Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It was my pleasure to know Mike and his wonderful family.
Mike was always such a kind gentleman, with a pleasant word and smile. Your passing leaves behind a huge hole in the heart of your family members and this community. You are truly a hero, and will never be forgotten.

Caroline Lawrence
family friend

April 3, 2007

To the Altman Family,
I recall the first time I read the news account of this terrible tragedy and my heart broke for your family and Mike's co-workers...I have been in law enforcement for 13 years and visit this site to pay my respects to my fallen brothers and sisters. Mike is a HERO, in every sense of the word. He will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!
Rest In Peace Mike I

Sgt. Volusia County S.O. Florida

April 2, 2007

The Night The Stars Fell From God's Grace
By: Jessica Altman

the night you died the stars fell from the heavens
and the sky cried crystal tears, many hearts
were broken and you'll never be gone cuz
your the wind when it blows, the thought in our
mind, the tear in our eye, the beat in our heart,
the sun that warms our faces and you may be
gone but i know your a star in the sky at
night and the cloud in the daylight, your the sunset
in shades of red, orange, and yellows, your the
flowers that grow wild, and the roses that grow
on the vines, your always around us and you'll
never be really gone.

Jessica Altman
Niece

Jessica Altman

April 1, 2007

A letter to Heaven
Dear God,
Please take care of my brother.
Ease the pain of my parents
Please slow the tears that
flow like rain.
Always let us remember the
fun times we had, never let us
forget.
Give us comfort that he is now
in your loving arms.
I know we will meet with him
again someday.
Please let him know how much
we love and miss him.
Amen
We love and miss you Mike, you will always be in every beat of our hearts.


Marcia (Mikes sister)

Marcia Altman Grandstaff
Mikes sister

March 31, 2007

I wanted to share with the Altman family something that gave me great comfort when my father passed away 12 years ago. Look after eachother and remember Mike with a smile in your heart.

Tigi

Death Is Nothing At All

Death is nothing at all…. I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and You are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are,
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemninity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Pray, Smile, Think of me, Pray for me,
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken with out effect, without the trace of a shadow on it
Life mean all that it ever meant It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you.
For an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is Well.

Tigi
A cyber friend of Mikes Big sister

March 30, 2007

Son, I miss you so much. You will always be with me in spirit. I can feel you presence. I will cherish the last call you made to me. I wish we could have talked longer. I miss those calls everyday. I am so glad we had that last little I love you to each other. I am looking forward to going to my eternal home and be with you again. I Love You Son.

Mom

Deputy Mom

March 28, 2007

God bless all police officers.

Ben Schwerer
citizen

March 27, 2007

This distant cousin of mine, Harold Michael Altman, will be remembered by members of my family. As son Stanley said, "I did not know we had family in law enforcement". He felt exceedingly proud that this good, loving man was related to us.

I love all of you, as family in a close way, not distant, as the generations tell us. And, I will always feel that way.

Marjorie Altman Miele

Marjorie Altman Miele

March 25, 2007

God makes His angels winds and His servants flames of fire.
Hebrews 1:7

Eternal rest grant unto Mike, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace
. Amen.

It seems that your family has been doing as the following prayer suggests. As we grieve a tragic loss or happening in our lives and wonder why us?, often the Bible verse that "all things come together for good to those who love the Lord" becomes real as we end up helping others because we have been there ourselves. We show others how to "lean on God" in times of trouble. I love the song of thisPrayer, also:

Seed Charity Prayer in the Spirit of St. Francis of Assissi

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred,
let me sow seeds of love;
Where there is injury,
let me sow seeds of pardon;
Where there is discord,
let me sow seeds of union;
Where there is doubt,
let me sow seeds of hope;
Where there is darkness,
let me sow seeds of light;
And where there is sadness,
let me sow seeds of joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so
much seek to be consoled as to console you
in others; to be loved, as to love you in others.
For it is in giving that we receive. It is in
pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in
dying as a seed to our selfishness that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.

Mike seems to have fulfilled his mission for God as
in the words of John Henry Cardinal Newman:
"God has created me to do Him
some definite service;
He has committed some work to me'
which He has not committed to another.
I have my mission."

May God grant you peace, healing and bless you and your family,

Marian
Your Cousin

Marian Fitzgerald

March 22, 2007

UNCLE BUBBA
WOW THERE ARE SO MANY MEMORiES i HAVE OF YOU.
THE HOLiDAYS.
THE PLANE.
YOU TEACHiNG ME HOW TO FLY!
YEAH THAT WAS AMAZiNG!
i CAN ONLY REMEMBER ONE CHRiSTMAS WiTHOUT YOU && THAT WAS THiS YEAR && YOU KNOW WHAT YOU MiSSED iT BECAUSE YOU HAD TO WORK. THATS HOW DEVOTED YOU ARE TO THE THiNGS YOU DO.
i MEAN YOU HAD A LOT OF PATiENCE TO BE TEACHiNG ME HOW TO FLY! && iN ONE DAY YOU HAD ME ALMOST ABLE TO LAND BY MYSELF YOU HAD ME FLYiNG COMPLETELY BY MYSELF. && i THANK YOU SO MUCH BECAUSE YOU TEACHiNG ME THAT, OPENED MY EYES TO MORE CAREER OPTiONS THAT i WOULD HAVE NEVER CONSiDERED iF iT WASNT FOR YOU. i MiSS YOU SO MUCH. iTS WEiRD SEEiNG AUNT DEE && YOU NOT BEiNG AT HER SiDE. YOU TWO WERE NEVER APART, YOU SAW ONE YOU KNEW THE OTHER WAS RiGHT BEHiND. BUT i GUESS i WiLL HAVE TO GET USED TO YOU NOT COMiNG HOME ON THE WEEKENDS TO SEE THE FAMiLY && NOT CALLiNG LiKE 10 TiMES A DAY LiKE YOU USED TOO JUST CAUSE YOU WANTED TO SEE HOW EVERYONE WAS. BUT NOW ALL i CAN DO iS MiSS YOU && TELL YOU i LOVE YOU!

robin altman
niece

March 20, 2007

I am from Sneads and I read the Floridian to stay current. I first heard of this tragedy in the early morning hours on duty...I don't have much more time in service than you, but I want you to know that you have changed my approach to every situation I come accross. This hits home...my regrets to your family,the JCSO, and Sheriff Mcdaniel. May you rest peacefully.

Officer J. T. Clark
Kinston, NC Police Dept

March 18, 2007

Uncle Bubba,

I love you Uncle Bubba. I will always. I will never forget you. I will always remember you trying to make everyone laugh. That's what I will rememeber most about you. Your great sense of humor and positive attitude made everyone feel good no matter what the occasion. You will always have a place in my heart. I love you Uncle Bubba!!!!

SPC Robert D Grandstaff
nephew

March 18, 2007

It was a normal day, not different from any other
Until we learned we had lost one of our brothers.
Before that could sink in, much to our dismay,
We learned that our sister had too, passed away.
Sadness, anger, shock and hate
Are just of few of the emotions we all felt that day.
Not one of us wanted to stay at our homes
We rushed to the scene with lights and sirens both on.
As the news of what happened traveled around
It shook the fibers of this very small town.
Why did this happen is what we all wanted to know
Why did our brother and sister have to go?
We may never know why God called them home
But we will always miss them now that they're gone.
At your new duty assignment under God's faithful command
May you rest in peace in that fair land.

Mike,
We will miss you buddy. Though you were only with us a short time, you have impacted our lives forever. You are a hero.

Patrolman Russell E. McNeal
Marianna Police Department

March 17, 2007

Wow, with only one year you gave your life for another. You are a true hero.
Sergeant, San Francisco Sheriff Department

March 13, 2007

Son, I miss you so much. Those mean guys are burning in hell. I will never understand why this had to happen to you but,God has much better things for you. Life here will never be the same with out you. We know you are still here with us in spirit. I love you so much. Mom

Madeline Altman
Mother

March 13, 2007

As a person that grew up in Freeport as well having family in Jackson County on the department I know that the words will never match this horrible act. Dep. Altman you did what you were trained to do and for that you are a hero, As to the ones left behind they will at some point find peace. I never met Sheriff McDaniel but I hope that you also find peace. And for the officers at JCSO be safe.

To the Altman I have you in my prayers.

leo/co

March 7, 2007

ARMOUR OF GOD

As he ran to check on the dead,
He did not even feel the lead.

Everyone said they have lost the best
if only he would have worn his bulletproof vest.

But for God, it was not even a test
For you see, he only wanted him to rest
Because he knew Mike was the best

Mike, you won this race you beat me home.

Billy Aultman
Cousin

March 2, 2007

COMPASSION

Since Mike has died,
He is watching over a child that has never cried

He knows that it will be born
and brought up to serve Jesus who was scorned.


REJOICE

As Mike fell down upon this land,
Jesus stuck his holy hand.

And all the angles gathered around,
For Mike had earned his crown.

As Mike was lifted from this land.
Jesus asked him to play in His band

Billy Aultman
Cousin

March 2, 2007

MIKE'S MEMORY

I remember the day we flew,
God told me to keep an eye on you.

I remember the day you said, "I do.",
and found the one who would love you.

I remember the day you said when your life is though.
Make sure to stand by the ones that loved you.

Billy Aultman
Cousin

March 2, 2007

AIR MAIL FROM MIKE

Even though I would rise to fall,
The deed seemed to me very small,
I was granted access inside the great wall,
and there I will be waiting for you-all.

Inspired by God,
Written by Billy Aultman
7:30 AM 02/04/2007

Billy Aultman
Cousin

March 2, 2007

Time to Learn

The hand is cold
that once held mine.
I can't believe you've really left this world behind,
I can't wait,
I can't hope,
I'll get over this in time.

"It takes time to learn
when someone's gone for good,
their not coming back
like you wish they would.
In the empty hours,
when you miss them so,
then it's time to learn
to let them go."

Your last hours
we never knew,
we never had the chance
to say goodbye to you,
Words unsaid and things undone,
we just begun
and now we'll never see them through.

I heard these words sung on a cd = Yes it takes time, I am still learning, maybe it will take a lifetime. May God give you some measure of comfort and peace during this painful time.

Mother of officer Lamm 1-1-98

February 27, 2007

Dispatch to J-44
I just wanted to call you one last time. To you Mike, my fallen brother. You were like no other. You had your special way each and everyday. Whether you were singing, flying or dying. I heard about you singing, you told me about your flying. I never would have thought I would hear of you dying.
When we were calling to see if our brother had fallen, news came you and Mellie were fatally shot. Your co-workers broke down, town people came around and other law enforcement agencies swarmed into our town.
Two lives were taken in such a horrible way, I will never forget that dreadful day. It was not fair, the grief and pain we had to bear.
So J-44, I'm logging you 10-7(out of service) so you can rest in peace in heaven. For your work on earth is thru, no more pain or suffering for you.
So, my friend until we meet again, I'm signing off 10-7 for I know you are in heaven. Take care of Mellie and may you both Rest in Peace.
Your Dispatcher Friend, J 704
Mary Deason

Mary Deason
Dispatcher Jackson Co Sheriff dept

February 27, 2007

How awful it has been to have to bury one of our finest, and another one of our finest's spouse. Words cannot salve the open wound to the family, friends and co-workers, but it is comforting to see that there are those who try from all kinds of places.
As a wife of one of Mike's co-workers, I would like to thank all those who left a reflection in Mike's honor, and for those who attended his and Mellie's funerals and traveled long distances to show the "brotherhood".
My father was a State Trooper in Ohio, my husband is a deputy and my son is a firefighter. If I thought about all the dangers they face in this awful era I would be beside myself daily. God bless those of you who continue...even though.
I wasn't able to meet Mike or Mellie but only in passing down the hallway at the S.O. I know Mike talked with my husband of getting together for a music jam, which never took place. I gathered that Mike had a sense of humor and it was totally right to remember him that way at his service and it was clear that he AND Mellie are walking in Heaven now. As another post-er said: Mellie walked into heaven on the arm of an angel...and so did Mike.
I wanted all to know that our Sheriff, going through his own pain, attended the service for Mike after having to bury his own wife. He handed off the flag to Mike's wife with one of our dispatchers calling on a car radio:
Jackson to 44 (Mike's number).
(Then louder and clearer...) Jackson to 44.
44, 10-7 (out of service) 10-42 (at home)...for the last time.

Do you think there was a dry eye?
All we can do is tell you thank you, Mike, ...and it is not enough.
You gave all...maybe too much.
You felt the calling, and you heeded, and maybe you shouldn't have, but I feel you died doing what you loved...and probably wouldn't have it any other way. I call you and Mellie martyrs. You are honored.

Teri McPhail
Wife of a Jackson Cty FL Deputy

February 22, 2007

Mike,
When I was told of your sacrifice I felt numb. I remember you as we were when your family would come to visit. I am sorry I didn't get to talk to you in so many years. Know that I am proud of you and I am so sorry that this happened and cut short your life here on Earth. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest easy Brother, you have earned it!

Staff Sgt. Michael H. Price
Jasper Police Department

February 22, 2007

Rest-Easy Mike, we got it from here.

Inv. Derrick Wester
Jackson County Sheriff's Office

February 22, 2007