Nicholas Sottile E-mail Condolences

Dear members of the Florida Highway Patrol,

I am a Lieutenant with the New York City Police Department, Highway Unit #3. I am deeply saddened by the loss of your sergeant this week. You should know, my unit displays a bulletin board with current line of duty deaths for all our officers to see. Sergeant Nicholas Sottile will proudly be displayed on our board and our heartfelt sympathy goes to your department and families.

Sincerely,

Lieutenant Steven R. Ellman
NYPD – Highway Unit 3
198-15 Grand Central Parkway
Hollis, NY 11423

On behalf of the Blue Knights, it is with great sadness that we learn of your loss of brother Trooper Nicholas Sottile.

The Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (organized 1974) with over 20,000 members, is the world’s largest motorcycle Club for police. The State of Florida is represented by the, “Southern Regional Conferecence”, which includes Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Florida currently has 29 Chapters statewide and meets twice annually to decided local issues and upcoming charities. Our parent Corporate Constitution & By-laws encourage motorcycle safety and road courtesy. Our motto is “Ride With Pride”, and make every effort to participate and assist our working law enforcement brothers and sisters.

Our members that attended the funeral reported a professional and moving service to Trooper Sottile. We will remembered Trooper Sottile in our prayers during out upcoming meeting in South Carolina. Again, please accept our sincere sympathy in your tragic loss.

Ride With Pride
Alexander Ramirez

Hi Chris, i don’t know if this is your email, but i just learned on t.v about the trooper that got shot in Sebring, my thoughts are with you and your department and the trooper’s family.

take care
your friend
carlos vidal

To all of concern of the honorable FHP,

Please accept my prayers and regards to your fellow Troopers and the family of Trooper Sgt. Nick Sottile.

We all strive for the same goals no matter what kind of badge or title. We all morn as well as praise those who risk all to protect and serve the public trust.

Regards,

M. King
Custom Protection Officer – TWC/G4S
Lakeland, Florida, USA

On behalf of the men and women of the Illinois Troopers Lodge #41, please extend my condolences to the Sottile family, as well as to the men and women of the Florida Highway Patrol. Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything that we can do, do not hesitate to contact us.

L .H. “Buddy” Parker, President
Illinois Troopers Lodge #41

My wife and I would like to offer our condolences to the family and fellow troopers of Sergeant Nicholas Sottile. It’s through the efforts of men and women of law enforcement that we live in a relatively safe country and it is of course a tragic loss when one is lost by accident or malicious intention. Words are of little help during times like this, however we understand the hardships the Sergeant’s family will face with this loss and our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Sincerely
Patrick and Alison Morgan

Good afternoon Major. Please extend my deepest sympathies to Colonel Chris Knight and all of the Florida Highway Patrol employees and members on the tragic loss of Sergeant Sottile. During 2006 we experienced the worst loss of life in the 89 year history of the New York State Police. We lost two Troopers to felonious gunfire; one Trooper killed in Iraq by a sniper while serving with the USMC; one Trooper killed in a high speed pursuit; and, two others from natural causes and an off duty accident. We know the impact of your loss and we have you all in our thoughts.

Sincerely,

Wayne E. Bennett
Superintendent

I just wanted to express my sorrow for the loss of your trooper! God bless you all and thanks for your service!!!

Mike Mularoni

I just wanted to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication to all of us. This world is a scary place. But we always pick up the phone and call you when things go wrong. please send our sincere condolences to the Sottile family.

The Decoteau Family

Please convey my deepest sympathy to the family of Sgt. Sottile. Everytime a law enforcement officer dies a little bit of America dies also. All law enforcement families, active and retired, mourn the loss of Sgt. Sottile.

Pat Fitzpatrick
The Villages, FL
FBI retired

To the men and women of the FHP,

I am a retired member of the Kansas Highway Patrol and wish to express my deepest sympathies upon the death of Trooper Nicholas Sottile. At times such as these, there is really nothing that anyone can say that could fully express the loss felt by all that have sworn to serve and protect. Please express my heart felt sympathy to Trooper Sottile’s wife Heather and his family. If there will be a memorial fund established in Trooper Sottile’s name, please add my name to those that will be more than eager to donate.

Dallas G. Miley K-9358
Kansas Highway Patrol, Retired
Tavares, Florida

I want to send this message to give our condolance to the trooper killed in FT Myers. We are soory to hear that someone take the life of a person there to protect and preserve life. We dont know his or her name but would like to help in donation to family. Thank you. Rivera family.

First, I offer my condolences to the family of the FHP officer killed today. No one deserves to be shot down for doing their job, and that goes in spades for a law enforcement officer. Three of my children grew up to be LEOs in other states, and I always worry about stuff that can happen.

In any case, again my sympathies and respects

Sincerely,
Travis E. Elmore
Rockledge FL

My heart is heavy tonight for the loss of not only a member of the community here in Highlands County and for the town of Lake Placid. I knew of Nick and the fine work he did not only as a member of the Troop F of The Florida Highway Patrol but also his involvement in the community.

He will be missed in both areas. My heart goes out to his wife and children…please let them know that my prayers are with them.

I have sat here all night listening to the police scanner and watching the news for any information in capturing his killer (s) and I have shed a many a tear….I feel so helpless, I wish I could do something to help out. I am at loss for words; this a very sad day!

Please if there is anything any thing I can do please contact me!

Again my heart felt thoughts and prayers. The funeral procession was magnificent on Tuesday, Jan. 16….I sat in front of my little ‘red Ford escort” along US 27 half way between US 98 and Lake Placid for the entire times and in between the tears I tried to salute each and every law enforcement agency that was represented that day.

It was over whelming to see the out poring of support by everyone….I made a comment to a Deputy from Hardee County ( her name was Julie), who was sitting in the crossover spot almost directly across from where I was sitting….that the “punks” who are responsible for Sgt. Sottile’s death should have been made to stand at attention in the hot sun for hours and watch this funeral procession and realize just what they have done and how well respected Sgt. Sottile was by the entire community, that they should hang their head in shame!

In my quest to honor Sgt. Sottile and all law enforcement officers; I have resolved to do the following: 1. Make sure I obey the speed limit to the exact ‘mph’ ( I have only ever had one speeding ticket…back in 1989, going 42 mph in a 20 mph school zone in Sebring…deputy who ticketed me was mortified to have to blemish my perfect record, but I told him not to fret because I deserved it!) 2. When ever I am out and about on the roadways and I see an officer has someone pulled over for “routine traffic stop” (nothing is routine after 1/12/07) I will safely pull over at a safe distance behind patrol vehicle and observe, have camera & cell in hand and ready….. until officer completes the traffic stop and is safely back into his vehicle and on his way. 3. I will remind others persons to move over when they see an law enforcement person along the roadway stopped at either an accident or a traffic stop. This is the least I can do for “you guys” who do your all to protect me; is to make sure you are okay , too! The time spent to do these things is so little time lost…it will hardly make a dent in my day! We just have to help and protect each other as best that is possible.

Linda

—

Linda K. Blackwell
BUSINESS WRITER
HIGHLANDS TODAY
Sebring, FL

Chuck Lowe here touching base with you from my Cocoa home.

I am so very sorry about the loss of Sgt Sottile. I watched Col Knight’s roadside new conference this morning and cannot express in words my heart-felt sympathies to you, the family, friends, and co-workers of Sgt Sottile. I did not know of his shooting and death until this morning, but I was proud that the suspects were caught and arrested. What a tragedy!!! You just lost one to cancer, and now a second one to a heinous act of cowardice and violence. I know it cuts deep, and I offer my prayers to you and everyone connected in one form or another with this sadness. I was extremely impressed with how Colonel Knight handled the press conference. What a well prepared and professional speaker and presentation. He noticeably withheld his emotions and that was equally impressive.

Again my friend, my sympathies and prayers to you all, his family, and friends.

Charles “Chuck ” Lowe
Cocoa
(United Space Alliance)

God Speed Trooper Sottile – May our Lord watch over your family –

Remember: “He whom we love and lose, is no longer where he was before…He is now wherever we are.” (St. John Chrysosotrn)

Chief Warant Officer
James R. Ferguson
U.S.Coast Guard (Ret)
Nashville TN USA

Major Tom Knight, Colonel Chris Knight, FHP Troopers and the family of Nick Sottile

It has been a week now and we just wanted to express our sincere sympathy from my fellow NFL brothers and myself to each of you. Buccaneer Chris Hovan #95, Dan Buenning #72, Jason Maniecki #90 and myself, who are also special deputies, were very grief stricken in attendance of Nick’s funeral and still are.

It was such a senseless and shameless act to destroy such a wonderful family. We were very honored though to be escorted down to Highlands County that morning from Tampa Bay by Trooper Glen Crima and Troopers Todd Cloud. It never gets easier and we support you all in law enforcement in every way.

I commend all of you for such professionalism, heroism and pulling together in time of need. After the church service, we stayed close to all the troupers at graveside and in formation in direct sun light in the heat of the day wearing suits but after the fly over and calling out Nick’s number, I do not think there was a dry eye in the cemetery.

We stay close to all the Deputies and Sheriff of Polk County as well with the loss of our friend Deputy Matt Williams who did so much for us and lost his life in a similar manner on September 28, 2006 as well.

I have said it before and that once again, another great law enforcement officer Nick Sottile made a human sacrifice to give us freedom and for that I am forever grateful.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to each of you.

Sincerely,

Polk, Sarasota and Citrus County Special Deputy
David C. Williams
St. Pete., Fl.

In respect to fallen officer Nick Sottile

We are all sadden to hear of the death of one of our State Troopers, Nick Sottile. I went to school with him and his sister Debbie, and would like to give them my sympathy on the loss of a friend, father, husband, brother and son. May you remember the laughter that he gave you through the years and God bless all of you in this sadden time.

Michelle Gillespie Berg

DEar Sirs/Madams:

It is with deep sorrow that I send this note. I just read the article announcing Sgt. Sotille’s death. It is unfortunate that our officers are killed in the line of duty. May he be blessed for the good that he has done. It is commendable that there are people like Sgt. Sotille. These men and women are in harms way everyday, but they chose to protect Florida’ s citizens on the highways.

I am so sorry that he was killed. He was a good man to have worked for the Florida Highway Patrol for some amny years. May God protect the patrols, all of you. Please relay my condolences to the family.

Sincerely,
Khadijah U. Bilal
Gainesville, Florida Resident

I send my deepest sorrow for your loss. I went to the academy (transition class) with Nick Jr. I was at the services in Sebring. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Trooper Steve McNeely

My brother just told me about the tragic death of Nick Sottile. I grew up in Lake Placid and knew all of the Sottile brothers. I graduated a year behind Nick. Our family’s thoughts and prayers are with you all as you deal with the unfortunate loss of a beloved friend. May God bless you and guide you and you mourn your loss.

Ray and Grace Farrell