Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Wayne, I think about you often. Your gravesite is just behind my Mom and Dad’s at Lakeside Memory. I visit your site as well and say a prayer for you. You were an awesome guy, good friend and great cop.

Sergeant Phil Levingston
Eustis PD

October 13, 2023

It's almost that time of year. Every year it seems as if I start to feel the pain of your passing..even when I have yet to realize what the date is or that we are nearing the anniversary of your death. The empath in me can feel that you are close yet so far away. You always were there. Before you had children, you had a niece. And after you had children, you had a weekend babysitter and paper route helper and you always had someone who adored you. We love and miss you so.

Brandy Koester Currie
Niece

February 6, 2023

1 5 years ago today you where horrifically murderd . May god bless you

Mark Mottola

February 9, 2020

17 years ago today you where horrifically murderd . May god bless you

Mark Mottola

February 9, 2020

Thinking of you Koester. We went to basic training together in 2002 at Fort Leonard Wood. From time to time you cross my mind. RIP brother.

Kyle McDaniels
Army Battle Buddy

January 5, 2020

Today is the day.
Thinking of you often and with loss in my heart.
Not a day goes by that we all don't think of you and miss you.
Love you man......

Vic
Brother

February 9, 2019

Rest in peace Deputy Koester.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 7, 2019

Hi Wayne, you were a awesome and kind hearted man. You were there for me through domestic violence situation that I was going through. We worked together and had a lot of fun times. I wish I had the opportunity to watch ur children grow but shortly after u passed I moved far away. I know ur passion and joy was being a police officer. When I meet u, u were a K-9 officer and u and that dog were like one. I think of u all the time. And I always think about ur family and hope that they have done ok with u gone.
God Bless and RIP
Officer Wayne Kester

Your Friend
Sabrina Macauley

Sabrina Macauley, EMT
North Tongass Volunteer Fire Dept.

November 11, 2018

Good morning Mr. Koester. We've never met, and I'm deeply sorry for that. I'm dating your daughter, we started dating August 3, 2016. Your grandson Brayden, let me tell you, he's one of a kind, heart of gold, funny as can be. He truly brightens anyone's day. And your granddaughter Avery, she's amazing, I really wish you could be here to meet you. No joke, we have pictures of you up and when Avery sees when she does her "want" motion. Makes it feel like you are with us, which is no problem by anyone in our household. I can tell Amber misses you so much, I do what I can to cheer her up and make her smile, but nothing comes close to her being able to hold you one more time. I've heard nothing but good stories about you, you were and are an amazing man. Well, until next time, Mr. Koester.

February 9, 2018

Dustin Bass

February 9, 2018

Missing you so very much!

Love Always, Ashley

February 9, 2018

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

December 29, 2017

I worked with Wayne as a rookie officer when he began his law enforcement career at Umatilla, FL Police Department. Wayne was a caring, compassionate and capable officer. He was a cherished coworker and a dear friend. May he be long remembered as a peacekeeper.

Patrolman Dale S. Swanton, Sr
Umatilla Police Department

February 9, 2017

Rest in peace hero. You will never be forgotten. May God bless your family.

N.Y.P.D. Ray Flores
Lieutenant (ret.)

February 9, 2017

Rest in peace hero. You will never be forgotten. May God bless yiur family.

N.Y.P.D. Ray Flores
Lieutenant (ret.)

February 9, 2017

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

hi uncle Wayne, its been a while, right? i miss you alot. you always knew how to make us smile. I'm a senior in high school, and i am doing so well, i think you would be so proud of me. Dad misses you so much, i know he does i can see it when i look at him, we all miss you. i don't know where we go after we pass, but i hope i get to see you when i do. amber is doing so good and you would be so proud of Ryan. Jordan and Jamie to my knowledge are doing well too. i think about you all the time and talk about how brave and strong you were. Im writing my senior research paper on the death penalty, and my support for it. im writing it about you and how amazing you are and how if anyone could take someone like you away from the world then they don't deserve to be a part of this world. Heather has two babies now and Tiffani is in college. You have given all of us such beautiful memories, and i will cherish ever single one i have of you until my last days. I went to see you a couple months ago, someone keeps bringing mountain dew, it makes me smile. steven is engaged to a beautiful woman, i am sure you would love her, and ill bring a picture of you to the wedding if i can so you can be there. My class is about to be over so I have to go, but once again i love you and i promise to never forget you, forever your little niece,
Maria.

Maria Koester
niece

August 28, 2015

Hi uncle Wayne,
I don't think I ever wrote anything for you. I miss you. I remember the day I found out like it was yesterday. You made everyone's lives so amazing. You were so strong. I'm in high school now. I'm almost 15. Sometimes I pray to god and give him messages for you. I was so little when god decided to take you into his arms. You made aunt Ashley so happy, don't worry , he's making sure she's taken care of. Jordan has grown ups so much. She's dating! I bet you would clean your gun In front the guy. Hahaha. She's so beautiful. So is Jamie. Amber is good. Your grandson is getting so big . Ryan is coming back soon . He's gonna come see you. My dad is good. He misses you. I ask him about you alot. It makes me happy hearing about you. I'm a honor student. I hope I make you proud uncle Wayne. I Love you and miss you.

Maria Katherine
Niece

May 31, 2013

May you continue to rest in peace Deputy Koester. Heroes live forever, and you sir are a hero we will never forget...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

February 9, 2013

I know it has been almost eight years since you have left us. But it seems like yesturday that we were joking around on the day of my Wedding to Ronnie. We miss you. You are always in our Heart.

Your Friend always

Dessie Howard

Dessie Howard
Friend

January 27, 2013

Uncle Wayne,
It has been quite a few years but somehow it feels like yesterday. We miss you terribly.

Love,
Brandy

Brandy Koester Currie
Niece

December 16, 2012

Wayne,
Hard to believe we are coming up on our 10 year anniversary of graduating from Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I remember preparing for deployment to Iraq in the spring of 2006 and pulling out my contact numbers we all exchanged at basic training. When I made the call to your house and I was told what happened, I felt torn up inside. We spent almost 11 weeks together sharing the same bunk room in basic. That is nothing compared to what your family has shared with you over your life. However, you were always there in basic when someone needed you. You were a fatherly figure and an awesome battle buddy. You were always good for a laugh too. I will forever remember those times as some of the funnest in my life. I continue to pray that your family has peace and cherishes the memories. I know I will cherish mine. Thanks for the memories.

Kyle McDaniels
Battle Buddy-Army Basic Training

December 12, 2012

I came by today to see you
Oh I had to let you know
If I knew the last time that I held you was the last time
I'd have held you, and never let go

Oh, it's kept me awake nights, wondering
I lie in the dark, just asking why
I've always been told
You won't be called home
Until it's your time

I guess heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe

And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you

I remember the last time I saw you
Oh, you held your head up proud
I laughed inside
When I saw how you were standing out in the crowd

Your such a part of who I am
Now that part will just be void
No matter how much I need you now
Heaven needed you more

Cause heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through

When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you

Yes, Heaven was needing a hero
and that's you

I love you baby, Ashley

April 1, 2012

Hey Little Brother,
Just going through all the notes/letters people have written lately and I wanted you to know I miss you and am very proud of the man I can call my brother. I speak of you often to co-workers and friends and still looking forward of getting that tattoo in your memory. You will always be honored in my heart and it aches to see you again in heaven one day. Can't wait to wrestle again! Love you brother....

Vic Koester
brother

February 24, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Koester. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

Thinking of you and your family on this seventh anniversary date. Your memory will always be honored and revered. The sacrifice made by you and your family will never be forgotten.

Thanks to all your family for sharing their devotion to you in their reflections. I hold them all in my heart's embrace today.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 9, 2012