Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We don't need to look any further than the many names on this website to find
true heroes. Wayne is a hero in every
sense of the word. He gave his life so
that others may live, and there is no
greater sacrifice than that.

May God comfort Wayne's family, friends, and his brothers and sisters at
the Lake County Sheriff's Office. His
family should know that his sacrifice will not be forgotten, and that his memory will be honored forever.

Officer Todd Riggins
St. Augustine Police Department
St. Augustine, Florida

Officer Todd Riggins
St. Augustine Police Department

February 12, 2005

Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten. God bless your family, friends, and fellow officers during this sad and tragic time.

officer
Youngstown Police Department

February 12, 2005

Wayne,
I wish I'd taken the time to know you better. We only nodded in passing. My words can not express what I am feeling. You have made the ultimate sacrifice for me, for the department, for the community. Our families are safe another day for your unselfishness. We will never forget.
To Wayne's family, my heartfelt condolences go to you all. Wayne is a Hero. He will be missed.
"The Lord is my constant companion
There is no need that he cannot fulfill.
Whether his course for me points to the
Mountaintops of glorious ecstasy
Or the valleys of human suffering,
He is on my side,
He is ever present with me.
He is close beside me when I tread
The dark streats of danger-and even
When I flirt with death itself,
He will not leave me.
When the pain is severe,
He is near to comfort.
When the burden is heavy,
He is there to lean upon.

When depression darkens my soul,
He touches me with eternal joy.
When I feel empty and alone,
He fills the aching vacuum
With his power.
My security is in his promise
To be near to me always,
And in the knowledge that
He will never let me go.

Godspeed.

K9 Deputy Chris De Libro
Lake County Florida Sheriff's Office

February 12, 2005

Sir, your physical self has left us in HONOR and our remembrance of you will remain in PRAISE.
B.A.D.G.E.=Bravery,Attitude,Devotion,
God,Empathy.
Deputy W. Koester, I personally thank you for your B.A.D.G.E. and I thank your family for the daily sacrafices they have made and for those in which they must make.

O.F.C. Holcomb #225
Eustis P.D.

February 11, 2005

YOU GAVE IT YOUR ALL .MY HEART GOES OUT TO FAMILY FRIENDS AND BROTHERS IN THE DEPARTMENT.YOUR ARE AT REST.REAT IN PEACE.

wife of hopkinsville ky police departmen

February 11, 2005

May you watch over your brothers and sisters now and smile in heaven.Knowing that they will be doing the job in your place, you loved so much. And know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers always.It was a sacrifice you made for the rest of us. So now we will watch over your fellow officers and family now. God Bless you and your family.

Former LEO
Family with Lake and Orange Counties SO

February 11, 2005

God Bless Your Family. Thank you for your service Brother In Blue.

Trooper
Georgia State Patrol

February 11, 2005

Thank you,Wayne, for the ultimate sacrifice,I pray for you and your family
and for all of you LEO's out there Tis
truly a Brotherhood

K. Dilimone
Law enforcement Mom

February 11, 2005

God speed warrior you are now home. To the kids and wife Your Husband and Daddy was the bravest of the brave that did a job most fear and most wouldn't want. My prayers for you always.

State Trooper D Osborne K/9 Coco
Tennessee Highway Patrol

February 11, 2005

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time. Thank you for serving and protecting. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-3-14-04

February 11, 2005

For a few short seconds the world stopped for all of us on February 9th. All of us that are married to a deputy. We all grieve for you Mrs. Koester and hope that it will give you some comfort to know that you are in our prayers and that we feel that part of our family has been taken from us also. God bless you and your children.

Wife of a Lake County Deputy

February 11, 2005

Although I never had the opportunity to meet you, I know that you were a great Deputy and a wonderful family person!! This senseless tragedy is a reminder for all of us, who wear a badge, just how dangerous our job can be, and how much we all need to stick together as a family.
To Waynes family: My heart goes out to all of you!!!Rest assured that we will keep you in all of our prayers, and don't hesitate to call on anyone of us if you need anything!!!
Wayne...you have made the ultimate sacrifice. Please know that it will not be in vain!!! Hopefully this tragedy will help all of your fellow Deputies to "do the job" better. Rest in peace brother and know that we have the watch now!! GOD BLESS!!!

A FELLOW DEPUTY SHERIFF
L.C.S.O.

February 11, 2005

To the family of Deputy Koester I extend my deepest sympathies for your loss. To the uniformed brothers and sisters of the Lake County Sheriff's Office - press onward as Wayne would have and keep fighting the good fight.

Our families and friends understand and try to accept the dangers of our work, but when it is brought to bear it takes on a whole new meaning. Draw strength from it and honor his sacrifice.

Finally, to Brother Koester - rest easy. The Lord watches over those who watch over us, so take your place among the heroes...we've got the watch.

DFC Tim Nazzaro
Orange County FL Sheriff's Office

February 11, 2005

GOD SPEED WARRIOR , WE WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT FROM HERE NEVER FORGETTING THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN.

DEPUTY
JASPER COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT. IN

February 11, 2005

We salute you for your service, your legacy will forever endure. Our hearfelt prayers and condolences are extended to your family and friends. We too shall shed tears for a brother of our family. May God be with you as you enter into the heavens which prevail among us all.

Deputy Mark Montano
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

February 11, 2005

I want to thank all the law enforcement
officers for there bravery ,and for protecting us, All of you are heroes ,and it is very sad when one is lost because their job is to protect our lives ,yet someone is heartless enough to take theirs .My prayers go out to Deputy Koester's wife and children. I have much gratitude for the Lake County Officers !

Bridget Smith
local resident

February 11, 2005

Words cannot express the way we feel in times like this when we lose a great warrior. Just feel comfort in knowing he is watching over all his brother and sister Law Enforcement Officers now.

Deputy Sheriff Rusty Montgomery
Seminole County Sheriffs Office

February 11, 2005

As I wipe away the tears from my eyes, I know that you would have kept policing without us, you would have hated it, but you would have kept on doing it. I will go and try to do a better job everyday for you, my fallen brother. May we never forget the scarafice you made, for everyone, and may you rest knowing that your brothers will do what is needed for your family.

Deputy Chuck Ashworth
Lake County Florida Sheriff's Office

February 11, 2005

i was glad i was able to meet wayne about two months ago on a call. i think god for having the pleasure of meeting another great lcso deputy, it is very hard to loose a partner and a friend, i have been there so god bless the Koester family and all of his extended brothers and sisters of the uniform. we who wear the uniform have another brother watching over us in heaven. WAYNE WAS SMILING WHEN HIS OWN GOT THE PUNK. GOOD JOB LCSO

Tim Knight FireFighter/EMT
CITY OF CLERMONT FIRE

February 11, 2005

IT IS SAD TO SEE ANOTHER BROTHER FALLEN BY THE HAND OF A DIRTBAG. MY HEART GOES OUT OF DEPUTY KOESTER'S FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FELLOW OFFICERS.

PATROLMAN CHAD MULLEN
HORNELL CITY PD NY

February 11, 2005

May God be with you and your family,as well as your Department. Keep watch over the rest of us! Thank you for your desire to protect and serve.God Bless you.

Officer C.R Lochridge
Fort Worth Police Department

February 11, 2005

May God bless you and hold you in his arms. May your family find comfort in their memories of you.

The wife, daughter and siter of Police Officier in New Jersey

February 11, 2005

as a recruit going thru the acadamy.it is a sad thing to see a falling officer.my wishes and prays are with you and your family.

edward culver

February 11, 2005

Farewell Brother. Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication to duty and for your sacrifice most supreme. We are proud you are one of us. Rest assured your loved ones are never alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Assn.

February 11, 2005

You will always be remembered as a hero...you put your life on the line everyday, knowing it may be your last. We are proud of you, brother. To the Koester family: as you grieve, remember you are not alone. May God be with you through these days and eventually, may he put your heart at ease.

Broward Sheriff's Office, FL

February 11, 2005