Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As the second anniversary of your tragic death approaches, I pray for you and your family. Rest in peace, sir.

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

November 7, 2006

Thinking of and praying for your family today.

Terry Donovan
Spouse of Amy Lynn Donovan EOW 10-31-04
Austin Police Department

November 1, 2006

Thank you Lori for your reflection on my dad's page. I came at a time that was extremely difficult for me and for all of Lake County after the tragic loss of our Sheriff Chris Daniels.

My school is only a block away from where the funeral procession went by. I was able to watch it go by yesterday. It was something I had to do and the timing was perfect because it happened to be my lunch break. I arrived just in time to see the motorcade and see the car that carried the Sheriff and the limos that followed carrying the family. I remember it well even if it was 38 years ago and I am all grown up now. The pain really never goes away. It comes back anytime another officer loses their life. This one was especially difficult. My youngest son played football with his son. I was fortunate to know who Chris Daniels was but never really talked to him or got to know him. We lived in the same town and attended the football games that our children participated in and we passed by each other often.

I realize now, even more than before, just how big a family I really do have. As I was standing in the line at the Sheriff's viewing on Thursday night, I was able to talk to people and tell them my story. I was able to meet another wife of a Lake County Deputy, Ashley Koester, who lost her husband in a shooting at a domestic violence call a year and a half ago. She frequents this website often and she was familar with my story from reflections I had left on her husband's page as well as Sheriff Daniels' page. This website means so much to me and I am letting everyone I know that they need to view this site. It is truly amazing and provides so much comfort.

I am sorry for your loss. Know that I understand. I again want to thank you for you comforting words. I appreciate them and you. Please keep in touch. I will read your dad's page often and I will write more on my dad's page too so more people can really know the legacy he left behind. I am proud to be a part of this family. God be with you and you family.

Kim Keena
Daughter of Paul D. Wilson EOW 9/14/68

October 21, 2006

I love you Daddy, and I miss you so much! Watch over all of us and ask Jesus to keep us strong. As the 2nd anniversary looms nearer, I find myself thinking about the events of that night more and more. It is getting dark earlier now, and cooler at night, much like that particular night. I know you don't want us to dwell on the events of your death, but rather reflect on the fullness of our lives together, and I do! I thank God for the memories. But I can't help but hurt, and grieve, and wish things were different. I miss you. I need my Daddy. Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean I don't still need my Daddy's hugs, advice, jokes, giggles and love. You always told me that no matter how old I was, I would always be your Baby Girl. Do you remember that? I miss your smile, your laughter that came so easily, and your unique smell- a mixture of the garage and whatever cologne Mom got on sale! I walked into the shop yesterday and could see you behind the counter, smiling to see me come in, lean over the counter and snuzzle me, then tell me some funny story about someone you had seen or talked to. Katie started crying this weekend, she was alone in her room and came out crying. When I asked her what was wrong, she said she missed "Daddo" and wanted you back. How can she even remember you, she was only 3 when you died. But she does. She was looking at the computer as I read about recent losses on the ODMP and she saw a picture of a young officer who died this week. She asked me, "Did that guy die, too?" How many innocent lives must be taken? How much pain must we suffer? When will we meet again?
Jordan is really struggling again. He misses you and has bad dreams and flashbacks. Help him know you are okay and that you live on in him. He loves you so much. All the children do, we all do.
I love you, Daddy, always will. God bless you and all of us!
Love, your Baby Girl

Lori Johnson Rowley
His Daughter

October 19, 2006

To Lori, Oh how much you and your dad remind me of me and mine. He was not killed in line of duty, but died a year into his retirement following a 48-year career w/ The Cleveland PD. That was sooo many yrs. ago, and I still miss him so very much. The picture I see here of your dad tells me that he too was a very kindhearted man and Daddy.I thank the Lord that your dad knew Him and shared that w/ you also. Now my son is a deputy sheriff, making 4 generations of officers in our family. As the 2nd anniversary of your dad's death approaches, I send love and encouragement to you and yours. --JOANIE-10/10/06

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

October 10, 2006

Daddy,
It's been 22 months tonight since that terrible night that we lost you. I miss you so much. Some days I'm just so sad, and I long to hear your voice, your laugh, feel your hugs. I need you now, to help guide me. I need your support and approval. The kids are doing so well, you'd be proud. Katie Brooke is in kindergarten and she is so independent, so beautiful. Josh is cute, looking more like his daddy everyday. Jordan is doing so well, he's feeling more confident and self-assured- I hope you would agree with my decisions for him. I think you'd be proud. MaryAnne is so much taller than me, and she wears a bracelet with your name on it (like mine) everyday. Matthew is in JROTC, going to MY old high school! He is so strong and beautiful (he's still my baby!) I can remember so many times you were with me, watching me cheer or sing at football games, going to meetings or picking me up after school. It doesn't seem that long ago, but many years have passed.

I love you and miss you. I can't wait to join you in heaven when I've done my work here. Watch over all of us until that day. Thank you for being the best daddy I could have ever wanted. I have so much to be thankful for, although I wasn't ready to let you go. I don't guess I ever would have been.

Goodnight in Heaven! God bless you and I love you!
Your Baby Girl

Lori Johnson Rowley
His Daughter

September 11, 2006

Brother Johnson, you will not be forgotten.

Chesterfield County Police Dept., VA

August 24, 2006

Happy Birthday, Daddy! I just wanted to let you know we all thought about you today! We miss you and love you!
God bless...

Lori Johnson Rowley
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson

August 13, 2006

Dear Daddo,
It has been a long time since I saw you, and I wanted to tell you how much I miss you. Katie sometimes starts crying and says "I miss Daddo." I can't wait until I get up in heaven to see what it is like. I hope you saw me get baptized last year. I remember your big hugs, and playing with Army men at the beach! We are going to the beach in a few days and I wish you could come along. I know you miss being here with our family. We miss you, too. Goodnight, Daddo, it's time for me to go to bed. I love you,
Josh
7 years old

Joshua Rowley, son of NC LEO
Grandson of Sgt James Johnson

August 5, 2006

I want to say thank you to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office for keeping Daddy's memory alive. He loved working with his friends, dogs and the public. The best part about Daddy's shifts was the stories he told later! He could take the most routine call and make it sound so exciting- and take an exciting call and make it outrageous!
Even before I knew most of the deputies, he made them sound like his best friends, and I felt as though I knew them from the stories he told. We all loved to listen to his tales. I'd really love to hear his last story, what went through his mind, how he strategized, what he planned. Lord knows how much I miss him. Please keep him close, speak of him often and easily, and know he is still with us in spirit. I know he is...
Much Love and Appreciation,
Lori

Lori Johnson Rowley
Sgt. James Johnson's Daughter

July 24, 2006

Was out on a call with a brother and your name came up. We both discussed how much we miss you and how our eyes swell up when we talk about you. You are not here, but you are always present. Thanks for that.

A Friend
FCSO

July 20, 2006

Daddy,
Things have been pretty tough lately and I sure miss your guidance and strength. I know that's selfish, since you have finished your work here, and I wouldn't wish you back to deal with all this, but I still need my Daddy. I hope the decisions I am making and all that I do would make you proud, I still need your approval. I love you, Daddy. Please watch over us. I missed you on Father's Day, again. I guess I always will. I saw a sign that said "did you call your Dad today?" and I thought how much I wish I could! I was playing with baby James last night and he made the funniest face, and Ted, Lynnette and I were laughing about how much you would have adored him...you'd have eaten him up! I told them that you did see him and love him, and that he could see you in his innocense, we just don't get to enjoy that interaction. Katie still sees you in the clouds- that precious innocense!
I had another dream about you last night, I heard your voice. It startled me in my dream but then I was so glad to hear you again. I can't wait until the Lord brings us all together again. But I know the rest of us still have work to do, namely your murder trial! I will be so glad to get that behind us...it's like the next obsticle to overcome and then we can move beyond 11/11/04, move to the next stage in life.
I love you, I miss you,
Always,
Lori Annette

Lori Johnson Rowley
His Daughter

June 23, 2006

Hero! Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

June 3, 2006

Was just thinking about you today and wanted to let you know. I miss working with you.

A friend
FCSO

May 30, 2006

Daddy,
I am so excited about our new Baby James Johnson! I know you were watching over us as your grandson was born- he is so beautiful! Teddy couldn't even say his name without tearing up. We are so proud and know you would have adored him. It isn't fair that you are not with us physically, we all miss you so much. Little James with never know you except the stories we'll tell him- and there's enough of them to last a while! We'll make sure he grows up to know who his name represents and how special he is to carry it on. Keep watching over us until we are together again. I love you, Daddy!

Lori Rowley
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson

March 16, 2006

Daddy, I miss you and love you so much! I think of you every day, and I still can't believe I'll never see you on earth again. So many things remind me of you, I can hear your voice in my mind, singing along to a song on the radio. I know you are watching over us, I just wish I could still feel your hugs. I wish you could still snuggle baby Katie Bug, and guide my boys. Teddy and I miss your calm assurance and friendship, jovial nature and jokes. Jeremy misses sharing with you about his job now, his promotion and new Tahoe with all the lights and sirens! Your toothpicks are still in the old one with strict orders not to remove them! Oh, how I miss you. I'm glad you are in Heaven now, you deserve your rest, but I will feel the void until I'm with you.
I'll always carry you in my heart...
Love,
Lori Annette

Lori Johnson Rowley
Daughter of Fallen Hero, Sgt. James Johnson

February 17, 2006

I still have the picture of James at the Kernersville parade. My son was so excited to see the Bloodhound team! I know that words can never fully describe the events of that terrible night, but I do want to say that even in the midst of tragedy, we saw true heroism as well. That is a rare thing these days. James, you are missed.

a fellow deputy
FCSO

February 2, 2006

Dear family and friends,
Today I read a reflection she left for our loving son, Sgt. Jeff Hewitt of the Buncombe County Sheriff's dept.,NC. Sometimes trying to deal with our own grief, we neglect to let others know we care about them and pray for them always. Thank you Lori for remembering our son and for letting us know how your husband is doing. We will pray for him as he struggles to recover. Please tell him that the blue light we burn each night on our front porch burns for all officers; fallen, injured or those keeping watch as we all struggle to understand why so many of our loved ones are being shot and injured or killed. We grieve for your father's loss and we hope your husband Sgt. Jeremy Rowley will some day soon be able to resume his watch once again. Please keep in touch because we really do care.
May God bless you and your family,
Patricia and Bill Hewitt
Travelers Rest, SC

January 15, 2006

To the Family of Sgt Johnson, Our thoughts and prayers are still with you. Thank you for taking the time to remember our Beloved Sgt. Jeff Hewitt. I hope Your Husband is able to return for duty soon, and congrats to him for having been promoted the the rank of Sgt.
WE AT BUNCOMBE COUNTY WILL NEVER FORGET!

Buncombe Sheriff Dept

January 12, 2006

Brother James,
Your dedication and sacrifice will NEVER be forgotten. My family and I will pray for your family. We pray that God may comfort they when they need it and provide a life befitting a HERO like you earned. I pray that your daughter will see you in the mirror when she puts on her prom dress. I pray that the wind will let her know you are there when she get married. I also pray that she will find someone you would approve of.

I pray that your family finds you in all that they do. God Bless you and your family.

HEROS LIVE FOREVER !!

January 10, 2006

Sgt: I jsut went through your reflections, and when I saw the reflection that your daughter left on the 1 year mark of your return to the lord, I cried. You must have raised her well, to have a daughter like that. I wishthat I could only be half as mature as she is. May your family know that they are forever in my heart, and may you RIP and keep us safe from above.

Explorer Aaron McLearen, 15 years of age
Clare County Sheriff Department, Michigan

December 21, 2005

James, I think about you all the time. I want to again thank you for everything you taught me and helped me out with. I find myself coming to this site to read what people have to say. I just wish they could have known you.

Thank You my friend.

Friend of 273
FCS)

November 21, 2005

Daddy,
I know you are still watching over us, just like you always did, but I sure do miss being able to kiss your cheek and feel your strong hugs. Although you've been in Heaven a year, we still speak of you daily and the kids still quote you. We laugh about your silly stories and crazy things you'd tell us- like all the fish served at the restaurant came from the pond out front! Jeremy has Josh believing this one! As much as I miss you, I still thank God that I had you for as long as I did and that you were my Daddy. You were the best that any Baby Girl could've asked for and I'm so thankful for all the memories I have. I will keep you alive in our hearts! Katie says she sees you in the clouds and in the sky- I think in her young innocence, she does. I visit your grave often and yet it isn't like I'm visiting you- I know you are not there! I used to be afraid of the Lord coming back, just wanting life to go on here as it always has, because my life was always good. Now, I can't wait to see you again. I know that at the end of my life, you will be there to greet me and take me to meet Jesus. Thank you for all you did for me, all you provided me with (remember all those fancy dresses I just HAD to have!) and all the love you showed me- including the love of Jesus.
Know that we love and miss you here, and look forward to the day we can be with you again! I love you so much, Daddy- that did NOT die a year ago, nor will it ever.
Always your Baby Girl,
Lori Annette

Lori Johnson Rowley
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson

November 21, 2005

You and your family are in our our thoughts this day. We will always remember thee....

Chief of Police / Olen M. Young
Wauneta PD Nebraska

November 12, 2005

To Sgt. Johnson and his family:

On this the first anniversary of the death of your hero, I wanted to let you know that we are remembering and honoring his memory today. Rest in Peace, Sgt. Johnson.

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

November 11, 2005