Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Hank, I wanted to let you know what a great cop you were. It's getting close to a year that you have been gone even though it feels like it was just yesterday. Well I went on a ride in with Vicky. It was great. She reminded me of you; very hard working, friendly to everyone, and loves doing her job. I cant wait till I have the chance to follow in yall's footsteps. Well Hank please keep watch over my husband and all the law enforcement officers. They are so lucky to have you as their assist. God Bless.

CRS

Cynthia RS
Friend

September 28, 2006

Hey it tok me awhile to get to this page, still cant belive your gone, dont want to belive your gone. I do miss the ride outs have not been sense you been gone i only felt safe riding out with you. I should of took you up on the offer for lunch that week, now i kick myself for not going. I know your kids especially ur little girl ment the world to you,and Justin remember you use to tell me when i would to talk to you that you were on ur way to pick him up from daycare because he was being bad, that he pick up from his DADDY. You were a proud parent you would do anything to make sure they had everything they needed, even when it was worinking a little to much. We do miss you, my little brother misses you deeply he started the explorer program but stop when you left. He is thinking about going back and he says he wont be as good as you were out in the streets as a cop, but he will make you proud, as for me i cant see myself out there, without wanting to see you there as well. Well me an Cynthia talk evey now an then she is doing ok. What i miss the most is you comming around the corner of my house with sirens or flashing your lights, everyday i down the street hoping to see you come around the corner, but i know ur in a better place now, and ur resting now. Someday we will see eachother again and then laughs and jokes will start again but till then all i have are memmories that you left me with are wonderful memmories, a jacket of ur's that u gave me one night i rode out and it was freezing cold and i had no jacket so you ofcourse being ready for anything went to ur trunk were you got a jacket for me, and you said (keep it because you will need it for when you become a cop and next year and ur out here with me,and who knows maybe we will be partners,)Those words i will always remember every time i see ur jacket hanging in my closet, u are a good friend, anybody who did not get a chance to meet you sure missed out on a hole lot. I miss u lots and i grive but nothing will heal, till i see you again. The streets miss that bad man racing down the streets with a look on his face like i got this one and those shades on. But till then REST IN PEACE. SWITI...

Roni
Friend

September 28, 2006

Teresa, just wanted to say I'm so grateful our paths crossed at the COPS Spouses Retreat. You are a strong woman, one that your Hank would be VERY proud of. Stay strong, but always know that I'm here if you need to talk, vent or just have a shoulder to lean on. Thinking of you and your children and keeping you all in my prayers.

Take care,
Stacy

Stacy Cullinane Smith
Surviving Spouse of Patrolman Mickey Cullinane
EOW 8/26/92, Sea Isle City, NJ Police Department AND
Spouse of a Montgomery County, MD Police Department

September 27, 2006

Hank,
It has taken me a while to write this, and for that I'm sorry. You are in my thoughts often, in fact it's hard to think about this job without thinking of you and your place here. I am so proud to have known you brother. I only wish we were still chasing bad guys together. I think really we are, and you are a guardian angel/ back up. I miss you Hank.
Sara

Officer Sara Straten
FWPD

September 22, 2006

Hi Sweetie-

Just wanted to tell you that you are on my mind today like all days. Today you received the Star of Texas Award given by Govenor, Rick Perry. They held a ceremony down in Austin. What another great honor on your behalf. Your kids and I are so proud of you. I hope you can look down and see all of this happening. Your kids have so much to look back at later in life and they will never forget what an awesome Dad you were and what an outstanding Police Officer you were. I love you sweetie. I miss you more and more as each day goes by. I wish more than anything you were still here with us.

Love Always,

Teresa Nava
Widow of Henry "Hank" Nava, Jr.

September 11, 2006

I keep your family in my prayers every day and night. My friend lives in NY and they just had 3 officers shot and 1 of them didn't make it. It made me think of you. How Teresa, Kaleigh and Justin are trying to go on with life. This officer had a small baby and I just feel for his wife as Teresa. I wish I could meet Teresa and the kids and hug them. I don't know why bad things happen to good people. I guess we'll never know. So Teresa and kids know that we all pray for youand we are all here for you to love you and support you.I hope you are ok. I read these reflections often just to see how you are. I love you and pray for you. God Bless
Love,
Sherry
[email protected]
Email me anytime you need someone to listen or pray for you.

Sherry Lynn

September 9, 2006

Hank Nava you are such a wonderful person. I read your reflections often and it makes me happy to see how many people love you and miss you. Mr Nava you are a very very wonderful person. You worked in my area to try to keep it safe..I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep your children warm with your soul and sleep tight God's Angel.

Michelle

September 7, 2006

hi hank,
how is everything up in heaven? it must be pretty cool being able to watch over everyone from up there and probally even funny at times, meaning if you saw me yesterday im sure you cracked up when i went into goodyear with a huge rip in the back of my jeans i knew nothing about! hahaha a little heads up next time! now that i think about it it could have been that breez i felt! hahaha!
we sure do miss you and we think of you often. i myself get on this site pretty much daily to read what everyone has said about you. its just so terrible and sad that this happened and it can make you crazy going what if. i really dont understand why and maybe its not meant for us to know. its just not fair. you will never be forgotten. please keep watching over all of us and keeping us safe.

mary taylor
friend

September 7, 2006

You are sad because I don't visit you in your dreams. Don't be.You are infinitely precious to me so I will not limit myself by only coming to you as you sleep.
I am with you constantly, watching over you, guiding you through each day, my hand light on your shoulder.
My heart tears apart as I watch you grieve for my loss.I will you to see me through your haze of tears.I am here at your side.I am not gone.I could never leave my very heart.
My heart swells with my pride in you as you complete another day.
I rejoice in your growing courage as you face each new challenge.
I watch our children grow under your nuturing care.I have no fear for I know I have left them in safe hands.Your hands.
I am the sudden rainbow in the sky.
The gentle breeze that springs up from nowhere to fan your soft cheek.
I was, am and always will be your love.

September 5, 2006

DEAR NAVA FAMILY,
I NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET HANK, BUT I HAVE HEARD A LT ABOUT HIM. MY DREAM IS TO ONE DAY BECOME A FORT WORTH POLICE OFFICER. MY HEART BROKE THE DAY I HEARD THE NEWS ABOUT HANK. I SPENT SIX YEARS AS AN EXPLORER WITH THE WEATHERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MY HEART ALWAYS GOES OUT TO FALLEN OFFICERS. I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR HANK AND YOU YALL AS WELL. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE ALL BEEN VERY STRONG. I PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY EVERY DAY. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US SUCH A GREAT MAN AS HANK.

WITH RESPECT,
PV2 AARON J. AUSTIN
U.S. ARMY

PV2 Aaron J. Austin
U.S. Army

September 2, 2006

REST IN PEACE OFFICER NAVA. TO HIS WIFE, STAY STRONG YOUR HUSBAND IS THERE WITH YOU EVERYDAY GUIDING YOU. HE LOVES YOU VERY MUCH AS YOU LOVE HIM. I PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN EVERYDAY.

K. MCGEE
MPD,TX

August 29, 2006

Time after time I visit this site and wonder if Ft. Worth's citizens realize what a great man they lost. I know their dept. does as I speak to several of their finest daily. Hank, you were a great friend to my family, and my dad especially and helped him through a difficult time. At the time it was just you and Teresa and I was only a snot nosed kid in High School. You let me house sit and I'm sorry I let the dog eat the couch but what could have been expected he played with padlocks after all. Some memories are forever like that one , but most important is how you were family driven and loved life. I only hope I can make my family as happy as you made yours and that my kids will one day look to me as yours did to you. I'm only happy I got to know you and see how great you were. It has been said before but I will repeat it, Heaven is truly safe with you walking its streets Hank. Rest in Peace

Sergeant B. Roach
Crowley Police Department

August 28, 2006

My Sweetie-

Today my heart is heavy for you. I was driving this evening and I kept having flash backs to Nov. 29th the day you got shot. Hearing them tell me that you were not going to make it broke my heart. Spending two days at the hospital while you just deteriorated day after day. I knew in my heart that isn't what you wanted. You died doing what you loved to do so much. You died the way you wanted to die. You always told me you wanted to die at work. Though I never imagined I would get that fateful visit or phone call I did. I can't even explain how I feel without you in my life. I am lost and most days I don't even know how I make it through the day. If it wasn't for the kids I wouldn't care. But I know I need to be here for them and help them through all of this. If it wasn't for Phyllis staying on top of me and keeping me going I don't know where I would be. Phyllis and the family are a god sent to the kids and I. I have no idea how to repay them for all they have done for us. It feels weird doing all this life stuff without you. The kids start soccer practice this week. They are back in school and everything is going good so far. They miss you, I miss you. There is not a day that goes by that I don't long for you to be here with us. If I had the choice to do anything to get you back I would in a heart beat. I wanted to grow old with you Hank. I never imagined my life turning out this way. I Love sweetheart. I miss you. Keep Heavens street safe. Save a place for me as we will meet again someday. It will be then I can hug you and tell you that I have missed you all of those years.

Love Always,

Teresa

Teresa Nava
Widow of Henry "Hank" Nava, Jr. EOW: 12-01-2005

August 21, 2006

To my friend
Hank my boy just wanted to thank you for what you have done for me. Hank you are the reason I am what I am. You took me under your wing andtought me to be the best like you. I would not have this badge on my chest had it not been for you. You are the MAN and will always be my mentor and heroe. thank you

Officer C.A. Ramirez
FWPD

August 20, 2006

Hey there Hank,

I really miss you alot. I think of you so much and especially now that 15 years later I live in Austin and Teresa in FW! I know you would be surprised to find out what my occupation is now! I saw a sign today for help needed with the Austin PD and it made me think of the times I rode out with you, you were the best and you treated every one with dignity and honesty. I was always proud to tell people we were friends and it is no surprise to me as to the number of people that honor your memory. One day we will meet again and have a good laugh and perhaps a write up or two for a promotion to head angel! Thank you for being such a good friend and at times a big brother figure. I have never and will never have such a friend like you. I thank God for letting you be here for as long as you where and for allowing you the gift to serve others as you did. You were an example for me and many others to measure our lives by.

Friends,
Sandi Martin

P.S. If you get a chance ask God for a special hug for Teresa and the kids, they could use one.

August 16, 2006

Hey Hank,
Hey it's me Crystal. I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you today. You know I don't know why this happened but I do know that you are in heaven smiling down on your family. I know they miss you very much. You were an awesome father to those kids. They were lucky to have you. Remember that nice Camaro that you had that I wanted so bad. Wow that was a nice car!! You knoiw camaros have always been my dream car. You know I'm sitting here looking at this picyure of you and I can't rememeber a time when I saw you without those sunglasses on. You know you and Theresa have always been family to me. I know that you know that, I just thought that I would remind you that you were really special to me. You know I went down a bad road in my life and I remember the night that you tried to help me. I don't if you know that my mom and dad told me that it was you that sent those two officers that night to get me out of the situation. I know that I was stubborn but I just want to tell you thank you for carring that much about me and it meant a lot. I look back now at some of the things that I did and I feel really stupid for what I did. While you were out there every day risking your life to save people I was out there running the streets messing up my life. I'm sorry Hank if I ever let you down. I have turned my life around though. You would be really proud of me. I know the last time that we say each other I was pregnant. Well I had two beautiful babies. Kalynn Nevaeh Leonard and Austin Kaden Leonard. Theresa I just want to let you know that I love you very much. You have always been nothing but gracious to me and I thank you for that. Kayleigh, Justin, I love you, too. I bet Kaleigh is growing up to be beautiful just like you Theresa. You are a strong women and remember that God will never put anything on your shoulders that you can't handle. I know that's easy to say because I wasn't put in your position but I do know that there are thousands of people praying for every day.
We love you Hank and thank you for everything that you did for us. We were lucky to have shared times in our life with you.

Crystal Leonard
Friend Of The Family

August 16, 2006

Hank-

It has now been 8 months since you left us. It does not get easier as the months go by. Sometimes I think it gets harder. The kids still miss you so much as do I. I can't imagine my life without you. You would be continually proud of your kids. They are growing up so quick. We just got back from our last trip of the summer and the kids have one week until they start school.

Hank, just always know you are in my heart forever and always. I miss you desperately. I would rather have you back than anything else in this whole wide world. I hope you realize that. There is not one day that goes by that I don't think of you. Remember that always.

Miss you sweetie!

Teresa Nava
Widow of Henry "Hank" Nava, Jr.

August 7, 2006

Hank, I only knew you briefly but you were a great guy. I keep your family in my prayers everyday. I understand the familys pain since I lost my dad in the line of duty two years ago Saturday. Its hard but God hepls me through it.

Godspeed

Officer Bryan Laurie Haltom City PD
Son of Fallen Officer Nathan Laurie

August 1, 2006

Hank, may god bless you and your family. You are greatly missed. Thanks for all your help, your kindness and your friendship. You truly are a Cop's cop.

H.J. Olmo 3077
Fort Worth Police

July 25, 2006

Hank-

I just wanted to tell you that I love you so very much. I miss you more and more as each day goes by. There is not a day that goes by that I wish you were still here with us. I know that sounds very selfish but I was not ready to loose you. I pulled out the scrapbook that I started for you back several years ago. I read the graduation card that I gave you on the night you graduated from the police academy here in Fort Worth. My words to you were please be safe my sweetie because I never want to live my life without you. Seems weird reading those words 15 years later. I never lived in fear being married to you. I always knew that you were always careful. I do often question why you didn't get the bad guy that day. I keep trying to remind myself that it was in God's plan. Even though I do not fully understand why he wanted me to be a widow at age 34 and to raise our kids on my own. I am doing it though. Somedays I might not be as good at it as the day before but I try.

Just remember I love you and I will always love you for as long as I live. Continue to put your hands upon my shoulder and give me the strength to continue to get stronger as each new day comes. I continue to do everything for you just as our wedding song stated. I am so thankful to have been married to you for 14 years of my life and even more thankful that we had two precious children that I can see so much of you in both of them and in their own ways. They continue to miss you as much as I miss you each day.

Hugs and Kisses, Kisses and Hugs,

Teresa Nava
Widow of Henry "Hank" Nava, Jr. EOW: 12-1-05

July 17, 2006

Ofc. Nava,

I have read your other reflections and its clear you were a great friend to many in your department. You served well and you will be missed. Rest with the Lord and we will all see you again sometime. We have the watch from here.

Deputy Callas
Riverside County Sheriff

July 9, 2006

Hank,
Not a day goes by without me thinking about the many calls we answered together, and when we raced cars together at Kenndale Raceway! I really miss you, Brother!

Officer R.L. Hudson #2975
Ft. Worth P.D.

July 6, 2006

Teresa, I know its not the recognition that you seek from others, but your strength shows daily when you get out of bed, feed your children, get them ready to face the day and "keep on truckin". I respect you, and you deserve happiness. You told me the other day you wish Hank would speak to you as he has others in dreams, etc. Teresa, he speaks to you daily, hourly, you just haven't "heard" him yet, he's giving you the strength to go on. Some people knew Hank, you knew him SO much better than anyone else, you knew the weaknesses, the insecurities, the "good the bad the ugly"! HA!
Take some time for yourself... Enjoy your new beautiful home, you deserve a new beginning, no matter what anyone thinks.

Julie Moore
Long time friend

July 3, 2006

Mrs Nava,
the most wonderful thing about memories are that they are portable.They do not rely on our location in the world at any given time they are always,always with us.Wrap those wonderful memories tightly around you and it does not matter where you are. Enjoy you new home for your lovely Hank will be with you still.May Our Lord Bless and Keep you,May He shine His Face upon you and be Gracious unto you.

June 26, 2006

hey Hank~

Today seem wierd we wrote a paper about capital punishment if it was righ or not and so many things went through my head! ibut anyways i hope you dont mind i wrote about you and the how you were taken from us. thats all i really write about, that and how i meant you! but i will never forget you as long ias i live. Also hank thanks for giving the advice on getting reaL help for my promble, but i wish you were here personal to help me! i love you lots hank and miss you more!! forever in my heart and soul~ love you~ Brittany

Brittany Chandler
Cousin of Hank Nava

June 20, 2006