Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Sheriff Christopher Daniels and his loved ones:

In this the second anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today. Rest in Peace, Chris. I am praying for solace for your with Michelle and daughter Taylor and your other family members today, and each day that they are on the survivors' path.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Chris gave to his community and the citizens of Florida, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 14, 2006.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

October 18, 2008

Chris,

I thought about you and your family alot yesterday. Its so very hard to believe that you have been gone two years already. Our family has so much to thank you for, I could n't begin to know where to start. One thing is certain, you made the first week of losing Wayne much easier. Anything we needed, you made sure we had it. I was looking through some of the photos from Wayne's funeral and saw the picture of you crying as you were talking about Wayne. one year later, we were all there for you. To tell you the truth, I almost chickened out of going to your funeral. The days leading up to it, nothing could have stopped me from going but as soon as I got closer to the church, I just about turned my patrol car around. I didnt know if I could handle going back into that same church where we were just the year before with Wayne. However, God sent me the strength I needed to be able to say my goodbyes. We miss you very much. Tell Wayne I love him and miss him so much. I am so proud of both of you!!!

Michelle and Taylor,
We havent seen you in a while but Jordan keeps asking about you. Maybe Taylor can come spend the night soon. I think they would love that. I know this time of year is hard for you. I know what you are going through that is for sure. There are not many words of comfort that one can give a survivor, but just to say we are here. We take things one day at a time and thats all we can do. Please know that you can call me at anytime day or night. I've got Klenex for both of us. Take care and remember, we are the wives of Hero's

Ashley Koester

October 15, 2008

Chris,
October 14th is right around the corner again. We hope you have a happy birthday in Heaven.
The Sheriff's Office is still in very capable hands. Gary is doing a phenomenal job. You definitely did a great job by chosing him as your right hand man. He has done great things for this department!
May you have a blessed birthday in Heaven. Keep a watchful eye on your family and your LEO family. You are missed but not forgotten.

LEO Wife and Mom

October 10, 2008

I miss you so much every day! It is hard to imagine that you have been gone for almost 2 years. I watch Taylor continue to grow and wish you were here to see how well she has done. I miss our family dinners and hearing you quote your dad "wonder what the poor folks are eating". I miss the mid day phone calls just to say Hi, and the phone calls to convince me to go to another stupid dinner and for me to just find a sitter because you wanted me with you. Taylor decided she wanted to have a birthday party for you on the 14th, so we are going to Angelos for dinner with our Friday night pizza crew and coming to the cemetary with balloons and Key Lime Pie. I love you and miss you! All my love always!!!!

Michelle
Wife

October 7, 2008

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I wish we would have had more time together, I miss you. I t seems like just yesterday we were riding the bikes you bought us and enjoying our new home. I wear your wedding band everyday and remember when you picked them out on our New York trip, I was so surprised when you showed me and said "these are it".
Please continue to watch over our family and keep us safe.

I LOVE YOU ALWAYS,
Michelle

Michelle Daniels
WIFE

July 26, 2008

Sheriff Daniels,

As I read through your reflections I am envious of the life you led. Everyone has a good memory to share. From co-workers to friends to your loving wife Michelle, you were very special to everyone. Even in the end, you were participating at a charity event. I haven't heard a more noble story in quite a while.
I enjoyed reading the reflections from your family members because they are the ones who knew you best. They share some very intimate details about you and the times they had with you. I felt like I got a real sense of who were. God Bless You and your family. You will not be forgotten.

Lt Sal Accardi
NYPD

July 3, 2008

Chris,
Just a note to say hi and that we've been thinking of you. Your agency has been running very smoothly thanks to Gary. You would be very proud of him. We are! You have left it in the most capable hands.
Please continue to keep a watchful eye on your fellow LEOs. We always appreciate guidance from above!

LEO Wife and Mom

June 22, 2008

Just a note to say Hi and that I miss you everyday.

All my LOVE,
Michelle

Michelle
wife

February 22, 2008

"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 14, 2007

Chris,

I am sorry I do not write more, but it is still very difficult for me to come to this site. It is so hard to believe you have been gone a year. It seems just like yesterday that we were riding the bikes that you bought for us at the DARE tournament and I remember how you traded bikes with me because the pedal broke on mine and we couldn't get it fixed. I remember how much you were looking forward to having a big steak after the races and going home and spending Sunday celebrating your birthday. It was going to be a day for us, something we did not get alot of. I miss our morning conversations and doing the crossword laying in bed. I remember on Friday night, we went to a function and stopped at Angelo's for pizza and a bottle of wine. We took it home and you said how happy you were and how much you loved our new home. You also said how we should have turned on the pool heater before we left so we could have gone swimming I didn't think it was a big deal, I thought there would be more chances. I was wrong. You were truely my best friend and soul mate and I miss you everyday.

Taylor just finished volleyball season and wants to do softball next, becuase she knows how much you loved baseball. You would be so proud of her, she misses you everyday and always wants to drive through the cemetary and check on you. Snoopy misses you too, or maybe he misses all the extra food you would give him. I got to spend some time with Ashley on Sunday and she seems to be doing pretty well. She is living in Tavares now, right down from our old house.

I LOVE YOU!!!
Michelle

Michelle
Your Loving Wife

October 16, 2007

It's hard to believe that it has been a whole year since you left us. It seems like just yesterday, you were picking on me for being short, or calling me "trouble". And yet, I can't even remember your voice. I knew you when you were Major, and even then you cared so much about people. People whom you barely even knew. That is just how great of a person you were. I miss you so much everyday. The Sheriff's Office is not the same without your smiling face.
Love and miss you always,
"Trouble"

Rachel Jenkins
LCSO Explorer

October 14, 2007

Thinking of your families on the first anniversary of your
EOW. I just read all the reflections and am in awe of
the person you became and how much you were loved
and respected. I know the void will always be there and
that people are still experiencing a canyon of grief. May
the Lord Jesus dry their tears and comfort them.
Thanks for blessing others with your life and presence.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

October 14, 2007

Chris,
Your birthday is right around the corner so I thought I would just say hello and let you know that so many people still miss you very much!
Have a blessed birthday in Heaven!

LEO mom and wife

October 13, 2007

We remember you today and thank you sir for your service.

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 12, 2007

officer chris daniels was a great person and i miss him dearly......i knew his son....and he was my dare teachers assistant and best friend.

ily and you will NEVER be forgotten..
sincerly...adreonna porter

adreonna
my dare teachers assistant(officer walts)

October 10, 2007

As we approach the one year mark of your passing, I feel compelled to write as though you will read this. Not a day goes by that I do not think about you and what you brought to my life. The kids and I often talk about how you are our guardian angel. You were a permanent fixture in my life since a very young child. Our relationship developed into much more as we faced hard times in our lives and ultimately became best friends. I still have the cards you gave me through the years, telling me just that. We miss you...we miss your confidence, your perserverence and your strength. You had class...you proved it time and time again...as you approached matters and always took the high road. You left such an impression on us that we often consider how you would react to situations. To me, that is how we continue to show you respect and the honor in which you deserve. You would be very proud of the children and Penni, as well, as she strives to do what is best for them. We know your kids were your priority and we will continue to look after them as you do from heaven. We will continue to honor your legacy and the way in which you lived your life. Because if there is one thing that means the world to me, it is to know that you are proud of "us" for doing the right thing.

Love You....

Kristy Carter, Niece

September 21, 2007

I was reading today a law enforcement magazine and saw an article on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremonies and was shocked and saddend to learn of Chris' death. Chris and I were room mates and graduates of the 87 AOC at the Southern Police Institute in Louisville KY. He was a great guy and we shared many good times. My condolences go out to the Daniels family and to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Captain Mike Diekhoff
Bloomington, IN Police Department

July 26, 2007

Chris,

I LOVE YOU & MISS YOU EVERYDAY.

You will always be in my heart, like you told me 7 years ago "You had me from Hello".

Love Always,
Michelle

Michelle
wife

June 2, 2007

Chris
I think God lead me to see your wife Michelle again last week. We had such a good talk and catching up on how things are going for her and the kids. It is unfortunate that we understand the same loss and pain that life can throw our way, but we can have each other to rely on if we need to, to help each other thru. There are so many different ways that that help can show up.
Michelle anything that you or your daughter and Chris's kids need you know you can count on Vic and I. Chris was so good to our entire family thru Waynes death, that we will try to repay that kindness any way we can. Chris was all the way, whatever the family needed he would get done. Chris shared our pain, he cryed with us, spent time with us, and honored us with his reflections at the funeral, and the support he gave us after everything was done. Chris was a true man of honor which he showed every day he was with us. Wayne was so proud to serve under such a man.
The polotics of death can be just as devistating, ripping open new wounds everyday. Just remember that God is beside you everyday to lift you back up, hoping that God led you to me that day so that I can help is my furvent prayer.You are prayed for everyday by many. It is my hope that Chris will be honored in a way that he was such an honorable man.
You have Tallahassee and Washington DC coming up, and WOW what an honor right there. There will be many tears, and many laughs of memories, but most of all I hope you can find some peace.

J Koester

March 23, 2007

Through all that has happened, just wanted to say that Sheriff Gary Borders is doing a great job!!! I think that we all know that CD is watching over and making sure that things so smoothly for him. We are very blessed that through the devistation we gained a great sheriff!!

February 9, 2007

So last night there were many storms and hurricanes that rocked Lake County and all around and I thought today about how you would have supported all those in need . At Bay Street Baptist church while we waited for people in need of shelter I thought about how blessed I was to still have my life and my family , just wanted to write and reiterate how much you truly blessed our family during your life and your family is forever in my prayers..

Brandy Koester

February 2, 2007

Chris,
YOu are missed by so many, it is still very hard for me to come to terms with the fact that you were taken , and not long after my uncle . How thankful and greatful that we had you during our hard time of loss, you gave so much support to Amber and Ryan , and it will always be on our minds how much you gave . Thank you .
Brandy Koester

Brandy Koester

January 12, 2007

-- "If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." -- Maya Angelou

-- "God's finger touched him, and he slept." -- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Aloha Sheriff Christopher C. Daniels Sr.,
Thank you for your service and dedication to your community and your country. You and all officers that continue to lay your lives on the line and pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe, will NEVER be forgotten.

I personally pledge, (after one of Hawaii's own, Honolulu Police Officer Steve Favela, lost his life in the line of duty protecting our Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush), to become a continuum of the ODMP light. That light is in the form of an ODMP tribute. People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, profession, education, and geographical location can share here. That "LIGHT" comes from within the heart and soul of every person who cares to share a word or two on behalf of each and every fallen officer. Every fallen officer is an hero. The ODMP; Officer Down Memorial Page gives us a place to come together and share our feelings as one family. May we find comfort as we give comfort to the families who have lost a loved one.

As we say in Hawaii, “We are`Ohana.” We are family. God Bless this fallen hero. May we embrace him as one of our own family member; our `Ohana. No one will ever be able to replace you for you were unique and very special. No one; not in this lifetime. May God allow you to rest in His Divine peace.

Sheriff Christopher C. Daniels Sr., I wish you, your loved ones, your fellow officers, and friends, peace and love beyond all understanding.
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana. (With warm and sincere Aloha).

May this Hawaiian prayer give all those who read it comfort.

THE PEACE OF " I "
KA MALUHIA O KA "I"

Peace be with you, All My Peace,
O ka Maluhia no me oe, Ku'u Maluhia a pau loa,

The Peace that is " I ", the Peace that is "I am".
Ka Maluhia o ka "I", owau no ka Maluhia,

The Peace for always, now and forever and evermore.
Ka Maluhia no na wa a pau, no ke'ia wa a mau a mau loa aku.

My Peace " I " give to you, My Peace " I " leave with you,
Ha'awi aku wau I ku'u Maluhia ia oe, waiho aku wau I ku'u Maluhia me oe,

Not the world's Peace, but, only My Peace,
The Peace of " I ".

A'ole ka Maluhia o ke ao aka, ka'u Maluhia wale no,
Ka Maluhia o ka "I".

Moana V.C. Molale (Private Citizen)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

January 9, 2007

Chris and I attended the 173rd FBI National Academy together in the Spring of 1993. Chris was a great room mate and a friend. I remember how truly impressed everyone in his News Media Relations class was with his final presentation. I was shocked to learn of Chris' death as I read this months National Academy Magazine. My condolences to the Daniels family and the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

Chief Richard Ehle
Capitola Police Department

December 20, 2006

This may be a little late but rest in peace Sir...thank you for your commitment and prayers to your family.
God Bless you and keep you

Deputy
Palm Beach Co. Sheriffs Office

December 19, 2006