Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

Trooper
Massachusetts State Police

October 12, 2007

Gary was not only an inspiration to the young officers he came in contact with, but also a lot of us old cogers too. I met Gary a couple of years ago when I was with another agency and he would always try to get me to come work with him and his guys, as he called them. Well I finally made the move, only to find out he was going to work for Greene County. I told him thanks a lot, I finally come over and now your leaving. Gary looked at me and replied you will be fine and we will still work together, and we did. Even on his last day here on earth Gary managed to help me catch a guy who almost got me on a DWI check point in August. I called him that night and let him know that we had gotten him. He returned my call at around 03:40 am on Saturday morning, he was so excited that we had gotten the guy. Gary you will be sorely missed and you were and are loved by us all. God Speed.

Officer Earnie L. Hughes 075
Republic Police Department

October 12, 2007

This department has lost a true brother. I find it completely impossible to find words for how I feel at this point. Deputy Shaw and I have known Gary for years and had the chance to feel the tremendous impact that this true friend had on our lives. I am also aware that in the short time that Gary was here, he impacted so many people. It will be very hard coming to work everyday and not seeing Gary's name on my caller I.D. as soon as I check into service. Gary was one of those guys that not only loved to tell a good cop story, but loved to hear one just as much. He was the kind of man that would drop whatever he was doing and come help anyone in need. He will be greatly missed by his friends, family and the law enforcement community as a whole. I can only hope that this tragedy can have even the slightest silver lining. We should all take the time to realize that we are brothers and sisters in this profession. We dont get to just go to work, put in 8 and go home thinking nothing more about the days events. We are all connected in what we do. There is no reason that we shouldn't all be able to put any differences aside and treat each other like the family that we are. Dont forget to tell the ones that you love that you love them. We truly are a family, and we lost a very important person. Gary would want to be remembered in the police world for training. Even though not everyone agreed with the way he did things, he did them t keep you and I alive in a bad situation. Gary had no control over what happened to him, but he was not alone out there. I know from this point on, anytime I pass WW and FR 145 I will shed a tear, then laugh. Because thats who Gary was, he could always make me laugh. Hug your family, live your life and never forget Gary McCormack.

Deputy Jeff Ussery
Greene County Sheriff's Departmant

October 11, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy McCormack's family and the Green County Sheriffs office. for you loss. Rest in Peace Deputy McCormack and thanks for you dedication, and service to Green County.

Reserve Officer Michael Blok
Berryville Police Department

October 11, 2007

All Gave Some - Mack Gave All - For many years this officer stood the watch... While some of us lay about at night, this officer stood the watch...
While others of us were attending schools and, yes, even before some of us were born, this officer stood the watch...As our families watched the storm clouds of war
brewing on the horizons of history, he stood the watch...
Often he would look around and see his family needed his guidance, but he knew he must stay because,he had the watch...For many years he stood the watch so that we
and our fellow citizens could sleep soundly in safety knowing that this officer would stand the watch.

Today we are here to say...
"The watch stands relieved..."
Relieved by those you have led, guided, and trained...


Friend
"You stand relieved...
We have the watch."

Gary I will always be indebted to you for all you did. Words can not explain what I feel right now. You were not just a coworker but family. We had alot of good times together and you will be missed and NEVER forgoten. Thank you for you friendship. I know it is only good by for now, I will see you again one day.
" Nemo Macto Unus"

Sergeant Brian Sells
Republic Mo Police

Sergeant Brian Sells
Republic Missouri Police Dept.

October 11, 2007

The first time I met Gary was my first day at the Republic Police Department. He was standing outside smoking that pipe of his. I had already been warned that if I got Gary as an FTO, he liked to play games. He loved to see a new guy run to a street sign to see where they were. I told Gary that I already been warned about his games. Gary simply laughed and said, "Grisham, I got more games than Milton-Bradley."

Since I already had 4 years of law enforcement experience, I thought I knew everything. But in the short time I trained under Gary, I learned so much. He always had a better way to do something. Some unique twist, some other way at looking at a situation. More importantly, Gary was always willing to learn from someone else. He told me he always tried to learn something from the newbies he trained.

And Gary knew how to make you feel like family. He was not hard to get to know. The first time you met Gary, he would laugh and listen to you, and make you laugh as well. He always had a knack of making everyone feel more relaxed in any situation.

Gary was mature beyond his years, but he still had such a child-like quality. And he loved his family. God and his family were the most important things in his life, and he wasn't shy about telling you that.

I could never sum up Gary in one page, or a thousand pages. Anyone that ever met Gary will never forget him. Those that never met him, truly missed out on something. We love you, Gary, and we miss you. Go walk a beat on Heaven's Streets, and I will one day join you when I end my tour of duty here.

Officer Jeremy Grisham #072
Republic Police Department

October 11, 2007

The highest of distinctions is service to others. -King George VI

Deputy McCormack -- Your dedication to the good of your community will not be forgotten.

To all those touched by the loss of Deputy McCormack -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Colorado Springs (CO) Police Protective Association

October 11, 2007

My thoughts & prayers are with you. Rest Easy.

Cindy, Arkansas
Sister of slain Officer Randy Basnett, eow 9/24/1976

October 11, 2007

I NEVER MET GARY IN PERSON. ONLY KNEW HIM AS A VOICE ON THE RADIO. HE WAS ALWAYS UPBEAT AND COULD MAKE ONE SMILE BY JUST TALKING. YOU COULD GIVE HIM A COW OUT CALL AT 0400 AND HE WOULD BE AS CHIPPER AS EVER. THROUGH HIS ATTITUDE AND VOICE YOU COULD TELL HE WAS A CHRISTIAN. MAY GOD BLESS HIM, HIS FAMILY AND EXTENDED FAMILY DURING THIS TIME OF MORNING. GOD BLESS YOU GARY.

DISPATCHER, KEVIN PATTON
GREENE COUNTY 911

October 11, 2007

It has been a long time since Greene County Finest has lost another member member that no amount of money can buy, or that the loss that words cannot explain. Sir, thank you for your service and to all of the deputies and agencies that had the honor of working with this office. My prayers are with you always. I want to get back into the "best job in the world" again. I am 29 and will turn 30 the 15th. At this very moment, I pray for your family. Once again, Thank you!

Former Wichita Police Officer in Kansas

October 11, 2007

Deputy McCormack, from what your co-workers had to say, it sounds like you were not only an awesome guy to work with, but also a great husband and father. Thank you for your sacrafice, you will not be forgotten. Rest easy brother, we've got the watch now.

Stephanie and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. God wouldn't have taken him if he didn't have a plan for him.

"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called children of God" Matthew 5:9

Deputy J. Perkins
Taney County Sheriff's Department

October 11, 2007

How senseless and tragic as all our fallen heroes' end of watches are. My heart goes out to you, your family, and your agency at this difficult time and those to come. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Communications Officer
Floyd County Sheriff's Department, IN

October 11, 2007

Gary was not only a friend but a testament of a faithful Christian officer. I will never forget his great attitude and example. He will be greatly missed.

Tim Wheeler
Republic PD

October 10, 2007

Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the family of Officer McCormack. I know I never met Gary, but from what I hear about him, he was the perfect man for Law enforcement. Having a sense of humor through some trying times in a sometimes thankless job is certainly an asset. May God Bless you all as the healing begins. All our Love and Prayers to each of the family as well as the Law Enforcement family.

ROBERT HENRY POLICE OFFICER
SUMMERSVILLE MO

October 10, 2007

Although Gary was only with our department for 4 months, it was already apparent what a special person he was and how fortunate we were to have him. He was the rarest blend of personality, skill, maturity, and dedication. The Greene County Sheriff's Dept has lost a beloved family member and a vital component of our team. Law enforcement has lost one of it's brightest stars - rest in peace brother.

Capt. Randy Gibson
Greene County Sheriff's Dept.

October 10, 2007

To the family of Greene County Deputy Gary McCormack, I first met Gary at Cox Hospital when he started around 2001. I helped train Gary at the Hospital, I remember Gary showing several of his magic tricks to me including biting a section of a coin off. I did not spend a lot of time getting to know Gary as I left for employment at the Greene County Sheriff’s Department shortly after Gary started at Cox Hospital. I knew at that time based on Gary’s report writing and dealing with the intoxicated individuals and others that frequented the Hospital that Gary had a very funny sense of humor and could deal with any person in any circumstance. I became employed at the Greene County Sheriff’s Department in 2001 and still had some contact with Gary. I trusted Gary enough to call and ask about the location of a house my family and I were looking to buy, trying to see if the neighborhood was good. I called Gary on several occasions when I was needing to locate a subject in the Republic area and knew I could rely on his judgment and opinion on individuals. I wish I would have taken the time to get to know the Gary I hear so many of his coworkers talking about, our time working together was very short and that I deeply regret. Sometimes we “cops” don’t take the time to really get to know people that we work with. I have heard what a special person Gary was and I wish I had taken the time to get to know Gary on a personal level. Gary was a dedicated officer who loved his wife and his two children. After hearing at the funeral how meticulous Gary was I remember driving by Gary’s residence when he first took home his Greene County Patrol car. I stopped and talked to Gary and his son and welcomed him to the Sheriff’s Dept. Gary was cleaning the interior of his car and he kept stating how dirty it was while he was cleaning it with a q-tip, it brought a smile to my face remembering that. I wish I would have had the chance to work the street with such a fine Officer. I believe every one of us could have learned something from Gary McCormack. Rest in peace Gary McCormack, you have changed many lives in the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Republic Police Department and others and we are all better for knowing you.



Greene County Detective
Rick Mayo 509

Son of W2 James Mayo Army CID EOW 09-18-87

Detective Richard Mayo
GCSD son of W2 James Mayo, Army CID, EOW 09-18-87

October 10, 2007

I first met Gary in the summer of 2001 when my son became ill and hospitalized at the Springfield, Missouri Cox Hospital. Worried, confused, exhausted, and trying to eat something. This security officer walks over to my table and sits down across from me and asks me if I want to see a trick. I said okay and then watched this curious-looking officer bite the end of the quarter off. He informed me he had just started with my department and was looking forward to working with me. Over the next couple of days Gary would come and check on Hunter, my wife, and me, to see if we needed anything. When I thanked him for the kindness he showed to my family he stated it was nothing; it is what any family would do for each other.
Over the next several years we became family. Always laughing,occassionally bickering, but never forgetting that we are a "family"; there to back each other up. A lesson from him that I will never forget... and pass on.

I will see you on the other side Tigger.

Roger Stewart
Republic Police

Officer Roger Stewart
Republic Police Department

October 10, 2007

Rest in peace Gary. You are a true brother. I learned from you and will always have the greatest respect and admiration for you, your service, dedication, and sacrifice.

Bob Curtis 553
Greene County Sheriff's Department

October 10, 2007

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYS GO OUT TO OFFICER MCCORMACK FAMILY AND THE GREENE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT. DEBBIE

Debbie

October 10, 2007

Thank you for your sacrifice, service, and courage. You, your family, friends, and all those who serve this great country are in my thoughts and prayers. May you continue to be a servant of the Lord, and one day we will meet again.

"And whosoever will lose his life in this world, for my sake, shall find it in the world to come."
-Mat 16:28

Ross
Springfield, MO

October 10, 2007

To the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff McCormack I am so sorry for your loss.

Diane mother of Jeremy Chambers E.O.W.04-24-06

Diane Chambers

October 10, 2007

Rest in peace brother! Your service and sacrafice will not be forgotten!

Patrolman Jeff Tripp
Marion,Ma Police Dept

October 10, 2007

How tragic. Our thoughts and prayers are with both parties involved and the families who must now cope with the aftermath. We grieve with all and our prayers are with you.

Commander Dean S. Nyhart
Arizona Department of Public Safety (State Police)

October 10, 2007

Thank you Gary for all of the things that you taught me, I will never forget them. You are more than a co-worker you are a great friend. You will never be forgotten, but you will always be missed.

K. Magill
Republic PD

October 10, 2007

Gary was an outstanding range instructor. He never made fun of anyone who was struggling to qualify. He was there to help and encourage them. Gary recently left our department and went to the Greene County Sheriff's Department, but he left an every lasting impression and a desire to be the best we can be. Rest in peace and you will never be forgotten.

Trish Collins, Communications Supervisor
Republic Police Department

October 10, 2007