NOPE Task Force – Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education

Thinking about you tonight.
– From Jake on September 22, 2019

Coming up on 11 years since you have been gone. I miss you son. Everyday I think of you. These days I focus on how much fun we had and that you are always with me. Your memorial is doing well. Love, Dad
– From Norman Armold on April 22, 2018

I still think about you often, my friend. This time 10 years ago we were having a great time.
– From Matt on April 8, 2017

I have been thinking of you a lot. 10yrs. This May. I still think of you everyday and love you son.
– From Norman Armold on March 2, 2017

– From Anonymous on May 11, 2016

Wish I was home. But still thinkin of you.
– From Matt on May 11, 2016

Happy birthday my friend. I still miss you.
– From Matt on November 26, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON. YOU WOULD BE 27. YOU HAVE BEEN IN MY THOUGHTS A LOT THIS WEEK AND I MISS YOU SO MUCH. DAD
– From Norman Armold on November 25, 2015

Missing you today. RIP my son.
– From Norman Armold on September 15, 2015

Today is my birthday, and the day I and so many others lost you, I truly only knew you for a super short time, but you left an enormous foot print on my heart and soul. Even for the small period of time you where meant to be in my life and I appreciate it every day, I celebrate each and every day with you in mind, but especially today I celebrate with you. You may be gone, but my memory still lives and your smile still radiates. Love and miss you my friend.
– From Lillay on May 11, 2015

Miss you man. Today is always a heavy hearted day for me. I wish I was back home so I could swing by the park. Now it's me and my thoughts, trying to sleep and wondering where you'd be right now if life had worked out differently.
– From Matt E on May 11, 2015

I still miss you constantly man. I hate this time of year.
– From Matt E on May 3, 2015

It's nice people still pop by to write these messages even though nearly 8 years have passed. Love you, brotha.
– From Jake on February 26, 2015

I haven't talked to anybody in your family, aside from very, very briefly to your brother in years but you're still in my thoughts all of the time. There's even a picture of you still on my fridge! I keep meaning to bring my son by the park and leave some flowers. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal" is a line I often have repeating in my head and boy do I have some fun and crazy memories with you.
– From Megan Pyles (Vail) on January 20, 2015

You are loved and missed everyday. Peace Out! Dad
– From Norman Armold on September 10, 2014

I have been dreaming about you a lot the last couple of weeks. I think about you every day. I love you Zach. Dad
– From Norman Armold on June 9, 2014

I miss you dude. Sucks not being home anymore cause I can't swing by the park when I'm stressed.
– From Matt E on May 10, 2014

That time of year again. Miss you son. Think of you every day. Love, Dad
– From Norman Armold on May 7, 2014

Halloween is coming up and your brother fixed up some stuff for your memorial. He really misses you. We all do Zach. I still think of you everyday. You're birthday is also coming up on November 25th. You would have been 24 yrs. old! Peace be with son. I love you and always will. Dad
– From Norman Armold on October 14, 2013

After 5 long years I finally got justice for my son Zach. The drug dealer was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 4 years. Nothing will bring Zach back but my job as his father is done. I will love and remember Zach everyday for the rest of my life. Peace to all that have suffered the loss of a child and thanks for all the support.
– From Norman Armold on September 21, 2012

Still think of you hiding in our closet eating animal crackers until I left for work. Remember telling you in our back yard to be good. I know my Brandon misses you. He wears you on his shoulder always. I heard by accident that justice is happening. Miss your sweet face. Glad you are at peace. :)
– From Devin Kay Beurskens on July 17, 2012

With the help of a State Senator, the KBI, the Kansas Federal Court and finally the Shawnee County District Attorney charges have been filed against Ryan Thompson for involuntary manslaughter for selling the drug that killed my son. It has been a long time coming. Justice for Zach is happening. I continue to miss you everyday Zach. Love, Dad
– From Norman Armold on July 1, 2012

You want a physicist to speak at your funeral. You want the physicist to talk to your grieving family about the conservation of energy, so they will understand that your energy has not died. You want the physicist to remind your sobbing mother about the first law of thermodynamics; that no energy gets created in the universe, and none is destroyed. You want your mother to know that all your energy, every vibration, every Bit of heat, every wave of every particle that was her beloved child remains with her in this world. You want the physicist to tell your weeping father that amid energies of the cosmos, you gave as good as you got. And at one point you’d hope that the physicist would step down from the pulpit and walk to your brokenhearted spouse there in the pew and tell him/her that all the photons that ever bounced off your face, all the particles whose paths were interrupted by your smile, by the touch of your hair, hundreds of trillions of particles, have raced off like children, their ways forever changed by you. And as your widow rocks in the arms of a loving family, may the physicist let him/her know that all the photons that bounced from you were gathered in the particle detectors that are her/his eyes, that those photons created within her/him constellations of electromagnetically charged neurons whose energy will go on forever. And the physicist will remind the congregation of how much of all our energy is given off as heat. There may be a few fanning themselves with their programs as he says it. And he will tell them that the warmth that flowed through you in life is still here, still part of all that we are, even as we who mourn continue the heat of our own lives. And you’ll want the physicist to explain to those who loved you that they need not have faith; indeed, they should not have faith. Let them know that they can measure, that scientists have measured precisely the conservation of energy and found it accurate, verifiable and consistent across space and time. You can hope your family will examine the evidence and satisfy themselves that the science is sound and that they’ll be comforted to know your energy’s still around. According to the law of the conservation of energy, not a bit of you is gone; you’re just less orderly.”
– From Shawn Curtis on June 13, 2012

– From Anonymous on May 31, 2012

Happy Birthday Zach. You are remembered. I miss you so much. Love, Dad
– From Norman Armold on November 26, 2011

– From Anonymous on October 29, 2011

– From Anonymous on September 14, 2011

Had another grief wave. They don't come as often or usually as strong these days but this was a big one. I still miss you so much. I think of you everyday. I love you kid. DAD
– From Norman Armold on July 19, 2011

I just discovered that this was the son of friends I knew while living in Topeka. I want to let my friends and family of Zach I am sorry for their loss.
– From Don Jones on June 17, 2011

This is a poem that was written for all of us remembering our loved ones this May. Though it was originally written in a poem format I was unable to have it appear this way on the NOPE site. The Title of the Poem is “REMEMBERING YOU” Another year has passed us and a new year has begun. As we ponder upon our past reflections, refreshing those memories of who you are, we turn to gaze at pictures, remembering you from our hearts. Our loss has caused us grieving, because we love you so… but each year past and coming I want to let you know, We will always Love you dearly and missing you so very much. So when the tears fall from our faces, they are kisses sent your way. And when our chests tighten in grieving, they are hugs surrounding you this day. Another year has past us, and a new year has begun. We will forever hold you closely, deep within our hearts, and surrounded in our Love. Jeremy J. Snyder’s Mother-Christine Snyder-May 2011
– From Christine Snyder on May 17, 2011

A candle lit for Zach on the anniversary of his tragic passing. May he rest in peace and may God comfort and bless his loved ones.
– From Marty on May 10, 2011

Thinking of you at this time.
– From NOPE Support Group on May 2, 2011

Another holiday without you. We miss you so much. I continue to try and get justice done but it seems no one cares enough to do enough to make it happen. It seems when a kid or anyone for that matter dies as a result of voluntary drug use they are considered "throw away" people. As those of us who have lost a loved due to an unintentional overdose we know better. It's sad that society and in particular many in law enforcement see it this way. My son was young and was just trying to have a good time not die. He was a victim of a crime and the drug dealer should be held accountable (it's Federal Law). Everyone who knows the situation, including law enforcement, knows who sold it and there is even a witness who has told the Kansas Bureau of Investigation what happened. My son died within hours of taking methadone in the house the drug dealer lived! I continue to move through grief and miss Zach every day. Soon the Federal statute of limitations will run out and I will have to deal with that. It sucks. I loved and continue to love my son. I will have to live with his absence, holding on to the good memories and keeping his presence alive. I may soon be stable enough to join the fight to change the attitudes of people who say "well he chose to use so he accepted the risk". Thank you NOPE for all the work you do and all of the families who have the courage to challenge these misconceptions. I love you Zach, always did and always will.
– From Dad on December 22, 2010

Rest in peace, Zach. God bless
– From Ana on December 8, 2010

god bless
– From NAUTICA on November 12, 2010

i feel i never knew you well enough to give you the credit you deserved and, now that you're gone, there is no right thing to say. It's so easy to take for granted the occasions you run into someone, not knowing it will be the last time. You affected so many people... It's already been 3 years and it's still hard to believe. Love to Armold family.
– From r.h. on August 1, 2010

It's been over 3 years. Still trying to get justice. I miss my son so much. Learning how to live without him is really hard. My memories of his life are what I hold onto. The memories of his death and the lack of justice drives me crazy. Peace to all who have suffered the loss of a child. Thanks for all the comments.
– From Norman on May 15, 2010

I pray for you all every day, you are with my sweet sweet Joe. God Bless you all.
– From Gina B on February 17, 2010

May it somehow help to know that the loss of your beautiful child Zach touches our hearts as well since we can truly say we understand . My beautiful son Dustin was suddenly stolen from us on June 22.2009. I TOO AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE POLICES' AS YOU STATED REFUSAL TO DO THEIR JOB!May God give you all the strength to bear this tragic blow rhat I know must've blindsided your family as it has ours.
– From Nancy Mom of Sal"Dustin"DeMarco on February 3, 2010

rest in peace
– From Anonymous on November 6, 2009

My son died of heroin overdose less than two weeks ago. I am only comforted by those who have suffered the same loss as me. Otherwise, I feel like a fish out of water surrounded by family and friends who have not lived the journey that ultimately took my son away from us. Thank you for sharing your story. I pray for Zach, and my son, Chase. God Bless.
– From Sandy on November 1, 2009

I lost my 19 year old son to an alcohol and methadone overdose on 8/23/09. He had only been experimenting with drugs and alcohol for 5 months. I understand your pain and am too struggling with the incredible sense of loss and sadness.
– From Michelle Moore on October 28, 2009

My heart goes out to all the parents of angels. Parents are just not meant to bury their children.
– From Diane Feeney on September 3, 2009

God Bless. My Older Brother did the same thing. I know you pain> Good luck God Bless, Cody Jenkins
– From Cody Jenkins on July 27, 2009

Zach, Still trying to get the police, DA and KBI to do their job. The police have blown me off, there's a new DA who is not responding, but, thanks to a State Senator, the KBI is investigating (at least I hope). I miss you so much. It's almost been 2 years and it seems like yesterday. I won't stop till justice is done. Love you Zach. Peace. Dad
– From Dad on April 23, 2009

Merry Christmas Zachary. We miss you even more this year. I Think about you every day. I'm trying just to remember the great 18 years we had together. Forever & Always
– From Dad on December 23, 2008

u cant run away from your problems but you can get help,, but now its too late... but now we know ann if there is a way u should know too that you cant run away from death! :(
– From joya johnson on October 4, 2008

I went to school with Zach and i remember he used to always be at my house in middle school skateboarding outside with all our friends. He was the one who got me turned on to skateboarding. I moved away and missed out on spending time with him. I'm soo sorry to hear about his passing. He will forever hold a special place in my heart. I loved him dearly and always will. God bless and Rest In Peace Zach!
– From Kim Schmitt on March 11, 2008

– From alexandra on January 27, 2008

– From Anonymous on January 18, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR. We love & miss you so much.
– From Norman, Kathy, Jake on January 1, 2008

Zach would have been 19 on November 25, 2007. Happy Birthday baby. We love you. Mom & Dad
– From Norman & Kathy Armold on December 3, 2007

My thoughts are with you and your family.I also lost my son and understand your pain. Blessings, Nancy (MAMA.ORG)
– From Nancy Garvin (MAMA.ORG) on November 26, 2007

You are in my prayers that you are healed of your grief as soon as you can!
– From cindy on November 8, 2007

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ZACH!! I LOVE YOU!!!
– From Dad on October 29, 2007

May the memory of our children, our relatives and our friends, who have passed, live on in our hearts, forever honored and memorialized. May the dreams they had and the lives they lived be remembered always, and may each heart and soul they touched, though forever changed, be healed.
– From NOPE Task Force on October 24, 2007

I'm not sure how or even if I knew Zach but he looks really familar. I just started readin about all this on MySpace. May peace be with him, and god bless.
– From Zack Jordan on October 17, 2007

I really miss you, there isn't a day that goes by that i don't think of you. ♥
– From Jordan on October 9, 2007

God we went through so much together and it's still hard for me to believe that you're gone. I'm always guna remember you and I'll always be ur sweetheart. Love you babe <3 XOXOXO
– From Megan Peterson on October 7, 2007

Zach, I miss you so much and want you to know that I drive by the park when I can. I will you see again. I love you so much.
– From Priscilla Joe on October 6, 2007

Zach Armold 11/25/1988 - 05/11/2007 "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal" Zachary Scholl Armold, of Topeka, KS, died Friday, May 11, 2007 at the age of 18. His family is slowly coming to terms with the tragic loss of their loved one. Zach was born November 25, 1988 in Topeka, Kansas and is the son of Norman and Kathleen Armold. As his life progressed he attended Randolph Elementary, Landon Middle, and Capitol City High. He left school early and achieved his GED in 2006. He got his first job in Western Kansas that same year, working at a Wendy's, but moved back home shortly after. He picked up a short-lived telemarketing job, before he left his job in search of a more promising line of work in 2007. Zach grew into a vibrant and healthy young man, who went to the gym and tried to eat right. Not long before his death he had spoken to a few people of getting into a personal trainer program where he could help out others who struggled to get in shape like he once did. Not one to look back on his past mistakes, he continued to move forward, bringing hope and happiness to his family in the months before his passing. He loved his family - immediate and extended - with all his heart. He enjoyed playing a part in his young cousin's lives, playing with them and giving them someone to look up to everytime he went to a family function. This isn't to say his love for his older cousins were ignored, as he strived to make them (and his parents) proud of him. He wasn't always outspoken, but when he was quiet and reserved, he always had an air of strength about him. While intensely personal at times, Zachary loved to engage in conversation around himself if he had something to add, or especially if he was quite fond of the subject. He was a huge music fan and dispite the protests of his parents and/or sibling, would blare his music for everyone to hear. Always trying to get people to listen to this new band he discovered, he geniunely loved to introduce people to new things. He is survived by his loving parents, Norman and Kathleen Armold, his "bro", Jake, his grandparents, Jack and Leslie Fowler, his aunts and uncles, Kevin & Maire Fowler, Michael & Kim Fowler, Rich & Jessica Matteson, Carolyn & Rick Torrence, Harold Armold, and Edward Armold, his cousins, Allison & Matthew Fowler, and Emily & Cydney Fowler, not to mention all of his friends who loved Zach very much as well. Zach we will all miss you very much and will see you again sometime, someplace, and we will hold you in our hearts for an eternity. "Life was never meant for one as beautiful as you."
– From Jacob on October 5, 2007

GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY
– From LISA BONNELL AND FAMILY OF JOSHUA HUSTON on October 5, 2007

I have a "MySpace" website set up for my son. Check it out: www.myspace.com/zachlazyboyarmold
– From Dad on October 5, 2007

I miss you so much Zach :o(
– From Ashlea on October 5, 2007