Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Big Bro...

Well... This past weekend was a blast!! Chrissy brought the kids and the Irwins came!! It was so cool showing them around our stomping grounds. I wish I could have shown them more, but time was short. Took them to the Lake where we spent every summer and showed them the house. Took them by the farm and into Waynesville. Wanted to show them everything! Being with them makes me feel so close to you. I find some strange sense of comfort when I'm surrounded by people that knew and loved you. I'm so glad you brought them into my life... I just wish you could be here to share all these moments with me. Why didn't we hang out? Why didn't we get together and just hang as adults? I have so much fun when I'm with your friends and Chrissy. I just can't help but think how much fun we would have if you were there too. I miss you so much Drew. No matter how much time and life come between us, you will always be in my heart and I will always want you here.

A Trooper was shot and killed Tuesday on I-40 near the Canton exit. His wife Michaela took dance from me. They just had a baby two weeks ago... seven weeks premature. Now, tell me... how is this fair? It's not! Last night I was just chilling on the couch watching tv and the news came on. The first ten minutes of the broadcast was all about Trooper Blanton and his family. I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. I sat and cried and cried and cried. All those feelings coming back over me. I just relived the whole thing. It might as well been your face and our family on that screen. Why? Why do these things happen?

So I'm going to the services. The visitation is at Wells in Canton, where you were. I don't know how I'm going to get through it, but I have to. I have to do it. And the funeral is at the Auditorium at the Lake, where we grew up. Somehow, someway I have to muster up the strength inside me to get through it. It will be one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I have to do it. When you passed, a swarm of people and police surrounded us and gave me the strength to move forward. Gave me reason to get up in the morning. I have to pay that forward. That family may never know I'm there.... but I will, and I have to do it. I have to give back to the Police Brotherhood in anyway that I can.

I love you Drew Henley. I hope you knew that. I hope you know that now. I love you so much. I was stupid and took you for granted, and I regret that everyday of my life. I should have told you more what you meant to me. You deserved to hear it. But I didn't. So I have to live with that now. But I know you loved me. I know you were proud of me... and I hope I will always make you proud.

Help me through the next few days. Help Trooper Blanton's family too if you can. I know just exactly what they are going through, and no one should ever have to endure that kind of pain.

I love you so very much.

Liz
Baby Sis

June 19, 2008

Well we made it through...although it was sad to re-visit the places you had taken me before, none was as hard as going into Sagebrush in Canton...I thought I could take it...but as soon as we walked through the doors I was taken back to the night before we buried you...the guys and I walked there for drinks and to hang out...then they gave me that awesome shadow box...so I immediately texted john to tell him where we were, but the tears came pouring out...it seems like just yesterday and at the same time so long ago...I still look at that picture of you, the beach one, and I think to myself, how can this be real? how can you really be gone? I visit the cemetary, but it doesn't feel like you are there...I guess cause you are not...maybe living in Fl is good...I don't look for you here cause you never were here...but I still wish I could find you somewhere...I miss you very much....everyday..I love you...always me

John Lane...thanks for the memory...you are the best!!

June 18, 2008

We're on our way baby...see you very soon...I love you with all my heart...always, me

June 13, 2008

Hey Drew (Dew-as Kristin called you) I just wanted to let you know that we are coming the NC to see you this weekend! So I will be with Jeff, Kristin, Lizzy B, Chrissy, Alex, and CJ! Still miss you everyday! Chrissy still misses and loves you so much. Her bad days are less now but she still has them and it makes my heart ache so badly for both of you and all the kids. Chrissy and the kids will be meeting us for vacation in FL in July so we are all looking forward to that!! We love and miss you so much Drew! Wish you were here with all my heart. Always, Les

Leslie Irwin
friend

June 11, 2008

Hello my love...just a quick note to say I think of you each and every day...I miss you like crazy!! Soon we will be there to visit your resting place...although I know "you" are not there, I still wish I could visit with you more often...It should be quite a gathering this time...the Irwin's will be there with us...we will come together yet again to think of you, laugh at you, haha, and grieve your absence...not a single day goes by that I don't miss you...all I can do is smile through the pain...I miss your boys...it breaks my heart not to be able to hug them and tell them how much I love them, but I think they really do know it...I'm so proud of them both...I love you Drew...I will never stop loving you, forever and ever, my wonderful husband...no one will even come close to you...noone will ever live up to you...I wish you were here....I wish you were here for just a moment so I could smile at you...and see you smile back at me...It never gets easier...but it does get better...always and forever, you're wife...me

June 7, 2008

Officer Henley your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 23, 2008

Memorial Day will be here in a few days and I wanted to stop at your page and thank you for your dedicated service to our Country and keeping us all free. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

May 23, 2008

I love you and miss you...I really wish I could feel your arms around me...not just today, but everyday....life without you will never be the same....we miss you very much...you are my love...forever...me

May 23, 2008

Hey baby...I've been thinking about you so much lately...there are days I think I just can't stand another minute without you here...but then the feeling passes...someone says or does something that makes my heart feel joy and I know I can make it through one more day...I wish you were here to see CJ play ball...his team is playing in the championship game tonight...we're so excited...CJ was missing you so bad last night...such a tender heart...I hope that you can be with him tonight during the game...I'll look for you...I miss you so very much...I love you...forever and always...me

May 21, 2008

Still can't believe you got me to climb up and squeeze through that window to check Booker T school when we noticed it had an open window.

Oh, the bruises I had the following day.

May 15, 2008

Chrissy,

Happy belated Mothers Day! Yourself and Drew make me want to be a better husband and Father. Drew was a tremendous academy classmate and I miss him and think about him all the time. I still cannot express the kind of person he was in words.

DRE
CSO

CSO
Chesapeake Sheriffs Office

May 12, 2008

Hello my sweet!! So Mother's Day is coming...I know it will be a hard day for your Mom, so I hope that you can shine some rays down on her during that day...and your sister too...she needs to feel your strength right now...be strong for her...

Each day I am reminded of the ability of people to disappoint...to be less than you had hope them to be...and yet with each disappointment I am reminded of the man you were...honorable...trustworthy...kind...compassionate...I realize now more than ever that there can never be another you...although I continue to search for you in the people I meet, I can't find you...I must find in myself the strength to live our life...the life we had planned...together...however difficult that may be...I am now alone trying to be both parts, yours and mine...it is a task I know I can accomplish...it is a task I know I must accomplish...I hope to one day join you where we may pick up where we left off my love...until then, I will perservere...I am not alone here...you know that...I have the kids...they are so awesome...all of them...and I love them so...I long for the day when we can all be together again...and my sister, your sister, I'm so thankful for the love she gives me and for believing in me even when I don't believe in myself...and of course Leslie...my rock...I don't know how she does it, but she always holds it together for me when I need her! There are so many days that I long to be back in Suffolk with the gang, but I know I can never again find there what I have lost...the piece of my heart will forever be missing...the piece lost on the day you left me...

I'm not going to DC this year...I am terribly disappointed...and sad...I was looking forward to seeing the tour come in...and once again seeing your name on the wall...it's always bitter sweet, but I do get so much out of it...but I will see you soon enough my love...we will be there in just a couple of weeks to visit with you and the family...I can't wait to sit and talk to you for a while...it's been way too long my love....I miss you...everyday I miss you...it just never stops...the lonliness...the emptiness...it never goes away...I will love you forever Drew...forever and ever...I can never thank you for the people you have given me!!!

We all love you so much baby...and miss you more than words can ever say...please watch over the guys...and girls...keep them safe always!!!

love you always....me

May 9, 2008

Just thinking about you Drew...........

Officer J. Lane
McKinney TX PD

May 4, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

April 30, 2008

Brother,
It has been too long since I have left you a message. I just want you to know I still think about you everyday and wish you were back with us. I am in Franklin now, but I still have your pin on visor. I know you are still watching over us and will always be with all your brothers in blue. I miss you Drew and will never forget you brother. Thanks for everything you gave us buddy and we will always keep you close.

Officer J.B. Butts
Franklin P.D. and Friend

April 25, 2008

Drew...I miss you baby...it's just so hard sometimes...being here all alone...I miss your phone calls...I miss you holding my hand...telling me how beautiful I am...loving me more and more each day...I miss your stories...from you and Mr Mahaley back in the day to the guys you would chase down the streets of our little town...I miss your smile...I even miss your grumpiness...I would give anything to have you back here with me...sitting in that rocking chair...doing that silly dance...it's just so hard here alone...I know that there will never be another you...so I have to figure out how to live the rest of my life alone...and I'm not doing so good with that...I miss the touch of your hand on my face...or the way your arms felt around me...holding me tight...how can I ever again feel that complete? how can I ever again feel that special? how can I ever again feel that loved? never again will I ever feel that fullfilled...forever I will feel...empty...without you...I love you my sweet wonderful husband...you were a one in a million...and I am so glad that you were mine...forever...on this earth and through eternity...I want you to know you'll always be...right here...in the center of my soul...i mean it! Always and forever...you and me baby...always and forever...I love you...me

April 16, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 8, 2008

Hey baby...Today your big man turns 14...hard to believe!! I remember the first time I met him...he was so little...just 6 years old...how could so much time have gone by already? I remember sitting on my front porch and the boys trying to hang all over me...I know you were jealous!! and then that night, when all 4 of them crawled into the water bed and watched tv until they fell asleep...I know how much you love them...all of them...and I know how proud you are of the young man Skyler has become...I wish I could wrap my arms around him and hug him...it's the worst part of losing you, having them so far away...I miss the summers when they would come and there was so much noise in the house!! They would love the house now, with the pool and the beautiful weather!! I can't wait for them to come down and visit with us...the boys' room is so awesome...I really wish Skyler and Austin could see it...it's such a fitting tribute to you and the patriotism you carried with you always...well, we love you more than you could ever know...always,me

Skyler...Happy Birthday big man!!! We love you so very much and can't wait to see you again...give some love to Austin from us too!!! See you soon baby!!!

April 7, 2008

Hey baby...thinking about you a lot this week...wish you were here...you should have been with us to celebrate Alex becoming a teenager! and in 4 days Skyler will be 14...how did they grow up so fast...and without you here to look out for them?! I know you are always with them, helping them through the hard times..just know that we will love you forever...there will never be another you in any of our lives! I love you so very much baby...I really wish you were here...I wish I could hear you say "good morning beautiful"...I miss it so much!!! We're getting through it...we're going to make it..and one day we hope to be with you again...love you always, me

April 3, 2008

Universal badge.........$15.00
Suffolk PD patch........$ 5.00
Nameplate...............$ 2.00
9mm Beretta.............$500.00
Working with C116.......Priceless

Some things money just can't buy.

April 1, 2008

Hey baby...I wrote this little poem just for you...to thank you for the "family" you have left behind to take care of us...I really do love and miss you so very much...I wish you could be here to laugh with us! love you always, me


I’m a Lucky Girl
By Chrissy Henley


In just one moment my whole world changed
Never again to be the same
I’ve tried to understand it all
To be strong, to stand tall
But in the end I have no clue
Of how or why or what to do
I think back to what we had
Sometimes it makes me really mad
But then I look around and see
All the love you left with me
Your love will forever be in my heart
Never will we be apart
And the others you have left here too
To try and mend and muddle through
They are my strength, they are my rock
Without them I would fall apart
I am a really lucky girl
To have so much love in my world
Some days I feel so much pain
Then I think of all I have gained
The friends, the family, here with me
To fill the space where you used to be
The broken pieces of my heart remain
But with their love I feel less pain
I know I am a lucky girl
Maybe the luckiest in the world

March 22, 2008

Three years ago today my life changed forever. Some of that change has been hard to deal with, but some of it has been refreshing. I have learned to show my love more often..to tell others how much they mean to me...to not wait to share a hug...although you are not here to hold me, I still feel your love around me...I wish I could see you one more time, but as the song says...it's leave me wishing for one more day....You are a Hero...you have done so much to change so many lives by just being who you are and that is the true measure of a man...lead by example...be a shining light that others follow...and they do follow you baby...we all do...I swear I will never forget this day for as long as I live...this will always be the hardest day of the year...but I will hold my head up high...and try my best to smile...because if you were here, that is what we would be doing...laughing...smiling...loving each other...I love you very much Drew...I will always love you...forever...I miss you my love...give me some strength to face today...help me be strong...just reach down from heaven and touch my heart today...so I will know you are ok...and that one day I too will be ok...this world will never be the same without you in it...but I know you are up there looking down over all of us...as we are here looking up to you...all of my love...always...me

PS i know I don't have to tell you this, but the kids could use a boost today today :)

March 19, 2008

Drew, the time is near. I wish I could have made it back home for the street dedication. Chrissy sent me a photo of it a little while back, I still cannot believe that it has finally made it to the street. :) Those guys worked hard to get that put up for you, I respect them for doing so.

I miss you Drew, it has now been three years since that horrible day. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and the gang. As Chrissy stated, my heart is also in Suffolk.

I am now training again, please watch over all of us as I know you do. I still laugh about some of the things we went through and did when you rode with me. "STOP SIGNS"........so funny. I miss you my friend, I will see you soon enough.

Chrissy, Liz, well the whole gang.........love and miss you all! I hope I see you all real soon!

Officer John Lane
McKinney TX PD, prior Suffolk VA PD

March 18, 2008

Hey big Brother:

Went to Suffolk to see your street. You are amazing Drew. They named a street after you! Wow. No way that would ever happen for most of the people on this planet. I am so proud of you. So proud you are my brother.

Three years ago tonight. Doesn't seem right. Has it been three years since the worst day of my life??? No way. But it's true. And still... I miss you like it was yesterday.

It was so great to see everyone in Suffolk. How can I feel so at home in a town I have only been to a hand full of times? I'll tell you how... your friends!! Jeff and Leslie are absolutely amazing. I just don't know how I could ever tell them thank them enough for welcoming me into their home and treating me like family. It was great to see Chrissy and the kids... wouldn't believe how they've grown! Butts did so much to make the street thing happen, and I can't thank him enough either. So proud of you... and so thankful I have your friends in my life now. They are the only way I can continue to live through this. Everyone should have friends like you had. I'm glad I can call them mine now.

Well... Three years and its not any easier. I love you Drew. I hope you knew just how much. I am so proud of you and you would be so proud of your family. I just wish I could see you again and listen to that silly accent. Feel you hug me again and tell me you love me. Thanks for being you.

I love you to the moon and back.

Liz
Sister

March 18, 2008

Dearest Chrissy ~

Can you believe it's been 3 years?

It seems like just yesterday we found each other, just yesterday we were exchanging emails and sharing our stories. Just yesterday we realized how much pain we shared - you buried Drew on the day I lost Jesse. Just yesterday we were in DC for Police Week - I looked for you all week, and (I found out later) you looked for me only to be standing at that fence row right beside you. I still remember turning to look at the woman standing next to me - just turning to look at her face and realizing it was you! Out of all those hundreds and hundreds of people we just randomly happened to be standing next to each other. I remember that moment, and I am so very happy that we've met.

I just wish it were under different circumstances.

Can you believe it's been 3 years?

3 years since we've seen them. 3 years since we've held them. 3 years since we've heard their voice, smelled their skin, felt the warmth of their embrace. It just doesn't seem possible that so much time has passed.......I just can't believe it's been 3 years.

I feel like there isn't anything left to say - how many times can we say we miss them and love them? We've said it probably a million times, and they know that we do. They know how much we wish they were still here with us. They know what we would give, what we would do, to change the way things are. They know.

There isn't anything left for me to say except that I'm thinking of you and the kids, and wishing nothing but good things for you. Drew was the light in your lives, and now he is your guardian angel, and he will be with you always in everything you do.

Thank you, Drew, for your service and ultimate sacrifice. May God bless you and may you continue to rest in eternal peace, forever safe in the arms of the angels.

With lots of love
Carin

March 18, 2008