Officer Down Memorial Page

Officer Neal,

I was born and raised in St. Louis County and am friends with one of your partners from the drug unit. I met you a couple times through him and I remember when he told me about your death. I don't think the pain from the death of a partner and friend goes away as I can attest from the loss of one of our officers last April. I see from the posts and in talking with my friend that your partners will always remember and miss you!

Thank you for your service and dedication to keeping my family safe! To your family, I am heartfully sorry for their loss of you. I only wish there was something more we could do other than to say Thank You!

Continue to rest in peace and help watch over your family and the rest of us to keep us safe.

Always Remembered!!

Det. Mike Treu
Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety
February 17, 2012

Officer Neal,

You were killed shortly after I started the Police Academy in St. Charles. Class 18-840 dedicated our class in your honor after your death.

14 years have passed since that day and I still think of you when I remember my time in the Academy.

Class 18-840 of the Eastern Missouri Police Academy has not forgotten you!

Rest in Peace,
Class Commander Will Haskell Class 18-840

Ptn. Will Haskell #270
Kirkwood Police Department
June 9, 2011

Willie, you have not been forgot

(Ret) Det 1740
St. Louis County
March 4, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 14th 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater
January 29, 2011

Willie I cannot believe 11 years have gone by. I remember that afternoon like it was yesterday. God speed brother.

Watch over our brothers and sisters. Tell Rick and Tommy hello.

Nancy Cadenhead
former St Louis County PD
January 30, 2009

Keep watch over us and help us protect others. You will always be in my heart.

SA Jerry Craig
DEA /CO Drug Unit 95-97
January 27, 2009

Willie I cannot believe it has been 10 years. I remember the evening before sitting in the old DCI offices talking with you. Keep watch my brother we all need that. I miss that wonderful smile and laugh.

Nancy Cadenhead Detective
St Louis County PD
February 1, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
January 26, 2008

Thanks for all the advice, and being there when I needed you. As tradition has it; I will be at your gravesite on the 29th.

Lt. Doyle
St. Louis County Pd/Friend
January 11, 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
December 10, 2007

Willie; I can assure you that your life was not in vain. You will always be the kind of friend and partner that we all look for in this business.
May God keep you!

Capt. Don Daniel
Webster Groves PD
October 28, 2007

Ten years have gone by so fast, I still think about our years together in the Drug Unit. If not for friends like you I would'nt be where I am today. Thank you my brother, I miss you!

SA Tommy Marr
Secret Service/County PD (88-99)
June 8, 2007

To Willie and his family,

Ten years ago I worked with Willie on the Drug Unit and there was not a nicer person to be around. Many my not know, but the night before Willie died he was in the office when my wife and daughter called to say good night to me. I was not there but Willie answered the phone and talked with them for a while assuring my daughter that I loved her and I would be home later that night. I was never able to repay that act of kindness to Willie's family. This year I participated in the Police Unity Tour in honor of Willie. The ride was 230 miles on bicycle from Portsmouth VA., to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC., over three days during Police week. The emotions felt at times during the ride cannot be described. While ten years of time has only started healing how deep the wound from your loss is, please know that me and my family will never forget you. To the Neal Family, know that Willie has had an infuence on thousands of people. I am currently an instructor at the DEA academy and I use many things I learned from Willie to make Officers from around the world better and safer in their jobs. Willie lives on in our harts and actions adn this world is a better place because of him.

God Bless Your Family, We love and miss you.

Jerry Craig

Jerry Craig
Partner on Drug Unit
May 22, 2007

A decade has passed since your tour of duty ended but you have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case. Your loved ones and close friends will keep your memory alive as will the Blue Family. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You are a true hero.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
January 29, 2007

Willie,
I was just sitting here thinking about you. I miss the fun times we had (especially in the drug unit playing basketball). Willie you made the ultimate sacrifice, and I hope to see you again. I miss you Willie!

Lieutenant Troy Doyle
Friend
August 30, 2006

After all these years you are still not forgotten. Every time I walk into the sub-station or the precinct I look at you and remember why it is I do what I do. You're in a better place now, watch over us will ya. We'll never forget you!

Chris Gilyon
St. Louis County Police Department
January 29, 2006

Though you were gone before I came
I’ll never forget your treasured name.
I feel you watching everyday,
as I carry on our family trade.
So in return, I think of you and will NEVER FORGET
the price you paid.

Thom Taylor
Stlouis County Police Department
January 29, 2006

Sir, your sacrifice will never be forgotten. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't drive by the scene and remember the sacrifice that you and your family made. God Speed Brother...rest in peace!

St. Louis County Police
St. Louis, Missouri
January 29, 2006

Thank you for your service Officer Neal. You have not been forgotten.

January 29, 2005

Don't grieve for me for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I've found a peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you all the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored so much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
for God wanted me now, He set me free.

Semper Fidelis....(Always Faithful)

December 1, 2004

We went through a similiar tragedy with our Department.

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

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

September 29, 2004

Yes, you've made the ultimate sacrifice, now rest in the arms of Jesus, where weary days will be no more.

We will never forget!!!!!

Detective Latricia Allen
St. Louis Metropolitan  Police Department

You were a good man, Willie, and you are missed.

Anonymous

Willie, I miss walking into the office and seeing your smile. We still miss you.

Sgt Donna Ostendorf
St. Louis County Police Department

Willie your smiling face is missed. God must know now what a treasure he has with him. Please continue to watch over the Police. God Bless.

Det. Nancy Cadenhead
St.Louis County Police Dept.