Luke Tamatea

New Zealand Soldier Corporal Luke Tamatea, age 31, of Kawerau, died on August 19, 2012, in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb. 

He was with the Royal Infantry of New Zealand - 2nd/1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/1 RNZIR) based in Burnham.

Saint Francis of Assisi, pray
for Luke

Luke grew up in Te Teko, 10 kilometres from Kawerau and left Edgecumbe College in 1996.

Luke Tamatea joined the army in 2000 and served in Timor Leste in 2001, the Solomons in 2003 and helped with the tsunami recovery in Sumatra in 2005. He had previously served in Afghanistan in 2007. His recent deployment to Afghanistan began in April of 2012.

Friends stated that he was a nice easy going guy, clean cut and a huge mountain of a man.  It was also stated that he was popular among his mates.

Luke is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother, Lynn McSweeney; and his grandmother, Loraine O'Brien.

Let us pray that Luke Tamatea is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Jamie Shadrake

British Guardsman Jamie Shadrake, age 20, died on August 17, 2012, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from enemy gun fire. 

He was with the Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. 

Jamie grew up in Cardiff and later moved to Wrexham.  He joined the Army at the age of 17 and initially served in the Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards in London conducting public duties at the Royal Palaces and state ceremonial tasks. In April 2010, he moved to 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards in Aldershot, joining his elder brother in The Queen's Company. After impressing officers during a training exercise in 2011, he was moved to the Battalion's elite Reconnaissance Platoon.

He deployed with the Platoon to Afghanistan on his first operational tour the same year.

Father, place Jamie on the
Stairway to Heaven

Family members describe him as a loving son and brother who was proud to be a soldier.

Military officials describe him as an outstanding soldier, energetic, bright and committed. 

Colleagues describe him as the greatest mate. 

Jamie is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his parents, Cathryn and Philip Shadrake; brothers Carl, Kieran and Shane; and sister Kerry-Anne.

Pray for the 20 year olds who die in combat. Yesterday, they were just boys. 

Let us pray that Jamie Shadrake is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Moses Walker Jr. - Law Enforcement - Pennsylvania

Officer Moses Walker Jr., age 40, died on August 18, 2012, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Moses was a member of the Philadelphia Police Department and was assigned to the 22nd District Station. He had 19 years of service. 

He had just finished his shift when he was shot several times about 6 a.m., 4 blocks from the Station. He was wearing street clothes and was walking to a bus stop. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. 

His service revolver was under his body, but it is unknown if it had been discharged. Robbery may have been the motive. 

Several rewards are being offered for information leading to the apprehension of any persons involved in the death of this officer. 

Michael, Archangel,
Patron Saint of the
Police, pray for
Moses 

Moses graduated from Ben Franklin High School and then from the police academy in 1993. He had been in what is now the 22nd District since 1994.

Police Officials describe Moses as a mellow man and gentle man who was always smiling. 

City officials describe Moses as a committed public servant, beloved by his family, friends and colleagues. 

He was a deacon at Deliverance Evangelist Church.  Family members describe him as kind, sweet and well-mannered. 

Moses is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother and his five siblings.


Let us pray that Moses Walker Jr. is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Robert Potter - Law Enforcement - New Mexico

Officer Robert Potter, age 41, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, died in the line of duty on August 16, 2012, near Vado, New Mexico.

Robert was a member of the New Mexico Motor Transportation Police Department. He had 7 years of service. 

He was a K-9 officer.  He was a Marine Corps veteran. 

Michael, Archangel,
Patron Saint of the
Police, pray for Robert

Robert and several officers responded to a tractor-trailer crash scene on a highway near Vado. After assisting and performing life saving actions, he suffered a heart attack and lost consciousness. He was transported to a hospital in Las Cruces where he was pronounced deceased.

Police officials stated that Robert will be sorely missed. 

Robert is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his wife JoAnne and their son, Matthew Duke. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty. 

Let us pray that Robert Potter is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Michael DeMarsico II

Pfc. Michael R. DeMarsico II, age 20, of North Adams, Massachusetts, died on August 16, 2012, in Panjwa’l, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered an enemy improvised explosive device. 

Michael was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. 

He left for his first tour of duty in February of 2012 and was set to return in December of 2012. 

Michael is a 2010 graduate of Drury High School.

Jesus, pray for Michael

High school officials describe him as having a vision of serving his country. 

Family members stated that Michael liked baseball and football. They also stated that he loved his family and his country. He is their hero. 

Local officials stated that the citizens of North Adams are heartbroken and that Michael will be sorely missed.

Michael is survived by many loving friends and relatives, including his parents, Lisa and Michael DeMarsico; sisters Aubrey, Kailey, Leigha, and brother, Adam. 

Pray for the 20 year olds who die in combat. Yesterday, they were just boys. 

Let us pray that Michael DeMarsico II is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Andrew Keller

Pfc. Andrew J. Keller, age 22, of Tigard, Oregon, died on August 15, 2012, in Charkh, Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. 

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy.

Andrew was a 2008 graduate of Beaverton’s Southridge High School, where he played football for the Skyhawks varsity football team.

Family members describe Andrew as a great man, who was humble but confident.  

Angels of God, pray for Andrew

He is also described as a loving son. 

Andrew is survived by many loving friends and relatives, including his parents and his girlfriend. 

Let us pray that Andrew Keller is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Eric Holman

Staff Sgt. Eric S. Holman, age 39, of Evans City, Pennsylvania, died on August 15, 2012, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered an enemy improvised explosive device.

Eric was assigned to 192nd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, 20th Support Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He was a 1990 graduate of Avonworth High School. He graduated from Penn State in 1995 with a degree in criminal justice. He joined the military 9 years ago. 

Gabriel, Archangel, who stands
in the presence of God,
pray for Eric. 

Family members describe Eric as motivated, meticulous and strong-willed. He loved the military and wanted to make it his career. They also said he was close to his family. 

His current deployment to Afghanistan began in January of 2012. He was scheduled to come home in September of 2012.

Eric is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother Carol; his father, David; his brother, Kevin; his sister, Lisa; his 7 year old son Misha; and his stepmother, Jan. He was separated from his wife, Terri. 

Let us pray that Eric Holman is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

James Justice

American Soldier James Justice, age 21, of Cherryville, North Carolina, died on August 16, 2012, in Afghanistan. 

James was shot in the head during a combat mission days earlier. He had been transported to a military hospital in Germany, where he succumbed to his injuries. 

James attended Cherryville High School and received a diploma from Gaston College. He joined the Army at the age of 18. 

He left for Afghanistan about a month ago for his first tour of duty there. He had previously been stationed in Italy.

Angels of God, pray for James

Family members stated that James had always wanted to be a soldier. They describe him as a loving young man who was full of life and who loved to laugh. 

James was a man of faith who belonged to the the Kings Mountain's New Beginnings Church of Jesus Christ. 

James is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his father, Randall Justice; and his step-mother, Melissa Justice; his wife Sissy and 3 step-daughters.

Randall Justice, James' father stated - Always be sure to tell your son you love him. Hug him. You never know if you might not see him again.

And God knows that's the truth. 

Pray for the 21 year olds who die in combat. Yesterday, they were just boys. 

Pray for the fathers who have lost their sons in combat. 

Let us pray that James Justice is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Brandon Nielsen - Law Enforcement - Louisiana

Deputy Brandon Nielsen, age 34, died in the line of duty on August 16, 2012, in LaPlace, Louisiana.

Brandon was a member of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Department.

He and other officers were investigating an earlier shooting that injured an officer working an off-duty detail. A vehicle matching the suspect vehicle's description was located in a trailer park. As deputies interviewed one subject, another subject exited a trailer and opened fire, killing Deputy Nielsen.

Five suspects were taken into custody.

Pray for Brandon

Brandon had been working as a motorcycle deputy and traffic crash investigator for the St. John Parish Sheriff's Office since October of 2010. 

Previously he had worked for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office; the Pontchartrain Levee District Police Department; the Gramercy Police Department; the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office; and as a correctional officer for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office.

State officials describe Brandon as a hero in the service of Louisiana. 

Brandon is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his wife and 5 children. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty. 

Let us pray that Brandon Nielsen is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Jeremy Triche - Law Enforcement - Louisiana

Deputy Jeremy Triche, age 27, died in the line of duty on August 16, 2012, in LaPlace, Louisiana.

Jeremy was a member of St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Department.

He would have been 28 years old in 4 days. 

He and other officers were investigating an earlier shooting that injured an officer working an off-duty detail. A vehicle matching the suspect vehicle's description was located in a trailer park. As deputies interviewed one subject, another subject exited a trailer and opened fire, killing Deputy Triche.

Five suspects were taken into custody.

Jeremy graduated from Southern Arkansas University in 2008. 

Angels of God, pray for Jeremy

State officials describe Jeremy as a hero in the service of Louisiana. 

Jeremy is survived by many loving friends and relatives, including his wife and 2 year old son.

Pray for all who die in the line of duty. 

Let us pray that Jeremy Triche is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

Wilfredo Ramos-Nieves - Law Enforcement - Puerto Rico

Agent Wilfredo Ramos-Nieves, age 42, died in the line of duty on August 14, 2012, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. 

Wilfredo was a member of the Puerto Rico Police Department. He had 15 years of service. 

Father, place Wilfredo on
the road to Heaven.

Wilfredo and 5 other agents were conducting a narcotics operation in the Juan Sánchez area of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, shortly after 3:30 pm. As they entered the area, the agents observed a man with a gun. Before the agents were able to take action the subject opened fire on them, fatally wounding Agent Ramos-Nieves.

The suspected shooter was arrested several hours later as was another man in connection with the case. 

Police officials describe Wilfredo as an outstanding public servant and a comrade. 

Friends describe Wilfredo as a helpful neighbor and a devoted family man. Others describe him as hard-working and serious. 

Wilfredo is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his wife and four children. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty. 

Let us pray that Wilfredo Ramos-Nieves is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.