Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

There can never be enough good words said about a man who who gives his life for the protection of righteous and unrighteous. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I salute you my brother....

Officer Richard Bishop Jr.
St. Petersburg Police Department

October 21, 2011

My thoughts are with you, your family and police family.

Brother of Jeremy Chambers
EOW 04-24-2006

Chris Chambers
Saint Louis Co Police Dept

October 21, 2011

RIP Officer Kotecki. You left a tremendous impact on this area in your too-short life. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice - I am sorry that I never had the pleasure of meeting you. God bless you, your family, fellow officers and Odin.

Rob

October 20, 2011

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

Rest now brother we'll take it from here....

Ptlm. P. Ford
Springdale Township

October 20, 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 20, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, and fellow officers during this difficult time in your lives. Derek is now with my son Josh patrolling the streets of Heaven. It will be hard and very difficult times ahead but keep strong faith in the Lord and he will get you thru these times. My faith has deepened and grown stronger since my tragic loss. You will find that the Lord is closer to you during tragic times and all you have to do is ask for his help and his help you will need. May God bless each and everyone of you.

Ginger Autrey
Mother of Officer Dolald Joshua Newman EOW 3/5/11

October 20, 2011

Our deepest condolences to the dear wife and children of Officer Kotecki. God will be with you always and guide you through these difficult times. God Bless Derek for his service and the sacrifice he made to keep others safe. Rest in Peace our dear brother, hero's are never ever forgotten.

Retired Sgt. Jim May
CMPD Charlotte, NC

October 19, 2011

To the Family of Officer Derek Kotecki and the Lower Burrell Police Department, I want to say it truely was an Honor to know Derek and his partner Odin and that it was an Honor to be a part of his life and to be a part of his day on Oct 17th,2011 because he may have left this ground that we walk on, but he is walking on solid ground with our Heavenly Father patrolling the streets of Heaven, protecting us from above. I will carry the Police Officers Prayer from that day in my wallet badge holder always, and when I need that extra motivation I will look at that prayer and Thank Derek and Thank God for providing him to us and reminding myself that God has truely gotten a Top notch Police Officer, but also a person who is at the top of his prime.
In Closing, Derek once again Thank You For All You Have Left For Us, I and all who knew you, We Will Never Forget And Will Always Be There For You And Your Family. God Bless You Derek. Rest In Peace. What A Wonderful Day It Will Be To See You Again. God Speed Derek...

Sgt. Juvenile Division Scott Pfeifer
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office PA

October 19, 2011

Thank you Pattrolman Kotecki. Your dedication will always be remembered. God Bless You and Your Family. Rest In Peace.

Renee Walker, wife
Sgt. Roosevelt Walker, Jr.
EOW: May 22, 1998

Renee Walker
Escambia County Sheriff, Pensacola, FL

October 19, 2011

Officer Kotecki: I never had the chance to meet you, this is true. I only wish I had. As I read the stories of your life here on Earth, I realize that the legacy you leave behind is so great that it makes me want to be a better person, better officer, better husband/father, and a better citizen. You made the ultimate sacrifice, but God's plan has been revealed and you were needed back at the most important Roll Call, in Heaven.

Your ultimate sacrifice is not lost on me, I will remember the lesson you have left for me as I respond to each and every call.

God bless, rest in peace Oficer Kotecki.

Steve/Sr. Inspector

October 19, 2011

May you rest in peace, you will be sadly missed by all. Blessings to your family, and fellow k9 Odin.

State Agent
PSP

October 19, 2011

May god bless u my brother.Rest in peace.We have the watch now.

Ptlm George S. Galish
Smith Twp. Police Dept. Washington Co.

October 18, 2011

On behalf of the Springdale Borough Police Department, our deepest and sincerest condolences go out to Officer's Kotecki's family, friends, and the Lower Burrell Police Department. May you forever rest in peace, our brother. We will always remember your service and your sacrifice.

Ptlm. Kevin Hess
Springdale Borough Police Dept.

October 18, 2011

Thank you for your service. May God bless you, your family, and the brotherhood of police officers during this tragic time.

Wife of PSP Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police Troop D Butler

October 18, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ofc. Kotecki's wife, children, and family. Our hearts break for his K-9 partner and pray for his healing as well. May God bless all of you and comfort you in the time of tragedy.

Investigative Assistant
Drug Enforcement Administration

October 18, 2011

You now patrol the streets of heaven, rest in peace brother.
May God bring peace and understanding to your family during this time.

Patrolman Travis Young
Mars Borough Police Department

October 18, 2011

To the family of Officer Kotecki

I've never met you. I don't know your first names. I don't know how wonderful your family is. What I do know is this. You are strong. You are proud. You are hurting.

When your Derek pledged his future to a life of service, you all took an oath to support him and take pride in every effort he made to protect your community. I have also lost a loved one while on duty to the hands of violence, and there are no words I can say to comfort you, or express how deeply sorry I am. The pain never goes away, but believe me when I say, one day, it will be a little easier to remember him without hurting so imensely. You all are now part of a community....no, a FAMILY. A family of men, women and children who have felt the same pain as you, and we are all here to support you.

To the beautiful children Officer Kotecki has left behind. Your father, although I did not know him, was a wonderful man. Be proud. Remember how great of a father he was. He is in heaven, still keeping watch. Becuase as an officer, and a father, he will always be "forever watchful".

My heart goes out to all of you. Be strong. Remember him. and remember, you are not alone.

With Love,
Ashley Marano
Survivor of Officer Joseph J. Grill EOW 03/06/1991

Ashley Marano (Grill)
Citizen and Survivor

October 18, 2011

as a survivor of an officer who was also shot , i wish to offer my sympathy to the family . It is a hard rod to travel, but you can do it and make Derek proud. God bless

gregg
aurvivor or officer

October 18, 2011

Best regards to the family, friends and co-workers. Derek Kotecki is a true HERO! To the family and friends of Derek Kotecki, you are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless!

Corporal Shawn Cardoza
Tulare Police Department-CA

October 18, 2011

I can't even begin to describe the feelings from yesterday. Seeing all of the students from the Burrell School District line both sides of Leechburg Rd, waving American Flags. People from all over the region out to support fallen Officer Kotecki, his family, and all of us in Law Enforcement. I just had this amazing feeling of pride and overwhelming saddness over the loss of a brother.

God Bless you, Ofc. Derek Kotecki. You were an asset to the community and will be missed tremendously!

Ofc. Dawn Frejkowski
Gilpin Township Police Department

October 18, 2011

RIP my brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless you.

Dep. B Carlson
Allegany County Sheriff Office Cumberland MD

October 18, 2011

Officer Kotecki,

May you rest in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Thank you for your service and selfless duty to our community. Many may take men in blue for granted, but than God all of you give of yourselves on a daily basis.

To the wife and children, may God comfort you in this tragic time. My heart truly breaks. My family will continually pray for you.

Thank you so much.

Citizen
Sister of an Officer

October 17, 2011

Today you were laid to rest, myself and other officers from Beaver County attended your funeral. May you now rest in peace and keep watch over us. Heaven now has another hero.

Capt. Douglas Edgell
City of Aliquippa Police Dept.

October 17, 2011

May Officer Kotecki rest peacefully. I pray for his family and friends, as well as his department.

Jill H.
Pittsburgh, PA

October 17, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today as you lay your loving husband to rest. You have lived through the phone call all police officers wives fear everyday! May God Bless you and your family in these upcoming days. Though it will not heal your heart know that your husband died a true HERO!!

wife of police officer

October 17, 2011