The Passing of an American Hero

Today one of my life long heroes passed on. The Lord took him away around 2:00 this afternoon.

While not a blood relative, he might as well been. He was my dad's, best friend's father.I am so confused right now, he was not related to me by blood, but he treated me like a grandson. I don't know how to feel. I am very sad and upset, but this is just wierd. I had always thought Dave was invincible, I never thought a heart attack could take him away. He was like Chuck Norris! I feel that I took for granted the time we had together. I will always cherish the nights we spent in his garage around the wood stove talking about politics and being a cop, and going to war, and drinking blue ribbon beer. Those were special times, and I hold them close to my heart. I feel very privileged to have been able to have known him while I did.
 

Dave was an Army veteran of Vietnam and a served  a life long career in Law Enforcement for the Lane County Sheriff department.

He was 65 years old.

Dave was one of the most patriotic people  I  have ever known. He loved his country more then anything and in an age of doubt in America, with the current political climate, he still believed in America.

Dave was responsible and the inspiration for me to pursue a career in Law Enforcement, myself. I hope to make him proud.


He will be dearly missed.

I wish you all could have met him, He would have been popular in this crowd.

I have had uncles  and cousins die before, but this is probably the closest thing to home I have ever dealt with that I was mature enought to really understand...

This is tough...