Rest in Eternal Peace Brother-In-Law & Fellow Shaler
Inspiration for me has been challenging to come by over the last 10 days or so. Last Sunday night, we got the midnight call that none of us ever want to receive; my wife’s brother, Dennis, had been shot & killed at his residence. Initially we thought it was an accidental shooting, but police have since concluded that it was intentional and are treating it as a homicide. It is believed that Dennis had gone outside to take care of an Armadillo(s) that had tore up the front yard. He barely made it past the car port before the shots were fired.
Dennis, his wife and their 3 kids, had moved from New Jersey to the family farm near Converse, LA. They were eager to trade the highly taxed Jersey for the slower-paced Sabine Parish. Here their kids could run about and be country kids on the 300 acre farm. They quickly felt at home. Dennis quickly got busy working on the house that hadn’t seen TLC for a few years. They got a couple 4 wheelers. They planted an impressive garden. Put in a zip line. The farm was once again looking alive. The family was thrilled.
Obviously, this criminal took Dennis from us. Dennis was a great brother-in-law and made me feel welcome to the family from the beginning. His wit and humor kept us laughing. Dennis served as the family’s point person for leasing the land. Dennis joked that he was looking forward to becoming a “Sheikh” – Converse, Louisiana style. Dennis was a member of GoHaynesvilleShale.com and noted that, “Wow! Looks like the site is growing up.” Dennis was creative having worked in media with the Navy and then in the private sector; we were discussing ways of working together with GHS.
Since the shooting, something else has become quite clear. In addition to taking Dennis away from his wife, children and the rest of us, this murderer also took something else that will be very hard to recapture; the innocence of the family farm. The farm had become a place for respite. My wife and her siblings had spent many a summer with their grandparents on the farm. After the passing of their grandparents, the farm had remained a gathering place; a place to get away. I grew up in rural Indiana and I thought I knew what country was, but the Louisiana farm took it to a whole nother level.
Now, this family is left to deal with Dennis’ absence and a beloved farm that is now sullied by this act of needless violence. Please, if you have any information that might be of assistance, contact the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department at (318) 256-9241.
The Sabine Index Story
The below pictures are in memory of Dennis. Perhaps they’ll give you some insight into the guy I knew. Dennis leaves behind a wife and 3 children (10, 10, & 4). Now rest in eternal peace with your Maker Dennis.
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Add a Comment
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Comment by Rev on July 4, 2009 at 2:27
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My family and I are praying for you and your family, especially the your Sisier in Law, Dennis'wife and their children.
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Comment by gloryc on July 3, 2009 at 13:55
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My heart goes out to you and Dennis's family. What a young fine looking guy and a whole life ahead of him.
I feel some of your pain, as we lost our grandson this year to yet another senseless shooting, but are grateful that his killers are in jail awaiting trial. Hopefully justice will be done and they won't have the freedom to kill again. Our grandson was 22 and in the prime of his life, so when I say I can feel for you, I do. It takes a lone time for the pain to ease, not go away, because it will never go away.
I hope they catch the killer who changed your life forever.
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Comment by Brad Foster on July 3, 2009 at 10:06
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I have been away from the site for a while but your subject line caught my eye. I only want to join others who feel so terrible to hear that a loving family member is taken away. I pray God will provide all you and Dennis' family everything you need, just when you need it most. Thank you for sharing this, it helps remind us to be grateful.
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Comment by Sal on July 3, 2009 at 9:30
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Dennis, What a sweet looking couple. What a shame that he was taken from his wife and children by a thoughtless killer at such a young age. My thoughts and prayers are surely with your sister and and the rest of the family. If you decide that there is something we can do monetary wise, please let us know.
May God bless you all. Shirley Lambert
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Comment by Amy Free on July 3, 2009 at 8:41
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My prayers are with you and your family
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Comment by LP on July 3, 2009 at 8:31
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My sincere condolences to you and your family. Dennis was a beautiful man in every respect.
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Comment by Janet Simpkins on July 3, 2009 at 8:20 -
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
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Comment by intrepid on July 3, 2009 at 8:06
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Very sad. Hope the one who did this terrible act is caught and gets his just reward.
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Comment by JeffNParis on July 3, 2009 at 7:58
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I'm so sorry to hear of your tragic loss...my dad is from Peason, which is near Florein, south of Many. Very tranquil area. No easy answers for a time like this...thanks for sharing about him...he must have been a great husband, father, son, brother-in-law and friend.
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Comment by Little Red on July 3, 2009 at 7:31
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My deepest sympathy. I live in Dallas where there is a lot of crime. Typically a local dairy posts a reward of $10,000 for the arrest and conviction of the criminal. Inevitably, it leads to an arrest because the criminal always talks about the crime to someone and that someone usually will report it to the authoritiies for the reward. There is no loyalty among friends of criminals.
If you will set up a reward mechanism with a local bank or through the appropriate law enforcement agency, I will gladly contribute $500 to start the reward fund.
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