Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Nick,

I always think of you-but especially on Tuesday nights-because a few Tuesdays ago-I was able to share some last moments with you.

I remember that night vividly. I parked my car next to yours as I always do.

I walked in and saw you lifting weights with the Burton backpack, your Nano iPod and your black Nike outfit.

We talked before spin class. You took class in the front-second bike over so I could see your face like you always do.

We had that one moment in class when we looked at each other and started cracking up (our inside joke) You made me laugh so hard.

You waited for me and we walked over to step class. We chatted it up with a friend.

You set up my step (all fuchsia risers, to the left of the stereo-just how I like it)

I put my superfly white retro Adidas bag that you got me down near the stereo and you placed your Burton backpack against the purple pillar.

You helped out Eunice and Weez when they came in late.

You left like you always do mid way through class. I watched you get your backpack and I vividly remember turning around, facing you and saluting you saying “see ya” that night.

Then you left.

And I would never see you again.

I walked out that night with Weez. You would always walk us out (our own personal body guard) but you had to get to work that tragic night. I shared a story with Weez about what you did for me that past Saturday morning and how you are such a nice guy. Thanks for that Nick.

A familiar face walked in to class this past Tuesday-can you imagine? And I thought you might be there. Were you? There was one sole bike left empty right up front close to where you would’ve been. I hope you were there. I looked at the bike and imagined you there and laughed again at our joke. I wish so much that you are there with me every time I teach. I yearn for your presence. We all do.

I still remember that Tuesday night Nick. I still remember you. I still remember your smile. I cherish that I got to see you that night. And I cherish every moment you have given to me over the past few years.

I miss you Nick-not just on Tuesdays-but every day.

Fiona

August 31, 2006

Thank you Officer Birco for your service in trying to keep the streets safe that you gave your life to defend.
Our prayers are with you, your family, and the members of the San Francisco Police Department.
Like all Law Enforcement Officers, we are all brothers no matter where we are. You will be missed by all.

Corporal John Beckler
Lee County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit, THI

August 30, 2006

God bless you brother.

Police Officer Peter Bernagozzi
Southampton Town (NY) Police Dept.

August 30, 2006

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

Daniel
Citizen

August 29, 2006

As the parents of a law enforcement officer in Florida, we also mourn the loss of Officer Nick Birco and salute his courage and dedication. Our prayers are with him, his family, his friends and his fellow officers. God's blessings on each and every one of you.

Mr. & Mrs. Buchanan
Parents of a law enforcement officer

August 29, 2006

Till this day I can't get over the fact that you're no longer here with us in presence. I remember everytime I picked up my auntie, I had to pass by the the station and there was your black xterra with turtles on it and I would always say, Nick's working today. I know we're not family, but you sure treated us like we are. I remember all the parties we attended at you're house, you were always cooking it up at the grill.. Well, your 40 days is coming up on Sept 9th and it's something I don't know if i can handle, but to say that I do miss you and that smile of yours that gave me comfort.

cynthia pimentel
famile friend

August 29, 2006

To the Family of PO Nick-Tomasito Birco and SFPD,

The members of the Town of Tuxedo Police Department and its community send our thoughts and prayers in your time of sorrow. This community has lowered its flags to honor your fallen son and to honor his dedication to this land and your city. From sea to shining sea we stand together as one.

Sergeant Patrick W. Welsh
Town of Tuxedo Police Department, NY

August 29, 2006

God speed brother. You died doing your job, a job your brotherhood understands is not appreciated until someone needs us. More union leaders need to stand up as yours did and defend police in every city. Lord knows no one else will. My prayers are with your family and friends.

Louuisville Metro Police Department

August 29, 2006

It was a very difficult day this past Saturday. It has been one month since we lost you. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I really miss you. I keep remembering different conversations we had and it brings a smile to my face. I know you are still with me in spirit, but how I wish you were here in person. Sometimes I feel guilty that I did not tell you how much you really meant to me. People tell me not to feel that way because you knew. I hope you did. You made me appreciate what I have in life. Thinking of you my friend.

Claudia
friend

August 29, 2006

Thanks for watching over Derrick.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department - Bayview District

August 29, 2006

Birco,

All I can say is that u and Zak MUST have been there for us last night, u know what I mean...Please continue 2 watch over us and bless our officers, when will people stop being so heartless? Thanks Tomasito (as I called u), we love u and miss u much! My parents cut roses from their garden for u, its on your table.

We're doing a Labor Day dinner for u Sept. 4 at 2100 (EVERYONE IS WELCOME, PLEASE COME), we will remember to bring the pineapple! In your words, "The pineapple is the centerpiece, and after we eat, its dessert!" PB

Patty B., USMC E5
SFPD, Bayview Mids

August 28, 2006

May God embrace your family and your brothers and sisters in Blue and comfort them during this time of the loss of a very special person....Nick Birco. Thank you for giving to the citizens of San Francisco and for ALL OF US in the United States of America. It's not how you died that made you a hero, Nick.......IT IS HOW YOU LIVED.
God Bless You and SEMPER FI

Cherie Price
Aurora CO PD (mother and volunteer)

August 28, 2006

"Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart,
until, in our own despair,
against our will,comes wisdom
through the awful grace of God."
-Aeschylus

I saw the video of your pertner today. His words rang true.

~TR

L. Kimsey
Brooklyn Park Police, MN

August 28, 2006

I'm sorry for what the media did to you. You'll always be a hero and I'll never let anyone forget.

August 27, 2006

Police Officer Nick-Tomasito Birco, thank you for your dedication and heroic efforts. It is sad to hear that another hero has lost his life trying to keep others safe. I viewed a video of Gary Delagnes today and he would have made you proud. His words were true and his feeling ran strong. Rest in peace Brother

Detective Thomas Tully
Southampton Town Police, Long Island, N.Y.

August 25, 2006

Birco,

Last nite was my first nite back. I gave Wise a big hug and wanted to cry, I missed all my brothers, but was missing one...I put a little USMC flag on your table of cards, pictures, and flowers. Holly, Dom, and your friends stopped by and brought donuts and Hawaiian coffee and macadamian nuts!! Thank-you, please know that you are always family. Holly, I know you had so much to say, as did I. We absolutely love your brother. Please enjoy the pic of us Marines and officers during the Marine Corps Birthday, which we celebrated Nov. 10, 2004 at Bayview Station- photo taken by Ofc. Chiang. Of course, I just HAD to stand next to you Birco! Haaaaaaa. Love you, PB.

Patty B.
SFPD, Bayview, MIDS

August 24, 2006

I will never meet you. I will never come to work and find a training flyer that might have sent me to your city. I will never walk into that training, as nervous as a kid at a new school, yet find a future friend like you to show me the way. I see only your picture, the smile all officers wish they had, but never show, because the pain of our profession masks the light we want to show. I find myself gathering the water of tears along the bottom of my eyes and wish the light in your smile finds a home on another face close to you. We, the ones running toward the fight, need only look to that smile to see the professionalism detailed in your memorial. Thank you Officer Nick-Tomasito Birco, I had a lonely night driving the dark streets of my city. I heard the words of the Union sparking rage at the ones blaming you for your fate. I had moaned about the night of reflection only a slow night can bring. Then I found that smile. "St. Nick" indeed, thank you!

I never met you and yet I know I will never forget you.

Officer Brian Livingston
Turner Police Department, Oregon

August 24, 2006

As I got up in the early morning of your funeral and laid out my Honor Guard Uniform to look it over and square it away as all Marines do, my son who was awake due to it being summer asked where and why was I going this time as he knows I attend as many fallen officers funerals as I am able to. And he asked me, "Do you have to go, did you know him?" And I did not know how to explain it. I just said, "Yes, I have to go". And "I will get to know something about him today". Me and my two partners made it to the city when the sun was coming up and I noticed that it was a quiet morning from the time I used to live in the city and would get up early to PT on the Embarcadero. There was a real peaceful mood, and then I saw to Patrolmen who waved and pointed up west on Market. We stopped, gathered ourselves, and went to the cathedral. I realized I had passed that cathedral many times, but never really noticed it. As I approached the front of the cathedral I noticed the Sea of Blue uniforms, and noticed officers looking and wondering where we were from. News crews began to arrive and then I saw a Lt. talking to a young pretty Hispanic female officer asking her if she would give an interview to the media. When I saw her speaking and her demeanor afterwards I realized she proably knew you well. The mass went on and from my raised position I could have a clear view of your family and I knew how much you were appreciated and loved. For a fellow Marine and a fellow Law Enforcement Officer I felt I knew you without ever meeting you.........but one day I know we will meet and I will then tell you how much we all thank you for the sacrifice you made. In the meantime I will offer my deepest regret to your family and friends. When I arrived home my kids and girlfriend greeted me, took my uniform inside, and I laid on my bed and hugged her. And I told her about you as much as I could and she got online and viewed the services, and I cried some more. I have looked at all these reflections and have grown sad again. Your death will not go in vain and we will all continue to fight bad guys till there are no more.......Semper Fidelis Marine, and I will see you at the pearly gates!

Deputy V. Contreras
Kern County Sheriff's Department

August 23, 2006

God bless to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Tomasito Birco, RIP and thank you for your service.

mjw643

August 23, 2006

God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow. You will never be forgotten by your entire police family.

DE
St. Louis City Police

August 22, 2006

A Black X-Terra pulled into the school parking lot today. Through the passenger side window all I could see were two big hands, I pictured it was you. But it wasn't. When I opened the school door, I looked at the back of the car and there was no turtle there, You do not know how many times I go to the gym and miss seeing that X-terra there. When I would go to the gym, thats how I knew you were there. Every time I go and visit your grave there are always these big geese, duck whatever they are. Huge birds. I am scared of huge birds and I picture you laughing because I wait till they kind of move away to walk closer to you. This last time I went I wore my new shoes you got me and they got all wet(they had just watered the lawn). I was so mad. Nothing can happen to these shoes because you gave them to me exactly a month before you died for my birthday. I just treasure them and everything you ever gave me. I miss you my friend.

Claudia
friend

August 22, 2006

Thank you sir for your service. Rest in peace.

PO Portnoy
Austin PD

August 20, 2006

"SEMPER FI"/RIP

Detective/Ret
NYPD

August 19, 2006

My families thoughts and prayers go out to your immediate family and your family in blue. I just heard about this incident yesterday on the radio, when the talk show was talking with your Association President Gary Delagnes. Gary did a wonderful job of representing our cause. Even though we are sad to see one of our family members go, its good to know that we have another like you that it watching over us. Thank you Birco for the job, and from what I see hear, the lives that you touched.

Det. C. Kemp
Lewisville Police Dept, Texas

August 18, 2006

Birco,

I think of u often, and 2 me, u r still here. I laughed at the Maui Zowie (Hawaiian themed pineapple)pizza commercial, because I knew u would've gone out 2 get- after driving a bulldozer over the sand castle!
I took 3 charms off my bracelet 2day and added your star #, I put it in between the EGA and Giants- crazy how we all know each others' star #'s by heart.
U know how small the world is, it turns out that u brought me and Claudia 2gether as friends, we were high school classmates. At the end of our conversation, I concluded that although I saw u for 10hr shifts, 3-4 nights a week, I still never knew how MUCH you gave. You were amazing!

patty b.
sfpd, bayview, 3rd watch

August 18, 2006