Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

Here I sit on Christmas morning and wonder why these things happen. I'm sure there is a reason although I don't know what it is. We here, left on earth, do know that there is another who can watch over the family of the badge. My prayers are with your loved ones. I salute you.............rest in peace my friend.

Lake Sam 4

December 25, 2006

I remember you, Dan. You responded to help me remove a drunk from one of our properties one night. You even asked me to help you if the situation got out of hand. You showed up several times to help me out as I recall. I remember you being gentle but very firm and direct. You were a big fella with an even bigger heart cut down by a small one with no heart. I also know you were SAVED, in every way a person can be...There are 2 points of comfort I have; knowing that you are with Jesus, and knowing your wife and child are going to be very well taken care of because of the wonderful family you share with O.P.D. May God continue to amaze you & Tony with His Love and Grace. May God hold Dan's wife and child close to Him always. In Jesus' mighty name...

Jeff
Former Patrol Ofcr., RSFPS

December 25, 2006

Officer Bessant, may God watch over everyone that is affected by this horrible tragedy. This terrible ride that they have just started is so unfair. I will pray for them and hope that somehow, someway they will find comfort in knowing that you are on the Golden Highway keeping an eye on them.

God speed sir, we have the watch from here.

Heather
Ohio State Highway Patrol

December 25, 2006

Dan is best of the best, the stuff legends are made of. Dan's son will be told of his life and life's adventures, and Dan will always be there in him. We are all poorer for this loss of one of our own. Dan, I will never forget you.

Warden G. Oggel
California Department of Fish and Game

December 25, 2006

My heart is heavy. I pray for your entire family and many, many friends. You were a man that loved the Lord, his wife, new son, family, friends, career and fellow Law Enforcement Officers. Knowing that you are now in heaven with the Lord makes the grief a little easier. Rest in peace and may your family know peace during such a great loss. Thank you for your service, you will never be forgotten.

Deedra Silva
Wife of San Diego County Sheriff Deputy

December 24, 2006

You are not forgotten! Even on this night as I sit here preparing for St Nick to arrival, I cannot stop my thoughts from wandering toward you and yours! Bless you and yours on this the holy night of our savior's birth! RIP

Chowda
OPD

December 24, 2006

To the family and friends of Officer Bessant,

No words can ever comfort you but just know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many.

To the wife of Officer Bessant,

I know what you're going through and what you will be going through. It doesn't get easier but your child will give you a reason to go on. I was pregnant when my husband was killed in the line of duty and our son already does things that remind me of my husband. You'll find that your child will look at you sometimes and you'll see a glimpse of your husband. You'll live for those moments. God bless you and your child. Your husband will never be forgotten. He is and always will be a hero.

Jo Ann Lasater
Wife of Officer Larry Lasater EOW 4/24/05

December 24, 2006

Rest in peace Brother, May God Bless you and your family.

Patrolman

December 24, 2006

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

Aloha Officer Dan Bessant,
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 by paying the ultimate, final sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe, will NEVER be forgotten. You are all heroes.

The Officer Down Memorial Page gives people from all over the world a place to come together and share their stories and their heartfelt feelings for their fallen heroes. We leave this page after reading these beautiful tributes knowing what a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, fellow officer, and human being this dedicated young man was and how much his life touched other lives.
***********
Officer Dan Bessant,
May God allow you to rest in peace. I wish your wife and infant child love and peace beyond all understanding. I leave them and all who read this tribute, a Hawaiian prayer to take comfort in.
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana. Amen.


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

December 24, 2006

Your EOW came far too soon. Even in tribute, with flags at half mast and black bands on our badges, can we ever honor you enough for the sacrifice you made? You made us all proud Dan, you did everything right. Rest in peace brother.

Officer K. Lynch
La Mesa PD, CA

December 24, 2006

I first met Danny on a North Coast Church white water rafting trip to the Klammath River. He was in Jr. High at the time and stood out as a fun-loving kid, which was not easy in a group of over 100 kids and many adult leaders. I was proud to hear that he was hired by the OPD a few years ago and even more excited when his good friend Brock told me that Danny had become a father.

It's one thing to watch "kids" become productive adults and another thing when those "kids" become parents. But to know that one of those "kids" has now left a wife, baby son, parents and countless friends here on Earth due to senseless violence is tragic. Danny worked to make Oceanside a better and safer place. I appreciate his commitment and dedication and will continue to pray for a "peace that surpasses all understanding" for his family and friends.

Diane Matsumoto, Fire Captain
Hemet Fire Dept.

December 24, 2006

Sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our prayers. God Bless.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Master Sergeant
Colorado State Patrol

December 24, 2006

Dan,

It has been 4 days since you were taken so brutally from us, and each day I wake up praying that it has all been a dream. No matter what kind a day I was having at the front desk, you could always put a smile on my face! I am going to miss your stories, your laughter and your sector notes!!! But most of all, I am going to miss you. You are a hero among us. You will never be forgetten! OPD will make sure that your memory lives on and your family stays safe. It is too soon after we lost Tony, to have lost another Officer. I can see you and Tony in heaven looking down on us and watching over all of us. You loved being a police officer so much!! If your family ever needs anything at all, all they have to do is call!!!

I will remember your smile and your sense of humor and your love of God, family and OPD. Thank you for protecting us. You are still doing that know, just walking a different beat. God bless you Dan!!!

I will never forget you!

Always,

CSO Antoinette Epps

CSO Antoinette Epps
Oceanside Police Department

December 24, 2006

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

December 24, 2006

Rest in peace my fallen brother. Blessed are the peacemakers. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

SA Keith Laughlin
ICE

December 24, 2006

our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time officer bessant-we want to say a heartfelt
thank you for your swervice, thank you for willing to provide a safe enviroment for the people of oceanside.
you will be missed but we belive you are with your savior in heaven..for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord...peace be to you.

ocenside citizen

December 24, 2006

My god bless his sole. Justice will never be enough, nevr forget.

Joe Fisher
USMC

December 24, 2006

We are deeply saddened by this tragic event.
We keep waiting for your police car to come home.
We honor your bravery and willingness to make a difference in our community, even at the risk of the ultimate sacrifice.
My daughter will miss waiving to you.
I will miss being up, getting ready for work,before sunrise,and seeing you got to work, and feeling really good to know you were there.
You remain and always will be a hero and an individual to admire and honor.
Thank you Dan, for being a Cop
The Paul Family

Erik S Paul
Neighbor

December 24, 2006

Officer Bessant
I'm deeply saddened to hear you're no longer with us especially during this time of year. Thank you for your dedication in serving and protecting your community. May you rest in peace in God's hands.

Ranger Ted Parisi
Pechanga Tribal Rangers Department of Public Safety

December 24, 2006

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Dan Bessant as well as to the Oceanside Police Department. Rest in peace Officer Bessant, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda Police Department

December 24, 2006

Officer Bessant you are a true Hero among men!! We will all miss you!!! Rest In Peace Brother your work here is done!!

Officer Edward Day #370
Robstown, Texas Police Department

December 24, 2006

You will be missed, my fallen brother.

Cadet Mena Salama
Palomar College Police Academy class 14

December 24, 2006