Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Aholo,
On today, the 25th 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 U.S. Air Force. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

February 1, 2023

We have just passed your memorial sign and I am struck by the fact that you were providing protection to a woman when you were shot. A powerful example of service. Thank you. You are not forgotten.

Sue McDonald
Retired Midwife

March 1, 2022

My husband and I passed your memorial sign in Petaluma. You are remembered today. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Tina L. Holtz
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, NY (Ret.)

Bill Makuch
NYSDOCCS (Ret.)

Deputy Tina L. Holtz
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office (Ret.)

March 8, 2020

Just drove under your underpass Officer Ahola. Looked this up. We Honor you. You are Remembered.

Not LEO
Citizen

September 15, 2019

Thank you, SIR, for your bravery and service.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

February 1, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

February 1, 2018

Vilho, I think of you, Marge and your Boys often, including the good times we had while shooting with the Sebastopol Rifle Club.

Semper Fi, Jack

Bill (Jack) Hoyer
Family Friend

April 17, 2017

You are remembered old friend. No one forgets a legend. Rest in peace. You are missed

Retired Police Officer Robert Burcina
Petaluma Police Dept

January 6, 2014

Rest in Peace, Officer Ahola. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 19, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 11th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. After your horrific injury, you still continued to serve your community for many years. My son was shot on 4/23/05 and his spinal cord was severed. He was pronounced brain dead the next day, but I have often wondered if he would have been able to cope with his injury. If he had survived, I have no doubt that your remarkable legacy of courage and service would have inspired him. God bless you and your family.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05
Pittsburg PD

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 7, 2009

Vil,
You passed away just about 1 year before I started working here. I never knew you, but your legacy lives on in a memorial award given to one person in our department who exemplifies all that you were to this department. The names of the people on that wall are a lasting testament to your character and selfless dedication to the City of Petaluma, even after your horrific injury. Vil it is nice to walk the same halls and see human examples of your legacy.

Rest in Peace
and Keep an eye on Little Tom for me.

Petaluma Police Department

February 18, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 28, 2008

I worked for Petaluma PD for 15 years. I knew Vil who often worked collecting statistics for the department. Vil enjoyed reading and studying military history and we spent hours talking about that subject. Vil always smiled and had a good sense of humor. Vil was an inspiration to us all. His wife is an exceptional human being who never uttered a complaint over the demands that Vil's injuries placed n their marriage or her. May God bless Vil Ahola and his famiy.

Michael B. Meese
Retired

January 20, 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

September 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

My family was fortunate to work with and grow up with the Ahola's. My father, retired Petlauma Police Officer George T. Evans, worked with Vil Ahola for many years after the shooting. I had the opportunity to come visit my father at the Police Department and talk with Vil. Vil was an inspiration for everyone for his dedication, and desire to continue working for the City of Petaluma and its citizens. Vil also directed a local Police Athletic Shooting team for many years teaching our youth about gun safety. Again, Vil was an inspiration for everyone. At the Petaluma Police Department, we have an annual award named after Vil given each year to the employee who demonstates a positive outlook, a great attitude, helpful, inspiring and personafies the departments core values. My family and I miss Vil. My department honors him each year though with the presentation of the Vil Ahola award and a reading of why it was named after him. In turn, I continue to remember the important lessons he taught me about the value of life and how to treat otehrs.

Ralph Evans, Sergeant
Petaluma Police Department

February 2, 2007

My sympathy for the loss of your husband and father. He was a hero. I use his story to teach new recruits in the police academy the dangers of police work.

Sgt. Tim Lyons
Petaluma PD

February 1, 2007

All of us who knew Vil admired his dedication to the community, the department and to youth. Despite his devastating injury, he continued to work at the department on a limited basis. He had a positive outlook on life and great spirit. He worked tirelessly with youth on the PAL Rifle Team for many years. We should all aspire to be just a little like Vil.

Leslie Aboudara
Petaluma Police

February 1, 2007

God Bless

Tom Butler RCSO
Petaluma P.D.

February 3, 2006

Thank you for your dedication to this profession. You are a hero and will always be remembered.

Police Officer
Petaluma

February 2, 2006

I remember Vil as a man dedicated to his community and his profession. Even after his life altering injury he continued to be an active participant in PAL and an inspiration to the youth in his community. He positive outlook will always be missed.

Charlene Lavezzoli CSO
Petaluma Police Department

February 1, 2006

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, February 1, 2006 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer Vilho O. Ahola who died in the line of duty on this date eight years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Ahola’s sacrifice will never be forgotten

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

February 1, 2006

Our thoughts are with you and your
family. Time has not diminished
your sacrifice. My heart goes out to
you and the pain you had to endure.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

February 1, 2006

Your supreme scarfice will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace, God Bless

Police Officer
Chicago, IL. Police Dept

August 3, 2004

You will always be remembered as a Hero...
God Bless you and keep you forever by his side.

Cleveland Police, Ohio Retired