Remembering Tyler
Qualities - Loyal and Caring. He loved his family and cared about their well-being and safety. Example-when we met for dinner, he’d always call or text to be sure we made it home ok. It was a role reversal for us. He was a loyal friend. He always was the one trying and making plans to get the friends together to hang out. Tyler was the one you wanted in the middle of your get together. He had a funny/goofy side that not everyone got to see. His caring was sincere and everyone who knew him knew that he was genuine.
Tyler's Legacy- I would love for people to remember to put others first, be kind, help someone when they’re down on their luck. Always pay it forward. Pursue the good, always. Life is short, and even though he had no idea how short his was to be, he would want you to make everyday count like he did.
Tyler's liked a lot of music genres. Lately as an adult, I think he leaned more to country with artists like Luke Combs, Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen and Dan & Shay. On our last family beach trip that he would go, he was sitting with our group singing along with the music to Luke Combs song, “When it Rains, It Pours”. I’ll always think of that trip with him whenever I hear that song!
I would tell him, that I NEVER want people to forget him. Never forget who he was as a son, brother, boyfriend, friend or Police Officer. He had special qualities in each of those roles that has impacted each person whose lives he touched and whose paths he crossed. I hope people always continue to tell “Tyler stories”. I would tell him that I am thankful for every minute of the 25 years 363 days that I was allowed to have him and how proud I was and am of him and all that he achieved. He was not a flashy guy, and I think he would he honored and humbled by this foundation in his honor, but he’d be proud to have his name associated with the good we are pursuing and all we are trying to accomplish!
Tyler could instantly light up or uplift any room that he walked in to. It wasn’t hard to smile or laugh when he was around! He constantly put others before himself and did his absolute best to be of service to his community. He loved his job and being able to be a part of making the world a better, safer place. I think his career and the people in his life gave him a sense of purpose, and I know he would have fulfilled his acts of service (both in and out of work) for as long as he possibly could have. Tyler was truly one of a kind.
I’d want everyone to remember that there are still kind, good hearted people out there, and that he was one of them.
Tyler had such a diverse taste in music! He liked almost anything from pop, country, hip-hop, 80s, you name it. I have a short video of him singing “Nothing but a Good Time” by Poison. Although he wasn’t the best (haha!), singing is one thing he loved to do! One of my favorite memories is when we went to our first Florida Georgia Line concert together in the summer of 2019.
I would tell Tyler that I'm doing this to keep his memory alive and to make sure that others know how great of a person he truly was. I am so lucky to have been able to see it firsthand for the 2+ years that we shared together, and I hope and pray all the time that he knows how special he was and always will be. Tyler accomplished so much during his time here, and I hope to do the same in honor of him.
Tyler’s police car turned out absolutely beautiful. I truly think it encompasses his life well. He was extremely family oriented and cared deeply for those (family, friends, coworkers, etc.) in his life. It tells a story that I know he would be proud of!
Tyler had so many qualities but the one that I can appreciate about him was his love for people no matter who they were. The difference was that his love was genuine and sincere.
Tyler's car - There was a committee that consisted of several men and women that were close to Tyler so it was a decision that was created from love. It conveys the message that he is and always with us and he will never be forgotten.
Tyler's Legacy - To always love people and treat people with respect. Also to never give up and continue to work hard.
I would tell Tyler that he motivates - so many people and for them to always remember his legacy and the great and genuine person he was to not only me but others. To continue my friend, brother, and coworkers legacy. I know without a doubt in my mind that he would do the same and feel the same way about me. Tyler and I have had several conversations that no one knows about but me and him. I always promised him that I would NEVER turn my back on him.
Tyler was a pretty good listener and would give feedback and share ideas whenever we would talk about decisions we were making in life. He always had sense of doing the right thing, one time he got pink eye and wouldn’t use my antibiotic eye drops because they weren’t prescribed to him. He also had a great sense of humor he was pretty quick witted with a joke and had a good awareness of comedic timing.
Tyler's Legacy - That Tyler went into his profession to build better relationships with the people he interacted with at work. He wanted to remove the stigma that people have about law enforcement officers and show them that they’re there to be helpful and support the communities they’re representing.
Tyler had a pretty broad array of music he would listen to but one thing never changed he had to be in control of the music selection. Depending on the mood he’d have us listening to Kenny Chesney, Van Halen, Drake, Luke Combs, FGL, Future, The Killers, and Rascal Flats. He would sing songs to match the mood too like Trace Adkins “You’re gonna miss this” during a sentimental moment.
I would tell Tyler that he was always there to support me through life and I’m still going to be here to support him and keep his legacy and memory going because he would be doing the same for me.