Officer Gary Fortner, 38, of Monroe passed away March 31, 2009 at 12:58 a.m.
Born July 7, 1970 he was the son of Arnold and Phyllis (Ridner) Fortner. He married Jennifer Carver October 11, 1996.
Gary was a family man. He was a devoted husband and father to two beautiful girls. When he wasn't at work you could find him vacationing with his family or riding bikes with his girls. He always had a smile on his face, which doesn't surprise anyone because he had a wonderful sense of humor.
He graduated from Monroe High School in 1988 and then spent a couple of years at the University of Toledo before entering the police academy. He was employed by the Luna Pier and Erie police departments and had spent the last 8 years as a police officer for the City of Monroe. Gary was well respected by his fellow officers and was always there when somebody needed something. He spent many hours volunteering for various community programs and activities. Gary also had a strong faith in God. He was a member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Especially his wife Jennifer; daughters Aleah and Megan; his parents Arnold and Phyllis Fortner; sisters Vickie (Gary) Werner, Connie (Bill) Giznsky and Kimberly Fortner. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by a brother Robert; grandparents Major (Montana) Fortner and Gilbert (Nola) Diekman.
Friends may visit to support the family Thursday from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time his funeral service 1:00 p.m. at the Monroe location of Bennett-Prochnow Funeral Home. Pastor Roy Southerland from Monroe Missionary Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made at any Monroe Bank & Trust branch in care of the Fortner Family Memorial.
****Monroe Evening News March 31, 2009****
A Monroe police officer was found dead inside his personal vehicle this morning of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.
Officer Gary Fortner, 38, was found by his fellow police officers about 12:30 a.m. in his car that was parked at Roessler Field. He had been with the department since 2001.
"Officer Fortner was a well-liked and respected member of the Monroe Police Department," Chief John Michrina said in a prepared statement. "His loss will be felt by all members of the department. I offer my deepest condolences to Officer Fortner's family and to all those affected by this tragic loss."
Chief Michrina said Officer Fortner had been distraught over personal issues. When he did not appear for his midnight shift roll call at 11 p.m., his co-workers became concerned. Officers checked the area and discovered his body inside his car parked at the field.
Officer Fortner previously worked for the Luna Pier Police Department.
A wife and children are among his survivors. Funeral services are pending.
Born July 7, 1970 he was the son of Arnold and Phyllis (Ridner) Fortner. He married Jennifer Carver October 11, 1996.
Gary was a family man. He was a devoted husband and father to two beautiful girls. When he wasn't at work you could find him vacationing with his family or riding bikes with his girls. He always had a smile on his face, which doesn't surprise anyone because he had a wonderful sense of humor.
He graduated from Monroe High School in 1988 and then spent a couple of years at the University of Toledo before entering the police academy. He was employed by the Luna Pier and Erie police departments and had spent the last 8 years as a police officer for the City of Monroe. Gary was well respected by his fellow officers and was always there when somebody needed something. He spent many hours volunteering for various community programs and activities. Gary also had a strong faith in God. He was a member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Especially his wife Jennifer; daughters Aleah and Megan; his parents Arnold and Phyllis Fortner; sisters Vickie (Gary) Werner, Connie (Bill) Giznsky and Kimberly Fortner. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by a brother Robert; grandparents Major (Montana) Fortner and Gilbert (Nola) Diekman.
Friends may visit to support the family Thursday from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time his funeral service 1:00 p.m. at the Monroe location of Bennett-Prochnow Funeral Home. Pastor Roy Southerland from Monroe Missionary Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made at any Monroe Bank & Trust branch in care of the Fortner Family Memorial.
****Monroe Evening News March 31, 2009****
A Monroe police officer was found dead inside his personal vehicle this morning of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.
Officer Gary Fortner, 38, was found by his fellow police officers about 12:30 a.m. in his car that was parked at Roessler Field. He had been with the department since 2001.
"Officer Fortner was a well-liked and respected member of the Monroe Police Department," Chief John Michrina said in a prepared statement. "His loss will be felt by all members of the department. I offer my deepest condolences to Officer Fortner's family and to all those affected by this tragic loss."
Chief Michrina said Officer Fortner had been distraught over personal issues. When he did not appear for his midnight shift roll call at 11 p.m., his co-workers became concerned. Officers checked the area and discovered his body inside his car parked at the field.
Officer Fortner previously worked for the Luna Pier Police Department.
A wife and children are among his survivors. Funeral services are pending.
Officer Gary Fortner, 38, of Monroe passed away March 31, 2009 at 12:58 a.m.
Born July 7, 1970 he was the son of Arnold and Phyllis (Ridner) Fortner. He married Jennifer Carver October 11, 1996.
Gary was a family man. He was a devoted husband and father to two beautiful girls. When he wasn't at work you could find him vacationing with his family or riding bikes with his girls. He always had a smile on his face, which doesn't surprise anyone because he had a wonderful sense of humor.
He graduated from Monroe High School in 1988 and then spent a couple of years at the University of Toledo before entering the police academy. He was employed by the Luna Pier and Erie police departments and had spent the last 8 years as a police officer for the City of Monroe. Gary was well respected by his fellow officers and was always there when somebody needed something. He spent many hours volunteering for various community programs and activities. Gary also had a strong faith in God. He was a member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Especially his wife Jennifer; daughters Aleah and Megan; his parents Arnold and Phyllis Fortner; sisters Vickie (Gary) Werner, Connie (Bill) Giznsky and Kimberly Fortner. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by a brother Robert; grandparents Major (Montana) Fortner and Gilbert (Nola) Diekman.
Friends may visit to support the family Thursday from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time his funeral service 1:00 p.m. at the Monroe location of Bennett-Prochnow Funeral Home. Pastor Roy Southerland from Monroe Missionary Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made at any Monroe Bank & Trust branch in care of the Fortner Family Memorial.
****Monroe Evening News March 31, 2009****
A Monroe police officer was found dead inside his personal vehicle this morning of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.
Officer Gary Fortner, 38, was found by his fellow police officers about 12:30 a.m. in his car that was parked at Roessler Field. He had been with the department since 2001.
"Officer Fortner was a well-liked and respected member of the Monroe Police Department," Chief John Michrina said in a prepared statement. "His loss will be felt by all members of the department. I offer my deepest condolences to Officer Fortner's family and to all those affected by this tragic loss."
Chief Michrina said Officer Fortner had been distraught over personal issues. When he did not appear for his midnight shift roll call at 11 p.m., his co-workers became concerned. Officers checked the area and discovered his body inside his car parked at the field.
Officer Fortner previously worked for the Luna Pier Police Department.
A wife and children are among his survivors. Funeral services are pending.
Born July 7, 1970 he was the son of Arnold and Phyllis (Ridner) Fortner. He married Jennifer Carver October 11, 1996.
Gary was a family man. He was a devoted husband and father to two beautiful girls. When he wasn't at work you could find him vacationing with his family or riding bikes with his girls. He always had a smile on his face, which doesn't surprise anyone because he had a wonderful sense of humor.
He graduated from Monroe High School in 1988 and then spent a couple of years at the University of Toledo before entering the police academy. He was employed by the Luna Pier and Erie police departments and had spent the last 8 years as a police officer for the City of Monroe. Gary was well respected by his fellow officers and was always there when somebody needed something. He spent many hours volunteering for various community programs and activities. Gary also had a strong faith in God. He was a member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Especially his wife Jennifer; daughters Aleah and Megan; his parents Arnold and Phyllis Fortner; sisters Vickie (Gary) Werner, Connie (Bill) Giznsky and Kimberly Fortner. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by a brother Robert; grandparents Major (Montana) Fortner and Gilbert (Nola) Diekman.
Friends may visit to support the family Thursday from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time his funeral service 1:00 p.m. at the Monroe location of Bennett-Prochnow Funeral Home. Pastor Roy Southerland from Monroe Missionary Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made at any Monroe Bank & Trust branch in care of the Fortner Family Memorial.
****Monroe Evening News March 31, 2009****
A Monroe police officer was found dead inside his personal vehicle this morning of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.
Officer Gary Fortner, 38, was found by his fellow police officers about 12:30 a.m. in his car that was parked at Roessler Field. He had been with the department since 2001.
"Officer Fortner was a well-liked and respected member of the Monroe Police Department," Chief John Michrina said in a prepared statement. "His loss will be felt by all members of the department. I offer my deepest condolences to Officer Fortner's family and to all those affected by this tragic loss."
Chief Michrina said Officer Fortner had been distraught over personal issues. When he did not appear for his midnight shift roll call at 11 p.m., his co-workers became concerned. Officers checked the area and discovered his body inside his car parked at the field.
Officer Fortner previously worked for the Luna Pier Police Department.
A wife and children are among his survivors. Funeral services are pending.
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