Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dan,
I will miss the nights I got to be your actor for scenerios, I could always count on something crazy happening! We had some great conversations on those nights I will never forget. You always inspired me to be a better husband, father and officer and I still continue to strive for those goals daily.

It seemed like I could talk to you about anything or any situation and you could always give me words of encouragement or gave me a better way to do something.

I remember the text message you sent me after I got my first job in law enforcement. Everything you told me to mention in the interview helped me and I still carry those same quotes with me to this day.

You taught me so much that I will never forget and I can never thank you enough.

Officer Josh Rudisill
Country Club Village Police Dept.

September 23, 2010

As the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police I have the honor of meeting each officer that is hired by the St. Joseph Police Dept. I knew when Dan walked in the office his first day that he was a young man with a mission and that mission was to serve the citizens of St. Joseph and be the best police officer he could be....and I knew he would succeed. Dan and Laura became friends of ours and I spent many early mornings talking with Dan in my office about family, God, and books. He truly loved his God and his family. I will miss our morning sessions but know that one day I will get to see Dan in heaven and to resume our chats. Until that day Brother when we meet again, I will miss you and will cherish the time we had together as friends and co-workers. We will continue to keep your memory alive for Lexi.

Rita Ketchem, Administrative Assistant
St. Joseph Police Dept.

September 22, 2010

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

September 22, 2010

Officer Down

I didn’t know this man,
But I wish I had
His death was of a different circumstance
That is tragically sad.

It could have been any of us
That proudly wears the blue
His tour ended while he was just training
To possibly learn something new

I’m sure he had acts of good deeds
And gave it all he had
He was a husband, a friend, an awesome instructor
And yes, a loving dad

For those of you who are there,
Be aware that his family is going to need you to be there.
They will need your love,
They will need you for support,
They will need you as they try to understand
Why his life was cut short.

And keep in prayer the other officer involved
He and his family will you to be there
As things are being solved

The point that I make is he will be missed
And how it could have been any of us on this officer down list

Let’s not take for granted the life that is given
And we do what we must, in order to make our living
And nothing is promised when we’re out on the street
And the last thing expected is to be covered by a sheet

I didn’t know this man,
But I wish that I had
So again I will drape my badge
With the mourning sash

Corporal Leonardo Rowe #40
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
September 22, 2010

Corporal Leonardo Rowe
Bureau of Engraving and Printing

September 22, 2010

Thank you for your service to your family, department and community! Much love to you, your family and friends! Rest in peace my brother!

Dep. M. Chavez Jr.
Fresno County Sheriff's Office

September 21, 2010

My heart breaks for Officer DeKraai's family - you never think anything bad will happen in training like this. I pray that with time they will be able to forgive the other officer involved..as that officer will always have to live with that on his/her conscious. There will never be a time that they don't forget what happened and the lives affected by their mistake. May God bless Officer DeKraai's family and all the officers involved with him.

Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin Taylor

September 21, 2010

I would like to formally extend my sadness & sorrow for you & your Department's loss with Officer DeKraai. My thoughts & prayers are with each & every Department member, family & friends during this tragedy. May God's grace & mercy be with you all allowing your hearts to heal.

J B Hamblin, Sr Security Specialist
Seymour PD 88-04, FedEx Corporate Security

September 21, 2010

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
and may Your perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Trng Coordinator, Irenea Ordaz
Surprise Police Dept (AZ)

September 21, 2010

I was hired as a civilian booking officer I'm 2006 and worked with Dan my entire time. I never planned to be a civilian my entire life; it was just something I wanted to have to get my foot in the door while in college. My plan was to be a police officer. Dan was an instructor at MWSU Law Enforcement Academy and always talked about how hard he pushed the recruits in PT. He always said the number of people who threw up that day or how many he was going to have to push so they would graduate. I couldn't wait until I was in their shoes. Now that I am a recruit in that academy I wanted to make him proud. Show him that he would never have to push me because I would give my every time out. I wanted the PT award because Dan had it. I wanted o be a form leader because Dan was. We now have a new award: The Dan DeKraai Award. To get it you hve to demonstrate what it takes to be a police officer: comman presence, leadership, physical fitness, etc. Dan demonstrated the attributes of the perfect police officer. I will continue to push myself and my classmates so that he will look down and be proud of this class. We had wristbands made with his name and badge number in them. We will wear them until the day after graduation. Walk the beat in Heaven until we come to relieve you brother. God Bless. We love you

Zack Craft
Saint Joseph Police Department

September 20, 2010

I hate that this happened. I am in charge of all in service training and the firing range. I have explained to all out officers that situations like this still happens during training. I have sent this article to all 68 officers hoping they will be extremely careful when dealing with a firearm to prevent another situation like this. This effects his immediately family and also his Law Enforcement family of 50 States plus. Safe in Heaven, Dan.

Lt. Bruce S Guthrie
Kernersville Police Department, North Carolina

September 20, 2010

REST IN PEACE, BROTHER THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Provincial Constable Marty Lalonde
Ontario Provincial Police

September 20, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and family members that are left behind and cannot follow. Rest in peace my brother in blue...we will take it from here.

PFC Adam F Laser
Westminster City Police Department

September 20, 2010

Rest in Peace brother in blue. May God's grace find its way into the hearts of your friends, family and co-workers. May HE give you strength to face each day, and hope to face each tomorrow.

Sgt. Mary Palka
United States Capitol Police

September 20, 2010

His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

Author unknown

May God be with everyone

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, TX

September 20, 2010

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Dan De Kraai, and the St. Joseph P.D. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Officer De Kraai, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

September 20, 2010

Officer Kraai will never be forgotten. God Bless the families involved, friends and the St. Joseph PD during these difficult times.

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD Fla.

September 20, 2010

Officer De Kraai
I join countless others mourning your untimely passing. Thank you for your service. May God be with and bless your family.

Trooper Jeremy Andreasen
Iowa State Patrol

September 19, 2010

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

September 19, 2010

RIP Officer Kraai, you'll be missed.

Anonymous

September 19, 2010

As a rangemaster training safety is near and dear to me. My prayers go out to your family and freinds and also to the poor officer who made the fatal mistake and his family. Rest in peace in God's loving hands brother.

Sgt Bill Gazza
Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office

September 19, 2010

Rest in peace, brother.
My heart goes out to your family and coworkers.

Sgt Tim Kraai
Kent Co SO. Grand Rapids MI

September 18, 2010

It's not how you died that matters. It's how you lived your life that matters. Thank-you for your brave service. Rest in peace.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy #980
Prince George's County Police Department

September 18, 2010

RIP. God bless the family of Officer DeKraai.

Sergeant
Punta Gorda Police, Fl

September 18, 2010

God Bless you sir.

Rick F.
Ret. CO

September 18, 2010

It is with great sadness that I have read and heard about this incident. My family and I will pray for everyone concerned with this and hope that broken hearts may be mended.

Sincerely

Bill Pringle
Trainer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Cst. William R. Pringle
Lead Trainning Instructor for Southern Alberta, RCMP, Cananda

September 18, 2010