I losst a brother today.

[Charger_Fan]

I feel I am needlessly dumping my grief on everyone

Don't be hesitant to talk about it.  You may not ever "get over" it, but you can certainly feel better with time and effort.

  We may not all be able to relate on the basis of a peace officer...nevertheless, we are family here & you're one of us.

[mikepmcs]

Deputy
First, let me say I'm sorry for the huge loss, and his wife and children are in my thoughts as well.
As I've said in other posts, I have the ultimate respect for police, firefighters, military.
It floors me to think that people don't have the ultimate respect for these unforgiving, unappreciated professions. 
People that are willing to give their lives for other human beings just to make the world a better place.  Obviously it isn't done for pay but for the good of mankind as a whole.
How can anyone not respect and appreciate that?
It is an increasingly sad world we live in, and now the kids that do these horrible crimes to society are getting younger and younger it seems.

As I read your first post, a tear started streaming down my face because it brought back so many memories of my last 20 years in the Navy.  I too have lost a few close friends over the years and it definitely stays with you always.  You just have to pick up, help where you can and move on knowing what they did was not in vain.  If nothing else it makes you stronger in the long run.  I say stronger because you are the law, and like the military and fire fighters of the world, you already hold a special strength/gift over most in the world.  That is why only a special few can perform your job.  Cherish your strength and conviction/dedication to making the world a better place and always hold your head high.

Don't give up, and retaliate by being the best police officer you can be.  There will always be factions out there that don't appreciate what you do, but they will come to justice in the end no matter what.  I truly believe that.

Once again, I'm truly sorry.

v/r
Mike

[Brock Samson]

for anyone who needs it... 

Grief info:

  http://www.righthealth.com/search?t=vhealth.all&out=health-goog-sb&lid=goog-ads-sb&q=stages%20of%20bereavement&o=classic&v=Health&gclid=CI6atJSCrIoCFSasYAod8SuUpQ

[CFMopar]

Sorry to hear that.... It's really sad.. Being a police officer can be thankless work sometimes...


RIP Detective Dressel

[TeeWJay426]

Very sorry to hear about your friend DC.... my hats off to you and your fellow officers. At times it may seem to be a thankless job,but the majority of us law abiding citizens appreciate you and your brothers more than you may think. RIP, Detective Dressel.

[400/6/PAC]

So sorry for your loss.
Please know that it's just the bad guy's that dont like police officers.
Most of us have the upmost respect for you and really appreciate all that you sacrifice for our safety.
God bless you and all of your brothers.

[deputycrawford]

     I thank you all for your replies. The post from Mikepmcs, Brock's personal message, and many others here have made me realize I'm acting kinda selfish. Brock, I just lost one of my biggest hero's this last December when I attended my Uncle's funeral. I have to remember that you also have had much grief. Mike, I have to remember that the military is also losing good people to idiots. Firefighters etc. can also be taken from us at any time. That really did snap me out of feeling alone in this kind of stuff. We all lose people close to us. Thanks guys for waking me up. I needed that. I guess we really are all in this together. Thanks brothers and sisters.    I may be beaten up by this death but I will fight for Toledo Police on Monday in their trenches so they can escort Keith to his resting place. I will be alittle lighter hearted knowing many people do understand. Thank you all again my brothers and sisters.

[mikepmcs]

We understand brother!!!!
Walk with pride brother, walk with pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


v/r
Mike

[moparjohn]

Sorry to hear of your loss.  I hope he is tried as an ADULT since he had a gun and shot an officer of the law! It is way past the time to allow the younger unruly punks to run the world.  My simpathy to you and the officers family. John

[red72chrgr]

We understand brother!!!!
Walk with pride brother, walk with pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


v/r
Mike

 

[Manfred318]

 

Sorry to hear of your loss. I hope he is tried as an ADULT since he had a gun and shot an officer of the law! It is way past the time to allow the younger unruly punks to run the world. My simpathy to you and the officers family. John

[pettyfan43]

Man I am deeply sorry to hear this.

The police are demoinized by people usually because those same people have something to hide.

I have an aunt that is a Police officer in Hoover Al (Just outside B'ham) and I can not understand why people are like that.

Some of us love and are THANKFUL for people willing to go out in a rolling billboard and deal with peopole most of us do our best to avoid!

My condolences on your friend, and a huge Thank you to you and all other law officers, Firemen and servicemen who put their lives and welfare on the line so WE can sleep at tnight and play with cars!

Thank you and I Salute each and every one of you!

[General_01]

Very sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of his family and friends. Just remember, he will live on in all the people he touched in his lifetime.

[MoparMotel]

I deeply appoligize for your loss.

[NHCharger]

Very sorry for the loss of your friend.

[mikesbbody]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss and please dont feel that everyone hates cops! i dont! my best friend was a cop and i heard the things he had to put up with (almost being killed on his birthday) im not about to say you will get over this in any amount of time but i believe you are strong and have the support of many around you (including us) just takes things one day at a time i believe you will heal but wont forget this. live goes on and so must you. we will always be thinking of you please dont forget that! all the very best from all of us.   

[Lowprofile]

A Police Officers Prayer 

                                                                       Oh Lord, While I am on my Beat
                                                                      May I know that you are with Me
                                                                      and protect me as I go to Guard
                                                                          Others lives and Property
                                                                       Help me ignore those who scorn
                                                                            and show me no respect
                                                                         But be mindful of all Citizens
                                                                            I've sworn to Protect
                                                                          Be with my Fellow Officers
                                                                         and Guard their Safety Too
                                                                          May I always put Duty First
                                                                          in the work that I must do
                                                                        May I not Disgrace the Uniform
                                                                      But bring Pride to the Badge I wear
                                                                     That I'd be a good Policeman, Lord
                                                                          Would be my Only Prayer.


                                                                              Amen. 

God Bless Bro. You & your "Brothers" are in our thoughts and prayers.

[deputycrawford]

     Well, we put him to rest yesterday. I guess it was quite a spectacle. I did not go. I ran calls for service as unit 1158 in 1 and 2 sectors of Toledo for them so they could all go. Sylvania Police, Maumee Police, and Wood County Sheriff Deputies all helped cover the calls in the city. We even had Ohio Highway Patrol "hit on" as 1190 crews and take all our accidents in the city. The state of Ohio does not have a state police so we, the sheriff's office, is the original jurisdiction. The sheriff of the county gave approval for the Highway Patrol to enter the city and help out. The total feel of team work and pulling together was great. We haven't gotten together like that since the riot in North Toledo a couple of years ago.
     We all went home, changed our clothes, took designated drivers with us, and met at theToledo Police Patrolman's Association hall. When I left, I believe we were on our 8th keg. There were three taps and they were blowing fast. One trip we replaced all three at once. There is an old fashion set of lights and siren on the wall. Once in awhile someone would turn it on and we would raise ours glasses to Keith. Many of us would get goose bumps in between the tears. I had an awesome time. My eyes hurt right now. My head is pounding, and I'm swearing off beer for awhile. That won't last for more than a day or two  lol. Thanks again for all the support. As I wrote someone else earlier, I didn't start this for sympathy. I just wanted to remind the world police are just people.
     
      Toledo Police Detective
      Vice Officer Keith Dressel
      Badge Number:  2127 
      Unit 812 on central channel
      Hit-on:                 12-10-93
      Code 40 forever:   02-21-07        Peace by brother.     
     

[SeattleCharger]

Sorry for your loss.

   I have heard about the firemen being more poplular than police,   I know my brother is a fireman, they sort of joke about it, like how reno 911 has even had episodes with this a few times, but if it makes you feel a little better maybe, since he has told me about the interactions he has with police on all the accident/fire scenes, since both are usually called most of the time, I now think of cops as a lot cooler, he only has good things to say about cops, that they are cool dudes, good guys, etc., take care.

[400/6/PAC]

I think a lot of it has to do with the media.
We all hear storys of how firefighters saved this guy or that guy.
I know they risk their lives just as police officers do, but it seems like you only hear storys about cops when they did something wrong.
If there were a way to determin how many people were saved because a Cop took a bad man off the streets, I bet the storys would change.
No offense to Firefighters, We thank you very much for what you do.

I

[Silver R/T]

Im sorry to hear that

[70charginglizard]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Sounds like he was a great guy.
I just lost a good friend recently too so I know how you feel.
Chin up. He's in a better place. 

[Paul G]

Being a Police Officer has to be one of the most difficult jobs there is. Think about it, who are the clientele? Societies worst most of the time. Even when a good honest citizen gets pulled over by a police officer the whole situation is negative, for the officer and for us.

My 22 year old son is studying criminal justice right now. He wants a career in law enforcement. This thread really makes me worry for him.

Remember this always DC. We do appreciate the efforts of you and the other's in your field even though we fail to express it most of the time. Because of people like you the rest of us can enjoy the safety and freedoms we have today. Thank You!

[Ghoste]

I'll agree with one modification, the clientele.  I think that if it helps for all the cops out there, the clientele are actually the good people and it's societies worst that we need you to protect us from.  Sometimes we may need you to protect us from ourselves or to bring us bad news or save our lives for whatever reason but don't feel like the scum are the clients.  And sometimes, the normally good folks stray and we may need a little reminder about which side of the street to walk and you need to be able to know the real scum from the temporary scum (like you need another burden).  Thanks to the uniformed people out there everywhere who keep us safe.

[old man]

Deputy as I put on my uniform today your loss is heavy on my mind. While I have only been a member of the brotherhood for a short time I feel your loss. I wish I had some words that would ease your pain. There is a special place for your lost brother and he is welcomed by our lord. God bless you and time will ease the pain.