Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Sonny

Carson loveless

February 6, 2024

Sonnie, you are my great grandfather. I am Sonnie Walter Vaughn's grand daughter by Sandra Dixon. Although I never got to meet you, I grew up on stories about you and your bravery of service. I now work in the records department for the Graham Police and I firmly believe that you are the reason for my genuine love and interest in the law enforcement agency. I wanted to become a detective, but got distracted early on with the newspaper industry. Sadly, that is no more due to the end of print publications because of advanced technology. I regret not further pursuing my dream. I am inspired by your sacrifice. Rest easy...

Kande Dixon
Great Granddaughter

December 8, 2020

As a young officer that got his start at Burlington PD in 2017 your name and picture has not gone unnoticed. I have seen your name etiched into the law enforcement memorial wall DC and your name is not one I will forget. You gave the ultimate sacrifice a law enforcement officer can give. Though I never met you and we are separated by time, you can RIP your brothers and sisters in blue have got it from here.

Police Officer K McClaugherty
Burlington Police Department NC

May 15, 2020

I am sad to learn how Sonny lost his life and my condolences go to all of his family. Albert Vaughn was my great grandfather. His son Charlie Jacob (Jake) Vaughn was my grandfather, my father's father and married to Carrie Mae Hall Vaughn, my grandmother and father's mother. I never knew Sonny, or my grandfather who died in 1945, I was born in 1950. It is a blessing to find this family history.

Sharon Vaughn
Family

June 2, 2018

Sonny Webb Vaughn was my grandfather. I didn't not have the opportunity to meet him. He was shot in 1938 and I was born in 1950. I have done a lot of research on our family through his side. His mother was Elizabeth Cozart from Person County, NC. Her side can be traced to New Amsterdam now New York where her great great great great grandfather Jacques Cossart came from France with his wife, Lea Vilemon who was from the Netherlands. Jacque Cossart was the first bursar of New Amsterdam. There are people who fought in the American Revolution on this side. On his father, Albert Vaughn's side is a great great great grandfather who signed an allegiance to the newly formed state of North Carolina. He came from strong, hard working people. I missed having him as a grandfather, but I grew up hearing the stories about his sacrifice that fateful night.

Donna Vaughn Smith
granddaughter

September 7, 2013

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

Sonny, your sacrifice is not forgotten. Rest in Peace. Your memory is honored and revered 71 years after your death and will continue to be.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Sonny gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on December 7, 1938.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 2, 2009

I want to thank you Sonny for your service of 20 years and the sacrifice you made in December of 1938.

Your service and sacrifice means a great deal to me personally as a career law enforcement officer and as your great great nephew.

You will not be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Great-Great-Nephew

July 28, 2008

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"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

May 2, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Sonny, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/1/573

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

February 19, 2004