Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

DAVE THANKSGIVING IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST HOLIDAY FOR ME. BECAUSE IT WAS OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY. YOU KNOW MOM COOKED A TON OF FOOD LIKE SHE ALWAYS DOES. WE USE TO EAT THEN TAKE A NAP AND THEN WAKE AND EAT SOME MORE LOL. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I MISS YOU AND THINK ABOUT YOU 24/7. I KNOW YOU ARE STILL HERE WITH ME DAVE. LOVE YOUR LIL BRO

RICH PIQUETTE
BROTHER

November 27, 2008

David I just been thinking of you. Hard to believe you been gone over 2 years. David, I just had a birthday and turned 39 again. Like you said,"My mom is only 39." I never forget your voice, the way you called me mom always sounded like music. But now I don't hear that anymore. David you are always in my heart but my birthday without you was not the same. Please watch over us ok?

Lan Piquette
Mother

October 14, 2008

Hi David,
It's mom again. I forgot to tell you that last week I visited your grave site, just to know that you are there. I just wanted to stop by to visit you and i hope you know that you are being loved by your mom, dad, and family. David, you know I carry pain of not having you here with us daily. Work has been so hard for me without your help, but I am trying my best to get by. Every time I try no to make a mistake but every time I do and I start crying and I know how much your help made a difference. Please keep an eye on all of us.
R.I.P.
Love you,
Mom

Lan Piquette
Mom

September 22, 2008

David, my son,
Today is September 21st. I am not feeling good. I've been thinking about you a lot lately. Your brother, Rich, has been working hard at Twin Towers. All of your friends have gotten to know Rich and they are really proud of you. Yesterday, Shawna forwarded a picture of Justin and Jordan. They are so BIG! Justin is a blue belt in karate and he makes me think about you and rich when you were young and did karate. Dad is doing okay at work but he doesn't have an assistant like you because he hasn't hired anyone. It's been hard on him. Today I went to San Diego to play with Lisa's family. Every time I go there I don't see you and I am very sad. Its been over two years but it really feels like it happened yesterday. I've been talking with a lot of your friends and force instructors, especially with Corey and his family. They all talk highly about you. In two weeks, it will be my birthday and it will be hard without you but please look down and keep your eyes on our family and friends, especially Rich and Ryan.
Love you forever,
Mom

Lan Piquette
Mom

September 21, 2008

Dave, today I was wearing,(proudly), the shirt your mom gave me that has your name, force instructor, and E.O.W. on the front and the insignia QUI DESIDERAT PACEM, PRAEPARET BELLUM on the back. I was asked by a friend from work about it and I told her about you.

Later, I started to think of the little boy I knew when you first came to Forest Heights, MD from Viet Nam before moving to California. I can't believe it has been over 2 years since you were taken away from us.

While I was out there this spring I had the chance to see your mom & dad and they showed me around where you worked. (Richie was still in training). It was very nice to see the memorial and meet the people you worked with. It was very obvious you touched many lives there.

Richie was very young when you guys moved west so he didn't remember me, but I did get a chance to see your sister Lisa and meet her family. Being 3000 miles apart and only seeing you a few times after you all moved west, I never got the chance to see you grow into the man you became. I am saddened I will never get that chance now.

Your mom and dad always meant alot to me and I wanted you to know I thought of you guys often. You are missed by all who knew and loved you and may you rest in peace.

Michael San Agustin
Friend from long ago back east

August 26, 2008

Hey Dave,it's me again.What I really wanted to say the first time was that I miss you brother and I think about you all the time.I wanted to give my condolences/respect to your family at your funeral but I couldn't bring myself to go.I still haven't visited your gravesite but I will be going soon.

Remember to watch over the "Old IRC" boys and your brother who are still 10-8.

Ruv
LAPD Newton

August 25, 2008

Hey Dave,It's been a little bit since you passed away and I still can't believe it. I remember the last time I talked to you was at STARS Ctr in December 2005. We talked about getting together and training like we used to at IRC (you, me, DT, Sean, and Mashiko). I remember how you used to take us to school with your wrestling take-downs. I also remember the hard runs you'd take Casillas, DT, Escobar,and I on. We always struggled to keep up with you but you made us better runners.I remember the trips we took to Vegas and Laughlin with the boys (Risiglione, Yamasaki,and Gutierrez). It seems just like yesterday. Watch over us bro and keep us safe.

Officer Ruvalcaba LAPD Newton Div
Former LASD Deputy

August 24, 2008

Dave, we still think about you.

Compton School Police

August 21, 2008

Hey Piquette, been thinkin about you a whole bunch. Miss you tons and hope your wife and kids are doing well. Watch over us!!!!

Friend
Class 294

August 20, 2008

Hi David,Lately I can't sleep. All night long I've been thinking of you, too much. Miss you a bunch. Just let you know mom and whole family loves you always.
- Mom

Lan Piquette
Mom

August 19, 2008

David;
I never had the honor and privilege of meeting you in person. Unfortunately for me, our lives touched by coincidence after the accident that took your life. However, from my time spent with your loving family, friends, and co-officers, I not only feel I know you, but that you are a man I would have liked and admired greatly.
My heart is heavy for your heartbroken wife Shawna and your children Jordan and Justin. Just looking at the great loss echoed in the eyes of your loved ones is painful to witness.
Your parents and Shawna’s parents are the soul of this country, the country you willingly defended in the Corps and gave your life for in the L.A. Sheriff’s Department.
If my part in this criminal process helped in any way to bring about some closure and peace at any level to your family and your many friends, then it was my honor to do so.
Due to a conflict in scheduling, I was unable to attend the sentencing of the animal that caused this horrible incident. I hope with all my heart he dies in prison. That he will never be given the chance to hurt or destroy the lives of another family. The irony in all of this is he is one of the animals we both served to protect during our time in the Corps. and you and your fellow officers in the sheriff department protect every day.
My wife and I told your family that we are connected forever because of this tragedy.
It was not a statement made in a moment of grief, but more of a pledge.
Your mother, Shawna, her parents, Jordan, Justin, and the rest of the family will be in our thoughts and prayers always.
David, you know the saying in the Corps, “When a Marine dies he will go to heaven because he has served his time in hell”. I have no doubt that I will meet you in that place someday.
Semper Fi

Dan Lay
7-18-2008

Dan Lay
Concerned citizen

July 18, 2008

David,

July 11, 2008 was a bitter sweet day. It was the day of the sentencing of your killer. It was to be the last time my eyes would wonder over to Cole Wilkins in court. I ask myself, how can a man be so evil? How can a man have no remorse in so many things he has done? How could a boy hold a knife to his own mothers throat at such a young age? How could a man rap and stab a women who was left to die? How could a man rob an innocent man and put him in the trunk of his own car at gunpoint? The list goes on and on. His selfish act of commiting a felony would end up with first degree murder, putting him in prison for the next 25 years to life. The jury never knew any of his previous charges. They convicted him only on dropping his stolen goods on the freeway during the act of a felony. Because of Cole Wilkins greed, stealing a house full of appliances on that early morning of July 7, 2006 he caused your accident and ended your life. My son David, I do believe God's plan was to end Cole Wilkins crimes by this horrific accident and put him in prison for the rest of his miserable life. May he pray for forgiveness because he will now be living hell on earth in jail. May he never forget why his life of freedom came to an end. It wasn't even a gun that ended your life, it was much bigger than that. It was a "smok'n stove".

You would have been so proud of your mother, father and Shawna pleading to the judge for the fullest sentencing allowed by the law. Your mom spoke in her soft voice while crying as she told the judge there is not a minute that goes by without here thinking of you and how you would call her everyday on your way to work. Your dad then spoke. He spoke very highly of his son. It was brief and to the point. Shawna spoke next. Greg and I stood by her side with pride. It was then I felt your presence. Words poured out of her mouth as tears fell down her face. There wasn't a dry eye in the court room. She once again told the world how much she loved you and how could she possibly go on to a future without you. She asked Judge Toohey, "How does a mom tell her 5 year old twins that your daddy is in heaven and he's not coming back." Every night Justin and Jordan cry for you in their prayers. They also want the "bad" guy to not be a "bad" guy anymore. Day after day, Greg and I are with them. Two years later, the pain has not left anyone. I feel Shawna's pain more at the end of the day when night falls. Your bed is often filled with the three of them as the twins clutch onto mommy so she won't leave them too. The nights are still filled of dreams, nightmares and screams of you. You are so missed by them. After two years, you can rest in peace. Justice has been served at the fullest. Thank you to Dan Lai for tracking down your killer, to Mike Murray for putting his heart into this case, to the jury that made the right decision in only 90 minutes time and to Judge Toohey that made this world a safer place.

We love you David

Love, Mom (mother-in-law)

Rest In Peace

Betty Butler
Mother-in-law of David

July 16, 2008

HI DAVE ITS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE YOU LEFT US. FRIDAY JULY 11 THEY GAVE YOUR KILLER 26 YEARS TO LIFE. I KNOW U ARE HAPPY THAT JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED. IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE, I WAS VERY NERVOUS AND EMOTIONAL. EVEN KNOW YOU ARE IN HEAVEN YOU ARE STILL TAKING BAD GUYS TO JAIL. OUR WHOLE FAMILY MISSES YOU SO MUCH DAVID. PLEASE WATCH OVER OUR FAMILY AND KEEP US SAFE.

LOVE MOM :)

LAN PIQUETTE
MOM

July 13, 2008

Just thinking of you David. We miss you so much. Hard to believe it has been 2 years already. Continue to watch over us.

Lisa McMahon
Friend

July 7, 2008

Today I read the reflections left for your precious David and know that even as time moves on the pain and disbelief never leaves. Tears came as I read the writing from his son and daughter.....I can see the love that just shines from his picture. To his wife and mother, I'm so sorry for your trememdous loss of living this life without David. I'm proud my son was a part of this great thin blue line.

Linda Rittenhouse,Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/2004

July 7, 2008

I cannot believe it has been TWO YEARS now since I rec'd that horrific phone call that changed all of our lives. Like so many times since you left us, I am at a loss for words. There is an emptiness that cannot be filled... An ache that cannot be soothed... It can be so overwhelming at times, but nobody has it as difficult as your family does. It is day by day, hour by hour, and esp for Justin and Jordie, minute by minute. They are strong and tender just like you Dave, they are doing their best-just like you taught them to. Shawna is keeping your amazing legacy alive! I marvel at her love and dedication.

Friday is the sentencing and I am hopeful that Cole Wilkins will be sent away for life. I pray and pray that he will not ever be up for parole!!!! I know it is a long shot, but I am an optomist. Your family needs to know that he can never hurt them again, or anyone else for that matter.
Your presence is felt in so many different ways and on many different levels. Please continue to protect your family from Heaven as we comfort them here on earth. You are deeply missed my friend!

Kellie
Friend

July 7, 2008

I have been thinking about you alot. I remember all the good times we had together and all the things we used to talk about. I remember our rides home from work we would be so tired. You used to tell me when we would finally get home "seeing where our families live makes it all worth it." God Bless you Dave..I miss you everyday.

pat

June 23, 2008

A LETTER FROM DAVID'S 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER...

Dear Daddy,
Happy Fathers Day Daddy. You are in my heart. I'll give you alot of presents on Fathers Day when I die but it will be a long time. I see lots and lots of pretty clouds and Jesus heart for Fathers Day. I am 5 years old daddy. My brother is 5 also. Jesus I wish I had a alien watch and I wish I can ride with Santa and the reindeers.

Love Jordan

Jordan Piquette
daughter of David

June 15, 2008

A LETTER FROM DAVID'S 5 YEAR OLD SON...

Dear Dad,
I love you so much. I miss you, I scream in my pillow. I always go outside and watch the stars so I can see you. He always goes swimming and does a cannonball for me. Happy Fathers Day daddy.

Love Justin

Justin Piquette
son of David Piquette

June 15, 2008

I was so glad to have read that the SOB was convicted. Justice has been served and hopefully this brings some closure to those who loved you. I know you're watching over us, especially your mom. She invited me to visit your memorial at the academy-WOW!! She has landscaped your memorial site with an incredible amount of flowers and plants. It's the only area with color in the entire academy. She misses you so much and it's was nice to see that she finds comfort in visiting the academy every Monday. Your co-workers and friends give her a lot of comfort. She was proud to show off your office, your pictures, the banner that is hung behind the stage where you used to teach, the photo album she put together for everyone to view, and the post right outside your office where you used to wait for her when she visited you.

Rich is following in your footsteps. Your parents are so proud of the man he has become and the responsibilities he has accepted. You taught him well. He loves you and misses so much and is paying tribute to you by continuing your dreams. I know you're by his side each day, walking him through his daily grinds.

Thank you for being a friend, a soldier, a protector, and our hero. You are missed.

SOS
Friend

June 4, 2008

Your mom, dad, and I were talking this evening and you have to know how much you are missed and loved Dave. They are so proud of you and speak so highly of you. I know you can see your brother Richie and how far he has come with his own police enforcement career - and how proud you must be of him, and with Lisa and her family. Keep an eye out over your kids and family - your tour of duty hasn't quite ended yet - they still need you watching over them!!!

Andrew J. SanAgustin

June 3, 2008

I miss you friend so much!!! I miss you telling stories and you making everything difficult seem so easy..I remember us always calling each other on our birthday's each year, to find each of us complaing because we were working on our birthdays....my birthday being on Christmas and yours on New Yeards Eve!!!

I never thought you would disappear the way you did...I feel guilty for not answering your call to wish me a happy 4th of July...You left a message and sounded so happy to be with your family... Me I was too busy getting ready to go on a trip and didn't call you back... and then I returned to hear the devastating news.

Sorry friend....keep watching over all of us!!!

You presence is really missed!!!!

May 24, 2008

DAVE MY CLASS 371 JUST DID OUR COLORS RUN.I WISH YOU WERE HERE MISS YOU ALOT.YOU ARE ALWAYS ON MY MIND BRO.

RICH PIQUETTE
BROTHER

May 23, 2008

An old family friend who was taken away far too soon. Your memory lives on with your family and friends, especialy in your parents Bill and Lan, and your siblings Lisa and Richie.

Andrew J. SanAgustin

May 23, 2008

FOR READERS INFORMATION:

The following is a press release from the Orange County District Attorney's Office:

MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ON 91 FREEWAY WHILE TRANSPORTING STOLEN STOVE

SANTA ANA- A Long Beach man was convicted today of murdering an on-duty Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy by causing a car crash while transporting a stolen stove on the 91 Freeway. Cole Allen Wilkins, 32, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of murder with a 2002 prior prison conviction for failing to register as a sex offender. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison at his sentencing on July 11, 2008 at 9:00am. in the Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Early in the morning on July 7,2006, Wilkins stole a shipment of appliances that had been delivered to a home that was under construction in Riverside County. In his haste to flee the scene, the defendant failed to secure the stolen appliances and left the tailgate of his pick-up truck down. While in the commission of stealing the appliance, Wilkins was driving on the 91 Freeway in Anaheim and allowed a full sized stove to fall from his truck onto the freeway. He refused to stop after knowing that the stolen stove had blocked the freeway lanes, sped away, and failed to return to the crash scene.

At about 5a.m., several people driving just West of Tustin Avenue on the 91 Freeway called 9-1-1 about a stove obstructing the Westbound #1 lane. A few minutes later, Deputy David Piquette was forced to suddenly swerve in his unmarked County vehicle to avoid hitting the stove. As, a result, the victim collided with a Mac cement truck, killing Deputy Piquette. The victim was a 10-year veteran of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and is survived by his wife and 5-year-old twins.

Wilkins was identified following an investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Wilkins lied about his true name to avoid being identified as the owner of the truck.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Murray of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

May 23, 2008