Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace Brother. Know the person running from you is in custody and will answer for his crimes. Thank you for your service to this GREAT Country in the US Army. My condolences to your Family and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

PO Fred Nordt
Lake Success PD, Long Island, NY

July 3, 2011

I had the privlage of having a hand in deputy Mecklenburg's FTO training. I could tell from the first day in training he was going to be a great cop. I know he really cared about the job and the peole he served. He will be missed by all of his brothers and sisters in arms at the sheriffs office and by the citizens he served. Rest in peace brother. We will continue the fight down here as you look down upon us from high.

Deputy Joey stokes
HCSO

July 3, 2011

RIP brother John.

May God bless and be with your family, co-workers and friends at this very difficult time. Thank you for your service to our country.

Det. Bevenour, USAF Ret
Gettysburg Police Department

July 3, 2011

Thank you for your years of dedicated service even though cut short, your sacrifice for our County and the safety of others, is a loss that will not be forgotten. To your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Deputy W. Ingersoll
Hernando County Sheriff

July 3, 2011

MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF DEPUTY MECKLENBURG. MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU WITH THE LOVE AND PEACE OF HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS CHRIST. DEPUTY MECKLENBURG, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT SC

July 3, 2011

Thank you for your service Deputy Sheriff John Mecklenburg. You are a hero in the eyes of your family and children, coworkers, and other members of the thin blue line. May you rest in peace knowing that your service was not in vain. May your family tell your stories for years to come. May America mourn another officer down with dignity and generosity. Much love from Rob Nielsen's widow, Chandler, AZ PD #445. Blessings to your department, community, and family...may you always have hope.

Former police widow
Chandler PD Officer Rob Nielsen #445

July 3, 2011

My pegs are down for you brother. May you rest in peace. Condolences to the family.

Investigator CT

July 3, 2011

Young Sir, you are a hero just by the position you chose in life, may God Bless you, your family, police family and friends

Pat Van Den Berghe
citizen

July 3, 2011

Thank you for your service. When I was transporting a baker act into your county, he managed to kick out my window. When I called for backup, you showed up quickly and helped me restrain him. That was a lonely stretch of highway in the early morning hours and I can't begin to explain what a comfort it was to see your lights heading towards me. That was the only time we met, but i'll never forget it. Rest in peace brother.

B. Vick
Citrus County Sheriffs Office

July 3, 2011

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. May you rest in peace.

Off. William F. Shields
Federal Reserve Police/Philadelphia - Retired/Haverford Police

July 3, 2011

Rest in Peace sir. Your family will be cared for and you will NOT be forgotten. Thank you for your selfless service to your community and country.

C.O.P.S.
South FL Chapter

July 3, 2011

Deputy, We humbly thank you for your service and your ultimate sacrifice. Your actions will not go unnoticed. Prayers for the families.

Chaplain Paul Grady
Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville, TN

July 3, 2011

Rest in Peace...

Detective
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

July 3, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out the Deputy Sheriff John Mecklenburg and his family. I offer my thoughts and condolences to the men and women of the Hernando County Sheriff's Department. St. Petersburg Police Department has had a difficult year in the deaths of three officers. The kinds words, cards, letters from deputies, officers and all law enforcement and civilians has helped the SPPD get through a most difficult time.

I offer sincere well wishes to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in their time of grief. Their grief is shared among all law enforcement. L Harris

S.R.O, L.L Harris
St. Petersburg Police Department

July 3, 2011

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“ uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place. As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say its ok you’re with your eternal partners. A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.

A brother law enforcement officer
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Ret.) LAPD (Ret.)
Jerome County, Idaho (Ret.)

July 3, 2011

Dep Mecklenburg, may you rest in peace. You'll never be forgotten.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester Police Dept

July 3, 2011

Our hearts are saddened here in Hernando County. My thoughts and prayers are with the Mecklenburg family and the Hernando County Sheriffs Office. Thank you Deputy Mecklenburg for your service to your Country as well as your community. God Bless

Stacy Johnston
Hernando County Resident

July 3, 2011

John you are a great friend and you will be greatly missed.

Officer Scott Fredricksen
Brooksville Police Department-Friend

July 3, 2011

Deputy Mecklenburg was just beginning his journey through this great profession. To be taken from this life and family so soon is a tragedy beyond words. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, brother

Deputy Andrea Rockefeller
Pulaski County Sheriff's Office (AR)

July 3, 2011

My sincere condolences go out to Deputy Mecklenburg's family and coworkers. Hernando County Sheriffs Office is near and dear to me ever since we lost one of our own in 2003; you all helped track down my coworkers killer and I and my department will always be grateful. We are here for all of you. RIP Deputy Mecklenburg.

Richie Schultz
coworker of P.O. Maryann Collura EWO 04/17/2003

Sgt Rich Schultz
Fair Lawn PD, NJ

July 3, 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

July 3, 2011

Thank you for your service, Deputy Mecklenburg, not only to your county and to this state but to the entire country. My thoughts are with your family, friends, agency, and entire community.

You are a hero.

Sergeant B. Wolgast
Florida Department of Corrections

July 3, 2011

Rest in Peace, Deputy Mecklenburg, Know that the watch will be taken over... You have done your job, Thank you for your dedication and service to the community....

Lyn Pierce
Retired/Corrections/LEo

July 3, 2011

so very sorry. may jesus console each of you.

mary kujawa

July 3, 2011

Such a terrible loss to your Agency and family. May you rest in peace---your brothers will assume your watch.

Dennis Norling SGT/Ret.
Phoenix Police Department

July 3, 2011