Officer Down Memorial Page

We all sat togethger in the small briefing room at FPK that night, joking around and filled with the energy of young men, believing we were invicible. With the influx of cadets from the academy the sgt. made some last minutes changes to the schedule, taking my trainee, Al Smith, and assiigning him to work with Lou Wallace. Little did we know that less then 3 hrs later life would never be the same for any of us. Life is short. Lou gave his all.
I went home that morning and watched my kids as they slept and thanked God for men like Lou who are willing to pay the ultimate price to ensure the safety of all our children.

ex-deputy sheriff david sheets
laso fpk
February 12, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the forty-first 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
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05
December 8, 2011

I was home on leave as an Air Force Security Policeman, leaving in three weeks for DaNang Vietnam. I was on my way home that night and Deputy Wallace and his partner passed me and made the stop on the car driven by Moreno.
I noticed the caution used on the stop and heard the gunfire. Returned and saw all three down and attempted to render aid.

John Strapac
US Air Force
November 20, 2011

I was twelve years old in 1974, and attending a funeral when I saw your grave. It was different and stood out from all the others amongst the rows of graves. With yours, the grass was cut down a good inch or two below the grass line. I left the gathering and walked with curiosity toward your grave. As I approached, I could see how pristine and manicured your resting place was. The headstone was polished to a luster, not a grass out of place, lined precisely elongated from the headstone to the end of the plot. It was so precise, cut so perfect, I bent down on both knees and placed both hands onto the grass just to make sure it was real, it was. I thought to myself whoever did this loved you very much....how lucky you were. As my eyes traveled back up to the headstone, I read your name Louis Carl Wallace, I read your date of death December 8, 1970, then, I saw the badge, Deputy Sheriff Los Angeles County. You became special to me. I became a cop starting out in a medium sized police agency, then lateralling to a small O.C. agency. They were great agencies, but never a true fit. Eleven years in and I longed for my place, my fit. I was 36 and not feeling satsfied, I loved this career just needed the right home. While working a shift, I remembered driving by the cemetery and without really knowing why, I did something that was out of character for me, I diverted, and found myself turning into the cemetery and stopping parellel to your grave. I sat there for a few minutes my mind racing listening to the calls and thinking of a reason to leave, I felt awkward sitting there in a black and white. For some unknown reason, I stayed. I exited the car and walked over to your grave. The new millennium was upon us, winter was here and the air was chilly. Time had changed the look of your grave. The grass had grown back and was even with all the others. I stood there in silence, my frustration level was heavy, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. And then an epiphany....In August of 2000, I walked into Twin Towers as a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff and I have never looked back....I was home. I never new you in life, but what I do know is that my courious nature brought me to your doorstep and decades later would have an impact on my life and my happiness.

In 2004, I attended the Law Enforcement Memorial with our department in Washington D.C. I had lost three of my childhood friends, all were cops. I needed to put things in prosective and being there was part of my grieving process. As part of the ceremony we were given a photo of our fallen to be placed at the wall. These photographs from what I was told were randomly picked. One of the photographs were placed in my hand facedown. I walked a few feet away then looked at mine. As I turned the photo over I looked at the face then read the name...Louis Carl Wallace, EOW 12/8/70. Some things are just meant to be. All these years later, I now have a face. Rest In Peace.....

Sergeant
LASD Carson
October 20, 2011

We drank lots of beers after shift (legally of course) and went to some great parties and you were always a deputy I could depend on for strong backup.

Forty years later I still think about your death and Al's injuries.

Deputy- Robert Shaffer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept
July 2, 2011

Deputy Wallace, I was working in the South Los Angeles CHP office at the time of your passing. I am sorry that it has taken me over 40 years to say thank you for your service. We worked the same area and I am certain that I had met you at least once while I was patroling our Beat 10 or Beat 11 area. I remember hearing about your passing but as one thing lead to another I just forgot to say Thank you...Semper Fi and God Bless....#7185

State Traffic Officer Mike Becze #7185
California Highway Patrol
January 20, 2011

Hard to believe it has been forty years. You are missed.

Deputy Tim Birkeland
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.
January 1, 2011

Deputy Wallace your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
December 20, 2009

Rest in Peace, Deputy Wallace. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
October 23, 2009

I was a Reserve Deputy at Firstone when Lou was murdered. I learned so much from Lou's murder, and working with the other warriors at Firestone. Those lessons kept me alive for 27 years at Pomona PD, 23 years in patrol.
Lou, you did not die in vain brother, and you will never be forgotten.

Corporal Monty Edson
Pomona PD (Ret.)
February 20, 2007

Lou. You served not only the citizens of LA County but also every Law Enforcement Office in this Country. The suspect will never have the opportunity to hurt a Police Officer or citizen again. Thank you for your service.

Deputy Sheriff David Bradford
Wake County Sheriff's Office
December 8, 2006

Lou was my friend and it was a sad day hearing about his death. He is missed.

Ex-deputy Bob Shaffer
LASO
February 6, 2006

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

The Department never forgets.

Rest in peace, hero.

October 20, 2004

Heros-what more needs to be said.

MSP
April 9, 2004

I was a "Boot Deputy" when Lou was murdered. Lou's partner that night was Al Campbell. Lou managed to shoot and kill the suspect before he passed on. Lou and Al were assigned to Firestone Station.

Retired Sergeant Moon Mullen
LASD
January 15, 2004