Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

OFFICER HARDY,
WHILE I NEVER MEET YOU WE ARE FAMILY. THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT I ATTENED THE MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON D.C. AFTER THE MEMORIAL MY WIFE AND THREE OF MY FOUR GIRLS WENT TO THE WALL TO LOOK FOR A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE THAT WAS ADDED TO THE WALL THIS YEAR, SGT. JAMES HEATH HARDIN EOW DATE 01/11/2007. HE IS TWO NAMES DOWN FROM YOU. SEAN CLARK ANOTHER OFFICER FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS IN BETWEEN YOU AND HEATH. WHILE I WAS MAKING A RUBBING OF HEATH'S NAME A WOMAN AND TWO BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRLS CAME UP TO YOUR PICTURE AND ONE OF YOU GIRLS BEGAN TO CHASE OF AN ANT, WITH HER FINGER,THAT WAS ON DADDY'S PICTURE. BUT, SHE COULDN'T GET HIM SO I OFFERED MY ASSISTANCE AND WE GOT HIM....FOR GOOD OF OF DADDY'S PICTURE. I ENDED UP GIVING ONE OF YOU DAUGHTERS THE PURPLE CRAYON AND I THINK A COUPLE OF PIECES OF PAPER TO MAKE RUBBING WITH. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY WHO MISSES YOU AND IF YOU SEE HEATH JUST LET HIM KNOW THAT WE MISS HIM. REST IN PIECE BROTHER.

SGT. M.K. JEAN
HOPE MILLS POLICE DEPT.

May 19, 2008

Ashlee,

We did not officially meet at the "wall" in DC but our children were there together and seeing your girls and my son (all 4yrs old) just broke my heart all over again. My husband and your husband are side by side on the memorial wall. My son was also 3 when his daddy died in April 07. I know what you are going through and I wanted to let you know you are in my prayers tonite as I read about your dear husband and what a great man he was. Please feel free to contact me. I would love to talk to you any time you feel the need to talk to someone walking in your shoes. God Bless your family. I hope that you had a nice trip to DC and it was an honor to see the family behind the man that shares a line with Sean.
Love and Prayers,

Sherry Clark
Wife of CMPD Ofc. Sean Clark EOW 4-1-07

Sherry Clark
Wife of CMPD Offc Sean Clark EOW 4-1-2007

May 16, 2008

Officer Hardy,

In November 2007, I was flying into DFW Airport to attend a law enforcement training conference in Plano, TX. Seated next to me on the plane was a woman with a portable DVD player; she also had a disk of a police officer's funeral.

I told her I was an officer from Grand Rapids, MI, and inquired about the officer pictured on her DVD. She said the officer was her husband, 'Wes' Hardy, whose End of Watch was July 7, 2007. After offering my condolences, I explained to Ashlee that our department also had lost an officer. Officer Bobby Kozminski was taken from us on July 8, 2007, only a few hours after your final tour of duty.

Owing this conversation with Ashlee as more than mere coincidence, my participation in this year's Police Officers Unity Tour will be dedicated to you, Officer Hardy.

May God's grace and protection shine upon your wife, your children, and the outstanding men and women of Texas Law Enforcement.

Take care until we meet sir...

Sergeant Larry Poleski
Grand Rapids Police Dept.

May 7, 2008

you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers daily. I know you are watching after your family. Keep up the good job. You will forever be remembered.

Sherry Lynn Lopez
Texas citizen

April 27, 2008

Wes,
In a couple of weeks we will be honoring fallen officers at a Memorial Service. This year will be especially sad as we will be honoring one of our own Plano family. Many in the department still feel your loss so deeply. While we know you are in a better place and are in the presence of our Heavenly Father, we still miss your smile, your voice on the radio and your spirit. Rest easy til we meet again.

ksr

April 17, 2008

Wes, it has been 9 months since you left us to be in a better place. There is not a day that goes by I don't think about you. The other day the department had a crawfish boil and Chris sent some of us a picture of you at the last one you were at. I miss you my friend!!!!! Keep the streets of glory safe until we meet again.

Your friend,
Terry

Terry Pauley
Plano motor officer

April 7, 2008

Thankyou for your service and sacrifice. GOD bless your family. You will never be forgotten

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

April 2, 2008

How boutcha Wes......well, I ran into your partners in Plano recently-we all miss you here. They're doing fine....just dropping you a line. Pauley and Tucker, I'm sure you'll read this holler if y'all need anything. Wes, it's sunny here, but more pleasant where you are. I'm on this site quite often and read all the posts written by your dear wife and many friends. Ride on Wes.....

Mike Gamble
Sugar Land PD Motor Officer

March 19, 2008

At 10:33am 8 months ago we had our last conversation. I remember it like it was yesterday. They say that one day the pain will be less and the day of your passing will go by and I will have forgotten and that means I am healing. But Today.......I still hurt, I still remember and I miss you terribly!

Our little girls are growing up and will be 4 in a month. I don't know how I'm suppose to celebrate their birthday without you. It won't be the same without your brisket and your potato salad. But I will do my best and put on a good face for the girls.

Watch over us and keep us safe! We love you and I promise to never let our girls forget who their daddy is and what a great man you were! We Miss You!!!

Forever & Always,
Your Wife

Ashlee

March 7, 2008

Wes,

I come to this site almost everyday in rememberance of you and your fellow brothers. You and I saw eye to eye and common sense meant alot to us which we figured out quickly most people do not have. I try to follow your morals every day as father, friend and community member. You were deeply missed at deer camp by all, we enjoyed telling stories of your past hunts and the scratching of your new pickup, which by the way I am now a dodge owner. I know the streets of heaven are safe with you as you knew the transportation code book with your eyes closed. I hold on to the memories we will once again share on the streets of heaven. Your Friend.

Rob
Friend

February 25, 2008

Wes,

I was driving to the bank and a group of Mckinney Motors drove past and I started to cry. A Dpd Motor Officer died today and everyones heart broke again for his family and yours. You are missed so much by everyone. Watch over the guys and your girls.

Sgt's Wife
friend

February 22, 2008

Just wanted you to know your not forgotten and I've still got your family in my prayers.

Sherry Lynn
Fort Worth Resident

January 20, 2008

My Love,

Here it is the beginning of a new year and what should be a fresh start, a new beginning. A year full of promise and hope for all! But how do I find my place here without you? I struggle everyday to find my way. It's not easy here without you. You were my everything!!! And now I must somehow go on. I pray everyday for the Lord to help me make the right decisions for me and the girls. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you and wish you were here. I will never understand why you were taken from us so soon but I have to continue to trust that God needed you for a special task. Watch over me and the girls and please keep us safe.

Forever & Always,
Ashlee

January 1, 2008

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 Office Hardy. 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 Wes, 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 Wes' life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Wes' life was about so much more than the way he died. Wes will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Hardy, 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 almost five 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)

December 30, 2007

Wes, how I miss riding beside you my friend. Today is hard for me but I know you are in better place. Continue to watch over us. I miss you my friend.

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD

December 25, 2007

Ashlee, while we have never met, our husbands have. I came to Dallas last year to watch them ride in the competition. They all had a good week together. I missed the competition this year because I had to work, but I know that there was a void. My husband rode proud but pained to honor Wes.
Know that as you experience this first Christmas season, I pray for you and you and the girls are in our thoughts. I wish I had better words for you to somehow make a difference or be a bigger help. I know that I can't....but I can keep you and the girls in my prayers.

Miller
CPPD

December 21, 2007

Wes, Its been a few months now and even though we all seem to be moving on with our lives in some form or fashion, not a day goes by that I don’t think of how proud I am to have been one of your friends. Sometimes in life we don’t realize what is right in front of us until it is gone, and through your ultimate sacrifice many of us have a clearer outlook on things of importance in our own lives.

We had the Christmas Parade this past weekend and naturally I was busy making all the plans, fixing the problems, making sure everybody was in the proper place and clearing the roads for the participants. Then it hit me......As I was riding down the parade route on Independence, I realized the last time I was there, you were riding right beside me. We were enjoying the clear weather, since it had finally stopped raining on us everyday!! Being on our bikes, messing with the kids along the parade route, stopping to check on all the officers, etc.... At that moment 5 months ago, we had no idea that you would be moving on to a better place just 3 days later.

We all miss you Wes and think about you and your family everyday. Keep an eye on us buddy.

Chris

Sgt.Curd
Plano Police Department Motor Unit

December 8, 2007

Hey Bud,

Just want you to know we're all still thinking about you. Hard to believe that what seems like just yesterday was 5 months ago. We all miss you. Its just not the same anymore. Keep those streets safe up there, We'll back ya up if ya need it!

Motor on!
Richard

R.B.Smith
Plano PD Traffic

December 7, 2007

The funeral line was long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites All let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said, "Aw, just a cop."
Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear Some people said, "It's stupid," "all these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?" "Or in a doughnut shop?" Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a cop."
They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Damn, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a cop."
Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful Taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a cop"
Yeah, just a cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a cop."
His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

Wes, it's been 5 months now and it is still very hard. R.I.P. my brother!!!!!!!!!

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD

December 7, 2007

Wes,

My heart is heavy today as I think about what the girls and I have been doing since you were taken from us 5 months ago. The 7th will never be the same again! We miss you so much! Thanksgiving was not the same without you! I am trying to be positive about Christmas for the girls but it is hard. This was your favorite time of year....I miss you shaking all the presents under the tree guessing every single present that was yours. That used to make me so mad how you could guess every present. I couldn't keep anything a secret!!

You would be proud of me....I have started singing again! It has kept me busy practicing during the week and singing on Saturday nights. I forgot how much I missed being up on that stage. It's funny how I transform into a different person when I am up there! The girls love it too! They sing along and the video not only has me singing on it but the girls too!! Last weekend, Caitlyn got so excited when I came out on stage she said "That's my Mommy!" It was hard to sing my song after she did that!!

I miss you sweetheart and the girls still ask about you everyday! Our lives will never be the same!! Please watch over us and keep us safe. I Love You!

Forever & Always,
Ashlee

December 7, 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

Wes,
Last Friday was not the same without you sitting around the campfire. Although you are gone in body, you definitely not forgotten and your spirit was felt by us all as we toasted you and talked about times past.
We know that you will be there in the deer stand with each of us looking for the "Muy Grande" but itching to shoot the "small one".
One day we will all be sitting with you in that great deer stand in the sky - Until then.

Your Brother in Blue (and Camo)
Investigator Bart Bruton
Plano PD Traffic Unit

Investigator Bart Bruton - Traffic Unit
Plano PD

November 8, 2007

It's been 4 months today! Things have definitely changed since you've been gone. And I have truly found out who my friends are and who your true friends were!! Guns N Hoses is honoring you this weekend and it will be bitter sweet to be there. I look forward to the event but I also know it will be a very emotional evening. I miss you so much but I know that you are in a better place and watching over me and the girls. Please keep us safe....I miss you baby!

Forever & Always,
Ashlee

November 7, 2007

Wes, it's been a long road since you've been gone. You have been missed by so many and many more to come. Hunting season is just 3 days away and I of all will miss the drive to the lease with you and of course all of the harrassment you always enjoyed putting on me. And of course sharing the camper with you will always be an experience to be remembered. It just won't be the same without you but we will eventually find the "BIG ONE."

Your name has touched so many over the years and has definitely has touched my family and I with your courage and strength with the jobn that you did here on Earth.

Keep looking out for us up above until we meet again on the other side of the clouds.

RC

Rob Crow
Friend

October 31, 2007

Wes, you have no ideal how sad it makes me to see you on this site. For the most part I still ride alone and look for you to be beside me riding down the road. Oh how I miss those days of us working together. I miss you my friend!!!!!!!!!

Deer season is coming soon and you will be deeply missed at the deer lease. Take care my friend until we meet again!!

Your friend,
Terry

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD

October 19, 2007