My deepest sympathy to the families of the fallen officers.

Sincerely,
Mother of a Fellow Sacramento County Officer

To my deep condolences with prayers to both family members and to many many friends, who know these two great flying officers up there. They have worked long hours to protect everything they can on the grounds for the officers and for our people who are in danger. I do not know these two great officers but I do know that I will miss hearing the flying star buzzing over our neighborhood of Mobil Country Club. My very good friend Marty Pigeon, as a K9 officer has just retired this year and I know he will miss these two grateful brave officers. My prayers will be with them with great condolences and our flag in our community will be lowered at half staff at first light of the funeral day. From the bottom of my heart, I will look into the sky and only say this, I know they will be watching Us over Sacramento County from heaven above everyone. To every family members and friends out there, please watch behind your backs and help the others who needs your care. Because they Care about you and everyone, who needs help. I know those two will be looking over your shoulders. Beacuse They do protect and help and serve to all the officers on the grounds. We will miss you very much.

May God Bless You Both and Amen
from your friend of Rancho Cordova
-Craig DeVita
Property Maintenance of Mobil Counrty Club for 21 years and still going

May God Bless the families, friends and co-workers of these fallen hero's. Our family was touched as if they were our friends as well. We should remember to thank those that protect our families, homes and communities by placing their lives on the line daily, on the ground and in the air, as often as we can,not only when a tragedy strikes.

Joe was my FTO when I was in patrol training prior to his transfer to the Areo unit.I learned a lot from him and respected him as a law enforcement officer and as a man.One of the things he taught me was the proper placement of the black mourning ribbon over our badge. He said it goes from the valley to the mountain top.He's on the mountain top with his observer looking over all of us. Peace be with you brother. Deputy Dan baryliuk SSD

Kevin & Joe,

Thanks guys for all you've given and all you've done for so many people over the years.We were so honored to have you looking out for us.You won't be forgotten.You'll always be missed.What an example you two set for heros to come!!We love you & may God take good care of you both,as you did all of us.

when I saw the pictures of the deputies on tv, I thought,someone lost their son. as a mother who lost a son 2 yrs. ago, my heart and sadness go to their family, and our people at the sacto. county sheriff's dept.May God bring all of you comfort.

You, the friends and families of the Star6 officers, are in my prayers; their sacrifice in the service of the citizens of Sacramento County is truly appreciated.
Robert W. Jeffrey, Jr., EMT, Private Pilot

Hello I would like to start by expressing my sympathy to the families of the two and the one that still remains in critical condition in the hospital. My thoughts and prayers are with the families. I have several friends who are Sacramento County Sheriffs and I could not imagine something this tragic happening to either of them, I pray every day for there safe return home from their jobs and that I also keep all other deputys in my prayers. Again with sincere Sympathy, Kimberly

To the family my condolences. We lost two of the best of the best in their profession. These men past away in the prime of their lives doing what they believed in for you, me and the community that they protected. You men will never be forgoten by those who loved you the most and by those who appreciate and admire your effort to protect the regular Joe's out there. Go in peace my brothers.

God Bless You!

I just want to offer condolences and prayers to the families, friends, and coworkers of the fallen and injured deputies to honor their heroic service. They are now at peace in heaven and guardian angels for all officers especially those serving in the law enforcement aviation units around the world. Many times over the years the STAR unit was my cover on arrests, search warrants and surveillance in the war on drugs and crime. I pray for a full and speedy recovery for the injured deputy. God Bless all of you.
Rick Croslin
Retired DEA Special Agent

if there's anything i can do please feel free to e-mail me and i knwed the officers and tell the fam. i will do anything and send my best to the fam. of the officers and lou i hope you can come to the state fair keep in touch

I would like to extend my heart-felt condolences to the families & friends of Officers Joseph Kievernagel & Kevin Blount. My thoughts & prayers also go out to Officer Eric Henrikson and his loved ones as well. . .I hope he has a full recovery very soon.

Kim Ezell
Daughter of retired Lieutenant James Ezell, & retired Deputy Jean Ezell of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Hello up there. I just want to share with you both a little story about helicopters flying over our school in recent spring months. I teach physical education and am outside most of the time. You both may well have been in the copters my kids and I saw coming ever so close at times to Mitchell Middle School in Rancho Cordova. I would try to call the office to see if we needed to get inside each time we saw you flying, in case there was a cause of danger. I of course was worried about what you were doing or who you were pursuing, but always felt comforted knowing you were there to protect all of us. I now more than ever have come to respect and appreciate your committment in perserving the safety of our community. May you rest in peace in the heavens in which you flew. Mrs. Laurel Storrs

The women & men of Law Enforcement pay the ultimate price for our safety. They do it unselfishly & are very brave. Our thoughts & constant prayers go out to the families/friends of these loved ones.

I would like to send my sinere condolences to both families and friends.I would like to thank all officers for their heroism and for defending our country. May God Bless them all.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and co-workers of these brave and couragous officers.

I really didnt know them but I would like to extend my condolences to both families and friends of both officers.
May God Bless them all.

These Deputies were the equivilent to Superheroes. There is nothing they would not do! There is no problemo they could not solve!

Who would have thought this crash would be the end for them?

Joe was one of the sheriff's on a helicopeter ridealong with my husband David, on May 14 of this year. It was Joe and Tim that took us up. We bid on the ride for a charity event. I was/am heartbroken when I read about Joe. He was a very nice guy. WE had a great time on the ride along, very educational. Our prayers go out to everyone involved in this terrible accident. It is very sad.

Liz Luttrell-Feder

I just want to say how horrible it is that this tragedy had to happen. I have a deep respect for the officers who put their lives on the line for us everyday. My deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of the victims, as well as the law enforcement department for losing such valuable people. My prayers are with you all.
DeLaina

I knew Kevin Blount when he worked up near my house. We were all happy when he was accepted into Air Ops. He wanted to get in the air every day we knew him and spoke with him.

I was so saddened when I heard what had happened over at Lake Natoma. Initially, like many, we didn't know who was lost. It was the next morning when I found out that Kevin and his partner Joseph had died.

To his family, friends, and all of his fellow officers I offer my deepest condolences. We will all miss him.

Wanted to thank the fallen officers for their years of service for our community....they will be missed.

I'm so sorry for the loss of these fine men and my wife and I are praying for their families. Having lost our good friend Lt.Dave Roberts and now these young men is a terrible loss to our Community.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever..... My thoughts and prayers are with your Department and Joe and Kevin's families. My Father,uncle, cousin and boyfriend put there lives on the line everyday to protect us, just as Joe and Kevin did. I pray for all officer saftey! My sincere condolances are with you all. This is also tuff as my boyfriend new Kevin. I pray for all families in law inforcement and they all deserve our RESPECT and SUPPORT!! God has taken Hold of Joe and Kevin's hand because it was time for them to go home with God. They served with great Honor and will be remembered. My heart goes out to all, God Bless

I don't know either of the officers who were taken away from us but I want the families to know my heart goes out to them and to all the law enforcement who keep us safe everyday. God Bless you all

I've been reading some of the other posts and sitting here with tears of sadness. My thoughts are with all of law enforcement at this tough time. I want to express my sincere condolences to the families of these brave men. I understand from the radio station KFBK that the funeral is tomorrow for the two men who passed away. Out of respect for those men and the man who is in the hospital fighting for his life, we should all STOP what we are doing tomorrow for a moment of silence. That is the least we can do. These men put their lives on the line daily so that we are protected daily. I salute all of you and I hope at some point all this will be easier for all concerned. Thank you, Jana

My prayers go out to Kevin and Joe's families. I am also praying for the recovery of Eric and for his family.

When I took the bikepath across the freeway from my home to the lake that evening, little did I know that I would witness a tragedy that forever be burned into my heart. God Bless you all.

Thank you both for serving our great city with honor and grace. May GOD bless both families through this trying time.

Being a brother Law Enforcement Officer and speaking for the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Morotcycle Club, please accept our sincere sympathy for the loss of your officers. My department has lost officers in the line of duty, so I know what you are going through. My prayers will be with your department and the families of the officers. You may not be aware but the Blue Knights has raised and donated enough money the last several years to pay for the entire picnic in Washington DC for the survivors who attend the COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) events during Law Enforcement Memorial week. Again, our prayers are with you.

Sgt. Bill Brown
Retired (28 1/2 years full time)
Still a member of the Reserve PD.
Blue Knights GLRC International Rep.

Please pass on my sincere condolences to the families of the two deputies who died in the crash.

I was working the night of the accident and almost took that first flight with Kevin instead of Joe. That flight was not meant for me. Something came up and I passed on that flight. A bigger plan was in motion that we were not aware of until one hour later and only now are just beginning to try and understand. That flight was meant for Joe and Kevin; to be together as they wanted, partners in the sky. Some one else needed Keiv and Stitch to fly for them on a higher calling.

When I informed my children the following morning of the accident, they all three cried and said they will miss both Joe and Kevin. Dogs and kids can be good judges of people’s character and if my kids were ay type of yard stick to measure up those two, Joe and Kevin were 100 yards or more.

We all will miss Joe and Kevin as I know they have touched all of us in their own way, even the young ones.

On behave of the members of my unit our thoughts are with you.

THANKS

Mike Stanford

We would like to send our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the fallen officers. We would also like to say thank you for putting your lives in danger to protect our lives and the freedom we have in America. God Bless

Very nice website, I love the layouts and keep up the very good job :D

Great Tribute to our fallen officers with Star. Thanks for posting.

Website is beautiful :-(

My thoughts and prayers are with your agency today. Less than four years ago we lost two deputies in a helicopter crash. It seems like yesterday. May God bless all of you and see you through these trying times.

Deepest sympathy to the families, friends and fellow officers or Kevin and Joe.
We did not know them personally but knew of them via mutual friends, and they seemed like wonderful human beings.

Thanks to all of you who put your lives on the line every day to keep us safe. It is reassuring to know that you are watching over us.

Know that Kevin and Joe are still watching over us all from above and will be chuckling with their fellow officers when they get into some of those "different" situations

Bless you all and prayers to ease Eric's pain and make his recovery swift

Teri

Sincerest condolences to all family and co-workers.

Forever in our memory. You will be reunited with your love ones. This is the promise of the Lord.

..as I sat in front of the TV watching the updates and feeling totally overwhelmed, my eight year old daughter comes up and sits on my lap. she had been watching the news with me and she knew the crash was bad. she asked me if that was the same helicopter that sometimes flies over our house and I told her it was. My daughter then tells me,


"don't worry daddy, your friends aren't going to get hot anymore, they're in heaven and heaven has air conditioning all the time."

she then asks,

"are they still going to fly a helicopter in heaven and watch over us?"

I told her Joe and Kevin will always be watching over us.

There's nothing like a child being able to put it in perspective for us adults.

I met Joe and Kevin through my parents, Sgt. Kathy Dewante and Bob Dewante. My step father is a pilot with the sheriffs department. A few months ago I went on a rid along with Joe and Kevin. They were the two funniest guys I have ever met. Their jokes back and forth on the radio (like i wasn't there) and the games they played in the sky. Throughout the night whenever Joe would see a huge spot a light on the ground(like the machines at a car dealership that attract your attention) he would try to pass through the light right as it became vertical in the sky. They were gentlemen, always checking on me to make sure my stomach was okay while we were in an orbit looking for the bad guys. I have been swaying back and forth on the idea of becoming a cop myself. I am very sad to see them go but, through this all they inspire me. I see how much the department cares for its people and how honorable of a job it can be. Eventhough I only met them for a short period of time, they both left a lasting impression on me. I thank them for that and I hope to soon be wearing a badge of my own and serving and protecting my community just as they did. May you both rest in peace and I hope we someday meet again. ~Kathryn

Please pass on my condolences to the families of the deputies killed in the choper crash. BK FLAXXIV

Deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those lost in the helo accident. :-(

'Large'
John Merrick
Past President Blue Knight's Utah Chapter I
Lt. Ret. S.L.Co.S.O.

Just read in the blue Knights mailing list about Star6.
My deepest prayers and sympathy with the crew and families!

Mike Waldspurger
Past.Pres. Blue Knights Switzerland 1
Airportpolice Berne
Drug Liaison Officer
K-9 Narcotics

Please convey sincerest condolences from the members of Blue Knights MA Chapter XII to the families, friends and associates on the loss of Sheriff's Deputies Joe Kievernagel, and Kevin Blount. Also, our prayers go out to Deputy Eric Henrikson on his recovery.

My thoughts and prayers are the with families and co-workers of the Star6 tragedy. Thank you for risking your lives so that we can live in safety.

I just wanted to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family members and fellow officers of those involved in the helicopter crash. I am a State Police Officer in SC and have an explosive detection K9 that I have worked for nearly 10 years. I will pray that your hearts are somehow soon mended. Take care and be safe.

Corporal Andrew Schmidt
SC Bureau of Protective Services
K9 Handler

My heart goes out to the family and friends of the Deputies, I sent sympathy cards to the familes as soon as I heard. I have been sending sympathy cards around the globe for about 15 years. K-9 folks keep up the great work, Tom

Please accept our most sincere condolences for Kevin and Joe. We are always happy to see the helicoptors, knowing they are working hard to keep us safe. We wish Eric and full and speedy recovery.

God Bless.

On behalf of the East Bay Regional Park Police, please accept our sincere condolence regarding the tragic loss of Joe Kievernagel and Kevin Blount. Our thoughts are also with Eric Henrickson, as well as the involved families.

You often hear communal phrases such as "brotherhood and family" used to describe the common bond agencies feel with the loss of a co-worker. That sense of "brotherhood" is particularly strong in local specialty units, such as aviation. As a fellow aviation family member, we share your recent loss and struggle along with you. Please know that you are not alone and that your "aviation family" is there and willing to lessen your burden anyway we can.

With Our Deepest Regards,

-Andrew D. White
Sergeant/Chief Pilot
East Bay Regional Park Police
Helicopter Unit
Hayward, California