Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Well Mark its been 15 years now and like I said you will never be forgotten I will always remember.
I think of you and your family all the time. And yes I miss you more as time passes, Thank you again for your friendship you will allways be a true friend. I will see again in Gods kingdom, so save me a spot we will have a lot to catch up on.
Rest in peace Mark

Paul

Paul S
Forever Friend

February 26, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 20, 2008

"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

January 14, 2008

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

August 6, 2007

Well Mark, thou it's been 14 years I still remember the friendship we shared. I think of you and your family offen especially this time of year. I will say it again "No one is ever gone as long as someone remembers" I remember Mark God Bless Hero

Paul S
Forever Friend

February 28, 2007

Mark, it's been about 13 years since God called you home.

Though the years have made the pain of your passing less, I miss you every single day. I run into people all the time who tell me about how you were their teacher, and have impacted them by being their music teacher.

So, yes, your music is living on forever. However, the memories of our friendship live on forever in me.

A Friend

March 16, 2006

I first knew Mark while attending high school where he assisted in the band program. I don't think anyone of my classmates knew he was involved with the Sheriff's office until the day we learned of his tragic death. I remember that day very well, and it hit all of us very hard. He was well liked and loved what he did. We miss you Mark. RIP.

Officer Greg Stevens
Port of Portland Police Department

October 30, 2005

I DID NOT KNOW HIM BUT IT STILL HURTS TO THINK ABOUT A YOUNG MAN KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER

ROBERT ADAIR

October 1, 2005

I wanted to thank you for your encouragement and your friendship. I've thought of you often over the years since we worked together. I'm sorry that I was not at your memorial back in 93, I found out about your death on the news the day of your memorial. My dad, a state policeman, sang at your memorial, so a little part of me was there. Praise the Lord that you are in heaven now, and I see that you are not alone. I'll see you someday. I pray for your family when they come to mind.

an old friend

September 8, 2005

You are missed very much.

Deputy
Washington County Sheriff

June 1, 2005

Man its been 12 years now Mark, You know thay say that "time has a way of healing old wounds" (wrong) Well I am hear to tell you that yes the pain may become less (at times) but it hurt so bad most of the time. Almost as bad as the day you were taken from us. I know that you are in a better place and you are with us always. But that dose not make the time go bye any easier. knowing someday I will see you again, gives me comfort but it woun't let me hear you laugh or see you grin. I wounder how things would be if Drunk Drivers (aka Murderers) all had someone thay cared for taken away?? only thous people that have lost someone can truly know the pain. Mark after 12 years IT STILL HURTS. I miss You alot man. and alwasy will. Rest it Pease. my brother. Rest in Pease :(
Your Friend
Paul
Forever 10-79 {EOW)

Your Friend & Coworker Paul Salzwedel
Budget Car & Truck Security

March 1, 2005

Mark

Well buddy it's been almost 11 years. That night will never leave me it is played over and over in my head. And still brings a tear to my eye. I don't know were to start. Or what to say the gult I carry with me won't go away. If I only sent someone else to Lincoln City, and not taken the call myself. We would have been in Yakima Wa. and you would be alive today. I am so sorry Mark Please Please FORGIVE ME!! I hurried back so fast that cooled Friday night in Feb. and then to be called to the seen and seeing your's and Scott's body and working the acc. not asking who was in(what used to be) your patrol car. Then being called by your dad when I got home. and told that it was You and Scott who were in that car. I didn't ask because I thought you were at home sleeping getting ready for our trip. Man it dropped me to the ground. Time stopped for me then, at that very moment, and my life has went downhill sents. I miss our trips to the Blazer games, The talks we had while looking for the stolen cars. you know it turned out we recouvered 51 cars that year. And how hard we laught at the stupied guy who came up to your side of the marked unit at the stop lite and tried to sell you some crack!! Oh the look on his face when I hit the Lite's and siren. was priceless. I feel like I was robbed when God took you to the holly land. I held and cried with your mom dad & Matt at your service's You would have been so proud of your mom & dad, All the work they did with Mothers Aginst Drunk Drivers. When your dad told your story there was never a dry eye. And he told it so many times. over the years Mark I lost my mom on Sept. 1st 2004. And I see your mom is with you now. I hope your dad & brother Matt are ok Please watch out for them. Your services were so nice, Hey Officer Charles Brown was in your Honor Guard He's a Sgt. out in east prect. now. I have tried to wright something to you for so long now but know this You and Scott are missed but will never be Forgotten. Miss you brother Rest In Peace Your a true hero

Paul

Your Friend & coworker Paul Salzwedel
Budget Car & Truck Security Portland Or.

October 3, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Mark, you are a true hero and will not be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

February 26, 2004

How sad you were both killed by a drunk driver. We are remembering
you today not for how you died, but how you lived. Thank you for your
dedication and sacrifice. We are grateful for your service.

Lynn Kole
Washington State

February 26, 2004

Mark,

Today, November 14, 2002, we laid your mom to rest next to you. It brought back so many emotions of nearly ten years ago when we lost you. I have been given the wonderful privilege of getting to know your folks and brother, one of those really good things that can happen after such a tragic loss. I learned over the years just how special your family is. Today was much like the day nearly tens years ago when we laid you to rest. My heart is broken and there have been many tears. Your mom and I had a special bond and I found her to be a warm and wonderfully caring person. I will and do miss her terribly. I also miss you.

Anonymous