Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your commitment to your community, and to your country. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent Brett Leatherman
FBI

May 11, 2005

My deepest condolences to Detective Brann family, friends and fellow officers. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers. You will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace brother.

Deputy Don Cherry
Jackson County Sheriff's Dept, Michigan

May 11, 2005

Another senseless loss! As police officers we risk our lives each and every day. But it isn't until the death of someone so close to home, that most of us realize how unsafe it really is out there. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Detective Brann. I will be thinking of them as I return to work.

Police Officer
Wayne PD

May 11, 2005

Rest in peace, Detective Brann. You are walking your beat in Heaven now; your brothers and sisters in blue will take care of things down here. To the Battle Creek City Police Department: you have lost a great man, please take care of his family while he is gone. To his wife and daughters: I lost my husband in the line of duty 7 weeks ago, I also have 2 children. I understand your pain. Please be strong, and God will give you the strength to get through this. Heaven has another angel in blue!!!

Carin E. Sollman
wife of slain police officer Jesse E. Sollman, EOW 3/25/05

May 11, 2005

Rest in peace my brother officer. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and the department. Aloha and god bless.

Police Officer
Honolulu Police Department

May 11, 2005

Thank you for your service. You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

May 11, 2005

MAY GOD HOLD IN HIS HANDS AND GUIDE YOU TO A BETTER PLACE.

WILL TAKE FROM HERE LaVERN!

YOUR BROTHER AND SISTERS OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. FLORIDA

PBSO
PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF'S FLORIDA

May 11, 2005

To Vern,
Your gentle smile your twinkling eyes have been taken from us, but you are with God now watching over us. Know that you will be missed more than words could ever say. But we will go on how I'm not sure right now but we will none the less. We will all carry you in our hearts for all eternity and take with us what you have taught. To Melanie and the girls, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this awful time. Please know that he is walking with angels right now as he is one. I adored him and will miss him so. Rest in Peace.

Vicki

Officer Vicki Kersten
Battle Creek Police Dept.

May 11, 2005

In America less than a half a million peace officers have the task of protecting a society of more than two hundred and fifty million citizens. Against all odds we bravely go forth every day and do a job most can not handle. I heard a pastor, during the eulogy of a recently slain officer, make an interesting analogy. He said that Police officers are the sheep dogs of society and that GOD is the Shephard; that the rest of society were the sheep in GOD's flock. He said that it is the Sheep Dog's job to protect the sheep from the wolves of society. Detective Lavern Brann was one of the Shepherds best Sheep Dogs. He paid the ultimate sacrifice and he has gone home to be with the Shepherd. The pastor reminded us to make sure that each day, as we Sheep Dogs go out to do our duty of protecting the sheep, to make sure that we don't leave home without the Shepherd in our hearts. GOD BLESS THE FAMILY DETECTIVE BRANN, ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR FAMILY INCLUDES ALL OF US WHO ARE SWORN TO PROTECT AND SERVE.

Sergeant Adam Lee III
Atlanta Police Department, Ga.

May 11, 2005

Vern,
Your with God now. No more pain. You gave it all for others and thats what Jesus did. Gave his life so that we could have a better life. You gave yours for the City of Battle Creek so that Battle Creek could be a better place to live. Faith without works is dead. You had the faith and you did the work. Thats why you live on in the memories of us all at Battle Creek Police Dept.

We will truly miss you Vern...

Sgt. Austin Simons
Battle Creek Police Dept.

May 11, 2005

I believe I can speak for the 15,000 officers serving in Scotland when I send my condolences to the family of Detective Brann. The loss of any officer is a true sadness and although we are thousands of miles away, we hurt at the loss of a colleague.

Constable Glen Erskine
Grampian Police, SCOTLAND

May 11, 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, son."

Officer Dave Carroll
Choctaw, Oklahoma

May 11, 2005

Detective Brann..thank you for your service..you will NEVER be forgotten..enjoy Heaven's beat..your fellow brothers/sisters in blue will take it from here..you - your family - friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..to Mrs. Brann & your beautiful children..it is hard to send our loved ones off to work each day/night, not knowing if this will be the last time we see them or kiss them good bye..but we must remember that they are doing something they love..which means we have to learn to love & understand what they do..it is hard to understand right now..but in time it will get a little easier..your family is in my heart & prayers..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

a policeman's girlfriend
michigan

May 11, 2005

On behalf of all the men and women of the Holland Police Department, accept our deepest sympathies in the loss of Det. Brann. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family, co-workers and the City of Battle Creek.

SGT. Drew Torres
Holland Police Department, MI

May 11, 2005

A true hero is measured by the actions taken in life. Detective LaVern Brann is, and will be forever remembered as a hero. May God Bless your soul, Detective Brann. God will have a true, dedicated, hero to patrol the streets of heaven.
One day you will be there to meet us fellow officers that will follow you into the gates of heaven, and if we maybe so blessed we will shake your hand and thank you for your dedication to the job.
May god wrap his loving arms around the family, friends, and fellow officers to comfort them in this enormous loss.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the men and women of the, Battle Creek Police Department. Though we may never meet nor may we know your names, we feel your loss, and forever we will open our thoughts and prayers to our brothers and sisters of your Department.

Sincerely Yours,
The Men and Women of the Mason County Sheriff’s office – Ludington Michigan.

Deputy - Uniformed Services Division
Mason County Sheriff's Office - Ludington MI

May 11, 2005

To the family of Detective Brann, I am truly for your loss. I wish you the best in the tough days, weeks, and years to come. I know first hand how tough it can be having a loved one in law enforcement . . .the long and odd hours, birthdays and holidays missed, and the constant worrying. Please know that it takes someone special to stay in the law enforcement field. I have not met that test, as I only have been an officer for a fraction of the time of Detective Brann. He will be watching over you, just like he did the people of Battle Creek, MI. I know you will and have made him proud.

To the brothers and sisters of the Battle Creek Police Department: We are thinking of you. Stand tall and carry on in memory of Detective Brann.

It's An Honor

Chaos would consume us
if you were not around
Your presence gives us comfort
without uttering a sound

There is never concern or worry
whenever you are near
Except by those who have done wrong
then it's justice that they fear

The police, both men and women
have sworn to help and protect
To keep the peace so we can live
without fear and with respect

It's a job of dedication
a commitment of life and limb
A thankless job this war you fight
but a war you fight to win

We salute you civilian soldiers
who risk your lives each day
To give us freedom to seek our dreams
it's the reason we want to say...

How proud we are of who you are
working to preserve our way of life
Our thanks to you goes out each day
as you protect us from danger and strife

It's an honor to call you neighbor
it's an honor to call you friend
it's an honor that you earn each day
it's an honor that will never end

-(C)2001 Ron Hatcher

Rest In Peace Detective Brann. We will carry on from here...

Officer S. Hepworth
City of Muskegon Police Department

May 11, 2005

I was saddened to see yet another officer's life ended so tragically. Our prayers go out to the family and co-workers of Detective Brann.

Deputy Daniel J. Luffman
Monroe County (NY) Sheriff's Office

May 11, 2005

Rest in Peace

Correctional Officer
Michigan Dept.of Corrections

May 10, 2005

I am very sorry about the loss of another brother in the enforcement of law. May we finally as a nation, come up with mandatory cruel and unusual punishment for the offenders. I thank each and every one of our officers that ensure that I live in a mannerable fashion.

God Bless

Mr. DAVID FLETCHER

May 10, 2005

Your killer is in custody. Rest in Peace. Romans 13:4.

Special Agent Darin L. Paul
FBI Detroit

May 10, 2005

I just read the memorial for Detective LaVern Brann. It saddens me so everytime I read of another loss of a fellow officer. It is my prayer that the family, friends and co-workers find some sense of peace during this time. Just know that there are lots of folks across this country that care very deeply and will hold you up in prayer. May God pour out His endless blessings upon those close to Detective Brann. He will always be remembered as a true American hero.

Patrolman Doug Hutchison
Irving Police Department, Texas, retired.

May 10, 2005

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Detective LaVern Brann and the Battle Creek City Police Department...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done LaVern... 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

May 10, 2005

We are very saddened by your sudden and tragic loss. May God be with your family, friends and the members of the Battle Creek P.D. during this difficult time.

St. Clair Shores Police Officers Assn

May 10, 2005

God Speed Warrior. We will see you on the high ground. Your spirit and dedication to duty inspires us to continue our fight against the wolves.

Stay alert...Stay alive

Officer Todd Christensen
Kalamazoo Public Safety

May 10, 2005

To the family, friends, co-workers, and community of Detective Brann... I am so sorry for your loss. I know there are no words to ease your pain, but please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of so many across our state and nation. Once again, I am just so sorry.

Carole Garner
Sister of Det/Sgt Chris Wouters
Warren PD, MI EOW 10-11-00

Carole Garner

May 10, 2005