Remembrance/ Jose Lucero (brother in Christ ) I don't know why but I think of you and your family often. I've never met you and somehow I know that I was drawn to your website from the Holy Spirit. My brother passed away 3 months prior to your death. So many instances happened that brought me to this website.
I just want to let you know that I pray for you often. I know you are in heaven with my brother and with the heavenly hosts. Please know that I continue to pray for you all and that one day the sorrow your family once felt will turn to peace and joy.
P. Jose Lucero
Happy Birthday / BR Happy Birthday Mike.
Memorial Day Weekend / Garren (None) Officer Sottos,
On this Memorial Day weekend, rest in eternal peace.
Garren Moline resident Saturday, May 24, 2008
peace/ N/A (friend)
i can only give my words of confidence to hope you may understand that i cant rewind time and put myself in his place.
i can cry with you when you are stressed out.
i will be with you in spirit when you feel like you can never get back up agian.
i will be there when you fall and pick you up, again and again, no matter how many times you fall.
i cant erase the pain or the memorys but i can only be there to hold you up when you need to
i give you my shoulder to lean on and to cry on.
the pain will ease away little by little you will get the strength back you need to
Resident of Moline / GDG To the entire Sottos family:
I can't tell you how I enjoyed looking over all of the pictures of Mike and his family. The online condolences were very touching indeed.
Mike, may you rest in eternal peace.
GDG Moline resident
Thinking of you still / Jason Van Houtte (close friend ) Its hard to believe its been a year. I sit here now remembering everything about this very night one year ago. Its hard not to think of that night and the days following. However, I quickly find myself thinking about all the days and years that we shared as friends. I remember all the fun we had and all the laughs we shared. I remember our last conversation and I replay it all the time. Mike, you are missed by so many people and I can't tell you all the times I see a man in uniform and I think its you. I miss you and your friendship. Its impossible to think of everything we did together and not smile. We had some great times together. I wish we could have had more. I am sure this is a difficult time for your family and loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are still with all of you. As much as I think of Mike as a great friend, I think of the entire family as great friends too. He truly was a great guy and I will always have a smile when I think of Mike. Again, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this tough time.
Jason
Remember/ H. R. (Friend, Co-worker ) Deb, this is got to be the hardest Christmas you've ever had. I believe that Mike married you because he loved you and knew that you would be a fine mother for your children. I know that you won't let him down and may all the joys and spirit of the season, as well as the love from and for your family, give you the strength to carry on.
My Deepest Sympathies / Beth Waggoner (none) As a fellow 911 dispatcher I am very familiar with the stress of the job. I can only imagine that stress coupled with the tragedy of losing your spouse. My heart goes out to you and I hope you and your family are doing as well as you can be. I am truly sorry for your loss.
AS TIME PASSES / Fellow Officer
It's hard to believe that it has been only 4 months since Mike passed away. It seems as if it has been years. I still find myself thinking about him everyday so I can only imagine how much you think of him Debbie. I hope you are all doing well and know that we are all still here to help you with anything you need. Mike was one of the best guys I knew and I knew him for 25+ years. I want your family to know that you are in my prayers. I will continue to think of Mike every day and remember him for the wonderful person he was.
Never forgotten / Angie DeHamer Debbie, I know at this point it probably feels everyone else has gone on with their lives happily, but your still stuck in your nightmare, Please know that what you and your kids are going through will never be forgotten by any of us. The impact Mike has made on lives even those who have never met him, could never be forgotten. Please lean on people if you need them. Don't be afraid to ask! When you're feeling down, look around you at the blessings you have (your kids, family, friends) and let that bring you happiness even if it's only 5min. worth. Your still in my prayers. Angie
The words that speak louder are those of silence / Peace (None)
I send my deepest condolences to the entire family. I am an employee of the Miami-Dade Police Department in Miami, Florida and read the article inside the FBI magazine sent to my Chief (Boss). I was drawn to read the article not expecting it to end the way that it ended but saw such a beautiful family and thought otherwise. Thank you so much for sharing. We lost an officer about a month ago also to suicide. Suicide is very deceptive and is not detected from surface glance. I know because my life was almost claimed by the same thing years ago. I am now 30 years old. I declare a BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL PRESENT AND FUTURE FOR THEENTIRE FAMILY. Though often times the anger comes, questions come allow the PEACE AND LOVE of God to embrace you.
Sincerely,
The heart
Condolences/ Karl Fisher (Police Lieutenant - Eau Claire WI PD ) Hi Deb and family,
I was very saddened to hear of Mike's death. I'm sure life is very difficult for you now.
About 12 years ago, my youngest boy died in a hunting accident just one week before his 16th birthday. Life seemed to lose it's meaning at that time. I won't pretend that I could ever say enough to make any of this better, but I thought I might offer some words that I share with other parents when they lose children.
The wife of one of our officers, who was killed, was talking with me at Tom's funeral. I said that my son was my future and that I had lost that now. She reminded me that tomorrow is my future and that it is still coming. However, what I did with my future was truely up to me. I could crawl into a bottle and everyone would understand, or I could decide to move forward. Either way, the choice was mine.
I always share this with others because I have found the words to be so true. I use my experience to help others through their hard times thus honoring my son's name and having some good come from a tragic event. You will never forget Mike, but life will return to normalcy at some point. I hope you find peace and find a way to move forward in a positive way over time.
With all my prayers, Lt. Karl Fisher
Thank you for sharing / Anonymous Debbie & Family: While I know none of you, I thank you for sharing about Mikes depression. I too, work in law enforcement as a dispatcher and not an officer. A very small community, so after dealing with the calls, prior to the end of my shift i usually know all the details of each call. I also, like Mike am very dedicated to my family, friends and church & also like Mike, I suffer from depression or as my shrink would say 'Mood Disorder, NOS.' The reality is, we know we have a problem, we know we aren't ourselves and we don't know what to do. Law enforcement is supposed to deal with the gut wrenching and pretend it doesn't bother us, many think we are weak or can't do our job if we need or seek help. I pray for your family and I pray for mine having to live with me while I take my meds and pray they work, zone my family out one day and am happy for them the next. May God Bless for your family for standing tall in this and speaking the truth.
In Gods Grace,
A voice in the night
Our Deepest Sympathy for you and your Family / Julie (Vassaka) Becker
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Although it has been years since I've seen you I just want you to know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. Please know that everyone is thinking of you and praying for you. Please let me know if ever there is anything I can do to help you. Thinking of you, Julie Becker
Still in our hearts / Tonya, Sean &. Family Roman
As this first month passes, please know your family is still very much in our hearts. Prayers and thoughts are daily in our minds. Mike's legacy will live on forever and may you celebrate his life everyday. This has been such a loss for the whole community. May you someday find comfort and peace. God bless you always.
Rest in peace / Derek Thomas I did not know you, although we both share the same job in life. I too, am a police officer, in the small city of Eureka Illinois. I pray for you and your family.
God bless you and them.
No Woman, No Cry / J. Frusciante (friend)
And if I heard the Angels sing I'd Sing it back to you and bring the Sound of heaven ringing just for you
And if I saw the sun fall down I'd pick it up and make a crown One that was a perfect fit for you.
Had to say something / A. Friend Of The Family ((friend of relative) ) After reading all of the other heartfelt condolences on this page I felt I had to add something. I have had the privilage of knowing a few of the Sottos family members over the past few years and they are the kindest people I have ever been around. I have never met Mike but I know he had to be a great man that will deeply missed by anyone that knew him. God bless to the entire family.
Think of you. / Angie (Thieme)Dehmaer Debbie, I just want you to know that I think about you and your family daily. I pray for you often. I can't image what you must feel. I hardly know you and have never met Mike, and I find myself having a hard time dealing with what happened. I cry for you alot. I wish I could take your pain away or atleast help you carry it, but I guess that's what Gods for. Please don't forget to lean on him. IF you ever need a babysitter please contact me through Theresa. I would be more than happy to help.
Peace to you and your family / Jose Lucero (Brother in Christ ) I just want to mention to you Mike that you saved a life. I'm not talking physically either, you helped to save my brothers' soul and for that have saved your own soul. Please know that I wish you and your family peace. May God's loving embrace be with you always. Love PJ
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