Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Dave,It's been a little bit since you passed away and I still can't believe it. I remember the last time I talked to you was at STARS Ctr in December 2005. We talked about getting together and training like we used to at IRC (you, me, DT, Sean, and Mashiko). I remember how you used to take us to school with your wrestling take-downs. I also remember the hard runs you'd take Casillas, DT, Escobar,and I on. We always struggled to keep up with you but you made us better runners.I remember the trips we took to Vegas and Laughlin with the boys (Risiglione, Yamasaki,and Gutierrez). It seems just like yesterday. Watch over us bro and keep us safe.

Officer Ruvalcaba LAPD Newton Div
Former LASD Deputy

August 24, 2008

Dave, we still think about you.

Compton School Police

August 21, 2008

Hey Piquette, been thinkin about you a whole bunch. Miss you tons and hope your wife and kids are doing well. Watch over us!!!!

Friend
Class 294

August 20, 2008

Hi David,Lately I can't sleep. All night long I've been thinking of you, too much. Miss you a bunch. Just let you know mom and whole family loves you always.
- Mom

Lan Piquette
Mom

August 19, 2008

David;
I never had the honor and privilege of meeting you in person. Unfortunately for me, our lives touched by coincidence after the accident that took your life. However, from my time spent with your loving family, friends, and co-officers, I not only feel I know you, but that you are a man I would have liked and admired greatly.
My heart is heavy for your heartbroken wife Shawna and your children Jordan and Justin. Just looking at the great loss echoed in the eyes of your loved ones is painful to witness.
Your parents and Shawna’s parents are the soul of this country, the country you willingly defended in the Corps and gave your life for in the L.A. Sheriff’s Department.
If my part in this criminal process helped in any way to bring about some closure and peace at any level to your family and your many friends, then it was my honor to do so.
Due to a conflict in scheduling, I was unable to attend the sentencing of the animal that caused this horrible incident. I hope with all my heart he dies in prison. That he will never be given the chance to hurt or destroy the lives of another family. The irony in all of this is he is one of the animals we both served to protect during our time in the Corps. and you and your fellow officers in the sheriff department protect every day.
My wife and I told your family that we are connected forever because of this tragedy.
It was not a statement made in a moment of grief, but more of a pledge.
Your mother, Shawna, her parents, Jordan, Justin, and the rest of the family will be in our thoughts and prayers always.
David, you know the saying in the Corps, “When a Marine dies he will go to heaven because he has served his time in hell”. I have no doubt that I will meet you in that place someday.
Semper Fi

Dan Lay
7-18-2008

Dan Lay
Concerned citizen

July 18, 2008

David,

July 11, 2008 was a bitter sweet day. It was the day of the sentencing of your killer. It was to be the last time my eyes would wonder over to Cole Wilkins in court. I ask myself, how can a man be so evil? How can a man have no remorse in so many things he has done? How could a boy hold a knife to his own mothers throat at such a young age? How could a man rap and stab a women who was left to die? How could a man rob an innocent man and put him in the trunk of his own car at gunpoint? The list goes on and on. His selfish act of commiting a felony would end up with first degree murder, putting him in prison for the next 25 years to life. The jury never knew any of his previous charges. They convicted him only on dropping his stolen goods on the freeway during the act of a felony. Because of Cole Wilkins greed, stealing a house full of appliances on that early morning of July 7, 2006 he caused your accident and ended your life. My son David, I do believe God's plan was to end Cole Wilkins crimes by this horrific accident and put him in prison for the rest of his miserable life. May he pray for forgiveness because he will now be living hell on earth in jail. May he never forget why his life of freedom came to an end. It wasn't even a gun that ended your life, it was much bigger than that. It was a "smok'n stove".

You would have been so proud of your mother, father and Shawna pleading to the judge for the fullest sentencing allowed by the law. Your mom spoke in her soft voice while crying as she told the judge there is not a minute that goes by without here thinking of you and how you would call her everyday on your way to work. Your dad then spoke. He spoke very highly of his son. It was brief and to the point. Shawna spoke next. Greg and I stood by her side with pride. It was then I felt your presence. Words poured out of her mouth as tears fell down her face. There wasn't a dry eye in the court room. She once again told the world how much she loved you and how could she possibly go on to a future without you. She asked Judge Toohey, "How does a mom tell her 5 year old twins that your daddy is in heaven and he's not coming back." Every night Justin and Jordan cry for you in their prayers. They also want the "bad" guy to not be a "bad" guy anymore. Day after day, Greg and I are with them. Two years later, the pain has not left anyone. I feel Shawna's pain more at the end of the day when night falls. Your bed is often filled with the three of them as the twins clutch onto mommy so she won't leave them too. The nights are still filled of dreams, nightmares and screams of you. You are so missed by them. After two years, you can rest in peace. Justice has been served at the fullest. Thank you to Dan Lai for tracking down your killer, to Mike Murray for putting his heart into this case, to the jury that made the right decision in only 90 minutes time and to Judge Toohey that made this world a safer place.

We love you David

Love, Mom (mother-in-law)

Rest In Peace

Betty Butler
Mother-in-law of David

July 16, 2008

HI DAVE ITS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE YOU LEFT US. FRIDAY JULY 11 THEY GAVE YOUR KILLER 26 YEARS TO LIFE. I KNOW U ARE HAPPY THAT JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED. IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE, I WAS VERY NERVOUS AND EMOTIONAL. EVEN KNOW YOU ARE IN HEAVEN YOU ARE STILL TAKING BAD GUYS TO JAIL. OUR WHOLE FAMILY MISSES YOU SO MUCH DAVID. PLEASE WATCH OVER OUR FAMILY AND KEEP US SAFE.

LOVE MOM :)

LAN PIQUETTE
MOM

July 13, 2008

Just thinking of you David. We miss you so much. Hard to believe it has been 2 years already. Continue to watch over us.

Lisa McMahon
Friend

July 7, 2008

Today I read the reflections left for your precious David and know that even as time moves on the pain and disbelief never leaves. Tears came as I read the writing from his son and daughter.....I can see the love that just shines from his picture. To his wife and mother, I'm so sorry for your trememdous loss of living this life without David. I'm proud my son was a part of this great thin blue line.

Linda Rittenhouse,Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/2004

July 7, 2008

I cannot believe it has been TWO YEARS now since I rec'd that horrific phone call that changed all of our lives. Like so many times since you left us, I am at a loss for words. There is an emptiness that cannot be filled... An ache that cannot be soothed... It can be so overwhelming at times, but nobody has it as difficult as your family does. It is day by day, hour by hour, and esp for Justin and Jordie, minute by minute. They are strong and tender just like you Dave, they are doing their best-just like you taught them to. Shawna is keeping your amazing legacy alive! I marvel at her love and dedication.

Friday is the sentencing and I am hopeful that Cole Wilkins will be sent away for life. I pray and pray that he will not ever be up for parole!!!! I know it is a long shot, but I am an optomist. Your family needs to know that he can never hurt them again, or anyone else for that matter.
Your presence is felt in so many different ways and on many different levels. Please continue to protect your family from Heaven as we comfort them here on earth. You are deeply missed my friend!

Kellie
Friend

July 7, 2008

I have been thinking about you alot. I remember all the good times we had together and all the things we used to talk about. I remember our rides home from work we would be so tired. You used to tell me when we would finally get home "seeing where our families live makes it all worth it." God Bless you Dave..I miss you everyday.

pat

June 23, 2008

A LETTER FROM DAVID'S 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER...

Dear Daddy,
Happy Fathers Day Daddy. You are in my heart. I'll give you alot of presents on Fathers Day when I die but it will be a long time. I see lots and lots of pretty clouds and Jesus heart for Fathers Day. I am 5 years old daddy. My brother is 5 also. Jesus I wish I had a alien watch and I wish I can ride with Santa and the reindeers.

Love Jordan

Jordan Piquette
daughter of David

June 15, 2008

A LETTER FROM DAVID'S 5 YEAR OLD SON...

Dear Dad,
I love you so much. I miss you, I scream in my pillow. I always go outside and watch the stars so I can see you. He always goes swimming and does a cannonball for me. Happy Fathers Day daddy.

Love Justin

Justin Piquette
son of David Piquette

June 15, 2008

I was so glad to have read that the SOB was convicted. Justice has been served and hopefully this brings some closure to those who loved you. I know you're watching over us, especially your mom. She invited me to visit your memorial at the academy-WOW!! She has landscaped your memorial site with an incredible amount of flowers and plants. It's the only area with color in the entire academy. She misses you so much and it's was nice to see that she finds comfort in visiting the academy every Monday. Your co-workers and friends give her a lot of comfort. She was proud to show off your office, your pictures, the banner that is hung behind the stage where you used to teach, the photo album she put together for everyone to view, and the post right outside your office where you used to wait for her when she visited you.

Rich is following in your footsteps. Your parents are so proud of the man he has become and the responsibilities he has accepted. You taught him well. He loves you and misses so much and is paying tribute to you by continuing your dreams. I know you're by his side each day, walking him through his daily grinds.

Thank you for being a friend, a soldier, a protector, and our hero. You are missed.

SOS
Friend

June 4, 2008

Your mom, dad, and I were talking this evening and you have to know how much you are missed and loved Dave. They are so proud of you and speak so highly of you. I know you can see your brother Richie and how far he has come with his own police enforcement career - and how proud you must be of him, and with Lisa and her family. Keep an eye out over your kids and family - your tour of duty hasn't quite ended yet - they still need you watching over them!!!

Andrew J. SanAgustin

June 3, 2008

I miss you friend so much!!! I miss you telling stories and you making everything difficult seem so easy..I remember us always calling each other on our birthday's each year, to find each of us complaing because we were working on our birthdays....my birthday being on Christmas and yours on New Yeards Eve!!!

I never thought you would disappear the way you did...I feel guilty for not answering your call to wish me a happy 4th of July...You left a message and sounded so happy to be with your family... Me I was too busy getting ready to go on a trip and didn't call you back... and then I returned to hear the devastating news.

Sorry friend....keep watching over all of us!!!

You presence is really missed!!!!

May 24, 2008

DAVE MY CLASS 371 JUST DID OUR COLORS RUN.I WISH YOU WERE HERE MISS YOU ALOT.YOU ARE ALWAYS ON MY MIND BRO.

RICH PIQUETTE
BROTHER

May 23, 2008

An old family friend who was taken away far too soon. Your memory lives on with your family and friends, especialy in your parents Bill and Lan, and your siblings Lisa and Richie.

Andrew J. SanAgustin

May 23, 2008

FOR READERS INFORMATION:

The following is a press release from the Orange County District Attorney's Office:

MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ON 91 FREEWAY WHILE TRANSPORTING STOLEN STOVE

SANTA ANA- A Long Beach man was convicted today of murdering an on-duty Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy by causing a car crash while transporting a stolen stove on the 91 Freeway. Cole Allen Wilkins, 32, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder with a 2002 prior prison conviction for failing to register as a sex offender. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison at his sentencing on July 11, 2008 at 9:00am. in the Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Early in the morning on July 7,2006, Wilkins stole a shipment of appliances that had been delivered to a home that was under construction in Riverside County. In his haste to flee the scene, the defendant failed to secure the stolen appliances and left the tailgate of his pick-up truck down. While in the commission of stealing the appliance, Wilkins was driving on the 91 Freeway in Anaheim and allowed a full sized stove to fall from his truck onto the freeway. He refused to stop after knowing that the stolen stove had blocked the freeway lanes, sped away, and failed to return to the crash scene.

At about 5a.m., several people driving just West of Tustin Avenue on the 91 Freeway called 9-1-1 about a stove obstructing the Westbound #1 lane. A few minutes later, Deputy David Piquette was forced to suddenly swerve in his unmarked County vehicle to avoid hitting the stove. As, a result, the victim collided with a Mac cement truck, killing Deputy Piquette. The victim was a 10-year veteran of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and is survived by his wife and 5-year-old twins.

Wilkins was identified following an investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Wilkins lied about his true name to avoid being identified as the owner of the truck.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Murray of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

May 23, 2008

David, Just A little note to let you know I'm thinking of you. I have been at your sister Lisa's house for three days to watch Leah, Liam, and Kaitlyn while her and Bill our in Hawaii for work. I look at picture of you with your two nieces and your nephew. It is beautiful. I ran into Debbie at Star Center and she said that we are having a memorial run for you on May 28th. Our family so proud that your legend keep carries on today. I miss and love you.

Lan Piquette
Mom

May 20, 2008

I was at STARS Center yesterday for the Bench Press Contest. When it was over, we wanted to take our photos by the Memorial Wall. This is the first time I've seen your beautiful memorial, and now I know where your mom tends the flowers. It is a beautiful tribute to you, and many people pass by it every day. May it remind everyone of the goodness of you, and what you stood for. You are a hero, now and forever.
God Bless you Deputy David Stan Piquette, we will never forget you! We will honor you next weekend for the Annual Memorial Run!

Debbie
LASD Deputy

May 18, 2008

As you know there is not a second that goes by that you are not in my thoughts David.
Yes justice has been served but you not here with the family to be loved by mom or dad and your family seems all i can do is to think of you and cry my heart out. Richard, your brother is almost done with training, so please look down on him while he finishes the training and becomes a deputy.

Lan Piquette
Mom

Lan Piquette
Mom

May 18, 2008

David, You would have been proud of Shawna the last two and a half weeks. Greg and I have not been far from her side. We drove every day to the court together and we all felt your presence. Shawna sat so proudly as the D.A. Mike Murray started your case. Tears came down her face when your name was read out loud. "Mr.David Piquette". I cried, knowing her pain as only a Mother could. It was the start of the long hard days to come. You would have liked this D.A. He was soft spoken but yet stearn. He went over the facts of the case concisely. He discussed the law in understandable terms. In the end, the Jury came in with the Guilty verdict in less than an hour and a half. There were many heros, Dan Lay the good semeritian who chased Wilkens down. Without him, there would be no case. We would never have met Mike Murray the best in the world in our eyes. We also will never forget the woman that put her heart out for Shawna and the family and friends, Minerva, how can we ever thank her enough for the comfort she provided as the victim's advocate. Bob Sayne, the investigator whose smile was ever present and his efforts in the investigation that lasted nearly two years. When "Guilty" of first degree murder was read, we all shed bitter-sweet tears. Thanks also to Judge Bob Toohey for his guidence in the procedings. Its now over, time for healing and some happy tears for the family. Shawna, Justin, and Jordan have such sweet memories of you. They always end the day by talking to you and praying to you and Jesus..It is a very special time, they hold your picture and kiss you good nite every nite. When Shawna walked out of the courtroom, all of the jurors were waiting for her. Some shed tears, some just looked, and some asked about the twins. Mike Murray said he had never seen this in all his time as a prosecuter. It was a very touching moment. I even heard some say they would return for support at the sentenceing July 11. That will be two years to the day Wilkens was arrested. May You Rest in Peace David; Love Mom and Dad

Betty andGreg Butler
Mother/Father in-law

May 8, 2008

David,
After meeting your family and seeing a picture of you and your dear wife and children, I was able to read your life story. Thank you for serving our country as a marine and officer. I too served on the jury trial. Your family has my life commintment to help in any way make sure that Cole serves every day in jail that the judge sentences him.

God bless,
Juror 104

Juror 104
Juror on trial

May 7, 2008

I WAS JUROR #9 AT THE TRIAL FOR DAVID PIQUETTE, AND I UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO LOSE SOMEONE YOU LOVE SO VERY MUCH, SO UNEXPLECTED. I WANTED TO WRITE AND LET YOU KNOW THAT IT IS SO VERY HARD TO GET CLOSURE, BUT I HOPE THAT I AS WELL AS THE OTHER JUROR'S HAVE GIVEN YOUR FAMILY A LITTLE PEACE AND COMFORT TO MOVE ON FOR A BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL FUTURE.

SINCERELY,
DANIELLA J. PROVERA

DANIELLA J. PROVERA
JUROR #9

May 6, 2008