Officer Down Memorial Page

Thanks for your services.

David
February 25, 2012

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

Anonymous
May 1, 2011

Eulogy for a Cop
By Lt. Bob Magaletti WCPD (ret)

When a cop passes he leaves us behind,
He goes to a place far from mankind

He goes to Heaven, God called him there,
He kept his faith and God heard his prayer

There to do as the Lord would command,
He finds himself in the palm of HIS hand

To protect and to serve, is what he was taught,
And he knew at his end, it was not all for naught

But a task by the Lord, is what he is given,
To protect us from evil, to serve us, the living

He will do his best to take up that task,
He would do anything that the Good Lord should ask

While with us he stayed true to his obligation,
For he felt he was called to this chosen vocation

He walked the beat and patrolled the street,
And gave a kind word to those he would meet

He faced danger, and fought it, and usually won,
Everyday that he carried that badge and a gun

Never knowing if he would live or die,
He trusted in HIM, and never asked why

He always hoped to retire, to have that fresh start,
While he still had the strength, and a song in his heart

But when the Lord called, he was ready to go,
He answered to God, who does love him we know

For God does know he is up to the chore,
That he’d give it his all, and then give it some more

And God felt good that He made such a choice,
All His angels did sing and begin to rejoice

Where is it that our cop has gone?
Ah, he is among us now, he still lives on

A Guardian Angel, keeping watch of us all,
He does God’s work now, he answered the call.

Sgt. Stephen Hoey
Westchester County Police DPS (retired)
January 9, 2011

218 years later and we're still here doing a job that not many people would ever think of doing. We got the streets and prison compounds now. Keep welcoming the unfortunate Officers as they arrive.

Floyd Mullens, Sr.
FCI El Reno, Oklahoma
May 17, 2010

I said a little prayer today for Deputy Sheriff Smith and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes
May 13, 2009

You are remembered today by a mother of a fallen officer. My son, Larry Lasater died when shot on April 23, 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers while serving with the Pittsburg, California Police Department.

Deputy Smith, your sacrifice is not forgotten. Rest in Peace. Your memory is honored and revered 217 years after your death and will continue to be. .

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Isaac gave to his community and the citizens of New York, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on May 17, 1792.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
March 2, 2009

May you always rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
May 17, 2008

Deputy Sheriff Smith,
Thank you for your service and sacrifice Sir! You are a HERO.. You will ever be forgottten... Rest in Peace..

Joyce
Sister of Officer John P Harris EOW 8/19/1994
April 18, 2008

I never new the history of your death nor did I know you were the first. My partner from the same job is the last. I hope for all of us it remains that way. Rest in peace and say hello to my partner Gary.

Det. Joe Yasinski
Westchester County P.D.
February 2, 2008

You are the "first officer killed in the line of duty in America". No one wants to be the first and sadly you are not the last. Hundreds of officers have be lost since. During National Peace Officer's week it is only fitting to remember the first to give his life while wearing a badge. 215 years and still not forgotten.

wife of a Michigan Deputy

May 17, 2007

Deputy Isaac Smith, a man I never knew. Through my searching I found that you are the first documented Officer killed in the line of duty in America. A true "AMERICAN HERO". It is true, you will never be forgotten. I wear a memory band with your name and EOW on it. I feel comfort knowing that not only is our Father-God watching over me, but you are walking by my side as my partner. I will walk the streets of Gold, in Heaven, with you in the future. This is a fact. We must all meet our maker in the end. Thanks for your early service. God Bless!

Officer Paladino, 1765
Colorado Springs Police Department
February 24, 2006

Rest in peace forever.....................

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police
February 19, 2004

Deputy Smith, thank you for your service to the citizens of this great country.

Daniel Olivas
December 12, 2003

We will always know who was first. We will never know who is next. Work to honor both each day.

Anonymous

Rest in peace. We serve in your memory.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

Godspeed Deputy Smith. Lead our brothers and sisters in the watch over all of us. You will never be forgotten.

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD
NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to
work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been
violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that
wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly tears. I know I
don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around
except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me Lord, it needn't be so
grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Anonymous

Hopefully some day there will also be a last name. Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Denver Police Department

You gave the ultimate sacrifice. You may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten.

Anonymous

Widen the paths for the heroes to follow my brother. For you were the first officer to lay down his life for his community. There is no greater sacrifice than to suffer and give your life for your fellow man. Watch our backs as we face those who wish to bring us harm, light our many dark alleys so we may find our way home to our loved ones. May you never be forgotten sir.

Detective
Mesa, Arizona Police Department

Deputy Smith

A distinction that you would rather of not had...being the first Officer killed in the line of duty, I know you are up there welcoming unfortunate Officers into your midst with open arms and a heartfelt thank you...hoping to meet you some day when my time is done, thank you for your sacrifice.

Senior Patrol Ofc Kevin R Armstrong
Anchorage Police Dept

You were the first and over 16,000 have have followed. I hope one day we will be able to say that the last has given the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you and all that have followed for doing your job and making this a better world.

Anonymous

A finer American, I know not.

Cpl. James J. Crawford
Lower Providence Twp. Police Dept., Montg. Co. PA

God speed for being the first of many and leading the way for those who will also sacrifice. You are the shepard. Keep those who follow at final peace. Thank you.

Deputy Sheriff Michael Moore
Warren Co. S.O.

This man may have been the first, but sadly, a very long way from being last. God keep.

Jack Betz