Messages from the Community Remembering Deputy Richard Herzog Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 I and my wife wanted to express our shock and sadness and condolences to the family, friends, and fellow officers of deputy Rich Herzog. So many of us outside of law enforcement do not realize or take for granted the risks taken by our officers on the streets and so it is also tragic that it takes the loss of a brave and dedicated individual for the rest of us to understand. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Herzog family as is our appreciation for police officers everywhere. — Dave Secker My Deepest sympathies are extended to the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Herzog. — Jamie Meyers To the Herzog family, I just wanted to send my sympathies and condolences to your family during this difficult time. I lost my father tragically as well so I can understand how your daughters must be feeling. Just know that your dad will always be with you in spirit. — Sydney Thorne To the family, friends - Their is no greater scrifice then to lay down a life to protect others. It tears at the heart to hear that a brother officer has had to do this. It also agers me greatly that as family, friends and other officers now must grieve for this sensless act that has taken your family memeber, your friend and loved one's life. I know no words to comfort you and make things better, other then to say that we as a community of Officer's grieve with you. From the Bristol Bay Borough Police Department, Alaska. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief and sorrow. With Deepist Sorrow, and Sympathy — Officer Sam Patrick, Bristol Bay, Alaska I am the brother inlaw of Ron Matthews, his wife is Jody Dahl, my name is Brad Dahl, My sister Jody has been through rough times with Ron Matthews, we as a family have too, but the Dahl family would like to send our forgiveness of what has happen, my family knows what it is like to have a love one missed from our hearts and lives. I pray for the law to do what is right, whether he is black or white, i know it has put alot of sadness in peoples hearts. but we as people must learn to live together on earth, to lov one another, violence is no good. The Dahl family sends our prayers an wishes to the officers family. our familys have a long road ahead of us. god be with us. Thank you — signed Brad s dahl,6-25-02 Dear Deputy Herzog - I have cried for you and especially the painful loss of your family and friends. Reading some of these comments, I am even more saddened that we never met. You have made me realize I am in a sense proud of taking for granted the complete UNSELFISHNESS displayed when offering the ultimate sacrifice. I take into deeper consideration the families and friends of L.E. personnel. They display every day how extremely unselfish they are, as they offer the possibility of a higher price to pay. To your family, I offer ALL of my love, support and especially strength. To you, I give my highest respects. You, Deputy Herzog, give me yet another completely beautiful person to admire. Before I regret another missed opportunity like this, I'd like to tell the rest of the law enforcement family, remember that you are ALWAYS admired by someone, somewhere. Now, Deputy Herzog, continue what you have done best. But with a greater advantage that many of us want - being everywhere at once. — Anonymous I would like to take a moment and even though I did not know Officer Herzog, thank him from the bottom of my heart for doing the job that he loved and that is protecting the citizens of the city he was assigned. Officer Herzog, paid the ultimate on June 22, 2002, when confronting an individual was killed in the line of duty. My prayers and thoughts are with his family (wife, daughters and his family of officers in Newcastle). May you rest in peace and may your family move on with their lives and remember that Officer Herzog, as a father and a police Officer will not be forgotten. — Richard Kendall, Ellensburg As a 15 year old, looking for a positive role model in our world is difficult. It seems like every time I turn on the t.v. there is a newsflash and another senceless crime has been committed. The martydom of Deputy Richard Herzog hit a little close to home. My condolences go out to the Herzog family and friends and all others who have been affected by this act of hatrid. May peace be with you, and may all of you find the proper closure, comfort, and grace. God Bless all of you. Thank you to all of those cops out there, who are simply doing your job and protecting citizens. We are greatful for all of your hard work. Deputy Herzog was a hero, and is now watching over all of us in Heaven. He is one of my many role models for my life. Thank you Deputy Herzog, for being one of my heros. Although it may seem small, the good in this situation is that Deputy Herzog is in a better place, where he is happy. May he rest in peace. — Kristi I feel your pain and I am sorry that this happen to your family. He was just doing his job. He is in good hands now and he will be your forever angle. What for signs around your house he is still with you. He will be remembered. — Lissette Gutierrez My father was in county law enforcement for more than thirty years. I know first hand the "family bonds" that form between officers. My thoughts and prayers are with the department as they look for answers to this horrific event. — Shane Kussmann To the Herzog Family..As the wife of a Seattle Police officer, I feel your pain. we too experienced something very similar , in the eary 1990's. My husband's own gun was taken from him..with the intent to take his life. Thankfully, his partner saved his. I'll never forget the phone call, or the what if's? I'm sure you won't either. — Your Police Family My heart is very heavy at your lost. May God bless you & give you comfort in the days to come. There is a special place in heaven for people like Deputy Herzog. His family is in our thoughts & prayers. — Gloria Cowardin My heartfelt prayers are with the family of this man. I can't even begin to imagine the sacrifice they have given just to allow this man to protect us and do his job. Each day he went to work they gave him to us hoping he would return -- I am so very sorry. — RW I thank the Lord that there are heroes like Deputy Herzog who will not hesitate to challenge criminals, even at risk to their own lives. We owe our thanks to the courageous men and women who have died in the line of duty to preserve peace for us all. — Jon Handel Rick Herzog was an honorable gentleman. As a former Newcastle employee, I had the privilege of working with Rick, a quiet man, whom I used to love to rib. I quickly learned what he loved talking most about was his family. One day I commented on the striking beauty of his daughters which I saw in the large framed photographs he kept at his desk. "Well, they take after their mother," he wryly said before adding, "'Cos luckily they don't look like me." Yet, I could tell from the photos that the girls gave off the same graciousness that he did. How lucky we were to have known him. — Candice Stephens My thoughts and prayers are with his family and coworkers. This was truly the senseless execution of a peace-keeper. — Anonymous Deputy Herzog, Your actions on that faitful evening should and never will be forgotten. The citizens of King County are forever grateful to you, as well as the nation for your service in the military. Rest assured the members of your dept will drive on and take care of your family. — Deputy, Kootenai County (ID) Sheriff's Dept. I want to send my heartfelt sorrow to the family of this officer. when I first heard the report on the news I cried. May Jehovah bless you and help you threw this greivous time. — Jose\June Castaneda I would just like to send our condolences on the loss of your loved one. Loosing someone is never easy, and all the caring words in the world won't take away your pain. But please know this. There is a reason for your loss. God needed another angel to help him watch over this crazy world. And he took the best man for the job. Our thoughts are with you and your family. And even though we are complete strangers, I am here if you need anything. Take Care of yourselves, and know that you have one of the best angels up there to watch over you. God Bless you all.....Delaine Gill and family To the family of Deputy Herzog, I wanted to send my regards and let you know that the community and the state of Washington is behind you to support you in this difficult time. I live in the apartments across from where Deputy Herzog lost his life and I felt safe when all the cops came to protect the citzens of that apartment complex. Thank you also goes out to the men and woman who on a daily basis risk there lives to protect all of us from men and woman that want to do nothing more than take others lives. — Donna I recoiled in horror as the story unfolded about the brutal asassination of Deputy Richard Herzog. I am deeply proud of Deputy Herzog's heroic actions & am deeply shocked by his death. I weep for the pain caused to the Herzog family. May the spirit of Richard Herzog rest in the land of Peace and may his family find comfort in the gntle hands of the Great Spirit! — KP from Enumclaw sonja~ I am thinking of you. And Im really sorry that you have to go though this. Your way to young same goes for your sister and your mom I just want you to know that you can talk to me whenever you need anyone~ I miss you at work and I love you lots! My prays are with you and god bless! — Brittany Winn To the family of Officer Herzog, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. God's Speed in your grieving — Colleen Lane My deepest sympathy to the Herzog family! Life is so precious! It goes to show how one person can touch so many lives and Deputy Herzog did just that by the outpouring of love from the community and family that people have shown. Thank you so much for your sacrifice to us! — Amy I am a Skagit County Sheriff's deputy. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to his wife and family. I did not know the man but he sounds like someone I would have liked. Someone once said that if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything. Deputy Herzog lived this creed. I am also retired Army and the the bond I feel with him in his death is unmeasurable. I will never forget. May we all never forget. God bless you. — john hendrickson My husband is a deputy in Skagit County. The Herzog family is experiencing what I fear the most, that the man who is my best friend will not come home. Please know that out hearts are heavy and we send you our thoughts and prayers and wishes that the good Lord will wrap you up in his arms and comfort you. The law enforcement community stands as one when we recognize and honor a true hero. Deputy Herzog's death has touched us all. We will not forget! — sharon hendrickson To Deputy Herzog's Family, Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this tragic time. We wish to thank Deputy Herzog and all of the police officers that serve and protect us. Please also let us learn lessons from this tragedy so that Deputy Herzog's death will not go in vain. God bless and keep you, Love — the Keep Family You are a hero!!!!!And you will rest in peace!!!! God Bless your Family And keep them protected with your biggest, baddest angels!!!!! — Elaine First and for most may god be with deputy Richard Herzog family, and they are in my prayers. He is a hero to many of us, and always will be. He is the angel above looking down. — Angie To ALL The Herzog family, Co-workers and friends. Our heart crys for OUR loss. You lost a loving family member and we lost a true hero. Words can never express our sadness,or anger that tbis happened, but I'm hoping Justice will Prevail this time. Hold your heads high and strong, knowing he left us the hero he was, still keeping citizens out of harms way, while his own was in harms way. He may be gone but he will not be forgotten. God Bless You and Stay Safe — The Lewis Family My deepest sympathys go out to his wife, childern and his entire family... Be strong, stick together and know he is in a better place. — Jamie Although we didn't know Deputy Herzog well, he responded to two incidents late last year. The second involved an assault on my son by a neighbor boy. After he took the report, Deputy Herzog talked to my son, offering ways to protect himself. We will always be grateful for that little chat. — Megan G. God Bless the family of slain Deputy Richard Herzog. As the wife of a police officer, my heart is ripped out at the thought of what his wife and daughters are going through right now. We realize, as wives, that there is a slim chance each shift when we kiss them goodbye that it might be the last kiss of our life together. We accept that, and pray that it never happens. I know I hugged my husband a little tighter and held him a few seconds longer as I sent him out the door on a graveyard shift last night. I hope Deputy Herzog's wife knows that tears are pouring down cheeks and hearts are breaking all over the place for her loss. God bless you, Mrs. Herzog, and wrap you and your daughters in his loving arms and hold you until the ache subsides. However long that may be. We are all thinking of you forever. — Bonnie First and utmost, my department and I would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Herzog as well as the King County Sheriff’s Office. I can assure you that Deputy Herzog will not be forgotten and that he did not die in vane. “He Is A Hero”. I would like to encourage people from the surrounding communities to attend the Memorial Service for Deputy Herzog as a show of support for all of are everyday heroes that protect us every single day. “God Bless” — Edwanton Thomas, Police Sergeant, Sauk-Suiattle Police Department, Darrington For the children who lost their father, for the wife who lost her husband and best friend, for the parents who lost a son, and the community who lost a Hero. Why do we always lose the GOOD ONES??? Our deepest sympathy and most heartfelt condolences. I am shocked and deeply saddened by Deputy Herzog's passing. This is a great tragedy for you, the law enforcement community, and for citizens like myself who have such deep respect for those who put their lives on the line to protect us day in and day out. Nothing will take away your pain, but I hope that this verse, which was sent to me by a friend when my stepmother died, will ease your grief a little: AND IF I GO WHILE YOU ARE STILL HERE, KNOW THAT I LIVE ON, VIBRATING TO A DIFFERENT MEASURE BEHIND A VEIL YOU CANNOT SEE THROUGH. YOU WILL NOT SEE ME, SO YOU MUST HAVE FAITH THAT I WAIT FOR THE TIME WHEN WE CAN SOAR TOGETHER AGAIN, EACH AWARE OF THE OTHER. UNTIL THEN LIVE YOUR LIFE TO ITS FULLEST -- AND IF EVER YOU NEED ME, JUST WHISPER MY NAME IN YOUR HEART. I WILL BE THERE. KAHLIL GIBRAN My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. — Kara Brooks, Renton I was deeply outraged to hear of Mr. Herzog's death. I think my anger comes mostly from the fact that I don't feel anyone will do anything to make sure that this doesn't happen to another Deputy in the future. In truth, that is one of my concerns as I prepare for my King County Deputy Sheriff exam this July. My parents are against this move into law enforcement, but now more than ever I feel that I need to do something to help people, and keep good people like Richard Herzog from dying needlessly. You have my condolences as I'm sure you have from everyone else. Please know that, though I do not know you, you will be in my thoughts and my prayers. Sincerely — J. Humphrey REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER — A DEPUTY More messages from the community: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 Updated: July 1, 2002 Executive's home | Executive's news Executive's schedule | Executive's e-mail King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.