Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our thoughts and prayers to the Men and Women of the Lake County Sheriffs Office. God Bless the family of Deputy Koester.

Broward County Multi-Agency Police Honor Guard

February 13, 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. You will not be forgotten..We will see you in Elysium...

OFC Jason Crociata
Police Officer in Illinois

February 13, 2005

Please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and our department. Thank you Deputy Koester for serving and serving well.

Deputy Meredith Ward
Gulf County Sheriff's Office

February 13, 2005

Domestics, worst call for service to ever receive.

"God Bless"

Chief
Watertown Tennessee

February 13, 2005

Deputy Koester, may you rest in eternal peace in God's glory in His Kingdom until we too can join you there! May God bless your family, friends, and co-workers in this terrible time of grief and loss now and in the days, months, and years to come.

Deputy Sheriff
POLK County Sheriff's Office, Florida

February 13, 2005

My condolences and prayers go out to the family of Dep. Wayne Koester.
May God Bless you and your family. Rest in Peace.

Detective Ed Henson (Retired-Stuart, Fla
New York City Police Dept.

February 13, 2005

We honor you for your sacrifice on this Earth. Taps will sound for you, but you will never walk alone. You will never be forgotten. Please look over us as we continue the watch. This we'll defend.

Officer Michael B. Smith
Columbus, Ohio Division of Police

February 13, 2005

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. -Cherokee Expression

Wayne, I'm sorry that I never got to know you, but by the words of your friends and family, you were a caring and loving person who served his community and country with honor. You will be missed by all of us and your sacrifice will never be forgotten. God Bless You.

Senior Officer David Carver (K-9)
Leesburg, FL PD (Lake County)

February 12, 2005

To the friends and family of Deputy Koester, I am very sad for your loss. It was a year ago that we at the Marion County Sheriff's Office lost one of our own. I know the saddness that you all are feeling as friends and family. I did not know Deputy Koester personally, but from what I have heard he sounded like he was a fine officer, great husband and father. To all may God Bless you in your time of sorrow.

Deputy Thomas Tingue
Marion County Sheriff's Office

February 12, 2005

My deepest condolences goes out to the family and fellow LCSO brothers. Deputy Koester will not be forgotten for he has paid the ultimate price in keeping our streets safe and for that we thank you.
Your brother in green.

BPA. JUAN DI BELLA
U.S BORDER PATROL, CASA GRANDE, AZ

February 12, 2005

We would like to express our sympathy to the family of our fallen Brother Deputy Wayne Koester. Our Thoughts and prayers are with your family as they grieve during this tragic and painful time.

Lady Lake Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #16

Lady Lake, FL

Lady Lake Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #16

February 12, 2005

WAYNE YOU ARE A TRUE HERO. YOU HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO THE CITIZENS OF LAKE COUNTY. TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF WAYNE MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN MY BROTHER R.I.P.

DEPUTY KEVIN LUCAS
LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

February 12, 2005

Blessed are the Peace Keepers, For They Shall Be Called The Son's Of GOD. Rest in Peace Brother!

SGT. MO Endres/ CPL. D Nutting
Orange County Sheriff's Office

February 12, 2005

TO THE FAMILY OF WAYNE KOESTER. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPLAIN HOW WE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FEEL I ONLY HOPE THE PUBLIC AND THE COURTS WILL GET TOUGH ON THE LIKES OF THIS SUSPECT.OUR DEPT. LOST OFFICER GRIM IN NOV.12,04 IN THE LINE OF DUTY. DEPUTY KOESTER REST IN PEACE, WE WILL NOW TAKE OVER YOUR BEAT.

CHARLES ROBSON, ID #118
ORMOND BEACH POLICE DEPT.

February 12, 2005

Words can not express how we all felt that day. I am honored to have known you, Wayne, and to be a part of this extraordinary law enforcement family. You are all heros. My heartfelt condolences and prayers to Ashley and your entire family.

Amy / Dispatcher
Lake Co Sheriffs Office

February 12, 2005

TO THIS FAMILY & FRIENDS I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU ALL. WE LOST OUR DEPUTY LAST MAY AND I DO KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU ARE FEELING AT THIS MOMENT. THE ONLY WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS IS ONE DAY AT THE TIME. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN! WE NEVER UNDERSTAND THESE AWFUL TRAGEDIES, BUT WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
WE CARE JOHNNY & JEAN BLYLER

JEAN BLYLER

February 12, 2005

I was lucky enough to have met Wayne shortly after he came to be with the Umatilla PD. He was a great addition to the force here. He was a good friend to everyone here in the city. We were very happy for him when he decided to go to the Sheriff's Deparment last year. He was a great man and will be greatly missed. I feel honored to have been able to have known him for so long. To his wife and kids, my husband and I are so sorry for your loss. Take pride in the fact that he died doing what he loved most and that God now has a new angel to watch over all of us. To Wayne, Rest in Peace Buddy. You are greatly missed.

Dana Klugerman
Umatilla Citizen

February 12, 2005

Thank you to all our law enforcement officers who come every time we call. You don't receive enough thank yous, and often see the worst side of people, while continuing to give us your best. Wayne, thank you for giving the ultimate sacrifice. Please know that this community will never forget you and we will all make sure your family is never in want because you are not here in body to help them out. As the mother of a local firefighter/paramedic I truly understand the brotherhood and want you to know that you can rest in peace with the knowledge that the citizens you served will carry on and help your family through this time of pain. Thank you to all the police officers who step out every day to make this a better place to call home. Most of us out there appreciate the fact that you are always there, I know i do. God speed Wayne, prayers to your family and friends in their deep loss.

Beverly Meadows
Umatilla resident

February 12, 2005

My heart goes out to the wife, children and family of "Deputy Wayne Koester."

I am retired now but was on the Dept. for 27 yrs. During that time I saw several "Officers Down." Among them was my partner of many years.

I have been retired since 1991 yet each time I hear of a slain officer my heart cries.

Please accept my heartfelt sorrow and prayers.

Ashley, God Bless and keep you!!!

William V. Hartman
Det. Retired
Cleveland Ohio PD

Det. William V. Hartman
Cleveland Ohio Police Dept.

February 12, 2005

A Brother Warrior has fell and died today in battle.

This Brother Warrior has made the ultimate sacrifice.

He has given his life for his Fellow Warriors, his family and friends too.

Brother Warrior, pass your sword to us, so we can keep your spirit alive.

You, my Brother Warrior will not be forgotten.

God Bless you, your family and your friends.

We honor and respect all of the Fallen Warriors who have gone before us.

We ask you, Brother Warriors to guide us, protect us and pray for us.

We will meet again my Brother Warriors.

For this time not to fight another battle, but to live in eternal peace.

God bless all of the Warriors, past, present and future.

Sgt. Chad McDaniel

February 12, 2005

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

February 12, 2005

Please say a PRAYER for Deputy Wayne Koesters family, Sheriff Chris Daniels and the fine men and women of the Lake County Sheriffs Office.

Florida Highway Patrol

February 12, 2005

It is never easy to say goodbye to someone who meant so much too so many. This much is clear: we have lost a beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, colleague, and DEPUTY SHERIFF.
But Deputy Wayne Koester lives on, in the deeds he performed, in the thoughts, the feelings and the memories of him that we hold dear.
Deputy Wayne Koester was a TRUE HERO. He was prepared to protect and to defend our lives, our homes, our property and our streets. Wayne was a valued, treasured friend to everyone who knew him.
To Ashley he was a committed husband. To Amber, Ryan, Jamie and Jordan, he was a devoted father.
To all of his family, our prayers and deepest sympathies are with you.
And to Wayne’s fellow law enforcement officers, Wayne was a shining example of what a deputy should be: competent and courageous, tenacious and tough, brave and dedicated, yet understanding and compassionate to those who needed a helping hand.
And he had the same high level of commitment when it came to looking out for the interests and the needs of others. Whether he was coaching little league, or continuing his education at Lake Sumter Community College.
Wayne was truly committed to public service. Deputy Koester always strived to be the best he possibly could be. He was never satisfied with mediocrity. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and self-improvement, from his martial arts classes ( black belt in tae kwon do) to serving the United States of America in the Florida Army National Guard.
Deputy Crotty, Deputy McKane, you all have been through much in the past few days. You too, are heroes. I want you to know that your Lake County Sheriffs Office family is extremely proud of you.
If we had to develop a list of the characteristics of the prototype law enforcement officer, there would be no better way to start than with the integrity and personal traits of Wayne Koester.
From the time he was very young, he had his heart set on becoming a police officer. Wayne served his country in the Florida Army National Guard As a specialist with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery. Wayne served his community with the Umatilla Police department and the Lake County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement was the focus of his life - and he was not blinded by distractions. Deputy Koester was the epitome of what a law enforcement officer should be: a respected, trusted associate to those who worked with him, and a generous, caring friend to the countless people with whom he came into contact each day.
He touched many lives. He saved many lives. His dedication was never ending. His course was straight. And his compassion was unending. Wayne knew what his values were. He was true to his cause of creating a better, safer and more secure life for everyone. He never wavered. He always went the extra mile.
It is important to remember that law enforcement officers go to work each day prepared to give their lives to protect our lives. And Deputy Koester made the ultimate sacrifice.
Wayne would want us to wipe away our tears, clear our throats and re-focus on the goal. He would ask us to set our sights on the safety and well-being of those around us. He would ask us to be committed in this quest, as he certainly was. He would expect us to persevere, despite the twists and turns that we encounter every day. Through his work in law enforcement, Wayne was totally committed to making a difference. And he did.
We must strive to always do our best. And always put the needs of others first.
As Deputy Koester stood up and gave his last full measure for this community and in service to each of us, so too shall we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, arm-in-arm to make this, our home, a safer place.
May the memory of Deputy Wayne Koester never leave our midst. May his spirit never leave our hearts, and may his service be an inspiration to us all.
On behalf of the men and women of the Lake County Sheriffs Office, on behalf of the entire law enforcement community and on behalf of his friends everywhere, I close by saying thank you, Wayne, for making a difference.
We know you are safe. May God bless you. We will miss you, and we will not forget.

BPAHCF533

Fellow LEO in Lake County Florida

February 12, 2005

For those of us who were fortunate enough to know Wayne we know we will miss a great and caring man... God Bless

Lyn Pierce

February 12, 2005

Deputy Koester,
Words don't even seem appropriate to express how proud me and my family are of you, Tom, and Bill. You have touched so many people throughout your life and you will never be forgotten. What a hero you truly are. To Vic and family, you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. To LCSO, what a fine job you did that day; I am proud to live in this county. Wayne, you will always be in our hearts. We miss you already.

Sister of Deputy Tom McKane

February 12, 2005