Words can’t express my gratitude for the overwhelming support my children and I have received since the Aug. 5 death of my beloved husband, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Wilson. Although we are heartbroken, we are finding tremendous comfort in your love and kindness.
There are many people to thank, but I want to begin with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office family. Thank you to all the patrol officers, the dispatchers, the detectives, the detention staff and the civilian staff who assisted, and continue to assist, my children and me.
To the Night Crawler Squad, our skilled EMS/Fire Rescue personnel and the dedicated doctors and nurses at Peace River Regional Medical Center – thank you for being there for Mike on that terrible night and for your valiant efforts to save him. Thank you as well for all of your support and kindness in the weeks since.
Thank you to my fellow nurses and my entire hospital family. You have reached out to us in so many ways since Mike’s death. We feel your love. Thanks as well to our many friends, neighbors and family who have delivered meals, shared hugs and shed tears with us.
To the friends of Brandon, Tyler and Emily who came to the hospital that night – thank you for being there for them. To all of their friends – thank you for your continued friendship and understanding. You are helping them more than you know.
Thanks as well to all of the law enforcement officers from around the state who paid their respects at Mike’s viewing and the funeral. Mike would have been so proud to see you there.
And to the staff of Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, thank you for your professionalism and guidance through this traumatic experience.
And I cannot say enough about the fine citizens of our Charlotte County community. The blue ribbons, the signs in Mike’s honor displayed outside local businesses, the donations and fundraisers in his memory – the children and I have been so grateful and overwhelmed by it all. And to the thousands of people who stood in the hot sun along Mike’s 24-mile procession – your signs, salutes, balloons and waves touched our hearts deeply. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you all for honoring our hero.
Joanne Wilson