Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND MAY HE GRANT YOU THE STRENGTH TO CARRY ON AND KEEP HIS MEMORIES ALIVE TO ALL

911 DISPATCHER, ERICA TOLSON
LANCASTER/GARRARD 911

August 16, 2004

My thoughts and prayers to Deputy Derek Ward, his family and to the Allegany County Sheriff's Department.

You will never be forgotten!!

Sergeant Damon Cole
Double Oak Police Department, Texas

August 1, 2004

Derek,
I wanted to write this many times, but thought that the words I wrote would never be right. I am writing this to let people know what kind of exceptional father, cop, brother, and son you were. You never took a deed halfway, like so many of us do. Every role you had you excelled at it. You learned fast and loved every minute of every day. Everyone around you was a little better or a little sharper because of you.
Sometimes I get in a red and white without a partner, but know you're there as my partner every step of the way. I straighten my tie, shine my shoes, and walk straighter because of you. I remember how you told me to either wear a stetson or no hat at all because it didn't look classy.
I also wanted you to know that we're there for your wife and children. We will try hard to soften this hard blow of losing you, always remembering that it will never go away completely.
It was an honor to have known you and to learn from you. You made our lives happier and we will always remember you and your smile.

Thank You & We'll All
See Ya Later Ol' Boy

Coleminer

DEPUTY
ALLEGANY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

July 29, 2004

We are truly saddened at Derek's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

July 27, 2004

To the family and friends of D/S Ward, and to the ACSD members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; you are now 10-42 go walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you are a blue angel, R.I.P. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Brother.

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Bartow, FL

July 27, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Derek, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

July 24, 2004

Dear Derek,

I would love to tell every fellow officer out there who knew you and those who did not, that if we all just did one thing extra a day that already wasn't asked of us that the world would be a much better place to live, that was the type of man my friend Derek you were to us all who worked and played in your world,always one step ahead,always ready to help us and who took pride of his family his work and his self. I for one will forever miss you and will keep your memory right up there with my own father and thats Italian my man.Build us a wonderful new home for all of us to come to soon.. Love you brother.

Corrections Officer Michael C. Tronetti
Allegany County Sheriff's Office

July 24, 2004

Derek,
I had the honor and privilege to work with you on many occasions. You will always be in my memories of the adventures we shared, we Brothers in Arms. I always felt safe with you watching my back, you will still always be there in spirit. You were all that we all aspire to be. You are now gone, but never will be forgotten.
Until we meet again,
Paul

K-9 Investigator Paul Wright
Allegany County District Attorney's Office

July 23, 2004

Derek, It seems unreal to me that you are gone from us. I have known you since we started kindergarten together at Angelica Central. We have been friends since that day. You were a great father, husband, son and friend. You have many, many friends so rest assured that those friends will make sure that your family is taken care of. You were the BEST at every task you took on and had a confidence I admired. You will hold a place in my heart and fill my mind with fond memories.

Holly Claypool
Allegany County Sheriff's Office

July 18, 2004

To Deputy Ward family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you

God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl 11/6/86

July 16, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Sheriff Ward's wife and children, his family and co-workers. I have been a survivor since 1994, losing my husband and raising three children. My husband's co-workers were wonderful and always there when we needed anything. Please be there for Derek's family and always, always know that I will be there for any and all of you, morning, noon and night. . . just call.
Debra Noyes, 1994 Survivor
Sgt. James Noyes, NHSP EOW/Oct 3, 1994

Debra Noyes, Northeast Region Trustee
National COPS, Inc.

July 16, 2004

To Derek, family,& friends,
Life's precious moments have no value, unless they are shared. Thanks for sharing. We say so long for now, but we won't say goodbye, because we who live, will never let you die.
BE FOREVER PROUD!

Corrections Officer, Lisa Smith and fami
Allegany County Sheriff's Department

July 16, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood County EMS (NC)

July 15, 2004

Derek

I'm sorry...

I'm sorry I never told you what a great guy you were.

I'm sorry I didn't get to go fishing with you.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you what a great instructor you were.

I'm sorry that I never got to patrol with you.

I'm sorry that I won't get the chance to learn from you how to be a good cop.

I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to spend more time with you.

I'm sorry that this had to happen to you.

I'm sorry that you're gone.

Derek, I'm sorry....

Take care Brother. You will never be forgotten and you will always be missed.

Corrections Officer 15104
Allegany County Office of the Sheriff

July 15, 2004

Deepest sympathy to the Allegany County Sheriff Office for the loss of such an outstanding officer. Deputy Ward has touched the lives of so many within his community. His family will always be in my prayers.

Tpr. Michael E Wolniewicz
New York State Police

July 10, 2004

Derek Ward was a very fine young man.
Derek was dedicated to his family,
his department and to his community and he was never afraid to take on a new challenge. He was a 'take charge' type
of guy, and 'never' was not in his
vocabulary. As one of his immediate
supervisors and fellow officers, I
had the privilege of interacting with
this young man and I knew that once
given a duty assignment, he would carry
out the task to its completion.
Our department was made richer by his
years spent here, and we will miss
him terribly. Thank you Derek for
'setting the bar' for all of us to
look to, and may God bless you and
your family.

Sgt. Stanley E. Swan
Allegany County Office of the Sheriff

July 9, 2004

The ferocity with which Deputy Ward pursued his life and the determination he had to be the best was often tempered by remarkable patience and caring in helping those around him. The quality of his person and the character he portrayed is rare. Deputy Ward was a reflection of all of the best qualities of the community in which he lived and an outstanding representative of the community in which he worked. He had an extraordinary ability to bring both of these communities together into every other aspect of his life. He was destined to accomplish great things.

Sheriff Randal J. Belmont
Allegany County Sheriff's Office

July 9, 2004

Derek - my co-worker, my brother, and my friend;
Words can't express what I feel right now. I saw you just an hour before the accident. If only I could go back in time to change things. Rest in peace knowing that we will all be taking care of your family. Whatever they need, we'll be there. I enjoyed the time spent working with you as well as our off duty time. Our hearts will always be filled with your memory. Rest in peace, brother.

Deputy Sheriff Rob Wilkins
Allegany County Sheriff's Office

July 9, 2004

Words cannot express my deepest sorrow that I feel for your family and both the Sheriff's Office and the Angelica PD. You were the best of the best. You were persistent in every investigation that you performed in either department. You went to the furthest extreme to find closure for the victims in the cases that you were involved in. I and the rest of the department will miss you dearly my brother. Your Angelica number of 1052 will be held in memory for you, and will never be worn again. God's speed Derek.

Chief Officer in Charge Robert A. Brooks
Angelica Village Police Department, Angelica NY

July 9, 2004

Derek,
I needed to take the time to say good-bye to my best friend. On July 3, 2004 you made the ULTIMATE Sacrifice doing what you loved most. We are all deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of a superb individual. Although taken from us suddenly your life was anything but sudden; your values and desire to be the best were built piece by solid piece. Input from your family, friends and community molded you into the HONORABLE HERO that you are. I couldn't help but notice that the term "ULTIMATE" is used to describe your last actions on earth. To me "ULTIMATE" is a testimate to your life, the "ULTIMATE" family man, the "ULTIMATE" police officer and the "ULTIMATE" friend/partner. We have shared countless memories and adventures over the years that have been nothing short of great. I am blessed to have had a friend and partner like you and thank God that I am fortnate enough to be a part of your extended family. Although you are no longer with us we know that you are happy and at peace. I am eternally thankful to you for being a cops/cop, a friends/friend and a mans/ man. As did you, I love what I do and will carry on my duties with pride, dignity and settle for nothing short of the best!

Your Eternal Friend,

Todd

P.S. say hello to Chip.

Senior Trooper Todd D. Baxter
Vermont State Police

July 9, 2004

My sincere condolences go out to the family of Deputy Derek Ward and to all the personnel of the Allegany County Sheriff's Department who worked with him.Thanks for a job well done and for helping to make Allegany County a safer place for all of us.

John DiDomenico
West Almond, New York

July 8, 2004

We read these tragic stories and only think, that could have been me. To those family left behind, Derek died a true hero. I know the pain is so strong but know that you have a mountain of blue behind you. I am a Ward by name but I will be Derek's brother forever.

Brother in Arms
Brother in Blue
Russ Ward

Rest in peace my friend, we will take it from here!

PO II Russell Ward
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

July 8, 2004

Deputy Ward,

We will never forget you . . . thank you for your years of service to your community and our country. You were such a sharp looking police officer . . . I hate that you're gone from your family . . . from all of us. Rest easy my brother . . . we'll cover your post on the thin blue line. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police officer.)

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

July 7, 2004

Heroes get up each day,
To dress in blue.
They patrol our streets,
Watching our cities,
Keeping us safe each day.
Making a difference
We often overlook.
How many have we forgotten?
How many are gone,
Lost in the line of duty?
We wait til its too late,
To acknowledge what they've done,
To give them our respect.
The least we can do,
Is give them their do,
Before we lose another,
Hero dressed in blue.
By:Christina L.Dockery

Patrolman
Frankfort P.D.

July 7, 2004

My heart goes out to the Ward family. Bless you and bless Office Ward for all he gave to his community. May he rest in peace.

Anna H.

July 7, 2004