Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace Officer...

Lieutenant
Genesee County, Michigan

March 26, 2007

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

Aloha Officer Daniel C. Martinez,
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 and pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe, will NEVER be forgotten.

I personally pledge, (after one of Hawaii's own Honolulu Police Officer Steve Favela, lost his life last year in the line of duty protecting our Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush), to become a continuum; a sacred keeper of the ODMP light. That sacred light is in the form of an ODMP tribute. People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, profession, education, and geographical location can share here.

This "LIGHT" comes from within the heart and soul of every person who shares their memories, stories, and celebrations on behalf of each and every fallen officer. Every fallen officer is a hero. The ODMP; Officer Down Memorial Page gives us a place to come together and share our feelings as one family. As we read the many heartfelt tributes left behind, may we find solace as we give solace to the families who have lost a loved one. May we build upon love and faith knowing that this “bridge of tributes” will carry each and every one of us through the pain and sorrow until we meet again with our beloved one.

Officer Daniel C. Martinez,
As we say in Hawaii, “You are`Ohana.” “You are family.” You are embraced as our own family member. No one will ever be able to replace you for you were unique and very special. No one, not in this lifetime. May God Bless you and keep you. May God allow you to rest in peace. I wish you, your loved ones, and your fellow officers peace and love beyond all understanding. I HONOR you today. You will NEVER be forgotten.

-"Your life is much more important than you can imagine.”- --- Maya Angelou

** May this Hawaiian prayer give all those who read it comfort. **

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
Kahu La`a Kea (Keeper of the Sacred Light)

March 26, 2007

I met Danny in the summer of 2006. From the first day that we met, I knew that we would be good friends. Danny loved his job, but most of all, he loved his family. I miss you my friend. My heart and prayers are with you and your family.

Merle Burkhart
Fort Smith Police Department

March 26, 2007

To the family of Officer Martinez,
I know this is a very hard time for you. Thank you for sharing your hero with the City of Fort Smith and his fellow officers. Please hold your head high and know that your he is now as your guardian angel. Each time you feel that deep sadness that comes on you, know that your dad's spirit is right next to you... that's him you feel.
You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Debbie Gann
Sister of Police Officer

March 26, 2007

Danny, I keep thinking I will wake up soon and you will still be here working at the job you loved. You were such a great person and friend, boy was I lucky to have known you!!I pray every night for your family and your friends who miss you. Trust in the fact that we will all watch over your family from this earth and you will watch over us all from above. God has a very special angel in you. I will miss you and that wonderful smile that you always had for your friends. God Speed Danny!!

Officer Mary King
Heavener Police Department

March 26, 2007

Thank you Danny, for being the person that you were and I want to say Thank you to your wife for sharing you with us. You are respected by all law enforcement and you will be deeply missed. Your reflection will shine forever on law enforcement families and many others. Rest in Peace and walk with the Lord trusting that he will take care of your family.

Sheriff Frank Atkinson
Sebastian County Sheriff Department

March 26, 2007

Daniel ...was a great guy. He always had a smile on his face when I saw him . He really seemed to love being on at the department ... Im pretty to close to alot of officers at the Fort Smith Police Department .. and even though I wasnt as close to Danny .. He was a hero of mine , anyone that can put that much passion into this line of work is a great man. I know his family is going threw a really hard time and my prayers are with them . My prayers also go out to all my former troop members and all the amazing people that I have grown to respect so much at the Police Department . I love you guys down there ... Im sorry for the loss. * One more angel to protect you while you serve. It takes a special person to be an officer ...and Danny was one of the best .

Chelsey Allen
Former Fort Smith PD Explorer

March 26, 2007

Danny it was a great honor to have known you. I was saddened to hear that you had left us on March 23. You and my husband have known each other for quite some time and you once were the Chief of Police of our hometown. I pray that God be with your wife and children at this time. I know that while you are unable to be with the us physical that you will watch over each and every FSPD officer that takes the streets to keep the city safe each and every day. God Speed Danny. You will be missed dearly.

Wife of Fort Smith Police Officer

March 26, 2007

My sympathy and prayers go out to the Martinez family and the officers and support staff of the Fort Smith Police Department. Officer Martinez paid the ultimate price as he served the people of Ft. Smith. May you lean on God to lead you through this very terrible time.

Chaplain Bob Heath
Joplin, MO Police Department

March 26, 2007

John 15:9-14 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's comands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Pastor Rob Williams
Journeychurchfortsmith

March 26, 2007

DANNY WAS A VERY NICE MAN,HAVING KNOWN HIM PERSONALLY HE WAS FROM A GOOD FAMILY AND SOMEONE YOU COULD DEPEND ON IF NEEDED MY CONDOLSENCES TO THE FAMILY IF YALL NEED ANYTHING LET US KNOW.

MARK AND DIANA WILES

March 26, 2007

For the first few months, you stay awake with worry. Then, complacement sets in. Nothing has happened, he is safe. You know he is covered by multiple brothers and sisters in blue. In the blink of an eye, your safety net is gone. The worst can happen and it has. I cannot express my sympathy for the family and friends of Danny. I cannot imagine what the family is going through. However, I have seen the true meaning of brotherhood in the last few days. It doesn't make it any easier to bear, but atleast you can be surrounded by the love. My heart goes out to the Martinez family. Please, do not hesitate to call any of us, for anything. We are your family, wrapped in blue. Thank God for people like Danny. They are all true heroes.

Meredith Milam
Wife of Officer Wes Milam, FSPD

March 26, 2007

Lost but never forgotten...

Deputy Sheriff
FCSO, MD

March 26, 2007

Our many thanks to Officer Martinez for making the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens of this community. Condolences to the family who are left with only the best of memories of a husband and father. Police Chaplain Ben Stephens, who preceded Officer Martinez in death, is probably already talking to Officer Martinez in Heaven. The family could really use the benefit of Police Chaplain Ben Stephens right now. He had a gift of making the unbearable, somewhat bearable.

Officer Martinez, like those all across the nation, go their quiet way, serving the people, sometimes in the dark recesses of the night; often in the nervous tenseness of the predawn hours; in sweltering heat of the day in heavy woolen uniforms; and in the rain and snow of winters. We appreciate the family's support for allowing this officer to proudly serve the citizens of this community. LEST WE FORGET!

Chuck Raney
FSPD Volunteer Historian

March 26, 2007

As I have read these passages from far and wide, I shed many tears. Danny was always liked by young people as well as old. He was the type of person who lived by the Golden Rule... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. His strength was shown in many ways. In this day and time, it was nice to hear high school students say something good about a peace officer. My uncle was a police officer and I know that you have to be made of the same cloth, because I saw a lot of what made him a good cop in you. Your kind nature, a true giver of self and an attitude of wanting a small piece of this world to be a better and safer place. You have given your complete dedication and I know, without a doubt, YOU WILL BE MISSED. I give my thanks to you and your family for your tireless work and a final gift..your life. God Bless You and Your Family.

Debora M. Smith
Honored Civilian

March 26, 2007

Danny was truly a gift to law enforcement and to the communities he served. He was a genuinely good person, and a good friend, he will be missed. Danny was doing what he loved, making the world a safer place for us all. I will never forget you Danny, or that night that so many lives were forever changed. May God bless your family and help them through this most difficult time in their lives. To my fellow officers at the Fort Smith PD we must continue to serve as I am sure Danny would have wanted. I would like to end with a quote from Edmund Burke which I believe sums up why we serve, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Officer Dustin Barentine
Fort Smith PD

March 26, 2007

My heartfelt prayers go out for Officer Martinez's family and the many brothers and sisters at FSPD.

Blessings, Paul...

Paul E. Brown, Commander
Conroe ISD Police Department (TX)

March 26, 2007

Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Know that your fellow brothers in blue will always be there for your family. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace brother. May God bless you and your family.

Lt. Darrel Miner
Greenwood Police Department

March 26, 2007

Danny,
As my brother said we are all praying for you and your family. I know you loved your job and your other love of racing cars. Danny thank you for your service, now you will be watching over us all and be able to drive a new race car. I know that all of us that went to school with you are hurting and still cant believe its true and will wake up and its been a bad dream. This is not a good bye forever, we will see each other again when its time. God bless you Danny. We love you and miss you.

Chuck Brown
brother of CASC Officer Chad Brown

March 26, 2007

To the whole family.... The Hettinger family is always with you.. Danny sr. Doug.. YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE IN THE PITS WITH ME... ORiley Hettinger #03 Bokoshe OK

ORiley Hettinger
raceing freind

March 26, 2007

Danny was the type of Police Officer all Police Officers should try to be. He was friendly, honest, and hard working. Our thoughts and prays go out to Danny's family and friends. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Detective Michael McCoy and family
FSPD amd FSMPA President

March 26, 2007

Rest in peace brother. We've got the watch from here. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers who all mourn the loss of yet another hero.

Officer Dominick Marraccini
Easton Police Department, Easton, PA

March 26, 2007

May God bless you & give you the strenght & peace to make it through this rough time.

Tiffany Shade
Sebastian County Sheriff dept.

March 26, 2007

My deepest sympothy to the family, friends and co-workers of fallen Officer Daniel C. Martinez. Officer Martinez made the ultimate sacrifice and for that he is truly a hero. He will never be forgotten for the service he provided to our community.
May you rest in peace.

Major Steve Creek
Sebastian County Sheriff's Dept.

March 26, 2007

Officer Martinez, I had only met you a few times here at the Police Department so I was not very familiar with you and your family. Even with this being the case, when I heard the news my heart was broken. All of us here at the police department grieve over the fact that one of us is gone. No matter how close or distant we are, we are all part of a big family that only those of us in law enforcement can truly understand. Now a part of our family has been taken from us. We will keep you close to our hearts daily when we don our uniforms to protect the citizens we are sworn to serve. It is a pleasure to be associated with such a fine family of brothers and sisters in law enforcement. Watch over us as we continue to do the work you loved to do. You and your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers. I wish I could have told you before you left us but I can only offer it to you now in this manner: Thank you so much for your sacrifice. My prayer is that the citizens of Fort Smith realize this is a chance we, as officers, take freely on a daily basis as we endeavor to protect them. We know on every call we respond to that it could be our last and Officer Martinez would have taken this chance to protect any of you. Heaven has truly gained a special angel and we have lost a brother. God be with you and your family.

Sergeant Greg Copeland
Fort Smith Police Department

March 26, 2007