Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
End of Watch Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Eric Sikes
Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Sikes.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
June 28, 2019
Eric it has now been over eleven years since I have received your kidney! Never had the opportunity to thank you for giving me the second chance in life. You are truly an Angel and there has not been a day goes bye and I think of you and your family. We have had dinner's together and phone calls. All is well! I have shared our story with many of our brothers and sisters in blue. It has been very difficult at times to discuss our short journey together. Thank you for giving the second chance in life! Tell the rest of our brothers hello and take care my friend and brother in blue!
Sgt. David James
RCSO
May 28, 2018
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
November 3, 2017
Uncle Mark I love and miss you I know that you are watching over us and we will see you again soon and you have inspired me to help others and you have also inspired me to want to become a cop and i have wanted to join the Military for years now too. Miss and love you Uncle Mark.
Roman Cheek
Nephew of Deputy Sikes
March 27, 2013
I remember hearing about Mark's death on the radio on my way to work as a first year teacher. I think I even read an article the day it happened but they kept referring to "Eric" Sikes and I suppose it never crossed my mind because we all knew "Eric" as "Mark". I regret that I was not able to attend the funeral because it was too late notice before I could get off work.
Mark and I grew up together. We rode four-wheelers and dirt bikes all through the trails in South Augusta, Mark helped me carve out a lot of those dirt bike trails. His mother used to take us to school. We did a lot together growing up. Then I went off to college in 1999 and really didn't see Mark until 2004. He was not even an officer yet but I was visiting with my dad and Mark came up on a brand new Honda Fourtrax. We talked for a little bit and then parted ways.
Shortly after Mark's death I tried to contact his mother Pat. I left cards and notes in the mailbox but received no response. I can imagine her devastation, something I can't imagine. About a year or so later I left on the back door a framed collage with pictures of me and Mark from our childhood. I don't know if she ever got any of those things.
Mark is still sorely missed even after all these years I cannot believe he died so young.
Brian Baldowski
childhood friend
March 23, 2013
Rest in Peace, Deputy Sikes. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
Officer 11169
April 3, 2012
I miss you my friend and we are reminded of you all the time.
Brandon Tripp
Friend
October 27, 2011
A stranger told me your story along with Deputy David James' story today while on a train ride in California. It was very moving. Know people all over the United States have not and will not forget!
"Freedom requires a sacrafice the protected will never know."
Police Officer
California
April 26, 2010
Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.
James Sheppard
Father of Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 21, 2010
Mark, we love u and miss u, I know ur watching over us, we will meant again one day until then remember we will never forget u
Mindy Sullivan
friend
March 22, 2009
Your heroism and service is honored today, the second anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.
Rest In Peace.
Phyllis Loya
Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
March 21, 2009
Two years may have passed but those that love you have thought of you every day. Their first thought upon awakening in the morning is of you and the last thought they have before drifting off to sleep at night is of you. Continue to keep watch over all of them. Let them feel your presence so that they know you are near and protecting them. You have not been forgotten.
Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
March 21, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.
James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 21, 2009
I miss you terribly and am always thinking of you
Happy Birthday, I Love You!
Erica Cheek
Sister of Officer Sikes
February 10, 2009
I rode for the first time this year in the Police Unity tour and chose to ride for an officer that I didn't know. I picked up his bracelet because I had a C.O. in Basic training named Steven Sikes and his Band stuck out. I called my wife at home and told her I was going to ride for Eric and within an hour she called me on the phone and I could tell she was crying for Erics wife and Daughter. As a father of girls myself and a husband, I was honored to ride for Eric and send my heartfelt condolences to the fanily and friends of our lost brother.
Sergeant Michael Manson
Hartford Police , CT
August 28, 2008
Never forgotten. God Bless your family, friends and co-workers. Rest in peace.
911 Dispatcher
Virginia
March 21, 2008
YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE
VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
February 29, 2008
There is a hole in the Blue Line today
We lost a dear family member in gray.
Down in the “Line of Duty” he went
His full time here not yet fully spent.
His family and friends, they now gather near
To remember how it was, when he was here.
With sliding tear and trembling smile,
We know we won’t see him again for a while.
We reminisce and laugh a bit
At the thought of him not getting into it
With other gray brothers and sisters too
Chasing the bad ones and catching them too.
Now the Bagpipes are silent and the quiet descends
We know that our time with him never truly ends.
We feel him near on our daily patrols
Sitting there watching as our day unfolds.
But we know as we go along driving our beat
There is an angel there in the passenger’s seat.
Guiding our thoughts and our hands through the day
Keeping us clear of harm’s deadly way.
There is a hole in the Blue Line today
We lost a dear family member in gray.
Down in the “Line of Duty” he went
His full time here not yet fully spent.
We miss you.
God Speed My Brother.
Written By:
Angela R. Gates
Deputy Sheriff - Richmond County Sheriff's Department
Augusta, Georgia
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 2005 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission
Deputy Sheriff A. Gates
Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
February 6, 2008
Eric,
You are not forgotten. I saw David the other day at in-service and he is doing so well thanks to your gift. God Bless you my brother. We will be seeing you on heavens streets.
Deputy Sheriff A. Gates
RCSO
February 6, 2008
Eric,
You are not forgotten. I saw David the other day at in-service and he is doing so well thanks to your gift. God Bless you my brother. We will be seeing you on heavens streets.
Deputy Sheriff A. Gates
RCSO
February 6, 2008
Rest easy brother.
#4450
ATF
December 28, 2007
"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission
Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
November 12, 2007
Uncle Mark, you were such a caring, loving person. I miss you soo much, but i know that one day i will see you again. You inspired me to want to help people, just like you always did. I am soo proud of you and I can't believe that you're gone. It is soo weird with you not around, everything seems soo different. I was soo used to hanging out with you and now you're gone and i just really, really miss you, but i know that you are watching over me and everyone else. I LOVE YOU UNCLE MARK!!!
Lauren Cheek
niece of deputy eric "mark" sikes (EOW 3-21-07)
October 3, 2007
I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Deputy Sikes, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.
From reading the reflections left for Eric, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Eric's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Eric's life was about so much more than the way he died. Eric will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.
Deputy Sikes, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been four years but we still miss him terribly.
Wishing you brighter and better days,
Jocelyne :)
"Forever Remembering 26-3"
Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)
September 19, 2007
I moved shortly before this event happened, but it saddened me to learn this this deputy died in the line of duty.
I pay my condolences!!
Christopher J, Gooden
Misc.
August 17, 2007
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