Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our thoughts and our hearts go out to Deputy Vu Nguyen for his ultimate sacrifice. We all at Sundance Citizens Patrol & Emergency Services commend you for all you have done in protecting us from all the evil doings in our shadows. You will be missed.

Chief Daniel Sherburne
Sundance Citizens Patrol

January 26, 2008

I had the privilege of attending Junior High and High School with Vu...After learning of Vu's death I was on a mission to find my junior high and high school yearbooks to be able to go back to 1984-1989...I immediately found what Vu had written in my yearbooks over 20 years ago and enjoyed a nice chuckle through my tears...I hadn't seen Vu since we graduated in 1989 but it didn't surprise me that he "grew up" to become a detective and such a well liked and loved man...Even as a teenager Vu was "special".

Xilonen Martinez
HS Friend

January 23, 2008

Deputy Nguyen,
It is people like you who make me proud of this profession. You are a true American hero and this Country is forever in your debt. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt Nyce
Broward Sheriff Office

January 22, 2008

Sac county has lost another one of it's finest.....R.I.P.

officer murphy
Denton (TX) Police Department

January 21, 2008

May you rest in peace and may the Good Lord comfort your family, friends and fellow deputies. Deputy Nguyen, you are a true hero.

anonymous
Honolulu Police Department

January 16, 2008

As I read the facts surrounding your death, it reminded me of the death of one of our own. Det. Keith Dressel was killed in the line of duty on 21 Feb 07 by a 15 year old male armed with a handgun after a brief footpursuit and struggle. It just goes to show that it doesn't matter if you work on the east coast, the plains, a Big City or somewhere out west, the THIN BLUE LINE is everywhere. We face the same dangers day in and day out. Each one of us doing our job, so that others may sleep peacefully at night, walk down their streets without fear, and raise their families in security. We are America's protectors of peace on the home front. Sworn to defend the citizens of our communities with our lives if called to do so. God Bless you, and may he look over your family and help them find peace and strength. I know that your brothers and sisters on the force will take care of your wife, the same way ours are doing for Det. Dressel's wife and children. Rest in Peace, as you have done your duty.

OFF. Amy Herrick
Toledo Police Department Toledo, OH

January 13, 2008

My uncle, Detective Kent Haws, of Tulare County Sheriff Dept died two days before Deputy sheriff Vu Nguyen. I'm so sadden of this tragic, I know exactly what friends and loved one's of Vu are going through and I know there where both hero's. Too the family of Vu, Keep strong everyone as try to do the same down in central California. Deputy Sheriff Vu Nguyen Your going to meet my favorite uncle Detective Kent Haws in heaven. Job well done guys you made us proud and made our communities safer.

Future California Highway patrol officer Danny Mendoza.

Dan Mendoza
Nephew of Detective Kent Haws E.O.W. 1-17-08

January 11, 2008

deputy Vu the citizens of sacramento county should be so fortunate for the service of a great warrior. a warrior whose commitment to the citizens of sac county was to make it a safer place to live and be free of gangs. thank you for your service. to the family may god bless everyone of you and know that Vu is in a better place watching over us. god bless you.

deputy manuel flores
fresno county sheriff's office

January 11, 2008

God keep you and bless your family. They will be in my prayers.

Communications Officer
Hendersonville Police Dept. /TN- former Sacramento PD Communications

January 10, 2008

I shared your story with my class, because these kids--the children of gangs, the "lost children" of our nation--need real heroes. Heroes who do more than rap on stage, or sell drugs. Heroes who make a difference, who protect and serve.

Some cried. Some pretended they didn't care, but I could see in their eyes that they did.

I didn't know you. But I know enough: I know you cared, and tried your best to help us all, and gave your life for that cause. Thank you.

The sympathies of the twelfth-grade class of America's Choice high school are with Mr. Nguyen's family.

Michael Johnston
Teacher, SCUSD

January 8, 2008

Vu, I only knew you for a short time and I was looking forward to having a long friendship with you and combating gangs in South Sacramento. Now, you are gone and I will never forget you. I had a great time working with you at Hmong Festival and enjoyed our trip to Starbucks. I keep your picture on my locker to remind me of your life, how important our job is and how dangerous it can be.

I'll never forget! Your Friend
CHP, Traci Pierce 14611

OFFICER T. PIERCE
CHP-SOUTH

January 8, 2008

Someone killed a deputy sheriff today and
A part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
With counsel demanding his rights
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids
And spend many long lonely nights,
The beat that he walked was a battlefield too,
Just as if he had gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
To his name they will add a gold star.
Yep, somebody killed a deputy sheriff today
In your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind locked doors,
A cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks a beat on the dark city street
And he stands at each rookie's side.
He answered the call, of himself gave his all
And a part of America died.

God Bless Vu Nguyen. You will be greatly missed- we will continue to fight for what you believed in so strongly.

Deputy
Sacramento Sheriff's Department

January 7, 2008

Vu,
You were my brothers other brother and his best friend.You were one of my very good friends as well. You were one of the best people that I have ever known. You always did the right thing (even if we didn't want to).From playing basketball in our front yard as kids to that last get together last summer, you will be greatly missed not only by me and my family, but a very large group of people that by just knowing you made their lives better.

Luv you Bro,
Bubba

Bryan Scoles

January 6, 2008

Rest now brother. We have the watch.

Kings County

January 2, 2008

Vu, rest in peace my brother. You will never be forgotten by many of us. My deepest condolences to the Nguyen family.

Detective Van Nguyen
Ottawa Police Service

January 2, 2008

So Long,But Never Goodbye.....
You Will Not Be Forgotten.....

Ofc
Phoenix

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

Deputy Nguyen, 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)

January 1, 2008

You will not be forgotten.

Corporal Bill Smith
Allen Texas Police Department

January 1, 2008

i didn't write the following -- it has been circulated in department email, and i found it fitting to share with others.
________________


At Christmas


I just came in from lowering our flag to half-staff. Outside it is dark, cold, a light mist. Mirroring the faces of my fellow officers.



At Christmas.



A newlywed wife lost her husband Wednesday of this week, as he bled out on the street, having been shot in the neck.



At Christmas.



This week, just yesterday, we lost an undercover narcotics detective. At 37 years old, Vu Nguyen gave up his life for the job he loved. His wife weeps. His family grieves. We all feel the loss. The extended family of cops.



At Christmas.



Engine 56 and Medic 12 of the Sacramento Fire Department wanted to be anywhere but where they were that day.



Being the first to respond, and hearing that a deputy sheriff had been shot, they threw protocol away. They refused to stage and wait for a suspect to be declared "in custody." They decided, on their own, they were going into the hot area, a completely unknown area, and they were going to apply state-of-the-art lifesaving techniques to that deputy. A man they didn't know at all. They didn't know his ethnicity, his assignment, his religion, his height, his weight. It didn't matter. He was an American and a law enforcement officer and a fellow emergency responder. That was, literally, all they knew. And that they, like he, had valued and loved wives and children at home. And still they went because, frankly, they didn't care. That was their job. That's what they signed up for.



At Christmas.



And what they found was a deputy on top of a chicken coop, shot directly through the front of the neck. The second they placed the leads on him he was in V-fib. And they knew immediately about that 37-year-old deputy, right there. The 37-year-old deputy, Vu Nguyen, who had just gotten married in April of this year. A brand new wife. Who expected her husband back, that day, at the end of his shift.



At Christmas.



Three firefighters climbed into the back of the box rig and headed for the trauma center, performing heroic lifesaving measures. Giving their best. Knowing the truth. Awash in his blood. Vu Nguyen officially died at the hospital in surgery.



And Mrs. Nguyen had to be found, to be notified. Of the death of her husband. By violent gunfire.



At Christmas.



The area became flooded with cops. SSD, SPD, CHP, other local agencies, 100 to 150 officers. Three helos, two SWAT teams, multiple K9 units. Schools were locked down. Anyone callous enough or violent enough or indifferent enough as this killer was certainly capable of finding a child and taking a hostage, or worse.



Finally, many, many hours later the perimeter was taken down. No suspect was in custody.



No one stopped. No one gave up. No one went home. Leads were developed. Evidence documented and collected. Photographs taken. The investigation started. There was a job to do and no one complained or stopped for food or drink. There was only one thought in mind: find the suspect. Take him into custody. Now.



But make no mistake. There were many phone calls made on cells. To loved ones. "That wasn't me, honey," was what the bulk of the calls said. Perhaps a little guiltily. But truthfully. Because their wives deserved to know. Now.



People didn't stop. No one went home, no one slept. More leads were developed. And now, today, there is a suspect in custody.



It is a 16-year-old suspect. A known Asian gangbanger. 5'4" tall, 130 pounds. Who made his bones and will be spoken of, with reverence, in his own cloistered and demented groups. He made his bones, acquired his respect. Respect that will follow him, in the gangs, in the jails, in the prisons, wherever he goes now. Until he dies. Forever.



In the meantime, we'll continue with the investigation, collect more evidence, document, process and do what we are tasked with and what we have sworn to do: our jobs.



We'll don our hats, wear our gloves, a black band over our badges, attend the funeral, watch the motors in the procession. One of our own has fallen.



And then we'll go back to our jobs, every day. And love our wives, our husbands, hold our kids. Shed tears. Probably clutch and hug our dear ones even harder, closer.



Because life is so precious.



Not just at Christmas.



But all the time.

ross
sacramento area cop

January 1, 2008

Deputy Nguyen

You have made the ulitimate sacrifice! You are a true hero and now you patrol the streets of heaven above. The Lord will take care of your family and friends. May your soul Rest in Peace.

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

January 1, 2008

Rest easy Deputy Nguyen, your sacrifice will not go unnoticed nor unforgotten.

SA George I. Nunez
FBI Violent Gangs

December 31, 2007

YOU DID NOT HESITATE TO PERFORM YOUR DUTY. YOUR EXCEPTIONALLY BRAVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY COST YOU YOUR PRECIOUS LIFE. YOU ARE TRULY A HERO!! MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY. AS THE MOM OF ANOTHER BRAVE MAN, I KNOW THE ANGUISH THEY ARE SUFFERING. REST IN PEACE, BRAVE MAN, AND GIVE MY SON AND THE OTHER BRAVE LAWMEN AND WOMEN WHO WENT BEFORE YOU, A BIG HUG. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.

Betty Elliott
Mother of fallen CHP Officer Scott Russell EOW 07/31/07

December 31, 2007

On behalf of the Goldenwest Police Academy class 134, our condolences go out to Deputy Nguyen's family and to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. Our class will honor Deputy Nguyen's brave service every morning during the presentation of colors and we will do an additional push-up in Deputy Nguyen's honor for the next twelve weeks. God bless

Recruit D.Short
Goldenwest Police Academy

December 30, 2007

Vu,
I was just getting to know you and now you are gone. I know you are in a better place, but know that you will be greatly missed by the whole Department. I will never forget working Hmong New Year with you. I learned so much from you those couple of days. I will miss you.

-Chris

Deputy Chris Carroll #574
SSD RCCC Gang/Intel Unit

December 30, 2007

Rest in peace brother.

Deputy Scott Bligh
San Diego Sheriff

December 30, 2007