Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family and friends and law enforcement family of Officer Amy Donovan: I wanted to extend my deepest condolences to all of you for the greivous loss you suffered when you lost Amy. Her memorial page shows such a beautiful young woman with a glorious smile. The accident that caused her death was tragic, but it is impossible to carry out the duties of a police officer without unfortunate accidents sometimes occurring. I have read that it is not how we died that is so important, but rather how we lived. Amy's reflections evidence a life well-lived...she reached goals that were important to her and was doing a job she wanted to do; she was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, family member, and friend. Her valor and bravery will not be forgotten. This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for her service to her community in Austin and for the supreme sacrifice she and her family made.

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

phyllisloya, mother of fallen officer

August 13, 2005

i was thinking today about how it's been so long since i have actually seen you, not just in pictures or memories but seen you. it makes it harder when i actually think about the fact that your gone, it's much easier not to accept it. i'd give up anything to bring you back,and i can't...but how i wish i could.i miss you so much.
love you!

July 29, 2005

I never knew you but I heard about what had happened several months ago...your story touched my heart. Rest in peace, sister..

Lori Van Roekel K-9 Patrol Officer
Sioux City Police Dept., Iowa

July 7, 2005

Well Amy, Today is July 2nd. I remember how happy we were as we left the courthouse in Manhattan and went across the street. Two hot dogs and two sodas from the wagon on the corner. Had to be the cheapest wedding reception in history.
I love you. Thanks for my baby Chase and so many beautiful years with you.
Yes, I had hot dogs and soda for lunch today.

July 2, 2005

Amy,
I was so glad to meet someone with a similar background when we started the academy together 1 1/2 years ago. You were the type of person that I strived to be and still do. Not a day goes by that you don't cross my mind.
I only hope that when I graduate July 8th, I can be the type of officer that would make you proud. I know you are up there watching over all of us and for that, I thank you. You made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our city safe, and no amount of thank you's would even come close to repaying what you did for everyone you knew.
I will spend my career trying to be the officer you would want me to be. Please watch over me as I begin my service as an Austin Police Officer.

Cadet Ron Giachetti
Austin Police Department

June 28, 2005

Terry,

I can't tell you how good it was to see you yesterday. I only wish the circumstances were different. It was far too long for friends to stay apart. On the day Amy was killed, I grieved for her and prayed for you and your family. Amy is a hero to us all, and I am honored to have known her. I thank you for all you have done for me personally, and your sacrfice to your community and your country. As you once told me: "keep your friends close, but your family closer". You are my friend, and my family.

David

Sgt. David Bruce
Rome, NY Police Department

June 22, 2005

Dear Terry,

Thank you for your kind words on Brian's Site. It's is always so nice to know that our Son is remembered. Because we will always remember your loss. Washinton D.C. was very stressful but, rewarding meeting the survivors and their families.

Also we mentioned that Amy & Brian were smiling down from heaven watching the boys. I was overwelmed to find your wife's name next to Brian's on the wall. Our last day we returned & there sat Chase's note to his Mom. That really did me in, I will never ever forget your family, they will alwys be in our prayers. Our home also welcomes your family if you ever come our way.

Love never gives up never loses faith, is always hopeful & endures through every circumstance. We really know how hard Father's Day will be without Amy. It will be the same for our Daughter-in-Law & Grandson. Stay Strong & our love to your family.

Nancy Litz (Mother)
Deputy Brian Robert Litz
E.O.W. 2-7-04

Nancy Litz

June 19, 2005

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

Shirley Roberts - La.
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-3-14-04

June 11, 2005

Mr. Donovan~
I keep returning to your wifes page everytime I look at my fathers. I dont know why but I keep being drawn to it. Once before I left you a message to offer my condolonces, today it is for something different. I often dream about my daddy but last night i had a dream about Amy. I never met her nor have i met you or your children. I do not know why she was in my dreams but I felt the need to share it with you, I hope you dont mind. I know that I am just some stranger that you have never met and probably will never meet but I hope that you and your family will find some kind of comfort in knowing that for some reason she has come to me to let you know that she is where she belongs now...walking Heavens beat. I sincerely hope that you are all doing well and that you remember her each and every day as I do my dad. They say that time heals all wounds but I have come to find that time is just that...time. Time to think about the ones we have lost and time to think about the brave life they led and time to think about how we selfishly want them to be here by our side and time to cry when we think no one else is watching. Mrs. Donovan was a true hero and in some strange way she has become a hero to me personally. She layed her life down for the same reasons my father did. Reasons that you and I will never understand because we dont walk that thin blue line. But just as they are one until the end so are we, the ones left behind. We are a group of people that are so different yet so the same. We have the same hopes and fears and we share the same losses. I cannot say as a spouse that I understand the pain of losing your soulmate, but I have seen the pain in my mothers eyes and I can relate. I do however understand the pain your children feel. To them I would like to say that no matter how alone you feel you are never alone. Your mom is that beat in your heart and that smile on your face when you wake up in the morning and cant figure out why but you just know its going to be a good day. She is that feeling that gets you through when you think you just cant go on. She is always there but Im sure thats something you already know! Please know that I think of you everyday and as always I will keep you and yours in my prayers.

Ab Imo Pectore (from the heart)

Amanda Pyle

June 7, 2005

I had the privelage of meeting your daughter in Washington, I wish it was not on those terms but it was nice to talk to someone who I could somewhat relate with. I thank you for your service and I know God will watch over your family.

Bryan Laurie
Haltom City

May 31, 2005

I honored you in D.C. I never met you because miles seperate our towns. But I grieve your loss just the same.

Michigan

May 28, 2005

God Bless You for the sacrifice you made for the people of Austin, and Texas. My son works for Austin PD, and I worry about him everyday. However it is his chosen field, as it is yours. You will be remembered for your heroism, and your family will honor you forever.

Corporal Mick Crossway
Alief ISD Police Department

May 28, 2005

Dear Mr Donovan,

Your Wife & son has left an everlasting impression on our family. I can still hear Chase calling our Brian's name. It seems that where ever we went in Washington, there was Chase. What an awesome child, he certainly is a product of your love for Amy. We did not meet your other children but, know how precious they are to you.
We were all much too tired to go to the Picnic after the Memorial to say our good-byes. Cherie, Lil Brian & my husband were all Bussed out. We have
some great pictures of our Grandson Brian and Chase at the Memorial for their Mom & Dad. We will treasure them forever, along with the memories of the boys blowing each other kisses goodbye as they were leaving the Capital.
Your family will always be in our hearts & prayers, along with all the other Fallen Hero's & their Loved Ones.

Angels on your shoulders!!!
Nancy Litz
Mother of Deputy Brian Robert Litz
E.O.W. 2/7/04

May 20, 2005

My father, James O'Brien, worked for Temple PD. His EOW was November 21, 2003. I was at the Peace Officers Memorial in Austin this year but didnt get the chance to speak with you. I have thought about you and your family many times and wanted to offer my condolences. I can tell that Mrs. Donovan is truly loved and missed greatly! I keep you and yours in my prayers.
"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says 'There she goes!' Gone where? Gone from my sight...that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says 'There she goes!' there are other eyes watching her coming and their voices ready to take up the glad shouts 'Here she comes!'"
Godspeed Mrs. Donovan

Amanda Pyle

May 17, 2005

Amy,

God bless you and your family....you are patrolling the streets with your higher power.

John Thomas

May 15, 2005

God bless you and your family Officer Donovan, it is so sad to see our children left behind. I'm sure your children however are aware and are given signs from heaven, from you all the time. I hope all is well with them and your husband and may they all remain safe in the Lords hands.
God Speed Officer Donovan.

Officer Bardwell
Grand Prairie PD / Texas

May 11, 2005

Happy Mothers Day! It's a rainy day....but a good day for rain. I love you and miss you.Wish you were here!
~~~~<~~~<~~@
Love Always,
Amanda
gjjj qqqqqqqqqqc e3 QQQaaz x lqqZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 5XX55XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ALL THAT'S FROM CHASE, I THINK IT TRANSLATES TO HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOMMY :)

May 8, 2005

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE OFFICER
DONOVAN,GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND THE
AUSTIN P.D.

FALLEN,BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.

KATY LAURIE DAUGHTER OF OFFICER
NATHAN LAURIE EOW 7-29-04

May 3, 2005

You were honored today Amy. You are honored most every day here in Austin it seems lately. But today was especially poignant.

Terry, Annie, Chris, and your parents had a hard time emotionally walking across those steps for you today, but deep inside, it was you who nudged them across, and it was you who embraced them this afternoon after a long hard memorial weekend.

We pray for you. We cry for you. We love you.

May 2, 2005

Amy,

I think of you often although I never knew you. My husband does not work for the same department as you did so we'd have never crossed paths. We attended your funeral together and it was my first for a LEO. I was amazed by your fellow brothers and sisters and what a big family it was, even though so many different departments were represented. I don't think I'd ever realized before how lucky I was to be included in such a family of people!

I want to thank you today for helping me to realize that I need to say "I love you" to my husband more so that those are always my last words to him. Your death made me realize just how honorable his job is and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you Amy! You are a true HERO that will NEVER be forgotten!!

A LEO Wife

April 27, 2005

i just wanna say amy we all miss u and know ur lookin down on us this is ur little brother david zwierecki i miss u and mom and allison miss u and baby chase we love u amy

April 14, 2005

Officer Donovan,
Your tour of duty was much too short. You gave the ultimate sacrifice so that others may live in safety. My prayers are with your family and friends. God bless, and rest in peace sister.

NAO
DPD

April 11, 2005

I have just read Amy's memorial page, and my heart aches for your family, friends, and co-workers. Our own family has just suffered the loss of my nephew, Tom McMeekin, on March 4. We are a large group of police and fire fighters in our family. Terry, you and your children will be in our prayers each and every day. your bond with us will be remembered. Thank you for your kind remembrance on Tom's page.

Captain Michele Polk
Atlantic City Police Department, NJ

April 8, 2005

"One of courage with your message of peace,
What is that look in your eyes?
Why have you come to this faraway place?
What is this law you would lay down your life to tell?
What kind of love can this be?

There is no greater love than this.
There is no greater gift that can ever be given,
Than to be willing to die so another might live.
There is no greater love than this.

Broken hearted from all we have lost,
How can we sing through these tears?
What is this music that can bear such a cost?
What is this fire that grows stronger against the wind?
What kind of flame can this be?"

~Steven Curtis Chapman

~~~~~

Amy,

You were that love. You gave that gift. You remain that flame in the hearts of those you touched. Not just in the work that you did, but perhaps even greater so in your family and friends.

I never knew you personally, but from all loving accounts, photos, and stories, it is apparent that just as anyone could have looked into your eyes and seen a beautiful vibrant love for life, in the same way, any one of us can now look into the eyes of those you loved deeply and see what was taken.

Justice may have not come when and how any of us could have expected - but just as you loved and fought for justice for our community to your final moments, our community will love and fight for justice to be done to your memory.

Thank you Amy.

Melanie
Austin, Texas

March 31, 2005

Happy Easter, Mommy

March 27, 2005