Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family and friends of Officer Mark Vance: Please know that you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers during this week of the first anniversary of Marks death. I am sure that he was a hero in life as well as in death. May God see you through another difficult holiday season.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

November 29, 2005

Thinking of you and your family today.
God Bless You,
Tracey DeLitta Tousley
Daughter of David Robert DeLitta
eow 10-28-88

Tracey DeLitta Tousley
daughter of David Robert DeLitta EOW 10-28-88

November 27, 2005

Two years ago today. God Bless you Officer Vance. Thank you for your service.

Basic Recruit

November 27, 2005

MARK VANCE 438

Mark, there has not been a day in this past year that you were not on my mind and in my thoughts. I am thankful for the opportunity to have been your friend and served with you.

You were a fine young man, as well as a dedicated patrol officer. You worked with enthusiasm and professionalism. You always tried to balance good judgment with enforcing the law. You worked on the street as a friend and servant of the community and I never saw you shy away from your duty or responsibility.

Mark, I always saw you as a happy individual, although serious and reserved in your own way. You were fun to be around and we always had something to laugh about. We had a good time. I miss that a lot.

You were always thinking of your fellow officers and co-workers and looking out for them. I can’t remember you ever speaking negatively on any subject or about anybody. If you couldn’t think of something positive to say, you would just grin, shake your head, say ‘whatever’ and then go on about your business.

Mark, your memory will always be a reminder not to take for granted those that continue on in your footsteps. Your brothers and sisters in the department face the same dangers and uncertainties every day. They should never see it as a thankless job. I appreciate and respect every one of them. I am fortunate to serve with and have many of them as friends, just as you and I were.

I pray that all that read this will not only remember your sacrifice, but all of the law enforcement officers and those in the armed services that have given their lives to preserve our freedom and ensure our safety. Thanksgiving is truly a time of reflection.

My friend, I’ll see you another day.

713

Hugh Stringer, Auxiliary 713
BTPD

November 22, 2005

You have been greatly in my thoughts, Mark. You were so loved and are so missed by many. I know that you are still with all of your brothers but there is one in particular who really needs to feel your presence right now ... let him know you are eternally there.

Friend of a brother

November 18, 2005

I miss you Brother. I think about you every day and the sacrifice you made almost a year ago. It could have been any one of us, but you willingly answered that final call.

I still laugh at some of the things we got into together. We always had a good time and made the best of the worst situations. I'll see you soon, but not too soon, my watch isn't over just yet.

Officer
Bristol, TN Police

October 6, 2005

I carried your, for the lack of a better word, bulletin from your memorial service under the visor of my cruiser from that day until I left the Chesterfield Co, Va PD this week. I know you and all of the other who laid down thier lives look over those of us down here. You will not be forgotten.

Scott Sparks, Agent
Virginia Alcoholic Beveage Control

September 8, 2005

You were one of my first friends in the department. I always knew you would be a good, dedicated officer. I think of you often, and I know you are in a better place. Thank you for your service and your friendship.

Reserve 914
Bristol Tn

August 9, 2005

...My bro
Thinking of you today
This August 9th
A day we shared at birth...
A day which your selflessness gives me courage and strength...
but a day that doesnt have smiles as I remember your sacrifice. I know that your still watching our backs.
I will thank you...when I see you again. You did much more than earn your wings....you lifted us.
Thank you ...

Sgt. Tracey Kittrell (Vader) SCSO SWAT
SULLIVAN COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

August 9, 2005

You will forever be in the hearts of many.

Friend of a brother

August 9, 2005

Mark,
I will never forget the night you were working as an Auxillary and I told you that I had made my decesion to resign from the Department and continue on as a Reserve. You said that night in your calm quite voice "Your going to miss it" and that you hated to see me go, but you hoped you would get hired on full time and I told you "You will have to fill my shoes". Well Mark "I do miss it", being a full time Officer was one of the greatest loves of my life. Like you,I left a career that was better paying to become an Officer and have wondered ever since that night telling you I was going to resign why God had given me an opportunity outside Law Enforcement. You filled my shoes and God chose for you to move on to another career.
Even though there is no crime in heaven no suffeing or pain I'm sure when we meet again you will still be wearing BLUE.

PSO 416 (Reserve)

PSO Wayne Hayton "Bert"
Bristol Tennessee Police Dept

July 9, 2005

If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go, Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always, Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own, And in time when men decide and feel safe to call the streets insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind. We will see you in Elysium…

OFC Crociata
GPD, Illinois

April 24, 2005

You will not be forgotten, my brother in blue.

I have the honor and priviledge of riding in your memory to the NLEOM in Washington, D.C.

For your service and sacrifice,
For your family's love and support,
I thank you. We all thank you.

"We ride for those who died."
Police Unity Tour
Chapter IV - Virginia

Officer D.F. Paniza
Virginia Beach Police Department

March 25, 2005

Gone but certainly never forgotten.
God bless you and your family.

Jennifer Waters
Wife of Mike Waters, West Memphis PD, EOW 9-11-03

March 2, 2005

By Your Will, Not By Force

Dear Heavenly Father, may your strength
follow
The hearts hurting, that have been made hollow
I pray for the family, of this hero gone too soon
May you comfort their souls, and lift their glum

I hate seeing this, it tears me up inside
If only I could capture, all the tears that have been cried
I would trap them in a bottle, never to leak
And only the happy moments, in his life would speak

I read so much, about this brave soul
And all the love, his family and friends told
He was such a gift, to all whom he knew
It is rare in a person, so far and few

My brother in this life, lift your head up proud
I will always remember, your name out loud
It is the job you do, and the honor you defend
The badge is an object, but your integrity is from within

My father as I try, to make sense of it all
I wonder why this officer, must receive his last call
I pray with all my heart, I could scream till I'm hoarse
May it be by your will, not by force

by danny b. bourg

I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort each and every one of your dear souls.

Danny B. Bourg
Citizen with family in law enforcement

January 29, 2005

We are deeply saddened at Mark's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

January 17, 2005

I want Officer Mark E. Vance's fellow officers and family to know they are in my heart today and I will pray for them.

Officer Gage T Clark
Phoenix Police, Phoenix Oregon

December 23, 2004

My deepest sympathy to the family of Officer Mark E. Vance and the Bristol Police Department.

Captain Jay Balée
Memphis Police Department

December 21, 2004

Rest in peace brother. May God be with your family at home and your family of blue. Thank you for your sacrifice!

Officer William Inman
Birmingham Police Dept. AL.

December 19, 2004

Mark, may you rest in peace.

PO Timothy Tumbrink
Saint Louis Police Department

December 17, 2004

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of Solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you."

Officer Carroll
Oklahoma

December 14, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Vance's family. My deepest sympathy also to his law enforcement family at Bristol PD. May all of you find peace in prayer.

Sgt. K. Williams
Brownsville Police Department

December 13, 2004

For Officer Vance's family and co-workers

I offer my salute to all of you
As we've lost another brother in blue
I too feel the pain behind the vest
The burning in my chest
Though me and mine are miles away
For you and yours we do pray
I know the pain is immense
And feelings are tense
But miles mean nothing to God above
I pray you know His peace and love

Brother Vance I know you served well
As prior testimonies here do tell
As you responded that day
You voluntarily went to harms way
You answered the call
That caused your fall
Now rest high on those mountain tops
As you wath out for the rest of us cops
Gone from here tis true
Not forgotten by brothers in blue

Master Officer Adam Feazel
Altus Police Dept. OK

December 13, 2004

Officer Vance, your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest Easy Brother!

DEP. PAUL SPERANDEO
JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFFS OFFICE, LA.

December 13, 2004

I hope that god blesses and eases the pain of your family, friends, and brother officers. I will always remember you, Deputy Jason Scott, and all of our brothers/sister who gave their all, while responding to a DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE.
Thank you and your family for all you have done for law enforcement and for all that you continue to do.


Joey Brackett
Harriman Police Department, Tennessee

Ptl. J. Brackett
Harriman Police Department

December 13, 2004