Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Bryan is still remembered, his photo can be seen throughout our department, new deputies are taught about his sacrifice but more so who he was. As long as we remember, they are immortal in spirit.

Sgt. Rochester
Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department

August 3, 2023

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 28, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Sleeper.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 26, 2019

Rest in peace my brother.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

September 28, 2018

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

September 21, 2018

Bryan and I worked together at the North Dakota State Penitentiary and I did a lot of overtime shifts with him as well did stuff on SORT. I always liked Bryan and I considered him a friend. He was a lot of fun with his own brand of character too and one of the most reliable officers I had the honor to work with.

In addition to everything else one of the biggest things about Bryan that stand out is how he treated others, myself in particular. Two words come to mind. Dignity and respect.

One of the funniest memories I have or Bryan is when we were doing the emergency medical refresher class together in Bismarck and we sat together at one of the tables in class. We were in the back of the class (right where we should be) haha, and the conversation in class came up about guns in the back of am ambulance.

The conversation was two fold, it was about how EMS crews should handle a firearm found on a patient, like a concealed carry licensee for example, and then another class member took it a step further and said he won't even let law enforcement officers in the back of his ambulance with a firearm.

If you knew Bryan, you would be laughing about now. Both Bryan and I were ripping a new one on a couple of the others in class and when Bryan tore into it, I was not only backing him at that point but laughing extensively at the same time.

That conversation did though bring some things to light regarding a need for training for EMS and I developed a training program for EMS continuing ed following that class. Good things came out of it, but was that ever a conversation not to be forgotten any time soon!

Bryan has been sorely missed, never forgotten, always remembered. Bryan was a friend.

Investigator Richard Anderson
Inactive

January 3, 2017

I knew Bryan for about 6 years. I met him when I was 13 and he was 18 as he was a life guard at the YMCA. Later we attended the same martial arts schools in Bismarck for four years. He was one of many role models for me growing up in the Bismarck community and I looked up to him a lot due to the age difference. Even so one of the last times we saw each other back when I was 19 and he about 25 he told me I had been his teacher since I was 13 years old, that he had learned from me. He said I had been teaching him since I was a 7th grader. I begged him to stay at the YMCA part time once he became a cop because I figured it would create an opportunity for him to continue to build relationships with the youth of the community as well as others. He still found time to work as a life guard at the Y at the time of his death at 39.

Linda Spafford
Civilian

October 9, 2014

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 18, 2012

Thank you for your dedicated service to others. You will never be forgotten. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones.

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

September 28, 2012

RIP Deputy Sleeper,
Thank you for your sacrifice, you will not be forgotten. God bless you, your family and fellow officers.

Linda Merrick
Florida
Citizen

September 28, 2012

Ill miss you and Ill do my best to fill your shoes. Semper FI

Deputy T.Rettig
Williams county SO

July 24, 2012

RIP Brother. We will finish what you have started.

Deputy A. Vonasek
Steele County Sheriff's Office

May 13, 2012

See you in DC in less than a month Bryan!

Kai Engstroem
Dispatcher, Bismarck Burleigh Combined Communications Center

April 20, 2012

Thank you for your service Sir, RIP

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

February 24, 2012

Thank you for your service brother. We will never forget your acts of courage. You now rest in peace and we will take it over from here. God Bless your soul.

Deputy Sheriff Marinov
Mountrail County Sheriff's department

February 7, 2012

I met Bryan by happenstance, but it seems that there was a plan in place, but for a conclusion unknown.

I was in Bismark for training and had the oppertunity to do a ride along with him. It was fun conversating with someone who had the same philosophies and ideals when it came to police work.

Thank you Bryan for showing me a different part of the world and know that I enjoyed the experiences we were apart of that night.

Make your journey my friend.

Officer F. Bradley
Fort McDowell Police Department Arizona

February 2, 2012

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiance Dennis. Every time I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the officer they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Deputy Sleeper. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. (The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. I can also be found on Face Book.) You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Bryan he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Bryan's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Bryan's life was about so much more than the way he died. Bryan will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Deputy Sleeper, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiance Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been almost 9 years and he's still very much missed and forever loved.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

December 29, 2011

Mrs. Sleeper,

I noticed your kind words today on Officer . com in regards to Dep. Richard Rhyne. I will say a prayer for you today that the Lord gives you comfort and peace, as you attempt to bring comfort and peace to others.

Thank you

Officer John Reeves
Cary NC

December 9, 2011

To the family and friends of Deputy Bryan Sleeper, his fellow deputies and most especially to Bryan:

We honor your service 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 Bryan died 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.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of distinquished service Bryan gave to his community and the citizens of North Dakota , and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 28,. 2011

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

November 4, 2011

Deputy Sheriff Sleeper,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Burleigh County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

November 3, 2011

The National Police Wives Association would like to extend their heartfelt prayers to the family of Deputy Sheriff Bryan Sleeper and the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department during this time. Thank you, Officer Sleeper, for your service.

Staff
National Police Wives Association

November 2, 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

October 27, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of this brave officer. Rest in Peace.

Sheriff Ray Foster
Buchanan County Sheriff's Office

October 18, 2011

Your life was short my brother. Your service much appreciated. Thank You for all you gave.
May you rest in peace.

Sgt. Steve Kotwschwar
Red Willow County Sheriff's Office

October 10, 2011

It always saddens me to hear of the tragic death of a fellow police officer. Thank you for your dedicated service. May you rest in peace, Brother.

PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

October 7, 2011