Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Cpl. Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, Oregon

October 17, 2006

You are truly a hero, giving your all. May God bless your family and co-workers and may you always be remembered for the sacrifice you made.

David & Tracey Reeves
former k-9 officer & former 911 dispatcher with Phenix City P.D.

October 17, 2006

Rest in peace. we will take it from here

DKPD

October 17, 2006

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Houts, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Keith, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Keith's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Keith's life was about so much more than the way he died. Keith will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Houts, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been three and a half years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

October 17, 2006

OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE HOUTS FAMILY. EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT KNOW KEITH I THINK OF HIM AND HOW HE WENT EVERYDAY.

INV.GREG JACKSON
COVINGTON COUNTY S/O ALABAMA

October 16, 2006

God speed brother in blue. To the family of officer Houts I pray for strength and comfort. It is a fate that we all prepair for, but pray that it doesn't happen. Always know that the law enforcement community will be here for you and comfort you however we can. God bless officer Houts, watch us from above as we watch those here.

D/S Bruinsma
Orange County Sheriff's Office

October 16, 2006

Hey brother.
We all miss you. You did an OUTSTANDING JOB and give the ultimate sacrifice for every citizen you have saved and helped. So many people's life has been touched by you. Myself and every Law Enforcement agency Thank you for the outstanding job that you have done. Keep your brothers and sisters safe and help them get through the hard times. Rest in Peace and keep watch over you family.

Brett
Autauga County Sheriff's Office

October 16, 2006

My prayers are with the friends and family of Officer Keith Houts. Never let your hero's memory fade.

Invest. Mike Bradford; Ret
Tallahassee Police Depet

October 14, 2006

R.I.P. My brother in blue!

PATROL B.G.
H.P.D.

October 13, 2006

I DID NOT KNOW YOU PERSONALLY BUT YOU WERE MY BROTHER IN BLUE YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR WORK AND FOR THAT I HONOR YOU.

OFC R.J. MINJAREZ
GRETNA POLICE DEPT.

October 13, 2006

May Officer Houts family and co-workers find peace in God.

Detective Shawn Darby
Kentucky State Police

October 13, 2006

OFFICER HOUTS
Your sacrifice is not in vain. We will never forget you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and your brothers and sisters at MPD. Thank you!

F.T.O. C.GRACE
DORA P.D.

October 13, 2006

Rest easy! We will take watch from here!

Officer Jonathan Ledbetter
Oneonta Police Department Oneonta AL

October 12, 2006

I'm so sorry about the loss of Officer Houts. My prayers are with you and may God continue to bless and comfort you.

Detective
Inglewood

October 12, 2006

There is a sacredness in tears.
They are not the mark of weakness,
but of power.
They speak more eloquently
than 10,000 tongues.
They are the messengers
of overwhelming grief,
of deep contrition,
and of unspeakable love.

Detective Sergeant Matt L. Rudiger
Deming PD

October 12, 2006

R.I.P brother, you have done your job and i am sure you are watching over all of us down here.


Officer Marc Sweeney #136
Denton Police Department

Officer Marc Sweeney
Denton Texas Police Department

October 12, 2006

Although I only knew Keith in passing, mainly due to my tour as Late Car Detective, I was always impressed with his work ethic. Not a day has gone by since this horrific tragedy that I have not thought about him and how unnecessary his death was. I will always remember that he was the one who insisted I work a robbery of 2 double cheesburgers and fries at the end of my shift. I have included a poem written as therapy for his death and the dayds that followed.

Keith, I will miss you and I will never forget the purpose for which you gave your life.

The Legacy of a Fallen Officer

When you left this world without us,
It made your brothers all feel blue
With pride running through our veins,
We Salute and Honor you.

It broke our hearts to lose you;
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

The city stood together weeping
The days after you passed away.
Today, as we gather in your memory,
We all take a knee and pray.

For I know the soft warm breeze,
Your breath from Heaven sent,
You whisper: An oath you have sworn,
A city you must protect.

And though you have answered your final call
You urge us, please, go on.
But that is hard to do at times
For we know that you gave all.

Now we all must say Goodbye
With sadness and regret.
But know that you have touched our hearts
So deeply that, NEVER, will we forget!

Little did we know that day
That God would call your name.
Our Thin Blue Line is broken
And nothing is the same.

But you left us many memories,
And your strength will be our guide.
Although we may not see you,
You are forever, by our side.

And as we gather here to pay our last respects
We stand here side by side.
As I look around I see your Legacy
Are those you left behind.


In Memory of Officer Keith E. Houts

Detective E.M. Planer
Montgomery Police Dept., Montgomery AL

October 11, 2006

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. -Ambrose Redmoon

Officer Houts -- The sacrifice you made for your community will not be forgotten.

To all those touched by the loss of Officer Houts -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Colorado Springs (CO) Police Protective Association

October 11, 2006

Officer Houts, you have served your country and your community with honor and dignity, we will carry on from here. To the family of Officer Houts, you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Please remember that you are now part of a much larger family. To the men and women of the Mongomery Police Department hold your heads high as you carry on. Rest in Peace Brother

Detective First Grade Robert Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department/Washington DC/Homicide Branch

October 11, 2006

Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and your family. I'll always remember you as someone who did not mind to work. Anytime someone needed assistance, you were there. I still don't know where you came from half the time but you seemed to always be there, even though we were on different shifts. I thank God everyday that I was lucky enough to get a chance to know you and work with you. You paid the ultimate price, brother, and you and your family will always be in my prayers. God Bless You and Your Family.

Russell #1783
MPD

October 11, 2006

Officer Keith Houts, You were a true civil servant and an American hero for serving your county in the war on terrorism. I will pray for your family my brother in arms.

Patrolman Michael Gloeckner/Corporal Michael Gloeckner USMC

Patrolman Michael Gloeckner #112
Cahokia Police Department

October 10, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the wife of Officer Houts. May the Lord bless you and give you comfort in this time. Thank you Officer Houts for you service you are a true American hero.

Reserve officer
Wilton IA Police Department

October 10, 2006

I was saddened to hear of Officer Houts death. I served with Officer Houts in Kuwait with the 175th Maintenance Company. He was part of the GSE Platoon. He was always on point and knew what he was doing. He was a good worker and my prayers are with his wife and rest of his family.

SFC Richard Smith
108th Division(IT), Fort Jackson

October 10, 2006

Thank you for your service, and God bless you brother. I will pray for your family.

Agent Brandon Ladner
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics

October 10, 2006

Retired policeman...."there but by the grace of God go I"
.................

J. Lawson (ret)
reader

October 10, 2006