Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mike, the memorial plaque that was placed where you took your last breath started to rust many years ago. Brett Creekmore and I have tried to get it repaired, to no avail. Last night I posted something in the CPD and CFD group asking if anyone knew who made it. Mike, I cried. The amount of people that immediately stepped up to the plate and offered to help pay for a new one was overwhelming. Unfortunately the man who made it has passed, but other's are stepping up to the plate to make a new one. The amount of people who refuse to let you be forgotten is more than you would ever imagine. Your time with us was short, but hostages are alive today because of you, which just goes to show that you don't have to do the job for a long time to make an impact. You impacted more lives than you ever realized. So many of us hurt because we miss you so much. So many of us want that day back, to do it all over again. My heart hurts just as much today as it did 19 years ago. Until we meet again Mike.......

Former Officer, Faith Gollob-Gayheart
Chesapeake Police Department

October 2, 2024

My heart is heavy, as I just found out this terrible news through another shipmate. I met Mike on USS AW Radford DD-968. Mike was a no nonsense guy when it came to the job and yet had a great sense of humor, when he chose to share it. He was a very proud husband and dad.
I followed Fire Rescue north of Great Lakes and have a lot of respect for my brothers in service of all types.
Mike will be missed by all who knew him. Rest easy, brother!

IC1(SW) Everett Holstein
USS Arthur W Radford DD-968

May 13, 2024

Mike and I served on the USS Shreveport during OIF/OEF. He was knowledgeable on the job. He loved smoking a good cigar at the end of the workday. While on deployment or an underway period; I would see him on the smoke deck. When I smelled a cigar he was not far away. I never saw him upset until one of the guys called him dude on the boat deck and replied “I’m not a dude, I’m Petty Officer Saffran”. His respect was a reflection of what was received by him. He was knowledgeable as an Engineman in the Navy. After he retired he told me he was pursuing his career as LE. We exchanged emails prior to him retiring sad part is I never got a chance to email him. I remember Johnny F. telling me what happened and just balled into tears crying. One thing about Mike was he loved the country he served, his cigars and his family nonetheless. RIP Saffran. You are truly missed my good friend. When I see officers 10-8 on the beat. I always think of you my man. To his family, I never earned the chance to express my condolences for your bereavement but I’m sure you keep his legacy alive. Peace and Blessings. W. Anderson, BM2 USS Shreveport 02-07.

BM2(SW) Anderson
USS Shreveport LPD-12

September 28, 2021

I did not know Mike. I would have loved to know Mike but he was taken way to soon. I am a Chesapeake Firefighter and I work in the area he was killed. I see the memorial sign with his name on it at the location when he was killed. No doubt he was a great guy to know from reading all of these reflections. In the short time he was with Chesapeake he’s left a lasting memory but not because he is gone but because he still lives with all that knew him. God Bless His family both blood and blue.

Patrick A. Martin
Chesapeake Fire Dept

September 8, 2021

Thinking about you a lot today... For some reason, I woke up with you on my mind. I will never forget you my friend.

SPO Grimstead
CPD

May 17, 2021

Thinking about you a lot today. For some reason, I woke up with you on my mind... I'll forget you my friend!

SPO Grimstead
CPD

May 17, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 8, 2020

The one thing, I can reflect on Mike the most was he loved his family and cigars. I’d often see him about on the deck plates and it was always great encounters between he and I. The memories are faint but I know Johnny and some of the other guys in Auxiliary viewed his as an awesome guy. I remember Saff verbally correct a guy on the boat deck for calling him a dude. Mike replied “my name is not dude....it’s Petty Officer Saffran.

I had a great deal of respect for EN1 if you respected him, you received the same respect in return. Rest In Peace Mike. You are forever in our memories.

BM2(SW) W. Anderson
USS Shreveport LPD-12

May 13, 2020

Mike was my LPO (Direct supervisor) on the USS Shreveport.
It was his last Command before he retired.
Mike came off to all of us in Auxiliaries Division as a hard ass at first.
Serving with him for the short time that I did, I got to know a great guy.
Always talked about his family. His wife, daughter and grandson; whom he affectionately referred to as “the boy”.
A fine cigar aficionado, he closed out each night at sea on the smoke deck, cigar in his hand to watch the sun go down over the ocean.
I will always have fond memories of Mike.
May he Rest In Peace.

EN1 Patrick Bedard
Friend

April 20, 2019

I'm sorry to say I lost touch with a dear friend as so many of us do. Mike and I served together on the USS Radford. Today the last day of 2017 I found out my friend had been killed. My heart is heavy, not only for myself, but for his wife and family.

MM3 Jim Hernick
US Navy

January 1, 2018

I remain proud to call Mike "Friend". I served along side Mike in the USN for 3 years. The stories I could tell. He was welcome in our home as well as in my parents' home. God Bless our Republic's Patriots and the parents that raised them.

MMC/ss Scott R Williams
USS Canopus AS-34

November 6, 2017

I was thinking about you again today Saffy as I was catching up with some old shipmates. We were talking about how well some of the guys off the Shreve were doing, and talking about how we can't believe that its been 13 years since we got out. While talking I was going through my old Navy Photos and seen one I have of you working on one of the rib boats. I know that if you were still with us you too would be one of the old shipmates doing well and living life to the fullest.

I know I'll never forget you Saffy, I have an etching of your name hanging by my desk as a reminder to always stay safe, and as a reminder of why I do this job. Your service to your country, the City of Chesapeake, and your family will never be forgotten.
Former DC3(SW) McClain USS Shreveport LPD-12

Sgt. Jon McClain
Bellevue KY PD

February 3, 2017

For 11 years and for all the rest of my days I have and will continue to live with the "what ifs?". There are so many, but the biggest is always "What if I hadn't burned that Comp day on Oct 08, 2005?" Beside raising an amazing son, my next greatest accomplishment in my life was training a hero. The hero that saved the lives of hostages on that miserable day, October 08, 2005. That hero, my hero, is Officer Michael K. Saffran. It was a day in which a split second changed the course of too many lives. Hostages lived to tell their story that day, but a wife lost her husband, children lost their father, a mother lost her son, a man lost his brother, two women lost their brother, and many officers were permanently broken...I am one of them. Yes, some may say that "he died doing his job and he died a hero", but that doesn't make it any easier on the survivors and the guilt we have to live with for the rest of our lives. With all of the 'bad' cop stories that are shown on the news day in and day out, always remember one thing......NOT ALL are corrupt. There are bad apples in every bunch. Every single career has it's own who are corrupt, not every career has it plastered all over the news. However, when your house is broken into, you have been robbed at gunpoint, have been raped, beaten or suffered some other horrific crime....the one person you are still going to call to come save you is a Police Officer. Mike was a hero, through and through. A bank was robbed, hostages were taken and Mike answered the call. He selflessly gave his life, so that others may live and that my friends is the definition of a hero. We love you Mike and we miss you, always. It will always be the greatest honor of my life to say "I trained a hero, a hero who saved lives that day".

Faith Gollob
Former Officer, Chesapeake Police Department

October 6, 2016

We miss you so much uncle mike, the whole family does. We think of you everyday and know that we are protected by you still. I finally met faith after so many years and we email each other often, im planning a trip to actually go and meet her in person this summer. She is a wonderul lady. We love you so much uncle mike, plase keep protecting us and looking down on us. And please pritect my grand parents up there with you.

lauren
niece

February 25, 2016

A decade.... How is it even possible that you have been gone for 10 years already. In some ways if feels like yesterday and in other ways it feels like a lifetime.

I have been blessed by your nieces this year. They looked me up and reached out to me. I was amazed to open up my email one day and find an email from Lauren. It was such a wonderful gift. Then a couple of weeks later I received another gift when I opened my email and found another one from Emily. They were longing for another connection to you and I was blessed with having two more pieces of you in my life. They have grown into beautiful young women. They both look like your sister, especially Emily. They love to hear stories about you in the Police Academy and those 5 short months we had you on the streets before you were taken from us. I am still have a few more to share with them.

So much has changed, yet a few things have stayed the same......the fact that you are missed more than you know, that we all wish that we could turn back the hands of time, that it still hasn't gotten any easier. You are always with me Mike, always!!!

Faith Gollob
Former Officer, Chesapeake Police Department

October 6, 2015

Michael,
I think of you so often. Wonder may times "what if" or "only if"
You are in my heart forever...
Love you and pray God is taking care of you.
Elaine

Friend forever
Friend

February 13, 2015

Your sacrifice has not been forgotten and you will be forever honored. May God continue to watch over your family and bless the future of your children. RIP

Maj. Larry Carter
NSO/NPD retired

October 9, 2014

Today on the anniversary of your death we wish to remember you and thank you Sir for your service.

D. Holmes, Lieutenant
Federal Bureau of Prisons

October 8, 2014

How can it possibly be 9 years already? So much has changed, yet a few things have stayed the same......the fact that you are missed more than you know, that we all wish that we could turn back the hands of time, that it still hasn't gotten any easier. You are always with me Mike, always!!!

Faith Gollob
Former Chesapeake Police Officer

October 7, 2014

And yet it still doesn't get any easier. You are always in my thoughts.....miss you!

Faith Gollob
Former Officer, Chesapeake Police Dept

February 1, 2014

He wasn't around long long enough for many people to get to know him. I did not know him. Never forget him

Retired Sergeant William F. O'Mara
Chesapeake Police Department

February 20, 2013

Dad the whole family misses you so much. I can't believe it's been this long we all just want back are friend father brother and husband back. Miss you everything waking mintue and day of are lives .

Trevor
Son

November 14, 2012

ItI was an Honor & a Priveledge to have worked with Officer Saffran. He made the Ultimate Sacrifice for us. I still can't believe it's been 7 years ago! He was an Officer & a Gentleman. I thank you so much for the sacrifice you made to keep us safe. Til we meet again, may you R.I.P.

ARS Clerk Karen Bauer-Adams
CPD 1st Precinct-Central Records

October 9, 2012

Mike, I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that it's been almost seven years since you were taken from us. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. You always are and always will be in our hearts and minds. Till we meet again.......

Former Officer, Faith Gollob
Chesapeake Police Department

October 5, 2012

Mike was a great guy I enjoy working with him on the USS Donald Cook. He was a true shipmate and a good friend to me. I remember when I had to wake him up in the middle of the night so he can stand the next watch and really did not enjoy that but he knew he had watch. he did his thing. He is a funny guy and I thank him because of him he was part of something I am now.

HT1 (SW/MTS) Retired Navy
United State Navy

December 9, 2011