Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

For the past week it seems that I have done nothing but cry. I cried for you, I cried for your family, for your friends, for our department and for the City of Oceanside. While I know God has his reasons, it is difficult to understand how a hero who made such a positive impact on the world could be taken from it so soon.

I’ve been to the scene. I stood at the corner and looked around, trying to understand what happened. Even so, despite my sadness, I can’t seem to comprehend that you are really gone. I dreaded the viewing because I thought it would sink in then. I stayed for two and a half hours, but it wasn’t you. I finally realized the problem is that you were always so full of life. Your mere presence lightened up the room. I always knew you were at work because I could hear someone laughing at your jokes or one of your crazy adventures from all of the way down the hall. It doesn’t seem possible for someone with that much life inside of him to be gone. So now I’m sitting here, about to leave for your funeral, and I still keep thinking that you will come strolling in the building, sit down in briefing and bring back that piece of life that was stolen from you as well as those of us who were lucky enough to know you.

Toniann

FET Toniann Rebick
Oceanside Police Dept, CA

December 28, 2006

I am so sad to hear about Officer Bessant's death. Thank you for watching over the area where my family lives. Thank you for giving your life to serve and protect. To your wife, baby and other family, friends and brothers and sisters in law enforcement, -You will be in my sincere thoughts and prayers. This is never easy, it never will be, to lose another officer. You are are forever a hero.
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
Much Love-

Jonelle M. Hughes
Wife-LVMPD

December 28, 2006

Bessant family and Oceanside Police Department, your officer did not die in vain. My prayers are with the Bessant family and to the Oceanside Police Department. This senseless crime does not in any way make me not want to become an Officer myself. It makes me want to go 10-8 now and work on getting these thugs off our streets. God bless the Bessant family and the Oceanside Police Department. Mike Medrano

Mike Medrano

December 28, 2006

Dan, may you rest in peace. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and you will not be forgotten. To Officer Bessant' wife... Our prayers are with you and your son. Alway remember Jer. 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans to prospers you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." RIP Dan.

San Diego PD Officer

December 27, 2006

You will be forever missed brother. May God bless the Bessant family. We got it from here.

Officer E. Mitchell
San Diego Harbor Police

December 27, 2006

May you rest in peace sir, and may those responsible get what is coming to them. Your sacrifice, and that of your family, will not be forgotten. Thank you for making me a better officer. Good bye brother, see you when I get there.

Officer
Pooler Police Department, Pooler, GA

December 27, 2006

I was in town when this Hero lost his life. I have great respect for the officers their families in the larger cities. Officer Bessant, you and your family are in our prayers. God Bless.

Officer J.Stika
Santaquin PD, Utah

December 27, 2006

Thank you for your dedication and service. May God be with your wife and family, they are in my prayers.

LEO wife

December 27, 2006

being the brother of an oceanside police officer your heart drops into your stomach when you hear "an oceanside officer has been shot" when I heard it was an oceanside native Dan bessant it really hit home!!! It puts your life in perspective REAL QUICK!!

what breaks my heart is that baby-boy and wife....i have a 5 year old and a 2 year old and it just hurts so much to know that he was such a great father to that baby, and a great husband to his wife and that has been taken from them. When Ryan was sworn in as an oceanside police officer i had never been more proud to be Ryan Davis' brother. I know that everything happens for a reason and I can promise you DAN is living in a better place then we could even imagine. My heart goes out to the Bessants especially Drew, I have no idea what it would be like to lose my brother and it brings tears to my eyes to even think about it, God bless you Drew!!!

it is easy to get FURIOUS at the "kid" who did it but when you read what Dans father said about forgiveness it really shows you how much they love the lord.

THANK YOU SO MUCH OFFICERS FOR WHAT YOU DO!!!....being a police officer is not a job its a calling!

Tony Davis
Brother to Ryan Davis OPD

December 27, 2006

To family and friends of Dan, Katelyn and Wyatt,

Although I have only met Dan a few times, he was great fun to be around. I shared a few classes with Katelyn in high school and I just want to lend my support to her. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers and may God bless you forever. Please know Dan will always be watching over you and Wyatt.

Jaime (McDowell) Martinez
Citizen of Oceanside

December 27, 2006

Although I did not no officer Bessant,my sincere prayers and deepest condolence go out to his family and the Oceanside Police Department.Police officers have a calling to do the Lords work, that's what makes us special and seperates us from the rest. May God bless,keep and pertect officer Bessant's family and O.P.D.

We have another soldier in heaven.

Deputy James Andrews
Los Angeles County Sheriff Department

December 27, 2006

Rest in Peace Dan. You will not be forgotten. Your family and fellow Oceanside PD officers are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless and keep you.

Lieutenant Ron Melton
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

December 27, 2006

To PO Dan Bessant

Thank you for your dedicated service. You will be missed by your family, friends, and all members of the police department family. No words I can say will easy your family's pain as I have found. We are praying for you and your family. You are a true hero.

Brother of PO Jeremy Chambers 101
E.O.W. 04-24-2006

PO Chris Chambers
St Louis County Police Dept Mo

December 27, 2006

Heartfelt condolences to Officer Bessant's family, friends and the men and women of OPD.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

D.E. Clark, Lieutenant
S.D.Sheriff/North County Regional Gang Task Force

December 27, 2006

To the family of Officer Dan Bessant and to all the members of the Oceanside Police Department,

My heartfelt sympathy to all of you. May your wife stay strong during this most hurtful time. My prayers are with you daily.

Patti Travis, Carlsbad, CA

widow of Ofc. Mike Travis, Swansea, MA

December 27, 2006

To Officer Bessant family, friends, and the Oceanside Police Department; I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are will you all. Thanks Officer Bessant for a job well done, I salute you. You are a true hero; May your soul rest in peace.
Respect.....Honor.....Remember.....

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

December 27, 2006

Thank You. You will never be forgotten. God bless You and Your family.

P.O. PCS
Chicago Police Department 011 District

December 27, 2006

I am so sorry for your loss. I also lost my husband (Texas State Trooper Eduardo Chavez) this year while I was 8 months pregnant with our first child Eduado Chavez Jr. I am praying for you and your child, because prayer does help you get through the long days, having to care for an infant without your husband, but God will help you through it. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing one day I WILL get to hug and kiss Edward again! May God bless you and your child!

Iliana Chavez
Wife of Eduardo Chavez EOW 5-2-2006

December 27, 2006

Thank you for your service. My thoughts to your spouse and young child. My prayers to you. Godspeed.

Deputy Probation Officer
San Luis Obispo County

December 27, 2006

I just want to let you know that my heart is heavy with sadness thinking about you and your family and how they will now have to journey through this life without you. Thank you for your service and dedication. May God give your family and friends strength to bear this unbearable and senseless tragedy.

Carol Espinoza, Mother of
Officer Isaac Espinoza, SFPD, EOW 4/10/04

December 26, 2006

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

PO SR Roger Bell
Gwinnett County Police Dept., GA

December 26, 2006

My heart and prayers go out to the family of Officer Dan Bessant. Rest in Peace brother, you will never be forgotten!!!

P.O. Mike Schira
St. Louis County Police Dept. MO

December 26, 2006

My most sincere condolences to the Bessant family and friends. Our hearts go out to you during this time. God bless.

Collette Ojeda
County of San Diego Probation

December 26, 2006

Dan,
This is just unreal! I miss you so much. Selfishly, I am so bummed for the all the great times I will miss without you in my life, but I can't help to be unbelievably broken for your wife, child, and family. What a terrible loss. You are truly one of a kind and will miss looking down at my cell phone, seeing your name, and lighting up with excitiment wondering what great adventure I will be involved in within the next few hours.

Dan I can't wait for the day to play in heaven. Hopefully God has a "Wild Rivers." Here's to the countless memories and the ones that will never come to be.

Go Padres!
Scott

P.S. Bella and Cassidy are in good hands.

Officer Scott Garrett
Oceanside Police Department, friend

December 26, 2006

Dress right, dress...it's time to see your Creator.

You fought the good fight, now rest my brother, we'll take it from here.

God bless your family Dan.

Special Agent
ICE-San Diego

December 26, 2006