Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

First I want to thank all of you for the amazing show of support. Rest assured that the brotherhood in Marion is taking good care of us. I wanted to share a little of Brandy with everyone. I was always selfish with him. As a cop I had to share him with the whole community and sometimes I got upset with him. I told him he was putting everyone above us. I now understand why. He was teaching me how to live my life. I read this letter at Brandy’s funeral. I think it shows a little of the life that we all live daily and a lot about the person Brandy was…

I came home on New Years Eve to find a gift-wrapped box with a card on top. This letter was inside.

Sara, 12/31/2003

Well if you have not opened your gift yet that means that you’re not mad yet. The recent Christmas I think is the first Christmas I never bought you something where you had to open it on Christmas Day. I feel bad about this and yea I know you say you got a new table but there were a few things that I wanted to buy you. Well now it’s New Years Eve and I’m not able to be at home because of work. You have to sit at home and drink champagne and eat shrimp by yourself. And yes I know we are not rich so I could not get the things I wanted to get you for Christmas and I’m sorry that I’m not able to be at home for New Years Eve.

Well enough of that but I wanted to thank you for being my wife and putting up with my … which I know is a lot and I do not have to elaborate much. I think the greatest thing we have ever accomplished is having those two very cute boys. I feel like it’s a privilege being a father and having the boys that we have. But what you miss at times is how much I really respect you for who you are and what you do and what you are. I love you and those two cute little guys more and more everyday. I can’t wait until the day I can sit down with them and tell them about the world and life and what it’s all about and what we are all about. I want them to understand.

Well enough of that also I think you know what I’m saying at least I hope so. I hope you enjoy New Years Eve at home while I’m working. I’ll be thinking of you all and I’m looking forward to pulling in the drive in the morning to have two little boys looking out the window, which I think is great. I love you and I’ll see you in the morning.


Love,
Bran

We miss you Unit 6……Watch over us and smile down on us. Your memory will live forever in our hearts. I answered your last call at the funeral and brought you home to our hearts where you belong.

With love.
Sara, Tyler, and Landon Winfield.

Sara Winfield
Wife of Brandy EOW 10/14/04

October 25, 2004

You walked with pride and integraty at
work and at home, a true professional. Will miss you so much as a fellow deputy, friend, brother and "second son"

Don Davis, Deputy
Marion County Sheriff's Office

October 25, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

October 25, 2004

I am always disheartened by the monsters that walk this earth. We are truly a small group of protectors. We do our best to keep the general public from seeing the dark underbelly of human beings. Deputy Winfield was looking to give someone a hand, and they showed their true colors. God will judge them.
Rest easy, Deputy Winfield. You have earned it. We have it from here, and you will be in our thoughts always.

Sheriff 25
FCSO

October 24, 2004

My prayers go out to Deputy Winfield's family during this trying time. His tour of duty on this Earth is over and he is now protecting the streets of Heaven. May he rest in piece.

(S)Sgt David P. Carlson
341st Missile Security Forces Squadron, US Air Force

October 24, 2004

I had never knew this about this site until tonight, and I just finished reading all the reflections for my dad. Personally it helped seeing all the support from all over the country. When I read this story I had to leave a relfection. My sympathy goes out to the Winfield family, I know what you are going through right now, and I am praying for you all.

Richard Brooks Jr.
Son of Richard Brooks, EOW July 16, 2004

October 24, 2004

Rest easy, brother. Your watch is ours now...

F.O.P. Lodge 200
Youngstown State University

October 23, 2004

Deputy Winfield,

Thank you for your service and God bless, you, your family and coworkers.

Detective A. Brisinte
Orange Co Sheriff Orlando FL

October 23, 2004

My deepest heart felt sympathy and prayers go out to the family and friends of this fallen hero. I check this memorial everyday as a grim reminder of how evil this world has become. I pray everyday that i will get to return home to my family at night. I never had the pleasure of meeting Brandy, but he was and will always be my brother in blue. You and your son can rest knowing that your husband and father was a hero to us all. Police officers are part of one big family that takes care of their own. You will have the support you need from this wonderful family i am so proud to be part of. God speed Brandy, you will never be forgotten.

Deputy K.Mansell
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Dept. Michigan

October 23, 2004

Brandy. May God keep you in his warm embrace. To the family, friends, and loved ones of Brandy: My most heartfelt condolences and prayers are with you always.

Dep. M. Brock
Lee Co Sheriffs Office

October 23, 2004

We want to send our condolences to the Winfield family. It was an honor for Jason to work with Brandy. He was dedicated to what he did, and he was always willing to lend a hand to the other Deputies. Jason valued his friendship, and I am grateful to Brandy for all the times he backed Jason up. It took this tragedy for me to see just how close law enforcement officers really are. I am glad God blessed us with the time we had with Brandy.

Joanna and Jason Dutton

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 Deputy Winfield 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

It never get's any easier seeing all the senseless deaths of everyday heros who will be so sadly missed. Deputy Winfield will be forever in the hearts of those whose memories he was a part of. You cannot look at that picture and not get emotional, so sad for his young children who will grow up without him. There will never be an end to the evil out there, you just pray for the innocent victims left behind. This poem graces my wall in memory of Billy Walls (EOW 11-13-01), it makes you realize that they are indeed still with us in small ways, everyday.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

RIP Deputy Winfield, you did your best.

KY Peace Officer
Isaiah 40:31

October 21, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

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

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

October 21, 2004

Though I never knew you, I thank you for being there to help others in need and for your service to your county and community. Rest In Peace brother. You will be missed by all.

T.D.T., Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff
LCSO (Ohio)

October 21, 2004

I am saddened to hear about the loss of Deputy Winfield. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Ofc. C. Cuellar
Miami Beach Police Department.

October 21, 2004

We have known The Winfield family for years,for a family of such honor to lose Brandy is such a way, our heart goes out to all the Winfield Family. Those two little boys have a angel with a badge. God Bless all of you.
Pete Jr., Marlene, Mike and Chris Manley

Pete Manley Family
Retired from MCI

October 21, 2004

Our prayers go to the familey and to the Marion County Sheriff's Department.May God be with the wife and children, your husband and father died a hero.

Ptl. Brock Lehman
Crestline Police Department

October 21, 2004

John 15:13 said it all. Thank you Dept Winfield for your sacrifice. But above all thank you to his family for their sacrifice. We may never know the facts of that night but I know that Dept Winfield gave his all. God will be the final judge and those involved will pay, those bastards will stand before him and they will answer. A hero has fallen and all those that carry the oath will carry his memory in every thing we do. God be with us all.

PO II Russell Ward
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

October 21, 2004

Who lives in the memory of its loved ones,
that is not dead, that is only far;
dead is only, who is forgotten.

Immanuel Kant

-R.I.P. Officer Winfield-

Stadelmann, Police Officer
Hannover PD, Germany

October 21, 2004

To the friends and family of Deputy Winfield,

You are in my thought and prayers, and I offer my condolences to you.

I understand your pain and anguish.
Everyday I pin on my badge and holster my Beretta I try to go out there into this world and make a difference.

I'm sure Deputy Winfield did the same,
he died tragically, but died doing what he believed in.

Police Officer Louis Lave
Los Angeles County Police

October 21, 2004

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

OKLAHOMA POLICE OFFICER

October 21, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Brandy did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Brandy be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Winfield's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Brandy is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Brandy was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Deputy Winfield for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

October 21, 2004

Cop on the Take

First he takes the oath.
Then he takes...it in stride when people call him PIG.
He takes...time to talk to children.
He takes... your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserve.

He takes... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes ... time away from his family to keep you and yours safe.
He takes ... your injured child 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 your headlights have to work.
He takes ... the job no one wants--telling you someone you love has died.
He takes ... criminals to jail.
He takes ... in sights that would make you cry.

Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it away because someone has to.
If he's lucky, he takes retirement
He takes ... memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear even for a day.

Sometimes he takes a bullet.

And yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.

Then one day he pays for all he has taken...
and God takes him.

October 20, 2004

TO MY RUNNING PARTNER AND THE ONLY ONE I WOULD LET CALL ME BABYBOY. BRANDY YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED AND REMEMBERED AT ALL THE POST 51 MIDNIGHT COOKOUTS. THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIEND. I LOVE YOU AND GOD SPEED UNIT 6.

TROOPER
OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL

October 20, 2004