Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Just to let you know I'm thinking of you girls. You're in my prayers today and always. When I look at the picture of your dad, I can see your smiling faces. Guess this will have to do until I see you again face to face.

Miss Mary

Mary VanHaute

August 6, 2006

You and your family are remembered in prayer on this first anniversary of your tragic death. We will be in Washington DC to honor your heroism and courage as your name is read. May you rest in peace.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

May 9, 2006

As today marks a year anniversary that the thin blue line in Battle Creek was shaken, know that your memory is still alive and remembered.
I a citizen of a different state, who has never met you, and know that I remember your sacrifice today.
As this nation enters into Police Week, know that your name and memory will be honored and remembered as giving the ultimate sacrifice for this country.
To the family and friends of those that know and love Detective Brann, know that you remain in the prayers of thousands, may you feel those prayers and may they somehow comfort your spirit.
Rest in the arms of Jesus Detective Brann.

annonymous

May 9, 2006

It's hard to believe it's been a year already.

You may not be walking amongst us, but your soul and spirit will never leave us. Battle Creek is a better place because of the years you served us, but you are dearly missed, and will never be forgotten.

Scott McClellan

Scott McClellan
Battle Creek, MI

May 9, 2006

Thank you for your sacrifice. Rest in Peace, Detective, we have it from here.

Officer Laura Madore
NC LEO

May 9, 2006

Thank you for your service.May you Rest in Peace.

May 9, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Ritttenhouse

May 6, 2006

LaVern -- I never met you, but I know you through my dear friend in the Calhoun County Prosecutor's Office. Your death has left a huge hole in her heart. As the anniversary of your EOW approaches, my thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and fellow officers. I know that the struggle to make sense of your tragic and untimely death is ongoing. I will be travelling to DC with my friend in a few weeks to honor you and your fellow officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. With a heavy heart I will listen to hear your name called. I wish I had known you, but rest assured that those who loved you will always keep your memory alive.

May 1, 2006

To Detective LaVern Steven Brann, his loved ones and his fellow officers:

I wanted to write a remembrance for you acknowledging the approaching anniversary of your end of watch day. Please know that your memory is revered and honored today.

May your family continue be to comforted by the warm embrace of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors who share this painful journey with them. My heart is with your family and I hope to meet them in D.C.

Reading all the loving reflections left by those who cared for you gives us an understanding of what a good and honorable man you were and of the high esteem with which you are held.

LaVern, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Detective Brann. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Detective Brann gave to his community and the citizens of Michigan, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on May 9, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 26, 2006

I am an 18 year old citizen of battle creek. Its just past 3 in the morning, and through my lack of sleep, i have thought much about my future. As i continued to read through the various omissions and information left by friends and family, i began to think about why i wanted to become a member of the battle creeek police department. In all honesty, you, detective brann, are the reason. I always felt like i wanted to help this town i love to become a better place for people to live out their normal lives, but in this modern age of violence, it seems impossible. Knowing the ultimate sacrifice i could experience while on duty, just as you did, would make most fear the job. And yet that fear will always exsist in me, the true peace comes from the thought of justice. If i can help to take cold blooded killers and criminals off the street just as you did, and just as your partners did the man who stole your life from you, then i will live a life of honor, no matter what i earn financially or in life. You are the inspiration for my future and give me hope for good, lawful lives for citizens of battle creek in the future. R.I.P. - because you are now with god, and because your work on this earth is now complete.

joe citizen,hopefully future member bcpd

April 6, 2006

I never dreamed it would be me,
my name for all eternity,
recorded here at this hallowed place,
alas, my name, no more my face.
"In the line of duty" I hear them say;
my family now the price will pay,
my folded flag stained with tears;
we only had those few short years.
The badge no longer on my chest,
I sleep now in eternal rest;
my sword I pass to those behind,
and pray they keep this thought in mind;
I never dreamed it would be me,
and with heavy heart and bended knee;
I ask for all here from the past,
Dear God, let my name be the last.

Grand Valley Police Department

March 18, 2006

Vern,
Just stopping to check in and let you know that you are always in our thoughts. We keep a memorial in our locker room so that even the new guys will know you.

March 5, 2006

Rest in peace, and god bless your family.

Police Officer John Pizzi
Calumet Village

December 27, 2005

Thank you for standing between men we are afraid of and our children. Thank you for your sacrifice. God bless you and your family during this holiday season and every day.

Shawn and Michelle Rogers
Sister and brother-in-law
Sgt. Jonathan Dragus 10/20/05

Shawn Rogers

December 17, 2005

We miss you, Vern.

December 11, 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

Dectective Brann was the most caring person I have ever met. He will never be forgotton

October 19, 2005

To the wife, daughters, other family members and friends of Detective LaVern Brann and his fellow officers in the Battle Creek City Police Department:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Detective Brann was so brutally murdered. His heroism, valor and bravery will be forever remembered.

In reading the reflections about LaVern, it is obvious he was a man of honor and a man devoted to his "girls."
The picture of him with his beautiful smile is apparently the way he greeted the world, with joy and a zest for life, holding out his hands in friendship to many. His peers respected him and so many have fond memories of their times together. LaVern will never be forgotten by those who cared about him, nor will he be forgotten by those who honor his courage and dedication to his job, even if they didn't know him personally.

I also hope the other detective
with him that awful day in May is healing from his wounds, both physical and emotional. Unless you have been through this experience, it is hard to understand that those fatal shots don't just kill the fallen officer, but kill a part of everyone who cares for them.

May you be comforted by the support and caring of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. We grieve for you and with you. Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater when he was fatally shot this past April during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, so we know the anquish you are experiencing. Please know that the brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement will be by your side on each step of the journey ahead of you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the twenty years of service Detective Brann gave to his community and the citizens of Michigan, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on May 9, 2005 when he gave his life in the line of duty.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD eow 4/24/05

September 18, 2005

Vern, you will be missed but your memory lives on in my heart. My condolences goes out to Melanie & your daughters. May God bless and keep them in his loving care.

Phyllis Baker

September 2, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Det. Brann is truely a hero, who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his community.

Deputy Rick Cadez Jr.
Wayne County Sheriffs Dept.

August 24, 2005

Their hearts are too big
Their wallets too thin.
They're an integral part
Of the world we live in.

They're at work everyday;
Come rain, sleet or snow.
'Cause dedication and honor
Are all that they know.

They deal with the worst
Day in and day out.
They're the ones who come running
When it's help that you shout.

They wear badges and guns
These modern-day knights.
But neither of these
Protect them from fright.

They get hit, kicked and spit on
And oinked at like swine.
Yet they always come back
With boots and belt shined.

They stand their ground firm
When others would run.
And when it's over, they smile
As if to them it's great fun.

When all else is bad
They're the ones doing good.
Doing right by the law
As we all know we should.

Still often it seems
They get no respect.
Some even gripe
When they catch a suspect.

They violated my rights!
The guilty will say.
But how about what they
Give up everyday?

They don't see their kids,
Their husband or wife.
To the families it seems
That the job is the life.

They get slashed at and stabbed;
Beaten, bloodied and shot.
And all too often,
One gives all he's got.

Brave brothers and sisters
Is what they all are.
When one is killed,
They mourn near and far.

Only then do we see
Their toughness wear thin.
And just for a moment,
They let us all in.

They're human you see,
These warriors true.
Regardless of if
They wear green, brown or blue.

They distinguish themselves
Above all the rest.
And it's not just about
The badge on their chest.

For they see the things
We don't want to see.
They are the ones
That protect you and me.

They do all the things
Only the finest will do.
They're the brave men and women
Of the thin line of blue.


"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God."

August 21, 2005

IN VALOR, THERE IS HOPE. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER

MACOMB COUNTY SHERIFF HONOR GUARD
MACOMB COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

July 28, 2005

I remember when you and Mel came to the academy to talk to the 3 of us. I remember being at your wedding reception, I'd only been at the dept for a couple of months then. You came to our wedding the next year. I remember "hanging out" as 2 young couples. When we got pregant at about the same time you came to tell us that you where joining us in being parents. You were there to bug the nurses when Josh was born. We were there when Melina was born. Then came the joking when we both got pregant once again at the same time, that if you had another girl and we had another boy we would trade.
We will miss not being neighbors and all the running back and forth. But we will be there for Mel and the girls.

Theresa Tassos

July 22, 2005

LaVern,
You are miss by many..You are loved by all. We will never forget you. You were a rock for so many.. Thank you..

I will see you again my friend...

July 16, 2005

Vern, I was saddend deeply by the news of your last call to duty..I have met many people and families around the world and you and your family are one of the greatest of all...may God grant you a blessed heveanly begining my friend. When its our time for eternity with the Almighty I hope you are there to greet me with your infectious smile. Until we meet again my friend may God be with us all......Melanie and kids, we send our love and prayers God bless you all.
Jim,Suzette,Charmaine,Kaylee and Calvin The Kehoes

kehoe family
bc police dept family

July 14, 2005