Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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 Michael did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Michael be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Buckner's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. 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 Michael 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 Michael was well respected and well loved. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Officer Buckner 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 20, 2005

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Michael Keith Buckner and the Decherd Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Michael... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman & Pooky-Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

March 20, 2005

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that "you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of Solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy "about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is "I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works "around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. "Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" (that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, "he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, "he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is "only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan "At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, "I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits (once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, "Thank you and God bless you."

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

March 19, 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

March 19, 2005

May God hold you in his arms and comfort your whole family. My condolences to your family and the entire Decherd Police Department. Rest Easy in the Lord's care brother.

Officer Brandon Young
Lino Lakes Police Dept. MN

March 19, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Buckner. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

March 19, 2005

Officer Buckner,
You and you family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Brother !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo, Off. Amy Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs OFfice, Gretna Police Dept. LA

March 19, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER
BUCKNER, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE - BUFFALO, NEW YORK

March 19, 2005

Although your watch has come too an end, rest easy my brother knowing that the battle will rage on and that your sacrifice was not in vain, nor will it ever be forgotten.

God bless you and your family.

PC Ferko
Toronto Police Service, Canada

March 19, 2005

Upon the markers of their graves
Our heroes etched in names we save
For all the life they gave with pride
To keep the peace within life's stride

To honor serve and do their best
To keep us safe through any quest
They gave up what was theirs to share
Their spirits shall be always near

No fear within the hearts and minds
To keep us safe within our times
The glory that is ours to see
Those special hearts of bravery

They have walked where no man dare
Their lives in danger with no care
For they have given all they could
For their courage we have stood

In awe of every one who gave
His life for others who they saved
So we will know their contribution
Their firm resolve and resolution

For those they left with hearts so broken
In every whispered word that's spoken
We bow our heads in confirmation
In every word life's revelation

Those who stand within their shoes
Will follow courage as they choose
And give to all the best they had
They carry on with spirits glad

We will know that they walked through
With colors bright and hearts so true
No Island stands alone they say
For heroes they are born this way

Protecting those with loyalty
A glimpse of so much royalty
Within the years of courage bound
These officers have earned their crown

Upon the earth we shall remember
The special goals and all their thunder
That proves a hero came our way
Who left their hearts on earth to stay.

~ Francine Pucillo ~
(c)Copyright November 16, 2004

ASST.CHIEF BILL(PUTT) LINDER
E.O.W. 10/10/04

CHIEF BILLY CUREINGTON
WISNER POLICE DEPT. WISNER,LOUISIANA

March 19, 2005

Rest In Peace. The FBI Agents Association salutes your service.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
FBI

March 19, 2005

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

March 19, 2005

Rest in Peace...God Bless...

Trooper
Tennessee Highway Patrol 2nd District

March 19, 2005

God bless you,your family, and your fellow policemen you work with. All of you stay safe both in the car and out.
Rest in peace Michael K. Buckner.

March 19, 2005

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
concerned citizen

March 19, 2005

Rest in Peace Officer
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God."
Matt.5:9

Explorer

March 18, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Dechard P.D.

Fallen but never forgotten.

Bryan Laurie son of Fallen Officer
Nathan Laurie EOW 7-29-04

March 18, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF THIS GREAT OFFICER. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU SERVED WELL, NOW REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

March 18, 2005

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO TODAY, OFFICER BUCKNER GO PATROL THE STREETS OF GOLD. TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MAY GOD BLESS YOU.. R.I.P

Sgt. W. M. Riley
Aragon Ga Police Dept.

March 18, 2005

You will be in our thoughts and prayers, GOOD BY FRIEND

Detective Mike Monteith
Polk County Sheriff's Office

March 18, 2005

Thank you Officer Buckner for a job well done, may you rest in peace. My heart and prayers are with your family, friends and coworkers. God bless you all.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOE 08/06/02

March 18, 2005

I would like to extend my condolences to Officer Buckner's family and friends, and to the men and women of Decherd Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Officer Buckner, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

March 18, 2005

On behalf of the men and women who serve with the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Michael Buckner's family, friends, and co-workers with the Decherd Police Department.

Rest in peace our brother in blue. Now you can walk heavens beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

March 18, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Michael, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

March 18, 2005

My prayers with his family and with the Decherd family of Officer Buckner. What a tragedy. God bless all of you and our prayers are with you.

Seattle Police Department

March 18, 2005