Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's been more than 20 years...I will never foget that day as long as I live. One of the saddest days to date.

Getting the call that Thursday morning,Pam crying, that she had to go to the hospital because you had been injured on duty...
I was praying all the way to the hospital, sitting next to your children. Trying to be of some comfort to them. Knowing nothing could help the pain.

"A proud father, loving husband and dedicated Philadelphia Police Officer Killed in the line of duty"

Those few words cut like a knife and changed lives forever.
Now, when another Hero is fallen, It feels as if it happened all over again... It's so senseless.

Dan (and Pam) you were taken too soon, but, know your lives touched so many. You have been missed since that day. You are never far from our hearts or thoughts.

My prayers are with your family.

You will ALWAYS be remembered.

Kelly (O'Donnell) Donahue
Family Friend/Neighbor

November 8, 2007

Dan,
I think of you always. Our short time together in EPW 2505 will stay with me forever. You are truly missed. God bless you and your family

Your partner Bob Rajchel

Robert Rajvhel
Philadelphia Police

May 2, 2007

I knew Danny from the 25th District, where I had worked. I hope that his family has been able to move on with their lives and have found comfort in knowing that Danny's in everlasting glory with our Lord.

J. B. Maberry
Former Philadelphia Police Department

April 20, 2007

Merry Christmas Dan, Pam, Dolly, and Bulldog. Your lives inspired me so much, and I will always be grateful.

Mr. Gleason, I try my best to follow in your footsteps. You treated everyone -even those you locked up- with dignity and respect.

Pam, I'll never forget that night... 8/13/89.. I still remember how you smiled and waved to me... Hawaiian Luau.. you were wearing a blue Hawaiian dress and a flower in your hair.. you looked so happy and full of life... a few hours later, Danny knocked on my door and woke me up... you were gone. We all know what happened that night.. we'll just never understand why.

Dolly... you had so much wisdom and never missed a trick. Danny and I used to try to get away with a lot of crap around you.. but just your glare told us you knew better.

Bulldog... you know you got us into some situations.. I'm not sure what was worse... when you crushed my foot between the two trucks and just giggled and told me to "walk it off", or when we flipped the golf cart in the middle of the night and got caught trying to put it back together.

My thoughts and prayers will always be with each of you. Never forget you, I promise. God Bless You.

Eric
Philadelphia Police

December 25, 2006

Project Blue Light

Several years ago, Mrs. Dolly Craig, the surviving mother-in-law of Daniel Gleason, a Philadelphia (PA) police officer killed in the line of duty in 1986, sent her Christmas message to the COPS National office. Her daughter
Pam, the surviving widow of Officer Gleason, had been killed in a car accident in August, 1989, before the holiday season. Dolly wrote, "This holiday I'm putting two blue lights in my living room window. One is for Dan and the other is for Pam, who believed so much in the COPS
organization."

Dolly Craig is now deceased as well, but her idea of Project Blue Light burns bright in the hearts of the over 15,000 families in the COPS. During this holiday season, please remember to decorate with blue to honor those which we have lost and in support of those who continue to protect us everyday.

December 6, 2006

Mr. Gleason,
I lived one street over from you on Anchor St and went to school with your son Danny at St. Martin's and Dougherty. I remember vividly when Danny was called into the principal's office that day. I am now a Detective and I think about you every time I drive by Broad and Sedgley. An "Old Timer" who worked with you in the 25th at the time showed me the spot where it happened.

You are not forgotten.

Det Jim Waring
Philadelphia PD

October 28, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer
TN

July 30, 2006

R.I.P. Dan.

Sergeant Jim Morace
PPD

June 5, 2006

An Officer prayed the rosary for you whilst he accommpanied you to the hospital.Today the rosary will be said again for you by me .

June 5, 2006

P/O Gleason, you are not forgotten.

P/O #5434
Philadelphia PD

May 30, 2006

God Bless you Officer Gleason as you continue to sleep in God's Love and in His Peace. You will never be forgotten and are remembered in my daily prayers along with your family. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication and the sacrifice you made in Protecting the people of Phila.
Respectfully,
Kathi Halligan PHila. Pa
wife and mom of Phila, Police Officers

March 8, 2006

Although it has been many years since Dan was killed, I remember the day vividly. My partner and I were the second unit to arrive on the scene. We were only blocks away when the call came out. I remember pulling into the street where we saw a uniformed officer on his back. I can't describe the emotion I felt when I recognized who it was. Dan was lifted into the back of the wagon and I rode with him in my arms to Temple Hospital. He had a head wound and was loosing blood. For those few minutes enroute to the hospital all I could do was to say the Rosary. The doctors and nurses at Temple worked very hard on him but his injuries were too severe. Ironically, the male that shot Danny was in the same ER being worked on from a gunshot wound he received at the scene. The good do die young but I will never forget Dan. May he rest in peace.

Sgt Robert D. Tait
Philadelphia Police Dept. (Retired)

February 14, 2006

Dan, you will not be forgotten. I will publish an article in the Northeast Times Newspaper on December 7th. Asking the people of Philadelphia to place a blue light in their window this holiday season in your memory and all officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Also, June 5th, 2006 is the 20th anniversary of your death. I am going to organize a special mass at Saint Martin of Tours in Philadelphia. The parish where we both belonged to. May God rest your soul & God Bless your children.

Officer Daniel T. Sweeney #4558
Philadelphia Police-Northeast Detectives

December 2, 2005

I wanted to stop in and leave a note and say that Daniel Gleason has not been forgotten. The Gleason family is responsible for Project Blue Light during the Christmas holiday season.The entire outside of my home is now decorated in blue lights as well as a large blue light in my living room window. This is the first year for me to do this in honor of my son who was killed 18 weeks ago in the line of duty and all the other fallen police heros. One of those lights is burning for Officer Gleason. May God watch over the Gleason family.

Robert Gordon, father of Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Robert Gordon, Asst. Chief (Retired)
Riverside PD, Illinois

December 12, 2004

I was a classmate with Officer Gleason's son (Danny Jr) in St Martin of Tours. I remember how sad I felt for him when I heard what happened to his father. I don't know why its taken me so long to say, but I hope the Gleason family has found some peace with the horrible tragedies that have fallen at their doorstep. I can't say enough how sorry I am for your loss. Your father was a hero and will never be forgotten. He will always be there to watch over his children. Rest in peace Officer Gleason.

brian quinn

October 5, 2004

Thank you for taking the time to say such kind words. Brain's football number in high school was 86, the same as the year your uncle died. Our prayers go out to you and your family.

Persin family of Brian T Gleason, MP

"The Final Inspection"

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work must Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I dont deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had to much
But if you dont...I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Anonymous