Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May 30th is approaching. To some it may be just another ordinary day, but to some of us, it's a day we will never forget. I've worked a number of years with Detectives and Narcotics and it seems they've become a part of my family. Corporal Mitchell became a part of that family when he began with Region II. He had such determination. I never knew him as a quitter. I miss him very much but someday soon, we will all meet again. We never know what each day holds, but as we make our requests known to God, he covers us with his grace, mercy and compassion. I pray that for the Mitchell family and for all officers. You are all in my thoughts and prayers often, if not daily. Thank you Cpl. Mitchell for making a difference in this place. Great is your reward Corporal Mitchell, to be at the right hand of God. I will never forget you.

Jen/G.P.D.
Gallup Police Department

May 19, 2004

Hi honey we miss you so much, we just got back from D.C. and it was the most incredible trip we have ever taken. The first year was such a blur but this year I was so glad to go back and see everything that I had missed. Dylan had a great time at kids camp everyone loved him so much no doubt he is growing to be an incredible leader just like you. We miss you so much baby. See you soon God willing..... love you with all my heart, soul, body, mind and money baby!!

Erika & Dylan

May 19, 2004

Larry, I bet you thought I forgot about you?...No such luck! I know you hear that all the time cause your friends and I talk about you a lot. I wish you were still here to "play" with us...I miss you more than ever brother. I'm not so sure how I got this far without you...nothing would have been better than to be under your command for me here..but I am (and always will be under your guidance), your standards guide me everyday on and off duty...cause you were the best. Your protege, "Frankie"...

Sgt. Frank Boyd
GPD

April 30, 2004

Happy Anniversary honey, I still love you with all my heart ,soul, body mind and money.

I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW

HONEY I KNOW WHAT YOU DO IS NO EASY JOB, DEALING WITH THE SCUM THAT STEAL, ROB AND KILL.
JUST WANTING TO SERVE AND PROTECT BUT YOU DON'T ALWAYS GET THE RESPECT YOU DESERVE.WHEN YOU PUT ON THAT VEST AND WALK OUT THE DOOR, I'LL KISS AND I'LL HUG YOU AND I'LL KISS YOU ONCE MORE. I'LL TELL YOU TO BE SAFE AND SAY "I LOVE YOU". AND THAT I AM PROUD OF YOU AND THE JOB YOU DO. I KNOW YOU FACE DANGER EACH AND EVERY DAY AND I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT IN MY OWN WAY.
AT TIMES IT'S NOT EASY THAT ILL ADMIT BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I CAN HANDLE IT.
I KNOW WHAT YOU DO CAN PUT OUR LOVE TO THE TEST BUT OF ALL OF THEM OUT THERE I KNOW YOU ARE THE BEST.

I KNOW ITS WORHTWHILE WHEN I HEAR YOU SAY "I LOVE YOU"

your wife

April 17, 2004

HI BRIAN, I'VE BEEN MEANING TO DO THIS FOR A LONG TIME, BUT IT'S HARD BECAUSE IT DOES NOT GET EASIER OR BETTER AS TIME GOES BY, IN FACT I THINK IT GETS HARDER, I KNOW CUZ I LOST MY MOM A FEW MONTHS BEFORE YOU LEFT US (SEE I HAVE TEARS IN MY EYES ALREADY). BUT I REMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED AT THE PD, YOU WERE JUST A BABY SO READY AND WILLING TO WORK YOUR REGULAR SHIFT AND OVERTIME. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST MET ERIKA, YOU JUST COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL EVEN AGREED TO GO OUT WITH YOU, YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE A CHANCE WITH HER. AND THEN WHEN SHE GOT PREGNANT, OH MAN, I NEVER SEEN YOU SO EXCITED, YOU WOULD COME IN AT NIGHT INTO THE RADIO ROOM AND TALK ABOUT THAT LITTLE BOY YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE AND SHOW ME THE LITTLE SHOES(MICHAEL JORDAN BASKETBALL SHOES) THAT HE WAS GOING TO WEAR, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PAIRS I HAD SEEN. THEN YOU WOULD GET AFTER ME ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT COLORS OF NAIL POLISHES THAT I WOULD LET ERIKA TRY ON TO MATCH HER OUTFITS, REMEMBER THE YELLOW ONE YOU SAID SHE LOOKED LIKE A BANANA, THEN THE TEAL GREEN ONE YOU SAID THAT ONE WAS VERY SEXY AND SHE COULD WEAR THAT ONE ALL THE TIME.WELL BRIAN YOU DID MARRY THAT BEAUTIFUL GIRL AND YOU DID HAVE THAT LITTLE BOY, JUST WISHED YOU WERE HERE WITH THEM, DYLAN HAS GROWN UP TO BE A VERY HANDSOME LITTLE MAN. WELL BRIAN HERE IS A POEM THAT I WROTE FOR YOU RIGHT AFTER YOU LEFT US AND I HUNG IT UP IN THE RADIO ROOM.

"BE CAREFUL"

THESE MAY SOUND LIKE ORDINARY WORDS TO YOU,
BUT TO US IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THEY ARE VERY POWERFUL WORDS
WHEN AN OFFICER PUTS ON THAT UNIFORM, BADGE, AND WEAPON AND DRIVES OFF IN THAT CAR THAT IS BOLDLY MARKED "POLICE" AND IN LITTLE LETTERS "TO SERVE AND PROTECT"
YOU AS THE SPOUSE SAY "GOODBYE, I LOVE YOU"
LITTLE DO YOU KNOW, THAT MIGHT BE YOUR "GOODBYE"
WE IN THE DEPARTMENT TRY TO ALWAYS SAY "BE CAREFUL" AS THEY LEAVE TO GO ON DUTY HOPING THAT THEY DO JUST THAT
WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO SAY "GOODBYE"
BUT TODAY WE HAD TO SAY THOSE WORDS TO A FELLOW OFFICER
WE WILL MISS YOU CPL LARRY BRIAN MITCHELL

DEBBY MARTINEZ-GALLUP POLICE DEPT
I WILL TALK TO YOU AGAIN, OK

DEBBY MARTINEZ-SECRETARY/DISPATCHER
GALLUP POLICE DEPT

April 14, 2004

You are not forgotten............

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

March 12, 2004

REST IN PEACE BROTHER,SEE/YA ON THE FLIP/FLOP.

SGT RON BUCHHOLZ
SANDOVAL COUNTY SHERIFF NM

March 11, 2004

Hey honey as I am sure you know by now the trial has once again been delayed until August. I just wish this would be over and we could all find some peace, if that is at all possible. Did you see the awsome sign on the 60 that we put up for you it is so incredible to see. Hope you liked the card Dylan left you, he was so proud because he made it all by himself. we miss you so much! love you with all my heart, soul,body, mind and money baby................

Erika & Dylan

March 4, 2004

Corporal Larry B. Mitchell:

The TRIAL date is next week, March 8, 2004. We have a great legal team to get the truth out as to what happened. We are also praying every day for your family and the Police Officers and support staff who have suffered your great loss. I have worked here for 17 years and I truly love and respect every Officer who goes out and puts his or her life on the line everyday. We are still grieving for your loss and we miss you so much. Not one day goes by without your name being mentioned at the Department. I have seen the heartbreak and the many many tears that your brothers and sisters of the police force have shed for you and continue to shed. One of the Officers wives has started a 1012Klub which tries to meet monthly to pray for theirs spouses and for the TRIAL....
We need the families, other officers and the community to lend support while WE go thur this TRIAL. We have not forgotten. Thank you Larry.
Linda Garcia

Linda Garcia
City Prosecutors Office

March 1, 2004

HEY BABY JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU ON THIS VERY DARK GLOOMY DAY.. LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY SOUL, BODY, MIND AND MONEY BABY.

your wife

February 23, 2004

Even though time has passed the loss is as great as the day you were taken Officer Mitchell. We never met but you are my Brother. My heart goes out to your loved ones. God cares deeply for Policeman. He placed you there and he has a special place for you in Heaven. I pray that God will strengthen your family & loved ones.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller(Ret)
Oregon State Police

February 4, 2004

As the holiday season is upon us I find it more difficult to focus on being happy and enjoying what is supposed to be the greatest season of all... the new year is quickly approching and I am more fearful of the trial that is to take place in a few months.... I don't think I can handle it Brian. This wasn't supposed to happen to us..................... I love you with all my heart soul body mind and money baby.

your wife

December 22, 2003

More days than I can count have past and it still seems it was just yeterday. I think, remeber and miss you. I have hard days and wish you were here to give me a hand as only you could. I think of all the "tough" days many people have in our country and the world over. When I don't want to get out of my warm bed to go back to the "front line" in the war we wage everyday, I remember the dedication you put in at that front line. It gets me up and right to the front.. right after I remember you and all that you gave day in and day out, then I say to myself, "back to the front"...no worries my friend, someday we will ride again...still missing you.

Cpl. FZB
Gallup Police Dept.

November 14, 2003

I thought of you today. I remembered your smile. I remembered your laugh. I remembered your eagerness to do things. I miss your presence on the streets. I miss your good mornings. I miss your voice in the hall. I miss your laugh. I remembered that poem written about you, that you were on your way now and for us to take care of your family. I think about them often and do pray for them, your wife, son, mom, dad, brother and sister. I pray for happiness, strength, love, joy, peace, protection, guidance and that the grace of God is upon them. I come to the end of the hall, and I see you. Your picture on the wall, again, reminds me to keep going, try harder, get up, don't look back, that I can do all things and nothing is impossible. Thank you.

Anonymous

October 9, 2003

Happy 26th B-day baby we miss you so much. Love you with all my heart soul body mind and money baby....

Erika & Dylan

September 27, 2003

To the Family and friends of Officer Mitchell, My prayers are with you during this time of grief. I lost my partner a year ago tommorrow (06-13-00). He (Cpl. Ron Courville) also payed the altimate sacrifice. Responding to assist me on a call,he was killed in a traffic accident. These special people that payed the altimate sacrifice, God has a plan for them. They will forever be remembered as Heros.

Cpl. Charles Scott
St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office

To the Family and Partners of Officer Mitchell,

Having just lost one of our own I can truly understand your pain. May god be with you all during this difficult time. Officer Mitchell and our Beloved Deputy Jason Lopez are now patrolling the streets of Heaven making it a safe place for all of us. God bless you all, may you find peace.

Deputy Tamatha Villar
Pinal County S.O.

My heart goes out to the family.

Tactical Medic Jerry Fraser
Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department, NM

Your willingness and readiness to accomplish a job which is wrought with peril and misunderstanding is a true reflection of the person that you are. Although no words will be able to relieve the pain your family and fellow officers experience, your dedication and convictions will give them hope.

Anonymous

I was saddened to hear of Ofc. Mitchell's death during a SWAT mission. It reminds me of all of the SWAT missions that I have been on when I have been scared of losing my own life. Barricade situations are the scariest call in all of police work because the suspect so often has the advantage.

Ofc. Mitchell is a hero, plain and simple. When he joined the SWAT team he took a vow to be the last line of defense, to go where no other officer would go, and to brave the most hienous situations in the world. When there is no one left to call, the SWAT team members are the ones who stand tall and carry the torch of justice.

To Ofc. Mitchell's family members, my deepest heartfelt sympathy. It is the family that hurts the most when god takes a brother officer. Please find serenity in the great memories that he has left behind. His legacy lives on in police officers across America.

To Officer Mitchell's fellow officers, I leave you with a quote...

"Never give your fears counsel, for the fact that you are attacking alone will make your enemy inclined to think that you are more powerful than he." General G. Patton WWII

My sympathy is honest, heartfelt and professional.

Officer Matt Cabot
Thornton Police Dept.
SWAT Entry Team Z212
Thornton, Co.

SWAT Entry Officer Matt Cabot
Thornton Police Dept. Thornton, Colo.

I knew Larry very well. I was one of his instructors in the state police academy. Larry was warm hearted and very caring. Larry will be dearly missed by all law enforcement officers in McKinley County. God Bless him.

Sergeant Richard Doty
New Mexico State Police

As a member of the Honor Guard at Larry's funeral, I was truely touched by what I saw. A town that practically stood still as the procession made its way through town. American Flags being waved, salutes from elderly veterans, people everywhere lining the streets with tearfilled eyes.

Larry's family will never get over their loss. Hopefully with prayer and love of friends they can find a way to manage each day. I met Larry at a class last year. His son and mine share the same name. It really hit home. May you rest in peace Larry. Look over each and every one of us as we continue a way of life that you loved so much.

May God Bless you and your family Larry. Your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Darren G. Holley
New Mexico State Police

I worked with Brian Mitchell for one and a half years and he was a great officer, friend, confidant, husband and father.
I also worked with his wife, one of my best friends. Attending his funeral was one of the hardest things for me and my hustband to do. My husband Mickey Wilkins also worked with Brian for a year and they became the best of friends. We wish we could bring him back for his family but we can't. He was dispathced to a much bigger call and we will all see him again one of these days. We love you Brian and we will be praying for your family. God Bless all the Law Enforcement Officers out there taking care of us. Thank you very much.

Dispatcher, Nadine Scott
Mckinley Metro Dispatch

Sometimes this job can be a thankless one. But I believe an officer always shows that he cares even if it is the last thing that he does.
God Bless you!

Lora King Patrol officer
Columbus Police Department, Columbus Georgia

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 part time jobs
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.

So, if you've a place for me Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I’ve neither expected nor 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

Constable Gerard PEOPLES
New Zealand Police