Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I woke up the morning of the 28th and I instantly realized that my husband wasn't there next to me. His shift should have ended hours earlier. I'm a cop's wife -I've learned to sleep through him coming home at all hours and crawling into bed. However, waking up and having him not be there is my worst nightmare. I tried to calm myself with logic, thinking if something had happened to him I would have been informed. Just as I reached for the phone, he came through the front door and told me what had happened.

My relief was Christina's tragedy.

Christina is in my family's thoughts and prayers everyday. I am so sorry that this has happened. I will never forget the emotions I felt watching their beautiful son, Brandon, at his father's funeral. I won't forget the hundreds of people standing in the rain along the procession route with their hands over their hearts. You couldn't help but compare the rain that day to tears.

There just aren't adequate words to describe our heartbreak, sympathy, appreciation for Kevin's sacrifice and for his family's loss.

To the men and women of the Panama City Beach Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with you too. You have personified strength, professionalism, and loyalty.

God bless Sgt. Kevin Kight, he will never be forgotten.

Missy, wife of Ed Capiak, Investigator
Panama City Police Department

April 8, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Knight and Brandon. We are also keeping the Panama City Beach Department in our prayers.
Whe our daughter called to tell us of Kevin's passing, we could only imagine the feelings of loss you have all experienced. We never met Kevin, only heard of him thru our daughter. But the news of his death was truly shocking and painful.
Kevin was a special person to all of his brothers and sisters in blue.
Please stay strong and stay safe. You have a special new angel watching over you all.

Donna and Don Tout
Parents of PCB officer

April 8, 2005

I WILL BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. I WILL NOT BE TERRIFIED, OR DISCOURAGED; FOR THE LORD MY GOD IS WITH ME WHEREVER I GO. REST EASY .

April 8, 2005

One Officer Less

I think about your senseless death
And anger flares my soul
I think about the family you left, about the tears in their eyes
I can still feel the loss emanating from the Officers,Your Brothers and Sisters of the Badge standing side by side, tears streaming down their cheeks for once not held back

A senseless death, so much pain
Why does the murderer live,
When we are carrying you to your cold dark grave?

I watch as they carry your flag draped coffin, Honor Guards lining the way
Standing in rows, beside and behind were men and women with Badges on their chests

We all came to say goodbye and mourn the loss of our Sergeant, our Brother, our Friend
Does God need Police Officers in Heaven?

Some day your family and friends will look back on your memory and smile
Though at first we could only cry
We will remember your quick sense of humor and your bright easy smile
You had such a sense of pride in what you did. You wore your Badge and Uniform with an honor and integrity
that will shine through those whose lives you have touched

Standing in Rows beside and behind, our hands saluting your passing
Badges shining brightly on our chests
We stood proud and tall for you, though our very world shook from your loss. The bagpipes played “Amazing Grace”, a K-9 cried nearby
The Thin Blue Line closed its ranks with One Officer Less, as we laid your body to rest
Goodbye our Sergeant, our Brother, Friend
Rest well in the arms of the Angels you deserve nothing but the best

Officer L. Buchanan/K-9
Panama City Beach Police Department

April 7, 2005

MRS. KIGHT,

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR SON BRANDON. MY HUSBAND WAS ALSO KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY HERE IN FLORIDA, LAKE COUNTY DEPUTY WAYNE KOESTER, ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005. I COULDN’T COME TO THIS SITE FOR AWHILE AFTER HIS DEATH, IT WAS TOO PAINFUL. I COULDN’T READ THE REFLECTIONS OUR FRIENDS, LOVED ONES, AND OTHERS HAD LEFT. HOWEVER, THIS SITE IS NOT TO CAUSE PAIN BUT TO HONOR OUR HUSBANDS FOR THEIR BRAVERY. ALTHOUGH NOW, IT’S STILL HARD AND I CRY THROUGH THEM ALL, I FIND COMFORT WHEN I READ THE MANY REFLECTIONS. I KNOW HE WAS LOVED AND RESPECTED BY EVERYONE HE MET, AND THOUGHT OF BY THOSE THAT NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO KNOW WHAT A WONDERFUL HUSBAND, FATHER AND FRIEND HE WAS. I KNOW YOUR HUSBAND SHARES THE SAME QUALITIES AS MINE. I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT IF GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE THEY WOULD DO THE SAME JOB AGAIN, A JOB SO FEW ARE ABLE AND HAVE TO COURAGE TO DO. THEY ARE A SPECIAL BREED OF MEN. VERY FEW ARE MADE LIKE THEM. I FEEL VERY HONORED TO HAVE SHARED A PART OF HIS LIFE, A LIFE OF A TRUE HERO IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW MUCH YOUR HUSBAND LOVES YOU AND YOUR SON. DON’T BE AFRAID TO CALL YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS WHEN YOU JUST DON’T FEEL LIKE GETTING OUT OF BED. LET THEM HELP YOU. THAT IS WHERE YOUR SUPPORT IS. BRANDON IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND YOUR STRENGTH TO MOVE FORWARD. CHILDREN ARE REMARKABLE. THEY ARE GIFTS FROM ABOVE. LOVE HIM AND CHERISH HIM. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. YOUR HUSBAND WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY. ALWAYS REMEMBER, HE IS IN YOUR HEART WHEN EVER YOU NEED TO TALK TO HIM. YOU WILL FOREVER BE IN MY THOUGHTS. I HOPE TO MEET YOU ONE DAY, MAYBE AT THE MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON NEXT YEAR. IF YOU EVER JUST NEED TO TALK, YOU MAY REACH ME AT THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE. IM ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY.

MRS. ASHLEY KOESTER
WIFE OF DEPUTY WAYNE KOESTER EOW 2-9-2005

April 7, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

April 7, 2005

Your family and department are in our prayers. We know what you're going through. We've been there.

The Family of Police Officer Daniel Starks
Ft Myers, FL EOW 10.25.03

April 7, 2005

our thoughts and prayers are with you and your deptment god bless you all. (eow)2-4-04 william rolniak wife of william

riverdale pd

April 7, 2005

To all the family of Sergeant Kight, I express my sincere sympathy for the loss you have suffered. May God be felt especially closer to you during this time, and may you feel His Angel Wings wrap around you, protecting you. Danny's oldest daughter (16) lives in Panama City Beach and his brother and I live in Charlotte,NC. Please feel free to "reach out" if you need someone. We have been there, and we did reach out. The Police Brotherhood has a bond that is wonderful and strong. I felt protected all the time. You can reach me through the Hendersonville (TN) Police Department. Again my most sincere sympathy to each of you. May God Bless you.
Molly Carver

Mother of Officer Danny MacClary (EOW 9/
Hendersonville Police Dept (Tennessee)

April 7, 2005

It is said that a person's life and the quality of their character is best defined by the positive influence on those left behind. This is truely the case in regards to Sgt. Kight's young son, a boy who is wise for his years. I am certain I will never forget seeing him walking proudly through the crowd of officers who had gathered for his father's funeral, his duty belt on, and the countless badges, tie tacs, and pins on his shirt. He made a special effort to give every officer a high-five in gratitude. It was unexpected for me, a police officer of 8 years, to find strength in the actions of a child. Sgt. Kight defenitely has left his mark on the life of an extraordinary child. Even on the night of his father's death, his response to news that would make the strongest person crumble was simple, "It's OK, God is taking care of it now." Sgt. Kight left a similar mark on all of the people he came into contact with. His dedication and love for man will be sorely missed. May God bless the Kight family and the Panama City Beach PD. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sgt. Kight, may you rest in peace, we've got the watch now.

Corporal Keeton
Panama City Police Dept.

April 6, 2005

On 3/31/05 myself, Deputy Dwayne Chiasson and 4 of our young police explorers were traveling to Texas for a competition. We were traveling with Commander Kathy McCurdy, Officer Steve McEuen of Panama City Police, and 4 of their explorers. It was important to them to pay their respects to Sergeant Kevin Kight, especially in light that this trip kept them from being at Sgt. Kight's funeral. At 2PM when we stopped to honor the memory and service of Sgt. Kight we all felt a great loss in the brotherhood of blue. Even our explorers commented that those few minutes given in honor of Sgt. Kight were the most important part of our trip. They asked me to send the family and friends of Sgt. Kight their blessings. We will never forget you!!!!

Sergeant Burley McCarter
St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office

April 6, 2005

Our deepest condolences. Rest in Peace Sir.

The men and women of the Maryland Transp

April 6, 2005

My prayers and condolences to Mrs. Kight and their son. I met Kevin many years ago when we both attended the police academy at Siclair Community College in Dayton Ohio. Over time we drifted apart and at times I wondered how he was and then I received this news. The most I can say is that this world lost a great police officer , but that loss no where compares to the loss of a truly good man. I'll see you ar the final roll call rest in peace.

Patrolman Jeff Mullins
Murray Police Department, Murray, Ky.

April 6, 2005

Blessed are the Peace Keepers-They are the Children of God

Trooper J.T. Haynes
Virginia State Police

April 6, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Panama City Beach P.D

Fallen but never forgotten

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

April 5, 2005

Gods speed brother.

Traffic Officer J. Coley
Ceres Police Department

April 5, 2005

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

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Sergeant Kight's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. 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. If you ever need anything please do not hesistate to contact me. Dennis' department will always know how to reach me.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Kevin 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 Kevin was well respected and well loved. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Sergeant Kight 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)

April 5, 2005

During the week of Sgt Kight's funeral myself and Officer Steve McEuen were scheduled to take four of our police explorers and another group of police explorers from Lousianna to an explorer competition in Dallas, Texas. We were torn and really wanted to be here to pay our respect. I especially wanted to be here to play the bagpipes for the funeral. After talking to other friends in law enforcement, we decided to go, with the belief that Sgt Kight would have understood our obligations to these young people. At the time of the funeral, 2 PM on 3/31/05, we stopped the van somewhere in the middle of Texas, and eight young people and 4 law enforcement officers got out and had a moment of silence for Sgt Kight. We then played the Vince Gill song, go rest high on that mountain. Everyone of us felt that it was the right thing to do for Sgt Kight and for these young people that were with us to show them what the brotherhood is about. God bless Sgt Kight and his family.

Commander Kathy McCurdy
Panama City Police Department

April 5, 2005

I CAN'T BEGIN TO IMAGINE THE PAIN THAT YOUR FAMILY IS ENDURING. MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU AND COMFORT YOU. YOUR HUSBAND AND DADDY IS A HERO.

REST IN PEACE SGT. KIGHT. PLEASE, WATCH OVER THE OFFICERS OUT THERE DOING THEIR JOB EACH DAY. THEY NEED ALL THE GAURDIAN ANGELS THEY CAN GET.

YOU ALL ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

WIFE OF FLORIDA STATE LEO

April 5, 2005

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service. God Bless.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept

April 5, 2005

Sergeant Kight recently responded to a minor ordeal that I had locally. Afterwards, I felt like I was wasting his time, but he reassured me that my call was important. What a good hearted man and officer. God bless him and his family.

The Grant Family
Residents of PCB

April 5, 2005

The police officer stood and faced his Maker,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, police officer
how shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To your Maker, have you been true?"

The police officer, with squared shoulders, said
"No sir, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

I've worked most Sundays
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
because the streets are tough.

But I never took a penny,
that wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
when the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed by a cry for help
though at times I shook with fear,
and sometimes, please forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
amoung the people here.
They never wanted me around
except to calm thier fears.

But if you have a place for me here,
well....it need not be too grand.
I never expected or had too much
so if you don't....I'll understand."

There was silence all around the room
where the saints respectfully stood.
As the police officer waited quietly,
for the judgement....bad or good.

"step forward now, police officer,
you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
~Author unknown

PO. Bryan Glover
Detroit Police

April 5, 2005

May god grant strength to your family, and your co-workers. I know i speak for everyone....thank you for your service sir, 10-8 we have the watch.

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

#943 & #831
Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office

April 5, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and law enforcement family of Sgt. Kight. May god give you strength through these hard times. You paid the ultimate price, may you rest with the angels at the lord's side. Forever in our prayers.

Wife of a Deputy
Marion County (FL) Sheriff's Office

April 4, 2005

Although we never had the pleasure to meet Sergeant Kevin Kight of the
Panama City Beach Police Department
Florida we would like to express our sincere condolences to his family and fellow officers.
Your sister in blue ...

Spaulding Family

April 4, 2005