Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our hearts are deeply saddened to hear the news of another North Texan hero lost. We will cry, grieve, and pray for your family. Thank you for your service.

PD Grapevine

July 31, 2004

My name is Andrea Fisher. I am a police officer with the Lewisville Police Department. I attended the police academy with Nathan and was the class president. Nathan was one of the squad leaders. I deeply, deeply respected him, as I am sure all those who knew him did. I am feeling a profound, deep sense of loss knowing that he is gone.

I had never been in a position of leadership before but valued the opportunity to learn, and learn I did. Nathan was behind me all the way. He gave me sound advice, gentle guidance, and sometimes stern guidance. I remember so very clearly conversations that I had with him. Like the day that he told me that I was doing fine and I realized that I had earned his respect. Let me tell you, Laurie's respect was WORTH EARNING.

He was a GENUINE man. I have been overwhelmed by memories of his infectious laugh, his funny sayings, his intensity.
If you did something wrong, he would let you know, and you would feel bad and not do it again. He was a powerful force that was definitely intimidating, yet when he talked about his family, he had a very gentle nature. He was a protector--100%.

He was such a hard worker. He gave 100% of himself -all the time. He was working as a jailer at night and going to class during the day. No one knew when he was actually sleeping. But, he stayed motivated enough for the whole class!

I remember practicing building searches with him. I was behind him at one point and realized that I couldn't see ANYTHING he was so tall!! We laughed at that.

What I remember most, was how he would throw his head back and laugh. You couldn't help but smile and laugh with him.

I am having difficulty finding words that accurately measure my sense of loss. There are none. I have cried every day since I heard the news, yet I had not seen him in 2 years. That is how much he impacted my life. I have found myself talking out loud hoping Nathan could hear me, telling him how much I will miss him.

I am hoping that his family and co-workers might see this letter. I would like them to know just how much he touched other people's lives.

He will never be forgotten.


Andrea E. Fisher

Andrea Fisher
Lewisville, Tx.

July 31, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you!

Shannon
concerned citizen

July 31, 2004

Nathan Laurie was like a second father to me. I first met Nathan and his family about 10 years ago when I was overseas in Okinawa. Nathan was a Marine and I was in the Air Force and Nathan's family and I became very close. Nathan moved to Texas approximately 4 years ago and I introduced him into law enforcement as I was already working for an area agency. Nathan loved this line of work from day one and was always committed to giving 110% every day he worked. Nathan was truly a wonderful Police Officer. Let me also tell you about the other side of Nathan. Nathan was a loving husband with two sons and a daughter. Nathan was always involved in his family's lives and was always making everyone smile and laugh with his sense of humor. The White Settlement Police Department is only two miles from River Oaks and we had on numerous occassions the opportunity to interact with Nathan during his duties. As most small departments in the nation rely on neighboring cities for help, this was also the case for our area cities. Nathan will never be forgotten and he should serve as a role model for all of us to strive for in law enforcement. May God bless the family, friends, and the River Oaks Police Department. Nathan will be dearly missed by all of us and our hearts continue to be heavy.
Officer Chris Cook
White Settlement Police Department

Chris Cook
White Settlement Police, Texas

July 31, 2004

Myself along with 27 other people attended the academy with Nathan in 2001. Nathan was a positive role model for all of us in the academy. News of Nathan's death struck me hard. Nathan and I had not spoke since we graduated the academy. One day last year I had to go do a prisoner transfer at River Oaks PD. As I pulled into the parkinglot, I noticed a little red car sitting in front of the station. I thought to myself, that car looks familiar. No it couldn't be. I walked into the station and was met by a lost friend, Nathan. Nathan and I talked for over an hour about what was going on in our lives and not keeping in touch. We made a promise to each other that we would not lose touch. We called each other all most every week. We would joke and talk about everything. We talked about our 2 fellow brothers from Grapevine and Grand Prairie who lost their lives in the line of duty. We both told one another that we hoped we would never have to attend one anothers funeral or a fellow classmates funeral. I just spoke to Nathan earlier in the week to give our weekly/bi weekly hello. Myself along with our other classmates looked up to Nathan. Nathan was an inspiration to all of us. I can only imagine the difference that Nathan made in his community he served because he made a big difference in our academy. My heart and prayers go out to his fellow employees, his friends, and most of all his family. Nathan, you will be missed and never forgotten. I will deeply miss you, my brother.

OFFICER DARREN BURKHART
PANTEGO PD

July 31, 2004

There are but two persons who protect the sinful human race from destroying itself. One is God's Holy Spirit. The other is the Peace Officer. Without them, we would all perish at each other's hands.

You were called into this profession and our Lord and Savior has blessed you because:
According to Romans 13.1-5...
God ordains the Peace Officer’s profession.
The Peace Officer is sent by God.
The Peace Officer is vested with God's authority to enforce the law.
A Peace Officer's badge is to be honored by us, because it is honored by God.

To the family of Officer Nathan Laurie and to the River Oaks Police Department, your extended family of Law Enforcement Officers grieves with you during this time. I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around each of you and comfort you during this most difficult time.

You gave the ultimate sacrifice for your fellow man, your life.
While serving, defending, and protecting others in your community.
Rest easy with our other fallen Brothers and Sisters, we have the watch now.

To all my brothers and sisters, please remember the fallen officers we have lost and their families. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Please pray for this officer's family, agency, and friends as they struggle with this tragedy.
May God be with you every day, please remember, we are a part of the largest family in the world and when one hurts we all hurt.

Though our badges and uniforms may be different, our mission is the same. We continue the fight in your honor.

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw P.D. Choctaw Oklahoma

July 31, 2004

I would like to take this opportunity to say that I didn't know Officer Laurie very well. I met him when I was in the academy and he volunteered his time to come out and participate in practical exercises. Officer Laurie taught us alot and a very professional officer. Officer Laurie spoke to our class at the end of our practical exercises and had many kind words to say and made all of us laugh. I have since come out of the academy and am now out of field training. As a new Police Officer I appreciate officers like Officer Laurie that take their time and wisdom and pass that wisdom on the future officers. Thank you for your wisdom and service Officer Laurie, you will be missed.

Sincerely,

Officer Duane Ford

Ofc. Duane Ford
North Richland Hills Police Dept.

July 31, 2004

May God surround Officer Laurie's wife, children, family, friends and co-workers with love and grace. My prayers are with you. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

July 31, 2004

officer Lauire, as a former marine,texan, and now a police officer i want to thank you for courage to both defending our country and protecting your community. May God bless your family and friends at this time of sorrow. Godspeed devil dog.......

patrol officer castro
athens police dept, alabama

July 31, 2004

ON BEHALF OF ALL THE DEPUTIES FROM OUR DEPARTMENT OFFICER LAURIE REST IN PEACE YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

DEPUTY SHERIFF CARLOS WILSON
SO MARION COUNTY TEXAS

July 30, 2004

May God bless your family and friends, Sir, at this terrible time. There are no words that I can say to help ease the pain they are feeling but just know they are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, Sir.

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

July 30, 2004

Another hero has been taken away. I am very saddened to hear of the loss of Officer Laurie. I didn't know him very well but what I did know is that he was a very nice man and that he was a great officer. My heart goes out to his family, and they will be in my prayers.

Explorer Chaplain Mary Shroyer
Grapevine Police Department

July 30, 2004

Another North Texas Police Department has lost a great Officer! My thoughts and prayers are not only with River Oaks PD but also with Officer Laurie's wife, children, parents and extended family. Our hearts go out to you.

Public Service Officer R. Grelle
Hurst PD

July 30, 2004

pLEASE WATCHOVER YOUR FAMILY AND GIVE THEM THE STRENGTH THEY WILL NEED DURING THIS TIME.

July 30, 2004

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

July 30, 2004

May god Bless PO Laurie and his family. We will keep our hero in our prayers and thoughts. Always know Police Officer Nathan Laurie is now seated at right hand of the father along with many other heros who have laid down their life in the line of duty, watching over his family and friends. God bless

PO J Lemos
NYPD

July 30, 2004

Today we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Laurie. 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 30, 2004

The officers of the 67th Precinct Anti-Crime Team with to extend their condolences to the friends, co-workers and family of Officer Laurie.

67th Precinct Anti-Crime Team
New York City Police Department

July 30, 2004

I attended the police academy (NCTCOG BCAPS 157) with Officer Nathan Laurie. I am in shock and saddened by the news of his death. I remember him as a man that was always there to help his fellow cadet through the tough times in the academy. He was someone the younger cadets could look up to, as he had already acheived so much in his life by serving with the Marine Corp for many years. He was someone that certainly had a calling to be a police officer. He attended the academy full time during the day, and worked full time at night as a jailer for Tarrant County. How he did that I will never know. We all wondered when or if he ever slept.
He talked of his family often and they were the light of his life. My prayers are with his wife and children as well as his extended family at the River Oaks Police Department.
He served his country, he served his community--now it is his time to rest.

From BCAPS 157, Officer Laurie will be missed and never forgotten

OFFICER TONYA CLINE
TOLAR POLICE DEPARTMENT

July 30, 2004

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, July 30, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer Nathan Laurie who died in the line of duty just yesterday.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Laurie's sacrifice will never be forgotten

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

July 30, 2004

Thank you, Officer Laurie, for your service. Rest peacefully and may God continue to watch over the loves ones here grieving for you. You will be remembered, always.

Michigan

July 30, 2004

I was deeply saddened to learn that Nathan lost his life in duty. Prayers and condolences to his family and comrades. I will remember the time he and his comrades helped me and another officer not long ago. He was always full of a smile and joke. Nathan has done a great job for the residents of River Oaks, he made a difference, and now he has taken the greatest "Promotion" ever. We will miss you brother, but know "Today" the Angels of Heaven sing with joy, "Welcome Home Officer Nathan Laurie You Have Done Well"

Scott Parker Police Officer
Pelican Bay Police Department, Eagle Mountain Lake, Tarrant County Tex

July 30, 2004

Officer Laurie,
I pray for peace to be with both yor family, and those members of River Oaks Police Department. May the lord give all who know you peace in their life. I too am a former Marine who got a calling to be a police officer, and I thank you for keeping both citizens of your city and your Marines Safe. Until We meet, God Bless and Semper Fi Brother.

Patrolman

July 30, 2004

My sincere condolence to the family and friends of Officer Laurie and to members of the River Oaks Police Department.

Sr. Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

July 30, 2004

God bless you and your family. Rest in peace officer. Thank you for your service.

Officers Wife
St. Petersburg, FL

July 30, 2004