Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Vannatta,
On today, the 2nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Curry County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

January 3, 2024

Deputy Vannatta,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain

Pittsburgh PD

March 20, 2022

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 whose 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

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

February 22, 2022

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office offers our heartfelt sympathy to your entire department and to the family of Deputy Bryan Vannatta.
~Sheriff Brad Swain, deputies & staff

Liane Johnson, #53-66
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Indiana
U.S.A.

February 1, 2022

Rest well good and faithful servant. Thank you for your service and may your family feel the warmth of God’s arms surround them as they grieve your loss.

Connie Weber

January 31, 2022

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Bryan Vannatta. I am truly sorry for your loss. The service and sacrifice of Deputy Vannatta will not be forgotten.

Deborah C.
Wife, Mother, Aunt of LEOs
Maryland

January 22, 2022

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.

Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

January 18, 2022

Rest In Peace…

Retired Detective
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

January 15, 2022

Prayers of peace and comfort for all those who mourn Deputy Vannatta. I am so sorry for your loss.

Pam
Wife of Lt. Kevin Clyde Mainhart EOW 5/11/2017

January 14, 2022

Rest in Peace, Brother. Honor First.

US Border Patrol Agent (LRT/LRS) Andy Co
Dept Homeland Security

January 12, 2022

God bless you Deputy Bryan Vannatta, for your service and sacrifice. Thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends, and to your brothers and sisters from the Curry County Sheriff’s Office. Rest in Peace Brother.

Officer Jim Drabos (Retired)
San Gabriel (CA) Police Department

January 12, 2022

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service. God's speed sir.

Lieutenant John C. Moore
Wisconsin State Conservation Warden & State Trooper (Retired)

January 9, 2022

I had the honor to work with Deputy Vanatta at Curry County Sheriff's Office. He was a good cop who will be sorely missed. Prayers to his family and colleagues.

Superintendent David Ford
Heron Lake State Park

January 9, 2022

Our condolences and prayers to the family

From the family of: Sgt Wilford Lewis EO
Bradley Police Department, Illinois

January 9, 2022

To the family, friends and coworkers of Deputy Sheriff Bryan Vannatta; my deepest sympathy for your loss. Bryan is in God's care now and will watch over you all during this terrible time.

Reserve Deputy Brian Jacobsen
Mahaska County Iowa Sheriff’s Office

January 8, 2022

Rest easy Bryan, it was a honor knowing you and working with you, I will miss our friendship and the laughs we shared.

MPO M. Heldt
Clovis Police Department

January 8, 2022

Sheriff Vannatta, for many years, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe. It took a small virus to take your life. Our Lord, who sees all and knows all, will reward you abundantly for your courage, dedication and selfless service. May God immerse you and your loved ones in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

January 8, 2022

Rest Easy Brother, may your memory never fade

Deputy Sheriff. Ron Buchholz
Retired Santa Fe County Sheriff NM.(EX LASD).

January 8, 2022

Hero never forgotten. Prayers to family blood and blue.

BLR
Retired Texas dispatcher

January 8, 2022

On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Deputy Sheriff Bryan Vannatta and the extended law enforcement family of the Curry County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico.


End of Watch Monday, January 3, 2022.


Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 8, 2022

RIP Deputy Sheriff Vannatta. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Curry County Texico and for the United States

Sergeant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police

January 8, 2022

Faithful Unto Death | Eternal Rest | Salute

S. I. Drake - Lt/IPD | IMPD (Ret)

January 7, 2022

Rest in Peace Deputy Sheriff Bryan Vannatta! Thank you for your 5 years of service with the Curry County Sheriff's Office, in New Mexico, and for your previous 3 years of service with the Texico Police Department and 4 years with the United States Border Patrol. We are all thankful to you for your service, your devotion and your sacrifices, and also to your family and friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your wife and your two children during this terrible tragedy, and we want them to know that you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the rest of your family and to all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew5:9)

Kelly & Eddie King

January 7, 2022

Our deepest condolences from Session 19, Zone 5 Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy. Rest in peace Deputy.

Session 19
Zone 5 Regional Law Enforcement Academy

January 7, 2022

I am sad to learn of the passing of a Brother and Hero in Deputy Sheriff Bryan Vannatta. I believe our Heavenly Father has welcomed him home into his loving arms where he will now patrol the Golden Streets of Heaven. May the Lord deliver Blessings. Comfort and Peace to his Family, Friends and all Members of the Curry County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico.

Retired, T W Martinez
FOP member
State of New Mexico/JJS

January 7, 2022