Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thinking of you and your family today. We miss you.

December 18, 2007

Yesterday was the Altavista Christmas parade and they had your mustang in it. Your mom went and got some magnets made with a logo and a pic of your tree of life on it. It really was beautiful. As I think of your tree I wonder why your route was taken so soon. The only answer I come up with is God must have needed you heart to show people how to love. I sit back and think of all the crazy things we did together and laugh and cry because I was so blessed to have been able to share them with you. Christmas will be hard this year. I will miss you dragging the mattress into the living room for us to sleep by the fire. How you couldn't wait till morning to open your presents so we did on Christmas Eve. Chefs the next morning and all the food you ate. God all of that is missed and more. I think of all the little things now and cheerish each and everyone of them. Please watch over us all and keep us safe as always. I will always love you and please keep my spot open and ready to join you one day. Never ending love and respect I give you baby. Till we meet again LOVE YA!!!!!

Cheryl Heller

December 2, 2007

Sitting here tonight, busy as ever, thinking about how I wish you were still with us. I don't think I will ever sit in this room and not expect to see you walk around the corner with that shy smile of yours. I miss the crazy emails & texts that always made me laugh! You are thought of so often and missed so much. Keep watch over all us, you are a guardian Angel~

Friend & Coworker

November 29, 2007

You are sorely missed! Good people like you are few and far between. It has been an honor and privelage to know you, and have been able to grow up with you through Altavista Schools. I know you are in heaven looking after us all! May God and His blessed angels watch over...

Leslie-Anne Ramirez
Friend

November 29, 2007

Jason,

As we celebrated Thanksgiving Day, I'm sure that many of us paused to think of you and to pray for your family. Each Thanksgiving I always think of the things I am most thankful for and one of the things I am most thankful for is to have known you. You were a blessing from God and I am so thankful that I met you along the way, for each of us need angels on this earthly journey. I try not to think of when and how we lost you, but when and how you lived and the great times we shared. I know we are all better people for having known you. Be Blessed.

Gloria J. Brown
Campbell County Public Safety

November 26, 2007

As your 1st Thanksgiving in heaven is approaching, I want to say I am so thankful to have known you. I am thankful for your parents for raising such an outstanding young man! I know they are so proud of you. You are missed more with each passing day. We love you Baby J!

November 21, 2007

A HERO taken from us too soon. I miss you everyday. God Bless you and your family.

November 13, 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

I still can't believe you are not with us anymore. Another Deputy lost his life today in Florida and it just breaks my heart. You are missed more than you will ever know. Please continue to keep a watch from us above. Rest in peace.

November 7, 2007

Thinking of you tonight. Wish you were still here with us. What a great person you were. Such an inspiration.
A true HERO. God Bless your family. Keep watching us from above.

October 29, 2007

Jason,
Hey its been along time. You remember when we met, it was my senior year of high school. We never actually met face to face until about 2 years later. Thats when I found what you were a cop, I didnt believe you at first then you showed me your badge. I'll never forget that night because my friend Stacy (that dates a guy name Jason you know)and another girl were with me. They went into Sheetz and bought you a donut, you started laughing saying how you didn't like donuts but you took it anyways. Jason you were a really good friend to me. You always know how to make everyone smile when they were down. You were Crazy Jay the person who knew how to make life fun. You know when Stacy e-mailed me and told me you passed away, it hurt so bad because she had e-mailed me about a month before saying how she was dating a guy that knew you and she wanted to hangout again and I could get to see my old friend again I ignored it, because I was going through alot. Now I wish I wouldn't have, I'm sorry Jason. I will never forget you, you'll always be my friend "CrazyJay".

Nita
Old Friend

October 27, 2007

Hey hun just wanted to tell you about the car show they held in your honor. It really was a great turnout and your dad did an excellent job on cleaning the old mustang up. Baby he really did do a better job than you and I know how proud of him you would have been. Sorry I didn't stay long but it is still hard for me to see your things and you not be there. I am sorry I am trying to let go of things but its just hard with somethings. I miss how we used to ride up to the damn in the car and you showed me the damn for the first time. God it was just so amazing and how you even called around to find out what time the damn released the water. It was perfect just as you are to me. Everyone from what I can tell is doing ok. I don't talk to anyone anymore cause it's just to much without you it really just is and I hope you will forgive me. People give you that look and I just don't know what to say or do without you. You always knew what to say or when to say nothing. Just the simple nod of your head and that was all that was needed. I still had so much to learn from you and I am sorry we didn't have enough time on this earth together. You are and will always be my BEST FRIEND.... I can't wait to see you again cause I have so much to tell you. What I wouldn't give just to lay in your arms one more time and you tell me it was all a dream and it is ok. Anyways babe just know you are ALWAYS in my heart and as you gave me your love you will forever have mine. Till we meet again my love God Bless you for loving me and just being you. I LOVE YOU JAY.....MUAH XOXOXOXOXO

Cheryl
Girlfriend

October 24, 2007

Never forget. Tell the ones you love that you love them. Tomorrow may never come. We miss you Jason.
May God continue to watch over your family.

October 19, 2007

Jason,
Even though we were family, you were born and grew up in Virginia and I lived in South Carolina. I feel now that I missed a very "special" person. We never know what we let slip away until it is gone. We are so proud of you and your accomplishments. I am looking forward to knowing you better in heaven for it won't be long, since I am up in age now. Rest in peace for you deserve the rest for you were a very deserving nephew.Mary Nichols, South Carolina

Mary Nichols
Aunt

October 16, 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 Saunders, especially to you Cheryl. 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 Jason, 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 Jason's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Jason's life was about so much more than the way he died. Jason will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Deputy Saunders, 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)

October 13, 2007

It has been 6 mths since you left us. There is not a day that goes by that you are not thought of. The other day I went by Chef's and had a hotdog and as I sat there and ate it I thought of you the whole time. You were a very special young man. You were honored at Volunteer Appreciation Day with a Plague given to your Mother,Father and Family in your Memory. There was a candle burning in your Memory and others that we have lost in the last year.
I find comfort in knowing that you are walking the streets of gold in Heaven and watching us as we go through each and everyday. I ask that you watch over my co-workers, fellow Deputies, your family, my family and myself. You are my Guardian angel. I will see you some day and walk the streets of Heaven with you. God Bless us all.
Cathy

CATHY
CCPS DISPATCH

October 13, 2007

Thinking of you today. You are soooo missed. Please continue to watch over us all from above.

October 12, 2007

I miss you more than you can know right now... I wish you where here with us and I need your guidance. You are a great man I Love You And Miss You With All My Heart...

September 25, 2007

The community and the world lost a good dedicated man. Let us never forget his sacrifice.

Sgt. A.J. Hicks
Altavista Police Dept.

September 24, 2007

Thinking of you today. We miss you.

September 20, 2007

Jason,

It has been 5 months since you left us and we still miss you so dearly. I can't go into Public Safety and not think of the last time I saw you. May God continue to bless your family and give them peace and comfort. I know that it has been hard for them, but I know it's comforting to them to know that so many people loved and respected you. And you were truly loved and respected. You were a supernova; a star that burns so brightly and lights up everything in its path and then fades much too quickly into the heavens. We will always look up for your light. Rest in Peace.

Gloria

Gloria J. Brown
Campbell County Public Safety

September 19, 2007

Thinking of you today like usual. God Bless you and your family.

September 16, 2007

Hey Jason,
As you know, the Volunteer Appreciation Day committee had a certificate honoring you and presented it to your mom, dad, brother and other family members on VAD. They also had a table with one candle burning in your memory. The Major got up and spoke about you, so did Tracy. While VAD turned out to be really good, it just wasnt the same without you. Its hard to believe that its been 5 months since you were taken from us. It still hasnt gotten any easier. I'll catch myself sometimes wondering when you are going to sign on when you shift is working, then something will snap me back into reality. We have finally gone to 12 hour shifts here in dispatch and for the most part I think everyone loves it. Keep watching over us and guiding us in the right direction. Until we see each other again.........

Wendy
Campbell County 911

September 13, 2007

Thinking of you today and always, rest in peace my friend.
We Love You

Michelle Keesee
Friend

September 12, 2007

We honored you Sunday at the Volunteer Appreciation Day. The 1st year you were not there. Lots of tears were shed. Your mother and father were there. They are such strong people and I know they are proud of you. Not a day goes by that you are not thought of. You were an excellent role model. Please continue to watch us from above. We love you.

God only takes the BEST

September 11, 2007