Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Gregory Howard Bailey

Dunbar Police Department, West Virginia

End of Watch Sunday, March 18, 1973

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Reflections for Patrolman Gregory Howard Bailey

Patrolman Bailey,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the WVANG. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 18, 2023

Rest in peace Patrolman Bailey. Young and brave. A hero forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 26, 2018

Rest in Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 45th anniversary of your EOW. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

March 18, 2018

I remember the summer of 1972 when I drove from Florida to West Virginia with my mother,Marguerite Robbins to visit relatives in Dunbar. Greg Bailey is my cousin and we were close to the same age.During my two week stay I spent most of my time with Greg driving around in the chevelle muscle car he had.Greg seemed to know that I was a little lost since I had been gone so long from where I was born.I remember that Greg always called me Bobby Jr and was good to me.I' am now approaching 60 and retired from a long 26 year law enforcement career.My memories of Greg give me a great deal of happiness. I truly thank Greg for his service and will always keep him in my thoughts. Bobby Jr.

Robert H.O'Brien Retired L.E.O. Inv.
Cousin

December 28, 2012

I remember in the summer of 1972 I drove from Florida to West Virginia to visit my relatives in Dunbar.Greg is my cousin and we are close to the same age.During my two week stay I spent most of my time with him driving all over in a chevelle muscle car he had.Greg seemed to know that I was a little lost since I had been gone so long from where I was born. I remember that Greg always called me Bobby Jr and was always good to me. I'am now approaching 60 years of age and concluded a long law enforcement career.Over the years since Greg's death I thought of him numerous times and the fun of 1972. You are always in my thoughts,cousin,fellow L.E.O. Bobby Jr.

Retired S.O Investigator 26 years Fl
Cousin

December 28, 2012

Rest In Peace Brother Bailey. Our thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones.

Sgt. Jarrod Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

March 18, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th 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. I was very touched when I learned that your agency and city recently honored your sacrfice.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 18, 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 on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

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

March 18, 2010

This was in the Charleston WV Daily News March 19, 2009


Thursday March 19, 2009
Officer honored 36 years after death
by Ashley B. Craig
Daily Mail staff DUNBAR, W.Va. --

Thirty-six years after his death Dunbar Patrolman Gregory Bailey was formally honored as a fallen officer. About 120 people gathered Wednesday in the shadow of Dunbar City Hall as the city's police officers and the city's chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police paid tribute to Bailey, who only worked as a police officer for about a year before he was killed on the job. His name has been carved on a piece of stone at the city's police and fire memorial, which is inscribed with the names of former officers and reserve officers who have died. His name is now the only one with a star, noting that he was killed in the line of duty. As Dunbar officials tell the tragic story, the 20-year-old Bailey was in police headquarters on the evening of March 18, 1973. He was nearing the end of his shift when another officer approached him wanting to show off his new revolver, according to the findings of an investigation by the police department. The officer pulled the gun from the holster to show Bailey, but the gun went off, firing a single round into Bailey's midsection. The gunshot wound to his stomach was lethal, and after Bailey spent 24 hours on life support his family decided to say goodbye. Police Chief Bill Moss said Wednesday that the investigation done after Bailey's death found the shooting was an accident, and the other officer was not charged. Bailey, who was one of five children, was buried at Grandview Memorial Park in Dunbar. Family and friends kept his memory alive, but nothing had been done to formally recognize Bailey's service to the city, police officials said. Moss said he was sitting with his 8-year-old daughter near the police and fire memorial several months ago, during Dunbar's annual fall festival, when they started talking about the names on the wall. Moss, who grew up in Dunbar, told her stories about each of the fallen officers, but faltered when he got to Bailey. He didn't know much about him. The chief was 8 years old himself when Bailey was shot. "I just decided that I wouldn't let that happen to our guys and that I had to start with Greg," Moss said. "I wanted to make sure that our guys today won't be forgotten and to let them know that no one is forgotten." Moss found that Bailey met the criteria to be recognized as being killed in the line of duty. He went to Mayor Jack Yeager with a plan to have a formal memorial service. As Jenny Moss, the chief's sister-in-law, sang "Amazing Grace," Sgt. R.O. Conley presented Bailey's mother, Emogene Bailey, with a United States flag, already encased, to honor her only son. Teresa Hanson, Bailey's oldest sister, said she misses her brother terribly, especially after the recent loss of another sibling, Kelly Abshire, to cancer. "This brings back a lot of difficult memories," Hanson, now of Winfield, said. "He was so proud of being an officer. He loved what he was doing and he loved helping other people." Hanson, now 60, was 24 when her brother died. She said that even at such a young age, her brother was dedicated to helping children and loved working with them. The mayor and retired Sgt. Randy Edgell, who was working at the police department when Bailey died, paid tribute to Bailey, who also had been a member of the West Virginia Air National Guard.

Carol Boling Short
Cousin & retired civ at Cols OH PD

March 22, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 30, 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

March 2, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to you Officer Bailey. May you rest in peace. Thank you for your dedicated service. God bless your family and friends.

Ofc. Joe Hunchard #1228
New Smyrna Beach (FL) Police Department - Delta Squad

January 23, 2008

I am unfortunate in never having met you. You are remembered daily. Even though we miss the others who have joined you, we know you are not alone.

Sara Bailey
niece

November 6, 2007

Greg is a distant cousin I never got to meet, unfortunately. The story behind his accidental death was a sad one that brought grief to our family and all those who knew you. Your memory lives on as we work on our genealogy :) Thank you for your service and dedication as an officer.

Carol (retired civilian, Cols, OH PD)
Cousin

April 2, 2007

May you Rest in Peace knowing that you are remembered.

March 18, 2006

You are not forgotten. Thank you for your service.

M. Moore

March 18, 2006

Patrolman Gregory Bailey you are not forgotten. R.I.P.

cadet
el paso county sheriff

March 18, 2006

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