Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Bless you Officer Owens, your sacrifice will not be forgotten. In reading the reflections, you touched many lives on & off duty. To the Owens family, there will never be an answer to WHY, but know that your family in Blue will be by your side.
To our brohers & sisters of Cleveland PD, we mourn with you the loss of a hero. All of you are in our thoughts & prayers.
JUSTICE WILL NEVER BE SWIFT ENOUGH!

Officer Eric H. Brill (Retired)
Whitehall Division of Police

March 7, 2008

Life On The Train
Author Unknown

Life is like a train ride. We get on. We ride. We get off. We get back on and ride some more. There are accidents and there are delays. At certain stops there are surprises. Some of these will translate into great moments of joy, some will result in profound sorrow.

When we are born and we first board the train, we meet people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey. Those people are our parents!

Sadly, this is far from the truth.

Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them. They too have journeys they must complete. We live on with the memories of their love, affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence.

There are others who board the train and who eventually become very important to us, in turn.

These people are our brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances, whom we will learn to love, and cherish.

Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour. They will just go merrily along. Others, will encounter many upsets, tears, losses on their journey.

Others still, will linger on to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off….

Some will get on and get off the train so quickly, they will scarcely leave a sign that they ever travelled along with you or ever crossed your path…

We will sometimes be upset that some passengers whom we love, will choose to sit in another compartment and leave us to travel on our own. Then again, there’s nothing that says we can’t seek them out anyway.

Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not even be able to sit next to them because that seat will already be taken.

That’s okay …everyone’s journey will be filled with hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks and goodbyes.

We must strive to make the best of it… no matter what...

We must constantly strive to understand our travel companions and look for the best in everyone.

Remember that at any moment during our journey, any one of our travel companions can have a weak moment and be in need of our help.

We too may hesitate, or even trip… hopefully we can count on someone being there to be supportive and understanding…

The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don’t know when our last stop will come.

Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop.

Not even those sitting in the seat next to us.

Personally, I know I’ll be sad to make my final stop…. I’m sure of it!

My separation from all those friends and acquaintances I made during the train ride will be painful. Leaving all those I’m close to will be a sad thing. But then again, I’m certain that one day I’ll get to the main station only to meet up with everone else. They’ll all be carrying their baggage… most of which they didn’t have when they first got on this train.

I’ll be glad to see them again. I’ll also be glad to have contributed to their baggage… and to have enriched their lives, just as much as they will have contributed to my baggage and enriched my life.

We’re all on this train ride together. Above all, we should all try to strive to make the ride as pleasant and memorable as we can, right up until we each make the final stop and leave the train for the last time.

All aboard!
Safe journey!!
BON VOYAGE!

Rest in peace D. You'll most definitely be missed, however not forgotten.

Ericka, Sydni and Chandler thank you for sharing your husband and dad with so many others. God continue to bless and keep you all.

Peace and much love,
Pepi

Dorothy "Pepi" Baker-Rollins
Friend and AKA sister

March 7, 2008

Thank you brother, your always with us.

P.O. Mickey
Chicago P.D.

March 7, 2008

My Sympathy and prayers go out to the Owens family and The Cleveland Police Department in the loss of Derek Owens. may he rip.

Melissa Miller
Cincinnati Oh former cleveland resident

March 7, 2008

My Sympathy and prayers go out to the Owens family and The Cleveland Police Department in the loss of Derek Owens. may he rip.

Melissa Miller
Cincinnati Oh former cleveland resident

March 7, 2008

My thoughts and prayers will always be with you and your family.

T. Miller
Wife of MVPD PO

March 7, 2008

Erica,
I am praying for you and your family my deepest sympathy in this time of your lost. God is able to carry you through. Look to the hills he will be there.

Kittawia Atkins (school companion of Erica)

March 7, 2008

Know that you are not alone in your grief. Many recognize the daily sacrifice made by great officers and their families. I hope this website comforts you as it has my family. A hero's loss is never in vain. The love of one so willing to serve never dies.

Greta Insko
Family member: Officer Anthony Cogdill, NCSHP

March 7, 2008

Praying for the family and friends of this brave police officer. Watching his funeral at this moment. The city of Cleveland is truly honoring Derek Owens' life and honoring his family. Our hearts break for all of you. God is still present. Cling to Him now and in the days ahead. My prayers will continue for all of your family and fellow officers.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.

Karen

March 7, 2008

When will this madness end? When will we stop trying to rehabilitate sociopaths, and begin laying the fear of swift justice upon the heads of these remorseless animals? To the family and friends of Officer Owens, you do not stand alone in your grief. As I look at this young man's picture, I can only think of what a loss his passing must be to those who knew him. My heart, and the hearts of countless other strangers are broken over and over again with the death of so many officers each year. May God lay his healing hands upon Officer Owen's family, friends, and co-workers. Rest in peace my dear brother.

Dan Cockerham, Retired P.O.
Columbus PD, Ohio

March 7, 2008

RIP Brother. You will be missed but NOT forgotten. Heros on Life NOT in Death

PC Darren Hodskins
York Regional Police Ontario Canada

March 6, 2008

Rest in peace brother. God bless.

Conservation Officer
Virginia State Park Police

March 6, 2008

Rest in peace our brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat. Your family, friends, and co-workers with the Cleveland Police Department, are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless

Deputies Gene and Laura Thomsen
Washoe County Sheriff's office

Deputies Gene and Laura Thomsen
WCSO Nevada

March 6, 2008

There is NO other that compares to the "Patrol Officer"...we...YOU.. make the world a better place. Tomorrow we say our good byes to you and the world will be at a great loss because of it....You Sir embody "The Patrol Officer" and it is an honor to be included in this class of human beings.....Fidelis Ad Mortem Brother Owens......

Officer A. Shotwell #2379
Columbus Division of Police

March 6, 2008

Officer Owens, during your tour of duty you have served your city and community with honor and dignity, it is your time to rest ,we will carry on from here. To the family of Officer Owens you all are in our thoughts and prayers. You are now part of a much larger family that will be by your sides forever. To the men and women of the Cleveland Police Department hold your heads high as you all carry on. Safe safe and watch each others backs. God Speed Brother

Detective First Grade Robert F. Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department Washington DC/Homicide Branch

March 6, 2008

It is hard to find words for the pain that you are going through. I lost my oldest brother on 22DEC02 in the line of duty. Im not sure what i can say to help, but know that he is in Heaven walking his beat with the Lord. And everyday he is watching you, protecting you. This is a poem i wrote in the loss of my brother.

A Hero Indeed
By: Brian J. Betts

A hero is real; it's inside all of us.
someshow it everyday,
Some hide it away.
You are a hero, it was your job.
To take criminals off the street,
To keep a community safe.
And sometimes it takes a person,
To lay down his own life for another,
And that is what you did.
What do we give in thanks.
A coffin draped with the American Flag,
A 21-gun salute.
Bagpipes being played, and even taps.
And what do we have to remember you?
A folded flag, a badge, a uniform.
And slowly we will forget the story
But one thing that wont be forgotten,
is who you were,
who you are and what you did
That signifies you a HERO Indeed!

Copyright ©2008 Brian Joseph Betts [email protected]

To the hero, Thank you for keeping your community safe.
I will sleep in peace tonight knowing that you are watching over all of us.

EOCR Betts,Brian,J
USN

March 6, 2008

"The Battle is now over operator. We say goodbye with silent tear and a broken heart. Rest now... operator as your new journey begins with the Almighty God. Heaven receives another hero and your watch on the wall is now is now taken silently by a fellow operator. Rest now operator and go into your resting place among the heroes. Rest now operator for you will never be forgotten." My prayers our with you and your family and your department. You are the true hero in blue. may god bless your loved ones.

SGT DAN DANOWSKI
ERIE COUNTY PRISON, ERIE PA

March 6, 2008

May God be with the family, Dept. and Friends of Officer Owens during this there time of bereavement. It's always said to lose a love-one and friend in Law Enforcement to unnecessary violence.
We all ask why?
Only God knows,
so It's ok to cry.
God bless you my brother in Law Enforcement. Suit up and Grab a beat in Heaven. We'll see you soon.

Patrol Officer V. B. Arceneaux 239
Houston Port Authority Police

March 6, 2008

Bro.
It was my pleasure to work with and know you. You were and are an inspiration to the community. You have shown them and others courage and professionalism. You have never let the light of Alpha diminish. Hopefully we will meet again in Omega Chapter.

Sergeant Randall Bergeon

March 6, 2008

You and your family shall forever remain in our prayers. We have all lost a Fallen Hero that shall be sadly missed. Thanks for your service to our community and may GOD provide your family comfort in their time of sorrow.

John C Kikol
Fellow Clevelander

March 6, 2008

"Another One Fell"

Dark glasses can't hide
the tear stained eyes
of the warriors,
these men and women who aren't supposed to cry.

The silver covered
by that thin black line
an all to familiar sight this day
along with the pain that no one can hide.

Taps sounds, the guns go off
it only serves as a reminder
of what we all have lost.
one more deputy gone

But the hurt felt will last so long
for no longer in the streets of hell
a final call is given in honor
to another one that fell.

written by
Matt Pierce
R/D/S

Your family, friends, and fellow officers will be in my prayers. You paid the ultimate price as did my friend David Poling. I know when you get up there he will greet you at the door. You served your community and layed down your life which was the biggest sacrifice a person can make...and I am sure no one will forget you.

C.O. Misty Clay
Gallia County Sheriffs Office Jail Division

March 6, 2008

Godlove you and keep you.

Corporal Tim Zuniga
UC Berkeley Police Department

March 6, 2008

To Derek's Wife, Children, Family, and Friends. Please always remember that through the painful, and trying times that life presents us with GOD still remains and he will continue to hold us up when we feel that we cannot stand.

Willie Eaton

March 6, 2008

When I found out what happen to my friend I didnt believe it. then I saw the news and when they showed his pic the the one of his beautiful family i broke dwn to the floor and cried. Derek I will always remember your smile and how you came into Bp on Lee and Harvard and always made me laugh and smile and that is how I will remember you. My heart goes out to Erika and the kids my God bless you and keep you in the sad time.
Love a good friend, Tina

Tina Hawkins
friend

March 6, 2008

REST IN PEACE BRUH 06!

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever Gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of Circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

MAB & FAMILY
BRUH

March 6, 2008