Officer Down Memorial Page

I remember visiting with the Rosenblooms as a young girl, cookouts and the like. I remember Bob's death and the manhunt that ensued. I remember the hijacking by the fugitives that killed him. I remember my father's devastation at losing one of his own. Dad (Don McElroy) eventually retired after 28 years of service to the NMSP. I sort of followed in his footsteps and worked as a communications specialist and supervisor for the NMSP from 1980 - 1988. I now work with the son of another fallen NMSP officer who also sort of followed his father by working in the Criminal Justice field. Dad passed away in 2003 and I think Bob's death was the most sorrowful thing Dad ever experienced in his service to the State of NM. Rest in peace.

LaDonna McElroy Plew
Daughter of his Sergeant
September 27, 2011

In recruit school we were seated alphabetically and I sat next to Bob. When we graduated from NMSP recruit school, we were both stationed in Las Cruces, Bob as a radio operator and me as a patrolman. When Bob became 23 he was commissioned and remained in Las Cruces.
After nearly five years, I resigned from the NMSP, my last car # was 245. Bob eventually was transferred to Albuquerque and was assigned my old car #, 245.

I now live in Arkansas and I have a vanity license plate on my vehicle which says, "NMSP 245" in remembrance of Bob.
Benny J Robinson
245

Former NMSP Officer
NMSP
September 19, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for those who love and miss you. I think it is great that the New Mexico law enforcement continued to be supportive of your family. I had not heard of the circumstances surrounding your death until I read your memorial and I regret the judicial system of N.M. was not able to render justice for your death.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater
November 8, 2010

I knew Robert Rosenbloom when I was a young police officer in Farmington, New Mexico. He was an outstanding example for other officers and we lost a good man.

Chief Gary Barbour
Frederick, Colorado, Police Department
April 10, 2009

On behalf of my family, I want to thank you for taking the time to leave these reflections. My dad was taken from me when I was two years old, but the New Mexico State Police and the law enforcement community always stayed close to us. That has meant so much to me my entire life and I want you all to know that you really do make a diffence for the families of fallen officers.

Robert Rosenbloom
Bob's son
July 25, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
December 17, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service, this writer hopes and prays that some day soon justice will be served on your behalf.

VanDenBerghe
NH
November 2, 2007

Don't worry Robert, we'll get those rotten thugs! One day we will my brother!!

Officer A. Panos
Corunna
September 12, 2007

Thank you for your service to our country and the citizens of New Mexico. Even though your intended targets never went through man's formal justice system, God will serve justice on them at His court.

I was only 4 when this happened, so I don't remember the events leading to your untimely sacrifice. Today, I happened to look at those who had given their lives on this date and saw someone from New Mexico. Since my husband is in law enforcement, I often stop by to honor the men and women who unselfishly sacrifice their own time, and sometimes lives, to protect those they do not know. It takes a person of great courage to stand in harm's way. Thank you for that having that courage.

May you rest in peace, proud warrior. Your brothers and sisters walk the thin blue line in your honor.

APD LEO Wife
November 8, 2006

Remembered.

Sgt. Whatley
Kaufman Co Sheriff's Office (TX)
November 8, 2006

G-d Bless.

November 8, 2006

Patrolman Rosenbloom,
On today, the 34th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice, not just for the state of New Mexico, but for our Country as well when you served in the U.S. Army during WWII.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

November 8, 2005

Bob was a personal friend of mine, who served with me in The US. Army Military Police Corps. I am to date, close friends with his widow, children and grand children. He was a fine man who loved being a police officer. He pulled himself up by his own bootstraps to become one of New Mexico's finest. In recent years, he was honored by the State, When a public building in Albuquerque was named after him. His widow Linda attended the ceremony. One of his three killers has since drown, the other two remain protected by the Cuban Government in Cuba.

Chuck Schermerhorn
Army MP/Canal Zonw Police/US Customs
September 27, 2005

You will be remembered

Dona Ana County Sheriffs Dept

I learned of Officer Rosenblooms story from a website set up by his widow. I was touched by her story and angered by the story of her husbands killers. Since September 11 many people are paying more attention to "terrorists" around the world. I only hope that we can all remember the "terrorists" of the 1960's and 1970's that took the lives of so many officer in this country.

Deputy Christopher Whatley
Denton County Constable Office Pct #6