True Police Stories

"Courage is the ability to move; when all around you are frozen in fear
and no one would blame you if you did nothing at all." Capt. Click. Phx. PD

My Name is Cathie Buckmister

People often say that they can’t imagine losing a child.

Surely, it would be one of the most severe tests one would ever have to face in this life. I said it myself many times, and would shudder at the thought. Little did I know, that not only would it happen to our family, but also it would become the one thing that would bring us closer to the Lord than anything ever could. I raised five beautiful children. Brett was our second child, and oldest son. When he was five, we were in the grocery store, and he was playing with the birdseed. He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, what’s this?" I told him it was birdseed. His reply was, "Oh, if you plant it, will birds grow up?"

His smile was infectious, and he was pure joy to be around. As he got older, he was a lot like most kids, into his fair share of trouble. But once he got into high school, he decided that nothing was worth losing eternal life over, nothing. Not that Brett was ever guilty of any serious mistakes. Quite the contrary, he was very obedient. Just a little trial here and there, ones I look back on now with a smile and a sigh.

The one thing that was always a part of Brett’s character
was his obedience to God and His commandments.

He was a rock in his Quorums, a leader among his friends. He was gifted, in many things. His love of Basketball was a big part of his life. He played for Mesa High, but not without struggles. He was cut his sophomore and his junior year. He gave it one last shot and played his senior year. As he prepared for his mission, he became what every Mother wants her son to be. I would find him quietly reading his scriptures, keeping his room clean, and dutifully helping me out with chores.

                                         He was always happy!
                             I only remember a few times when he was ever down.
                                                              He just chose to be happy.

He served an honorable mission to the Philippines Naga Mission. He loved serving the Philipino people, loved their language, and loved sharing the gospel. He had tremendous testimony building experiences there, which solidified his faith in the Savior. He came home a refined young man.

His life had just begun, and with a renewed desire to find his sweet companion, he began the quest. He had quite a time with different jobs, and different dates, to find the right fit in both areas. He wasn’t happy with the way his career was going, and told me he was thinking of getting on the Mesa Police Department. I was his Mother, right? So I told him no way was he going to do that. So he listened to me, and went on with his boring job. Then his sweet Rosanna came into his life. My husband and I were serving in the Young Adults in our ward, and were at a Fireside. Brett was the Stake Young Adult Representative for our Ward at the time. We were standing in the hallway after the fireside this particular night, when I met Rosanna. As I stood there talking to her, I decided to introduce her to Brett. The rest they say is history. They were married three months later, and had their first son Caleb nine months later and Brayden their second son soon after that. It was then that Brett decided to get on the Police Department. Rosanna’s father was the Chief of police at the State Capitol, and her two brothers were DPS Officers at the time. So, no longer did he need or ask for my permission! He was hired right away, and he began his career in Law Enforcement, in February 1999.

                   Whenever Brett had a decision to make about anything,
                                 he fasted and prayed until he got his answer.
                             When he made the decision to get into Law Enforcement,
                                                                     it was no different.

He knew it was the right thing for him to do. We all felt good about his decision, and supported him 100%. There is nothing to compare to the day when he graduated from the Academy, and the pride he felt as his Father pinned his badge on him.

He was assigned to Page, and we were so grateful, because nothing much happens up there. He and his family enjoyed the beauty of the area, the quiet and solitude of Lake Powell. When Brett was in his cruiser, he would always have his scriptures along. When he had construction duty or down time he would read them. He loved Page and being in law enforcement and often remarked, "they pay me to do this?"

He spent every moment with his wife and 2 sons that he could. When he was home with them, it was family time. They didn’t have much to watch on T.V. so when the antenna quit working, they left the T.V. off, and did things as a family. They would go to the Lake and skip rocks, or fly kites or just horse around on the floor with his kids. He made the very most of the time he had with them.

About six weeks before his death, he called me one Sunday. He told me that he had given a lesson in Priesthood that day about Mothers. He said he had born his testimony about me, and our relationship. He told me how grateful he was for me, and all I had done for him through the years. He told me how much he loved me. As I sat there talking to him, I can’t describe how I felt that day. More special than ever.

Two weeks before his death, he had vacation time, and came down to Mesa to visit and to take his family to Disneyland. When he came over to our house, he was able to spend alone time with each one of us in our family. We had so much fun. The night before they left for Page, they stood at our door with the boys sleepy and ready to go. But after a few more laughs, decided to stay and talk a little longer. We talked and laughed about old times, things they did as kids and stayed until the wee hours. It was so special.

                                   We hugged and kissed good-bye,
                                             and that was the last time we saw Brett.

About a week later he called and told us how the weather had changed, and a freak snowstorm came up out of nowhere. He was excited about his first felony warrant arrest he had, and again, we said, "I love you" and good-bye.

It was March 21, 2000 a cold and snowy Tuesday morning. Brett was exercising with his family, doing leg lunges with his boys on his back. He was to report to work at 10 a.m. A call came that he needed to respond to a rollover accident on Highway 89. He quickly dressed, and ran out the door. His wife called out to him, "Do you have everything?" To which he responded, yes! The road was icy, there was fog, and Brett collided with an oncoming vehicle. He tried in vain to avoid the accident, but to no avail. He was killed, along with 4 other people in the other car.

                        Brett did have everything when he left that day.
                                         He had the priesthood and his eternal family.

His testimony was firm and unwavering. His faith was founded in the Savior and his plan for us. He left a legacy of love, faith and devotion. His example is what I look to now. I am so proud of him, as is his entire family. His younger brother and best friend, Aaron followed in his footsteps, and is also a DPS Officer.

                  Through the grieving process, I have learned many things.
                      The first and most important is that we are not left comfortless.

The Lord saw fit to bless us in so many ways. It is as if he lifted us up that Tuesday morning, and carried us through the whole experience, and hasn’t set us down yet. Many people asked me about our faith, and if we were angry with God for taking Brett. My only reply could be, "No, I love him more than ever." When you go through something like that, it really does test your love and faith in the Lord. But our family chose to look at the loss of our beloved son, with an eternal perspective. It made all the difference.

Brett’s funeral was the most spiritual experience I have ever had. One month before Brett’s passing, Skip Fink was killed on US 60. DPS was still mourning his death, and had just gone through the logistics of his funeral, where to have it and so on. They knew Brett’s funeral would be large, and wanted us to have it at a different location, somewhere other than our Stake Center. Even the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Chandler was mentioned. But the Spirit led our decision, and his funeral was held at our Stake Building. There were over 2,000 people in attendance. Governor Jane D. Hull spoke, along with Col. Garrett of DPS. Two of Brett’s friends on his squadron spoke and shared their love for Brett. Many non-members were in attendance, officers came from all over, even out of state. The Arizona Mormon Choir sang, and Brett’s Priest Quorum Advisor Brian McCleary spoke, his former Bishop, Michael Fleming, and his sister Charlon. The Spirit was so strong. When Bishop Fleming spoke, he quoted from his own journal of the day he had Brett in his office to interview him before he left on his mission. He had asked Brett to bear his testimony to him, and he had written it down in his journal. Bishop Fleming then shared it word for word with the congregation. The gospel was taught, and many experiences of Brett’s were spoken of straight out of his missionary journals.

                                    The Plan of Salvation was explained,
                                                  and taught with love and sincerity.

Many people came to me later, and told me how their life had changed just from attending Brett’s funeral. And many more told me how they wished they could have known him. Once you become a part of the Law Enforcement family, you never leave. I still wanted to feel a part of it, and to give back something to all of those who were so good to us from DPS. So, I got involved. I asked when I could start to help, and how.

Sgt. Jim Warriner was Rosanna's escort during the funeral, and helped us with all of the arrangements. He was like our guardian angel at the time. He got me involved in Peer Support, and AZCOPS. Our family attended the ceremonies in Washington D.C. for Police Week, and from that alone I knew I had to help other families get back there and experience that. I became the Secretary of the Arizona Chapter of COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors). For the past two years I have been speaking to each of the graduating classes for DPS at their Family Education Day. I tell them about being a Mother of an officer, and I tell them about Brett.

                          I know that the Lord in all of His wisdom
               knows that we can endure the challenges He places before us,
                                                           no matter what they may be.

                  I know that He has more faith in us than we have in ourselves.
                              I love this Gospel, and the hope that it gives us.
                                          I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation,
                                                    and the knowledge
                                                                 that life is eternal,
                                                        and Families  are  Forever.

                                                                 Sincerely,
                                                             Cathie Buckmister

From Mother to Son  ...on Mother's day  ...May, 2000

My Beloved Son, Brett

                        How do I start this, a poem for you?
                                  You are one in a billion, like the droplets of dew.
                        Your birth wasn't easy, the hardest one yet,
                                  But look what I got, my sweet little Brett.

                        Your blue eyes they sparkled, your hair in curls.
                                  Everyone thought you were a cute little girl.
                        With your energy and smile you always had on,
                                  There was no doubt you were our son.

                        You ran and you played the games of the day.
                                  When it was bedtime, you would always stop to pray.
                        "Bless  Mommy and Daddy, and Charlon too"
                                  You'd bless everyone and everything before you were through.

                        As you grew into manhood at the ripe age of twelve,
                                  You prepared for the Priesthood, we could surely tell.
                        Honest, thrifty, brave, it was true.
                                  And that was just the beginning of you being you.

                        Those Junior High years gave me a fright.
                                  At times I would worry all through the night.
                        Why did I worry, I'll never know.
                                  You were a man of God, in embryo.

                        Soon you were preparing for a mission and more.
                                  For you, there was so much in store.
                        Service, and guidance, and leadership too.
                                  Those were just a few of the gifts given to you.

                        And then the call came, on a November afternoon,
                                  To serve in the Philippines, and to leave very soon.
                        The language, Tagalog, would be difficult too.
                                  Bit nothing would ever be easy for you.

                        You began to prepare for a mission abroad,
                                  White shirts and dark socks, and a deep faith in God.
                        For He would go before you and prepare the way.
                                  "It's the Lord we must trust" you'd always say.

                        With faith in your Father, you boarded the plane.
                                  Knowing you would never be the same.
                        You served Him so faithfully, so perfect, so well.
                                  We knew that with Him, someday, you would dwell.

                        You came home to a family who missed you so much.
                                  Your letters you sent, so full of love.
                        We knew when we saw you, you'd been serving God.
                                  Because under your arm, was the iron rod.

                        You taught and you served, you cried and you prayed.
                                  I know if you could, you would have stayed.
                        But your Father in Heaven knows you so well,
                                  You came back home with your family to dwell.

                        Your Philippine mission was just a start.
                                  Your next mission would be one of the heart.
                        So you began a search that took almost a year.
                                  Again, you knew, you had nothing to fear.

                        But you were looking, with Heaven's power.
                                  To find the sweetest most perfect flower.
                        Her eyes, which held you, her voice like a whisper.
                                  When she looked at you, it had to be her.

                        Her name was Rosanna, just like the flower.
                                  The one you'd been searching for, yes she had the power.
                        The power to help you reach Celestial glory.
                                  But that is not the end of the story.

                        First Caleb, then Brayden, two sons sent from heaven.
                                 Together they'd give you what you wanted given.
                        Fatherhood, service, unconditional love.
                                  All from a loving Father above.

                        Then came the career, the job you would love.
                                  Again, sent from a loving Father above.
                        Service again, was the core of it, yes.
                                  Serving us all with the D.P.S.

                        We couldn't have been more proud that day.
                                  When you pledged to serve us and our state.
                        Your badge and your gun, you wore them with pride.
                                 The dangerous job, you'd take it in stride.

                        The people of Page grew to love you.
                                  It seems there is nothing that you wouldn't do.
                        You wanted to give, to help and to serve.
                                  You did your job, with love and with nerve.

                        And then the call came, someone needed help.
                                  You didn't think twice, it was caring you felt.
                        The morning was snowy, foggy and cold.
                                  You had to hurry, they were hurt you were told.

                        A good bye to your family, "I'll see you soon,"
                                  You ran out the door, to do what you must do.
                        "There are people who need me, them I must help."
                                  Were your last earthly thoughts, I'm sure you would tell.

                        And now you are living with Father again.
                                 His Son Jesus Christ, is your closest friend.
                        You did reach perfection, this life, it was great.
                                  All honor give to badge #5548

With Love,
Mom.

(Cathie Buckmister)

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