Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO RUN..........

It was a beautiful autumn night
The kind that are just alittle cold, but the one's you just draw you outside.
She kissed her 2 year old goodbye before she left.
She had just talked to her husband ,about having another baby.
She talked to him that night and told him she loved him.
She had everything to live for and to look forward to.
As she hung up the phone she stepped back into her chosen career of uncertainty.
SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO RUN.
She could of blew it off.
She could have gotten back in the car.
She could have went 7.
But then that wasn't her.
It wasn't in her nature.
She never backed down or away.
She had the strongest,most undaunted spirit I have ever seen.
SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO RUN.
But the question never crossed her mind.
She was determined to make the world a better place for her family,friends and complete strangers.
It's hard to except.
BUT SHE HAD TO RUN.

March 6, 2006

not a day goes by that we dont miss you.. love you

March 6, 2006

You are thought of and spoke of often. You are truly an inspiration to our class...thank you for your service.

111th Cadet Class
APD

February 27, 2006

Amy,

Every time I come to this website I want to leave a reflection on your page, but I start crying and can’t get to it…I finally want to honor you with these words.. My husband was in your cadet class (in the blue team), and I remember the day I met you. It was a brief encounter, and it was when we all gathered after Trina’s accident….the class got together to pray for her, her family and her peers. Trina was in my husband’s study group, and the news of her death was such a terrible moment. I never imagine I would be meeting you that day! When I saw you, the first thing that came to my mind was how cute you were, but at the same time how strong you looked.

Last year I went with my husband to the yearly cadet class race they do downtown, and I met Terry. What an amazing man he is! Since I was still wearing my work clothes, I decided to wait for my hubby to meet me. Terry spoke to the cadet class before the race, and he was also waiting there with some other people. I introduced myself, and we spoke for about an hour and a half. How much he loved you, and still loves you, baby Chase and all your children. I just want you, Terry and your children to know that I continue to pray for you all, and for all the Peace Officers, the real HEROES. God bless you all!

YR
APD Officer's wife

February 26, 2006

Hi Honey.....................
Happy Valentines Day..We love you and miss you.

February 14, 2006

Dear Terry & Chase,

Your last reflection to Amy was moving. It's almost impossible to express how we feel but, I'm glad that this site helps you express your most private thoughts. You write from the heart. Amy must be so proud of you.

On January 13, 2006 they unveiled a bronze statue of Brian & his K-9 dog Justice at The Deputy Brian Litz Builing they had opened a year prior. What a great tribute to our son. Needless to say we talked about you & Chase as we looked at the photo's from Washington. Ray is going back to Florida in March to take Lil Brian to Spring Training (Yankees). One of the Officers is going to take Bri hunting. That going to be a hute!!

Today is Brians 2nd Anniversay & we thank you for your reflections on his site. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Hugs & Kisses to Chase.

Nancy Litz, Mother
Deputy Brian Robert Litz
E.O.W. 02-07-2004

Nancy L. Litz

February 7, 2006

Here at arrest review just remembering the funny conversations we use to have. It is not as fun without you.

Semper Fi

APD

January 31, 2006

Officer Donovan you will never be forgotten. You were so blessed to have had such a wonderful and dedicated husband and family. I have read all the reflections left for you and I hope that when I am gone that I would have touched so many hearts the way you did. Thank you for your service to the citizen of Texas. God bless you my sister in blue and your family.

Detective Lacey Carvin
Giddings Police Department (Texas)

January 28, 2006

You remind me to be;
thoughtful that life is short,
humble, and giving
virtuous, and strong
commited, and sure
restful in Christ.
May the Lord bless your loved ones, and hold them close.

Tiffany Daugherty
Home Mom

January 18, 2006

Thank you for your service. God Bless your Family.

Cheryl

January 15, 2006

Officer Donovan,
I just read your story and wanted to express my appreciation for your scarifice and to thank you for watching over all of us still here. God bless you and your family.

Detective Nancy Cadenhead
St. Louis County Police Dept. St. Louis, MO

January 13, 2006

Hi Baby,
For some reason tonight is a hard night.
I know your not going to walk in the door, I know your not going to call, I know I won't smell cookies buring in the kitchen. I've known these things for some time,but tonight is hard. I lay in bed with Chase and know his mommy is gone and so is my best friend. I remember that night you called me 3 hours before your accident. I remember and I'm so thankful that our last words were "I Love You"....."I Love You too Baby...."
Chase and I went to Build a Bear. He wanted to make a Police Officer Bear. He named him "Rookie". Chase ask alot for you lately. He tells me that his mommy use to be a princess. And he tells me that when it is time to go to sleep, he closes his eyes and thinks of your pretty face. He knows you were a police officer and you were chasing a bad man and got hurt,and that you live in God's house. He likes to look at your pictures and say "That's my mommy".
He always tells me that you use to take him to Chucky Cheese's. Funny how he remebers that.
Well as you can see, it is a bad night as I'm all over the place. I Love you, I miss you, I'll see you when God tells me it's time.
Terry

January 8, 2006

Thank you Amy.

APD

January 7, 2006

Happy New Year......Baby

December 31, 2005

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.

See your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughing in the rain.
Still can't believe you're gone.

It ain't fair, you died too young,
Like a story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.

God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through.
Just knowing, no one could take your place.

Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today.

Would you see the world?
Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with your family?
I wonder what would you name your babies?

Someday's the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you.
I know it might sound crazy.

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
The only thing that gives me hope,
Is I know, I'll see you again someday.

Someday.

December 30, 2005

Merry Christmas Baby.......

December 24, 2005

May St. Michael Archangel accompany her soul in heaven and let perpetual light shine upon her. Amen.

LOM Catholic Ministry
Austin, TX

December 22, 2005

Last night at the Christmas party, Chase ran up to me, hugged me around the legs, and said, "Merry Christmas! Big, Big Happy Christmas!"

You've indeed left a joyful, beautiful legacy in that little boy.

Melanie

December 22, 2005

I can't tell you how many times I've visited your reflections and wanted to leave one of my own but couldn't. I try and check this web sight once a day and not once have I forgotten about you. I wish I could have been there for you the night you gave chase. It's getting close to Christmas and I wanted to say Merry Christmas, Amy. You are truly missed.

December 18, 2005

Amy Donovan,

We had a brief incounter once. You came in for an appointment to have your retainers checked. I will always remember our short conversation and how I was taken by suprise when you told us you were a police officer. I thought to myself you were TOO CUTE to be a police officer.

I have thought about you often and wanted to give my condolences for quite a while. If you knew me you would understand I am always late. It's true. My friends tell me to be somewhere an hour early if they want me to be on time.

I hope it is ok for me to tell you I have a sense of connection with you even though we didn't really know each other. I am a mother of three and 36 years old. I am so touched and moved by your life. I admire you for having a son at the age of 16. I know personally that can be a lonely and scary place for a young mother to be. I only wish I had the courage and determination you had. Your children were so blessed to have you for a mother.

I also struggled and dropped out of school. Along with that decission came feelings of low self esteem and selfworthy. I admire what you have made of your life and your accomplishments in only 37 years.

It doesn't seem fair. It does ease my heart to know you are watching over us from Heaven.

You have made a difference in my life. I will remember you forever.
Thank you for your love, kindness, fearlessness, determination and for you beautiful smile.

Denise

Denise

December 9, 2005

not a day goes by that we dont think of you...

November 8, 2005

Amy,
Well it's been just over a year now and I am leaving my first reflection. I wanted to do it a year ago, and many times since then, but every time I come here, I read the other reflections and become too overwhelmed. I have so many things to say but I don't know how to say them. So I will leave you with this, I miss you and think of you often. I think of you and laugh every time I see a pet bird because I remember how much you hated birds. You thought they were the most disgusting things! I wear my bracelet every day in memory of you. I miss you.

B. Briegel Police Officer
Austin Police Department

November 3, 2005

A year as come and gone and your memory stays with us, as it always will. Thank you for watching over all of us, the Guardian Blue Angel you are. May all your family find strength in the years to come and peace in the lives we live.
- Your 'New Yawk' Brother-in-Blue.

Fellow Cadet, Police Officer and friend
Austin Police Department

November 2, 2005

It's been a year and almost 2 days since I first heard your name. I heard the call on the radio that an officer was down. I was there almost immediately as I was right down the street. That morning and the days that followed are burned into my memory. Before I even knew your name, I remember watching the one of the rookies that graduated with you hold a brave face and do his duty despite what happened. I watched others fall apart. I remember asking G-d to send His angels to comfort you and keep you safe. I remember the days that followed. Watching your family on the news. I attended the funeral, but I couldn't go to the cemetary. I think of you every time I drive by. I wear the blue bracelet. Not every day, because I still can't think of these events and not cry. I was going to take you flowers on Sunday, but I couldn't bring myself to go. I wanted to go yesterday, but I didn't. I'm not even sure where to go, but I will try to go today, to tell you how you have touched the life of someone that you never even met. I pray for the healing of your family and know that you are watching over them. I always tell my officer friends that I love them now. I remember before, it was embarassing to say those words to them. Now, I feel that I can't say them enough. Sometimes, I drive down Poquito. I don't belong down here, but I can't stop myself. You inspired me. Gave me hope that my dreams of being an officer could still be realized. They haven't yet, but one day they may be, and I'll wear my blue bracelet every day in our memory.

I don't write any of these words with the intention to hurt anyone. I'm trying to heal, too.

Numbers 6:24-26

Anonymous
Austin Resident

November 1, 2005

Amy,
Yes today is a year, but it is like every other day to me. I miss you the same, I wish you were here with all of us. Chase and I went out with everyone the other night. It was nice to see the Two new Amys again. They are so beautiful. Chase is growing up so fast. I know that you are so proud of him. He is just such a caring, loving boy. I'm so glad that I learned so much about life from you. You taught me how to care for people, to forgive and to love. You taught me to keep my family and friends close to my heart. You taught me to give without remembering and to receive without forgetting. You taught me that everyone is important and that social status does not make one a better man. It seems so unfair at times that you had to be taken from us so so early. We had so many hopes and dreams that are now my memories.
To everyone that has reached out to my family, I thank you. I check this web site often and I'm always touched by the kind reflections left.
I always check to see if another officer has fallen fighting the good fight. And before I check I always say"Please God let that number stay the same".
To Amy's family in blue, know that you have the support of many. You have to deal with the bottom of the bucket, but never forget that you police for the honest,the hard working,the innocent children, the elderly. There are two things that are a given. 1) When some one needs a hero they call 911 and 2)More people find god in prison than church.

The credit belongs to the one who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if they fail, at least fails while daring greatly. So that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Terry Donovan
spouse of Amy Lynn Donovan Austin P.D. E.O.W. 31 Oct 2004
2005-05-10

October 31, 2005