Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our prayers are with Keith's family and friends and to the Toledo Police Department with whom we share borders.
And to the Warrior...Godspeed.

Sgt Frank Atkinson
Monroe County Sheriff's Office, MI

February 23, 2007

Our prayers and sympothies goes out to the family, the Toledo Police Department. what a sensless loss.
Keith died doing what he loved the most. I work for Life Star Ambulance in Toledo, aand had personally met Keith. Sadly he will be missed by many.

Assistant District Fire Chief
Lake Township Fire Department

February 23, 2007

To the Toledo P.D. family and Detective Dressel's family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. A little less than a year ago our department was mourning a fallen Officer also. Rely on each other, but mostly rely on God, he will provide you the strength you need. God Bless!

Sgt. Todd Learst
Dearborn Heights Police Department

February 23, 2007

An Officer Was Laid To Rest Today

An officer was laid to rest today,
his tour of duty done.
His comrades stand to honor him,
saluting one by one.

The uniform in which he served
is proudly worn today.
The badge which shone upon his chest
adorns him as he lay.

The family of this hero
kneels silent by his grave.
Their heads bowed low in thoughts and prayers
of one that was so brave.

The sound of bagpipes are faintly heard
by those who gather near.
As a final call to arms is made
and the flag is brought to bear.

Yes, an officer was laid to rest today
his tour of duty done.
We honor you, dear officer,
with you we stand as one.

Written by: D/S Annette Grzechowiak
Lucas County Sheriff’s Office
Toledo, Ohio

Deputy Sheriff Annette Grzechowiak
Lucas County Sheriff's Office, Toledo, Ohio

February 23, 2007

I would like to thank the family of Keith Dressel for the services that your husband, father, son provided for our community and for your supporting him while he served. Our hearts and prayers are with you all at such a terrible time.

God Bless Keith and God Bless you.

Kerry Nagy
IRS-Criminal Investigation

February 23, 2007

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IM TRUELY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF ANOTHER OFFICER AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU FROM ALL OF THE GALLIPOLIS-OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL

REGINA RUSSELL
DISPATCHER OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL

February 23, 2007

THOUGHT I DID NOT KNOW DETECTIVE DRESSEL PERSONALLY , I SEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THOSE WHO DID. REST IN PEACE.

CPL DET OFC B BURNS
BRYAN COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT

February 23, 2007

Thank you for your years of service and dedication. May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

February 23, 2007

To Danielle
I can only imagine the pain you are going through. I hope you will take comfort in knowing that Keith’s love for you will live on forever. You, Noah and Sydney will be in my prayers and I promise that Keith’s memory and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

To Noah and Sydney
I hope some day you will understand how special your father was. He loved you and you gave his life meaning. Know that your father died protecting freedoms most people take for granted. As you grow up, never question your father’s love for you. He died doing his very best to make the world you will grow up in, a better, safer place.

To my brothers and sisters of the Toledo Police Department
My heart goes out to all of you. Recognize we must come together and go forward with the knowledge that you are filling in the gap of the Thin Blue Line left by Keith’s death. I know you will carry on in spite of this tragedy, because like our fallen hero, you know you must continue to place yourselves in harm’s way to honor his memory and to safeguard your community.

Sergeant - Norfolk Police Dept

Sergeant
Norfolk, Va. Police

February 23, 2007

Keith, words cannot begin to describe the pain in my heart. I refuse to refer to you in the past tense. You are one of my best friends and I'm proud to say that I have the pleasure of knowing and working with you. Your unique personality and sense of humor made an often difficult job in the vice office bearable. The time spent there with you comprise some of my most cherished memories on the job. I pray for you and especially for your family. The hard part of your job is done, and done well. The hard part of their job has just begun. But rest assured we will not forget them as we will not forget you. We will take care of them as you will...watching over them. I won't say goodbye, because goodbye is permanent and I know I'll see you again, I'll just have to wait a little longer than I thought. I am comforted by the following words that convince me that you're still with us.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened garin;
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.

Thank you so much for being a part of my life and therefore making it that much better, I love you and will see you again - Mike.

Ptlm. Michael B. Comes
Toledo Police Department

February 23, 2007

Detective Dressel - God speed on your new assignment. There are many heroes before you who will welcome you to His Heavenly Kingdom. Remember us, those who will carry on in your honor, and theirs. You memory will give us strenght and courage to continue the fight. For you, for them, and for those of us yet to join you, I offer this prayer:

In Saint Michael’s Arms

I proudly chose this life of mine
To wear a badge upon my chest
A member of this thin blue line
To serve among our nations best

I’ve walked through blood and snow and heat
Helped put bodies in a sack
And fought with bandits on my beat
For those who can’t fight back

I’ve missed holidays and little league games
To guard the cities here on earth
Offered mine for those without a name
Because that’s what freedom’s worth

I’ve stood tall and straight in a sea of blue
While a flag draped coffin went by
Seen so many tears, and shed mine, too
As I’ve saluted a final goodbye

Yet for no special treatment will I pray
Until my final shift is done
When dispatched on that final day
To meet God’s only Son

I ask, Dear Lord, oh hear my plea
As your strength keeps me from harm
When I’m delivered unto Thee
Let it be in St. Michael’s Arms

jd ross, 2006

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

February 23, 2007

Please look over us as we continue the good fight. See you in heaven.

Officer Horn
Adrian (MI) PD

February 23, 2007

Keith may be in heavan and not with us anymore but will always be very much alive in our hearts and memories.

Love,
Andrea, Omar and Sofie Kassem

Friend to Keith and his wife

February 23, 2007

Terrible loss, take care Brother..

Officer Scott Parker
Covington Texas Police Department

February 23, 2007

I'm sitting here trying to think of things to do to occupy my mind instead of dwelling on the senseless loss of my fellow officer and academy classmate. I am still in utter shock. Wednesday at work was rather surreal, however I was fortunate enough to work with another academy classmate Scott Swartz which made the day a little easier as we shared the loss of our fellow classmate and laughed telling great Keith stories. It was strange to have the news hit all of us as it did, then go to work and realize that the calls keep getting dispatched, people keep acting as they do, thefts, assaults, hit skips etc. What's up, don't they know we've lost one of our family? Whew! a very draining time indeed for all of us.

I've spent quite a bit of time praying for Keith, Danielle and their kids as well as praying for patience and self control for myself and the other officers who deal with this loss and the anger and hostility that comes with it. I saw a post on this site which said the Bible says "God never gives you more than you can handle" however we covered this in a bible study a couple of years ago. The Bible does NOT say this, instead it says God will not TEMPT you beyond what you can handle. God continually gives us things we can't handle alone so that we may turn to him for help. It seems I've turned to him hourly in an attempt to deal with this painful loss. I take comfort in that fact that God's purpose is not my purpose and he brings something positive out of every tragedy we endure. It's sometime difficult to see at the time but God is so faithful. Maybe this is to draw us together as a department, to make us stronger. Maybe it's a wake up call to all of us who have become complacent with regards to safety and details. Whatever it is, God's plan is always better than our plan.

I pray for Keith's family in this time of loss. We all loved Keith and will miss him terribly however his spirit lives on in our hearts. Keith was truly a hero in every sense of the word.

This verse was already posted but bears repeating:
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (KJV)

Rest in peace brother, you're code 42

Eric

Officer Eric Schwalbe
Toledo Police Officer and fellow 46th academy classmate

February 23, 2007

God Bless You Keith... Rest Easy Brother

Deputy Sheriff
Ohio

February 23, 2007

My family and I are truely saddend by the loss of Det. Dressel. My prayers and heart felt condolences go out to his family in their time of loss. I was on duty the morning of the shooting and had responded to the call. I did not know Keith personally, but have heard nothing but good things about him as a person, father and police officer. Having read all of the postings it's comforting to know so many law enforcement officers are taking the time to leave messages here. You are a true Hero, rest in peace now Keith...

Special Agent Keith Lyons
Norfolk Southern Rail Road Police Dept.

February 22, 2007

I did not have the pleasure of knowing you, but from what I have heard from some of your fellow officers.....I would go into battle with you anyday. My prayers go out to your family.

LTPD

February 22, 2007

Keith, you are my brother. I know that somehow you are watching over all of us now. You will never be forgotten.

To the Dressel family,
You are all in the thoughts and prayers of my family. You are not alone, we mourn with you.

Sgt Thomas Morelli
Toledo Police Dept.

February 22, 2007

I never had the honor of knowing Detective Dressel, but his mother was my daughters first grade teacher. Mrs. Dressel and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that your family is in our thoughts. Your son is a true hero.

Kathy Gardull

February 22, 2007

Toledo has lost a true Warrior this week. You fought bravely in the face of death, and you "Shall Always Be Honored, and Never Forgotten"!

Ofc. Jim Parsons
Columbus Division of Police

February 22, 2007

I heard of this tragedy when I turned the news on yesterday morning. I would like to give my deepest condolences to Det. Dressel's family, friends, and co-workers. You are a true hero and will be greatly missed by many. I thank all of TPD for doing their best at keeping all of our families safe. God bless.

The Cousino Family
Toledo,OH

Toledo Citizen

February 22, 2007

Thank you-
for your service, your dedication, your professionalism, and the times you backed up our husbands, wives, brothers, and sisters...

My deepest sympathy to the Dressel family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Amanda Hubaker
Civilian Dispatcher-TPD

February 22, 2007

God bless to the family, friends and co-workers of Det. Dressel, Thank you for your service, RIP.

mjw643

February 22, 2007

The men and women of the Springfield Park District Police Department wish to send our deepest condolences to the family and co- workers of Detective Dressel. May he rest in peace. We hope that you find comfort from the lord in your time of need and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sgt. Jonathan Davis
Springfield IL Park District Police Department

February 22, 2007