Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the Owens Family:
What can be greater than great? This man's life touched me as I read the occurences that led to this ending.
Patrolmen Officer Derek is a hero, we, as a people and a community were truly honered to have such a man.
As I read about the incident, what struck me more than the tragedy itself, was the life. Mr. Owens was a true example. The way he looked after his community. Making a difference. Working with the youth, respected by the community. Respected by his colleagues. A married man, at home with his wife, taking care of his family. Not only his family, but his community. The laughter that he gave. The article was aptly titled "A good cop, a better man." It also stated that He, Mr. Owens, was destined to be something greater." After reading this article about the life of Mr. Owens, he was already great and what can be greater than great.
Dearest family, my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I know that your heart is deeply grieved by this loss. I never knew or met Officer Owens, but he has left such a legacy, he has touched me.
Thank you for blessing us with a man such as Officer Derek Owens

Lisa Cameron
citizen

March 2, 2008

God bless you and your family.Thank you for keeping us safe here on earth, Im sure God will keep you safe in Heaven

A

March 2, 2008

Officer Owens,
You are a hero in the truest sense of the word. Your community is forever in your debt, and our nation mourns your loss. Your family should be very proud of you.
You will never be forgotten.
Rest in Peace now brother, we'll take it from here.

Sgt Josh Nyce
Broward Sheriff's Office

March 2, 2008

Derek,
My thoughts and prayer's are with you and your family. May you rest in peace Brother.

Motor Officer James M. Brunt
Meredith Police Dept. NH

March 2, 2008

On behalf of the Columbus OH Division of Police, our thoughts and prayers are with the Owens family and our brothers and sisters of the Cleveland Police Department.

Officer Andre' M. Leon
Columbus OH Division of Police

March 2, 2008

RIP. Brother you will not be forgotten.

March 2, 2008

The Barberton FOP Lodge #13 wishes to send our condolences to the Family of Officer Owens and the entire Cleveland police department. may he rest in peace.

Ptl. Terry Mullenix
Barberton P.D.

March 2, 2008

Rest in peace my brave brother. You will not be forgotten

Lt.
Sheriff's Department Ohio

March 2, 2008

My blessings to GOD are with the family. Derek was/is a good man, father and friend. Cleveland lost a strong link in its chain...he will never be forgotten. He was a mighty man that wore the BLACK and GOLD [A-Phi-A].
To his wife and children: "his eye is own the sparrow and I know he watches you".

Bridgett T. Berry
Collage Friend-Delta Sigma Theta

March 2, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and department of Officer Owens. May God bless you and bring you peace in this difficult time.

Police Wives Online

March 2, 2008

When a brother Law Enforcement Officer goes down, We ALL lose. May God be with you and your family as well as all of your co-workers in Cleveland. Thank you for the many years of service and dedication to your community and our Country. May you rest in peace and as you serve as a Guardian Angel to us left behind, protect us all.

Sgt. M. Szempruch
Bossier City Police Dept. Bossier City Louisiana

March 2, 2008

You have been taken from us too soon. May your memory stay with us forever as you lounge in God's loving arms.Rest in peace my Brother. We have the watch now.

Sgt. Bill Stokes
Summit County Sheriffs Office.

March 2, 2008

Rest in Peace brother. Thank you for all your courage. Our thoughts are with your family.May you walk heavens finest beat! Keep an eye on all of us!

Officer Sokolove
Holland Police Department

March 2, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 2, 2008

Officer Owens made the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Cleveland, while in the pursuit of fulfilling his duty. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Owens Family and to all the officers of the Cleveland Police Department. May god bless and keep all of you during this difficult time.

Sergeant Isaac Bridges
Columbus Division of PoliceI

March 2, 2008

God bless you bother Owens for taking the ultimate sacrifice. Your family is in our thoughts and Prayers.

Deputy Fitzgibbon
U.S. Marshals

March 2, 2008

Rest easy partner, May Angels lead you home......

Deputy Sheriff 6454
L.A.S.D.

March 2, 2008

On behalf of the New York State Police, our prayers are with you, your family and all the Police Officers of the Cleveland Police Dept. May you Rest in Peace. Thank you for your service.

Trooper
New York State Police

March 2, 2008

A man of honor has died doing his duty. He has already established the finest possible memorial Children who will honor his example in service to their community. Officer Owens no words are adequate but thank you for your service.

Retired
Richland Cty Sheriff Dept S. C.

March 2, 2008

Rest in peace brother.

Corporal
Delaware State Police

March 2, 2008

Rest easy brother.

Sgt. R. Gregson
BART Police Department

March 2, 2008

God bless this officer and his family and friends. May you find peace.

Civilian, NW Ohio

March 2, 2008

May God Be with you and Bless your family and CPD. We lost a good brother on March 01, 2008 and the world will never be the same with you no with us.

Respectfully Submitted,
Explorer Jeremy and the Mechanicsburg Police Dept.

Explorer Jeremy
Mechanicsburg Police Dept

March 2, 2008

rest in peace brother.God will bless your family

p/o booker
orange police

March 2, 2008

Brother Derek you have joined in the company of all our heroic brothers and sisters from law enforcement and now reside in God's house for the badge. Your work here against the agents of evil is over and your new assignment is solely with angels of love and peace. Enjoy the peace and rest, you have earned it. Know you will never be forgotten by your brothers and sisters still here on earth, your services to God's children will be remembered by them with love and respect, rest in peace brother.
In Christ, Tom Bradley, Arizona State Chaplain FOP

Tom Bradley, Retired
Phoenix AZ PD

March 2, 2008