Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sergeant Gary W. Wolfley

Rialto Police Department, California

End of Watch Monday, March 3, 1986

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Sergeant Gary W. Wolfley

It's hard to imagine that it's been 30 years since that day that will live with me for the rest of my life I was on my way to work when i heard the news report that a Sgt with RPD had been killed in the line of duty. Growing up in Rialto and being friends with Gary, I knew we had lost a friend. 30 years later and I still have a knot in my throat I'm saddened that I did to know about the services back in March, but I will drop by and visit and old friend.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice

Tony Card
Friend

October 9, 2016

The memorial for you today was very nice and well attended by all your RPD friends. I can't believe it has been 30 years since you were taken from us. Candy has done a great job raising your son. He looks just like you. Rest in peace my friend until we meet again.

Mary Ann Adams-Castellano

Support Services Supervisor
RIALTO PD/CORONADO PD

March 4, 2016

Thank you for your service to your community and country. We Honor you Sir

A. Murphy

March 4, 2016

Thinking of you and your family today. You are not forgotten

Noretta Barker
Rialto Police Department

March 3, 2016

Gary
I will never forget you, your smile, your courage and your love of the job. May you know that your are loved and missed dearly.

Support Services Manager
RIALTO Police & Coronado PD

November 13, 2015

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

October 18, 2015

Gary,
You were my sergeant, my friend and my mentor. You took pity on a green rookie and helped guide me onto a successful career in law enforcement. You, me and Paul Amicone were all preparing to play football in the Pig Bowl when you were stolen from us. You brought honor to our profession and inspiration to young Rialto Police Officers. I took every rookie officer I trained to your grave to show you the respect you deserve. Thank you my friend. It was an honor to serve under you as a Rialto Police Officer. I will see you in heaven. Rest in the arms of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Chief Robert Boone (Ret.)
Bonners Ferry Idaho PD

May 4, 2015

I remember you well Gary. You came to RPD as a cadet, officer, worked in vice-narcotics, then promoted to Sergeant and respected by all. You were an excellent man, copper, husband and Father. I miss you my friend.

Captain Phil Greek
Rialto Police Department

December 7, 2014

It's been 28 years ago today that my brother was murdered, I miss him every day, his life was taken too soon and I think about how things should have been, reading the reflections has made me smile and cry, knowing that he had so many friends that truly cared is such a comfort.
Thank you everyone for your wonderful words,
Gary, we love you and we miss you. Tell mom we said "hello"

Sandra Wolfley Kotz
Sister

March 3, 2014

sorry for your loss. Sliela Crow Byrd Jr high would love to talk to you after all these years. mike almen

mike almen civ.
none

August 11, 2013

Time seems to have moved so fast for the past 27 years. Most of the men and women you and I worked with have retired or moved on. I think of your sacrfice often and you are not forgotten. Rest in peace and may God bless you.

Joe Templeton
friend

March 3, 2013

We just met today thanks to this memorial; I honor you, sir, as a descendant of Washingtonians and as a cousin to our sitting President, but primarily for your valiant sacrifice in the line of duty. Peace officers such as yourself have defended this nation in good times and bad, through domestic violence and acts of public terror, and usually without much public fanfare. You left us far too young. I wish we had been granted the opportunity to meet in this life. See you in the next.

L M Dimond
historian and genealogist

August 7, 2012

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Wolfley. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 19, 2012

Sgt Gary W. Wolfley, after 25 years , you are still in my mind. there is not one year that goes by that I do not speak of your bravery to my co-workers. I was a very young police explorer then with rialto pd. Only those who worked with you at the time, remembers it as if it was yesturday.... I remember how you made us smile in briefings. I remember your words you said on night, never give up when you in a fight... In closing for now I can say I still remember your wife and your son. I had tears then and I have tears now. Rest in Peace Sgt. Gary Wolfley you will never be forgotten.

Officer Carlos Moran Jr.
Nevada Department of Corrections

November 28, 2011

Gary, I thought of you often and wondered if you were still an officer with Rialto...it wasn't until the death of a swat officer a coulpe of years ago, that I read that you had died in the line of duty. It took my breath away, I had always thought it would be nice to run into you one day. I even thought, that if I went thru Rialto on the way to my cabin in Big Bear that, it would be funny if you pulled me over...everytime I went up, I would and still do think of you. I was so happy to read that you had married and had a son...I too, married and have 2 sons. Rest in peace and I hope to one day see you again...may god watch over you until we all arrive.

Anonymous

April 25, 2011

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. I think of you often - you were an inspiration to all of us.

Sheila Crow
Rialto PD (retired)

September 23, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to the home state of myself and my cherished son Larry Lasater who was 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

March 3, 2009

22 years later I still think about you Gary...You were a great man, a great cop, and a great father. Continue to watch over us. Take care Brother

Lt. Rich Bitonti
Indio Police Department (formerly Rialto PD)

March 8, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOUU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

March 3, 2008

You are still remembered today nation wide. Your honor was mentioned in an episode of Cops by another Rialto Police Officer. May God bless you and your family, especially around the holiday season.

USAF Security Police Member
8th Security Forces Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic of South Korea

January 1, 2008

Gary, I never met you but always heard what a great man, cop and person you were. It is heros like you that keep our cities, streets and neighborhoods safe. Thank you for your service and take care of our little brother Sergio Carrera, he will need you to show him around heaven.

Sgt. Andrew Karol
Rialto Police Department

October 22, 2007

Rest in peace dear brother. You are not forgotten.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept. Charlotte, NC

October 20, 2007

"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

September 20, 2007

Yes, Gary was everything good! He led his life by example and in this way encouraged greatness from others. He always put others first. He loved and dedicated himself to goodness and was good at most things. He loved his family. He loved his job. He especially loved his wife, his son and the life they shared together. I think he was the bravest man I have ever met. I will forever be blessed by God to have known him personally. He was and always will be a very dear friend. His life is still celebrated by those who knew him. He will never be forgotton.

Sr. CSO Julie Delano
Rialto Police Dept. (retired)

February 18, 2007

As a new police officer back in 1981, Gary was an officer that seemed bigger than life to a raw rookie recruit. I recall being in the station in the early morning hours of a shift that I was working with him. I was writing a report and he had arrested an outlaw biker type who had his colors on. Gary asked me to go into the holding cell as a withness while he did his search and booking procedures. The way Gary handled this volitile situation is something I will never forget. Professionally yes. Manly, moreso! Gary used to go through the warrant files and pick the ones that "interested him.'' These were ususally the suspects with violent charges. To me, Gary was a mans man. For a brief period of my life, Gary was a friend. I thank him for everything he taught me and the great personality he always reflected. Rest in peace brother! Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Joe Templeton
friend

October 11, 2006

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