Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our thoughts and prayers are with Lieutenant Dudley's family, friends and fellow Troopers. We are praying for you.........

AZ Narc

August 23, 2006

Gary,
I will never forget all the fun that you and I had when we were being certified as First Responder and C.P.R. Instructors. And then all the years we trained the Troops at Lowell. Little did I know that this was just the begining of the training aspect of your carreer. And what a trainer you were! Every since you left Lowell and entered the training division, every rookie sent to Lowell has talked about you and your mentoring. No way will the Indiana State Police see another like you.

The last time we talked was at the Lake County Sheriff's Department during the trial of Trooper Sott Patrick's murderer. Not only were you there as a represntative of the department, but also a a C.O.P.S. member to support Scott's family. Speaking with you on that day I could see the gleam in your eyes as you were telling Sherri and I about your upcoming cycling run. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see you. I can only take comfort in knowing that you left this world doing something that you loved for a cause that you deeply believed in.

Your spirit will live on, as you left a small portion of yourself in every recruit that came into contact with you at the academy.

Rest easy brother, we will take it from here.

I wrote this poem back in 1999 when I lost another dear friend, who suffered a fatal heart attack while trying out for the ERT team.

Our Greatest Fear
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again, I hold back a tear.
They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary,
but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.
They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.
To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?
They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.
Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
too many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
" Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.



Master Trooper Dave “Stumpy” Miller

M/Tpr. Dave "Stumpy" Miller
Indiana State Police Dist. 13

August 23, 2006

Rest in your Fathers arms Sir,for you are home now.Thank you for all your hard work you wil be missed forever.

D
South Bend Resident

August 23, 2006

My sincere condolences are extended to family, friends, and the Indiana State police department for their loss of Lt.Gary Dudley. May he rest in eternal peace!

Sgt. Steve Redding
Columbus, Ohio Division of Police

August 23, 2006

Peace be with you always...

Natalie Jensen
wife of Detective Jared Jensen, EOW 2/22/06

August 23, 2006

God bless you Lieutenant Dudley. You will never be forgotten!
My thoughts and prayers are with your family, department, and friends. Rest in peace.

Wife of a lake county sheriff office

August 23, 2006

Thank you, Lt. Dudley, for your service to the citizens of Indiana and the United States. Your dedication and efforts are appreciated and will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Hero!

Janice Brown
Conway, Arkansas
civilian

Janice Brown
civilian

August 23, 2006

YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY AND TODAY IS A GIFT.

LIEUTENANT DUDLEY, YOU REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU DID NOT LOSE YOUR LIFE, YOU GAVE IT IN SERVICE TO OTHERS. A TRUE HERO INDEED.

THOSE CLOSE TO THIS HERO, PLEASE TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS ACROSS THIS LAND, GRIEVE WITH YOU. KEEP HIM IN YOUR HEART, AND PASS HIS STORY ALONG. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

UNFORTUNATELY, RETIRED CHIEF MARTINS' DEATH DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION ON THE ODMP SITE, HOWEVER, HIS DEATH MEETS MY CRITERIA FOR A REFLECTION. INSTEAD OF FISHING YESTERDAY, HE WAS CYCLING, HONORING OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. THIS QUALIFIES HIM, IN MY BOOK AS A HERO. MAY GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

JIM SWEENEY CIVILIAN NEW JERSEY
A FRIEND TO ALL PEACE OFFICERS

August 23, 2006

Lieutenant Dudley,
You and your family are in our prayers. REST EASY BROTHER!

Dep. Paul Sperandeo,Off Amy Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Dept.LA

August 23, 2006

Gary's smile was contagious. His sense of humor was amazing, always looking at the brighter side of things. He was a very giving man, never turning anyone away. During my 9 years in the Training Division with Gary I learned so much from him. Not just how to be a good instructor but how to be a good person. He was a strict but fair commander of our academy. He was a loyal friend.

He will always be remembered for what he has done for the families of the fallen officers throughout the state of Indiana. God rest your soul, take care of our fallen comrades you are with in heaven and please look over us.

Lt. Mike Nichols
Indiana State Police

August 23, 2006

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Dudley Family. Our son, State Trooper Rodney Miller, was just killed in an automobile accident May 12, 2006. God Bless the Dudley Family!

Ellen Miller, Parent of Rodney Miller, Il State Trooper

Ellen Miller, Parent of Rodney Miller

August 23, 2006

Rest in peace brother. You will be missed. We will always remember how you made this world a better place.

Wolfgang H.
FBI fmr ISP

August 23, 2006

Your dedication to the community will be remembered forever. You are truly a hero, doing things such as the bike ride for families of fallen officers. It is saddening to see you leave but God has one more good guy on his side. I make the same sacrifices you made day after day and I will continue to do so in the names of such great men as you. People do no realize how important our jobs are and how important men like you are in the world. God bless.

Trooper
Illinois State Police

August 23, 2006

My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Lieutenant Dudley. Rest In Peace, Brother.

Invest. Mike Bradford, ret
Tallahassee Police Dept

August 23, 2006

Rest easy, sir. The members of the Michigan State Police extend their thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

August 23, 2006

may god bless lt.dudley and his family as well as all his family member's and co-worker's.he will never be forgotten in the law enforcement family.god bless and r.i.p.

deputy
fairfield county s-o lancaster,ohio

August 23, 2006

Gary, we can sit around and wonder why, or we can trust in decisions and believe that at a time of his chosing all our questions will be answer. Rest in peace Gary.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy #980
Prince George's County Police Department

August 23, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

August 23, 2006

Rest in peace blue angel. God bless.

shannon
Collins Fire Dept. (Mississippi)

August 23, 2006

I am so sorry to hear of your tragic loss. My brother IL Sgt. State Trooper Rodney Miller lost his life this past May. We had heard of the bike ride that was recently done in IL in honor of the IL State Police Troopers who lost their lives in 2005/2006. These St. Police officers are doing a huge service to keep alive those memories of loved ones who do so much for us each and every day of our lives. The bike ride in of itself is such a nice way to honor those fallen State Troopers. While our family does not know your family, we have experienced a huge loss similar to yours. If there is anything we can do, please feel free to email. Your loved one as well as my brother devoted his life to help others, we too must continue to do much of the same.

Shelly Kellums
Sister of IL Sgt. State Trooper Rodney Miller

August 23, 2006

Dudley,
I wanna thank you so much for all your help!!! My heart broke when i found out about this tragedy! But now I know Your up in heavan with my father Tom Cochran (who also died in the line of duty). Thank you for riding for my dad and the other officers who died trying. but don't worry we will be honoring you and riding for you soon!! thank you for your sacrifice!
love the Cochran Family!

Jessica Cochran, daught of Tom Cochran

August 23, 2006

Officer Dudley and family,

I am so saddened by this tragedy, it does not make sense to me how this could happen to 2 fine officers who were doing such a kind gesture, my son in law was taken from us in 2004 and I know how much your efforts helped our family. God bless you all and thank you for all you have done to help others. Mrs. Dudley my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time please know that you and your husband will never be forgotten.

A very concerned COPS member Penny

Penny McManama
mother inlaw Craig Blann In. EOW 08/04/2004

August 23, 2006

The world was a better place with you here. Heaven is now a better place, with you there.
Rest In Peace, Lieutenant Dudley.

Dispatcher, Cassandra Wilton
Seattle Police Department

August 23, 2006

My deepest thoughts and prayers are with Lt. Dudley's wife, family, friends and co-workers. I was married to Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002 and I am now married to Washington County Sheriff Deputy A.V. Carpenter. All of your COPS family is here for you and hurting for you. We all became a family when our loved ones became police officers and now we have even a stronger bond when one of our family members go down. We are here for you to help you along this journey you now have joined with us. Your loved one was riding to support us, survivors of fallen officers and now you have to join us as a surviving family. God bless you all.

Denise Nichols Carpenter
Vice-President of Alabama C.O.P.S.

August 23, 2006

Lt. Dudley

Sir I have you to thank for my career. I'll never forget the training you instilled in me, especially "Stay Alert, Stay Alive", and I promise to do that. The concern you had for the families of slain officers will never be matched.

Trooper Jarrod Lents
Indiana State Police

August 23, 2006