Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

A year and a month has passed since we lost our beloved Angel Andrew. He was my soulmate and was the most important person in the life of his elderly father. He was as much beloved by his many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
His departure has left a huge void in our lives, with the only comfort of such beautiful memories and the loving support of many faithful people in El Paso and around the country. Andrew would be proud that his death resulted in the demonstration of such compassion, his faith in people would have been confirmed. God bless everyone.
Cousin Richie

Italian Imports

November 10, 2005

ON THIS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR SACRIFICE, I LEAVE A REFLECTION. I AM HONORED.

OFFICER BARCENA, YOU REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU DID NOT LOSE YOUR LIFE, YOU GAVE IT IN SERVICE TO OTHERS. A TRUE HERO INDEED.

JIM SWEENEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

September 25, 2005

Officer Angel A Barcena, it's been a year since you left us. Your tragic death is not forgotten. I pray for your family, friends and members of the EPPD on your mourning. May your absence on earth bring courage and strength to others. Rest in peace brother. God Bless You always.

Deputy Carlos "Chuck" Molinar
El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Texas

September 25, 2005

Officer Barcena, you have not been forgotten and are a true hero. Keep looking down on your family and try and comfort them with the feeling of you being around them. The first anniversary date is approaching and it will be a very hard day for your family and close friends. All any of them can do is take one day at a time. Keep watch on those officers still on patrol and keep them from harms way.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Asst. Chief, Retired
Riverside PD, IL

September 23, 2005

To the family and friends of Police Officer Angel Andrew Barcena and his fellow officers with the El Paso Police Department:

On behalf of our entire family, we wanted to extend our sincerest condolences to you during this anniversary week of Angel's death.
We know that you suffered a grievous loss when Angel was so brutally murdered. It is so sad that this young officer was killed under such tragic circumstances, and at such an early stage of his career.

May you continue to be comforted by the support of your law enforcement community and other police survivors.
Angel's valor will never be forgotten.

I also pray for the continued emotional healing of the field training officer that was with Angel when he was so senselessly murdered.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Angel gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 25, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

September 21, 2005

Dear Officer Barcena and Family,
We have just observed the one year anniversary of the death of our beloved son and wanted to let your family know we will hold your memory and their pain in our hearts as your anniversary arrives. I remember how proud and beautiful Matthew was when he graduated from academy. Police Officers are truly a special kind of person. I think only other officers families can understand the burden of pride and pain that we carry forever now. Thank you for wanting to be a police officer.
Love,
Matt's mom forever.

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse e.o.w.9/16/04

September 19, 2005

I recently attended the Police Memorial in Austin and the National Memorial in Washington and they were both so beautiful and moving. I just wanted to thank you, again, for serving and protecting. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts- La.
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW_3-14-04

June 11, 2005

Kumi,
It was an honor meeting you at Police Week. You are a strong woman and I hope you will continue to come to Police Week. Please give your escort Officer, Elizabeth, my best. Being able to smile and yes, even occasionally laugh, during Police Week is not a bad thing. Bless you and I hope we can stay in touch. I know that Angel with with my Bill (and Bill has been in heaven since 1969) and I know that he will take care of Angel.

Love,

Margo Carpenter
Widow of Officer William W. Gullett, Jr., Prince George's County, MD Police Department, EOW 2/16/69

Margo Carpenter
Prince George's County, MD PD - Survivor

May 16, 2005

When I read in the paper what had happened to you Angel, it hit hard because even though I don't live in El Paso anymore I hold it near and dear to my heart and because I too am a police officer. I felt anger and asked myself why is always the good guy. Why is it the bad guy that usually the one walking away. I overcame that anger because I know one day soon Jehovah God will bring you back to your family to live life in paradise.

Your sister in arms

Your sister in arms

May 9, 2005

Angel, several months have passed since the tragic day that you were taken from us. You gave the ultimate sacrafice. Thank you for being a fine officer. God bless you and rest in peace. You will always be remembered.

El Paso Police Department / Central

April 10, 2005

Thank you for your service Ofc. Barcena. You gave your life for people you did not know. God Speed.

Police Officer
Montgomery County, Maryland

December 19, 2004

Kumi,
I received your letter, thank you so much. I too hope that Brandy and Andrew are together watching over us all. Brandy always loved a man in training...hopefully he is showing Andrew the ropes in heaven. I'll be in contact soon.

With love and prayers,

Sara Winfield

Sara Winfield
Brandy Winfield EOW 10-14-04

November 18, 2004

May God Bless you and open the Gates of Heaven For you. I am soo sorry for your lose a native from El Paso Graduated from Bel Air. You have died in great honor and have done it saving people. It doesnt matter the lenght of time on the force but the blood you shed for us. Now you are a guardian angel Please be mu Guardian Angel it would be an honor. Bless you and Your Family From the Pachecos and little Rock Police Department

Police Officer A. Pacheco Martell
Little Rock Police Department

November 9, 2004

I am sorry to hear of the lose of officer Barcena. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Mark W. Parsons
Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 82

November 3, 2004

I know your time in law enforcement was short, brother, but i know at least for a short time you did what you loved. do all of us brothers and sisters in blue a favor, and watch over us and our families and keep us safe. until we all meet someday on that blue line in the heavens, rest well my brother.

j. zemburski #1471 / patrolman
Gary, IN Police Dept

November 3, 2004

TO THE BARCENA FAMILY. I AM PRAYING THAT GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH YOU NEED TO FIND COMFORT IN YOUR HEARTS. YOUR SON WAS DOING WHAT HE LOVED AND UNFORTUNATELY PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS IN THE BACK OF OUR MINDS AS WE FIGHT CRIME. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO AND DO IT PROUDLY. OFFICER BARCENA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. REST IN PEACE.

OFFICER H. DELGADO
EPISD POLICE DEPARTMENT

October 30, 2004

Officer Barcena,
I know your time was short, but I know you were doing what you loved to do because we would not have done it otherwise. Your brothers and sisters in blue will keep the fight and you will always be rememembered. Keep a eye on us from up there and tell St. Michael I said hello.

Officer Allen DeMoure
Sherman P.D., Sherman Tx

October 25, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

October 25, 2004

Andrew was a wonderful human being and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was one of the most organized individuals I have ever know. My husband, Grant Bell, and I are still so sad about his death.

Carol Anderson Bell
CALAB, Inc.

October 23, 2004

I am sorry your time was so little.
Rest In Peace

Chris Morrison

October 22, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Barcena for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

October 21, 2004

Everyone that knew Andrew knew that we were more brothers than cousins. When he decided to leave the family business and become a police officer, we all worried for him because of the dangers of being a policeman. But we knew it was his life long dream and we supported him. His untimely death has left us with an aching heart, not knowing when we will feel better, but the incredible show of support from the El Paso Police Dept, and the law enforcement officers from all over, has helped soothe the pain. The family of Andrew Barcena will always remember in our prayers Each and Every officer around the country that Andrew loved so much. God bless all of you.

Richard Barraza Jr
Family Member

October 21, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER BARCENA, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

October 21, 2004

I didn't know my cousin very well, but what I heard and knew, he was an amazing person. The spectators that showed up for the funeral w/banners and support for him and all officers was amazing. It is good to see that he and others are appreciated. This memorial page is beautiful.
The family has not seen this site so I have contacted the family to view.

Kim Berry
Cousin

October 21, 2004

They call it a Thin Blue Line. This may be true, but the line will never break, and the blue never forget. Your tour of duty might have been short, but your memory will live on. May God bless you.

Police Officer Carlos J. Garcia
La Joya I.S.D.

October 20, 2004