Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thinking of you and all who are celebrating the new year in heaven. May you continue to watch over your loving family and serve as an inspiration to all who aspire to follow your example of courage and dedication.

Pennsylvania citizen

January 1, 2008

Mike...it is the beginning of another New Year...I pray that you are happy...and at peace...in that better place.

Your family misses you...loves you dearly...and honors your memory...with untiring effort...I know you are as proud of them...as they are of you.

Watch over your brothers...their families...and especially your sons...who are very fortunate...to have such caring grandparents...see to it...that all of their grandchildren...have the blessing...of your parents...in their life.

With prayers...

Anita L. Culosis
sister of NYS Tpr. Salvatore J. Embarrato eow 7/6/61

January 1, 2008

Dear Mike,

Four years ago tonight you met us at Debbie's after you finished your shift. I remember thinking this a little odd since you hadn't spent New Year's Eve with us in years. Dad and I were happy you came and I wonder now if God sent you that night knowing that would be our last New Year's Eve with you.

Your brother Bob is at Navy Pier tonight, for crowd control, wearing only a vest saying "Police", no gun. He hasn't graduated the academy yet so they won't give him a gun to wear until he gets his badge. He feels bare without a badge and a gun since he is an 11 year veteran but until he graduates the CPD Academy, no badge - no gun. Dad will be going to pin his badge on him next month and I know he will be proud but it will be very hard for him because he knew how much you loved the job. I remember your graduation and how proud we all were of you. As a mother I'm not happy Bobby chose Chicago and I wasn't happy when you did, but both of you are men and as men you make your own choices. I am happy I was able to talk your brother John out of being the police.

Malik and Cullen went to Bob's for an overnight sleep over. He took them to Al's for dinner(one of your favorite places). When they went home to their mother she asked if they had a good time and they said yes. She then asked them what they did and they said what happens at Uncle Bob's stays at Uncle Bob's. I can only imagine since Bob is a big kid himself.

The holidays are very sad for us since you left but we know we need to go on for your brothers' and the grandchildren. Watch over your children and the rest of the family.

Love you forever,
Mom

Carol Gordon
Mother

December 31, 2007

Happy New Year Michael

Four years ago tonight was the last New Years party that your mother and I attended at her friends house. A little before midnight you arrived and really surprised us as you had worked the 3-11 shift that night and stopped on your way home. You helped us welcome 2004, a year that we eventually realized would be the worst year of our lives for we lost you 8 months later. Continue to watch over the family for me, we love and miss you.

Love,
Dad

December 31, 2007

Dear Mr. Gordon,
Thank-you for taking the time to remember officer's that gave the utimate sacrifice and their families.
May God bless you for the service that you are doing.
I have spent hours reading through Michael's pages. This is so great. You are truely honoring him and keeping his memory alive.

Holley Orr
Wife Of Detective Kevin Orr 11-22-06

December 31, 2007

Your family has been in our prayers as your fourth Christmas in heaven came and went. We will continue to remember and honor your sacrifice in the new year. Rest peacefully...

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

December 31, 2007

Merry Christmas and Happy New years Officer Gordon, Thank you for your service.

Thank you Mr Gordon

Your words alone is more than enough, but also from reading your son's reflections and seeing how far your family has came also helps my family. I had never visited this site untill Josh was laid to rest, I had promised Josh that I would visit this site daily and leave something to those who have fallen. I am now trying to view each Officer's site and leave something, since so may left something for Josh. In reading the many reflections of fallen officers I have noted your name in many and I hope I can provide something to other families as you have in behalf of Mike, for Josh. I can not even start to imagine the feeling of lost you have for Mike since Josh was not my actual son and would have been my son in-law if he and Jess would have had their day. The lost of Brothers in Arms is not something new to me, since my first career was being a Marine, which I still honor friends I have lost in my 20+ years and prayer for safety of those that still serve, but the lost of Josh struck harder than any other lost. Thank you Mr Gordon for your service, both in uniform and in touching some many others who have lost a love one on this site.

Deputy John Latour
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

December 31, 2007

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 30, 2007

Happy Holidays, Mike. You are not forgotten. Please help to bring some peace to your parents' hearts - they love and miss you so very much. Whenever I light my candle for Jesse I always say a prayer for you as well.

Warmly ~
Carin Sollman
wife of Officer Jesse E. Sollman EOW 3/25/05

December 30, 2007

Thinking of you over the holiday season, I received a box the other day with blue Christmas lights and I put them around my rack in rememberence of those who have given their lives to protect others. On Christmas Day here, someone put a Christmas tree with white lights on one of the mountains which I could see from here. Did you have something to do with that?

December 28, 2007

OFFICER MICHAEL GORDON , I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS. MY SISTER DONNA INFORMED ME OF THS SITE AND AFTER READING SEVERAL OF YOUR MOM AND DADS REFLECTIONS I THOUGHT IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO WRITE ONE TO YOUR AND MY BROTHER MET YOUR MOM SEVERAL TIMES OVER

THESE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHEN I AM ABLE TO FLY IN FROM CALIFORNIA FOR THE SEVERAL SPECIAL OCASIONS THE CPD HAS FOR THEIR FALLEN HEROES. I KNOW BY READING THE OTHER REFLETIONS ON YOUR SITE THAT IT SEEMS AS IF YOU AND MY BROTHER WERE I FACT RELATED. MY DAD WAS ALSO ARMY AIRBORNE BACK IN WW11 AND I KNOW THAT ONE DAY HE WILLALSO VISIT THIS SITE. I WAS AT THE ACADEMY NOT TOO LONG AGO WIHT MY SISTER DONNA AND SHE TOLD ME THAT YOUR BROTHER WAS GOING THRU THE ACADEMY IN CHICAGO FOR THE CPD. YOU KNOW WHAT MIKE THERE IS ANOTHER GOLD STAR SIBLING WHOSE BROTHER IS BENJAMIN PEREZ WHO I MET IN WASHINGTON BACK IN 2003 WHEN THEY HONORED DONNIE AND BENJAMIN WHO BACK HEN TOLD ME HE WAS GOING TO BECOME A COPPER AND YOU KNOW WHAT HE QUIT HIS JOB AND I BELIEVE LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS IN WASHINGTON I MET HIM THERE AND HE WAS ON THE OAK PARK PD AND WAS GOING TO APPLY TO CPD AS YOUR BROTHER HAS DONE. WHAT AN HONOR FOR BOTH THESE BROTHERS TO CARRY ON THE TRADITION OF THERE DEPARTED BROTHERS. I THINK THAT IS SUCH A HUGE HONOR TO KNOW THAT . YOUR MOM AND DAD ARE NEAT PEOPLE I GET TO SEE THEM WHEN I FLY IN FOR THE GOLD STAR MEETINGS WHEN I AM ABLE. WE ALL MISS YOU GUYS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFIC NOT ONLY DURING THESE HOLIDAY SEASONS BUT EVERY DAY WE WAKE UP. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOUR DAD STARTS ATTENDING IN 2008 WITH YOUR MOM. HE IS SUCH AN IMPORANT PART OF THIS GROUP.I GOT YOUR PICTURE RIGHT NEXT TO MY BROTHERS AND THE OHTERS MY SISTER HAS GIVEN ME.YOU AND THE OTHER BLUE ANGELS CONTINUE TO LOOK OUT OVER US CIVILIANS STILL DOWN HERE ON EARTH. DAVE MARQUEZ

DAVE MARQUEZ
BROHER OF OFFICER DONALD J MARQUEZ EOW 3-19-2002

December 26, 2007

Mike...I said a special prayer for you...and you family...today.

I wish you all a very blessed Christmas...you are not forgotten.

God bless you.

Anita L. Culosi
sister of NYS Tpr. Salvatore J. Embarrato eow 7/6/61

December 25, 2007

Michael,

Thinking of you and your family this Christmas. You are always in my heart..

There Are No Good-Byes Only Love....

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas Son,

The 4th Christmas without you has arrived. Your sons and nephews and two brothers have left and the house is quiet. Thoughs of you drifted in and out of my mind all night and then at the end of the evening we did the annual toast to you. I still can't believe your mother actually downed a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey, but she said is was for you. I downed a shot of nice hot coffee. Your brother Bob brought up one of his past Christmas memories of you both working one Christmas night. You were in Riverside and he was in Broadview, both police officers working a long and slow shift as all cops know how a holiday is to work. You both decided to meet somewhere and have dinner but neither of you had money so your brother ended up going to a quick mart store as nothing was open and she gave him some free outdated sandwiches she was throwing out. You both had your turkey dinner together that Christmas night and he remembers you singing "Happy Holidays" as you ate. I write these memories down so that others can see what type of person you were and your children to someday enjoy. Continue to watch over everyone for me. We love and miss you and I hope you enjoy the little tree at your grave site that is now lit on Christmas Eve. All our love.

Love
Dad

December 24, 2007

merry christmas michael
you boys try to behave this christmas in heaven - and save a special place for you dad. what a remarkable father is is to all of us. he blesses us with his memories of you and his notes to us. thank you michael, you will always be remembered and your family is in our prayers.

kathe starks
mother of daniel starks 10/25/03

December 24, 2007

To the Gordon Family,
So many of us are thinking of you tonight and through this holiday season, as you make it through another Christmas. Michael, the legacy of love and family committment you leave will shine for years to come through your children. We all love the Michael stories your dad tells, and are grateful for the connection he makes to ones who need it the most. May your fourth Christmas in heaven be peaceful and glorious.

Pennsylvania citizen

December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas Michael. I think about you everyday and will always cherish the time I had you as a friend and co-worker. You are always in my heart and prayers. Please continue to watch over your family and all of us that love you and miss you.

Love,
Sheryl

Sheryl Palermo
Riverside PD

December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas Daddy. We miss you!
Love,
Malik and Cullen

Malik and Cullen Gordon
Sons

December 24, 2007

Hey Mike,
Wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, and to let you know that you are in my heart and memories. Mike, I feel as if I have known you since you were a small child, with the stories your Dad writes and your Mom And I talking. My week and sometimes days, wouldn't be complete without talking to her. I will always beleive in my heart that you and Jeff got together and decided we needed each other. We laugh together, cry together, share our happiness and our sorrows. I only wish we lived closer so we could do things together. I feel I know your intire family, and have grown to love each of them. Maybe this will be the year that I get to go to Chicago. I don't know if this North Carolina Country Bumkin can take that Big Windy City, but I'll sure give it a try when I can.
Four Christmas's have gone by since you and Jeff were called home, and it doesn't seem like it. But for you two,you have seen what our minds can't even begin to comprehend. The Bible say's the walls are made of Jasper, The gates of pearl, and that there are eight gates to the city, and the streets of purest gold. Not to mention the angels singing and praising Jesus all the time. That there is no darkness in Heaven because Jesus is the light. I look forward to the day I will be with you, Jeff and all our loved ones. A glorious Family Reunion. So until you see me, keep watch over all of us, especially your family. So enjoy Christmas Mike, with knowing you are missed, loved and very much alive in our thoughts and memories. My love to all the Hero's, And Merry Christmas to you all.
Love, Carolyn

Carolyn Moore
Friend

December 24, 2007

Dear Mike,

This will be our fourth Christmas without you and the hurt is as bad as it was the day you passed. The family will get together but things will never be the same without you being there. I know you missed four Christmas' with us when you were in the Army but we knew you would be coming back to us. I never dreamed I would never get to see you again. What I wouldn't give to see that crooked smile again just one more time.

We were at Bob's yesterday with your boys who are growing up very fast. We recently went to see Malik play clarinet with the band at school and they played very well for 5th and 6th graders. Cullen is into wrestling so we went in the attic and I gave him your wrestling men (from 1985) and the ring. He'll be getting some new guys for Xmas. It's amazing how he's into the things you were as a kid.

Later this morning we are going to the cemetery to put blue lights on your wreath which I hope you will be able to see and know how much we miss you. All of us will toast you later today with a shot of Jameson.

Merry Xmas in Heaven.

Love you forever,
Mom

P.S. Maybe Guin will let us see Grace one day. See what
you can do to make that happen.

Carol Gordon
Mother

December 24, 2007

MICHAEL, YOU ARE REMEMBERED BY MANY KID. WATCH OVER YOU DEAR DAD. REST NOW OUR DEAR BROTHER.

DET MIKE
CHI. P.D.

December 21, 2007

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Officer Micheal P Gordon's family and friends. You will be remembered in my prayers. Thank you for all your kind words and thoughtfulness. You have truly touched my heart Mr Gordon. Heaven has two special angels, Micheal and LaToya. Linda Johnson mother of Police Officer LaToya Johnson EOW 08-09-2004

December 20, 2007

Dear Officer Gordon,
I love reading the stories about you and your life. What a legacy that is being left for your children and family. You have such a special family and father who love you so very much. I'm sure you already knew that! Even though you are in a better place we pray that your family will feel your spirit and love all around them this Christmas season in a special way. You are still alive. You were just called to a HIGHER CALLING from this world. Mr. Gordon, Thank you for the calling on your life in helping us all with your kind words that keep us going and reaching out to us in your own pain. Thank you for the light for Brian. You will never know how much that touched our family. Know that Michael is remembered on our red,white and blue tree and all the police family and soldiers also.

Merry Christmas Officer Gordon John 14:27

Tammy Persin
Mother of Military Police Officer
Pfc Brian Thomas Gleason 8/9/2000

December 20, 2007

There is no greater love than that of a parent for their child..and no man who loves his child more than your Dad loves you. I come here just to see what he has to say about you and the wonderful stories he tells. He spends so much time reaching out to others, I wanted to reach back out to him. Mr Gordon thank you for always stopping by. I wish I could see your house all lit up in blue. This year I bought two of the window candles and put blue lights in them...it was you who inspired me to do it! Each day I come home and turn on the lights...for Drew...for Mike and for all the others who have given of themselves so completely. You are so right...the holidays will never be the same. My children and I attend a grief support group twice a month. Last night we made memory candles. Drew's is red, white and blue for the flag he loved so much...gold for his beloved USMC...another blue for his thin blue line...and hearts for love. It was a nice tribute to him. The kids did a good job. My daughter wrote the words on it: Dad, Husband, Best Friend, Hero. What more could anyone say? I hope that during this very sad time that you find a peaceful moment and a little bit of joy enters your heart...I'm sure Mike would want it that way. Much love to you and your family this Christmas!!

Mike...look for my Drew. Let him know we're still missing him every moment. Have a grand feast up there!!

Chrissy Henley, Surviving Spouse
William A Henley, Suffolk VA PD, EOW 3/19/05

December 19, 2007

Michael,

Got out to the cemetery today for a visit and to check out things. Probably wasn't the best day to do it as we had a snow storm last night and they didn't plow the roads in the cemetery as it was Sunday. I made it in and ended up almost getting stuck. First time I ever had to back a pickup truck backwards down winding roads for about4 blocks.
Think of you all the time, especially with Christmas coming in about another week. Hard to believe this is our fourth Christmas without you bieng with us with that goofy laugh of yours bellowing in the background on my home video tapes. No I wish I would have concentrated more on the adults than all the kids as I can hear you in the background talking and laughing. I know everyone who has lost a Blue Angel on these many pages knows the feeling of not having any of you here for the holiday and we all somehow continue on. I don't know if I told this story about you and Christmas or not, was too lazy to go back and check. But, here is a Christmas Story.

Michael Story:

When you were little, me and Mom had a heck of a time hiding presents that we would leave for Santa to give to you and your brothers when you were young. For some reason you would tear the house apart looking for the secret hiding place and end up finding them and then tell your two older brothers everything they were getting for Christmas and then some. Well, I tried beating you at your own game one year and asked our next door neighbor if I could store the presents as his house, he said it was okay so when everyone was out I brought everything down to his basement and left it there. I know you were tearing up the house from the attic to the basement looking for stuff and me and Mom kept telling you and your brothers that you were all so bad that there were no gifts that year. Well, two days before Christmas I went over and retrieved all the presents. Back then we had the entrance into the basement of the house from the outside so no one even knew when I brought them in. Well, Christmas Eve arrive and you and your brothers knew everything prior to opening the gifts and what was in each wrapped package. I guess you didn't give up looking for stuff and figured out the game plan, even when you were that young. No wonder you ended up being a cop with tenacity. We love and miss you terribly. I'll be back in about a week.

Love,
Dad

December 16, 2007