Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Vance,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Bristol. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

November 27, 2024

Rest in peace Officer Vance.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 19, 2021

Seems like only yesterday, but so much time has passed. Never forgotten.

Friend of a brother

November 29, 2012

My dearest Mark...my soul mate......

It has been 6 years now..WOW!!!! It doesn't seem that long that we were planning to get married after your divorce, it wasn't that long ago that we lived together & lived IN each other!!!!!! I have such a hard time letting go, you know this as much as I talk to you.....I never can forget your laugh, your smile & how you just loved me & I love you still!!!!! I seen you Thanksgiving day, before you were taken from us...I had no idea that would be the last Thanksgiving you would be here!!! I think about when you took me to get my tattoo om my birthday & how you were laughing at me because the pain I felt while getting it... I will always have that moment to think of when I look at my tattoo☺....I miss going to sleep with you at night & waking up with you in the morning. We were cuddlers, haha I miss our home together.I have a few items I still hold on to that are from you, so that helps some. It was hard going through the door after you were gone & not seeing you there..so hard!!!! I could go on & on but we both know what we had & how my feelings can never go on unless it's with you!!!!! I tried to be in Heaven with you but, I could just hear you telling me "Ah, now don't do something silly like that" & just have to laugh. But, still don't understand why God took you, you were & STILL are needed here !!! It doesn't get any easier as the years have passed. I visit you grave & talk to you a lot when I'm alone but it's just not the same!!!! How do I get through this??? I still have a hard time dealing!!! Just save me a seat at the dinner table. I can't wait to see that smile of yours again!!!!! I am going to have to go sweetie, the tears are making it hard to write anymore. You know that I LOVE YOU & FOREVER WILL!!!!!! Until next time, good night sweetie♥♥♥

CHRISTIE ROBINSON
Previous fiance'

February 10, 2012

Mark, I just wanted to say I was looking through some old pictures today and found a couple with us in it from class 48 graduation. I still remember that day and how proud you was. I just wanted to let you know that I still think of you every day. Rest in peace brother.

James Yates
Cross Plains Police Dept.

March 7, 2011

You still watching us,bro? Could use your optomism right now.The things we endure,On and off duty that others don't see or understand.We just keep our heads down and keep the faith,eh? Could use that laugh of yours right now.
God Bless you
God keep you
Delta 1 Bravo Delta

Sergeant Tracey Kittrell

January 13, 2011

Though the years pass you remain unforgotten

Friend of a brother

November 28, 2010

Holidays are such a hard time because I know how the pain is always there. My brother was killed in the line of duty on 3/12/04. God blessed me with 24 years and the reassurance of his salvation. I will be praying for this officers family the pain and hurt sometimes still feels so physically real like it was the tragic day. God Bless.

Jayme Scott Brown
Sister to Jason Michael Scott EOW 3/12/04

November 25, 2010

Mark,

I never had the honor of meeting you but I want you to know that everyone who does know you has made it a point that I know about you and your service. I hope that someday I can be half the man you were, and I want you to know that I will do whatever it takes to make sure my brothers and sisters at work go home in the morning. Thank you for your service and rest in peace.

BTPD 459
BTPD

January 5, 2010

Mark,

Prayers for you and your family.

anonymous
former BTPD

November 27, 2009

Mark, it was five years ago tonight that I was waiting on you in the PD parking lot. I will never forget and you will never be forgotten. I'm still sorry that I was running late.

HS 918 (713)
BTPD

November 27, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 5th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and miss you.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 27, 2009

In my thoughts ...

Friend of a brother

November 27, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends at the end of the forth year of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

December 1, 2008

Time stands still until your souls are reconnected... The love of me, my inspiration, my love, He misses you still and within Him, you are never forgotten... Always there, always a shield, always on his shoulder.
Most esteemed and self-sacrificing of Leos, on this day of giving thanks, we give thanks to you for all that you have done, and all that you still do. Yet still we wonder, why you were taken from us so soon. And how does one give thanks to that? Impossible... Perhaps only Heaven has the answer.
Almost a year has flown since we past you by, where a musk of cloud formed over the dusk of sky... We knew it was you just saying hi... Never goodbye... Just hi from the sky of the most high.
Love Zaheeda & Tracey Kittrell.

Zaheeda & Sgt Tracey Kittrell
Brother L.E.O.

November 27, 2008

Prayers for your family today, Mark.

Special Agent

November 27, 2008

Officer Vance your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

October 16, 2008

Happy belated birthday. Every now and again, I see your smile and know that it's your reassuring way of saying that you're watching over my leo. I appreciate that, and thank you.
Z.

Anonymous

August 12, 2008

Mark,

I was sitting here and you came across my mind again, like you do everyday, and I just wanted to say you are missed in the flesh but I know you are still around in spirit. I rememeber answering calls with you and you'll never really know how it felt to me to hear, "Central, 438 will back." and now you had our backs like we had yours. I just wish I had yours that night. Miss you man!

Officer
PD

June 9, 2008

5 years ago this week we met for the first time during class 48. I miss you and just wanted you to know I think about you every day

Patrolman James Yates
Greenbrier Police Dept.

May 1, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 29, 2008

It is so heartbreaking as Christmas approaches once again, I am thinking of those who loved you and still do. We lost an officer in Alabama this week,he left behind his wife and 5 kids. I cannot help but think of you every now and again. You are just so special and I will always be thankful for you . I went to Opry Mills lastnight to enjoy the lights and I kept thinking of you and a few certain others who will always remain in my heart. Sending my love always.
Karla

Karla

December 17, 2007

I remeber Mark Vance as a nice guy even for a police officer... He was always trying to keep us kids out of trouble and he did it as nicely as he could while getting his point across to us. I am now 18 and realize how great of he person he is and wanted to let people know what a fine person he was and how he always helped anyone he could.He will always be missed and can never be replaced but to this day I still think of him as a role model and try to treat others as he once treated me
Christopher Cowan

citizen of bristol

December 11, 2007

You Answered The Call, Yourself Gave Your All. The City Of Bristol, The State Of Tennessee And The Entire Country Will Remember Your Ulitimate Sacrafice Forever. Rest In Peace My Brother.

Police Officer S. Henard
Knoxville Police Department (TN)

December 1, 2007

Rest in peace, my brother. You are not forgotten.

PJ Nagel
Cook Co IL Sheriff's

November 28, 2007