Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Job well done Officer Van Meter....you and your fellow officers are very much appreciated for your tireless efforts to keep our neighberhoods safe places to live and to raise our children. It takes a very special person to be in law enforcement.....May God watch over you now and forever. Many thanks, from J. Pace R.N.

J. Pace R.N.
healthcare worker

June 27, 2011

Rest in peace our brother, we all know your eyes will be watching over us all in heaven, and just know that we will all meet again soon.

The Bentley's
Friends

June 27, 2011

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 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

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

June 27, 2011

What a tragedy. So young... Rest in peace brother in blue. Sincere condolence to your family, friends and co-workers. "Courage à la famille".

Principal Inspector Eric REMIENCE
LIEGE POLICE - BELGIUM (E.U.)

June 27, 2011

Rest in peace brother, peace, healing for family, friends and colleagues.

jim Davenport
B. CO.P.D. MD. (ret)

June 27, 2011

My sincere condolences to the Brazoria County law enforcement community and to the family of Deputy VanMeter. I did not know you but from reading the comments posted here, you were one of the best ever! Rest in Peace, my brother and may God Bless and Comfort those who are grieving this tragic loss. Also, may God's healing Mercy and Grace be with the others who were injured in the accident.

Chief Deputy Steve Roper
Montgomery Co Texas Pct 2 Constable

June 27, 2011

You will be missed. Your contagious smile and laugh and kindness will be remembered by many.

When we lose someone that touches our life it seems that time stands still. What moves through us is a silence... a quiet sadness... A longing for one more day... one more word... ... We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too. We will see you again some day, in a heavenly place where there is no parting. A place where there are no words that mean good-bye.

Rest in Peace!

Ellen
Friend

June 27, 2011

My thought and prayers are with the Van Meter family-God's comfort and peace rest on you. As a parent of a former BCSO officer, I thank you for your service and dedication.

Margaret
citizen of Brazoria County

June 27, 2011

Rest easy brother..we have the watch now

Sgt. Cathy Boone
Hood County Sheriff's Office

June 27, 2011

Charles, I will miss you my brother, I loved you and David like my own brothers, and will miss hanging out with you. I will be there for and take care of your sister for whatever she needs as long as I live. Rest in peace my brother.

Bryan F. Mitchell
USAF

June 27, 2011

A very intelligent young man who I believe was just learning what it is to be a lawman. Godspeed...

Capt (Retired)
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office

June 27, 2011

Although I did not know Deputy VanMeter personally, I none the less have lost yet another brother in law enforcement. My thoughts and prayers are with his immediate family and friends, and his extended family, the fine men and women of the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office. May he find rest cradled in the arms of God, and may you find strength in his lasting memory.

Respectfully and with Honor,

Sgt. P. Englishbee
MCPD

Sgt. Phillip Englishbee
Missouri City Police Department

June 27, 2011

Thank you for all the laughs, smiles, and good times that you brought to all of your brothers in brown. And thank you for always being there! You are sorely missed and will NEVER be forgotten! Rest easy now and watch over all of us until our final tour of duty is over.

Deputy J. Wolfe
Brazoria Couty Sheriff's Office

June 27, 2011

Vanmeter, I will miss all the times we've sat in booking poking jokes at each other. You are one of the few that could take a good joke, as well as give one. You will always have a friend in me brother! RIP we'll hold the fort down for you.

My condolences to your family.

D. Duffey II

Deputy Duffey II
BCSO / Friend

June 27, 2011

To the family, friends and brothers in brown, I am so very sorry for your loss. There are no words that can be typed or spoken to ease your pain. Have faith in God and know that there is a purpose for everything. Thank you Deputy VanMeter for your service and ultimate sacrifice.

Holly Campos (Oliff)
Widow of a Hero (Deputy Jason Oliff EOW 12/05/05)

June 27, 2011

Charles you were a great friend, co-worker and most of all a great person. All of us here at the Sheriff's Office will miss you dearly, we have truly loss one of our best. The citizens of this county also lost a great protector of their lives, and liberties as americans in this great country. Go now to the lord, and standby his side when needed. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family,friends, and partners. I know the pain they are feeling. I will see you again my friend.....but not yet. RIP.

Investigator Ronny A. Falks
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office / friend / co-worker

June 27, 2011

I stumbled upon your picture this afternoon while I was sitting at my desk at work...I read the news daily...but I never thought I would see your face....

My heart is aching.

We haven't spoke in the last year or so but that's how it has always been but we never went more than that without reconnecting. I know the distance kept us apart and I wish that it wouldn't have.

I have so many memories that I have cherished throughout the years and will continue to cherish for the rest of my life. I will never forget my best friend and I traveling from Austin to Pearland and staying with you at your grandparents. You were always such a hoot to be around. I will never forget the many times you drove up to Austin to stay with me. Especially the Sunday we laid in bed as it rained all day and suddenly the song by Keith Urban "Raining On Sunday" became our little "song" I will always remember your sweet words. Your sweet emails. Halloween 2008 when you came after a long night of working at the police station yet you drove all the way up to Austin and met up with me and stayed the weekend. I will never forget that weekend. Last but not least I will never forget our ongoing semi "joke" that if we were both still single/not in a serious relationship by the age of 28 - - we agreed that one of us would move and we would get married :) well...I know last Friday you turned 27 and I turn 28 in August. From what I've heard, you have a girlfriend so my heart smiles to know that you found love before God took you to heaven. I love you Charles VanMeter and I always will. Your sweet smile, funny jokes, dry but hilarious sense of humor, quick wit will always be remebered. I know this is not goodbye - I will see you later - this time it will be in heaven. I will pray every day for all those that you left here on earth. You are a true hero.

Lacy Nettle
Long Time Friend

June 27, 2011

Rest brother rest, we will take it from here.

Inv Villalona
Brazoria Co Sheriffs Office

June 27, 2011

So very sorry to hear of the tragic accident that claimed Deputy Sheriff VanMeter's life. My thoughts and prayers are with his partner for a complete and speedy recovery. Deputy Sheriff VanMeter's family, friends and colleagues are also in my thoughts and prayers. RIP and thanks Deputy Sheriff VanMeter. God Bless!

Helene Pawlikowski
citizen

June 27, 2011

Praying for comfort for your family, friends and co-workers.
.

Lynda/ID
BCSO

June 27, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this difficult time.. Rest in Peace Sir..

Joyce
Sister of Ofc. John P Harris EOW 8/19/1994

June 27, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Thank you for your service. Brazoria County will miss you. RIP Deputy Van Meter.

Patsy Lubojacky

June 27, 2011

Vanmeter always had a big smile and a joke whenever he came into dispatch and never an unkind word. He was taken too soon and will be missed.

Shanna Lobpries - Coworker
Brazoria County Sheriff's Department

June 27, 2011

Thank you for your service Deputy Charles Allen VanMeter B.C.S.O. R.I.P.

Detective Sgt. Vincent Garcia
Freeport Police Department

June 27, 2011

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K. Murphy
Union PD,NJ

June 27, 2011