Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sorry brother for what the corupt C.O. did to you. Bless you and your family.

Floyd Mullens/FCI El Reno, OK

March 31, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 27, 2008

Gosh Buddy,
The last couple of years have been so difficult. I'd drive past our old stomping grounds and find you everywhere! I'd think of you and cry, because I remember and because I miss you so incredibly much. But, it came to me, nope not on my own, that if I could trade places with you then I would. Because you are with HIM and I believe it's better than being here. HE asked you back and what an honour that truly is. BUT, I still miss you here.

March 25, 2008

On January 31, 2008, I was honored to receive the Buddy Sentner Award For Exceptional Dedication to Duty at the DOJ OIG Awards Ceremony in Washington DC.

Glen Fine did an extremely sincere and heartwarming presentation. He spoke about Buddy and then spoke about my corruption case at MDC Brooklyn. It was very moving and truly was an honor.

I was recognized for investigating corruption involving the beating of inmates by correctional officers and their fraudulant cover up of their illegal actions. We arrested eleven current and former officers and convicted ten, some at two lengthy trials.

During the course of this investigation, I often thought about Buddy and the sacriface he made to maintain integrity and honor within the Department of Justice. He gave his life to protect others.

For that I was honored to have been chosen to receive the Buddy Sentner Award and accepted it with pride for the work that we have accomplished and for Buddy. In a sense I wish that our investigation could have eliminated the corruption that lead to the senseless death of my coworker.

All I can hope for is that our work in the MDC Brooklyn Investigation and all of our corruption cases will prevent any future Buddy Sentner incidents.

I was also presented with a cash award which I donated to COPS in care of the Buddy Sentner Foundation. This money will be used to provide scholarships to children of fallen officers in the name of Buddy.

Keep the Faith.

Laura Riley

Laura Riley, Special Agent
DOJ OIG

February 13, 2008

Buddy,
I hope it is some comfort to know that as of January 15, 2008, all persons including the Bureau staff entering into secure Federal Bureau of Prisons Institutions are being screened to prevent another such tragedy. Your ultimate sacrafice has not gone un-noticed. Because of your unselfish dedication to serving your country and the law enforcement community, we can all feel a greater level of comfort and security as we come to work each day. It's sad to think one of our own would have decided to break the very laws we pledged to uphold. I hope the end results of that tragic day bring some comfort and a sense of closure to to you and your family. Your ultimate sacrafice will not be forgotten.

Randy
Bureau of Prisons

January 18, 2008

Bill: Wherever you are I and the family will be thinking of and the Christmas that we had together.
As of January 8th 2008 all guards in the federal system will go through metal detectors and X ray, entering and leaving a federal institution. Marry Xmas to all.
Dad

William Sentner
Father

December 13, 2007

I left a reflection the day you died and I come back often to visit this page. I still wish I could have stood by you that day, if only we had known. I introduced my two boys to you tonight (one is 8 and one is 3) and told them the story of a man who did his job to his last breath and how you sacrificed all to save many. Thanks again for your service and sacrifice William Sentner. I still pray for your family and hope your father and wife find comfort in your memory.

5020
US Marshals

December 10, 2007

I was a freshman wrestler the year after you graduated. Your teammates affectionately called you Wild Bill. Although I didn't know you personally, I remember thinking what a good guy/friend you must have been to them by the way they talked about you. Looks like you affected many that way. Continued strength and healing to your wife and family.

TM
U of M

December 5, 2007

Thanksgiving Day of days gone by. Our visit home, family and friends. Memories made I'll never forget. I'm thankful for the time we shared, the impact you had upon my life.

November 21, 2007

Buddy, we did an operation last week similar to the last one we did together. During every phase of the operation, I could not help but think of you. Man, I miss you. Time still hasn't healed all my wounds.

WMD

October 20, 2007

I visit you here all the time, I wait to read more of the things I never knew about you. I miss you, you know I do

September 25, 2007

Hey Buddy, it has been a little over a year since the tragedy of your passing. On Thursday, June 21st we hung a plaque in the lobby of our office honoring your heroism. All of our offices nationwide did the same. You are a daily inspiration to the special agents in the Los Angeles Field Office. We are all grateful to have known you and honored to have served with you. May God bless you and your wife Maria.

Special Agent Vic Bello
U.S. Department of Justice

June 23, 2007

Its been a year now Buddy and the events of that tragic day are still clear in my mind. I remember getting a phone call advising me that you had been shot. Then a few minutes later I received another phone call advising me that you had passed. My emotions were raw and untempered.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to make sense of this tragedy. Rather then assign blame for it, I have decided to come to terms with your passing. Our friendship was young, but strong. I truely cherish the conversations I had with you and the time I was lucky enough to spend with you.

I will think of you as a true warrior; but I will always miss you as my friend...

WMD

June 22, 2007

You know what you meant to so many, but I'm not sure you knew exactly what you meant to me. You gave us your heart, your love and your life. We love you, we know you are with us.

June 22, 2007

I can't believe it's been a year. You'll never be forgotten Buddy.

SA
USDOJ

June 21, 2007

Buddy,

I couldn't stop thinking about you today. I remember when I received the call a year ago today that broke my spirit. I was in Austria working a visit when a mutual friend called me from DC to break the news. I'm not afraid to tell you that I fell to my knees and had to take a few moments to collect myself. I'm sure you would have called me "weak", or something like that. It seems like just yesterday we were running the streets of Phoenix and locking up bad guys. I really miss calling you and catching up. You are truly missed my friend and I know you are watching over us. Thanks for all of your words of wisdom over the years.

JT

SA John Thurling
USSS

June 21, 2007

The one year anniversary has arrived of your being called away from duty. I thank you for such a long and honorable career in law enforcement. My thoughts go out to all of your loved ones, especially your parents for I know the pain they live with every day and the many frustrations they have because of all the bureaucrats as I have experienced the same dealing with a large city. At times you wonder if they really care because all of their lives go on as they did before, but ours have been changed forever. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones, protect them from harm and help them with their grief. You are a true hero and heroes never died.

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

June 21, 2007

ONE YEAR TODAY SPECIAL AGENT SENTNER. WE REMEMBER, AND CONTINUE OUR PRAYERS FOR YOUR FAMILY. YOUR DAD, BLESS HIS HEART, IS STILL FIGHTING TO RIGHT THE WRONGS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR DEATH. HE WILL PREVAIL, SO AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN. YOUR DEATH, WHILE TRAGIC, WILL SAVE LIVES. FOR THAT WE HONOR YOUR SACRIFICE. SUCH A SHAME THAT YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE IN ORDER FOR CHANGE TO OCCCUR. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

SPECIAL AGENT SENTNER, NEVER FORGOTTEN.

JIM SWEENEY CIVILIAN NEW JERSEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

June 21, 2007

One year ago today. What a horrible phone call we received - what incredible sorrow for Maria to bear. We think of Buddy often and pray that Maria's strength will prevail.

We miss you - the girls miss you, Uncle Buddy.

Bill - Captain of Police - Retired
Close friend

June 21, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Special Agent Sentner III on the anniversary of his passing. Heros are never forgotten.

The memory of a good person is a blessing Proverb 10:7

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

June 21, 2007

He He bless you and all who serve and protect us.

June 21, 2007

Happy Birthday Buddy. Thought about you all day. You are our angel.

June 3, 2007

I thought about you today...birthdays we shared. I celebrate yours today. I'll always have the memories they brought. Happy Birthday!

May 30, 2007

To the person who left the reflection of those who need to let go of anger and hate. Such strong words, yet they are just as true and powerful as happiness and love. All these emotions co-exist and are all feelings that play out during the course of trying to make sense of his death. But it was senseless, his death was SENSELESS. Now, in the aftermath as we all try and go on, not feel guilty or regretful, cope with the loss and missed opportunities to share and take back, understand we all need to see how his death effected change. Oh wait, there has not been any changes made, so now his death was not only senseless, but the message sent to all is that it was pointless. Anger and Hate, you learn to keep in check for his sake, for his memory. But don't confuse anger and hate with passion and the pursuit of fighting to make things right, to honor his death not just by memorializing him, but by making a change and doing right for what has been wronged. Don't misconstrue our emotions because we still believe in holding on to try make a change, who fight everyday relentlessly, and remind you everyday that we will not forget what you want us to let go.

A Special Agent on a Mission

May 8, 2007

Well son, it's been almost a year. You have received many awards for your heroism.

The FBI and OIG have honored you, but have yet to release to me the OPS plan or a copy of the incendent report. They are stonewalling, what happened.

Nothing has been done by the FBI, OIG,and BOP to correct the exposure of other agents. Guess it takes more then one killing to get them to act.

OIG went on record that prison officers should be screened when entering and leaving the federal prisons. This has not happened even after your death, Your death could have been prevented, had the screens taken place as the rules state.

One point for the scum bags and 0 points for the poor agents. F for our leaders that lack balls to protect their own agents.

I love you son and miss you more then you know. I will not give up the fight to right a wrong. We owe you that much.

William Sentner Sr. Dad

William Sentner
Father

April 30, 2007