Suffolk Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch Saturday, March 19, 2005
Reflections for Police Officer II William Andrew "Drew" Henley
Hey baby...just another milestone...some are bigger than others...they all hurt...we still miss you everyday...love you always, me
January 19, 2006
As a new year begins, we move closer to the anniversary of day Drew left us...with each month, we have recognized the 19th as a sad day, but nothing will compare with the one we are facing in just a few weeks. The day will be here before we know it. In the beginning, I thought I would never make it through all the days, weeks, and months that were ahead of me. Now I look back on the time that has passed and realize that I am making it. Although nothing will ever change the love that I have for Drew in my heart, nor the love that his children feel for him, we are surviving. For all the families who have recently lost their hero, I offer you this...there is hope, there is faith, and there is life...at times it may feel impossible...I understand.. I have been where you are... Be strong...hold on to those close to you..
For the new year, my wish is that we will be able to lower the number of line of duty deaths... 2004 there was 154.. 2005 there was 149... with more awareness, maybe we will see that number drop drastically this year... I personally will pray for the safety of all law enforcement around the world..not just my guys back home...You all work so hard....risk your life everyday...and you do it because you love it... you want to protect ...you want to make the world a better place...how can we ever thank you for sacrificing your family, your friends, and your life for us....We may think that we don't owe a debt to our police officers because we have not had an occasion to need their services...but always remember this.. we use their services every minute of every day...whether or not you actually see them...or speak to them...they are there.. everyday...protecting us..our children..our grandchildren...trying to make this world a safer place..so that we may go about our daily activities without incident..without fearing for our lives...
peacefully...When you see a safety officer, be it police, fire or rescue, offer them thanks..thanks for the job they do everyday..... I know they will appreciate hearing it...and you will feel good saying it... We all have heros in our lives, let's not forget the ones we don't always see...
Drew, this world will never be the same without you, and our lives would not be what they are today if you had not been a part of it... we love you... I love you...with all my heart...always,me
January 2, 2006
Hey Drew, we mentioned your name in roll call again. There was a special on WAVY 10 about all the stories of the year. They had your picture (along with the other fallen brothers in the area), they said that they would like to honor those who gave their lives for "US". It was very touching and nice. Christmas was just another day, we all miss you. We miss Chrissy and the kids.....miss Liz and the family. Thanks for watching over us the best that you can. Tomorrow will be a New Year, another year of grieving the loss of you my friend! We will see you soon enough! Drew, my new rookie don't run stop signs like you did.....he runs red lights! Had to make sure someone scare the crap out of me, didn't you?
Officer J.M. Lane
SPD "Your Family"
December 31, 2005
Hey baby... still miss you...time flies and yet it stands still.... love you... always, me
December 28, 2005
DREW.....YOU ARE THE MAN!! CHRISTMAS WAS WARM AND RAINY. IT WAS MISERABLE WORKING THE STREET. I GOT THIS PIN WITH YOUR PICTURE ON IT, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH...I HAVE NO IDEA WHO MADE IT. BUT ANYWAY, IT IS IN MY CAR MOUNTED JUST ABOVE MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I WAS PULLING INTO THE SECTOR 1 PARKING LOT AND THOUGHT OF THE DAY WE WERE NICK-NAMED "C-NITES". THEN CAME THE C-SQUAD PICTURE (TAKEN IN ROLL CALL) AND THE HUDDLE THAT FOLLOWED. I LAUGHED AS HARD AS I DID THAT DAY. THE SGT THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY.
......FOR THOSE READING THIS, YOU HAD TO BE THERE. IT WAS SO LAME.....
BUT, THAT WAS ONE OF MANY GOOD TIMES I REMEMBER SINCE THE ACADEMY. I MISS YA BUDDY, MERRY CHRISTMAS !
--JOE
PTL. J. ANTINARELLI
SUFFOLK P.D., VIRGINIA
December 26, 2005
RIP Brother and Thank You for your dedicated service.
SFC D. Donald
US Army MP Corps
December 26, 2005
Thinking of you and your family. Miss and love you, Drew.
Disp. Christina Gardner
Suffolk PD
December 24, 2005
Hi honey... I am leaving this note now because I may not get to in the next couple of days... I have thought about you so much these past few days...I miss you very much baby...I know I will feel sad, but I am trying ...honest I am..trying to keep a smile on my face...how could you have been taken from us so soon...I know we had a lot of good times together, but they seem so few now...I only wish I could have just one more moment... just a moment to tell you how I love you... to hug you... to feel your arms around me...so I would know that you know how much I love you...I miss you every day...Christmas won't be the same without you...watch over everyone this holiday... make sure they all make it through safely...Herc misses you ..and his mom...if you could find a way to give him some peace this week...I don't think I would have made it though this without them!!...Merry Christmas....I love you...always, me
December 23, 2005
Hello baby...I just wanted to leave a note to you today...I can't believe it's been 9 months already...Christmas will be here soon, and we all miss you and wish you were here. I know next weekend will be hard, so try to be around in case we need you!! I am so proud of you Drew! Do you like your tree? You always liked the real ones better! Remember last year, you were so against the fake tree, but I must say it looks real! The kids put the ornaments on it...the ones from when you were a kid too. The house needs some more lights on the outside, but that is your department!! I love you and miss you every minute of evey day. I know people say that we will be together again someday, I really hope that is true. When I see you I will wrap my arms around you and hold you tight and I will never ever let go again. You better not hook up with some cutie pie angel while you are up there!! I love you with all my heart baby... always, me
December 18, 2005
Drew, as always......here we are thinking of you. I have a new rookie now, wish you were the one riding with me again. Miss you, miss Chrissy and the kids being here. God bless you and your family. We all love you, please watch over us! See you soon enough my friend!
Officer J.M. Lane
Suffolk P.D.
December 16, 2005
What's up, I can still hear you on the radio. Thanks for having my back out there. Everett says thanks for the waterbed.
Detective John E. McCarley
Suffolk Police Dept.
December 10, 2005
Office Henley your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in Gods Care now...May you rest in peace brother...
SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
December 10, 2005
We think of you and your family during these holidays, and offer thoughts and prayers as you celebrate without your loved one. Cherish the memories of the past and be open to new ones with your loved ones and friends. Your loved one will never be forgotten and always honored for their sacrifice.
Alissa Scott
Widow of Wayne Scott
E.O.W. 09-10-02
Lisa Schultz
Widow of Don Schultz
E.O.W. 05-12-03
Co-Founders of Survivor Help Network
www.survivorhelpnetwork.org
November 29, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving baby...we love you... and we all thought of you today...from the sweet potatoes with marshmallows to the turkey with gravy, you would have loved it!! All your favorites!! Miss you... love you...always, me
November 24, 2005
Hello baby...well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day... what will I be thankful for... First of all, I am very thankful for the time we shared, the love we will forever share, and the special moments with you that will forever be in my heart...Second, I am thankful for my kids. I am thankful that Alex and CJ are such good kids, healthy, and happy...They remember you as their Dad...only you...CJ said the other day "I wish Drew was here to practice baseball with me"...Last night Alex had a dream about you...you were lying there, still, and we were all hugging you..suddenly your heart started again...and she asked you "are you going to be ok now?"...and you said "yes"...then we all went to a party and danced!! I am also thankful for Skyler and Austin!! What amazing sons you raised...I love them as though they were my own...and I miss them so very much....I remember all the times you cried...cried when they left to back to WI...cried when you couldn't see Austin anymore...and I remember that smile you had when Austin surprised you for our wedding!! That was real joy!! We miss you very much.. we love you more every day...Happy Thanksgiving my love...at least this year you won't have to work!! All my love, always, me
love from Skyler, Alex, Austin & CJ to the best Dad ever!!
November 23, 2005
I SIT HERE TODAY THINKING OF ALL THAT WE HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR.. AND AS I DID MY HUSBAND FROM PORTSMOUTH POLICE CALLED TO TELL ME THEY LOST AN OFFICER DUE TODAY FROM NATURAL CAUSES TRANSPORTING A PRISONER TO JAIL AFTER A PURSUIT. I THOUGHT OF YOU AND YOUR WIFE. I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IS DOING WELL IN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
KNOW YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE TO GREAT THIS HERO IN HIS NEW JOB AND SHOW HIM THE ROPES AND ALL I KNOW YOU AND MIKE SAFFRAN ARE DOING A GREAT JOB..
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OUT FOR MY HUSBAND AND ALL OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ON THE STREETS
SUSAN, DISPATCHER AND WIFE OF OFFICER
susan
November 23, 2005
Well, where do I begin. I want to let you know, as I am sure you already do, that I am trying really hard to get through this. Last weekend, especially Sunday was so awesome. To see everyone there, everyone who loves you so much. Who misses you almost as much as I do. I guess it brought it all back to me. I was doing so good, but this week has been so hard. I have thought about you so much this week. Thought about how it was for me to be with you. To laugh with you. To sit with you. I realize now more than ever that I may never have that feeling again. The feeling of completeness. The feeling of being so loved by someone. The absolute elation of knowing that someone loves me so much, no matter what. No matter what size I am. No matter what my hair looks like. No matter how loud I laugh (John). There are so many people who live their lives never knowing that feeling. They may love someone and someone may love them, but what you and I shared was so much more than that. I will always be grateful that I had you in my life, for whatever brief time it was. I will never stop loving you, missing you and crying for you. I wish you were here. I believe you left this world the happiest man on the earth. For that I am thankful. But you were gone too soon. We didn't get enogh of you Shrek!! I hope you are watching over us, all of us. Seeing how you brought so many amazing people into my life and into my heart. They will never fill the emptiness you left, but they sure do try really really hard. For that I love them with all my heart. I miss you baby. 8 months.. seems like an eternity and yet, feels like yesterday when I kissed you goodbye, and you walked out that door. I wonder if I will ever forget that moment....I hope not. I love you Drew. Forever and always, you are my love.... me
November 19, 2005
Drew, I had lunch with Chrissy today! They seem to being doing well (on the outside). We, of course, had you in our thoughts and our conversations! I miss you my friend! We all miss you....until next time Drew! Hey, do they have stop signs up there?
Officer J.M. Lane
Suffolk P.D.
November 13, 2005
To Patrolman William Drew Henley
On this Veterans Day, I honor your distinquished service to your country.
I also extend a belated "Happy Birthday Marine" greeting as yesterday was the USMC birthday.
Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater,
Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05
November 11, 2005
Happy Birthday Drew
Gonna miss you at gathering of old jarheads this week.
Stand tall....Semper Fi
Jeff
November 9, 2005
I wanted to leave another reflection to let Drew and his family know that he has surely not been forgotten. What an outstanding legacy he left, I'm not sure that anyone will ever be able to bear his torch. I only wish that I can live my life to the extent that Drew lived his. Our days in the academy were long, your memory will last forever. I will continue to pray for all of the members of your family, immediate and professional.
D.R. Evans
45th Session CPD
November 1, 2005
Hey baby...just wanted to leave you a note today...seven months...seems like forever ago...and yet, it feels like yesterday...still miss you everyday...love you more than you know...always, me
October 19, 2005
TO THIS LOVELY FAMILY OF THIS WONDERFUL OFFICER... MY HEART AND PRAYERS ARE STILL WITH YOU... AS A DISPATCHER AND A WIFE OF PORTSMOUTH OFFICER I CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH BUT JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT OFFICER W.A.HENLEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN IN MY HEART...
HOPING YOU ARE DOING WELL IN LIFE AND PLEASE KEEP THE FAITH THAT YOUR HUSBAND AND OFFICER SAFFRAN HAVE FOUND EACH OTHER AND ARE NOW LOOKING OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY IN THE DARPTMENTS TAKING GREAT STRENGTHS TO MAKE SURE THEY ALL RETURN HOME SAFE TO THIER FAMILIES .. HUGS TO ALL YOUR FAMILY AND ALL YOU HAVE TOUCHED
SUSAN BACHMAN
DISPATCHER II CHESAPEAKE VA
WIFE OF OFFICER
SUSAN M BACHMAN
CHESAPEAKE POLICE
October 12, 2005
Hey baby...we lost another one..one of our own next door neighbors...I hope he is up there with you and you are laughing together...maybe drinking a beer...haha...we love you and miss you...I think about you everyday...I know you are thinking of me too...I just know it...I love you Drew...life without you is not the same...Your friends are so amazing...they write to me and call me all the time...how come it took losing you to find them?? I am so thankful for all the support they give me...you know who they are...John, Jeff, Joey, Jen, Chris, PK, Leslie, G-Man, David, Casey, Michelle....and on and on and on...you better keep them safe out there...be their angle...be their protector...this new one hit too close to home for us, but will be strong...I know the guys will be there for his family, like they were for me...go look for Mike if you haven't already found him...and remember, in Chesapeake they "wave"..not the hand signal suffolk uses ;) love you baby...always, me
October 10, 2005
Dear Family Of Officer Henley,
I can feel Drew's love and goodness in the words that his family and friends have left. Our precious son died last September when hurricane Ivan was coming through. I will never forget hearing the knock at our door while the storm was going on and the drive to the hospital. He always said , "Mom, I'll be ok." And he was just so big and invincible that I believed him. He loved what he did, and wouldn't have dreamed of doing anything else. I can tell Drew had that same love and sense of duty for his profession only a special few can do with all their heart and soul.
May your memories bring some comfort in your life now, a life measured by "before and after", not the calendar.
Please know that there are many of us out here that will never forget the immeasureable sacrifice that has been made for all of us, by those that we love and miss with all of our heart.
Love,
Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse
e.o.w. 9/16/04
October 7, 2005
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