Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sal...I read the reflection...left by a fellow New Yorker...a retired Police Department Detective...who said…he came upon your site…by chance...and then learned...about our family's tragic loss...of your nephew...my Salvatore.

He hoped it would be a consolation...to our family...that a stranger is praying for us.

I was very touched...when I read his message...not only because of what he said...but it was posted...on the anniversary...of your loss to us...and although...it may have been...just a coincidence...you know me...I keep looking for signs...to help me stay positive...in our fight for justice...for my son...and his note...emphasized to me...the shared belief...in the power of prayer.

His last name...also struck me...just as your name...and my son's name...means Savior...his last name...references God. So maybe...even though...chance...brought him to your site...I am not discounting...another possibility... afterall...God works in mysterious ways...and speaks to us...through others.

If he ever checks back...to your site..I'd like him to know...how very grateful I am...for his kindness and compassion...something that we have not received...from the powers that be...in our county.

May God bless you...and your family...Det. Emilio D'Addio...it is more than consoling...to be reminded...that people who wear...or wore...a badge or a shield...can still have a heart.

And bless you my big brother...for being the one...who allowed for me...to get this message.

With my deepest appreciation.

Anita Culosi
Sal's sister and Salvatore's mother

July 20, 2008

SAL,I AM THE TALKATIVE ONE,BUT,ON THE 6th ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS OUR LOSS, THE UNFILLED FUTURE, THE HEARTACHE FELT, EACH YEAR IT GETS WORSE, THE ANGER OF YOUR SHORT LIFE GONE,THE ONGOING PAIN ANITA FEELS, MOM AND DAD'S PAIN IS GONE NOW THAT YOU ARE ALL TOGETHER..I FEEL THAT YOU MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DIRECT MY CHILDREN IN A WAY THAT I COULDN'T AND THAT TOO HURTS...PLEASE HELP ANITA FIND SOME PEACE,IF ONLY THE OFFICER WHO CAUSED HER HURT WAS ONLY 1% OF YOU, IT MIGHT EASE HER PAIN, YOU NEVER CAUSED ANYONE A DAY OR MOMENT OF HEARTACHE, THIS BEING SAID I WILL GO AND HAVE MY CRY AS I DO WHENEVER I THINK OF THINGS PAST. LOVE C

SISTER

July 7, 2008

Today...after going to Mass...offering my Communion for your intention…and then visiting my son...at his resting place…Sal and I drove...to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial...in DC. I placed two roses…on the panel…where your name is engraved…one from me…and one from Cookie…in remembrance of this “day.”

I was spooked…by a very aggressive squirrel…who was sitting…on the border…above the panel…and each time I approached it…he would look straight at me…almost as if he was going to...pounce towards me. I had a fleeting thought…that maybe you were teasing me…via that squirrel. A kind lady…after watching me…make several attempts…to place the flowers down...decided to distract the squirrel…and threw something…for him to run after. I was finally able to say a prayer…and leave the roses. I also left flowers…and said prayers…for Officer Michael Gordon…and Tpr. Robert Ambrose. I even sent flowers…to St. John’s…and to the Tarrytown Barracks…I don’t want you…to ever be forgotten.

On the ride back…I thought...here we are…marking another year…the 47th one…and I can still recall...every detail of that day…the images…what was said…the screams of disbelief…all the relatives crying...the entire neighborhood...was in shock...and mourned with us.

Cookie was the one…who answered the door…so the Trooper spoke to her first. When I got home…Mom was sitting on a chair…and she looked so devastatingly heartbroken…and inconsolable. When Daddy heard what happened…he went to pieces…and I saw a side of him...that I could never have imagined. He was always the strong one…no problem was unsolvable for him…we could always depend on him...lean on him…but that day…he was totally destroyed…and overcome by grief...and our family was never the same…after that day. It still hurts to remember.

You were the best of us Sal…we all were so proud of you…and loved you so. You were goodness…and God took you back…much too soon.

I miss you still…and I hold all my precious memories of you…close in my heart.

All my love and prayers…always...and God Bless you...for watching over my son...for me.

Anita

July 6, 2008

I came upon Trooper Embarrato's story by chance. Subsequently, I learned of his nephew's death. I hope its a small consolation to their family that a stranger is praying for them.

Det. Emilio D'Addio
N.Y.P.D.(ret.)

July 6, 2008

My Dear Brother...July 4th 1961 was on a Tuesday...and you worked the holiday shift...so that starting on Thursday...you would be off...for a few days.

Dad...wanted to take a ride...up the Thruway...to perhaps see you...for a few minutes...but Mom...thought it best not to...concerned...that it would interfere...with your work...so they stayed home.

I know...they regretted that decision. Who could have known...what was to happen.

I think about that...not following your inclinations...and then regretting...what you didn't do. I did the same thing. I was going to visit...my son...on the Monday night...and then thought...no, he just got in from work...so I'll go tomorrow night...but that wasn't to be...and now...I know how Mom and Dad felt.

I love and miss you both...I carry each of you...in my heart...my thoughts...and my memories.

With my prayers.

Anita

July 4, 2008

My Dear Brother...please kiss Dad for me...on this Father's Day...and know that you...are always in my heart...my thoughts...and my prayers...and that...I take comfort in knowing...you are watching over my son...for me...until I can be with him again.

I miss each of you...and I thank God...for giving me...such a wonderful big brother.

With my love...

Anita

June 15, 2008

You have been missed for so long by your family. I pray for their pain to ease. Thank you and god bless.

Corporal J. Dressler
Forks Township P.D.

June 10, 2008

To My Dear Brother...As Memorial Day approaches...I will be praying for you...as I always do...asking God to bless you...for your service to our country.

I still have the Happy Wanderer Hummel...that you sent me...from Ft. Riley, Kansas...in 1955...for my twelfth birthday.

I treasure it Sal...as I do...my memories of you.

I love you my big brother...watch over my Salvatore...and all of your nephews and nieces.

I carry you in my heart...always.

Anita

May 24, 2008

Sal...because of the thoughtfulness...and compassion...of a kind hearted family...of a fallen LEO...the marble panel...on which your name is engraved...at the American Police Hall of Fame Memorial...in Titusville, FL...now has a photo of you...resting at its base...placed there by...Officer Michael P. Gordon's mother...on Police Memorial Day...while she was there...to honor the memory...of her own son.

Names need faces...to personalize them...and now...thanks to the Gordon's...you are no longer...just a name.

I am proud to be your sister...and blessed to have crossed paths with Bob and Carol.

I pray that you...Mike...and my Salvatore...are at peace.

With my love and prayers.

Anita

May 16, 2008

Thinking of you today, May 15th, National Police Memorial Day. Today my wife attended the memorial ceremony at the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida. She placed a blue rose along with your picture at the base of the marble panel where your name appears. It will remain there for as long as there is room on the floor below your name. Now visitors can place a face with a name. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones. Let them feel your presence so they know you are there guiding them and protecting them. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

May 15, 2008

My Dear Brother...I pray that you...Dad...and my Salvatore...hugged and kissed Mom...for all of us...today. You all are...so very missed.

I hold each of you...in my heart...my thoughts...and my prayers.

All my love...always...

Anita

May 11, 2008

My Dear Brother...Happy Easter to you...Mom...Dad...and my Salvatore.

Happy Anniversary Mom...another year with your beloved son...and I know what that means to you.

Mom knows how much she is loved...and missed...by us...as the anniversaries keep building. Today...marking the 21st year without her...it is also Easter Sunday. I think the last time...Easter was this early...was the year she was born...in 1913...at least that is what I think I heard.

Kiss her for me...my love to each of you...and make sure you all stay close to my son.

I cherish every memory...of when we were all together...and now without all of you here...nothing could ever be the same. How blessed we all were...then.

With my prayers...

Anita

March 23, 2008

DEAR SAL,
ANOTHER EASTER, ANOTHER SPRING, ANOTHER HOLIDAY ANNIVERSARY
MOM IS NOW GONE 21 YEARS, PLEASE KISS HER FOR ME...ALSO KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE ON ANITA, SHE HURTS SO...MORE THAN ANYONE I KNOW...SHE HURTS FOR THE PAST, AND FOR THE PRESENT TOO...BE OUR EVER PRESENT CONNECTION TO THE GOD WHO MADE US, AND ASK HIM TO BE KIND..............LOVE COOKIE

MARIE
SISTER

March 22, 2008

Hi Brother...Since it is the feast day of St. Joseph...I wanted to wish you a "Blessed Name Day."

I pray that you...and our family...are mindful of this Holy Week...as another Palm Sunday and soon Easter...will have come and gone.

How I wish it could be...like it once was...when we were all together...and none of life's heartaches...had yet to be felt.

Love you forever...and miss you still.

Keep my son close...and watch over all of us.

God Bless You Sal!

All of you...are always in my thoughts...and prayers.

Anita

March 19, 2008

My Dear Brother...this is the time of year...when all the painful memories are recalled...the loses that we weren't expecting...especially in the ways...that they happened.

One minute everyone was fine...and the next..our world turned upside down...in the blink of an eye.

January...my son...February...Dad...March...Mom...and that July day...that I will never forget.

I pray that you are all together...two years...seven years...twenty one years...forty seven years...all the heartaches...as though they happened...just moments ago.

I love and miss each of you...and my only consolation...is my faith in a merciful God...and the hope...that in that better place...you are once again...with each other...and that someday...we all will be reunited.

With my prayers...as I carry all the memories...deep within my heart.

God bless each of you...and Happy Anniversary to Dad.

Anita

February 21, 2008

Dearest Brother...Give my son a hug...and a kiss for me...on this second anniversary...that has him...in the company of our loving family.

I need You...Mom...and Dad...to hold him close...and watch over him for me...until the day...when I can join all of you.

We are still mourning...and grieving his loss...while seeking the justice he is owed. It has been a very stressful undertaking...but it must be done.

Sal, you were always the "voice of reason"...the "rock"... guide us...in making the right decisions...as we continue forward...in your nephew's behalf.

I love and miss all of you...you are always in my thoughts...my heart...and my prayers.

Anita

January 24, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

January 2, 2008

To the Best Big Brother...ever...another New Year...missing you as always...cherishing the memories...grateful for having had you in my life...and so proud to be your sister.

May you continue to rest in His peace...along with Mom...Dad...and my Salvatore.

With my prayers...and all my love.

Anita

January 1, 2008

2008 another year missing all of you, our family stays together in a different sphere, and we will all be together again someday...till then all my love to all of you. cookie

December 31, 2007

Thinking of you and all your loved ones as the New Year arrives. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones, especially your sister who is presently fighting the fight. Stand at her side and give her the strength that she needs to defeat the evil individuals she is battling right now. You have not been forgotten Sal.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 31, 2007

My Dear Brother...I pray that you...Mom...Dad...and my Salvatore...are spending a joyous Christmas Day together.

Sal...watch over my son...keep him close...and hug him for me. I love and miss all of you...so very much.

You all are in my thoughts...heart...and prayers...always.

Anita

December 25, 2007

Today I decorated the outside of my home for Christmas with all blue lights. One of those lights has been assigned to you and will be lit every night beginning tonight up until New Years as a tribute to you and the hero you are. You have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

November 25, 2007

My Dear Brother...today is Thanksgiving Day...and I will give thanks to God for giving me...You...Mom...Dad...and
Cookie.

Our family bonds were strong...they were forged by two loving parents. We all felt their love...and knew it was ours...unconditionally...and for that I will be eternally grateful.

I have tried to be the kind of mother that Mom was...but sometimes...if you ask my children...I have fallen short. I can't change what has been in the past...I can only go forward...with the hope of doing a better job.

We had a wonderful Mother...and I need to keep trying to emulate her...although that is no easy task...all I can do is pray for her guidance...as I try.

I hope You and my Son are at peace...along with Mom and Dad. I love and miss each of you.

Keep my Salvatore close to you...and both of you watch over your nieces and nephews...and keep Chris safe.

I hold you in my heart and thoughts...always.

All my love...prayers...and gratitude...you were the best.

Anita

November 22, 2007

My Dear Brother...I just got back...from the All Souls Day Mass...that was offered this morning...at St. Michael's...in remembrance of all those souls...who have been called back home by God.

I prayed for You...Mom...Dad...my Salvatore...and all of our loved ones...extended family...and friends...who are now living in eternity.

Father said...that life is changed...not ended...that love lives in the soul...and the soul never dies.

I have to make myself focus on that truth...love is the connection...love makes us all one...a part of each other forever...because it is the only comforting way...to accept all the pain...that comes from no longer having those we love...present...in our physical lives.

I know that part...of our finite...human condition...is to live in the moment...and so we bear the hurt...of being separated...from those we love so dearly.

It is nearly impossible...to be objective...when subjectively...we are devastated...by the crosses we carry...and only with faith...in God's promise to be reunited again someday...are we able to continue on...one day at a time.

I love you my Big Brother...Mom...Dad...My Son...and I miss all of you...each and every day.

May God bless each of you...for sharing with others...all that was good in you...while you were here among us.

You are all...in my thoughts...my heart...and my prayers...always.

All My Love

Anita

November 2, 2007

I was thinking of you and your sister this morning and thought I would stop at your page and leave a reflection. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones, especially your sister as she continues her fight for justice. I know you are proud of her just as she is of you. Let her feel your presence to let her know you are near and watching over her.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

October 4, 2007