Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jon,
I just read the reflection that Mama left about her trip to the mountains this past weekend. It reminded me of our trip and the many memories that we made that weekend. One memory that stands out in particular is our decision to go on the hike at Cades Cove. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I soon realized that it was way longer than I thought it would be. Climbing up and down mountains, scaling the sides of them, bugs, that snake-like creature at the waterfall that I put my hand on are not my ideas of a good time. Despite my constant whining about being tired, hot, and wanting to get back to the car, you kept your composure and remained the optimistic outdoorsman, and kept telling me to keep walking. At some point during the hike you went into the woods and got me a walking stick to use, which we brought back home and you joked about how you were going to have it bronzed. But the one thing that I will always fondly remember is when you finally reached your limit on the hike and said to me, "Gosh, Sue, it’s not the Bataan death march." I know at that point you were ready to shove me off the mountain! It made me mad at the time, but I remember us laughing about it after we got home. That is what good memories are to me: things that aggravated us both at the time, but eventually realizing how silly they really were. I miss not having you with me to make new memories and share the ones from years past. The memories that we did make together are things that can’t be taken from me, and I will hold on to them until the day I die.


I am adjusting to life without you the best that I can. I try to laugh as much as possible, because I know you wouldn’t want me to be sad. I know you would expect me to pull myself up by the bootstraps and get back to living life. That is what I am doing everyday. I will never let your memory be forgotten because you were always a special person to me and you will always be that person in my heart and mind.
Love You Always and Forever,

Sue
Widow of Trooper Parker

December 6, 2006

I just returned from a long weekend and my first trip to Sevierville-Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I know now why you and Susan chose to visit there a few years ago. I made sure to visit Cades Cove. I tried to see it as you might have; the mountains are so beautiful and majestic; walking in the abandoned cabins and in one of the Primitive Baptist Churches was inspiring and humbling. I often thought that I was in a place that was special to you and Susan. I saw a doe with a couple of fawn and a solitary buck walking across a field. I wish that you were here so that we could compare and share our impressions of that wonderful place. Miss you so.

Debbie Brewer
family

December 4, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving Jon, I know you would rather be here with family and friends but I know your spirit is alive and well. I miss and think of you daily.

L/Cpl T.L. Cannaday
SC Highway Patrol

November 23, 2006

Last Saturday night Zack and I had one of those talks about one of those talks that we all similarily shared another Saturday night that doesn't seem that long ago. We miss you Jon.

Marc Brewer
brother in law

November 22, 2006

Susan,
I’m so sorry for your loss. It takes a special kind of person who dedicates their life to the protection of others. I do not know why such terrible things happen to such good people, but I have faith in Gods wisdom. You and your family are and will remain in my prayers.

Jamey Key
AWC

October 30, 2006

Well, dear Jon, today is your birthday, and today you were remembered in a very special way. There was an unveiling ceremony of the highway marker that designates the I-95/Hwy. 378 overpass as the Lance Corporal Jonathan Wade Parker Memorial Bridge. 'Twas a bittersweet day.

Debbie Brewer
family

October 11, 2006

Love you, my dear son!

Your Mom

Carol Parker
Jon's Mom

September 11, 2006

Jon, there isn't a day that goes by that you don't cross my mind. You were one of the few truly good people that I have ever known. I miss you man.

Randall Williams
friend

September 9, 2006

Not a day goes by where you aren't in my thoughts.

Marc Brewer
Brother in law

September 7, 2006

Love you, Jon.
Miss you so much.

Debbie Brewer
family

September 6, 2006

Miss you always and forever my friend.

August 12, 2006

Miss you always and forever my friend.

August 12, 2006

Hey JonJon,

The other day on the way to work, I crossed the Gandy Bridge going into Tampa at about 6:20am and saw the most beautiful sunrise (the sun was a huge red ball) behind the skyline of Tampa's sprawl of buildings. The colors and clouds were beautiful. I thought of you. When Charlie came through Orlando a couple of years ago, you told me "it'll be okay". I sure do believe you. Now that hurricane season is here in Florida again, I feel safe knowing that you are watching out for Mike, Dana, me and Todd. You are so, so, so, so, very dearly loved and missed Jon!

Your loving sister, Dee

older sister

July 16, 2006

Jon,
I dreamed last night that we were standing in line at the grocery store. Why the grocery store I don't know but we were together. I remember thinking in my dream that I was going to get you back. Then the morning came. I am reminded once again that you are gone and I can't bring you back home. I never imagined life without you in it. It hurts so badly to know that I will never see you again, or hear you greet me with "Hey Babe" when you would get home. These are things that I took for granted at the time, but now realize how special they were to me. Someone asked me the other day where you were and I told them you were in heaven. They then asked me if you were waiting for me and I told them absolutely. I know you are waiting for me, but I also I know that there is something left for me to do here on earth. While the time without you here sucks, I know you would want and expect me to keep going. I am trying, sometimes I am rather crabby about it, but you wouldn't expect any less (or more} of me. :) Always know you are loved and missed terribly.
Love You Always,

Sue
Wife

July 8, 2006

Jon,
It's been a little over a year now since you were taken away from your family and friends. You know last hunting season I could not go back to the land and not see your green light coming from the swamp just after dark.
It has been hard not seeing you out on the road and knowing that we were all okay when you were there.
Hudson still talks about the day you shot the doe and run the big buck out on him and he was shaking so bad that he just missed even though he still thinks he hit him...haha.
Jon, it is a great pleasure to have had you as a partner and a friend...and it's a great pleasure knowing that you are still watching over us every day in such a great place no matter how much it hurts everyday knowing that we can't have you here with us. God bless you Jon and thank you for your for everything.

Inv. Tripp Mays
Sumter County Sheriff's Office SC

May 21, 2006

Jon,
It's been a little over a year now since you were taken away from your family and friends. You know last hunting season I could not go back to the land and not see your green light coming from the swamp just after dark.
It has been hard not seeing you out on the road and knowing that we were all okay when you were there.
Hudson still talks about the day you shot the doe and run the big buck out on him and he was shaking so bad that he just missed even though he still thinks he hit him...haha.
Jon, it is a great pleasure to have had you as a partner and a friend...and it's a great pleasure knowing that you are still watching over us every day in such a great place no matter how much it hurts everyday knowing that we can't have you here with us. God bless you Jon and thank you for your for everything.

Inv. Tripp Mays
Sumter County Sheriff's Office SC

May 21, 2006

It is hard to believe that it was a whole year since your service and we visited you on your one year mark.As my wife and I stood at your resting place the other day I stood there I could still hear your voice and could hear you signing on and off on the radio. My wife and I both wanted to let you know that you are always in our minds and hearts and our prayers are for your family.We miss you.

S/Trp Greg Griggs
SCHP

May 20, 2006

Jon, I went to the cemetary on the 16th for the first time since your death. I ride by alot on midnight shift but for reasons unknown, have never brought myself to go to your marker. As I stood by your resting place I noticed the bird houses and wind chimes hanging in the tree above your marker, I stood there for a while and had the most calming feeling I have felt in a long time. It was as if you were there letting me know that you are okay, that gave me great comfort. It does not seem like its been a year since you were called, I can still see your face and hear your voice like it was yesterday. I want you to know that no matter what I do, or where ever I go in life, I will never forget you.

L/Cpl. T.L. Cannaday
SCHP

May 18, 2006

Cpl. Parker, I met your wife during NPW in DC. We share a bond because we were both married to proud state troopers. There is nothing quite like being a trooper's wife. I pray that the Lord continues to comfort her and your family. I also hope to get to know her better. Cpl. Parker, you rest high on that mountain. God bless you.

Angela Carthron
wife of Cpl. Mark W. Carthron, EOW 9-12-05

May 18, 2006

Miss you, son. Honored to have been at Police Week activities, especially the Candle Light Service and the Memorial Service. Your nation and surviving fellow officers did you and the other 154 fallen officers proud.
Fallen--not the right word, I think. Raised Up, forever with the Lord.
Always in my heart,
Ma Brewer

Debbie Brewer
Mother-in-law

May 17, 2006

Remembering and honoring the sacrifice you made one year ago. We are all kept so much safer because of patrol officers like you who work so hard to keep our roadways safe.

I did not meet your family at the National Peace Officer Memorials this past week, but I hope that they found comfort in the overwhelming display of support presented by the law enforcement community, and in the sadly overwhelming number of those who are also walking down a road of grief.

You will be in my thoughts.

Michelle Walker
Widow, CHP Lt. Michael Walker EOW 12-31-2005

May 16, 2006

LCpl Parker, I met your wife yesterday at the National Memorial in DC and was in attendance at a conference. She inspired a room full of "Cops" to better understand a survivor's perspective and feelings, I cried with her along with many others and offered any support she may need during these difficult times. I know today is the one year anniversary of your new life with our Lord. My heart and prayers goes out to your family, friends, coworkers and especially your wife who has opened the eyes of many hearts. Rest in Peace.

Cpl J. Roop
UCFPD

May 16, 2006

Still a HERO and never forgotten!

Grand Prairie PD, TX

May 16, 2006

It is in the memory of Lance Corporal Jonathan Parker and those that have gone before, that we continue on.
Our brothers and sisters who have fallen are never forgotten.

Master Trooper
Virginia State Police

May 16, 2006

God needed an angel,and he called upon Lance Corporal Jonathan Wade Parker to watch over his fellow officers and his beautiful family.A true "American Hero",will never be forgotton, may god bless you and your family,rest in peace my friend.

Lt.Carollo
NYPD

May 16, 2006