Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Wayne I thought about you a lot on Easter Sunday. I know how Ashley, Amber, Jamie, Ryan, and Jordan are the center of your world, there are none over them. I reflected on all the great times we had. How you and Ashley started calling me your adopted son, how much I enjoyed hearing you tell me to get out of your favorite recliner. I stop and think about how much better you have it now. Because of the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus I know you and I have.

That Saturday after February 9, 2005, I can remember how the Lord woke me up at 4:00am to write about you Wayne. He told me what you said with your last breath. He spoke to me and made it very clear that you were with Him in His kingdom. You had become a son of God the Father, royal blood is flowing in your veins. You set your eyes on Jesus Christ Himself. He showed me that my prayers for you were answered. The Lord showed me evidence of this first in my heart, then with the thousands on thousands at the services and standing on the side of the road as we went pass them to the grave site. He still shows me His favor on you; evidence even more, the out pouring from the community, the many awards, services, and dedications in your honor.

In Romans 8:28 it says, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The Lord showed me He will use you for His purpose, for His glory in both the Sheriff’s Office and Umatilla PD, to bring many to Himself.

Sergeant David Seeley
Umatilla Police Department

April 1, 2005

Today you were missed as we all got together,had the little ones find eggs ,as we remembered so many easters with you ,knowing that we knew you better than some,you werent in our lives for just 6 or 8 years you were there for 23 and some 33 years ,we knew you ,and we miss you ,ya buddy" we are waiting for that day when you can be near us again until then you will always get a goodmorning from me ,an I love you and for sure your amber and ryan are taken care of by the ones you loved the most.I love you and wish you were here.I dont think one day since feb 9th has gone by that I havent prayed that this all was a bad dream,but one thing that always passes through my mind is "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord"and then I have peace for those minutes the thought is still drifting..The Lord can give us peace..

Brandy K

March 27, 2005

HAPPY EASTER WAYNE

March 27, 2005

If you told me once you told me 1,000 times "Your gonna miss me". I'd laugh because I knew you were just a phone call away. When in doubt, don't know the answer, too lazy to look for the answer, call Wayne. 24-7 you were always there just a phone call away. You were the day officer when I came to work at the PD and you made my job so much easier. You always had a plan no matter what came in between, you always had one more thing to get, one more step to climb. You never lost sight of your goals. To anyone who knew you watching the workings to obtain whatever the goal was pure entertainment. I've laughed with you, cried with you, argued with you and most of all respected you. Respect is given but deep respect is earned and you my friend were deeply respected by all of the officers you trained and the citizens you were sworn to protect. I could sit here and write on and on but those memories will forever stay with me and those who were there. . You leave a large hole in our hearts but we look forward to seeing you again. Ashley, Amber, Jamie, Ryan and Jordan you were always the number one priority for Wayne and you know how much he loved you all. Thank you for having shared him with us. And Wayne, you were right, I miss you.

Administrative Assistant
Umatilla Police Department

March 24, 2005

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee. The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Thank you for your service Officer Koester. Rest in peace.

March 24, 2005

Thank You for your service.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

March 23, 2005

I would like the Family, friends and fellow officers of Deputy Koester to know that I am a Lake County Schools teacher today because after the accidential death of my father on September 14, 1968, the Denver Police Orphan's Fund paid for my college several years later. I became a Special Education Teacher and have been teaching Special Education for 23 years, the past 11 here in Lake County. I will never forget the loss or the support the department gave us as a family for many years. I was only 8 years old when I lost my dad. Every time I here about a police officer being killed in the line of duty I become that 8 year old child again and remembering every detail of the events surrounding my fathers death. Please know I understand what you are all going through. It will get easier but you will never forget. With my most heartfelt sympathy to you and you family. May God bless you and your family.

Kim Keena
Lake County School Teacher

March 18, 2005

You gave the ultimate sacrifice. You will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Deputy Michelle Owens
Orange County Sheriff's Office

March 18, 2005

Rest in peace.

Offc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Depatment

March 18, 2005

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the glints on fallen snow.

I am the sunlight on golden grain,
I am the autumn’s gentle rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am that swift uplifting rush.

Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

I know you are with us all, protecting each of your brothers and sisters, and for that, Thank You! May your family be held in Gods Hands forever!
My husband and I pray for you always.

G.W.

March 17, 2005

What a great loss to the community of Lake County, but also to the entire Central Florida area. You will be greatly missed. God bless you, your family and to all of your law enforcement family in Lake County. You can RIP knowing that we'll take it from here brother. God speed to you on your journey.

Marion County Sheriff's Office

March 16, 2005

No words I can say here will help the terrible ache in your hearts. My thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Koesters family and friends, may you find some comfort from the love and support of those who care for you and are there for you in this very difficult time. From a mother of a slain police officer in 1998

Larie Minnery

March 14, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Wayne did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Wayne be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Koester's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Wayne is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Wayne was well respected and well loved. Wayne sounds like an amazing man. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Deputy Koester for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

March 6, 2005

You made the supreme sacrifice for your brother deputies. No one can ask for more than you gave. Rest in Peace Brother.

Officer
Orlando Police Department

March 3, 2005

If you could uncle wayne ,since your so close to God now ,ask Him to help us to get through the pain of not having you here with us..I love you and miss you

Blk

March 2, 2005

God bless you and your family.

March 1, 2005

My prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of Deputy Koester. He gave the ultimate sacrifice which will never be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff David Sanders
Putnam County Sheriff's Office

February 27, 2005

Dear Ashley and Family,
You are contiuously in my thoughts and prayers. I have only talked to you,Ashley on the phone at work. I had met Deputy Koester when he would come into the jail. He was a kind and funny man but I could see that he was truly dedicated to his job. We will miss him so very much. He did his job well. I never knew until the day he was laid to rest and I came to his funeral how honored I am to be part of the Lake County Sheriff's Office. I pray for that you will someday find peace in your heart.

Cheryl/Booking Clerk on C-Shift
Lake County S.O.

February 26, 2005

My prayers are with the Koester family. D/S Koester's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

DFC Arthur L. Wilson, Jr.
Orange County Sheriff's Office

February 26, 2005

To the Family of Dept.Wayne Koester.I never had a chance to know Mr.Koester,although my father had the chance a few weeks before he was taken away from his family.He had found my farther's stolen car from orange county in lake co,and was working on the case,in L.C. He was very friendly and loving, the most respectful man you'd every want to know.My heart and prayers goes out to Dept.Wayne Koester's family and loved ones. Your in our hearts,minds,thoughts,and prayers.God Bless you all. Thank you so much for allowing this site to us,(the public)who loved Mr.Koester even though we didn't know him.My father in law shook his hand only a few days before he had fallen so this is from him as well.We love and miss you Dept.Wayne Koester.in loving memory,Lisa Zosel,and John McCall Sr.Daughter and Father in law.Apopka Fl and Plymouth,Fl.

lisa zosel
home

February 26, 2005

Thanks for your sacrifice! May the Lord sustain the family left behind. R.I.P.

Cpl. Lisa Satcher
Gainesville Police Department

February 26, 2005

The Policeman's Last Inspection...

The policeman stood and face his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, policeman, how shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other check? To my church have you been true?"

The Policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heavens streets, you've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

February 25, 2005

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.....GOD BLESS

TROOPER I - ELI GARCIA
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

February 25, 2005

Uncle Wayne,I love you and miss you more than you ever would imagine ,I feel honored to have spent so many weekends as a kid hanging out with you drinking mountain dews ,as an adult running to get in shape for our pT tests.You are a hero,you were a soldier,I remember asking you about becoming a police officer ,you telling me how much you loved it,it was your true calling,but God called you to Him and now we are left to cry our crys ,say our prayers and remember that one day I too will see you and my Lord ,but until then I will pray you watch over us.

Brandy Koester

February 24, 2005

I never knew Wayne Koester, but when I laid down at night, I knew that he and all the other law enforcement officers in Lake County were on duty and I felt safe. I know that the position that Wayne filled will be taken by someone else, and I will continue to feel safe. I appreciate the sacrifice that Wayne made to maintain my safety, the ultimate sacrifice. Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel to him and all law enforcement. I pray that the Koester family will find peace and that the love of God, family, friends, and the citizens which he gave his life to protect, will somehow fill the void left by his death. May angels watch over his children and keep them safe.

A Citizen of Lake County

February 24, 2005