Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Nick:

I know your up there working hard, as you did on the street. I was putting together the up and coming thanksgiving lunch for Canon Kip and I remembered when I saw you coming down the hall, on your way to court, I could only see that smile, (can't see that far, old age)but you stopped to talk as always, you wanted to make sure you were on my list to help at the lunch, well my friend the old soldiers there would have talked your ears off, and they would have told you storys about the Philippines and WW2. As I get close to retirement, You were one of the young Officers who was going to take over and keep the city safe!! There were only 4 or 5 Flips when I came in and now there are over 100. Now you have to watch over the new kids and keep them safe, your know just a little word in their ear HAHA. Well my friend take care, REST IN PEACE (DUTY, HONOR,COURAGE) and my deepest empathy and condolences to the family, He was a great guy, good friend, and one special Police Officer

SGT/INSP Richard Alves
San Francisco Police Dept. SID

October 13, 2006

What a loss, such a waste. Thanks law enforcement for what ya'll do.

Ron, Citizen
Alvarado, TX

October 13, 2006

Hi Nick,

The girls (YOUR gym girls) came over the house this past weekend. We finally finished it. I was telling them all how you and Dave dropped the couch cushion in the middle of the street and I found it as I was turning the corner and I picked it up. I told them about the dresser and how you were so careful not to ding it but when Dave did-you were a little tattle-tail and told me! Ha ha. So funny. Thanks again for helping us out. I wish you could see it.

We were talking about what you might wear-how you might bust out in some Gucci or something. Holly was so funny-we were playing games and I was reminded of how similar the 2 of you are! Silly and funny.

Love you lots Nick! Miss you!

Fiona

October 12, 2006

Hey Nick,
I have had a pretty rough week and feel selfish because I miss you the most when I need you the most. I have not been by to visit you lately because I have been filled with a lot of emotion lately. But I need to go because I promised Marco he could put a heart when your headstone was complete. But even though I have not gone you are always in my thoughts and I talk to you all the time. Patty helped me the other day..I really needed to talk. And today I managed to laugh about you because I have yet another connection with you. A fellow officer's son is now one of my students! We talked about you for a while and it made me feel good. I miss you a lot.

Claudia
friend

October 11, 2006

Hey Nick,
You have been on my mind lately. Couple of night ago, Christine and I stayed late and got to work with the midnight crew again. It was nice to work with them for awhile. I was looking for you Nick.

Every night when I get dressed for work, I pray and ask that you watch over all of us while on patrol. I have that picture of us at the Sac Memorial taped to my locker. When I showed it to one of your relatives, they mentioned that we looked alike. I don't know if that was a slam on you but I took it as a compliment to me. Both of us smiling from ear to ear.

I came across your Homily that the Cardinal spoke at your mass. It was a good eulogy. I want to leave it here as a constant reminder to say thanks for your friendship and commraderie:

"....Ours is an ironic, sometimes even cynical age, and we often find a way to
undercut every value, to debase every hero, to ridicule every ideal. But
quietly, with no fuss, some men and women go on defending us, protecting
us, rescuing us from ourselves and from each other. These folks make few
headlines, and they can’t be found in the pages of People magazine. Like
teachers and nurses, they are not famous, just generous and brave and
essential. For these public servants, in the police and fire departments, there
is an added feature: over and over again they risk their lives for us. It’s a
shame that we wait until an occasion like this to stop and say thank you. But
it would be a far greater shame not to say it now: This morning we give
thanks to and for Nick Birco, and we give thanks to and for every officer
who serves us. "

Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department - Bayview District

October 10, 2006

Birco!

The guys at work Friday told me that your headstone was up and it was beautiful. I couldn't stand there and listen, let alone say anything...I walked away. I sat in the lunchroom later that morning and cried, one of our officers had a Hawaiian pizza and I just couldn't get you out of my mind- how you once offered to take the pineapple off the pizza cuz I didn't like it. I look at the picture of us I keep in my locker every night before shift and I'm happy to know we had good times working together, they definitely trumped the negativity on the streets. I know your famous quotes verbatim, and I can still hear your laugh and when you walk into a room...we won't forget. Love you, our brother...
Claudia, thanks for talking last night, something about this week has been tough. Birco family, we will never forget and we share Nick's memory always, he IS a blessing.

patty b., usmc
sfpd, bayview mids

October 8, 2006

DUTY, HONOR, COURAGE. My God bless PO. Tomasito Birco and all my brother Officers in the SFPD who have given their lives in the performance of Duty. May they Rest in Peace.

Detective William A. Lutz
NYPD(Retired)

October 6, 2006

NICK BIRCO, not only did you protect and serve your country, but you attempted to protect the city where you sacrificed all. May the leaders and media in your city heal from the pain they have caused and GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY and YOUR soul in heaven. May the judicial system in this country someday improve to protect those who protect and serve others selflessly as you did. You were a wolf, and your sheep are missing you now.

Det Cyndi Stetson- retired
San Diego P.D.

October 3, 2006

To Officer Birco and the Birco family,

I just recieved an email of a press release given by the President of the San Francisco Police Officers Association. I was very impressed how he went to bat for you. I am not sure if he has tracked down any of the judges who let this "piece of garbage" stay out on the street, but I know he will not just let this go.
Officer Birco you served the State of California and our Country well, rest in peace we have the fight. I pray your family will find peace as each day passes. God Speed Officer Birco.

Capt.David Platt
Payette Police Idaho

October 3, 2006

I too have lost a friend to them, I pray for you, watch over us, we will all see you soon. Thank you for your dedication, we won't let you down. 23 years, 10 to go...

S/Cst les bencsik
Calgary Transit (rail police)

October 2, 2006

To the family: He is not gone.He is always watching over you.When the wind hits your face it is Nick rubbing your cheek.When you remember the past with him and a smile comes across your face,he is reminding you he is still with you.God made him a angel to watch over you.

Janice Martin
New Orleans,La.

September 30, 2006

Nick Birco,

Thank you for your years of protection and service not only to the citizens of San Francisco, but your country. And with deepest empathy and condolences to your Family for their loss. We understand what's on the line every day when we put on the uniform and badge and willingly accept the challenge to do the job, but only a few of us are called by GOD to pay that great of sacrifice. God bless you and keep you in his arms forever.

Your Fellow Brother In Law Enforcement

Retired
Texas Peace Officer

September 28, 2006

What a beautiful face. And what a biography. America remains secure because there are other beautiful young people like this who are willing to accept the responsibility and pay the price. They know what faces them when they receive the badge. The Lord is good. Very good.

Don Coder
University teacher in China.

September 26, 2006

I received an e-mail with the SFPOA President responding to the incredible response by the media to this tragedy. I appreciate his boldness to avoid "political correctness" and state the truth about media coverage and judical errors in judgement. I am just sorry it took the loss of this young officer to bring it to the attention of many.

My condolences to his family. My thanks to all officers who serve with honor & integrity.

Sincerely,
Haze Kompelien
Las Vegas, Nevada

Haze Kompelien, grateful civillian

September 24, 2006

Rest easy brother, your work is done. We will never forget you.

Semper Fidelis

Patrolman Ronald P. Santa
Indianapolis Police Department

September 23, 2006

The Birco family is in my family's thoughts and prayers. May Nick rest in peace.

Dan Dunahue
Denver Police Dept

September 22, 2006

An officer in the line of duty, who died, protecting people who have little idea what his daily life consisted of, much less who he was as a person dies, the word for this is tragedy. May God carry his family through the sorrows of this dark event, along with his brothers in the PD. God rest your soul, for your work here is done, and may the peace your heart knows now, fill the hearts of those who mourn you. God rest brother.

Caleb Deck, KSEMT-I/D, NREMT-B
EMS

September 22, 2006

Another fine example of a sheepdog paying the ultimate sacrifice to protect his flock from the wolves. I hope the citizens of San Fran understand and appreciate the level of commitment and loyalty officers have for their city.

Rest in Peace, brother.

Sgt. Mike Reichardt
Denver Police Department

September 21, 2006

God Bless You, Nick, and your family. You made the ultimate sacrifice, and may you rest in peace.

Patrolman Matthew D. Leddy
Columbia (PA) Police Department

September 21, 2006

To Officer Birco's family and friends,

I know you must be going through a great deal of pain. We will be praying for you and your family. God bless!

Sgt. Rob Turner
Coeur d'Alene Police Department

September 20, 2006

I just received the email of your SFPD POA President speaking on bahalf of your department and supporting Officer Birco's pursuit.
Media, Supervisors, Council Members, General Public are quick to criticize police actions, yet are the first to complain when we don't act/react quickly enough. I liked his solution of staying in the station until something happens. Very few pursuits, however very few suspect caught, which translates into a higher crime rate.
Put these critics in a patrol car with a vest on. Let's see how they act when they're supposed to run TOWARD danger, not AWAY from it!
God Bless the Birco family and his extended SFPD family. May he rest in peace.

Debbie, Deputy
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

September 20, 2006

Hey Nick,
I was feeling kind of down on Saturday and something happened that just lifted my spirits. I keep thinking it had to be you. I celebrated my sons birthday. You were missing, but at the same time I could feel you were there. There were things that happened in class that I wish you were there to see because I can imagine so vividly how you would react and what you would say. But from up there you can see everything. So you must have gotten a kick out of the ice cream incident. Hah. I can hear you laughing. I miss you and your laugh. Love u!

Claudia U.
friend

September 20, 2006

Birco!

I had my 30th. last week, and I didn't know how to be thankful for reaching this point after losing you and Zak. It was a simple and humble day, and I was glad to have spent it with our midnite watch, my brothers. Remember, if one goes, we all go. Semper fi, love and miss you much! PB

patty b.
sfpd, bayview mids

September 19, 2006

IT WASN'T OUR CHIEF, OUR CHIEF IS A WOMAN. IT WAS SFPOA PRESIDENT GARY DELAGNES...THANK-YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL COMMENTS AND TIME! BLESS YOU AND YOURS, SFPD OFFICER.

September 19, 2006

I just recieved an email of the SFPD Chief speaking on behalf of Ofc. Birco. His words reflect very highly on the professionalism of Ofc. Birco and the entire SFPD. It is rare that you find a Command Officer that will defend the actions of his officers to such a degree. The law enforcement field has suffered another loss. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Ofc. Birco. Stay strong brothers.

Deputy Carlson
Wayne County Sheriff Department

September 16, 2006