Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Alex, I sure do miss seeing you up in the "District." I will always remember seeing you crack a smile even in the worst of days. Even though I moved on from the SO, I still think about you a lot. I was in Starr the other day and I saw Nichole and the girls at the filling station. Seeing her brought back memories of that terrible night in the hospital waiting and praying. We all miss you and look forward to the day we will meet again. Your little girls are beautiful as ever and growing up quickly. May we never forget your sacrifice and may God provide comfort to your family.

R. Burgess
Friend & Co-Worker

November 1, 2006

Dear Alex:
When I became a police officer 27 years ago, you were just a 1 year old baby.With all the close calls and the shoot-out that I have been involved in my career, I can't help but thank our Heavenly Father for keeping me safe, yet oddly, I am also puzzled why you, or any of our fellow officers had to make the supreme sacrifice? You did your job, and you did it admirably, right to the end, directing traffic when you could have gone home at the end of your tour.
You give the much used term, "To serve and protect", a real meaning, one for all to understand. And you gave your life to that end. The people of Anderson County, all of South Carolina, and Americans everywhere, are proud of you and the job you did. Rest easy, my brother, we have the watch. May God above keep close watch on your daughters, and help your widow to know that her husband will ALWAYS be, one of America's finest, and an American hero. Amen.

Detective Ron Tomassi
Palm Beach Sheriif's Office-Florida

October 6, 2006

Thank you Officer Burdette for your service to law enforcement and for your unselfish, loving, and giving service to mankind. I know God has a special place for you in Heaven. As one of your kidney recipients I am one of several people you gave life to after you left this earthly life.
I feel part of you lives on in me and your memory will always be in our lives.

Beau Langer
kidney recipient

October 5, 2006

Mr. Burdette And family: I Am 16 years old and when this happened I was 15. It was so very kind of you Mr. Burdette to stop and help my mother Rebecca King. She was driving the Little Red Mazda Truck In which was stranded that one tragic night. you had such a great impact on my and my mothers heart.i look at your picture and though i never met you i feel that you were very well at being helpful to others. you were willing to risk your life on the way home to your wife and kids to stop when you didnt have to to help my mother. my mother still suffers from what she witnessed that most tragic night. thank you mr. alex Burdette for everything you have achieved and are still achieving to this day in heaven i am now living in Jefferson Tx if there is anything i could help family and friends with my address is: Katelynn Ann Sorrells
553 Lakeside Dr.
Jefferson Tx 75657
with much respect and honor to you and thy family
LOVE, your friend
Phone: 903-665-8793 Katelynn A. Sorrells

Katelynn Ann Sorrells
The Disabled Motorists Daughter

October 2, 2006

alex may your family be blessed. you were a good soul and great fellow deputy.

k.
acso

July 30, 2006

I just found out about Alex's death and I wanted to send my regards to his family and friends, but mainly to his wife and daughters. Alex, you were an amazing man and I feel blessed to have known you. Though many years passed and our lives went down different paths, you were always in my thoughts. God bless your family.
Love,
Heaven

Heaven Burderte-Kent
Ex-wife

June 13, 2006

This past week we had our Memorial Services in Anderson. Your name was on the marker. I watched your girls during the ceremony. I saw both of them look to heaven and I broke down. This past Jan. I had to put my partner Chief down. Keep him company and maybe take him out to track an angel or two until we all met again.

Don Hodges
friend and co-worker

May 21, 2006

Dear Burdette Family, Friends, and Co-Workers,

My name is Mike Damore. I am a Detention Officer with the Myrtle Beach Police Department. I will be participating in the Police Unity Tour Bike ride this coming week. I will be covering the 250 miles from Virginia Beach into Washington D.C. It is an honor for me and I hope to be able to turn my bracelet over to Burdette’s family during the candlelight vigil on May 13th. If you are able to make it to D.C., please give me a call. My cell phone number is 843-446-0008. Please leave a message if I do not answer because I may be in the middle of the ride. Just leave a call back number and I will contact you as soon as possible.

Mike Damore
Detention Officer Mike Damore
Myrtle Beach Police Department
2006-05-07

Detention Officer Mike Damore
Myrtle Beach Police Department

May 9, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 4, 2006

I came to this website for two reasons today. The first reason was that I wanted to let Deputy Burdette know that he will be missed even know that he is no longer with us. I never got a chance to meet you, much like many of our brother and sisters that where a badge. The second reason is because you and I have a unique connection now. I will riding in the annual Police Unity Tour during Police Officer Memorial Week. I will be riding my bicycle along with hundreds of other law enforcement men and women from Chesapeake, Virginia to Washington D.C. You have been selected to be the officer that I will be riding in memory of. It is a 250 mile ride that will take three days to accomplish from 5/10/06 to 5/12/06. I want to get in contact with your family to see if they will be coming to D.C. during this week. I will be wearing a metal wristband with your name inscribed on it during the ride and would like to give it to one of your family members when the ride is over. If they are unable to make it to D.C. I can send it to them in the mail. If anyone from the family reads this, you can contact me at [email protected]. I know that Master Deputy Burdette has been called to the Lord for a reason, but your brothers and sisters on the street will take your watch from here.

Police Officer Bryan P. Cilento
Chesapeake Police Department

March 27, 2006

1 year ago you left us. The past year has been rough with you gone. I still have your number in my cellphone, I cannot bring myself to erase it. One day will see each other again. Brother you are and will be missed until that day comes.

Master Deputy Don Hodges
Anderson County Sheriff's Office

March 18, 2006

To Master Deputy J. Alex Burdette and his loved ones:

On this the first anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
I hope that we are able to meet each other in D.C.

Deputy Burdette, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Deputy Burdette.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Master Deputy J. Alex Burdette gave to his community and the citizens of South Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 12, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 14, 2006

It's been a year now since we lost you. I think alot about those times when we were down at the academy. You kept me out of trouble and I certainly learned alot from you. When it was all over, I knew I had a friend for life. That's what I like to remember the most, the type of friend and co-worker you were.

It's hard knowing that you are not here with us. There is comfort in the fact that you are home with God. I miss you, Brother.

James E. Johnson

March 13, 2006

Alex, its been a year since you left us. Not a day goes by that I don't thank about you and the service that you provided the community. I didn't know you very well when you left us, but your impact and spirit still lives with all of us out there on patrol. We miss you Alex. God Bless you and your family. God Speed.

Dep. Kevin Winn
Anderson County Sheriff's Office

March 13, 2006

Our daddy's always with us,
even though we are far apart.
We know this because he told us,
he'll forever be here in our hearts.
We love our daddy very much,
he's our shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

Kaylee & Karlee

March 12, 2006

It has been one year now
since I had that awful nightmare.
But, it seems like yesterday
and all of the pain is still there.
I love and miss you
everyday of my life

Nicole

March 12, 2006

Dep. Burdette,
Please know that your sacrifice and dedication are remembered on this first anniversary of your arrival in Heaven. Thank you...

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

March 12, 2006

On the first anniversary of your tragic death, you are remembered in my thoughts and prayers. Deputy Burdette, thank you for your selfless, dedicated service to the people of South Carolina. May you rest in peace in the loving arms of God. May your family know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Heroes live forever.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

March 12, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow officers of Deputy Sheriff Burdette on this one year anniversary of his passing.

My husband was killed in the line of duty almost one year ago; I understand what you are all going through. I can't believe that so much time has passed, yet has stood still at the same time. May God bless you all.

Thank you, Deputy Burdette, for your service and ultimate sacrifice. May God bless you and may you rest in eternal peace, safe in the arms of the angels.

Gone but never forgotten.

Carin E. Sollman, surviving spouse
Officer Jesse E. Sollman, EOW 3/25/05

March 12, 2006

May Our Lord be with your family today and comfort them.May you Rest in Peace.

March 12, 2006

Remembering you today. God bless you and may you rest in peace.

Anne (Civilian UK)

March 12, 2006

One year ago today was one of the days I will never forget. There has not been a day that has went by that I haven't thought about you, your wife Nicole and your 2 beautiful girls Kaylee and Karlee. Alex you were a fine man and still are. We all still miss you everyday! There is always a conversation going on about you around the office. God Speed Brother! God Bless and keep Nicole and the girls in your hands. Nicole stay strong, you are a wonderful lady. Kaylee and Karlee your daddy is a true hero and will watch over you always. I love all of you very much!

TINA **COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR**
ACSO/RESERVE DEPUTY

March 11, 2006

I had only been on the job 8 weeks when the accident happened and did not know you other than to say hello. In the past year I have come to know Nicole,Kaylee and Karlee. Nicole is such a profile of courage. To honor your memory and the one year anniversary of your death Nicole sponsored a blood drive at the office today. Ninety five people donated blood to yet once again show that the Burdete family was and still is always wanting to help others.
May God bless and keep Nicole, Kaylee and Karlee in the palm of his hand and Alex, may you rest in eternal peace.

Susann Griffin PIO
Anderson County Sheriff's Office

March 11, 2006

It will be one year that you ended your tour of duty here on earth. Many broken hearts have been left behind and each day they live with yesterdays as their tomorrows are no more. But all those yesterdays are filled with good memories that they will cherish forever. They will keep your memory alive for as long as they walk this earth and the Blue Family will carry on keeping your memory alive forever. There are no magical words I can offer them to help ease their pain except that they are not alone. Keep watch over them and guide them through life. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

March 10, 2006

Nine years ago today was one of the best days of my life. Together we had many wonderful days and a few sad ones here and there. I always knew that as long as I had you we could make it through anything. Ten short days after our eighth year together my world was changed forever. Pieces of my broken heart will always be with you.

Nicole

Nicole

March 1, 2006