Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Michael, I was reading the reflections on your memorial page and wanted to tell your dad thank you for remembering my son, Jay. We miss you young men terribly and some days are especially hard. Birthdays, anniversaries and other days that were special to you will never be the same. Say a prayer for your family and continue to watch over them. You will never be forgotten for your sacrifice. Rest in peace.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

July 6, 2007

Just wanted to let you and your family know that I've been thinking about you and them. Your father left a message on my son's site, we just miss you guys so much. Bob thanks for leaving a message, I check Clint's site everyday, it's just something I do everyday, there are a couple of the 2004 Officers that I look at everyday and Michael's is one. Also went to his site on Making Everlasting Memories loved all the pictures, Clint is also on that site.

Michael thank you again for the scarifice you and your family have made, and your family will continue to make for the rest of there lives. You are a hero, and I will never forget, we have our Blue Candles that burn 24/7 for all you.

I hope you and Clint keep sending those little signs, it helps us through.

Connie Barker Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04 Prattville, Al

July 4, 2007

Dear Mike, Sorry it's been a while since I have stopped by, but I know you and Jeff know that I've been in therapy with my back and neck. Wanted to wish you a Happy Fourth of July. I know the celebration in Heaven will be something to see. And all of you Hero's will be looking down on us. Mike as I told Jeff, you both fought on foreign soil for our Flag and Country, to keep our Country free. Only to be taken away from us on US soil. I'll never understand why. But I will forever remember the sacrifice you Hero's in Blue made for us, along with those who gave their lives fighting for our Freedom and those who still are. So Mike, you and Jeff know that when you are watching the Fireworks from Heaven they are for you. Remember you will never be forgotten and will live forever in our hearts and memories. Thanks for the sacrifice you made in trying to keep the bad guys off the streets and trying to keep Ole Glory flying. Mike please know that you are missed and loved forever. Keep watch over your loved ones and friends, And your brother's and sister's in BLUE. Love you, Carolyn

Carolyn Moore
Friend of the Gordon Family

July 3, 2007

Michael-I often visit the Officer Down site, as it is a form of training, and a daily reminder of the dangers WE police officers face while on patrol. After reading your reflections I must say how proud your family is of you and how dearly you are missed. Officers like you that are taken from us, I know are up in the sky along with Saint Michael protecting those of us on the streets. I am dedicating my next shift (7/3/07 11PM-7AM) in your honor. I printed your picture and department patch and will carry them in my uniform pocket for the entire shift. Look out for all of us on patrol. Many shifts have come and gone since your last one, but you will never be forgotten. Thank You for your service. RIP Brother in Blue.

Patrolman D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

July 3, 2007

Michael,
Time seems to go by so quickly now, it's already July and that just brings us closer to the day you left all that knew you and loved you. I don't write to you often as it is hard for me still to think of you as not being here, but I come to your page on a regular basis. I still haven't been able to bring myself to visit you but I know you know this and I hope that you understand. You are forever in my heart,
There are no good-byes only love...

July 1, 2007

Michael,

Malik's team made it to the Park World Series, Silver Division. His team put up a great fight but lost it in the last inning 10 to 9. Was a great game. I found myself asking you to help him out a few times, a few times you did and then there were times you didn't. He made some great plays this season as did Cullen, not bad for being their first season. His team ended up in 2nd place for the playoffs and he got a trophy. He did pretty well for his first season for playing ball. He's a big bruiser of a kid for his age and if we could get him to make some contact with the ball, he will be like Babe Ruth knocking them over the fence. Cullen finished his season in the playoffs. We have to work on his attitude a little more but it was also his first year too. Mom went to see the game with me and she wore one of your little league buttons on her purse. You looked just like Cullen but with long hair. Your brother Bob was there and told your son that the picture looked like Cullen with a wig. It was hard for them to understand that the hair do was from the 80's. Both will be playing in a fall league starting next month, maybe I'll get them to the batting cage a little more. Last time I had them there they were creaming the ball, if I could only get them to do that in a game, plus the cage pitches faster than their pitchers do-maybe they get nervous.
Me and Mom were at the cemetery today. You and Gram and Grampa Gordon's grave site is the greenest and neatest in the cemetery. Every time I've been there some type of wildlife strolls by. From a big snapping turtle one day to this snorting we heard and looked up and this deer came running across the opening in the trees. Maybe I better start packing a firearm. We've seen the coyotees a few times stroll by but they are pretty skiddish of people. Well, time to end. We love and miss you every day. I have to get back on leaving reflections with other officers soon, it's just sometimes it's really hard for me. We love and miss you. Keep watch over everyone for me.

Love,
Dad

July 1, 2007

I never had the honor of meeting you Michael but I always remember you in my prayers. Ever since we lost Jon Walsh I look at your page and his often.The world lost 2 great men when they took you and Jon from us. I find peace in knowing you are both watching over us. You will never be forgotten, God bless you and your family.

wife
jpd officer

June 29, 2007

I come to this page sometimes twice a day since my buddy Scott was killed 8-6-06. Mike was taken from us 3 years ago and it still is hard to believe. I see Mr. Gordon's reflections to all the families of the fallen officers and it humbles me. I just wanted you to know that tonight when I came on the site your son was the featured officer. I couldn't sign off tonight without leaving a reflection. How fitting that the man whose father pays tribute to all families had tribute paid to him tonight. God Bless.

Reading PD

June 28, 2007

It's almost 3 years since that terrible phone call came from your Mom telling me that you were gone. I still can't believe it. I have such a firm knowledge of the afterlife that I don't worry about you, but it is so hard for those of us left behind. I haven't visited this site before, because these things only make me cry. Living so far away it's easy to imagine you still enjoying your life and your children being just exactly what you always wanted to be and doing just exactly what you alwasy wanted to do. My heart breaks for your family, especially your children. I know that somehow they will always remember you and that they carry on a big part of who you always will be, but it still makes me feel so bad to know that you are not "right there" seeing to their welfare. I miss the fact that you will not call at 4:00am to say that you love and appreciate me, at least not on the phone. I will always remember you Mike, and look forward to the day when I will see you again. It will be such a happy reunion for all of your family.
Love Always,
Barbara

Barbara Jean Byrem
Michael's God Mother

June 26, 2007

Officer Gordon,
I just wanted to let you know as many others have what a special Dad and family you have. Its like your father said he TRULY understands the pain in our hearts and he knows how sometimes we have days that are harder to get through than others. Sometimes the day starts out good and then something or someone reminds us of you. I know with living near Ft Rucker and having a lot of military in our area its hard especially when I see a Military Police Officer. As I have read some of your postings you come from a special family who loves you very much and they have a lot of love to give to others. Your children are blessed with such a caring family who carries on that special love for you. You have a special Dad who reaches out from his own hurting heart to offer a kind word to another hurting heart and he understands that pain when others cannot. With each day that passes we are one day closer to seeing you again. With Gods strength to see us through each new day we will make it until we see you again. To your Mom even though she said she does not post as often my mothers heart to hers knows that love that a mother has for her child. To your children and family may God bless them and watch over them with His love. You or your family will never be forgotten!

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

June 24, 2007

Michael,

Sitting here getting ready to tell another Michael Story. But first I want to thank everyone that comes to your pages and honors you by leaving a short tribute. I try to visit as many pages as I can as every officer listed at this site is a true hero and should never be forgotten and I personnaly know the pain that many of the loved ones feel every day.

Michael Story:

This story happened when you were about 13 and finishing up on your Catholic Religious training and taking your Confirmation. Funny, you and your brothers are still remembered at Our Lady of Charity from the woman that heads the program who is still there. I don't know if that is good or bad as I can imagine the trouble you three would get into. In taking your Confirmation you had to choose a sponsor and you chose your Uncle Jerry, my older brother. He would march into the church with the other sponsors, place his hand on your shoulder as the Bishop annointed your forhead and that would be it. He figured he could to that without any problems, easy right? Everyone marched into the Church and he was sitting in the pew behind you and the Bishop came out and began to explain what Confirmation was all about. He then said he was going to ask questions of those taking confirmation and wanted those with the answer to raise their hands and if you got the answer wrong, he would then ask you sponsor to answer the question. Uncle Jerry leaned over the back of your pew and said, "Under no circumstances are you to put your hand up." Well, the questions started and the youths were putting up their hands and answering corredtly, thus no sponsor involvement. Another question was asked and your hand shot up into the air, the Bishop looked over your way and pointed you out. Your Uncle was slithering down in the pew behind you in an attempt to hide from the Bishop and not make eye contact. The Bishop called on you to answer the question. I don't remember what the questionw was but you got it WRONG. By now your Uncle was just about hiding on the floor, but the Bishop then moved on to someone else for the answer. Thank goodness he was only kidding about calling on the sponsor to answer the question if missed. I thought your Uncle was going to die when he saw you called on to answer the question in a church fully loaded with people. To this day your Uncle still tells that story about you getting the answer wrong and he thought he was going to have to answer it which he had no idea what the answer was. We would always say that you were just like your Uncle Jerry when it came to your stories.
Well, time to go as people are probably getting eye strain reading this. Watch over everyone for me. Put in the good word to the other 17,000 plus heores to watch over all of their loved ones too. We love and miss you terribly.

Love,
Dad

June 24, 2007

ONCE AGAIN, I FIND MYSELF READING MICHAEL STORIES. YOU ARE ALL IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TODAY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANK YOU FOR POSTING THESE WONDERFUL STORIES AND SHARING WITH US ALL. BOYS, GOOD LUCK ON YOUR BALL GAMES. I KNOW YOUR FATHER IS SO VERY PROUD OF YOU. YOU WILL GROW UP STRONG AND BE JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER. HANG IN THERE, GUYS.

KIMBERLY KIDWELL
DAUGHTER OF FALLEN OFFICER GARY KIDWELL EOW 1-20-91

June 23, 2007

Just wanted to let your family know that I am thinking of you today on this Father's Day. I'm sure you know this by now and have heard it a million times, that your dad is truly inspirational to families who have lost loved ones. It is easy to see in your smile, and through reflections, that you inherited so much of your father's compassion. What a great teacher he is! You have your own legacies who continue on, brightening the world just a little more. I think of you and your family often and visit here several times a week. You will never be lost or forgotten. Ever.

a Pennsylvania citizen

June 17, 2007

Happy Father's Day, Mike. You are missed so very much by so many people, but none more than your mom and dad. Every day is hard for them, but today was unbearable - please be with them and help ease the pain in their hearts.

And a very warm wish for Father's Day to you, Mr. Gordon, I hope the kids all had fun and that their laughter was able to fill the void in your soul, even if just for a little while. I burned my candle today in memory of Jesse, Mike, Drew, Dave and all the other officers who aren't here to celebrate Father's Day with their dads or their children.

Take care and we'll talk soon.
Warmly,
Carin

June 17, 2007

Happy Father's Day, Dad.
I wish you were here.
Love your son,
Malik a.k.a. Ling Ho

Malik Gordon
Son

June 17, 2007

Happy Father's Day.
Love,
Cullen

Cullen Gordon
Son

June 17, 2007

Happy Fathers Day Michael , From the Rolniak Family

June 17, 2007

Happy Fathers Day Mike,
Wishing you a Happy Fathers Day today. I met up with your two boys at the cemetery where they placed their baseball pictures in their uniforms and a Cubs Baseball on your grave. You helped out their teams on Saturday, they both won their first playoff games. Don't know how far they will go but they are learning the game and fundamentals of baseball, thats whats really important. Today I have everything all set up for the kids in the yard, including the water slide. I don't look at today as a special day for me, but rather for the grand kids to come over and have fun. As anyone who has lost a child knows, Mothers Day and Fathers Day are two rough days to get through, but we do it. Keep watch over everyone for me. Next time I visit I'll have to write another Michael Story. Remind Jeff and Jesse to also watch over their loved ones too.

Love,
Dad

June 17, 2007

Dearesr Mike,
It's been awhile since I've visited your site and I'm sorry. We said a prayer for you on Memorial Day and place a blue candle in the window for you and Jeff. March( the month Jeff was born) and 04/04/04 are especially difficult for us. Even though it's been three years since we lost Jeff, it seems like it was just last night when that horrible call came. Your parents are always on our minds as we feel their pain and we know their hearts are breaking just as ours are. Take care of them, catching their tears as they fall because each tear drop is filled with so much love for you. We know the thin Blue line just keeps growing as more and more names are added to the long list of sisters and brothers who have lost their lives while keeping the watch here on earth. Give Jeff our love.
Pat Hewitt ,mom of a fallen Officer,
Sgt. Jeff Hewitt, Buncombe County Sheriff's Dept. N.C.

mother of fallen officer

June 17, 2007

Happy Father's Day, Michael.

John E. Gordon
Brother

June 17, 2007

Malik did it! He hit two inside the park home runs! He hit the first one was last week and the second one last night. You should see him out there- It's as if he's running in slow motion. We always joke around with him and tell him to get the refrigerator off his back. Nevertheless, he did it, twice! Cullen even had a chance to play on Malik's team for a few innings because they were short players. The coach ended up giving him a game ball afterwards so he was pretty excited.

They start their playoff games on Saturday. Please pull some strings and help Cullen's team out a bit, would ya? Your Father's out trying to scout a girl and a boy that smokes/rides a motorcycle for them. Despite all of their efforts, they only managed to win one game in the regular season. If they can win all three games in the playoffs, they should receive a ribbon. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

They’re both signed up for "Fall Ball". That's supposed to start sometime in August. It's going to be in Burr Ridge and I've heard they have rest rooms not port-o-potty's. I'm so excited! Your Dad, John and I have been spending so much time on the ball fields lately. I’ve really learned to appreciate the finer things in life, like indoor plumbing.

Father’s day is coming up on Sunday and I know it’s your day to relax and all but do you mind helping out with the family? I know it’s going to be a hard day. Then again, who am I trying to kid? Columbus Day was a hard day too. The boys and I are going out to the cemetery and then over to your Mom and Dad’s. I hope they’ll get to run around and wreak havoc with all of the other Grandchildren. We’ll be sure to teach Nikki a few “choice” words for you.

Whoever said time heals all wounds, LIED!
I miss you,
India

India S. Gordon
Baby's Momma

June 14, 2007

Mike,

I went to Florida a few weeks ago with Debbie Johnson and we visited the Policeman's Hall of Fame in Titusville, FL. Your Dad and I had been there last year and put a CPD cap under your name on the wall. They had told us they wouldn't move it and they didn't, I added an Irish CPD cap. Hope to see it there next year.

The museum is beautiful and really honors all the police officers' across this country who lost their lives in the line of duty. I not only took the cap for you but took one for Jeff Hewitt and put his picture on it. I also took buttons and blue roses for Donny Marquez and Ben Perez from CPD. When I see your name on these memorial walls (5 in all) it's hard for me to believe I'm seeing yours. Outside the museum there is a Sheriff's Helicopter and you are able to take a ride for a price. I talked Debbie into going although she was reluctant. We went up for 6 minutes (two of which I had my eyes closed). It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and while I was up there I thought of you and remembered how you hated heights but still went Airborne anyway.

As Dad has said going to the memorials in May is draining but I know how you were about "Pomp & Circumstance" so we will continue to go until we can go no more. I don't know if we will ever go back to Washington as that was one of the first memorials we attended and the hardest. I remember your brother John saying, "I always wanted to meet the President of the United States but not this way". He handed the President your shirt and magnet and said, "Wear this for my brother who served this country". Bobby, who was in full dress uniform, had your mass card signed and I believe John also had your picture signed. I bring it to most of the memorials. Dad and Malik got close to the President but I somehow got up to him with your daughter (she was 15 months) and I said can you kiss my granddaughter". He did, then gave me a hug. I told him I had voted for his father and I voted for him then I told him who had caused your death and turned and walked away. I doubt any of the politicians in this country get it.

I remember when you got back from Bosnia and said how we take this country's freedom for granted and how happy you were to be home. I hope the war ends soon and families are reunited again. I remember my fears for you when you were at the DMZ and Bosnia, little did I know what I would face in the years' ahead not ever to see you or hear your voice again.

I know I rarely write to you but your Dad seems to take care of that for the both of us. He wrote you everyday when you were overseas but I recall sending cards and money.

I love and miss you. Please watch over our family.

Mom

Mom

June 14, 2007

MR GORDON, I HAVE HAD A BAD DAY TODAY AND WAS FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF. I VIEWED MY FATHER'S PAGE AND THOUGHT OF YOU. I HAVE BEEN READING MICHAEL'S REFLECTIONS FOR THE PAST HOUR. AT FIRST, I CRIED. AS I READ ON, A SMILE CAME ON MY FACE. READING YOUR MICHAEL STORIES HAVE BEEN AN ENJOYMENT FOR ME. YOU HAVE HELPED ME THROUGH A VERY ROUGH NIGHT. YOU HAVE REMINDED ME THAT WE DO ALWAYS HAVE OUR LOVED ONES WITH US. I HAVE MY FATHER'S PIPE IN MY NIGHTSTAND DRAWER. HE HAS BEEN GONE 16 YEARS AND I STILL WAKE UP AT NIGHT AND SMELL THE CHERRY TOBACCO THAT HE SMOKED. I DREAM OF HIM OFTEN. THEY ARE ALWAYS WONDERFUL DREAMS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LEAVING YOUR STORIES OF MICHAEL TO HELP OTHERS AND MYSELF. I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE CULLEN A BIG HUG. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

kimberly kidwell
daughter of fallen stanford police officer gary kidwell

June 12, 2007

Dear Michael,
I just wanted to leave a reflection for you. You must have been a wonderful son. I read the stories about you that your dad writes. There is one about how when it rains you can see the marks on the driveway from when you used to use the tire shine on your jeep wheels. It really made me think, because it reminds me that although you and my husband and so many other brave young men and women who have lost their lives are no longer of this earth, you're all still with us, we can't see you, but every once in a while you give us signs that your still there watching over us. Keep watching over your family, and thank you for having such a wonderful father who takes the time to right so many reflections for so many officers.

Laura Mathews
Widow of Officer John W. Mathews CPD

Laura Mathews
Widow of Officer John W. Mathews

June 12, 2007

To Officer Gordon's family may you know that your hero will not be forgotten. To Mr. Gordon, Michael's father, sir thank you for remembering all the fallen heroes. You have left many messages on my daughter's page and I want to thank you. As we face yet another difficult time coming up, the anniversary dates and another year without our children may we find strength in knowing that they were doing what they loved to do, serving and protecting all of us when they were called home. May we also look at our grandkids and see our kids in them....

God bless the entire family of this HERO.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

June 5, 2007