Mark R. Henry #0388
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 23, 2004

Duke,
I never had the honor to meet, work, or train with you, but I believe we shared the same award stage at one time. You have left a forever lasting impression with our agency as well in all of our hearts. May God bless you and your family, and and we know you will be looking out for us.

Officer II Jason Graves
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 23, 2004

On behalf of everyone at the Key Bridge Detachment we would like to thank you for your dedication and commitment to the department and your years of service to the community.God Bless you and your family, you will be missed.

Key Bridge Detachment
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 23, 2004

As I passed the funeral home today, my 9 year old daughter told me that she knew why police die, she said "It's so they can be gardian angles for all the children that God sends us."
I did not know Duke even though he lived in our neighborhood. I wish I did.
May God bring comfort to to his wife, family, friends and fellow police.

Det. Rich Lesniewski
Anne Arundel County Police Department

July 23, 2004

As I passed the funeral home today, my 9 year old daughter told me that she knew why police die, she said "It's so they can be gardian angles for all the children that God sends us."
I did not know Duke even though he lived in our neighborhood. I wish I did.
May God bring comfort to to his wife, family, friends and fellow police.

Det. Rich Lesniewski
Anne Arundel County Police Department

July 23, 2004

We take so many things for granted in this world, we forget to stop and look at the friends that we have until there gone. Duke you will be missed by all here at the bridge. I am proud to have worked with you and to have been able to call you a friend. Your brother forever. Rest In Peace.

Police Officer Louis Younghein
Maryland Transportation Authority Police

July 23, 2004

May God bless you Ofc. Aaron III and your family. Thank you for your service Brother.

PFC Dale Sewell
Baltimore County Police COT Unit

July 23, 2004

Duke,
We have lost the best Officer Maryland has ever seen. I will always remember our days in the academy.Not only were you a great cop you were a wonderful person. You will be misssed and remembered in all of our hearts. I know you are watching over us all. Thank you for being my friend. We will carry on the job in your name.Rest easy we have it from here!

Off. Kevin G.Leary Sr.
MdTA Police

July 23, 2004