Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am so sorry that Officer Bessant was the victim of this senseless act of cowardice. The circumstances of his death will now be incorporated into all of my car stop training, to help protect the lives of our officers who are just starting their careers.

Sergeant Susan Lundquist
Woodland PD

January 3, 2008

In DC, at the top of a hotel, I happend to meet your dad, brother, and other people there for you. I think of you and them often.

Laura Briggs, NH

January 2, 2008

HI Dan,

I have not yet begun to clean out the Class 15 files, so one of my lengthy reflections will be coming shortly.... Hopefully you will have some time to sit down bc I tend to be a bit of a "novel" writer upon the graduation of a class.

What I really want to say is "THANK YOU." As you know, OPD had another OIS the other night. I was off and while wrapping Christmas presents it broadcasted over the news. Of course with hearing it on the news, the details were few. My heart sank bc it was all surreal as to a year ago of hearing about you while I was typing in our report room. I know you and Tony wrapped your arms around those involved and I THANK YOU so much for protecting them. I will write again soon. Merry Christmas.

R. AKANS #1354
ESPD/PCPA

December 26, 2007

Hey buddy, thought I'd write a few words and let ya know our family is thinking about you and your family, more than ever due to it being Christmas. Kim suprised me and framed our academy picture for me for Christmas. What a great present!!! There you are up in the top row with me looking all studly in your OPD uniform. As I left for work today leaving my family for Chrismas day, I couldn't help but think how your family must miss you. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Dan's family, and extended family. We miss ya buddy....

Deputy David Dorroh
San Diego County Sheriff's Department

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas buddy- man what a tough time of year this is now. no matter what i do to try and compensate for the void of no dan i end up thinking about you. its been a tough last couple of weeks with the anniversary. maybe you can work on eliminating that date on the calendar and while you are at it how about erasing property tax day too. merry christmas!

Richie Scaggs
opd

December 25, 2007

My husband recently became a sheriff one year ago. He graduated one month after your passing and I remember crying with unbelievable emotion as I seen your story in the news. I felt as though I was somehow watching my future play out before my eyes. I kept hoping their would be a better outcome. I was praying to god to give you strength to get back home to your wife and child. I began to have doughts about my my husband joining the force. I begged him to quite, even though he only hand a few weeks before graduation. Then somehow I relized that this was something that he wanted and needed in order to feel complete. I feel you had the same. You are trully special human beings. rest in peace

Wife of Law Enforecement Officer
San Diego County

December 23, 2007

To the Bessant Family,
You all have been in my thoughts and prayers all day yesterday. It will get easier but never goes away . The pain for me is still deep after almost 3 years. My whole family struggles daily. After meeting you all, I know your faith and strength is very strong and will help you to carry on.

Maureen Tutino
Mom of LASD Deputy James P. Tutino EOW 01/26/05

December 22, 2007

To Dan’s Own – I read these reflections here and I picture you wives, your brave hearts. I never met Officer Bessant, but I was struck hard by his story. I found once I studied law enforcement, the nature of the siren's sound changed. Now I hear men, women, moving through this tough town to keep us safe. Part of me rides along. In prayer. My poem is about the men and women who serve and protect, and the fallen officer who finds them in the quiet moments.

He is at the intersection
Engine running,
Waiting for the light to change.

He is full of brave hope –
Cut –

- Now you prowl together
Unexpectedly, when
Heavy rain sweeps
Down the boulevard
Streams across the windshield –
Cuts, clears, courses,
Cuts, clears, courses.

Hearts beating in time.

On the other side
Of the same long, long day,
She waits quietly,
By a window,
Under a clearing sky,
Near a sleeping child.
Braver
Because the special moon
Holding her enraptured
Is a pearl,
A gift from
The Fallen Officer,
Her husband.

Windy
Civilian

December 22, 2007

Take care Dan & We'll see you again next year. We miss you!

From all of Us...

December 21, 2007

Danny Boy, we all made it through yesterday somehow. Miss you and love you...

Off. Jonathan Hoover
Friend and OHPD

December 21, 2007

Danny Boy, we all made it through yesterday somehow. Miss you and love you...

Off. Jonathan Hoover
Friend and OHPD

December 21, 2007

Danny,
It has been a year since you made the ultimate sacrifice for your community yet it seems like it was only yesterday. I had been looking forward to the annual Bessant family hunting/fishing trip hoping that spending time with your dad, brother, uncle, cousin and friends would help make sense of things. At the last minute I had to bail in order to take a mandatory class for my teaching credential. I am grateful for the time I had with them in Sacramento and am amazed by your family’s strength. I guess I shouldn’t be considering they are what made you the special person you were. Still thinking of you every day, rest easy my friend and brother in blue.

Frank
SAPD

December 21, 2007

Steve and family,

I want to personally thank you for allowing us the honor of memoralizing Dan throughout the past year and pay tribute to him at our graduation last Thursday. Here I am one week later, reflecting on the amazing speech and words you blessed us with at that time. I know it wasn't easy, but I know you did it for Dan. You have an amazing family and I look forward to watching Wyatt grow into an amazing man just like his father...and his grandfather! You are in my thoughts today more than ever.

Shanon Dreyer, Supervisor
Palomar College Police Academy

December 20, 2007

On the 1st anniversary of Officer Bessant's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Bessant is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

December 20, 2007

Dan,
I can't believe it has been a year since your death- I can still vividly remember the moment we got the call about the shooting and my husband rushing out the door to work. I sat on the phone all night that night talking to the other OPD wives and praying for your family, and for Katelyn and Wyatt. I am still saddened by your death to this day, though we have never met. My husband told me some great stories about you, including how you would come home late from work and drive Wyatt around in the car for hours so Katelyn could get a little much needed sleep- we were new parents at that time too, so I could definitely relate! I know you are up there in Heaven smiling down on your brothers and sisters at the OPD. Please continue (along with Tony) to watch over them and protect them. I can't bear the thought of the loss of another OPD family member; 2 too many have already been lost as it is. Know that you are missed and thought of every day!

OPD Wife

December 20, 2007

Dan,
It has been a year since you were taken from us. It still seems like yesterday. Everyone constantly thinks and talks about you. Very rarely does a day go by and I don't hear a "Dan" story. We all miss you very much. Tonight they are going to have a moment of silence for you on the radio and I know it is going to be hard for everyone. Continue keeping us safe as we continue to walk the line you walked so well. God Bless you Brother...

Police Officer Ryan P. Davis
Oceanside Police Department

December 20, 2007

As your family, friends and co-workes remember you today, may they find comfort in the knowledge you are watching over them from above. May God bless and keep them close in His heart so they can remember the good times with you.

Thank you for working to protect the citizens of California. Rest well.

APD LEO's wife

December 20, 2007

Officer Bessant,

We had a couple of AJ classes together at Palomar. We only spoke a few times, but it was clear from my interactions with you and from your participation in class that you had the makings of a great cop. Clearly you turned out to be one.

I was saddened to hear of your untimely passing 1 year ago Thursday. I wish your wife, child, and all of your family the best. You died a hero and will be remembered forever.

Anonymous

December 17, 2007

Officer Bessant,
It is almost one year ago that you were called home. As the holidays approach and you prepare for your second Christmas in heaven, may your loved ones and friends feel you all around them and remember the imprint you left on their lives. You are forever a hero, and will live on always.

Pennsylvania citizen

December 17, 2007

Ofc. Bessant, family, and friends...

Bless you and yours during the holidays, and the one year you were taken away from your loved ones...I wish them all fond memories, strength, and comfort on Dec. 20th. Semper Fi from a former Marine who served at Camp Pendleton, under the protective blanket of Oceanside officers. In 1997, I was followed by a known violent rapist who used meth on a regular basis. OPD took the sicko into custody (including a rape kit and possession of meth, while DUI/dope), and I never had to testify- guilty! I will never forget the professionalism of the officers and protection they provided, thank-you. I wish you all safety on the streets.

Ofc. Patty Brown, USMC
San Francisco PD, Bayview MIDS

December 16, 2007

For Steve Bessant,

Thank you for your kind words the other night at the graduation and more importantly, for the honor of letting us memorialize Danny and be a part of your family. Your strength, faith and courage humbles me daily and I am forever grateful. I came across this today and I thought it was so fitting and knew you would find Dan among these lines...

SAINT MICHAEL'S BOYS

Not long ago, the struggle between Good and Evil erupted, again, into war. The Devil threw his forces against the very Gates of Heaven, themselves. His attack beaten back, he withdrew and called for a meeting with God.

And Satan began.....

Who were those men who stood their ground,
When they were just some thousand few?
And when Gabrielle's Army is clad in gold,
Why did they all wear blue?

"They were out-numbered ten-to-one
And should have run like new-born foals,
But when they showed no fear I realized
That you'd used men who have no souls,

"And there, at last, I have you,
Through all your boasts you've lied,
So no more claims of righteousness
And behind no more Commandments hide,

"You've cheated and you've robbed me,
Those men, they are my proof,
The soul-less can't be yours in Heaven,
But mine in Hell, beneath my roof."

God listened, then replied....

"My poor, misguided child
Can't you see the error of your ways?
Those men just stood against you, now,
As they did in mortal days,

"I knew they wouldn't turn and run,
For they've seen your worst before,
And that is why I placed them there,
To keep safe and guard my door."

"As for those battered coats of blue,
They're worn with such fierce pride
That if I ordered them to change,
Then even I might be defied,

"Ye, you believe they have no souls,
When their souls are why they're here,
For in life each took an oath they kept
Although the price was steep, and dear,

"Even tempted by the face of death
Their hearts did cowardice decline,
You see, they never could be yours,
As they were then, and always, mine,

"And it's strange that you don't know them,
Since you've sent me every one,
Each time your murderers and theives
Killed a policeman's father's son,

"With tear-stained eyes I greet them all,
Cut too soon from their families' joys,
So send me all your soldiers of Hell...
And they'll meet Saint Michael's boys."

Officer Damian Jackson
Escondido PD / Palomar Police Academy

December 15, 2007

You are remmebered today and thank you Sir for your service

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

December 11, 2007

Okay...Well I have taken a few weeks to breathe now :) I can't express to you how much we miss you!! Rob and I just got back from a great, week long cruise to Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta!! Rob was in his element out there on the sea....Your bright smile and great laugh was there with us in the Sunrise and Sunsets! What a blessing the 5K was...I trust you watched all of the details unfold for yourself, so I need not have to explain it! The whole thing was truly amazing and far outweighed our expectations for income and blessings!!...Thank the Lord for ALL of the people that came out to participate, volunteer and just plain wrote a check!!! Without all of those hand picked people that the Lord provided me....I would have never been able to do it :) Like Jon told you earlier, even Bussey and Scarano were involved from the start, never waivered and were absolutely amazing men to work with! I always knew that of them though...as Tony the Tiger would say "They're GRRRREAT!!" The Event was Truly an Honor to your name and what you represented! It won't be the same to be at the OPD Christmas Party without you this year...that conversation you and I had, along with that face you made :), is imbedded in my mind forever!! It makes me smile when I think of it! Thank you for being a Man of Honor and Integrity! Wyatt is SOOOOOO Wonderful and I love my "Wyatt" Sitting day's!!! We love and Miss You! Praying that you continue to help watch over each of us! Take care Buddy!! Rob will keep throwing out a hook and bait for you :)

Love and Prayers!

Tamara Sarracino
OPD Wife and Friend

December 10, 2007

So yesterday I get a call to take the Mayor and some "important folks" out for a boat ride. That's not uncommon right; except when there's a small craft advisory. So I gave them two very stern warnings but they wanted to go to the seal buoy, despite the risk of getting "a little wet". They were so wet it was as if they had just jumped into the ocean fully clothed. We didn't make it half way there before they wanted to turn around. There's a reason I wear that goofy yellow "rain slicker". Apparently they didn't pick up on it.

Thought you would enjoy the story...miss you every day buddy.

Off. Jonathan Hoover
Friend and OHPD

December 8, 2007

50years ago today my father was fatally shot and killed in the line of duty as an LA County Sheriff. I have spread word with strangers, newspapers, tv stations etc that I am celebrating my father's extraordinary courage in the face of danger. As a resident of North San Diego County the loss of Officer Bessant was trully close to home. Trust me when I say my family recognizes the Bessant family loss and sacrifice going forward. Stay strong and gather for history all you can for reflection later, Daniel will love you for it......Donald E. Sutton (aka Horr), Escondido, Ca.

Donald E. Sutton
Son of a Courageous Man

December 7, 2007