Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Keeler,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Minnesota. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 21, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 50th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 21, 2018

It was my honor to read CO Gilmer Keeler's name today, while standing guard at the Peace Officer Memorial in St. Paul.

Captain Andy Gardner
Minnetonka Police

May 15, 2017

Miss you dad!

Rebecca Keeler
Daughter

November 11, 2015

Dear Gilmer/Family: I'm proud to serve as a Conservation Officer with the MN-DNR. Reading Pastor Awes memorial inspires me to write a few words. I'm confident that Gilmer was blessed in his final years as a Minnesota Conservation Officer. God has a very interesting way, of putting us in unique places, so that we can have influence on others. Even though, his life was short, his memory lives on. Yes, he hurt inside, but I'm convinced in his role as a "natural resources" peace-keeper he did his best work. Thanks to God for that.

Major Roger G. Tietz
Fellow 33 Year MN Conservation Officer

March 31, 2015

I personally only had only a passing aquaintance with Gilmer Keeler since I was only a small child when he died. My father, however, considered him a dear friend as the following words might suggest:" " The people we meet in our life have an impact on our life for good or ill.It may be small or large depending on how significant the person is to us or how much force the personality of the person we meet. The most unforgetable character ive met . I am sure that we all have some person we can think of who would fit that title. It calls to my mind a man Gilmer Keeler. We were buddies in high school and through the years that followed.He was a tough rough outdoors cowboy type but nevertheless was gentle and kind, good and righteous. He was John Wayne, Walter Brennan and Andy Griffth all rolled into one.After high school he enlisted in the Marine Corp forught in Korea was wounded decorated for bravery. Before his dischrage he served for awhile on the Marine Corp' rifle team and was a drill instructor at Paris Island.

As a boy he could shooand ride with the best of them and he loved to hunt and fish. His family was such that he had to work his way through school and one of jobs was watching turkeys through the night lest they drown themselves in the rain. From him I learned that turkeys were the dumbest animals on the face of the earth When I took my first job at a parish in North Dakota he took a job as a game warden in northern Minnesota I thought for sure that he had found his nitch in life. But the last time I saw him, I could tell he wasn't happy. It bothered him to see the hate in the eyes of those whom he had to arrest or ticket for poaching or hunting out of season or fishing without a license. I didn't think much of it then To me he was one of my best friends- he was like steel that couldn't be bent and besides he was a man of deep Christian conviction. One day driving from a church meeting on a lonely road cut through virgin timber in the north he hit a bridge abutment and died at 38. His bereaved parents told me to my surprise that he was tortured by by memories of bloody battles in Korea and agonized over the hate in those whom he brought in for for hunting and fishing violations. That man had an abiding influence on my life. From him I developed a taste for the outdoors. - how much of that pleasure I would have missed had I not known him. From him I learned that sensitivity, gentleness and compassion are not signs of weakness. From him I learned that even the toughest and bravest can hurt inside and that we should listen carefully to the heartbeat of that other person in our lives and not take their strength for granted. I am partly what I am now because of having met and known him."- Pastor Robert S. Awes

David Awes
Son of friend of Gilmer Keeler

July 24, 2012

Uncle Gil, I never had the opportunity to meet you, as you died before I was born. But, I proudly carry your name as part of mine and thank you for the beauty and happiness you brought to this world. I honor and respect the service you gave as a Marine and as a Game Warden, but I honor most your service as a son, brother and father.

Brian Gilmer Mueller
Nephew

June 26, 2012

Officer Keeler, I inadvertenly left an incorrect eow date on my previious post. Today is the 44th anniversary of your death, and I am sure you have been missed each of those 44 years.

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

April 23, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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 today.

Rest In Peace.

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

April 23, 2012

I too help to patrol the woods and waters in the Bigfork area. I patrol the same stretch of road you ended your watch on. I did not know you but I have thought of you and your sacrifice. Thank you.

Conservation Officer Jeff Koehn
MN DNR Enforcement Division

May 13, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 21, 2010

I concurr with Officer Terry . . there is no excuse for failing to recognize your own fallen heroes.

However, fear not Officer Keeler, you are honored by your extended blue family. With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.) ATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

November 7, 2004