Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on his tombstone
>From the beginning...to the end

He noted that first came the date of his birth
And spoke of the latter with tears
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That he spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved him
Know what that little line is worth

For it matters not how much we own
The cars...the house... the cash
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash

So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
You could be a "dash mid-range"

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a while

So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spend your dash?

Author unknown.

As a survivor each EOW notice hurts no matter who it is or where they are from. Our brother Lt. Richard Brooks' death, EOW 6/14/04 was almost the same. You still feel the same pain and emptiness. We are so sorry for your loss and your family will be in our prayers.
May our Heavenly Father grant him eternal peace, and God's blessings to you.
We grief with you.

J.
Asst Chief KCVFD

Asst Chief
KCVFD

May 16, 2007

May you rest in peace Corporal McKay. God bless you and your family.

Officer R Towns #2713
Ft Worth Tx Police Dept

May 16, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with Cpl. McKay and his friends and family. To my brothers and sisters of the Franconia Police Department, I stand with you in this time of loss. I attended the 109th NH Police Academy with Bruce he was a caring and genuine person. May god bless and keep his soul.

Sgt. S.A. Leppard
Warner, NH Police Department

May 16, 2007

Unbelievable. I just arrived home from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to find out about this terrible tragedy. To the family, coworkers, and friends of Cpl. McKay, please accept heartfelt condolences from myself and my family. Hold on to each other in the coming days, weeks, and months, as you will all come to realize just how important you really are to each other. Nothing will replace the empty space in your lives this man left, however time eventually makes all things bearable, and provides the strength to go on. Bruce McKay will not ever be forgotten, as he will live forever through your memories. God bless you all...

Officer,
Providence RI Police Dept.

May 16, 2007

Rest in Peace Cpl McKay. My prayers are with your family, friends, and co-workers. God Bless the Marine and his son for coming to your aid!

Traffic Officer Daniel Flores
Ahoskie Police Department (NC)

May 16, 2007

Cpl. McKay you are a true HERO the world was a better place because you were in it. To the Marine who shot and killed the suspect Thank You from all LEO's and you to are a true HERO along with all those who serve this great country.

Sgt Tim Kennedy
Spring Hill Police Dept.

May 16, 2007

Our heart felt condolences go out to the family, friends, and the officers of Franconia PD. Rest In Peace Brother
McKay.

God Bless the Marine who came halp Corporal McKay's.
You have made police officer's around the world proud. Semper Fi!!

Cpl Jean Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit

May 16, 2007

May you join our fellow brothers and sisters that have fallen in the kingdom of heaven. Rest in peace, you will be missed.

Deputy J. Trostle
Saline County Sheriff's Office

May 16, 2007

incredible. thank you for everything.

anonymous

May 15, 2007

Rest easy brother....

The Marine and his son are true heroes! The really prevented from anybody else getting hurt including other possible officers.

Cpl McKay, My thoughts and prayers are with your family...

Police Officer
Montgomery County Police, Maryland

May 15, 2007

You're a true WARRIOR and HERO! Our prayers are with your family, friends and department.

Police Officer
Garland PD

May 15, 2007

Rest in Peace Brother in Blue.

Corporal Seth Sullivan
Arab Police Department, Alabama

May 15, 2007

On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus Police Department, our deepest sympathys to the family, friends and co-workers of Corporal Bruce McKay. Rest in Peace Brother, we now have the Watch.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, Centaral New York

May 15, 2007

Rest in peace brother, and may God be with your family during this tragic time in their life. Your family and friends are im my prayers. I hope that your family knows that you died as a true hero. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Sgt. B Bennett #1350
Oklahoma City Police Dept

May 15, 2007

It tears me apart every time I read one of these reflections, not just the ones that are left for you but also Cpl. Jason Makowski of the dearborn heights Police Department (EOW 5-25-06) and every other law enforcement officer that falls in the line of duty.

I'm SO sorry for what you had to face in your final moments. The guy who did this to you is a coward, no real man acts how he did. Your in a better place now and away from this hell that we call life but here we sit wishing this never happened, wishing you were still here. I know the pain your family, friends and coworkers are dealing with. Last year CPL. Jason Makowski gave his life in the line of duty and we are still feeling the pain - it never gets any easier. But I hope your loved ones and brother officers find comfort in the fact that you are still with them every day and that you are in a better place.

Rest Easy Officer and continue to walk your beat in heaven with the other blue angels. Your a HERO in every sense of the word and your legacy will be honored by your department.

R.I.P.

May 15, 2007

We need a few more citizens like that in this world. God bless your family Corporal McKay, and may the man who killed your murder forever be honored a hero!

Officer JP Matzke
Boulder Police Department

May 15, 2007

Thank you Corporal McKay for your service. You will not be forgotten. Be at peace and watch over us as we continue on protecting our fellow citizens. My love and prayers to your family, espcially your daughter. May she find strength and peace during this time.
Your sister in service, Laura

Deputy Laura Price
Island County Sheriff

May 15, 2007

Cpl. you made the supreme sacrafice..your proffessionlism and courage.,being fair and consistant with all those you paths you have crossed will not be forgotten among your brothers and sisters in law enforcement..we are forever greatful to the valiant Marine and his son to step up to the plate to assist a fallen brother....take care and rest easy.

SGT. Mario J. Audit
Dalton Police Deparment

May 15, 2007

Thank you for your service and dedication. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and the rest of the Franconia Police Department. God Speed.

NH Police Officer

May 15, 2007

Rest in Peace, Brother!!

God Speed.

Patrolman Brian Maclean
Boston Police Department

May 15, 2007

God Bless and keep you Brother. May he grant peace to your family both your daughter and brothers and sisters in uniform and friends. It is a great sacrifice you've made and we all feel your loss. Bless the Marine who served Justice well!

Ofc. L. Buchanan K-9
PCBPD

May 15, 2007

Rest In Peace. Kudos to the Citizen.

D. Paul
FBI

May 15, 2007

Rest in Peace Brother!
God Bless!

Officer Andrew Akers
US Department of Homeland Security

May 15, 2007

May your sacrifice never be forgotten Cpl MCKay and many thanks to the brave citizen and his son.

Former Trooper Ken Bays
Virginia State Police

May 15, 2007

Rest in peace brother - Watch over us from above

3430

Trooper

May 15, 2007