Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jesus Christ proclaimed, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

February 22, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 8, 2020

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

September 14, 2017

God Bless You All!!

S/O W. Hobbs
Corpus Christi Police Dept

March 8, 2013

Scott, you are not forgotten. Rest in peace.

S. Rivas

August 14, 2012

You have not been forgotten. Conntinue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and close friends.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 12, 2011

Iron Eagle, the Broncho2, the trip to C-City where everybody woke up outside of the camper because you snored to loud. The pontoon boat at Possum Kingdom, dove hunting, and the endless nights of tracking down rattle snakes on the lease roads. Watching you sleep sitting up with your head on the cold rail of a bunk bed at the ranch and the last time I saw you, "fishing" at La Playa. For all the people who know the "angel" we knew the real guy. Thanks for that! Thanks for Scott,Ben, and Tosh!!!

Chris
family of friend

September 17, 2009

To Cpl. John Scott Gardner, his family and his fellow officers with the Odessa Police Department:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Cpl. Gardner’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Cpl. Gardner and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff

September 8, 2009

You and your fellow fallen officers and your respective families are in my thoughts and prayers on this second anniversary of your death.

Rest In Peace. Your memory will be forever honored and revered.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 8, 2009

I wish that I could have known you. Though I did not know you in this life, I think about you almost every day. You will truly never be forgotten, as I will always carry you, along with Corporals Jones and Marquez, in my heart.

Anonymous

December 7, 2008

To the family and loved ones of Corporal Scott Gardner, his fellow officers with the Odessa Police Department, and most especially to Scott:

On this the first anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that you are honored and revered today and everyday.

From all the loving reflections left about you, I can see that you were an amazing man and what a grievous loss your loved ones have endured because of your brutal murder. I know those shots didn't just kill you and your comrades, but a part of everyone who loved you, Arlie, and Abel.

Your department suffered an enormous tragedy when they lost three heroic officers. I pray that your family and department get the full measure of justice deserved for this horrific crime.

May your spirit continue to soar and your memory continue to inspire. You are loved and missed by so many.

Rest in Peace, Scott. A body is but for a lifetime, but spirits and souls are for eternity and yours is forever part of those who call you beloved.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Scott gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 8, 2007.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg Police Dept. eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

September 14, 2008

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones and close friends on this first anniversary of you being called away from duty. You have not been forgotten as you are a true hero and heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 8, 2008

September the 8th is approaching and I have been thinking a lot about you and Able and Arlie. For some reason it feels like forever ago, I guess a lot has happened this year. I did not know you well but had worked with you on a few occasions. I remember that day vividly. I was training a new Trooper and we were working a possible fatality crash way out on SH 302 and FM 866. We got a call about shots fired and officers down and we left everything where it layed. We couldn't get there fast enough. I remember being worried about my Troop. We knew he had a rifle with optics and I was so worried about keeping his head down so he wouldn't get shot. We knew you were in the back yard with Arlie. And we knew both of you were done. But we didn't want to leave you there. Verle and the other firemen were trying to figure out how to get to you. We were moving house to house with snipers trying to figure out how to get to you. We were under orders to wait until dark to extract you. We knew that was the right thing to do but we sure as hell were not happy about it. We hated letting you lay back there alone. I strained my eyes for hours trying to see you but I couldn't. The brush was too high. Please forgive us for leaving you there for so long. You died trying to get to Arlie. You did everything right. You followed your training, but he had the advantage and you didn't. Had I arrived in your place, I would have done the same exact thing and so would any other officer that day. And the end result would have been the same for us. As good as we are, as well trained as we are, as cautious as we are, the brutal truth is that there will come a time when the odds are stacked so far against us that we can do nothing to change the outcome. And you knowingly pressed forward. The actions of you and the men in your stack was nothing less than heroic. My daughter was four years old at the time this happened. She has an amazing memory. She has never met any of you but she knows you, Arlie, and Able by name. She speaks of you often. She also asks me about the bad man that hurt you and asks me if he is still in jail. She has drawn dozens of pictures of you three. She shows them to me and tells me who each of you are. As young as she is, she has a profound understanding of death, and she tells me you are in heaven. You and Arlie had each other that day. Able had to follow alone. But I figure you two were waiting for him. Scott thank you for your service, for your life, and for your death. You died trying to recover a fallen man. I can think of nothing more honorable and selfless than what you did that day. If someone were to ask me about you I would tell them: He did the right thing at the right time for the right reason. You are a credit to your agency and to your fellow officers. You have made us so proud. Rest easy brother, we have the watch.

Brandon E. Speed, Sergeant
Texas Highway Patorl

September 6, 2008

Scott was an awesome guy!

me and my dad went to possum kingdom with him the summer before he was killed.. he will be missed :(

RIP

Dylan
Friend

July 29, 2008

"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

February 20, 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 Corporal Gardner. 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 Scott, 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 Scott's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Scott's life was about so much more than the way he died. Scott will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Corporal Gardner, 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)

November 3, 2007

Scott,
I am honored to have known you and even more honored to know that you were out there helping my husband serve our city. You were a true gift from God and we will miss you!
We love you.

Celeste
OPD Wife and Friend

October 8, 2007

Rest in Peace,Brother. The Thin Blue Line just got alot thinner,To all the officers of the Odessa Police Department,please accept my condolences.


Sgt.B.R.Sexton
Okla.Dept.of Corrections

October 7, 2007

My heart goes out to the families, friends, and the entire Odessa Department. What an unbelievably cowardly act to first strike a woman and then gun down these 3 heroes as they attempted to serve the oath they were sworn to. We have all gone to way to many DV calls and these fine men paid the ultimate price. Rest in peace brothers, your sacrifice will never be forgotten. To all that remain, go forth with your fond memories and live your life to the fullest as you know these 3 would want.

Officer
Phoenix PD

October 3, 2007

Scott,
You will be missed. Coming from Animal Control to being a police officer. My eyes never stopped at your funeral. It was an honor and a privilege being your dispatcher for the short 4 1/2 years we worked together. You were a fine police officer and a great person. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and that will never be forgotten. You, Arlie, and Abel will all be missed.

9-1-1 Supervisor Troy Doelling
City of Odessa 9-1-1 Center

October 1, 2007

Scott, you were not just a friend, you were a brother. I know taht you are now upstairs taking care of my brother as you always did. You will forever be in our thoughts & prayers. You have a special place in our hearts. "Now you're messin' with a son of a bitch" ~ Nazareth, Hair of the Dog

Mo Turner & family

Mo
friend

September 30, 2007

The Fallen Ones

In Honor of
Corporal Scott Gardner
Corporal Arlie Jones
Corporal Abel Marquez

On September 8th our hearts were breaking

How could we have known it would be their last day
It was the last thing we expected,for them to die that way.

On September 12th there were services for two,
While the third Officer’s time was due.

It was 3:10 when he walked towards the light
Giving up a courageous fight.
They made a plan to give others a chance,
He will not be attending the next father daughter dance.

September 18th was hard for his mother,
We sat together to mourn another brother

All three were buried, while we were still grieving
Why must this be the price of believing?

Be proud and smile while holding your heads high,
They are with our heavenly father
In the sky.

The fallen Officers, family members and employees of the Odessa Police Department will forever remain in our hearts and prayers.
May God bless you while keeping you safe.

Allyson Frederick
Former OPD

September 24, 2007

I have few words to say...how can anything I say make this any better.......
May god bless you three guys......

May he hold you in his arms and comfort you with all his glory. God had a need for you guys, as much as you will be missed..his need is greater and without question.

God Bless

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton County Texas Pct 2

September 24, 2007

We often wonder why our brothers and sisters are taken from us so early in life. I have come to understand that God has a bigger role for them to play in our lives. They become our Guardian Angels, protecting us until it's our time to join them. My heartfelt condolences to his Family, our extended Family.

Sgt. Frank Armendariz
Miami-Dade Police Department

Sgt. Frank Armendariz
Miami-Dade Police Department

September 24, 2007

Corporal Gardner

You have given the ultimate sacrifice for your community, state and country.You are a true American hero and are what maes this country great and our profession so honorable. May you rest in peace as you continue to serve in heaven.

Douglas W. Bennett
Juvenile Probation Officer Ky Dept of Juvenile Justice

September 23, 2007