Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our lives have not, and will not ever be the same without you. We miss you terribly.

Love you buddy

Mom & Dad

March 22, 2023

I remember briefly hearing about your passing 5 years ago. I am always shocked when I hear of a L.E.O.'s death, but it's much more sad to me when it's done because of a person's malicious actions and it happens to be closer to home.

I had called around the time of your funeral to ask Sheriff Roger's for a department patch to go with your ODMP bio that I had printed out and had put on my wall. I was just starting my dreams to want to go into law enforcement at 15. I never knew that just a few years later, I'd meet people who knew you, work with your mother at the humane society, and hear so many stories about you from people.

I have spoken with people impacted by your existence, met deputies and jailors who knew and worked with you. One of them, John Weaver, whom I worked 2 seasons with on a city parks job, told me how you were able to stop an inmate from escaping the Jail, when you and him worked in Corrections. He said, that's what got you to be looked into to become a deputy. He even had told me how it wasn't your shift when you assisted with the warrant to help your fellow officers out that night that you had been shot.

I have lived here in Kokomo for 3 years now and there's always signs, stickers, and all sorts of designs featuring 34-76. Many of our deputies, still wear badge bands with it on there as well and to my knowledge it's on all the marked patrol vehicles for HCSO.

Your memory and presence is still very felt here, as well as undeniably respected. Some people can say there is a lack of heroes or good police officers, when in reality they never knew a Deputy Koontz. Usually, I've only noticed that a majority of people that last on this kind of career force are good at heart.

I plan to finally start college soon and go after my goals, even doing some charity work and projects aside from it. In my mind, I will always remember what you have done for our community and how good your example is for a human being.

Thank you and rest in peace!

Ryan J. Curry - Kokomo, Indiana
(Future Police Officer)

December 8, 2021

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Koontz.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 19, 2020

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

March 20, 2020

Deputy Koontz, your service is forever honored, respected, and remembered. Thoughts are with your family especially this day.

Wisconsin C.O.P.S. G. Birkholz
Mom of Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011 Fond du Lac PD

March 18, 2020

Thinking of Deputy Koontz and his family. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Your life and dedicated service forever honored.

Mother of Officer Craig Birkholz G Birkh
Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011

March 19, 2019

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

August 30, 2018

Rest In Peace my brother, I hope you'll be as proud to serve with St Michael guarding heaven as you would the city of men. Retired Police Officer NYPD Steven Brownworth

Police Officer
NYPD

March 26, 2018

Thank you for your service my brother. Rest well in a better place, and watch out for all of us.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

March 20, 2018

As another year passes, I am still forever grateful to Carl Koontz for his sacrifice. Although many things aren't clear and probably never will be, I have no doubt it's why I'm still here today.

Even though we never worked together regularly, I'll never forgot our last conversation. It was simple and without words. After you reached down and found the door to be locked, you looked at me and I gave you a nod and you returned one likewise. You knew, just as I did what that nod meant. It meant that whatever evil lies behind that door, I've got your back.

The fight continues and more will fall. However, like you, they too will never be forgotten.

It was my honor to stand beside you for the last time pursuing what we both love.

Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit

Sergeant Jordan Buckley
Howard County Sheriff Department

March 11, 2018

Noah and I miss you so much

Wife Kassandra Koontz
Howard County

November 19, 2017

My friend, as I sit here at ILEA thinking of you being here just a few short years earlier. I wish after my graduation this Friday I could be coming back to working with you again like we did in the jail. I still think about you quite often. I have even found your class plaque here at the academy. Miss ya brother. Never forgotten. RIP 34-76.

Deputy Scott Stewart
Howard County Sheriff's Department

June 14, 2017

Today I ran a hero's 5k in your Honor Sir. YOU are not forgotten.

Det. Michele Nelson
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA

March 26, 2017

Today I ran a hero's 5k in your Honor Sir. YOU are not forgotten.

Det. Michele Nelson
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA

March 20, 2017

NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Copscycling4survivors.org

Monica Zahasky
Cops cycling for survivors

March 20, 2017

Dear Kassie,
I'm so sorry someone so important to you was so cruelly taken away from you. You and Noah don't deserve that sort of treatment. Carl was an amazing human being. He risked his life everyday so that others wouldn't get hurt. He didn't have to, he chose to. Carl was so kind to others and helped everyone. He made everyone feel safe. I hope you and Noah will always know that Carl is watching over you both. I hope we can all stay strong and make it through this together.

Reese Koontz
Cousin

March 7, 2017

Dear Carl:
I send this reflection to you and your family with profound gratitude and respect, in addition to heartfelt condolences for the events that day. I know that the Good Lord has a plan, although at times like this, it doesn’t appear so. But hopefully the pain and suffering that your family has to endure will ease in time.

Thank you for the honorable manner in which you conducted yourself, and the fact that you did a job that few people in this great nation have metal to do. May Almighty God bless you, your family, and God Bless the United States of America.

Sgt. Ron Tomassi, Retired
Lake Mary Police, Fl.

September 29, 2016

We'll take it from here. Rest easy deputy.

Cadet Firefighter Quinn Miller
GFVC

August 31, 2016

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

Sheriff Ray Foster
Buchanan County Sheriffs Office

June 16, 2016

On behalf of my family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Carl was killed.

To the Koontz family, fellow deputies, and all who call Carl beloved, my heart goes out to all of you and may you find comfort in your loved ones and your strength in your faith. When my son was killed, the entire law enforcement community in our area embraced us in a circle of love and support, and I know you will receive the same support. It makes the unbearable less torturous, and I pray for your solace.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Deputy Koontz gave to his community and the citizens of Indiana, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 20, 2016.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

June 11, 2016

Carl, Ive know you since you was a little kid. Having holiday dinners with the family and things are my memories. I had no idea when I got the call it was you that had been shot. I couldn't believe it was all unfolding across the street from my childhood home. Being 12 hours away I was getting minute by minute details of your fight to live. Though in the end the Lord decided to take you, you fought hard as a true warrior. I am thankful the day my dad retired I was able to see you and Rod. Little did I know you both would be taken within 6 months of each other. I will say in 18 years of Law Enforcement I have never been to such a beautiful funeral. They did everything. You would have been amazed. You make number 5 of friends I have lost to gunfire. Until we see each other again.

Detective L. Shipman
Moss Point Police Department

May 11, 2016

As I walk into our squadroom, my heart aches and at times the tears still flow for our fallen brother Carl Koontz! He was truly a shing example of what it means to be a Howard County Sheriffs Deputy! Rest easy warrior as we continue the fight against evil while carrying the bravery in our hearts that you taught us!

Reserve Deputy Steven J. Seele
Howard County Sheriffs Department

May 1, 2016

Deputy Koontz will not be forgotten. I am a recruit in class 413 of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs department. My condolences to his family and his brothers and sisters that lost a good friend. Thank you for your bravery, rest in peace Deputy Koontz

Recruit Andrew Walker
Los Angeles County Sheriffs

April 18, 2016

Rest in peace deputy

Cadet Adam Bernier
Cumberland county sheriffs office

April 17, 2016

Stood along the road while you were being brought home. Thank you for you service! Rest easy.

Emt Dustin Bigler
MWAS

April 16, 2016