Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

They added your name to the memorial here in Kentucky yesterday. It was a beautiful ceremony. It feels weird to see your name etched in a wall of stone. It's coming up on a year and I still think about you everyday. I hope the world never forgets the sacrifice you made for us. We miss you so much Slim. Keep an eye on us down here.

Tracey Sharber
Kentucky State Police

September 20, 2007

While I did not know David Whitson in a personal manner, I can say that I am honored to work in connection with those that worked with him and knew him so well. I have experienced little that equates to the sadness of his goodbye. I can state with no hesitation that you are loved and missed in a way that cannot be measured.

Bethany, Administrative Deputy
Warren County Regional Jail

May 19, 2007

My love, thoughts and prayers are with your dear family. I to know how hard it is to lose a son. My son was killed in a car accident 7 years ago, he was a Vehicle Enforcement Officer. Your wonderful memories will keep your love one alive in your heart.

Mother of a KDV Officer
Frankfort, Ky

May 13, 2007

It is National Police Week and your name is now on the wall. My husband and I plan to take our children to see your name and all the other officers we have lost in the past year. I always keep your wife and children in my prayers. I pray God gives them strength to face the days ahead. I also pray for all your fellow officers at BGPD. I pray God gets them through these hard days and keeps them safe. I may have moved far away, but my heart will always be in Bowling Green.

Wife of a VA Police Officer
Native of Bowling Green

May 12, 2007

You would have been the big 35 Yesterday. I miss you so much it hurts. Thanks for always being there for me. I love you man.

Shane Forbis
Nephew Of David

April 26, 2007

Thanks for your professionalism and kindness. You are greatly missed!

Lisa
citizen

April 18, 2007

Slim,
I will never forget what a joy it was to see you. It was always a great and wonderful day to see you. I will never forget your kindness. I always got so excited when we are both crying. Thank you for giving your time to talk with me and spending quality time off work with us. Your company was always welcome and enjoyed with us.
Love, Katrina

Katrina Spencer
Friend from Lehman Avenue

April 16, 2007

We visited your grave Saturday. It's beautiful. You'd be proud of Holly. She's so strong. We went to the banquet honoring all of the fallen officers, fire fighters and EMT's in KY & IN. It was very hard to sit there and stare at your picture on the big screen. But you know what's even harder? Seeing something on T.V. and wanting to call you because you would see the humor in it. Or hearing a song and thinking of you. Terrill sits at the computer for hours listening to Buck Owens. I think it's his way of spending time with you. He misses you so much, Slim. We all do. We're making plans for the Washington, D.C. trip. Your name, as well as too many others will be added to the wall. Time is passing really fast, it seems like yesterday you were here smiling. I hope you know how much you are missed my dear friend. Not a day goes by that I don't look at your picture on my desk at work or near the T.V. at home and think, "Man, you were a goofball!" I guess there will come a day when the tears stop flowing, but until then, I cherish each one because they represent each laugh we shared. You were the best friend/best man Terrill and I could've ever asked for and we love you forever.

Tracey Sharber
Kentucky State Police

March 15, 2007

officer whitson, you are in my thoughts, your family in my prayers. i lost my father 16 years ago. he was a small town police officer. he pulled over a drunk driver and was forever gone. it has been a long hard road for us all. he was our hero, just as you are to those that loved you. my father had just turned 41 and was expecting his first 2 grandchildren. what a shame that good men have to leave us so early in their lives. i get by knowing that god has a plan for us all. he has one for you, my father, me, your family. someday we will all be together. until then, i know god has given all you angels in blue a promotion. you now walk the beat in heaven, the streets are of gold. thank you and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

kimberly kidwell
daughter of fallen stanford ky officer

March 4, 2007

Let me tell about my friend the hero. Slim was a hero for many things that he did. If you called Slim hero or said he was a hero he would of laughed and disagreed with you. In my eyes Slim was a hero because of what he did and because of how he carried him self through life. He always had a smile and a joke or a funny story. For the last several months I had the honor of working on a special unit with Slim and we became good friends. Slim would always start the day off with a story about his kids and his wife. Slim was a hero in my eyes because no matter what his kids and wife always came first. Slim was a great father husband and a friend. I miss you Slim and I LOVE YOU.
Erik

Officer Erik Woodward
Bowling Green Police Department

February 7, 2007

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

Aloha Master Police Officer David Whitson,
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 a word or two on behalf of each and every fallen officer.

Every fallen officer is an hero. The ODMP serves as a place where that continuum of "LIGHT" can be seen through and within, the heart and soul of each and every person who honors our fallen heroes with a relection and/or tribute. As we say in Hawaii, "We are `Ohana. We are family".

May God comfort the family and loved ones who have lost their beloved David. May God also comfort those who have lost a fellow officer and friend that can never be replaced in this lifetime.

I wish you peace and love beyond all understanding.
May you rest in peace Master Police Officer David Whitson.
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana. Amen.

**I pray all find comfort in this Hawaiian prayer I leave you.**

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 Island

January 5, 2007

I met David Whitson in 1998 at the DOCJT acadamey in Richmond. He was one of five officers from Bowling Green and I was one of five from Owensboro. Right away David always had a funny story or some little way to break the ice. We were both country boys so we were instant friends. He and the other guys and girls from Bowling Green made the 10 weeks fly by. Over the years I have seen David when I was in Bowling Green for training and he always met me with a smile and made time to catch up. He was a good man and brave officer. He will be missed as a loyal friend and Brother Officer. My prayers are with his wife, children and Bowling Green PD family..

Detective Charles Young
Madisonville Police Dept. (Formerly Owensboro PD)

December 15, 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 Whitson, 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 David, 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 David's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that David's life was about so much more than the way he died. David will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Whitson, 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 almost four 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)

December 6, 2006

To Officer Whitson and the BGPD, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and you gave the ultimate sacrifice for this job. You will be missed. God Bless you.

Officer Chris Jackson
Franklin Police Dept.

December 2, 2006

I wanted to leave this to thank David and his family for the service they have given to their community. I was fortunate to attend the police academy with David back in 1998. He roomed right across the hall from me, and I have many good memories of our time in Richmond. Of course he got aggravated a bit for being from Tennessee, etc., but we always had a good time. One of my best memories of David in the academy is when he went with another officer to return John Michael Montgomery's truck (the officer was a friend of JMM) after we had used it to ride to class after getting a 20 inch snow. David just happened to be around when the officer took the truck back and David hopped in with him and ended up eating dinner with the Montgomery family. Needless to say, those of us who were country music fans were a little jealous of that! I also recall that on graduation day David told my parents that they had done a good job raising their son. That always meant alot to me, because if you knew David, you would know that he meant what he said. In closing, I thank you for your friendship while in the academy, and for your courage and dedication in performing your job. It would have been easy to have taken a little longer responding to that call or to have let someone else confront the subject first, but you were noble and brave and walked into the fray to do your job. God bless you and your family and rest in peace, brother.

Agent Chris Utley
21st Judicial District Drug Task Force

November 29, 2006

Slim,


My mind is still racing from the events of 10-31-06 and I have yet to fully understand the loss I feel. I know that I miss you and I feel your absence every time I walk into the station. To say it was unfair that you were taken from us is an understatement. I cherish the lessons you taught me about life and all the memories of you I hold in my heart. I will never forget you, rest well my brother.

Bowling Green Police
MPO Ernie W Steff

November 20, 2006

Im not sure where to start. David was 4 years older than me, so we grew up together. He was one of my best friends. My mind has been racing since that dreadful Tuesday morning. I totally admired David. I didn't tell him enough. As we were on our way to Davids final resting place, I have never seen a sight like it before. People pulled over on the interstate, out of their vehicles saluting as our fallen hero went by. I am overcome with emotion just thinking about the whole day. I am proud to say that David was not only my uncle, he was so much more than that. He was my friend. We laughed together, Played video games together, Killed snakes together, burned up GI Joes together, and what ever else we could do to get into trouble. Master Police Officer David "Slim" Whitson was so much more than an uncle to me. He was and is and all ways will be my Hero. I love you Brother, Tell Moe, Larry, and Curly I said Hi.

Shane Forbis
Nephew of MPO David Whitson

November 19, 2006

With deepest sympatht for the loss of your Husband and Father. May the peace only God can give be with you as the holiday's approach. They are such hard day's, you go through the motions and try to smile for others,while there is such an emptiness inside. May you know that the prayers of your Fallen Officer Family are with you,and that David will forever be kept alive in our memories. A HERO never dies. Rest in peace,David. Keep watch over your family from Heaven's portals. I salute you sir.thank you for you service and sacrifice for the rest of us. Love and Prayers, Carolyn Moore,mother-in-law,Sgt.Jeffrey T.Hewitt EOW 04-04-04 Asheville,N.C.

carolyn moore

November 18, 2006

Thank you for your service. You will never be forgotten

Boston Police Deptarment

November 18, 2006

My condolences to the family of Officer Whitson.

JOSHUA WILLOUGHBY
OHIO COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH

November 17, 2006

David,

I was honored to know you and call you my friend. We have a very hard job and you gave your life protecting the citizens of Bowling Green. You are a HERO. May God be with your family and friends.

Trooper Chad Smith
Kentucky State Police

November 17, 2006

The men and women who serve in our military, police forces and fire departments are our true hero's. Especially those who pay the ultimate sacrafice. It is a true honor to wear our badge and to serve with Officer's like David Whitson. Our hearts and prayers are with his family, friends and those who served with him. God bless him

Sheriff Bob Bezotte LCSD Howell, MI

Sheriff
Livingston Count Sheriff Department

November 17, 2006

On behalf of all WKU grads in the Atlanta area......we extend our heart felt sorry.

Michael D. Mosley BS MA
Asst. Prof. Hea and PE
Georgia Highlands College at SPSU
Marietta, Georgia

Michael D. Mosley , Professor

November 15, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the BGPD at this time of great sorrow.

Lisa Crist
Hendricks County Sheriff's Department

November 15, 2006

"REST ON HIGH" GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. AND GOD BLESS YOUR LOVE ONES.

KY.STATE PARK RANGER CHAD CAMPBELL
DEPT.OF PARKS

November 14, 2006