Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

CRAIG THINKING OF YOU TODAY, ALONG WITH ANDY. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY AS I'M SURE THEY ARE REMEMBERING YOU TODAY. WE ALL GRIEVE TOGETHER FOR FOR THESE DAYS IN MARCH THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES FOREVER. REST IN PEACE.

OFC. MATTHEW S. DUNN (RET.)
FATHER OF FALLEN OFC. ANDREW S. DUNN
E.O.W 3-19-2011

OFC. MATTHEW S. DUNN (RET.)
SANDUSKY P. D. (OHIO)

March 20, 2015

I saw your story on DVD (Heros behind the badge) last week and today is the anniverary of this terrible incident. Its so sad and terrible! You are a hero! RIP Craig! My deepest sympathy to the family!

Civilian (from Germany) Andreas Schönhof

March 20, 2015

God bless you, hero. I still have my bracelet with your name on it, I wear it and remember you, your partner, and your K9.

The thin blue line: Sometimes there is justice, sometimes it's just us.

MSTC LE Alumni

January 3, 2015

Missing you terribly. The holidays are so empty without you. Love always,

Craig's mom

December 27, 2014

Craig, its been awhile since you have given your life protection the citizens of Fon Du Lac. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and the time I used to hang out with Paul. Your father-in-law talk about you all the time, and about our time in Iraq. God has felt you have done your time in hell and took you home to protect heaven! You are missed deeply and I love you brother! RIP forever.

Police Officer Luke Hofmann
Kenosha Police Dept

August 19, 2014

CRAIG, THINKING OF YOU, YOUR PARENTS AND FAMILY. NEVER GOT TO KNOW YOU IN LIFE BUT FEEL LIKE WE HAVE COME TO KNOW OF YOU AND ABOUT YOU FROM YOUR PARENTS IN D.C AT THE MEMORIAL, THROUGH COPS PARENTS RETREAT AND RELIVING YOUR TRAGIC DEATH ON HEROES BEHIND THE BADGE. I HOPE YOU AND MY SON, ANDY HAVE BECOME FRIENDS SINCE THOSE 2 TRAGIC DAYS IN MARCH OF 2011. SEEK HIM OUT AND YOU TWO WATCH OVER BOTH OUR FAMILIES AND ALL LEO EVERYWHERE. GOD BLESS

IN VALOR THERE IS HOPE

RETIRED OFFICER MATTHEW S. DUNN AND FATHER OF FALLEN OFFICER ANDREW S. DUNN
E.O.W/ANGEL DATE 3-19-2011

OFC. MATTHEW S. DUNN (RETIRED)
SANDUSKY P.D. (OHIO)

March 18, 2014

Son, there is not a day that has gone by that your brother, dad or I don't think of you or that something pops up that reminds us of you. Our hearts, it seems, will forever be missing a piece. Our lives forever changed. Always loved, forever will be missed.

G. Birkholz
mother of Officer Craig Birkholz, Fond du Lac PD, EOW 3/20/11

January 20, 2014

Brother it seems like just a few days ago that we were sitting in folding chairs in Mosul. There are so many more things I would have loved to talk to you about. I think about you every day and only hope that I am have the man and officer that you were. I know that you are watching over us all now, and that is the only comfort I have. I still have your picture on my wall at work and I often catch myself just looking at it and thinking back to our days in Iraq and Fort Drum. You are truly one of the good ones. I hope to make it to WI this spring to visit you. Thank you for being my friend, my battle buddy, and my hero. Rest at ease my friend, we have it covered down here.

Caleb Christine
Lewis Police Department / Friend

September 5, 2013

Dear son, Only a couple more weeks until your dad rides in to DC with the Wisconsin Unity Tour Riders as a survivor rider. I know you will be beaming with almost as much pride as we have for you dear son. As only we know what an incredible feat this is for him to accomplish, overcoming odds. What a tremendous testament of the depth of love he has for you, son. love you and miss you, mom

G. Birkholz
mother of Officer Craig Birkholz, Fond du Lac, Wi. EOW 3/20/11

April 26, 2013

Craig,

Your mother is a very strong person. She helps me to to be positive. I know her heart is broken and she miss you every second of every day. Keep shining down on your family. Thank you a true Hero. I hope you and David have become good friends along with all your brothers and sisters in Heaven.

Karen Reever
Mother of Officer David Tome EOW 10-21/08

March 20, 2013

I just saw your and Rick Williams' story on Heroes - Behind the Badge. Was touching and well done. To your family, I am truly sorry for your lose and hope that one day the grieving is replaced with the memory of the only the love and life shared.

God Bless your Craig, Rick and all of the LE Community.

Sgt. A.J. Falbo
N.J. State Parole

November 11, 2012

Thinking about Craig today. To his family-we know he is not forgotten by you, but know that his extended family will never forget him either. Bill, we welcome you to the Police Unity Tour and we are honored to have you among us. Gay, I am thinking of you and Bill often.

Ashley, you are an amazing woman, thank you for everything. Stay focused, as God does not give you anything you can't handle, and you have exemplified that.

And my last word to the members of the Fond Du Lac Police Department........your brothers and sisters in blue/brown/black/green/whatever color in Law Enforcement will be with you-always.

Another Officer-Eric Essinger
Wisconsin Officer

September 26, 2012

Thinking of you today. You stood in the face of danger, and made the ultimate sacrifice. You are a true hero.

Rest In Peace, Brother.

Police Officer RGK
Milwaukee Police Department

August 4, 2012

I will never forget the week of your passing. I feel very privileged to have worked in your city that unforgettable week.You paid the ultimate sacrifice and you will never be forgotten. God bless your family and all of the Fond Du Lac PD.

Deputy Ryan Kelley
Sheboygan Co Sheriff (WI)

June 11, 2012

MR. AND MRS. BIRKHOLZ...ENJOYED MEETING AND TALKING WITH YOU IN DC AT THE NLEOM. NOW THAT I KNOW CRAIG AND ANDY ARE ADJACENT ON THE WALL I KNOW THEY ARE IN GOOD COMPANY. WE THINK OF YOU AND TALK OFTEN. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALWAYS AND WE ALSO KNOW ANDY AND CRAIG NO DOUBT HAVE BECOME FRIENDS IN HEAVEN TOO. THEY HAVE MUCH TO TALK ABOUT AFTER BOTH WERE RECOGNIZED PUBLICLY IN THE CEREMONIES

BLESSED WRE THE PEACEMAKERS FOR THEY SHALL BE CALL SONS OF GOD MATTHEW 5:9

FELLOW OFFICER AND FATHER OF FALLEN OFFICER
ANDREW S. DUNN E.O.W 3-19-11

OFC. MATTHEW S. DUNN
SANDUSKY P.D. (OH)

May 23, 2012

I would like share my condolences with the family and thank Officer Birkholz for all that he did for our country and for the city of Fond Du Lac.
I believe I was sitting next to Craig's family (wife) on the Hilton Hotel bus ride back to the airport in Washington DC for National Police Week and I have not been able to stop thinking of them and wishing I had introduced myself and offered my condolensces in person.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all and will continue to be.
God Bless.

Karyn Nelson Woolsey, Police Social Work
Streamwood Police Department

May 23, 2012

Thank you Officers all for protecting our freedoms. R.I.P.

Walter Olschewske
USMC Disabled Veteran Vietnam

May 15, 2012

I salute you brave Hero

sp/4
US Army

May 15, 2012

Over a year now. Still not a day goes by without thinking of you. You would have celebrated your 30th birthday 4/5/12. Miss you, love you, mom

Craig's mom

April 6, 2012

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones and close friends on this day. Continue to keep watch over all of them and know that you have not been forgotten as true heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

March 19, 2012

Thank you for your service Sir, RIP now.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

February 15, 2012

Officer Birkholz

Today I had the chance to see the other wounded Officer speak to our department. He told us of that tragic day. Yet, out of pain and grief comes knowledge and education. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten because of the lessons learned that day. It is because you were willing to pay the ultimate price to protect your community and fellow man that perhaps another Officer will avoid the same fate because we will keep you in our thoughts forever.

Rest in peace brother. We will take it from here.

Fellow Law Enforcement Officer
Community in Wisconsin

February 9, 2012

To the family and friends of Officer Craig Birkholz, his fellow officers, and most especially to Craig:

We honor your service to your community as a law enforcement officer and you will always be remembered and revered. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Craig was killed in the line of duty. It is obvious he was well-loved by many and well-respected by his peers as reflected in the loving reflections left for him.

May his loved ones continued to be supported by their law enforcement family and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you. To Craig's family, you are in my heart's embrace today. I share your parents anquish in losing a beloved child which surely has to be life's greatest sorrow. As we are fast approaching both their first Christmas without you and your eow anniversary date, they are in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult days.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of distinquished service Craig gave to his community and the citizens of our country as a combat veteran, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 20 , 2011

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 23, 2011

I would like share my condolences with the family. I attended Basic Training with Craig and this came as a deep shock to me after I read this entry on the site. After both of us have sevred in the Army, with the tours overseas this was to happen. Craig you will not be forgotten old friend!

PFC Mel Foster
Anne Arundel County Police, Maryland

October 14, 2011

Son, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. It's been months now. The pain has not gotten any easier. I so miss you! Proud of you, love you forever, mom

Gay Anne Birkholz
Craig's mother

October 9, 2011