So sorry for your loss. / Louise (from The UK) (angel Louis' Mummy) I've visited Mike's memorial site twice this week as my son has a memory-of site. I was so sad to read Mike's story, what a lovely man, beautiful family, such a huge loss for you all, and so soon after. You're all so brave and I'm sure lots of people will read about Mike and be honoured to have been able to share your story.
I hope you all find strength from each other, and from the visitors to your site. I read there's another baby on the way, and I wish you lots of luck. I'm sure Mike will watch over you all and take care of his lovely family.
Thinking of you all and sending lots of love.
Louise.xxx (Louis.memory-of.com)
So sorry for your loss.. / Annette Epperly (friend) My thoughts and prayers go out to Debbie, the kids, and the entire Sottos family for the loss of Mike. I met Mike when he came to work as our police laison officer at John Deere Middle School - what a great guy! The kids and staff admired him and his dedication to helping all of us. He was a loving man - as I can tell that by all of the wonderful photos that have been posted. I pray that the Lord may give you all strength and comfort in this most difficult time. God bless all of you.
To my loving sister / Scott Schwab (Brother In Law ) Debbie, I can’t begin to tell you how we are all feeling right now. We have all wondered why we ended up back in the Quad Cities after all of these years away and now we all know, we were brought back here to be close to you and to help you and your family in your time of need. I remember so many things about Mike, but in my memory I will always see him with a baby or child either on his stomach or in the backpack in the kitchen by the sink, or just helping you any way he could. He never was without a child when I saw him. When we would visit I remember him always staying until the kids were ready for bed and then taking them all home and letting you stay to visit longer. I will also remember the look in your eyes every time he would show up at mom and dad’s. He was your world and always will be. You have so many wonderful memories, friends, and family close to your heart make sure you use every one of them to help you thru this. We are always here for you ANYTIME, ANYWHERE you need us we will be there to help. Between Mike’s family and your own I know Logan, Seth, Grace, Claire, Emma, and the new baby will always have us to help them thru anything they will need now and forever in the future.
To the entire Sottos family, I can't tell you what it means to me the way Mike took care of my sister and her family. He was the one we never had to worry about, so mature for his age. So organized and such a family man. People can learn a lot about a man by the way he takes care of his family and Mike did it better than most ever could. You will always stay in our hearts and prayers, Mike made us all better by knowing him and he will never be forgotten.
All the love and support you will ever need, our prayers are with you and the entire Sottos family
Scott
I am sorry / Melissa (None) To the family of Mike,
I am deeply sorry for your loss!! Be glad for every great memory you have of him. I too am the child left behind from a father who committed suicide. The difference is that my father chose not to know me when I was a child. I had met him a couple of times but don't have very many memories. Then when I was 20 he died. Be very thankful you do not have the loss coupled with the unknown that is too much to bear. Be sure that God will take care of you and your father/husband/brother/friend.
First of all I would like to send my deepest sympathy to you and the rest of Mike's family. I am Brian's (Laufenburg) cousin from northern Minnesota. I did not know Mike, but after seeing the photos and reading the memorials from family members and friends, I can definetly tell he was a wonderful, giving and caring young man. A man that loved his family.
Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to you.
To Angie, Brian, and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers, during this difficult time in your lives. Love ya!
my deepest thoughts / Joel Noe (friend)
To my friend mike i just wanted to say that i will miss you dearly.I will remember all the time we spent playing in the neiborhood together it was rememberable.We had a great time all of the neighboorhood growing up.I have to remember to stay close to family i forgot that closness its going to slip away if i dont start soon.God bless you mike live a long and properus life with the lord in heaven.God bless the family of mike and your kids and wife debbie.May we all grow up and be with the lord and bless our souls.love your friendjoel
Just for you / A. Friend (A friend ) I've been playing this song over and over thinking about Mike and his beautiful family. Rest in peace, my friend.
"Just For You" Lionel Richie
Golden days Night was play Pain was all a world away We went to school We learned the rules We trusted all they had to say
Then life took a turn We all had to learn And we cant go back again
And my heart is breaking Just for you Just for you And my arms are open Just for you Just for you Just for you
God was God And dreams were dreams Life was all pecan ice cream Truth was true And lies were lies And we thought love would never die But the world moved on My illusions gone And I don't know who to blame
And my heart is breaking Just for you Just for you And my arms are open Just for you Just for you And these tears I'm crying are for you Just for you Just for you
I'm looking for protection Give me shelter from the storm I just hope this light inside me Keeps me strong
And my heart is breaking Just for you Just for you And my arms they're open Just for you Just for you And these tears I'm crying are for you Just for you Just for you
Just for you Oh my heart is breaking And my arms are open Oh these tears I'm crying are just for you
My deepest sympathy to Mike's entire family. As I sit here and tears run down my cheeks, I feel for his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, / Dena Dierikx (worked with Mike @ John Deere Middle School ) My deepest sympathy to Mike's entire family. I feel for his wife and his children who must go through life without him. I can't imagine losing one of my brothers or sisters, and no parent should have to bury a child. I knew Mike a little - standing in the lunch room and talking about school matters. His wife was expecting a child at that time and he was proud. I must say though, I knew he was a good guy but didn't realize how good he was. I had to write because the world lost, and our community lost. But what a blessing he was to all who knew him, and I will be a better person from this day forward because of him. I will also enjoy and appreciate my family even more; working hard not to take them for granted. We never know what tomorrow brings. Many prayers to his wife and children.
My name is Rick Hetzel I learned of this tragic loss from Captain Greg Heist I attended the 224th Session of the FBI/NA with Greg. I am an Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. My condolences to the family are from my heart and I will pray for the entire family tonight at the dinner table with my family. I found out that I had a very serious cancer while at the National Academy and all my brother officers helped my family and I through the entire ordeal and are still helping us. I will send what money I can as I hope all officers will as they did for me. No matter how hard for the surviving members of the family I say "Don't lose faith in God, he is with you always." It took me a lot of years to realize that, but it is true.
RICK
A Sure Hope / DI Gordon I was so touched by your accounts of Mike...my most sincere condolences to all his family and friends. May the happy memories all of you wrote about always be with you to make you smile. Being acquainted with losing my own son at 33 (Fire Lieutenant and Paramedic) of illness I'm impelled to share with you words of comfort and encouragement shared with us. Please read at your leisure John 5:28,29 and Revelation 21:3-5, also Psalm 37:11. These verses gives one an assured hope that we will be with our loved ones again but on a peaceful, paradised earth forever never suffering from illness or death. In fact verse 5 of Revelation (mentioned above) reads, "these words are faithful and true." Our Almighty God and Father Jehovah (Psalm 83:18) has promised. May He give you and yours peace with his words of comfort and of the sure hope. Please request further information about when this will occur or any other heartfelt questions that concern you from any one of Jehovah's Witnesses that visit at your door. Please request the free booklet 'When Someone You Love Dies.' It is a terrific source of the sure hope for the terrible "sting of death" (1 Corinthians 15:55) that befalls us all.
God Bless You ! / Jacee Cole (Eternal Friend ) I visit Memory-of several times a week monitoring my own sweet husband's site. A couple of days ago I ventured to look at some of the other sites and found Mike's. I have not been able to get you, Logan, and your family out of my mind. God bless you, Logan! What a wonderful young man you are - which I know is in a large part due to what a wonderful stepdad you had. Model your life after the ideals and morals he lived by.
Oh, Debbie! What in this world can anyone say to you that would take away your hurt and ease your burden? Sweetie, hold your children close and love them with all your heart, as I'm sure you do. I am so glad to know that you have a lot of support - and DO lean on your family and friends. I pray you have a personal relationship with Jesus - He can sustain you. I know this for a fact.
My own precious husband, Andy, died a year ago July. He was a 28 year paramedic. He served others. But he also suffered from depression. He attempted suicide in 2001 by shooting himself. He almost succeeded....and was near death many times during the year following the shooting - hospitalized seven times with complications from the gunshot that narrowly missed his heart but did extensive internal damage. He lived but never was the man he was before the shooting. He lived 4 1/2 years following the shooting only to die of cancer last year. I know the feelings of helplessness, guilt, confusion, and the endless nights of wondering why, why, why! But I have learned that we can't blame ourselves - and we can't even blame them. I pray, Debbie, that God grants you peace - for YOUR sake and for the sake of your precious children - all of them. Hold your head up and look skyward for your help...He will ease your burden.
Since I live in Alabama and have not seen any of the newspaper articles concerning Mike, I only know what I have read on this site. My heart goes out to all of you - I pray for all of you.
My love, thoughts and blessings are with you, Jacee Cole (andy-cole.memory-of.com)
Deepest sympathy / DeDe (none) My heart aches for you and your beautiful family. Please know that somewhere strangers are offering prayers in your behalf that you may find the strength needed for the difficult days ahead. God Bless and comfort you and your precious little ones.
My condolences to the Sottos family and friends / Cheryl (none) I didn't know Mike but I feel sorrow for those who did and are now suffering at his passing. Cling to the good memories you have of him as they will help get you through the grieving.
I suffer from depression and in the beginning suffered from thoughts of suicide. It is difficult to make people understand that the thoughts going through our minds are scary even to us and so we don't want to burden those closest to us. This is why the family and friends of Mike must not blame themselves. Please, please keep the channels of communication open with those who can help!
If I can be of any help, please e-mail me. My ex-husband was a local police officer and I felt such understanding when reading through this website.
The Sottos family / Mary Stone (none) I had met officer Sottos through my job at Catholic Charties,Depression is very real, and so hard for many to understand,medication does work,but it does take awhile and sometimes has to be changed many times.It sounds like you have a very loving family,may God take care of you all.
Mike/ Mychele Klauer-Mack (Friend)
I remember riding the school bus with Mike. He always had a smile on his face and was kind to everyone. I met up with Mike again about 6 years ago when he was working at John Deere Jr. High, I subustituted there often, it was a relief to see him in the halls with a huge smile on his face, as Mike was the only person there that I knew. I am sorry about your loss as the world just lost a great person.
May God Be With Officer Sottos / Jesse Ditto (No Relation ) I Just Wanted To Say That I Read The Paper Article About Officer Sottos Death In The Dispatch, And I Wanted To Say That I'm Very Sorry For Your Loss, My Girlfriend Shannon Told Me That She Knew Officer Sottos From A School She Attended, She Told Me That He Was A Wonderful Man. I Myself Know What It Is Like To Suffer From Depression, I Have Been Battling Depression Since 2004, It Is A Very Tough Thing To Go Through, If Anyone From The Sottos Family Needs Anything, It Doesn't Matter What, Please Do Not Hesitate To E-mail Me DJ_JESSE_D@yahoo.com, I Am A Ordained Minister And I Have A Very Wonderful Relationship With Our Almighty Lord, If You Need Help With Anything Please Contact Me, I Am Here To Help Everyone In Need. God Bless You.
P.s. Here Is A Prayer For The Sottos Family,
Dear Lord, Today I Come To You As Your Abundant Servant Asking That You Watch Over The Sottos Family In Their Time Of Great Loss, Please Comfort Them And Make Sure That Their Needs Are Fulfilled, Nothing Is Impossible In Your Eyes Oh Lord, I Ask That You Forgive Mike Of His Sins And I Also Ask That You Prepare A Place For Him In Heaven Beside Your Glorious Throne, Please Take Care Of His Family And Grace Them With Your Presence, I Pray All Of These Things In The Name Of The Son Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sending our heartfelt sympathy to Mike, sfamily, fellow police officers and friends / Mike, Mary, Mike, Jon &. Tommy Wassell (Mike was a Former Moline Police Officer, now attorney and fellow Boundry Waters traveler (several years ago)and also knows Steve Sottos ) Steve, Jackie, Jerry, Angie, Jenny, Debbie, Logan, Seth, Grace, Claire, Emma and baby,
Mike and I and our family want to send our sympathy to all who knew and loved Mike. This website is a wonderful tribute to him and all of his family (Logan, you did a wonderful job on it). I met Mike, Steve and Jackie several years ago at the Steve and Irene Dooley's house in Kewanee and my husband Mike was on the Moline Police Department for 7 years before going to law school and he then went to work for the Henry County State's Attorney's office for several years where he met and made several friends including many on the Sherrif's Department and the State Police. It was there that he met Steve Dooley, Steve Sottos, Dan Collier and many more. For several years Mike would go with Steve and others with our oldest son (also Mike) to the Boundry Waters.............they always had a great time and one of those times Steve Sottos and the boys went, again a great time that they had.
From looking at the website and your entire family, you have a lot of great memories. I know how very hard it is to lose someone you love. Eleven years ago on the fourth of July I lost my 37 year old sister to a brain tumor and 26 years ago we lost Mike's brother at age 28 of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. While time has a way of healing.............it is still very hard because whenever we lose someone close to us a part of us go with them. Pictures, memories and re-visiting all of the good times helps to keep their memory alive. In addition, faith and knowing that he is in our Lord's loving arms and that he is in a better place reassures us that we will someday meet again. Please allow yourselves time to heal and take one day at a time, otherwise as I found it can become overwhelming. If there is anything that Mike and I can do for any of you and your family, even if it is just to talk, please let us know.
Mike was out of town and I was not able to make it to the services, but we want you to know that you have been in our hearts and minds ever since we heard about this tragedy. And Debbie, your candid words about depression may help avoid a similar tragedy for someone else.
I want you all to know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers and I have faith that the good Lord will help you through this difficult time and be assured that now, you have your very own guardian angel! I lit a candle at St. Malachy's this morning in his memory as well.
With deepest and heartfelt sympathy,
Love,
The Wassell's
Mike, Mary, Mike, Jon and Tommy
To the family of Mike / Alicia Popp (no relation ) I am afraid I do not have the right words to express to your family that would comfort you.All I can say is how heavy my heart is for your loss. I have read your moving memorial statements and althogh I did not know Mike(I mean no disrepect by calling him by his first name) I feel I have a little knowledge of who he was and what he stood for.We should all be blessed to have someone like him in our lives!!
Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss and know that I pray for your family each day.
Alicia Popp
thought and prayers are with you. / Tracy Scogin (passerby)
I KNOW HOW YOUR FEELING HAVING SOMEONE SO LOVED TAKEN AWAY SO SUDDENLY. HE LOOKED LIKE A VERY LOVING PERSON SEEING HIM IN ALL THOSE WONDERFUL PICTURES... MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY... WWW.DOUGLAS-LOWE.MEMORY-OF.COM
Caring father / Mike &. Roberta Lawson (Friends of Debbie ) Deb, We are so sorry for your loss. I would like to share something with you. Mike (my husband) and I were at one of Sherrard's football play off games at home. It was a beautiful sunny day and I noticed a young handsome man sitting on a blanket with, I assumed was his son. They were truly enjoying the day watching the Tigers win. He was explaining different things about the game and the little boy seemed to be listening and learning. I told my husband to look at them and how sweet they looked. Then I noticed you and the girls. You introduced Mike and I to you husband and it just happened to be the father and son on the blanket. What a beautiful family. He will truly be missed by everyone. We are so glad we had the chance to meet him. God Bless you and your family. If there is anything we can do, we are there for you.
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