Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mike..you and I first met at the age of eight years old in little league. You were as kind hearted a person then as you were to the very end. Your loss was huge to everyone you came into contact with and those whose lives you had yet to touch. You will never be forgotten brother!

Sergeant Anthony Herrera
Houston Police Department

June 29, 2009

Rest in peace, you will always be remembered.

Anonymous

September 16, 2008

Remembering you this day and knowing you are watching over your family.... thinking of you ... Charlotte Yates

Charlotte Yates
Friend

May 14, 2008

Michael,

The years have come and gone so fast. There isn't a day or event that I do not think of you. I cherish the time and moments that we shared. I still love you so much and I miss you still. Our daughters are growing into beautiful young ladies, Mikaela will be a senior this year and she finally has her license and is driving. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and she will be graduating in the top 10% of her class. Can you believe that?! She wants to be a doctor and guess where she wants to go? Baylor!! Just like I wanted to go. I didn't tell her that until she told me and now she is a little freaked out. We toured the Baylor campus a few weeks ago and it is more charming than I remember. I pray that she gets a full ride there because she has her heart set on it. She is so brave, she is President for HOSA next year and Vice President of Key Club and she part of other clubs as well.
Marissa, well she is you in athleticism! That baby loves sports she lives and breathes it. She is so talented and great at soccer. She is trying out next year in highschool. Can you believe that? Our baby in highschool. She is also in tennis and was on the basketball team in school. She is also in National Junior Honor Society.This one is vocal about who she is and her thoughts.
Our girls miss you and they are always asking questions about you. What is funny is that they do things that you use to do and there is no way they could have learned it. It is inherent. Sometimes when I hold them I feel as if for a moment I am holding you. Life has never been the same since your passing but you are forever in our hearts and thoughts. I love you Michael forever and always.

Your wife, Suelema xoxoxooxoxooxo

Suelema Roman
Wife-Surviving

May 8, 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

February 13, 2008

I'm not exactly sure what made me google you today, but I did and am glad. Reading what your friends and family have written about you only reaffirm the wonderful person you were. You were always a very caring and giving person...remember the many times you and your brothers and sister took the time to give me a ride home after school. I want you to know that I think of you and your family often and am thankful for the opportunity to have known you and to be able to have called you "my friend". May perpetual light shine upon you.

Daphne "DizzyD" Heppner

Daphne R. Heppner (Rivera), EMT
CVFD

February 1, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 1, 2008

years have come and gone. I am happy to hear that michael's precious daughters are growing just fine. I remember mike coming to central night shift, night shift is usually overloaded with rookies who did not get the chance to go to evenings. Mike would talk to me during roll calls. On our last conversation he confided in me that he was having some issues with another officer with seniority and although he thought he was getting the short end, he did not want to make any waves as a rookie.

mike just wanted to do his job and he wanted to please his colleagues. Michael had dreams and hopes like the rest of us and I am sorry that he was taken so young.

To his wife and daughters, although I only knew him for a short period I think mike was a wonderful guy and would have been a great officer. GOD bless you all.

blain
HPD

August 29, 2007

Well.. that month is coming up again and I just wanted to let you know you are so missed.. Sue and the girls are doing o.k.... they miss you with all they have.. both are getting so grown up.. you would be so proud... Sue is hanging in there and trying her best... you would be proud of her..too.. till another time....Charlotte

Charlotte Yates
friend

April 23, 2007

May you Rest in Peace and may Our Lord shower your loved ones with blessings.

January 6, 2007

Dear Michael,

I have the honor to know your family under unpleasant circumstances but greatful to be friends with you amazing wife Sue. I can see how lucky you were to had her in your life and had a family with her. Your girls are so well educated and beautiful young ladies. Sue is a great person; I admire her so much and I am so greatful for her honest friendship. She is a true inspiration for me, please always be there with her she miss you so much and same your girls. May God always bless them.

Patty Vasquez
Spouse Survivor

Patty Vasquez
Friend

November 5, 2006

I came across Officer Roman's memorial as his was the featured one today on the ODMP site. As I read the reflections left by his friends and family I know he was a special man. I was married to Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002 and am now remarried to Washington County Deputy Sheriff A.V. Carpenter, but the pain of losing Brian is still there. I guess it is something we never get over we just get a new normal. The reflection left on here about his daughter crying at the service and she never knew him really touched me. My children were 4 and 6 when Brian was killed. My husband is great with the situation and helping me keep his memory alive and fresh to them. We never want them to forget him. And if you can do it for yours I know we can do it for mine. Thank you all for sharing your husband's life with us and my prayers are with you as we all continue on this journey of life without our loved ones together.

Denise Nichols Carpenter
Vice President of Alabama COPS

October 11, 2006

Hey Mike It's been awhile but just want to let you know that even up to this day, I and my family are always thinking of you and very PROUD of you. I will always have you in my heart and now that I know where to find you, I will come to visit again. Thanks for looking out for all the rest of the officers still down here working the Beat.

Love You and Miss you very Much.

Lt. Rene T. Razo
Harris County Constable Pct. 5 (Cousin)

September 28, 2006

Hi Mike.. saw your babies today.. grown up .. Makalia is just gorgeous... and Marissa is a pistol.. great athelete.. and so sweet.. Sue misses you more than you can ever know... she loves you with all her heart... will talk again...Charlotte

Charlotte Yates
Harris county sheriffs dept

March 16, 2006

MICHAEL, ITS BEEN 12 YEARS SINCE YOU LEFT AND I STILL FEEL THE PAIN IN MY HEART. IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY WHEN WE TALKED AND WE WERE TO MEET FOR A QUICK SNACK. WE NEVER MADE IT. YOUR DAUGHTERS LOVE AND MISS YOU, SO DOES SUE. OUR DAUGHTERS SEE EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME AND LAUGH AT THE STORIES ME AND SUE TELL ABOUT YOU AND ME WHEN WE WERE YOUNG. I OFTEN THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU WOULD BE IN THE DEPARTMENT. ME AND RICK STILL TALK ABOUT OUR SENIOR TRIP AND WE WILL MAKE IT BACK IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THAT IS A PROMISE. YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD OF MICHAELA AND MARISSA, SUE HAD DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF RAISING THEM IN YOUR HONOR. I LOVE AND MISS YOU. ARMANDO ORDAZ, H.P.D

POLICE OFFICER, ARMANDO ORDAZ
HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 2, 2006

Michael, it has been 11 1/2 long years since I have heard your voice or seen your smile, but I think about you every day. I do see the images of your being in your children, and I am amazed at how similar they are to you. This year, at the Memorial service in honor of fallen officers, Marissa cried for you, she wasn't even born when you died, but Suelema keeps your memory alive for them through stories and pictures, oh Lord the pictures she has of you in her house. The girls will always know their father, and how much you loved them. Everyone tells me that time will ease the pain of losing you, but unfortunately the pain is still here, I have just learned how to deal with it. I also see the constant pain in Dad's eyes everytime he mentions your name. Say "Hi" to Mom (deceased on April 15, 1994, 3 mos. 1wk, and 2 days after you)and also say "Hi" to Ray, our brother who passed on 12/10/1998. We love yall very much, and yall will always be in our memories. Til the day we meet again, brother, Bye.

Cynthia Roman, sister

July 1, 2005

I didn't know you personally, but because of cicumstances I now know you through your wonderful wife Suelema.. who I have come to know and love.. By knowing her I have come to know you.. You have two wonderful and beautiful daughters, Marissa and Makala.. that love you dearly...Rest in peace..Charlotte

Charlotte Yates
freind

June 7, 2005

MY HEART STILL HURTS DAILY.MISSING YOU AT THE GUARD BAND PLAYING OUR DUET BUFFALO BREATH ON TRUMPET&TENOR SAX.YOUR PICTURE STANDS ABOVE MY SINK TO REMIND ME THE EVERYTIME I CUT MYSELF SHAVING I LOOK UP AND SAY I'M STILL BLEEDING WITH YOU.LOVE DONNIE

DEPUTY D.H.BONNER
HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

February 25, 2005

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

May God grant you eternal peace and bring comfort to your loved ones.

January 6, 2005

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 most 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 don't 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 too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne
Where the 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
Houston P.D.

September 18, 2004