Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

No words can take away the pain of your loss...our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Koester's family as well has his law enforcement family...take heart in knowing he's watching from above, and that he is in good company.

Rest in peace sir, you are 10-7, good night.

Aimee - A4259 - Dispatcher
Phoenix Police Department

February 10, 2005

Thank you for your service, you are a true hero; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

February 10, 2005

May your family and friends find comfort in one another. You are a true hero and shall not be forgotten for your bravery. May you rest in peace and watch over all of your brothers and sisters, keeping them safe!

P. Currie
Wife of an Officer

February 10, 2005

Deputy Koester is a real Americam Hero. He gave it all to protect and serve as we all are trained to do. Deputy Koester May God Bless You and your family.

Chief Roger Green
Kibler Police Department Kibler Arkansas

February 10, 2005

Thier are no words to say that will ease the pain, another officer taken just doing his job by a EVIL coward. May he pay the ultimate price which would still be to kind to him. A law enforcement community shall never forget, i ask god to please give the family and co-workers strenght to carry on. A community and greatful nation will forever in your debt.

Cpl Gary E Mintz, Traffic Enf Director
Henderson County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

February 10, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of Industry Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Wayne Koester. Having lost Deputy Michael Arruda this past year (EOW 06-15-04), we know all too well the pain and reality of losing one of our own. Take comfort from knowing your extended law enforcement family grieves with you.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

February 10, 2005

Rest in peace fallen hero. God bless you for the job that you did. My prayers are with Dep. Koester's family and the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Rest in peace Dep. W. Koester

February 10, 2005

It was with great sadness that I watched the events of the day unfold on 09 FEB 05, especially with the passing of Deputy Koester and wounding of two fellow deputies by a cold blooded coward. All morning long I watched as LEO after LEO came in through parts of Volusia County and headed through Deland towards Lake County running "Code 3". My thoughts were with each one to be kept safe knowing what they were heading into.

This sort of thing only brings to light the difficult challenges that people serving as LEO's encounter on a daily basis. It is unfortunate that many times the public does not realize just how difficiult and dangerous the job is until something like this happens and takes a life away. How many times over the years I had someone say to me, "I wouldn't have your job for anything." or "You guys don't get paid anywhere near enough for the job you do." Why do we or why have we done what we do then? For many, we genuinely want to "make a difference", or it is "in our blood", or we want to help make our community a better safer place to live for all.

Although I did not know Deputy Koester I can tell from the news accounts and postings that he was a fine officer, respected, well liked, and a gentleman.

Our hearts go out to those that worked and served with Deputy Koester and his family. You can be proud to have had this deputy in your department and family.

Deputy Koester is officially 10-7, not to be forgotten.

Thank you.

R. A. DEA
DEPT. HOMELAND SECURITY & Former VCSO Deputy

February 10, 2005

During a great loss of losing a loved one, there never seems to be the right words to express one's grief. Our dept salutes Deputy Koester and his unselfishness for his duty protecting the lives of others. We pray for the Koester family.

Police Chief/Erv Hill
Belleair Police Dept.

February 10, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Deputy Koester. You will always be in our hearts.

Wife of a Deputy
Marion County Sheriff's Office

February 10, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Deputy Koester. As we look back on the loss of one of our own, your loss is felt greatly. He will always be in our prayers.

February 10, 2005

Rest in peace brother, your bravery shall never be forgotten...

Deputy James Bradford
Bradley County Sheriff Department

February 10, 2005

America grieves today at your passing. We cannot thank you and your family for your dedication in protecting all of US. You shall never be forgotten.

Ted Sjurseth
America's 9/11 Ride Foundation, Inc

February 10, 2005

i go to this site everyday to remind myself that it can happen to me, and to honor the memory of so many fine people. i am sure others do it for the same reason. so even in death you continue to keep us safe here. making us think everytime we exit our cars, to be prepared.
two of our deputies were ambushed last week. the outcome was very different than yours in that no one was hurt. however it shows just how far these cowards will go to hurt us. i cannot be in lake county for the services but i will be mourning for you. rest in peace and god be with lake county s.o.

sgt
columbia county florida

February 10, 2005

TO: The family; loved ones; friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER:--- O, gentle Lord ! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE *** Sent to you by the father of Detective J.D.Koeppen, Raleigh North Carolina; Trooper D.C.Koeppen, New Jersey State Police and Patrolman A.M.Koeppen, Wilmington North Carolina.

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

February 10, 2005

I want to express my deepest sympathies to the deputy's wife, children, parents, law enforcement family, and friends. I lost my first husband, Nicholas Co, WV. Deputy William "Billy" Giacomo 9/11/00, under very similar circumstances and must say that I felt such sorrow for all those that knew Deputy Koester. I am thankful that his assailant has been captured and my prayer for the Koester family as well as the surviving injured deputies is that justice will be served so that you may have some peace. The road ahead will be long and hard, but my prayers and thoughts as well as those of many others are with you all.

Staci Lanham

February 10, 2005

Our prayers are with the family and co-workers of Deputy Koester. We know firsthand the tremendous grief and loss you're experiencing now.

Deputy Koester, you've joined the other heroes in heaven...

"Rest easy brother, we've got the watch now."

Former Deputy
Marion County Sheriff's Office

February 10, 2005

The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Onondaga County Deputy Sheriffs' Police Association are with the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Wayne Koester

Detective
Onondaga County (NY) Sheriffs Office

February 10, 2005

The policeman stood and faced 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 cheek?
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 a badge
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 got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept 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 here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

February 10, 2005

Today my heart sank as I sat and watched the news cover this story, so close to home and another officer down! To the family and friends of D/S Koester, and to the LCSO members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; you are now 10-42 go walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you are a blue angel, R.I.P. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Brother.

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office

February 10, 2005

Thank you my brave brother for your service may god keep you safe as you do us . we will keep you in our hearts

Reserve Deputy/D.O Doug Crisp
Lyon County sheriff dept kansas

February 10, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Cpl. D.Johansen
Federal Reserve System Police Services

February 10, 2005

REST IN PEACE BROTHER, TO THE FAMILY OF DEP. KOESTER, OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH EACH OF YOU, THE SACRIFICE MADE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, HOLD TIGHT TO GODS UNCHANGING HAND, GOD BLESS THE DEPUTIES AND STAFF OF LCSO .

PATROLMAN A.T. YOUNG
REYNOLDS POLICE DEPT. REYNOLDS,GA.

February 10, 2005

Although your tour of duty was short, it was done most honerabley. Your dedication and sacrafice will not be forgotten.

Tpr D McGuckin
Michigan State Police

February 10, 2005

The policeman stood and faced 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 cheek?
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 a badge
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 got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept 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 here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

Rest in Peace Brother, we have the watch from here.

Patrolman Johnson
HPD

February 10, 2005