Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mrs. Dudley & Family,

I was shocked & devastated when I heard of the tragic loss of Lt. Dudley & Retired Chief Deputy Gary Martin. What small fraction of my broken heart that had stopped aching with pain since the loss of my husband Tom Cochran who was also killed in the line of duty (EOW 01-26-05), again feels like an open wound to unsurmountable proportions. Lt. Dudley & the other cyclists were riding this year in honor of MY husband as well as the other fine officers who gave their lives last year. Gary gave so much of himself to families like mine. He was selfless, humble, dedicated, & in my eyes, a hero.

What I will remember most about Gary is this past July, 2006...taking again time from you, his family, to come to Lawrenceburg & promote the upcoming I.C.O.P.S. Bicycle Tour, making my community aware of their purpose.
He, along with Doug Taylor & myself, & several others from LPD, went from a radio interview, to Kroger parking lot where Gary set up his bike beneath a tent on a stationary track & riding it several minutes each hour while talking with passers by about 'why' he was there. I'm saddened to say that before January 2005, I was unaware of this great organization that Gary was so proudly a member of. It was very hot but Gary faithfully got on that bike at his designated time & did so for several hours that day. (Thank you Gary)

My family was looking forward to meeting with the cyclists when they arrived in town this Saturday, 8/26, just as we had done last year. I don't remember much about that time.
That's why this year's ride - for me was so important. So I could ensure to express our sincere gratitude for what they have done....& what they are doing as I remember last year mostly crying, unable to speak. This year now, will be the same as last.

I know words will never heal your broken hearts. I'm living proof. I am SO sorry for your unbearable loss, for your family, his fellow ISP officers, C.O.P.S., & for anyone who was fortunate enough to have had Lt. Gary Dudley touch their life...for whatever reason. I know how proud you are of him. He truly gave of his life....in living, & in passing. (The true definition of a HERO) We share your devastation & know we were blessed to have had known him. I have thought for a year & 7 months now wondering how to thank all those who have helped my family in any way....(as nothing is small when dealing with such a loss) I'm still waiting for an answer....but I know I'll NEVER be able to repay Gary for the ultimate sacrifice. To say "I'm sorry" seems so small...but I AM "SO SORRY!" My only solace is to think the he is now in Heaven.....& Tom is doing it for me.

I remember someone once telling me since Tom's passing; "God only takes the best"...I find that truer every day & is the one part of 'life' I don't deal very well with. However Mrs. Dudley, you I'm sure knew this as well as anyone.....C.O.P.S. will help you as will myself & any of the women you now stand with that are 'Surviving Spouses'. I don't know where I'd be were it not for them...nor do I want to.

God Bless you Gary & your family. We will miss you. You & Tom take good care of each other. Until We Meet again.

Sincerely,
Jo'Nee Cochran & Family

Jo'Nee Cochran
Spouse Det/Sgt Tom Cochran EOW 1-26-05

August 24, 2006

Lt. Dudley you will be missed. From a fellow police cyclist to another ride on brother. Your family and friends are in my thoughts. Rest Easy and God Speed.

Deputy K. Brown
BCSO, TN

August 24, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We will take your watch from here.

Police Cyclist
Lima Ohio Police Department

August 24, 2006

We will be keeping the entire family of Lt. Dudley and those who had the priviledge to work with Lt. Dudley in our prayers. May God be with every one of you and give you all the strength and courage you need. God Bless!

Chief Devotie - New Market Police Dept. TN

Chief Devotie
New Market Police Dept TN

August 24, 2006

Thank you Lt.Dudley. Like many generations of troopers, I started my career on our department learning from you. I can't think of another person who had more love and caring for the welfare of troopers, as well as for all police officers and their families. You were our "Sarge" in the academy, and you were the epitome of a professional police officer. Your loss has left a huge hole in our department that we will never be able to fill.

Senior Trooper
Indiana State Police

August 24, 2006

Thanks, Gary, for everything you have done for Mom and the rest of the family after we lost dad. I heard the radio traffic at the accident scene. Godspeed Lt. Dudley and Chief Martin.....

Deputy AJ Clapp
Montgomery County Police

August 24, 2006

As an avid cyclist and veteran of many charity bike rides with other officers from PA. My prayers and thoughts go out to Gary and his family. God bless him and my condolences to the Indiana State Police for their loss. If your going to ride in Gary's honor in the future please contact me and we will supply some riders for his cause.

Sincerely,

Lt. Gerry McShea Phila. PD

Lt. Gerard McShea #393
Philadelphia PD

August 24, 2006

How can people be so careless, how come they can not see the flashing lights of something being done for respect of others. People don't care, they are in a hurry, why? Another accident and two fine officers are killed and others hurt because of someone be so careless.
"DON'T GRIEVE FOR ME"
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path god laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call,
I turn my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Task left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Than fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I, too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow,
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.
I believe in God and believe I will see you again.
You will be in our prayers and thoughts for your family, loved ones and sisters and brothers who wear the badge of law enforcement.
God Bless You All
Marilyn Robinson aka MamaWolf
The Canon City Internet Radio
Canon City Colorado

Marilyn Robinson aka MamaWolf
The Canon City Internet Radio (The Chauffeur Internet Radio)

August 24, 2006

To all that are heartbroken we must remember what a GREAT gift from God that Gary was in our lives. Lets remember the many times he lifted us up from our pain and stood with us as we walked one step at a time through our dark days. Each step of the way his concern and support was always genuine and constant. During the time I was IN COPS chapter president my family and I got to know & work with Gary as he began to plan his rides both to Washington and around Indiana and he was a great example, to us and our children, of what it ment to serve your fellow man. Gary will be greatly missed by so many of us - his smlie, his laugh and his heart will remain with us forever. I looked over some pictures I have of our COPS events and I noticed something over and over agian, in almost every picture we have of Gary he is smiling from ear to ear and he usually is in full "Gary Mode", playing with the surviving children or embracing a survivor and showing them that the promise he made to their loved one to be there for them was real in his heart. Carolyn, Thank you for sharing Gary with us and know that we love you both and that the promise we make to you is ture, we will never forget Gary and we will alyway be there for you! Rest in peace my friend, I know your in very good company!

Colby, Angie, Taylor & Paige

Colby Matteson
Brother of Brad Matteson FWPD EOW 10/5/00

August 24, 2006

My thoughts and prayers to those who knew and now miss Lieutenant Dudley.

May God lay His healing hands upon the family and friends.

Retired Captain Joe L. Gilliland
Danville, KY PD

August 24, 2006

Lieutenant Dudley..you - your family - friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..YOU ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

mi state police recruit
mi

August 24, 2006

I am so saddened!! My heart is broken again. I just want to say you,your family and fellow officers are in my prayers. You died remembering my brother. There will never be enough thanks to offer you or your family. Please know you will NEVER be forgotten as from where my family and I stand. Your soft spirit was so comforting to us in our time of need, and I pray I can pass your legacy on in the future to others who need that "soft spirit" in their time of need.
To your family, know that you are in my prayers. My heart hurts everyday for my brother, just one more day is what I dream of. Please know that they are Gods chosen. He needed them more than we did. We may not know now why but God has a plan. Officer Dudley was a man with a huge heart and he will never be forgotten.
Officer Dudley, please give Shad a huge "Dudley hug" from his sister and tell him I love and miss him. I know that our families have this huge "guardian angel force" watching over us all.God has given us the best guardian angel system he could come up with.You are all our angels in blue.
With much saddness in my heart...till we meet again.

Brukentta Crichfield
Dep. Shad Bassetts sister

August 24, 2006

god bless you and your family and co-workers. rest in peace. the rolniak family det wally rolniak (e-o-w-2-4-04)

wife of det. wally rolniak 2-4-04

August 24, 2006

Lt. Dudley,

Thank you for your service to this state and for starting the ride in Indiana honoring our fallen brothers and sisters through Concerns of Police Survivors. Your wonderful idea to promote awareness WILL live on! God bless you brother. Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Retired Indiana Police Officer

August 24, 2006

Lt Dudley
You were riding for my two fallen brothers, and their families. I will be eternally grateful for your sacrifice.
Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

August 24, 2006

I am so sorry for your loss. What a horrible thing to happen - all while they were honoring other fallen officers.

Lt. and retired Chief - rest in peace. You are loved and will never be forgotten.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

August 24, 2006

Lt. Dudley,
You touched my heart in many ways. I believe I would not be the father, husband, and Officer I am today without your presence I had. You led our Department and I believe you played a huge role in what it is today. You had us read role call every morning in the academy and now we add your name to the never ending list. You touched so many lives. I look back at other officers relections who have lost their lives in the line of duty and I see a reflection from you on most. The Indiana State Police have lost a true leader and brother. There will never be another Gary Dudley. I look forward riding for you next year. God Bless you Sir.

Trooper
Indiana State Police

August 24, 2006

What an irony that you are taken while honoring those who have gone before you in the line-of-duty. You will be dearly missed. Take solace in knowing that God does not make mistakes. There must be a charity bike ride in Heaven you were needed for to honor the cops still working on Earth. Rest in peace.

Patrolman
Franklin PD, IN

August 24, 2006

Gary was the ideal law enforcement officer. He was a true professional and a compassionate man. His concern for fallen officers and their families was mission for him. How ironic that he dies on the ride for COPS, the organization that he loved. Rest in peace, Gary.

Tim Schaffer
Wells County Indiana Sheriffs Office-Retired

August 24, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Indiana State Police.

Fallen but never forgotten.

Officer B. Laurie #1251
Haltom City Police Tx

August 24, 2006

Gad bless this man, who died remembering men like my own father. Dear family and friends of Lt. Dudley, you do not mourn alone, for when I mourn my own father, I mourn Gary and all those who have paid the dearest price to protect thier fellow human beings. May he rest in peace until the Lord comes again.

Deputy
Son of Deputy James Sunderland SR. EOW 6/30/06

August 24, 2006

Rest in peace Lieutenant Dudley. God Speed.

S.O.S. J. Diehl
FBOP

August 24, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with Lieutenant Dudley's family, friends and fellow Troopers. We are praying for you.........

AZ Narc

August 23, 2006

Gary,
I will never forget all the fun that you and I had when we were being certified as First Responder and C.P.R. Instructors. And then all the years we trained the Troops at Lowell. Little did I know that this was just the begining of the training aspect of your carreer. And what a trainer you were! Every since you left Lowell and entered the training division, every rookie sent to Lowell has talked about you and your mentoring. No way will the Indiana State Police see another like you.

The last time we talked was at the Lake County Sheriff's Department during the trial of Trooper Sott Patrick's murderer. Not only were you there as a represntative of the department, but also a a C.O.P.S. member to support Scott's family. Speaking with you on that day I could see the gleam in your eyes as you were telling Sherri and I about your upcoming cycling run. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see you. I can only take comfort in knowing that you left this world doing something that you loved for a cause that you deeply believed in.

Your spirit will live on, as you left a small portion of yourself in every recruit that came into contact with you at the academy.

Rest easy brother, we will take it from here.

I wrote this poem back in 1999 when I lost another dear friend, who suffered a fatal heart attack while trying out for the ERT team.

Our Greatest Fear
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again, I hold back a tear.
They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary,
but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.
They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.
To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?
They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.
Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
too many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
" Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.



Master Trooper Dave “Stumpy” Miller

M/Tpr. Dave "Stumpy" Miller
Indiana State Police Dist. 13

August 23, 2006

Rest in your Fathers arms Sir,for you are home now.Thank you for all your hard work you wil be missed forever.

D
South Bend Resident

August 23, 2006