Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

HEY BRIAN,
JUST WRITTING TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE NOT FORGOT ABOUT YOU. I WISH THAT YOU WERE STILL HERE DOING WHAT YOU LOVED. IT IS JUST UNDER A MONTH BEFORE THE DAY THAT YOU PAYED THE ULTIMATE PRICE 2 YEARS AGO. WE ALL MISS YOU AND KEEP WATCHING OVER US.

D/S Joshua Woods
Hendry County Sheriff's Office

March 27, 2006

Mr and Mrs Haas, my prayers are with you, your family, and your son. Although we risk life every day, we still go to work as law officers. But when it is taken away, we realize that we are all mortal and reality sets in. I wish there where words to say to make your pain go away. Just always know that your son is a true hero, and will never be forgotten.

Detective Dan Marquith
Osceola Sheriff's Office

March 22, 2006

Brian, We are thinking of you on your Birthday weekend. We miss you and love you dearly. You have made quite the impression on many people's lives. See what gifts you gave...
Kisses & Hugs to the Heavens.
Love you!
Aunt Trish & Uncle Allen

Trish & Allen

March 4, 2006

Happy Birthday Brian

- Jessica Ruhl

March 3, 2006

Hey Brian, sorry about the mix up earlier, I know you had a big laugh about it. But anyway I'm wishing you a Happy Birthday today, and to let you know that you will never be forgotten.
I've got the Blue Candle going in my window, and it burns all year. Watch over your mom and dad, we sure miss you guys. Say Hi to Clint for me.

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker

March 3, 2006

Brian, we are remembering you today and keeping your family close in our hearts. Birthdays bring their own special flood of memories and laughs and tears. We look forward to the day all of us can celebrate together again and give each other those great big hugs we miss so much.

Until then,
Always remembering you,
Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Officer Matthew Rittenhouse E.O.W. 9/16/04

March 3, 2006

3/3/06

Brian,

Twenty three years ago, Dad and I were thrilled when your birth completed our family. We had a healthy daughter and now a son, there was nothing more we wanted or expected. For twenty one years life was nearly perfect, and I clearly remember thinking that our family was fortunate to have escaped many of the problems others had to deal with. Tragically, twenty one birthdays were all we were going to be able to share with you.

I know that being able to bake your favorite cake, make a special dinner for you, and pick out your presents 21 times sounds like a lot, especially to a Mom who only had that opportunity once or twice, or maybe not at all. But I am selfish, and 21 years was not enough.

I love you and miss you; today, tomorrow, and forever.

Mom

Norie Haas

March 3, 2006

Brian, Tomorrow is your birthday. It is all I've thought about for the last few weeks. When you were still alive I always seemed to send your birthday card late. I think it was because your birthday is early in the month and when I flipped the calander on March 1st, I realized I had not sent your birthday card out. I only wish I could send you a birthday card this year, even if it was late. Happy Birthday Brian, we love and miss you. Love Always Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Glenn, Sarah, & Heather

Bonnie Cannedy

March 2, 2006

Hey Brian, just wanted to wish you a Happy 23rd Birthday, and to let you know that we will never forget you. Keep a watch over your mother and father, we are all in this together and everyday is hard without you guys.

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04

February 21, 2006

Rest in peace my brother in blue. May God bless your family.

State Constable J.L. Green
S. C. State Constables

February 3, 2006

Brian,
I just wanted to let you know, that I had not forgotten about you. It has been busy at work. Every once in a while we get something really exciting and I think about how much you loved this job. Just the other day, Tif and I got a pretty good drug arrest and I thought about how excited you used to get and all the pictures you use to take when you would get those kinds of arrests. It was fun and we had some good times and we will always have lots of memories. I hope you are still watching over me from up there. You will never be forgotten by those of us that worked with you, doing this job that you loved. We miss you and think of you daily. Have fun patrolling those streets of heaven.
Robbie

Investigator Robbie Archer
Hendry County Sheriffs Office

January 29, 2006

Bri,

It's early New Years Eve day, and already I'm struggling with the idea that tonight we will begin 2006 without you. Change has been very difficult for me to accept since your death, and as the calendar changes I feel that we are leaving you further and further behind.

Dad and I managed to get through a quiet Christmas at home, with a few tears, but also some smiles as we recalled the many years the four of us were together. We even managed to go to the movies Christmas Day, to keep up the Haas Family tradition we started when you and Amanda were teenagers. Tonight, though, while everyone is happy and celebrating, my heart will be breaking. I didn't want it to be 2005, and I certainly don't want it to be 2006.

No matter how much time passes I will never stop loving or missing you, and I will do my best to make sure that you are not forgotten by others.

I love you, "B".

Mom

Norie Haas

December 31, 2005

Brian, we wanted to know we are thinking of you on this Christmas Eve...You are still the brightest star in our hearts and in the heaven above.

We miss you and think of you dailey. I send a special blessing for your Mom & Dad and Manda (and her new Hubby)today and through out the Holidays... May love and peace fill all of your hearts...

We Love you, Brian...
Aunt Trish & Uncle Allen

Aunt Trish & Uncle Allen

December 24, 2005

Merry Christmas, Brian. You are never far from our thoughts and always in our hearts.

Wayne and Kathie

Wayne and Kathie Bergquist

December 24, 2005

Brian, I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas In Heaven. We are off to Georgia to spend Christmas in the mountains. We think of you and Nonnie everyday and miss you both so much. Please watch over us in our travels and please be with your Mom and Dad and Amanda and Mike this holiday season. It is so hard without you here. We love and miss so very much. Tell Nonnie we love her and Merry Christmas. Love you always. Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Glenn, Sarah, and Heather

Bonnie Cannedy

December 23, 2005

D.S. Haas..just wanted to stop in & say MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

you & your family are still in my thoughts & prayers as they face another holiday season without their loved one..have a grand 'ol time in Heaven BLUE ANGEL!!

girlfriend of a dpd
detroit, mi

December 23, 2005

Brian,

My heart breaks as I think about another holiday season without you. So much has happened in the last couple of months, and it isn't right that you weren't there.

The annual charity shooting match was a huge success this year. You were always there to help build props, RO, and set up. This year, the match was held in memory of you, with all the proceeds going for junior scholarships. As Dad and I prepared for the match, I kept expecting to see you, hard at work in one of the bays. It isn't right that you weren't there.

Amanda and Mike were married, a month later then planned because of a late October hurricane. The wedding was wonderful, and your sister was absolutely beautiful. When Dad and I see how happy they are together, it gives us the same satisfaction we used to feel when you would leave for work every evening, so happy with your job and career in law enforcement. It isn't right that you weren't there to walk me down the aisle, to propose a toast to your sister and brother-in-law, or to dance one dance with me.

And now, as Christmas gets closer, and Dad and I plan a quiet Christmas together, nothing feels right without you here. I hung a wreath on the "Brian" wall, where we have your flag, your hat, shadow boxes, awards, and some things that were special to you. I should have been hanging the wreath on the front door of your new house, not a wall that memorializes you. It isn't right and it isn't fair that you aren't here.

Nineteen months without you has taken away the constant sharp pain that wouldn't let me take a deep breath, now that pain only comes sometimes, usually when I least expect it. But time has only increased the ache that comes from missing someone that you love and can't be with. Children are not supposed to die before their parents, it just isn't right, and it certainly isn't fair.

Love, Mom

Norie Haas

November 30, 2005

HEY BRO,
I JUST WROTE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU NEITHER HAS ANYBODY ELSE WE ALL STILL TALK ABOUT YOU. IT IS HARD FOR ME SOMETIMES BECAUSE I HAVE OFFICERS AND INMATES TELL ME THAT I REMIND THEM ALOT OF YOU. AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE YOU WERE SUCH AN OUTSTANDING OFFICER, FRIEND AND BROTHER. EVERY DAY I COME TO WORK I SEE YOUR PICTURE ON THE WALL AND I THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH WE ALL MISS YOU AND WISH YOU WERE STILL HERE. BUT I NOW THAT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE WANTED TO GO ANY OTHER WAY. I ONLY WISH THAT I CAN FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS AND BE AS GOOD AS A PERSON AS YOU WERE. I MISS YOU BROTHER.

C/O JOSHUA WOODS
HENDRY COUNTY S.O.

November 29, 2005

Brian, Happy Thanksgiving! We think of you every day and miss you so much. Holidays are so hard without you here, this year is especilly hard with you and Nonnie both gone. Your sisters wedding was so beautiful. Yours and Nonnies Absence was felt by all, but we know you were both there in spirit. We love and miss you so much.

Love Always
Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Glenn
Sarah, & Heather

Bonnie Cannedy

November 24, 2005

To the family and friends of Deputy Brian Haas and his fellow officers, and most especially to Deputy Haas:

In reading the reflections about Brian, it is obvious he was a much loved and well-respected man, one who truly deserves the title hero. I wish I had the honor to have met him, but the essence of him lives on through the memories so lovingly recounted in the reflections. For such a young man, he accomplished a lot in life.

As a mom of another fallen officer, I am profoundly touched by the reflections left by his parents and can identify with so many of their feelings... the anquish of a parent that is ever present in our hearts and souls as we try to go on without the physical being of our children with us.

On behalf of our entire family, we extend our sincerest condolences for the grievous loss you suffered when Brian was tragically killed.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Deputy Haas gave to his community as a deputy, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 24, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 1, 2005

Brian,

After six nights of darkness, blue lights are shining again in the windows and cupola for you and your law enforcement family. We were fortunate that there was no damage at the house from the hurricane, just the inconvenience of being without power for so long. I really hated to see those dark windows every night.

Your co-workers in Clewiston worked almost non-stop the first couple of days after the storm. Agencies from all over Florida sent help to Hendry County, but I know that they still missed having you there.

Dad and I spent the day at the range, building props and getting ready for the shooting match being held in your memory next month. Many of the shooters who watched you grow from a 13 year old beginner to a master class shooter in your late teens, and then to a young man dedicated to your career in law enforcement, were there today to help. There were also some newer shooters helping, although they never met you, they know you from the stories they've heard from others. I kept expecting to see you at the range, you were always so involved helping with the matches; building props, setting up stages, and working as an R.O. It just doesn't seem right that you won't be there for this one.

I cannot believe it's been 18 long months since I heard you say, "I love you, Mom". I love you and miss you so very much.

Mom

Norie Haas

October 30, 2005

Brian,

We were never close. Despite that we got along even though we both had our ‘sights’ on the first place trophy.

I remember you as a teenage kid learning the IPSC game and no particular threat to me. Then one day you beat me. After that the game was on, and it was good game, I only wish you were still here to play.

I have the memorial decal in your honor on the tail gate of my truck, as well as your badge number on the steel club web site. These things I see every day to remind me the life that you had, buying a house, your parents Bob and Norie, the wonderful people they are. To remind me of the things I did not have, and how sad it is that such good people have to suffer such extreme loss. It makes me realize how precious life is, and to learn to better appreciate and enjoy it.

There is an upcoming match dedicated to you, I plan on being there, and I know your presence will be felt by all .

DVC
Richard Haddad

richard haddad

October 8, 2005

Brian,

A few weeks before you died, Dad and I returned from visiting Amanda and Mike. I remember telling you that our first morning there, Mike met us for breakfast. He told us that he wanted to marry Amanda, and asked for our permission. Your reply was, "just tell me when and where, and I'll be there." In other words, spare me every last detail, Mom.

Several months later, when Mike did propose, Amanda's first question to me was, "did Brian know?" She was very happy that you did.

Their wedding day is almost here, and I wish with all my heart that you could keep your word and be there, but I know it cannot be. Your absence will be impossible to ignore, but I hope that the presence of your spirit will be felt by all who love and miss you.

I love you and miss you so very much.

Mom

Norie Haas

September 27, 2005

Brian -

Just wanted to let you know you are not forgotton and always in our hearts.

Norrie & Bob - We think and pray for you all the time.

Jessica Ruhl - Fiancee to Officer Dan Starks
& The Starks Family

September 20, 2005

Dear Brian,
Your mom left a message for us last week knowing what an especially hard one it would be. The odmp has been one of the main things that has kept me going at times. Broken hearted that so many are experiencing the same unbelievable grief and pain but knowing somebody does understand and care.
We met at Washington but that was such an emotional time I felt like I was in a daze and very overwhelmed by it all. It's hard to feel the honor when all you want to do is hold your son again. After some time has passed though I was able to say the other day that I do want to go back next year. I had said I never would. I hope I see your mom and can actually talk about both of you next time. You're so beautiful and my heart breaks for your mother and family because I know with every breath how hard it is to want to take the next one without you here. I pray for strength, courage, peace, and comfort for all of us until we are all back together again,soon.
Love,
Matt's mom forever

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse e.o.w.9/16/04

September 20, 2005