Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and sacrifice to keep my friends, family, other citizens of Toledo and myself safe. Condolences to the Dressel family and TPD. RIP Detective Dressel.

saddened Toledo resident

February 26, 2007

God bless Mr. Dressel and his family. I have a brother in law who was a police officer and now is in Iraq. I am so saddened to hear of this officers story and passing. I am sure he served with great pride. God bless all.

Jayme Lewis
Citizen/family member of officer

February 26, 2007

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 through such incidents & our comfort is the assurance that He will judge the guilty.

Another senseless tragedy
Another day of grief,
Another day of praying
To help us find relief.

Relief from bitter anguish
Relief from rage so great,
Relief from lenient justice
Which continues to seal our fate.

Relief from heartache’s torment
As we continue on,
Oh, the awesome loss of brotherhood
Now that you are gone.

Though our hearts are deeply broken
And our tears forever flow,
There’s a comforting assurance
That now with God you go.

We know that you are welcome
Now at Heaven’s gate,
While meeting brothers & sisters
Who also met such fate.

The family of Law Enforcement
Knows no distance here or there,
As we recall in comfort
You await us there.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

February 26, 2007

To the Dressel Family,
God bless you in this time of loss. Rest assured that you are in everyone's thoughts and prayers.

Retired Firefighter John M Marciniak
Parker Fire Protection District

February 26, 2007

Rest in peace.
Best wishes to his family.

Mckenzie Dow Citizen
Connection

February 26, 2007

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and coworkers of this fallen hero. Rest in peace!

Andrew, Narcotics Detective
Baltimore City Police

February 26, 2007

Rest in peace brother, God bless your family, department, and friends during this time.

Kevin

Police Officer Kowalik
Harper Woods Police, MI

February 26, 2007

Dear family & friends,
I say a prayer for you. May you know that this brave Detective looks over you from above now.

officer
DART PD

February 26, 2007

You were a garadian angel here on earth, now you are an angel there in heaven! My sincere sympathy to Danielle, Sidney, and Noah! May god give you strength in all the ways you need it!

Melissa (Frederick) Fairchild
childhood friend of keith's wife

February 26, 2007

You will be missed!!!! I thank you for all the time and energy you put into the protection of your city. You really are a hero, and like I said before you will be missed by many!!

Renee' Smith
Pittsburgh, PA

February 25, 2007

Angels in Blue

To serve and protect us,
These angels in blue,
Respond to our calls,
All the day through.
Under heaven's watchful eye,
They patrol everyday,
Keeping us safe under their wings,
And well out of harm's way.
So when you're quietly at home
They're at work keeping the peace,
Say a little prayer for our
Guardian angels called police.

Any one of us as a TPD wife can experience this tragedy, I am so very sorry that it is you and your family. My prayers are with you and your children.

Wife of a Toledo Police Officer

February 25, 2007

Keith, Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. You brought so much joy to our midnight shift (SWAT), It will never be the same without you. We all love and miss you.

Officer Chris Johnson
Toledo Police Dept.

February 25, 2007

We are very proud to have had you protecting our streets as long as GOD blessed us with you. It is officers like you who make life easier for single mothers like myself. My heart goes out to your wife and family. God Bless you all and thank you for serving us, you make us proud to live in Toledo..

Toledo Citizen

February 25, 2007

Legends are remembered but HEROS are never forgotten!

austin
citizen of Sylvania

February 25, 2007

To the family of Detective Keith Dressel. No words can take away the pain you must feel with the loss of your husband your father and friend. In time you will move on always having Keiths memory. But take comfort knowing that Keith is a true hero that has earned his wings and will always watch over his family and his fellow officers and the city of Toledo.

Deputy Chief Todd Walters
Lake Township Fire Department

Duputy Chief Todd Walters
Lake Township Fire Department

February 25, 2007

I am not able to put into words the sadness I feel for the family of Keith.
I am just sick that these things have to happen.
I visited the funeral home today and was able to get some relief by the number of people that were there to show their respect and support for Keith and his family.
I have to ask myself what I can do to help in the community to help keep these things from happening.
I will never understand how one human can take another’s life.
My heart goes out to Danielle and the children. I wish there were something I could do.
I know the only thing I can do is keep them in my prayers as I will.
May God help our society.
For all this has touched, may we all know that Keith had to welcomed with open arms in heaven.

God bless and pray for peace.

Dave Gensler
A sad member of the community

February 25, 2007

After reading all the previous reflections I am at a loss for words. The past few days have been overwhelming for everyone. It is amazing to see how people from all walks of life have reached out to the family and to TPD to offer any assistance possible.Complete strangers have come up and expressed their sorrow...it's all so surreal and awesome to me at the same time. I knew Keith and considered him a friend but he was closer to many other officers...and the pain and shock I have seen on their faces and heard in their voices since Wednesday only confirms how much Keith was loved. I think about the last time I talked to him and how he had me laughing...but that could have been any time I talked to him because he had that Keith way of smiling and laughing at things. If I could say one more thing to him I think I would thank him for that because I know I will remember him that way. I sit here dreading tomorrow and seeing the tears this has caused...but proud at the same time to have a part in giving Keith the goodbye he deserves from us.

One of Keith's good friends and an academy classmate of his told me a couple days ago that this is "a huge loss"...I could not agree more.

John Palmer
Toledo Police Dept.

February 25, 2007

To the family of Keith Dressel you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God watch over you and help you in this time of need. Keith was a great man and outstanding officer. His sense of humor, fairness and respect for others was well know and will be missed. He will not be forgotten. He is truly our hero.

Rick Mohr
friend

February 25, 2007

I found this on the reflection page for another officer who had been killed while doing what he loved and wanted to do, I thought perhaps it might be comforting to you Danielle.

My husband, Lake County Deputy Wayne Koester, was killed on February 9, 2005. As God's eyes fell upon Wayne, they to, have fallen upon you, for He has chosen another beautiful, strong and brave soul to guard his kingdom. As Wayne continues to guide us, may you keep a gentle hand on your family and give them the strength they need to get through the tough road ahead.

Mrs. Sottile and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I too have walked the path that has been chosen for you. As you are experiencing it now, it is sometimes a rough path, where at times it seems like it is full of many hills to climb and rocks to stumble upon. But, you can make it. I was given some advice once to take everything one step at a time. One step became two, and two became four. That's the only advice I can give to you is to take it one step at a time. Your friends, extended family in law enforcement and your community will always be there to lend a hand when that hill gets a little too steep. This site was also a comfort to me. It is not meant to cause painful memories but to honor our husbands for their bravery. I find comfort when I read the thoughts everyone leaves. I know he was loved and respected by everyone he met and to let others know what a wonderful husband and friend he was. I know your husband shares the same qualities as mine. I know that if given another chance, they would do the same job again and again. A job, so few are able and have the courage to do. They are a special breed of men and there are very few like them. I feel very honored to have shared a part of his life, a life of a true hero in every sense of the word. Always remember how much your husband loves you. Don't be afraid to call on your family and friends when you just don't fell like getting out of bed. That is where your support comes from. You and the children will find your strength in each other and in the love you and your husband shared. Always remember, he is in your heart whenever you need to talk to him.




For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Volusia Co. Deputy Ashley Koester
Widow of Lake County, FL. Deputy Wayne Koester EOW 02-09-05

a hurtng citizen, who has an empty spot

February 25, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Keith. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I did not know Keith personally, but I had seen him around the jail. He died doing a job that he loved and protecting the community. There is such honor in that. There is a lot of comfort in being part of the brotherhood that all policemen share with each other. We are a large community that sticks together. Policemen everywhere mourn the loss of Keith. My deepest sympathy.

Deputy Sheriff Menard
Lucas Co. Sheriff's Dept

February 25, 2007

The nights will never be the same, I will forever miss you "dirty boy"

February 25, 2007

To the family, friends and fellow officers of Det. Dressel. My heart and prayers go out to you. You have suffered a loss like no other. I know how you feel. I was with Bryan Hurst when he was shot and killed. The saying "Time heals all wounds" doesn't always apply. When you are feeling sad, just remember that he is in a better place.
Thank you Det. Dressel for your service. You are a HERO and your actions and dedication will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Angie Karst
5/3 Bank
Canyon Center

February 25, 2007

To the family, friends and fellow officers of Det. Dressel. My heart and prayers go out to you. You have suffered a loss like no other. I know how you feel. I was with Bryan Hurst when he was shot and killed. The saying "Time heals all wounds" doesn't always apply. When you are feeling sad, just remember that he is in a better place.
Thank you Det. Dressel for your service. You are a HERO and your actions and dedication will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Angie Karst
5/3 Bank
Canyon Center

February 25, 2007

Words can never describe or give a true reflection of a individuals character or integrity, they may only remind us of the individuals relationship with those whom he came in contact with. Detective Keith Dressel touch many lives in his tour of duty, He certainly made many changes in many individuals lives. Most citizens do not view Officers of the Law as Heroes until a tragedy such as this occurs, unfortunatley the child views the Policeman as taking mommy or daddy to jail, or writing a ticket for what they feel is such a trivial offense.

Very few individuals truly respect Law Enforcement for the job which they are sworn to. Today's culture readily accepts and passes along this type of behaviour to the next generation which in turn passes it to the next, and so on.

Det. Dressel was simply doing his job, whether a insignificant job to many, or a insumountable job to the family's which he helped in a unknowing way, he was doing a job he obviously loved whole heartedly and poured countless hours into.

The New Webster Dictionary defines a Hero as this; A Man of exceptional quality. Not knowing Det. Dressel I can tell you by the reflections left and the amount of graciousness being shown to the TPD and most importantly to the family, Webster is a perfect fit for this Hero.

"I have fought the good fight, I gave finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which trhe Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on theat day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing".
II Timothy 4:7-8.

You have fought and won, rest easy and know you will be missed but not forgotten.

Frenchtown ProfessionaL Firefighters IAFF Local 3233

February 25, 2007

0h well give the boy a lolly and send him home.!r.i.p. you did your duty .

harry winch
retired paramedic

February 25, 2007