Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sir, I recently discovered the senseless tragedy of your death while speaking with other officers about issues with our justice system. It seems we are oftentime alone in our decisions. Just know that you are a hero and will forever be remembered. I am honored to leave a reflection for you. Rest in peace, Brother.

Deputy
Northeast Michigan

February 5, 2008

Birco!

I was driving home last week and thought I felt my phone buzzing in my inside jacket pocket, the one over my heart. I went to pull the phone out, but it wasn't there, I had put it in my cup holder! I have no idea why I felt "buzzing" over my heart, but I looked at the time anyway and it was 0612...You will always be a part of my heart and in my thoughts, never forgotten...my fellow marine and officer. Love you, PB.

PB, USMCE5
SFPD, Co. C., MIDS

January 20, 2008

Hey Nick,
I have been thinking of you often. My life is changing so much and I hope it is for the better. Times have been tough but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can't help but feel you had something to do with it. Please continue to watch over me and the kids and all your friends and family. We miss you very much and love you. I try to live my life the way you once told me and I happier. Love you :-)

Claudia
friend

January 13, 2008

Birco!

I told Holly on your birthday that you will never be forgotten, and I meant it...We think of you everyday and miss your smile and upbeat personality. You never got mad, but we knew you could handle yourself and back us on the streets when it got down to it, I respect you for that and so does much of the community you worked with. Love you my brother and I wished you a blessed birthday on the 6th., I'm glad you are next to Zak, you are not alone...Semper Fi.

Patty Brown, USMC
SFPD, Bayview MIDS

December 16, 2007

Happy Birthday Nick. Merry Christmas my friend.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department

December 12, 2007

Hey Nick,
I just wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday. I want you to know that I have not forgotten you sometimes its just difficult to know that you are not here anymore. I love you and think of you often. I wish you were here to celebrate your birthday with the gym friends. You are in my heart always.

Claudia
friend

December 7, 2007

Happy 41st birthday. God bless you my brother.

Officer D. Correa
SFPD

December 6, 2007

"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 6, 2007

Happy Birthday Nick! Your honor and memory are remembered always. My thoughts and prayers are with the Birco family today as they remember Nick on his birthday.

Stella
family friend

December 6, 2007

Birco!!!

Hello my brother! Miss you and that smile. Wishing you a blessed and happy 232nd. USMC birthday!!! Semper Fi!

Ofc. Patty Brown, USMC
SFPD, Bayview MIDS

November 11, 2007

I MISS YOU BRO!!!! SEMPER FI.

OFFICER LAURO BACA III #996
SFPD CO. D

October 21, 2007

Birco!

Think about you all the time and never know what else to say...other thoughts are between friends and not to be shared, that's what keeps us close. Miss you and see your smiling face everyday, love you my brother, spread your wings across us when we're on the streets...Can't have another call like the one I did that night, just can't...Semper Fi.

P.B., USMC
SFPD, Bayview MIDS

September 26, 2007

A year has passed. still think about the day i got the call...Friends for life and beyond brothah!!

see you in the surf!!

darren
friend for life

August 8, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Birco on the anniversary of his passing.
May God comfort you all. Heros are never forgotten. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

July 26, 2007

Devil Dawg:

May You Rest-In-Peace !

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

July 26, 2007

Thinking of you and your family on this sad day. What a beautiful face and smile.

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

July 26, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with Nick's family today as they honor his memory.

Stella
family friend

July 26, 2007

Nick, a year has passed, but it still doesn't seem real.

I check here a lot, but until now haven't left a reflection. I just haven't found words that are worthy. My feeble efforts fall short of measuring what a truly good man you were, and they aren't strong enough to erase the grief or the anger.

Nevertheless, on your anniversary, I just want to say that I miss you, Nick.

JC
SFPD (203rd)

July 26, 2007

ONE YEAR TODAY OFFICER BIRCO. WE REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY. WATCH OVER YOUR FAMILY AND ALL OUR POLICE OFFICERS WHO SERVE.

OFFICER BIRCO, NEVER FORGOTTEN.

JIM SWEENEY CIVILIAN NEW JERSEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

July 26, 2007

Officer Birco,
Today, many people are thinking of you on the one year anniversary of your EOW. Thank you for your committment to making the world better. Always remembered!

Pennsylvania citizen

July 26, 2007

Birco,

I can't believe its a year, I'm so friggen upset, as is everyone else. You were not supposed to go! You smiled at everything, everthing was made into a positive, and you found an AK while chucking peanut shells in the rain!!! Birco, you were absolutely one of a kind and a wonderful person. We trusted you with our lives because you would "handle it" and make sure we all went home together. You never tried to be, but you were a leader and awesome man. I love you brother and always will. You are greatly missed and the 36" is a legend. The day (our end of watch) before you passed, Wise took a picture of us, its still in my locker...Semper Fi, PB.

Ofc. Patty Brown, USMCE5
SFPD, Bayview MIDS!

July 26, 2007

What up boy!!!! Man I can't believe that it has almost been a year since... well you know what happened... its a shame that you have passed on brother... I still miss you at the gym, none of the guys can replace your crazy workout routines and the endless conversations we shared at the gym... you made my workouts extra long but it's ok, I really miss that... I'm sure you know whats going on in my situation, but somehow I know it was supposed to turn out this way.. maybe I woulda been next or something... I still have your pic in my car bro, I stare at it everyday and wonder if sometimes your sitting up front with me... well brother, I will visit you soon...

R. Sevilla
friend

July 23, 2007

In a few days time, we will honor your passing and the day you were called home by the Almighty. We fondly talk about you often and how you were a good cop and a deeply good person. We miss you Nick.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
SFPD - Bayview

July 16, 2007

Birco!

I'm going to Sac tomorrow for Memorial Day and will put flags up from the Officers of Bayview Station for you, Zak, and all the other jarheads we lost in '06. Others will visit you and Zak at Holy Cross, we're fortunate to have you two side by side and not alone (we would rather not have had you taken away from us though). We miss you much and think of you often, love you love you and Semper Fi! PB

Patty Brown, SFPD, USMC
Bayview MIDS

May 27, 2007

Officer Birco, I never had the chance to met you, serve with you, or be in the same state, but I got the honor of riding for you in the Police Unity Tour.

I'm from Chapter 4 in Virginia and had the distinct honor to ride to Washington D.C. in honor of your sacrifice to our cause. For over two hundred miles I thought about you and your sacrifice. I remember seeing your police chief on the internet defending your pursuit and blaming the judge for letting the suspect out on bond. He said you were doing your job and would have still been alive if the suspect was still in jail. I thought at the time, "wow, what a great chief and an awsome cop you were." Little did I know then that I would get the honor of riding in your memory.

The braclet I wore with your name inscribed on it was a constant reminder of why I was there and when the hills got longer and taller, I felt you pushing me. When I arrived in D.C., I found your name on the wall, and knelt down to pray for you and your family. Your agency patch, a Marine Corps patch, and your photo were next to your name.

I, like you, am a Marine Corps vetern and I think we would have had a lot in common had we ever met. Reading the other reflections left here for you, I think we are a lot alike.

God bless you brother. I hope we will finally meet one day where there is no pain and suffering and we can all walk our beat in peace and safety. As the memorial wall states "In Valor There Is Hope", and with officers like you watching over us, we all "hope" we will make a difference. Your sacrifice wasn't in vain and we will remember you.

"We Ride For Those Who Died"

DFC Jason Houston
York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office, Virginia

Deputy First Class Jason Houston
York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office, Virginia

May 18, 2007