Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Larry Eugene Small

Maryland State Police, Maryland

End of Watch Tuesday, March 10, 1987

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Trooper Larry Eugene Small

Larry, on this 36th anniversary of that horrible, tragic day, know that you will always be remembered for being a great man and friend. I'm pretty sure your MSP Academy classmates have all retired now, but please watch over the current troopers from your heavenly home. Rest in peace, brother.

F/Sgt. (ret.) Kevin Lewis
Maryland State Police, 91st Academy Classmate

March 10, 2023

On this actual anniversary of your untimely death I’d like to reiterate my previous reflection and say that your service and sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement family.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

March 10, 2021

Rest in peace, Larry. You have not nor will you ever be forgotten. From a fellow academy classmate.

Scott Rice Sgt (Ret)
Maryland State Police 91st Academy Class

March 10, 2021

Larry, You will never be forgotten. RIP my fellow trooper, classmate, and roommate. It was an honor to have known you.

DAVID JONES F/Sgt (Ret)
Maryland State Police

October 31, 2020

Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 3, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Small.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 26, 2019

To a wonderful classmate, who will never be forgotten. Just wanted you to know you are thought of.

Sergeant Scott R. Rice (Retired)
Maryland State Police

May 1, 2017

One fantastic cousin, taken from us too soon by a drunk driven. He had just stared the career he had always dream of. It does not seem like 25 years , more like yesterday.

Ann Mohler
cousin

March 11, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th 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 who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 10, 2012

Rest in peace and may god bless you.

Lt.J.Pease
B.P.D

March 10, 2012

I had the honor of going to the same middle school as Larry, in Hagerstown, MD. We didn't really know each other and he was a year or two older than me, but we did have one thing in common - marching band.

Larry was a talented player (trombone if I recall correctly) and he was fairly quiet but very well liked. I think that most of the girls found him quite cute, and he had a big, athletic frame.

But the thing I will remember most about Larry is how he stood up for me on more than one occasion when I was being bullied by others. This happened at band practice, in the cafeteria, and on the playground.

Larry, I will never forget how you stood up for me and chased the "bad guys" away. I was not surprised to learn that you were pursuing a career with the MSP; you were a natural for that role in every way.

Thanks for protecting me in middle school, and thanks for your service to our community. Your service, and your life, continue to make a huge difference in this world - no matter how brief they may have been.

Civillian
Former Classmate, Western Heights Middle

March 6, 2012

I have the honor of having known you as a friend and as your pastor. I shared a short span of your young life. In seeing you mature into young adulthood, in worship, confirmation class and youth group, I learned more from you than I ever taught you. What a fine young Christian you were as you walked the earth. When I think of you, I have a tinge of sadness and then, joy, knowing that your young life made a difference in our world, forever. THANK YOU, Trooper Small and God bless you, eternally. You are loved!

Rev. Mark S. Crispell
Pastor

September 21, 2010

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain; but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.

Rest in peace!

Michelle - wife of US Marshal

June 28, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends as another year passes. May they know that you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 10, 2010

I still remember Mr. Small Troop Leader when I was in scouts. Him joining the police fore were one of several people in my life to motivate me to be in Public Servis. I have now been in Fire & EMS forth 20 years and 8 years as a 911 dispatch.

I pass his place of rest daily and still remember him like it was yesterday. A great guy and role model!

William C. King
WASHINGTON COUNTY 911

December 19, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

March 13, 2008

Trooper Small,

I never had the opportunity to meet you in person, but from what I have researched and learned about you, you were a truly genuine individual and an asset to your department.

I want to thank your family for your contribution to the continuing of education for students wishing to follow in your footsteps and serve their communities. I have been awarded the Larry E. Small Memorial Scholarship and I can assure you it will be put to wise use.

Trooper Small, you are gone but not forgotten. Today makes 21 years since your tragic passing. Your legacy lives on.

Hagerstown Community College Student
Grateful One

March 10, 2008

Brother Trooper,
From your hometown of Hagerstown and over 20 years later, you are still in our thoughts. I've had the honor to meet your father and talk to him on a routine basis at our local grocery store. Rest in peace my brother!

Cpl. Brian K. Smith
Maryland State Police

February 24, 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

February 18, 2008

Larry, I still think about you all the time and miss you dearly. You were the sweetest soul anyone could ever have the privilege of knowing. I pray you are well and that you continue to watch over all the police officers serving us so well now. Continue to rest in peace my friend.

Debbie, no rank, just a humble nurse
friend

February 8, 2008

Rest in peace Tpr Small. God peace you and your family.

Boomer
Maryand Resident

March 10, 2007

Twenty years ago today we lost you far too young serving the people of Maryland. Know that you will never be forgotten and always rest in peace.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

March 10, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

December 30, 2006

Rest in peace brother...you will always be remembered and honored.

Joe shaw
Former Albuquerque Police

August 21, 2005

Rest in peace, you are not forgotten.

Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police

July 11, 2005

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.