Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My deepest sympathy to the Bessant family. The senseless taking of Dan's life will never be answered and I know you will keep asking why. Keep his memory alive as he is a true hero. I ask that his friends in the police department stay close to his loved ones and if you have any stories, to tell them to the family as these are memories that will live on for generations. Dan, keep watch over your loved ones and be at their side as they journey through life, keep them on the right path. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 26, 2006

I've been waiting for the right words to come to me before leaving this, even though I know in my heart there are none and nothing will make this any less a tragedy. Through the memories of the many people Officer Bessant came in contact with, his courage and integrity will continually shine. All law enforcement family everywhere honors the sacrifice he made.

Beth
Tennessee

December 26, 2006

Though I never met Officer Bessant, I would like to extend my thoughts to his family, and the Officers of the Oceanside Police Department. We serve and protect, and put our lives on the line daily. There is no higher calling than to serve. I will be praying for Officer Bessant's family, and my fellow officers and friends at OPD. I am still proud to call myself an Oceanside Police Officer.

Tom Lundgren

Tom Lundgren
OPD Senior Police Officer, retired

December 26, 2006

Officer Bessant...We know why you responded with dedication. Our thoughts and prayers are with your Family, Friends and Law Enforcement Family. Thank you for your service.

Police Lieutenant
Naval Weapons Station, Charleston, SC

December 26, 2006

God bless you for your service and ultimate sacrifice and together with God and St. Michael you can watch over the rest of us as we continue the fight.

Officer M.Freer
Marietta Ga. Police Dept. Crime Interdiction Unit

December 26, 2006

THOUGH I DID NOT KNOW OFFICER BESSANT YOU HAVE MY HEART FELT SYMPATHIES.

CPL DET OFC B BURNS
BRYAN COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT., GA

December 26, 2006

Our thought and prayers are with your family Officer Dan.

Tom Cabral
Brother of Lt Robert M Cabral EOW 11/05/05

December 26, 2006

It is never easy when an officer is taken from us. Even though I did not know Officer Bessant, it is still difficult to accept another loss. My prayers and thoughts are with Officer Bessant's family at this difficult time. God bless you.

Dispatcher
Riverside Sheriffs Department

December 26, 2006

God Bless Peacemaker, We Will Never Forget. God Bless Your Family.

Det Krebs
Philadelphia Police Dept.

December 26, 2006

You were a good person, Dan. I wish I could have known you better. There is no doubt that you were a brave man tempered with compassion. My prayer is for your wife and Wyatt to know that the love you had for the OPD was exceeded only by your love for them and your zest for life! They will be strong, proud and persevering because of you.

civilian
neighbor

December 26, 2006

God bless you and guide you through these unthinkable times.

December 25, 2006

Rest in peace my fallen brother. May God be with you and yor family.

Officer Joel Monreal
Chula Vista Police Department

December 25, 2006

God bless you and your family. You are a hero.

Deputy Strickland
Carver County

December 25, 2006

Ofc. Bessant,

Wishing you and yours strength through troubled times, particularly during the holidays. Please know that people love, support, and miss you. I didn't know you, its the simple fact that we are Officers that bond us, something only we understand. Our jobs are selfless and often unforgiving. As I stated to Ofc. Zeppetella on his reflection, I always felt safe as a young Marine woman in Oceanside- because of Officers like you. Ofc. Hoover, keep your head up and push forward, stay strong for yourself and your Officers. Watch the hands, always look up, never let anyone talk on the cell phone (call for back-up gang members). Thank-you, bless you...

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

December 25, 2006

Dan-

Like many people, I have a hard accepting the fact that you are no longer with us. It seems that everywhere I go there is something that reminds me of you. For instance when I see a bison while on patrol I remember when you wanted to buy a calf, feed it worcestershire sauce and beer, to fatten it up. Or the time when you killed your first buck by Grant Lake but, you didn't want to clean because of the blood. I will surely miss your smoked food and listening to your stories. Or they day we took the boat to Catalina and got caught in the perfect storm. My life was changed the day we met. There is not a whole I can say.

I just want you and everybody else know that you are a hero and will be remembered as such. I will see you one day in a better place.

Alan Gregory

Wardan Alan Gregory
California Department of Fish and Game

December 25, 2006

Thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and those serving with the Oceanside Police Department. God bless your wife and two month old child. I know that as your child grows older, he/she will be proud to speak of you knowing that you were a hero and you were proud to serve the citizens of Oceanside.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

December 25, 2006

I was talking to one of your OPD brothers today and he told me that it still has not sunk in that you are gone. Today is especially hard. I find it hard to be joyful knowing that you cannot celebrate your first Christmas with your son. I wonder why you...why the good ones? I was in the academy when Tony was killed and I had wished that his funeral would be the last that I would attend. Sadly but proudly I will be at yours as well. I find solace knowing that although you were stolen from your loved ones down here, you have good company up there that will stand beside you. Those of us left behind have the best angels watching over us. Thank you for your service and for making the ultimate sacrifice. You will be missed but never forgotten. Merry Christmas, brother.

JB #375
EPD / PCPA

December 25, 2006

To Dan's best friend and wife, brothers and sisters in law enforcement, friends, family, and son -
Thank you for your service. I am so sorry for your loss. What you are experiencing is a nightmare I have dreamt too often as an officer and wife of an officer. My heart goes out to all of you and we will be praying for you.
Angels about you and good luck with little Wyatt.If he looks anything like his daddy he will be a heart breaker!

Sergeant Elizabeth IBARRA
Milwaukee Police Department and LEO Wife

December 25, 2006

God bless all the men and woman who lay there lives on the line daily to protect us. The courage it shows for every last officer, in any agency, to stand up and fight for the rights and protection for all. As I read these reflections of your life, I feel emotion from every written word. I have no doubt your family will be taken care. All your fellow officers carry a peice of you in there hearts. In that sense Wyatt will be raised with a part of you as well. May sorrow be lifted from all your hearts as you remember Dan. His path was one he chose, so remember he was happy. I cant explain how sorry I am. My prayers fallow you, your wife and son. God Bless.

Stephanie Apatiga
Oceanside resident

December 25, 2006

My heart goes out to you Dan; job well done. I am proud of you and your department, for all your accomplishments, dedication and sacrifices. Those badges are only given to a chosen few.
Thank you for your honor, courage, and commitment.

Officer Frank Soriano
Nevada Corrections

Officer Soriano
Nevada Dept. of Corrections

December 25, 2006

Danny, I remember you so well.... whitewater rafting on the Upper Klamath river during the junior high trips. Campfire stories and jokes, exploring and "cliff diving". You were such a crack-up... a funny, funny kid with a kind soul and gentle spirit. You were only about 17 when we left California, but I knew that if you grew up to be half of the man you were in the process of becoming way back then, you would rock the world. You did, and you have.

There is peace in knowing that you had a relationship with Christ as your Savior and Lord. My heart aches for your family though, but I trust that the Lord will see them through.

You left your imprint on the hearts and minds of so many, and will never be forgotten.

Nancy (Berger) Cozadd
former Youth Leader

December 25, 2006

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOUR FAMILY FIND PEACE THROUGH THIS TIME OF GREAT SADNESS. MAY THE ANGELS GUIDE YOU AND BLESS YOU DURING YOUR JOURNEY...REST IN PEACE.

DAVE RODRIGUEZ
CSPD-RETIRED

December 25, 2006

It was a shock once again to hear of yet another officer being shot. It brings back the pain of losing my nephew, my borhter in blue. May God give your family the strengh each day to go on. You are a hero and will always be remembered.

Sgt. M. Poni, SFSD
Aunt of Officer Isaac Espinoza, EOW April 10, 2004

December 25, 2006

Dan,
Reality has not set in yet that you're really not here with us anymore. I have so many funny memories of you coming into dispatch. When I would see you, I'd yell out "BEAR!" then you would start cracking a joke or say something in one of your funny voices while you'd be standing at the printer or right behind me when I was trying to dispatch a call, without laughing. I will miss your smooth cover ups when you'd slur what you were trying to say over the radio. I'm laughing about them now as I write this.

I always looked forward to talking to you about Katelyn & Wyatt. You could see just how proud you were to be her husband and Wyatt's father. The joy and love you have for them is unbelieveable.
I know you and Tony are out on big adventures and entertaining a whole new crowd with your antics while you both patrol Heavens' streets.

Dan, you are going to be so missed by all us here. I hope you know, all of us will be watching over your family while you watch over us.

Rest in peace "Bear" and thank you for all the wonderful memories, smiles and laughter that you left with all of us.

Heather Blackwell - OPD Dispatcher
Oceanside Police Department

December 25, 2006

Rest in peace, Brother. God be with your family.

Lt. J.D. Ross
El Paso County Sheriff's Office - Colorado

December 25, 2006