Officer Down Memorial Page

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Ashton. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
April 7, 2012

So many years ago, you were taken away from us. I wonder what your life would have been like if you would have lived.
My brother Chuck Ashton, was only a police officer for 6 months before he was shot. He died I believe, because of lack of training. He never even went to POST Academy. He was young and full of life. He loved to hunt, and was very proud to be an officer. I lived in California at the time and remember him telling me he was thinking of moving to Los Angeles to be a cop. I told him that was crazy, he could get killed in LA. That was 3 weeks before he was shot to death in the smallest of towns Osburn ID. I married a California Cop 5 years later. We moved to Idaho in 1993 so he could be Chief of small town, Jerome ID. I never thought I would be married to an Idaho Cop.
My brother its been many years, I hope to see you in Heaven one day.

Debbie Dahl
Sister
February 25, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
August 17, 2010

Today I found the original, yellowed front page to the Spokane Daily Chronicle dated August 17, 1976 that your daughter has kept. The headline reads "SUSPECT HELD IN GUN DEATH OF POLICEMAN" I showed it to your grand daughter. We cried together. We never met you, however your photos are in our photo albums and your "IN MEMORY OF" plaque hangs on our wall for all to see. You may be gone sir, but you are certainly not forgotten.

RIP

Anonymous
March 24, 2010

"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
October 15, 2007

The 31st anniversary of that day is near and it seems as surreal today as it was then. You’re in our thoughts today as well as the tomorrows.

Shoshone Co. Sheriffs' Dept
August 16, 2007

10-42. A true hero never dies. Now you can walk a beat in heaven looking down protecting those still on the job.

Officer
ISU Public Safety
November 13, 2003