Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am Marks only surviving brother. I have been having trouble contacting his friends from his time in the Navy and in Africia. Mostly because of social media misses. I took there are several of his close Navy Family who have tried to reach me. Let me try one more time, if this site doesn't filter out my email address. I can be reached at my personal email at "[email protected]"..... I hope to hear from and reach his friends susseccfully... Matt DeCuypere

Matt DeCuypere
Youngest brother.

October 18, 2021

Hi.
My name is Matthew Jay DeCuypere.
I was Mark DeCuypere's "little brother".
You can read many of the reflections I have left for him over the years. I am now 61 years old. I was 15 that horrible day when Mark was killed. It changed my life forever and it took a long time to overcome the grief of that loss. But I like to believe in time, I grew to be the man that Mark wanted me to be: kind, caring and loving.

I AM POSTING THIS IN THE HOPES THAT ANYONE WHO KNEW MARK WOULD HAVE A WAY TO REACH ME AND WOULD REACH OUT TO ME.

You may have tried in the past, but email if strange and things don't always end up where you hope. Please try and contact me again.
Just in case this website will not show my email, it is simple to figure out. It is my last name "decuypere" plus "@ aol.com".... Put that together and you should be able to email me.
Matthew Jay DeCuypere
"[email protected]"

Matthew DeCuypere
Brother

July 5, 2021

New Mark at Kagnew Station. Great guy,. A lot of fun

Robert Howard
friend

August 29, 2020

Dear Matthew,

My name is Chaney Noe and your brother was best man for my husband, Big Al and Brenda my maid of honor at our wedding on June 24, 1972. It was at the Kagnew Station Post Chapel in Asmara....
Years ago someone told me of your brother's death but they told me the wrong city it happened in. We lived in Virginia for 7 years and called so many police departments to try and verify what I'd been told but I never called Hampton. Sometimes odd things pop into my brain and today your brother did. So, with the internet at last I found him.
I'm so sorry you lost him, I really am. I lost my husband of 44 years to cancer on Nov. 25, 2016. Al did 22 years in the Navy and he had retired back to our native Oklahoma. I buried him at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma. We lived in Wagoner at the time but I now live in Chelsea, Oklahoma.
There is a new site through FB for people that were in Asmara. It's open to their families too. I'll write the email address you provided and in the hopes you'll join the site. There's so many pictures you can see there.
Here's my email address:
[email protected]
I sincerely hope I get to talk to you. I will post on the site about your brother's passing or my daughter. I'm not very computer literate...lol...
Again my deepest sympathy and sincere condolences on the loss of your brother, Mark.
Here's hoping I hear from you. Sincerely, Chaney Noe

Mrs. Chaney Noe, widow
Stationed with Mark in Asmara, Ethiopia

May 20, 2020

Dear Matthew,

My name is Chaney Noe and your brother was best man for my husband, Big Al and Brenda my maid of honor at our wedding on June 24, 1972. It was at the Kagnew Station Post Chapel in Asmara....
Years ago someone told me of your brother's death but they told me the wrong city it happened in. We lived in Virginia for 7 years and called so many police departments to try and verify what I'd been told but I never called Hampton. Sometimes odd things pop into my brain and today your brother did. So, with the internet at last I found him.
I'm so sorry you lost him, I really am. I lost my husband of 44 years to cancer on Nov. 25, 2016. Al did 22 years in the Navy and he had retired back to our native Oklahoma. I buried him at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma. We lived in Wagoner at the time but I now live in Chelsea, Oklahoma.
There is a new site through FB for people that were in Asmara. It's open to their families too. I'll write the email address you provided and in the hopes you'll join the site. There's so many pictures you can see there.
Here's my email address:
[email protected]
I sincerely hope I get to talk to you. I will post on the site about your brother's passing or my daughter. I'm not very computer literate...lol...
Again my deepest sympathy and sincere condolences on the loss of your brother, Mark.
Here's hoping I hear from you. Sincerely, Chaney Noe

Mrs. Chaney Noe, widow
Stationed with Mark in Asmara, Ethiopia

May 20, 2020

Dear Matthew,

My name is Chaney Noe and your brother was best man for my husband, Big Al and Brenda my maid of honor at our wedding on June 24, 1972. It was at the Kagnew Station Post Chapel in Asmara....
Years ago someone told me of your brother's death but they told me the wrong city it happened in. We lived in Virginia for 7 years and called so many police departments to try and verify what I'd been told but I never called Hampton. Sometimes odd things pop into my brain and today your brother did. So, with the internet at last I found him.
I'm so sorry you lost him, I really am. I lost my husband of 44 years to cancer on Nov. 25, 2016. Al did 22 years in the Navy and he had retired back to our native Oklahoma. I buried him at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma. We lived in Wagoner at the time but I now live in Chelsea, Oklahoma.
There is a new site through FB for people that were in Asmara. It's open to their families too. I'll write the email address you provided and in the hopes you'll join the site. There's so many pictures you can see there.
Here's my email address:
[email protected]
I sincerely hope I get to talk to you. I will post on the site about your brother's passing or my daughter. I'm not very computer literate...lol...
Again my deepest sympathy and sincere condolences on the loss of your brother, Mark.
Here's hoping I hear from you. Sincerely, Chaney Noe

Susan Chaney Noe, widow of Big Al Noe
Stationed with Mark in Asmara, Ethiopia

May 20, 2020

Patrolman Decuypere, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 14, 2019

I spend many hours with Mark when we were on watch together at the U.S. Naval Communication Station in Asmara, Ethiopia. Mark worked in signals control section and I worked in the traffic room across the hall. He often talked about trying to make a decision to leave the Navy and start a new career.
He was a fine young man and an excellent sailor. I was deeply saddened to learn of his death in 1975 while I was living in Gloucester County after being discharged from the Navy. Even today, I think of him and the potential he had as both a sailor and a fine policeman. You never forget people like Mark. God bless his soul.


Asheville, NC

Kenneth A. Dierks, CDR, USNR-R
Former military associate

May 14, 2018

I spend many hours with Mark when we were on watch together at the U.S. Naval Communication Station in Asmara, Ethiopia. Mark worked in signals control section and I worked in the traffic room across the hall. He often talked about trying to make a decision to leave the Navy and start a new career.
He was a fine young man and an excellent sailor. I was deeply saddened to learn of his death in 1975 while I was living in Gloucester County after being discharged from the Navy. Even today, I think of him and the potential he had as both a sailor and a fine policeman. You never forget people like Mark. God bless his soul.


Asheville, NC

Kenneth A. Dierks, CDR, USNR-R
Former military associate

May 14, 2018

TO MR BOB HOWARD......
You posted that you knew my brother Mark in Africa.
When he came back from Africa he was a different and better man, and it was from THAT EXPERIENCE that he decided to become a police officer so that he "could help people on the streets, who need help and understanding the most". He taught me many lessons from his time there.

I have been WANTING TO MEET/TALK (exchange pictures) with ANYONE HE SERVED IN AFRICA WITH..... for many many years.... There is no real "family" of Mark's left for me to get any information from. I am the last.

I am his little brother Matthew Decuypere... He was my entire world... and even now at the age of 57, I still feel his love every day.

PLEASE CONTACT ME.... I know emails are private here and I hope they don't filter this......
but I will give you a HUGE HINT.
I have an old @AOL email account, using my full last name..... decuypere@...

Please find a way to contact me. Hearing about my brother and his friends from Africa would BE A BLESSING.
When he returned, he missed his friends (and Africa) so much that I remember his looking up at the night ski and crying many nights and saying to me "I miss my life and my friends in Africa".

Bless you.....

Matthew J DeCuypere
Mark's "Little Brother"
Cincinnati OH

Matthew J. DeCuypere
Younger Brother

April 27, 2017

I knew Mark when we were stationed together in Africa. He was a great guy. Was so sad to hear of his being killed.

Bob Howard
Friend

February 23, 2016

You are not forgotten. Rest in peace.

William N. Bowers, Special Agent, VA Dept. of ABC

November 2, 2015

This year makes 40 years since you were killed. Entire life times have passed since then. It is hard to believe. It was difficult growing up and old without you. I still feel and suffer your loss every time I hear of another Patrolman being killed in the line of duty. I miss you with all my heart. You were a good, kind, loving man and it is the worlds loss that you were taken so young. So many people loved you, and so many still miss you.

Your little brother. Matthew DeCuypere

May 31, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 22, 2015

I do indexing of official records for genealogical purposes and came to the death certificate for this fine young man. Since my son is a retired police officer, I took notice of the particulars of Patrolman De Cuypere's life -- that he was only 22, that he was a veteran of Vietnam, and that he left behind a young wife. When the next two death certificates were also gunshot deaths in the same area, I was so saddened by my imaginings of that scene. So I did an internet search of the day and place, and came to this memorial page. It saddens me that there was such violence on the street that day -- and that the same sort of thing still happens today, almost 40 years later. We are blessed by the bravery and sacrifice of so many fine men and women who face danger every day to protect and serve us.

Rebecca LaBella
Grateful Citizen -- Oct 13, 2014

October 13, 2014

Today, 39 years after his sacrifice, “A” Shift honors Patrolman Mark C. DeCuypere by dedicating our watch to him. God bless you, R.I.P. brother. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Jason Slaughter
Radford City Police Department

May 22, 2014

To my big Brother:

Mark.... this birthday I will turn 54. I can't believe that day in the hospital, when I was 15.

I have lived a lifetime without you. I loved so much,, and loosing you almost killed me... I even tried twice...

But I survived, and in time was able to face the pain.
Everything good in life,,, I learned from you and our father.

You would be proud of me today.
I can't wait to see you again one day.

Matthew J. DeCuypere
Little Brother Matthew

October 9, 2013

Although many years later I vividly remember that day. I was working patrol and arrived shortly after the incident. Mark was a great guy, what a loss.

Lt. Wayne D. Chandler
Retired San Diego Officer

February 14, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace, especially your younger brother who left such a moving tribute. . Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 22, 2012

Every time I hear of an officer being killed (as happened last night here in Clay County Florida), I vividly remember the day Mark DeCuypere was shot and brought in to the ER where I was working as a nurse. To see this officer in full uniform lying on the stretcher with what would prove to be fatal injuries to the head, and to see the other officers and his wife arrive in the ER was just heartbreaking. I was a fairly new nurse at the time and this made such an impact on me... I've just never forgotten it or him. Appreciated the other officers wearing their black arm bands afterwards.

Shirley Galloway
an ex ER nurse

February 17, 2012

Thank you for your service. May God continue to bless and watch over your family, friends and department.

Officer
Chesterfield Police Department, VA.

May 22, 2010

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You acted with supreme courage in responding to the call on that fateful day. Hero's live forever. You will not be forgotten.

PFC. M. Bartholme
Fairfax City Police Department

July 12, 2009

To my Brother in Heaven, and all of the people who loved you in life.

You were my big brother. When I lost you, I was only 15 and now I am 49. I don’t know where all the years went, or how I lived all of them without you. I know I would have been a better, more successful and happier adult if I had never lost you, but I have tried to live my life with honesty and respect for all other human beings, which was one of the great lessons you taught me.

I still miss you every day, and I wanted to make sure your still living friends knew that you have never been forgotten, and that your little brother still tries to carry your sense of goodness forward and live life as the kind of person you would have wanted me to be.

I look forward to being with you again one day in heaven.

With pain, and love, and deep missing
Matthew J. DeCuypere

Matthew DeCuypere
Little brother

February 13, 2009

"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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

April 2, 2008

Rest Sir, and Thank you for your service.

May 22, 2006