For The Love of My Life
August 28th, 2008 Posted in UncategorizedOfficer Erik Hite
This may be a bit unusual to set up a web site for a fallen husband and father but when a friend suggested it I was excited about the idea. Little makes me feel happy these days, as you might imagine, but honoring my husband, preserving his memory and being able to let you know how I feel about a couple issues is important to me.
I have three main priorities for this site:
#1 I want to gather as much as I can regarding Erik and the impressions he made on people both while he lived and by dying in the line of duty. I receive a lot of positive feedback about Erik and the life he lived, and we had together, but our son Roy doesn’t hear it as much as I do. I also want to preserve a record so that when our beautiful daughter Samantha is old enough or ready she will have a “fresh perspective” that is not diluted by the passing of time. I want to gather links to other web sites, store data, and have a blog where we can have a conversation of sorts. I don’t know how often I will post but I would appreciate any posts you make to add to the record and I will respond as I can or have time to. The only reason this is getting done now is because of conversations with friends and them giving me the words to approve and make sure their mine. I don’t think I could write this on my own right now.
#2 By doing #1 and gathering and preserving the record I want to honor Erik. He served his country faithfully for 21 years. He was at TPD for 4 years and he gave his life to protect all of us when the community was in danger. He was a wonderful husband and we had a “perfect life” together. He was an awesome father to his first child Roy who now has a family of his own and to our daughter Samantha who was a gift from God after losing three previous pregnancies. Most of all Erik was a man who’s driving force was a deep faith in God and his son Jesus who we believe to be the savior of mankind. It doesn’t mean we always get what we want, it means we are forgiven and have eternal life. Right now I need to know that God is always with me and that Erik is already with God.
#3 I want to express my desire that Thank A Cop day should be held every year. I can tell you from my conversations with Erik at the end of his day that Cops need all the support they can get. Their job is difficult, stressful and for the most part they are not patted on the back enough. I appreciate very much Tucson celebrating with a Thank A Cop day after Erik died, but we need to tell them how much we appreciate them while they are still here. There are plans being made for a memorial to Erik and to all the officers who have fallen at TPD before Erik. There is discussion about doing so for all First Responders. I think all that needs to be done. My first choice would be to have a memorial just for TPD Cops. Or, if there is a memorial for all first responders, I would like the different services to be separate at that memorial. I think it should be on public land, after all they are city employees, and then that memorial could be the focus of an annual Thank A Cop day or Thank Our First Responders day maybe around memorial day. At a city park would be great and it could be another place to go and do things in Tucson.
Sincerely,
Nohemy Hite
12 Responses to “For The Love of My Life”
By Dave Sr. on Aug 29, 2008
Nohemy,
You know how we feel about you. We will always be here for you. Congratulations on this site for Erik. We hope it can bring joy to you and your family. See you soon!
Love you D & M
By Ricksgirl41 on Aug 30, 2008
Nohemy,
Just want you and Samantha to know that Rick and I will always be here for you. You and Erik touched our lives in so many ways, especially throught the marriage Bible study. This website is a beautiful tribute to Erik and will allow others to be touched by his life and witness to God as well!!
We love you,
Rick and Angela
By Pastor Neil on Sep 3, 2008
Just wanted to let you know that you are loved by the entire Saguaro Canyon family, as well as Lisa and myself. We loved Erik very much, and I will always treasure our Bible Studies together on Sunday nights, as well as our numerous hospital visits when you were getting ready for motherhood! Jesus loves you and so do we!
Pastor Neil and Lisa Watson
By Steffanie and Art on Sep 3, 2008
Dear Nohemy, I just wanted to tell you that we think about you often and the wonderful times we had in the early days of the marriage bible study. You, Samantha, and Roy are in our thoughts and prayers. We always enjoyed Erik’s prospective on various things and listening to his funny stories. We miss you and this is a wondeful website you have set up.
Love,
Steffanie, Art, Davis, and Georgia Colvig
By Bobbi Jean Schneider on Sep 3, 2008
Dear Nohemy,
Hi! How are you and Samantha doing? I wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you? I love and miss you.
Love you,
Bobbi Jean
By Dana Cowgill on Sep 5, 2008
Nohemy,
I can never think of words that mean enough in light of what you are going through, but I do want you to know that I do not cease in praying for you. I only wish I could do more. We as a family will continue to lift you, Samantha, Roy and Katie up in prayer. May the Lord shower you with love and comfort.
Dana for the Cowgill family
By Penny on Sep 7, 2008
Hello Nohemy and Samantha,
Just want to let you know that we miss you alot.Tell your parents, Roy and Katie that they are also missed.We want you to know that you are loved so much from our family and if you need anything just ask, you’re in our thoughts and prayers everyday.God bless you and keep you safe always.
Love you,xxxooo
Randy,Penny and Family
By John Morse on Sep 7, 2008
Hey Nohemy and Samantha,
I have really missed seeing your smiling faces and recieving your hugs at church. I am praying for you and your family while you are all away from us. I can’t wait to see you girls when you two get back. I really hope that you two are doing well while you are with your family, Nohemy.
Love,
John Morse
By Ben Johnson on Sep 8, 2008
Dear Nohemy,
You probley don’t remember me, we met at the Hite’s Hot Rods and Handle Bars Event. Every time I see a police officer or a first responder I remember Officer Hite, his bravery and courage. He was such an honorable man in the way he lived and died. Good luck to you and your beautiful little girl,Samantha, your family is always in my prayers.
-Ben Johnson, Tucson Police Explorer
By Maria Gallardo on Sep 14, 2008
Mi querida Nohemy y Samantha,
First of all thank you for sharing your lives with us. Eric esta presente en los muchos recuerdos que tenemos de el. Hasta en una foto que habiamos encontrado de ustedes de hace mucho tiempo. Esta aqui para recordarnos de siempre orar por ustedes.
Les mando un abrazo a las dos y deseando que sepan que las queremos mucho y que oramos por ustedes. Tenemos ganas de verles. Saludos a tu familia y en especial a Claudia.
Please tell Roy that we love him and pray for him.
Bendiciones,
Edgar, Maria, y Madelyn Gallardo
By Debbie Ramsey on Sep 15, 2008
By Debbie Ramsey on Sep 13, 2008
Dear Nohemy,thoughts of you fill my days. Please know that you are always in my prayers and I will always be here if you ever need me. Erik will never be forgotten and always be missed. He affected many lives, mine included. Because of him, I have found a place in church where I find peace and love. Thank you for sharing him with us through your website.
Debbie
By Tim Matthews on Sep 16, 2008
Roy and Samantha, ( You too Nohemy )
I’ve spoken to your Mom a few times. Those times I spoke of your Father and how we met and some of the things we did. I hope this will be saved here for the two of you to see (Sam, it’ll be a few years for you!)
About four years ago your Dad finished up the Police Academy to become a Police Officer with the Tucson Police Department. After the Academy there is a training period in an Academy setting before another training period in the real world called Field Training. Field Training was comprised of four sections or four phases. Your Dad came to train with me during his third phase. This lasted for five weeks. During those five weeks, I got to know alot about your Dad and his family. Between work and just speaking during the little down time we had, there was never a dull moment. Roy, your Dad spoke about you frequently as Sam was not yet here. We would speak about our children and how they were doing. He always told me how he was proud of you when you were doing well and we consulted eachother when either of our children were experiencing difficult times as we both understood how difficult it was to work during the shift we did. While you were older Roy, your Dad wanted to experience the joy of an additional child in your family. Another child of whom he could love as much as he did you and to live the dream of the family he had strived to love and dedicate himself to.
This will end part 1 of my story to you as time is running out for me right now and I must take care of other things.– As always Nohemy, Roy, Samantha and the Hite Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you–