Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 15, 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

December 14, 2007

An Angel In Heaven


There's an Angel in Heaven
And his name is John,
A life lived well
Grace did he bestow.

Too soon cut down
No rest in arm,
He filled our life
With love and charm.

With a gentle smile
He blessed us all,
A rugged Prince
Protecting us all.

Full of life
Our loving friend,
Whose spirit shall
Beyond earth transcend.

Though gone away
He's not gone far,
God just gave us all
A brand new Star.

When lonely tears course
Look to heavens high,
His love is there
To dry those tears you cry.

Felt in the breeze
That would gently caress,
His tender kiss
Lovingly blessed.

Reaching out from above
Down through glory's light
His love surrounds us
Our faith to ignite.

Take heart all
Who loved him so,
There's an angel in Heaven
And his name is John.

Dragonfly kisses from us all
my love- in our hearts is where you shall forever remain. xoxo

Pam Lillard
girlfriend

January 25, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this first anniversary of your end of watch. You are thought of every hour of every day by those that love you. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

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

January 23, 2007

My husband works on the special task force in our state and trains with them daily. Upon reading your story I had him checked out because he was having problems breathing. He had an 80% blockage and required surgery. Thank you for saving my husband. He was a heart attack waiting to happen at only 34yrs old. I ask that all police officers young and old get regular check ups. You are all under a ton of stress on a daily basis and need to remember to take care of not only the outside(muscles etc) but your insides(heart especially) too. Thanks again.

wife of a deputy

January 23, 2007

Detective Piskator your first birthday in Heaven, your family and department will miss you everyday, but we will never forget the sacrifice you made. You are a true hero, I'm always looking up, because I know all of you are looking down on everyone.
Thank You Detective Piskator, and have a GRAND FIRST BIRTHDAY in HEAVEN.

Connie Barker Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04 Prattville, Al

January 23, 2007

John I can't believe its been a year. Not a day goes by where I don't miss you and think about what a great friend and person you were. I'm still not sure why you sought me out me as a friend when you first came to Key West but I am glad you did. Alot of people use the words Honor, loyalty, Integerty, but you lived by them. You don't have to worry about Nate, Pam and your Brothers, and Bobcat and I are making sure he's doing ok. Once again thank you for being a friend all those times. I know god has to have a special place for people like you and I know that you are there right know. Your friend always Shaggy

Shaggy/TSgt Scott Roberts
Friend/US Air Force Reserve

January 23, 2007

You and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers as the first anniversary of your EOW approaches. Please know that your sacrifice has not been forgotten and you will always be remembered as a hero.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

January 12, 2007

NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 9, 2007

dear Nathan,Family & Friends of DET. PISKATOR, may if give you comfort in knowing your loved one has not been forgotten. he will live forever in our heart and memories. Nathan, try to be strong,and know that your DAD was a HERO. always make you Dad proud. although you cannot see him, he is ever present beside you. we don't always understand Nathan, but i want you to know i am thankful for the men and women like your Dad who made the street safer for us. My grandson lost his step-dad when he was 11. so i want you to know if i can be here for you in some way, just go to the odmp to Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hewitt EOW 04-04-04 and let me know. sending love and prayers to you, carolyn moore ashevill,n.c.

caroly moore

October 25, 2006

John,

It has been 9 months since your passing and I have finally come to leave some words. We spent a lot of time together after you were promoted to detective, to take over my job. There are no words I can say to describe the amazing person you were. I am happy to have served with you and enjoyed the laughs we shared. You left me something very important with your passing. I now know that we all should live out our dreams and make the best out of what we have. We never know when our time may unexpectedly pass. You have helped inspire me to live my dream in military special operations. 6 months after your passing I was a member of the Army. I will not fail in my dreams. I am happy to have known you.

Dan Allen

DANIEL ALLEN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

September 16, 2006

Sir, I honor your service and your sacrifice. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9.

Daniel
Citizen

August 29, 2006

Maybe it was all his military training, or maybe it just came natural, but John had real leadership abilities. He inspired all those who worked "along side" of him. He provided real examples of how things should be done and did them. John always acknowledged and respected others he worked with and in return elicited their full support. I am saddened that his son will miss such a wonderful father in his critical years and that his community is deprived of an exemplary citizen. Let there be some solace in his passing that he has significantly touched so many lives of those who knew him. Rest in Peace John.

Mark Kastelic
formerly applied materials

August 16, 2006

Peace be with you always...

Mrs. Natalie Jensen
wife of fallen officer, Detective Jared Jensen EOW 2/22/06

July 14, 2006

I Wish To Share The Special Imprint John has left on my son Lucas who turns "5" next week- To Nathan and the entire Piskator Family- we are still reminded daily just how special a man John was! Last night Lucas got really mad at me, because I held my ground and wouldn’t let him watch Johnny Quest, he told me “FINE, I will go live with John” of course I had to take a double take and question him, and he said John in Key West. I will stay with him and Bruder,it was so innocent, honest and true. Funny when you realize the influence someone has.., I then tried to explain that he wasn’t here anymore, that he went to live with God.., so then he Tells me, Good I can go visit both of them. With all our love Patti & Lucas

Patti Godwin & Lucas Rosier
friend

May 3, 2006

I'm am so saddened in just learning about John's passing. It's an inspiration to read about all the great professional perspectives (law enforecement, military and business) that everyone has of John. And although I also worked with John at Applied Materials in Silicon Valley and have the utmost respect for his valuable professional accomplishments, I will most remember the team we put together to race the Baja 2000 off road race in Mexico. That extended time gave me the opportunity to know John on a more personal level and come to realize that he was a truly remarkable human being with the utmost integrity and kindness. It was at that time he told me of his intention to move to Key West. I'm glad to know that he was doing his dream. The world has lost an inimitable and spirit. At least we can know that the world is a better place with John having left his footprints here. My sincere condolences to John's family.

George Goss
Formerly Applied Materials

April 23, 2006

Forever young, forever missed...

Kathleen
Alabama C.O.P.S.

April 7, 2006

In my three years that I reported you you were always a great leader and a close friend.Rest in peace

shrinivas shetty
fomerly applied mterials

March 9, 2006

John, I always enjoyed working with you at Applied and I was sad to see you leave the company. It looks like you found the job you loved and that it was a true calling. You were a good man and I had the highest respect for you. We will keep you and your family in our prayers, RIP, John.

Jim Hester
Applied Materials

March 8, 2006

With deepest regards and sympathy. Thank you for watching over those on the streets. It is our watch now.

Lexington Division of Police Recruit Class 22006.

Recruit McClanahan
Lexington Division of Police

March 3, 2006

Always in our hearts and dreams baby..continue your watch of keeping us safe, and know we will do our part by staying strong and keeping all the happy memories alive, even on the most difficult of days. Love always your Pam xo

Pj

February 23, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. You have made the ultimate sacrifice. It is your turn to walk the streets of heaven beside god my brother. Rest in peace. We have the watch now.

S.C.O. Thomas J. Wilson # 1369
N.J.D.O.C.

February 21, 2006

To the son, family and friends of Detective John Piskator and his fellow officers with the Key West Police Dept:

On behalf of our entire family, I extend our sincerest condolences for the grievous loss you suffered when Detective Piskator tragically lost his life in the line of duty. His dedication will be forever remembered.

May you be comforted and supported by your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. There are many who share this painful journey with you who will be by your side.

In reading the reflections about John, it was obvioius he had a profound impact on those whose lives he touched.
We all have music in our souls and when we leave this earth, it should be with us having played our music. John, your song is and forever will be heard.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service John gave to his country through his military service, and to his community and the citizens of Florida as a peace officer, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 23, 2006.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD. eow 4/24/05

February 20, 2006

See you at the final roll call.

You will not be forgotten.

Ofc. R Amore
Wayne PD, MI

February 10, 2006

My heart goes out to each and every member of John's famliy. It is so hard to loose someone so young, and so active. Hard to believe that the heart can just give out like that. It is shocking. We lost Drew last year, he was 33. He had run the Marine Corps Marathon twice. Went through all the rigorous training of the Police Academy, and spent many nights in a foot pursuit. I guess it was just one too many for his heart. The months that lie ahead will go by fast. Before you know it you will be facing the one year anniversary, as we are about to. To the department, don't forget the family. You may not know what to say or what to do, but just being there makes all the difference. I have moved to FL now, and I still here from the guys in VA, and it matters! To the family, be strong, be proud. It won't be easy, but it will get easier. I will think of you all, as I do all the families. All my love and prayers,
Chrissy, wife of William "Drew" Henley, EOW 3/19/05, Suffolk Police Dept, VA

chrissy henley

February 10, 2006