Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Still thinking of you and Grandma today in 2023.

Marc Elwell
Grandson

July 18, 2023

Rest in peace Sheriff Calkins. Wow what a hero! To leave a widow and sixteen children and fifty-one grand kids. What an honorably brave servant.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 8, 2018

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

August 12, 2015

I was too young to know you...but have heard so many great things from so many people. When I was 7 I saw your spirit at the house on Blue Lake Rd and I knew right away it was you and you were there to see me. I wasn't scared and I will always remember walking out of Mims bathroom and seeing you resting on the bed with your arms behind you and your feet crossed. Wearing that same red flannel we've all seen in your photos. I just want to say thank you for being a grandfather to my siblings and someday our spirits will be together again. Till then - your grandson Randy Jr.

Randy Artibee Jr.
Grandson

February 20, 2013

You are very important to me. Sometimes you visit in my dreams, other times while I'm awake I look for you. Thankyou for the guidance. I can see you now, at the kitchen table, bibs and flannel, guitar in hand. It's very nice.

Jim Budd
Grandson

April 6, 2012

30 years ago I lost my last grandfather. I wasn't born for another 7 years, and I wish I had the opportunity to have met him. I know him from stories from my mother, cousins, aunt and uncles, and am proud to be his grandson. We miss you grandpa Calkins!

Dylan Beyrle
Grandson

April 6, 2012

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 6, 2010

You are my idol still.I miss you so much!Your legacy is amazing!you were an amazing person and grandfather,the time we all had down at the river/cabin will live with me forever,memere and her 4ft.diameter cast iron skillet with 3 dozen eggs 10 lbs. bacon onions,what ever was left from the night before were turned into the most delicious breakfast this side of heaven!.and what ever would fit,mmm,{note..Grandma calkins RUN the kitchen at the Muskegon county jail}....until her death(I miss you so much!!!)she continued to love and cater to all(even if you were just a grandson's or grandaughters aquaintance)YOU were family!!.I rememmber...8yrs. old she told me a joke one night..she says...do you know how to make holy water?I say no Memere..she says you take a pot water and boil the HELL out of it.Marion and Mary Alice Calkins were and still are ICONS!!! never ever to be forgotten!They built a legacy,never ever to be forgotten by,the legacy....their children,their grandchildren....AND,their great grandchildren.....I visit at least twice a year,and you still encourage me....I love you...And Miss You!!! God Bless our whole extended family I love you all,,,THEY have made us great!!!..........

Jason Bearup
grand son

February 4, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

You are loved and missed by so many. How wonderful that your grandchildren have shared their memories with us.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 6, 2009

Even 26 years later I'll never forget that friday night when we got the phone call. I was 13 years old and shocked. When I was 12 years old I spent the night at my grandma and grandpa Calkins' house to go hunting. I remembered you getting me up grandpa to go hunting, you gave me a little advice at the breakfast table and off I went.
I'm in a business now that I deal with alot of people and so many people still remember and tell me some great stories of wonderful things you did in this community. I'm so proud to be a Calkins.

David Calkins
Grandson

April 8, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 7, 2008

I can still remember all of us around Christmas eve going to the apartment at the jail that my grandmother & grandfather lived in. Many strange haircuts in those days. I don't know how , but my grandfather managed to get a nap in his chair with all of us grandkids running around that apartment.

Paula (Calkins) Kevern
Granddaughter

December 12, 2007

I was almost 8 years old, just a little kid when my Grandpa died. I remember when I was about 6 years old or so my grandpa tried to show me how to tie a fisherman's knot down at the cabin he and my grandmother owned on the White River. After we got the lure on, I went to cast my pole in the water, and the hook got caught in my pants. He got it out with his jackknife in like 2 seconds! I will never forget that!

Mike Calkins
Grandson

December 11, 2007

"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
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 26, 2007

I do not remember my grandpa but I wish I had. Even so, I am very proud to be part of this family. We miss you grandpa Calkins, even the ones you never met.

Elizabeth Brown (Beyrle)
Granddaughter

July 13, 2007

Twenty four years ago you lost your life in the line of duty. On this date, I offer up my prayers that your eternal rest in heaven is one of peace. Bless all your Grandchildren, too. Bet they are all very, very proud of you!

Up North Michigan

April 5, 2006

I wish my children could have known my grandfather. He was a wonderful man who was respected by so many. Though I was only in 5th grade when he died, I remember his funeral service vividly. I remember that I had never seen so many people in one place and it was so surreal to see all these people who were stangers to me crying and grieving so heavily.
I miss you dearly.

Jody (Swainston) Forward
Granddaughter

February 25, 2006

Sheriff Calkins was my grandfather. I was one of many, many grandchildren and my family lived far away from him and Memere, in the U.P. When I was very little I heard Memere calling him "Marion" so I thought I was supposed to call him that, too. He never corrected me and he always smiled when I said his name. My parents tried to tell me to have respect and call him "Grandpa" but Marion stopped them, saying "I like that she calls me Marion." I've always been fond of that, and of him. I miss you, Marion. I love you so much.

Amy (Mixter) O'Dell

September 3, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I thank you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

April 6, 2005

Sheriff Marion Calkins hired me in 1973
and he was always sa father figure to all of us. Marion I owe you my life.
thanks for all you have done.
Gary Berdinski

Sgt. Gary Berdinski
Muskegon County Sheriff Department

February 24, 2005

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

Sheriff Calkins, you are remembered on this date of your death. You will be remembered always.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 6, 2004