Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service.

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

November 29, 2005

We are so sorry to here about your tragic loss of a loved one in law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in support. As we personally know, sometimes there is little comfort that comes from words. Keep focused as you can on the memories and joyous times for these things may bring you comfort. Rely heavily on family, friends, and other law enforcement. Honor your fallen loved one, for their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

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

November 28, 2005

I had the pleasure of serving with John in the US Air Force (Kelly AFB & Korea) and in the San Antonio PD. Super guy with a big heart. We will miss you John but we will never forget you. Until we see each other again, may God bless you and your family.

Oscar J. Medrano jr. #1368

patrolman oscar j. medrano jr #1368
San Antonio Police dept

November 26, 2005

On behalf of the 1300 officers in Grampian Police I would like to send our condolences to the Wheeler family and to his colleagues in the San Antonio PD. No matter were in the world a police officer dies it affects us all.

Take Care.
Glen

Constable Glen Erskine
Grampian Police, Scotland

November 13, 2005

My heart goes out the the friends and family of Ofc. Wheeler. I feel your pain. It was just 2 weeks prior that I got the dreaded 5 a.m. call. My wife, Robin Vogel, a Decatur, IL officer had just been hit broadside by a drunk driver at speeds near 100 mph. He was killed instantly. She survived 2 1/2 days.
I can't say that it gets easier with time. I'm still greiving, like I know you are. Just remember, your friends are there for you to lean on-use them. They will continue to call and check on you. It's because they really do care. I never realized the number of friends she and I had until I really needed them. I know it's the same for you from having read some of John's memorials.
God bless you all.
John, say hi to my Robin while you're up there.

Ofc. Mike Vogel- Husband of Ofc. Robin Vogel (EOW 10/03/05)

Ofc. Mike Vogel
Springfield (IL) Police Dept.

November 12, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure John did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and John be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Patrolman Wheeler's family, friends, and co-workers are going through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of loss until they've walked in our shoes. Please know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (The Davis County Sheriff's Office will always know how to reach me or write jocelyne1974 at canada dot com)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know John but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. John will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love John, even for a short time. I pray that John, Dennis, and all the other fallen officers will continue to watch over us all as only they can.

Thank you Patrolman Wheeler for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who's lives you touched brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

November 12, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the San Antonio P.D

Fallen but never forgotten

Bryan Laurie
Haltom City

November 9, 2005

John was a very well liked person who I had the great pleasure of knowing. I first met John approximately 14 years ago while in the Air Force. He was a well-rounded person with a caring heart. He always displayed a friendly attitude. God Bless him, he will be missed.

Sgt. Jerome A. Johnson
DPS-Highway Patrol

November 7, 2005

I cannot imagine the pain in your hearts at this time. You are all in my prayers and know that Patrolman Wheeler will forever be in the hearts and minds of those in law enforcement.

Anon Dispatcher
Ohio

November 6, 2005

Tears For A Cop--God's Version
When the Lord was creating peace officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime. An angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of idling on this one." And the Lord said, "Have you read the specs on this order? A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform. He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day at a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvas the neighborhood for witnesses and testify in court the next day. He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands." The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way!" "It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord. "It's the three pairs of eyes the officer has to have." "That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. The Lord nodded. "one pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, "May I see what's in there, Sir?" (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job)Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, "You'll be alright Ma'am...when he knows it isn't so." "Lord," said the angel, tugging his sleeve. Rest and work on this tomorrow." "I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 lb drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck." The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly. "Can it think?" she asked. "You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in its sleep, detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop...and it still keeps its sense of humor. This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in Hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily newspaper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects." Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the check of the peace officer. "There's a leak," she announced, "I told you that were trying to put too much into this model." "That's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear." "What's a tear for?" asked the angel. "It's for bottled up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag for justice." "You're a genius," said the angel. The Lord looked somber, "I didn't put it there," He said, "It comes with the job."

Many prayers for officer Wheeler and his family including his family in the blue.

Dispatch Amanda Kinnamon
Live Oak Police Department

November 4, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Police Officer Wheeler. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us to protect and serve others safely.

Police Officer O. Dennard
Newark Police Department (NJ)

November 4, 2005

Officer Wheeler,
thank you! i still remember that night you took me on my first ride along with S.A.P.D. It was real cool,crazy,and i learned alot that night. thanks i'll always remember that crazy night. rudy o.

November 3, 2005

Thank you for your service, RIP Officer Wheeler.

Michael Hopkins
Citizen, Warrington Pa

November 3, 2005

You are the reason that every impaired/intoxicated driver should be arrested. Your death will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace Brother.

Officer

November 3, 2005

Patrolman Wheeler, you will be remembered with pride by all those who worked with you and knew you. You will be missed by those who called you friend, brother, dad, husband. Your brave history of service is an inspiration to all. May God watch over your family, and grant you peace.

CSO Mike Huber
Tucson Police Dept

November 3, 2005

Thanks for your service to society Patrolman Wheeler. And to Mrs. Wheeler I cannot understand what you must be going through seeing as you were also on duty the night your husband had the accident, and for that I'm truly sorry and my blessing goes out to you. RIP Patrolman Wheeler.

Christopher Thelin former Cadet Explorer
Dallas, Oregon

November 1, 2005

May god bless you and your family in this very,very trying time.Rest in peace brother.The watch in ours now

patrolman,Paul Runner
Middletown Twp,Pennsylvania

November 1, 2005

To the Family, Friends, and Brothers and Sisters at the San Antonio Police Dept,

I am so sorry for your tragic loss. I wish for you comfort and peace during this difficult time.....

RAA #1354
ESCONDIDO PD

October 31, 2005

Rest in peace sir. Your heroism will never be forgotten!

Stephanie
Wife of Lee Co. Sheriffs Dept Captain

October 30, 2005

Please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of this beloved officer. My father and his comrades, along with our community, were robbed of our dear friend, Officer Larry Cox earlier this year due to senseless, selfish behavior. We all share your grief. I had the honor of visiting your great city this past August, and was very impressed by the police, and I'm sure Officer Wheeler was no exception. A hero has been lost, but his brothers and sisters continue the watch. May he rest in peace, and may God keep all who he loved.

Son of a fellow officer

October 28, 2005

My deepest sympathy to your family brother, Rest and we will cover your watch .Thank you for your for protecting the public

Sergeant Robert Denault
Department of Defense police

October 28, 2005

God bless you, your family, friends, and co-workers. Please continue to keep watch over everyone from above.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife Ofc. Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

October 28, 2005

I live in san antonio and have a great respect for the officers who protect my community, and the day i heard about this officers untimely and pointless death i found myself asking god why he would take such a man from the front line in the war on crime to heaven, i felt no response i could get would ever be enough, Officer john wheeler was a brave man , who did his job not because he had to but because he chose to. this officer will remain in my heart forever, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family...go with god brother your time on earth as my protector has ended, god bless..

Corporal Steves/FTO
Texas Crime Management (security)

October 27, 2005

To lose your life in the line of duty in the small hours of the morning is a tragedy most people will never have to face. From those of us who understand the enormity of your loss and sacrifice, we salute you.

Sgt Scott Murray
New South Wales Police (Australia)

October 27, 2005

My family would like to extend our deepest heart felt sympathies to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Patrolman John Wheeler. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We would like to let law enforcement officers everywhere know how much we appreciate them for putting their lives on the line everyday doing their jobs to keep their communities safe. May God watch over and protect each & everyone of you!

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

October 26, 2005