Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I just spoke with your sister . after you moved from florida we lost touch. brukenta found me via the intrnet. I was so glad hear from her. Then i asked how you were . thats when she told me about the accident. I was so looking forward to talking with you after all these years. I am at a loss . I sure do miss those days on the beach and your moms mac and cheese. I will say bye for now.

Mike Bossie
Family Friend

April 19, 2008

Just sitting here at work thinking about you and thanking God for the time that that we had together while at the Academy. I think and pray for you and Officer James Davis' familys often!!

Deputy David Baldwin
Randolph County Sheriff's Department Indiana

April 3, 2008

it will be 3 years in oct. i miss you very much and love you very much. some days i have sad days and some happy, but i know your having fun up there and watching us. i love you very very very much. give great grandma and grandpa and uncle kenny a big hug and kiss for me and mommy.... Love you forever!!!!! your niece.... uni-demp

Micah (Uni-demp)
niece of Shad

February 24, 2008

The Loss Of A Child

The moment that I knew you had died,
My heart split in two,
The one side filled with memories,
The other died with you.

I often lay awake at night,
When the world is fast asleep,
And take a walk down memory lane,
With tears upon my cheek.

Remembering you is easy,
I do it every day,
But missing you is a heartache,
That never goes away.

I hold you tightly within my heart,
And there you will remain,
Life has gone on without you,
But it never will be the same.

For those who still have their children,
Treat them with tender care,
You will never know the emptiness,
As when you turn and they are not there.

Don't tell me that you understand,
don't tell me that you know.
Don't tell me that I will survive,
How I will surely grow.

Don't tell me this is just a test,
That I am truly blessed.
That I am chosen for the task,
Apart from all the rest.

Don't come at me with answers
That can only come from me,
Don't tell me how my grief will pass,
That I will soon be free.

Don't stand in pious judgment
Of the bonds I must untie,
Don't tell me how to grieve,
Don't tell me when to cry.

Accept me in my ups and downs,
I need someone to share,
Just hold my hand and let me cry,
And say, "My friend, I care.


I MISS YOU SON~~~~MOMMA

Penni (Shads mother)
E.O.W.OCT.7- 05

February 1, 2008

Shad .. We just wanted to let you know how much we miss you
& that you are in our thoughts..You where always there for us when we needed you !! You were an awesome person & outstanding officer !! We stop at your grave to say hi & that we miss you !! We went to your vewing and we felt a little out of place because we were not family..but your mom made us feel so welcome & she said that she was glad we were there...I wish I could bring you back to all of your family, I'd do it in a heart beat....
Pulaski County lost a wonderful officer, We will always mourn the loss. Happy Birthday by the way !!
I will be mourning the loss of my mom on January 16th,it will be 5 years, everyone says it gets easier ...that is true some what but it still hurts to not be able to tell them everyday that we love them or to see their smiling faces.. I know you where loved & respected alot, and I am certian that God had great plans for you now as he did with you on earth. Please keep watch on all of us here in Pulaski County..... God Bless you & your family.

Nordyke Family
Friends

January 14, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 14, 2008

Two years.....seems like just yesterday.
I miss you with all of my heart.
You will NEVER be forgotten !!!
Keep keeping watch over us.... we need it...
Your neices and nephews miss you so bad too.
They are such troopers. They have bad days...
but they get right back up,remembering the good times.
you know....no matter what...you were always there to
pick me up...even when we were little.
I miss that...I miss your soft words... your compassion.
I miss you!
I know you know how much I love and miss you.
I love and miss you with all of my heart...
every beat.....
your sister.....

Brukentta sister of Dep. Shad Bassett
Pulaski Co. Sheriff Dept., EOW 10/7/05

October 8, 2007

Today on the anniversary of yor death we remember you and thank you /sir for your service.

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better manchester, Nh

October 7, 2007

Two years have passed and you have not been forgotten by those that love you dearly. You will always be a part of their lives and they will think of you every day. Thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcment. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and close friends.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

October 7, 2007

Love and miss you with all of my heart.

Brukentta sister of Dep. Shad Bassett
Pulaski Co. Sheriff Dept., EOW 10/7/05

September 21, 2007

First of all I wanna tell you that I miss you so flippin much!! Lots of things are goin on down here...Nichole had her baby may 31st. A little boy Gavin Nicholas...he's soooooo cute! I saw Ryan the other day...and all I gotta say is IM SORRY...I really hope you're not disappointed in me. Im trying to do the right thing but it's really hard to cut someone out of your life for good with no reason...BELIEVE ME, I'VE ALREADY HAD TO DO IT ONCE AND IT WAS THE WORST THING I'VE EVER DONE. You know im not talkin about him either. Losing my bestest friend (you of course) was the worst thing to ever happen to me. I hate not being able to call you up at 4 in the morning cuz I was stressed out about something. Now I have to drive 30 minutes to winamac to sit in the cemetary. It's so unfair and I still cant deal with it the way I should. I can't believe that in a little over 2 months it's gonna be 2 years since the last time I went to knox to get u taco bell at 1am cuz you were hungry. Me and nichole were talkin about the old times the other day and I had to fight back the tears. I'll never forget the first time I met you, when you came up to napa parking lot listenin to eminem and I was givin you crap about it cuz you were a cop and "cops weren't suppost to listen to that". Oh when you, john lendermon, fred, and steve and mark would come into arbys and you'd order chicken 5 minutes before we closed and then you'd sit in the dang lobby for forever. I'd love to have just one more night of that now. Its funny how you can miss the little things that drove you crazy before huh. Im gonna start working back in winamac again here pretty soon so I'll be out there more often to talk to you. Man i miss you. Every day I ask god why he had to take you and it drives me nuts because I'll never know the answer. I looked at your picture tonight and the memories flooded back to me. I can't wait till the day I get up to heaven and get to tell you to turn your lights on and make your sirens go woop woop again...haha you better have them on waitin for me to get there! I miss you tons shad...lots of love to ya sweetcheeks!

ash
friend of shad

August 1, 2007

Hey buddy....hope everything's goin aight for ya up there...im missin ya like crazy down here that's for sure. You're mom told me about that memorial thing they had today at the jail but she didn't tell me till yesterday and I had to work today till 4. I was thinkin about ya though. I guess some things will never change huh. Anyway, Im gonna get goin I just wanted to stop by and say hi...I miss you and happy memorial day...thanks for everything you've done for us! Love ya!

ash

May 29, 2007

Deputy Bassett,
I met your family today at a baseball game in which my son was playing. I spoke with your Dad and other family members and they told me about your accident. I just wanted to Thank You for your sacrifice, you are not or ever will be forgotten. By the way...your brother's team pounded my son's team. Rest in Peace Brother
Lt. Jon Richardson

Lt. Jon Richardson
Peru Police Dept.

May 19, 2007

Deputy Bassett,
I met your family today at a baseball game in which my son was playing. I spoke with your Dad and other family members and they told me about your accident. I just wanted to Thank You for your sacrifice, you are not or ever will be forgotten. By the way...your brother's team pounded my son's team. Rest in Peace Brother
Lt. Jon Richardson

Lt. Jon Richardson
Peru Police Dept.

May 19, 2007

I love and miss you Shad. We are doing many things. You would be proud. We try to make you proud....I hope we are.
I love you with every beat of my heart. You are my "superman" and I mean that litterally.
Your proud sister.....

Pooh
big sister

May 4, 2007

hey sweetcheeks! i miss you tons! Oh but guess what wednesday is....my 22nd birthday! I wish you could be down here to drink one with me...i need to get out there to talk to ya. Last time i was in winamac it was FREEZING and a flippin blizzard outside so I wanted to hurry up and get home. I'll be in town this weekend so I will definitly stop by.. I MISS YOU TONS! Keep me outta trouble this weekend...lots of love to ya!!!!

ash
friend of shad

February 26, 2007

Wow, I just read that last message that trooper left. See how you still continue to help everyone here? I love it! Ya know the other day was really hard for me. I was talkin about you with my friend Ami and I broke down. Im not sure what caused it or even why we were talking about you. I sat down on my bed with that picture of you in the hoodie and cried for like an hour. I can't seem to kick this shad. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to get over and I can't seem to do it even the slightest. Im need some serious closure. I miss you....And now is when I need ya...I know after I tell you this you're gonna look down at me and shake your head like you did before but I couldn't help it. Ryan's back and I went to see him yesterday. I know I told you that I wouldn't do that and that's why this is so hard for me. The last thing you told me before you died was that you were proud of me and now I feel like you're gonna change your mind cuz I went to see him. Dang it Shad, you were the only person I would listen to, obviously, I didn't listen to mark when he told me the same thing...lol...I just wouldn't my friends to abandon me because I made a mistake...I know YOU would NEVER do that so why should I? Friends are friends forever right?! Right...I just kinda feel like a hipocrit or something. Cuz I told you that I wouldn't talk to him and now I am. I know I know, you're probably gonna kick me in the butt when you see me but I think it's the right thing to do. Just keep an eye on me and make sure I end up DOING the right thing, and as much as you don't like him, keep him outta trouble in May. Lord knows he needs all the help he can get. Well Im gonna get goin. but I'll talk to you soon...I miss you tons.....lotsa love to ya!

ashley
friend of shad

January 29, 2007

Shad,
I never had the chance to meet you, but you saved my life tonight I'm sure. I was running pretty hot to a call and was northbound on SR 39 just south of CR 400N when a deer ran in front of me. I smacked it pretty good but was able to keep control of my car. I know if I had swerved I would have lost control. Thanks for keeping an eye us down here and rest easy brother.

Trooper
Indiana State Police

January 26, 2007

Shad...
I really really miss you, bad! Sometimes I get so sad cause I want to see you again. I know tho you are better up there. God is taking good care of you, as He always has. For Christmas I got a Ford hat and everytime I see it I think of you. I wish I could have known you better. I do have great memories with you and stories I tell over and over, but still I feel as tho I have so much more to know about you. I send you many hugs! Oh and Happy B-day... tho it was the 12th. :) I love you Shad and we all miss you. We do still hurt, but there is a reason and a season for everything.
Honestly things haven't been the same for a long time. Since you've been gone so much has happened. I have had to deal with my emotions in a different way than ever before. I just have so much yet to learn. Sometimes I ask God Why... but I know why. He loved you best! You were His before you were ours. He used you here and now you are forever there with Him. Shad you toched many lives. You touched mine! You were more than a hero... you are my brother! I still have 4 siblings... I always will. I will never forget. I love you Shad!
Oh and send God a message to mend our broken family! You see what goes on down here. Give God a big hug from me!

Loving God while missing you,
Sharim

Sharim

January 14, 2007

WELL ITS BEEN A WHILE SINCE IVE WROTE SO I THOUGHT ID GET ON HERE AND SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA!!! WE ALL WENT AND CELEBRATED FOR YA TONIGHT AT PEPE'S OF COURSE!!! IT WAS A GOOD TIME. WE MISSED YA, BUT IM SURE YOUD RATHER BE THERE WITH GOD THAN HERE AT PEPE'S! THINGS HERE ARE GOING GOOD FOR EVERYONE. MALACHI THOUGHT HE WOULD BE LIKE YOU WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG AND FLY OFF HIS DRESSER LIKE SUPERMAN AND WELL HE GOT HURT DOING IT. HE IS NOW MISSING A LOT OF SKIN OFF HIS BACK. CRAZY KID!!! IM EXCITED TO SAY WE FINALY CAME UP WITH A NAME FOR OUR BABY AND WE ARE USING SOME OF YOUR NAME IN IT... HIS NAME IS GONNA BE ZAYDEN SHAILEY (SHYLEE) JOE. ZAYDEN IS HEBREW FOR LUCKY (OR BLESSED) AND SHA IS FROM SHAD AND THE ILEY IS FROM KILEY, (ALSO SHAI IS HEBREW FOR GIFT FROM GOD) AND JOE IS AFTER UNCLE LARRY'S MIDDLE NAME. SO HE WILL BE NAMED AFTER TWO OF HIS UNCLES!!! WE LOVE IT!!! AND I KNOW ONE DAY HE WILL LOVE TO HAVE YOUR NAME. MOMMA IS DOING GOOD, THEY LOVE THEIR NEW HOUSE. SHARIM IS DOING AWESOME, SHE JUST KEEPS GETTING CLOSER TO GOD EVERYDAY! SHE IS ALWAYS ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU. SHE FEELS SHE DIDNT GET TO KNOW YOU GOOD ENOUGH. BUT DONT WORRY, WE TELL HER YOU WERE A TURD!!! NATE AND TOSHA ARE LIVING IN LAFAYETTE DOING PRETTY GOOD. ALL MY KIDS ARE GOOD, DESTYN IS KICKING BUTT IN KINDERGARTEN! HE IS SOOO SMART! SKY IS ALMOST TWO ALREADY! KINDA CRAZY HOW LIFE GOES ON ISNT IT??? IT SUCKS, I KNOW IT HAS TO SUCK FOR MADDY! BUT I KNOW YOU LOVED HER ENOUGH AND SHOWED HER ENOUGH LOVE TO GET HER THROUGH ALL HER YEARS OF NOT HAVING HER DADDY HERE WITH HER!!!
ANYWAY... WE MISS YOU, EVERYDAY!!! HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY UP THERE!!! TILL WE MEET AGAIN...............
SMOOCHIES TO YA!

cynaka

SISTER

January 11, 2007

Hey buddy! I hope you had an awesome New Years! Mine was soo much better than last year...I was still too bummed out about you leavin us that i just didn't feel like goin out and doin anything that year but this time it was better. You know...everyone says that things will get better in time...im just tryin to figure out how much time it's goin to take. I still can't talk to people about you without gettin a little choked up, if not full blown cryin. I hate that you're gone and i miss the way that you made all of the bad things that were goin wrong in my life at the time, go away. You were the only one that could help me do it. I've always been the stubborn one of the family and always needed that extra push to do the things that i really didn't want to do but knew i had to...and you were one of the few that i would listen to at the drop of a dime...well most of the time anyway...lol...there were a few things that you had to give me that extra little kick in the butt with but you ALWAYS managed to do it. I miss you so much. I keep looking up at that little pic of you on here while im typing this and i can't fight the tears. I miss the heck outta you Shad. My uncle just became a deputy for the carroll county PD and leaves to go to the academy soon. Im so scared but im really proud of him...it's really crazy cuz he reminds me a lot of you, same build and "hair-do" lol that you had so when i see him from a distance i see you. It's really hard for me to see him in the car because I think of all the times that we'd sit in our vehicles and chat about random things. I'd do anything to have just one more chat with you. I saw kathy today at work...we talked for a minute and she told me that matt had got a tattoo for his birthday...I showed her mine and she said she would bring matt in so i could see his...20 minutes later they were back and his tattoo is awesome...After they left i went outside on my break and cried...you touched so many people shad. I know you'll be in my heart forever. I will never forget all of the things that you taught me...You helped me with a lot and i'll love you forever for that...Well i have to get goin just thought i would get on here and chat since i was thinkin about ya....man if i did that every time i thought about you nobody else would have room to write...lol...miss you sooooo much...luv ya!

Ashley
friend of Shad

January 4, 2007

Another year without you at Christmas..... I think this one is even harder that last year.I miss you so much.... every day I talk to God and ask him why...But I know he takes the best and that would be you. Just know we all miss you so much...my kids miss their uncle... and I miss my brother.Have a great birthday party with Jesus. One day we will all be there. Until then.....
I love you Shad. My heart still aches but it still beats to keep you here with us in our hearts. I will never let us go one day with out your memory being here and present.
Love ya little brother....Always....

Pooh
sister

December 24, 2006

Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's been over a year since you left us. It still feels like yesterday and things don't see to be gettin any easier...I hope you like all of the things that me and nichole took out to the cemetary...it was a toss up who was gonna buy the steppin stone and who was gonna get the other stuff so we just split everything. It doesn't matter because no amount of money will ever bring you back. I miss you soooo much! I'll be in winamac tomorrow so if we don't have a ton of snow (blah) then I'll be out to see you after class before I go to work. You should be proud...lol...im stickin to this college thing...even though theres other things that I could be doing at 6 in the morning rather than gettin up and gettin ready to go to school...lol....ryan will be back in winamac december 15th....PLEASE give me the strength to stick with issue I dealt with over a year ago. The last thing you ever told me before you went to heaven was that you were proud of me and I don't EVER want to do anything to change your mind. K, well I gotta get goin to bed...it's a little after 1 in the morning and i gotta get up in 5 hours to get ready for class....BLAH....Keep up the good work at keepin me outta trouble...lol...i think you need to work a little harder on Justin though...obviously I can't do it! Lotsa Love to ya....MISS YOU BUNCHES!

ashley

November 30, 2006

I saw a picture of Madysen the other day and memories flowed. You are missed. We will never forget. God bless you and your family.

Trooper
Indiana State Police

October 18, 2006

On the one year anniversary of your passing, we still mourn.

Dep. Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

October 7, 2006