Officer Down Memorial Page

On the 10th anniversary of Officer Magan's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Magan is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
August 12, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 10th 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 the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
August 11, 2010

Sir, your service is remembered on this day especially. Thanks to you, and respect and thanks to your family, friends and department for your diligence, caring and example.

Cadet
Colorado
August 11, 2010

RIP OFFICER MAGAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

Anonymous
August 11, 2009

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones and close friends today and every day. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
August 11, 2008

Officer Magan,
On today, the 8th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Fall River. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous
August 11, 2008

OFFICER MAGAN, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
June 19, 2008

Rick,

I take from your passing not to be to be relaxed, and to know where my guys/girls are at all times. Thanks Rick

"We just leave you 8-1 on your personal, until we meet again."

Communications
Fall River Police Dept
March 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
February 18, 2008

Officer Magan,
Today is the seven year anniversary of your EOW. My thoughts are with your family and friends as they remember the legacy of honor you left behind.

Pennsylvania citizen
August 11, 2007

Seven years may have passed but you have not been forgotten. Those that love you think of you every day and will continue to do so for as long as they walk this earth. Keep watch over your loved ones and protect them. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
August 10, 2007

To the family and loved ones of Officer Richard Magan and his fellow officers with the Fall River Police Department:

On this the sixth anniversary of Richard's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Richard, I feel as if I know him through the loving reflections left by loved ones and friends. His valor and courage will never be forgotten.
The lessons he taught to those he mentored will be carried forward.

I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Richard was robbed of his life so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the eighteen years of dedicated service Richard gave to his community and the citizens of Massachusetts, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 11, 2000.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 11, 2006

Officer Magan, six years ago today you were taken from this life and for some it feels like yesterday. I know you have never left the side of your family and though they cannot see you, they know you are there. We all make those climbs, shuffle on ledges and climb in and through things without giving it much thought. Sometimes it can turn tragic. You are missed and not forgotten.

God Bless and Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.
August 11, 2006

Rick,

Had a lot of good times under the Wizard's watch in the Acadmey days. You were a great kid. Just want you to know that both of my sons are now Attleboro cops and my daughter has got the itch to become one of Attleboro's finest. I will see you one of these days kid and will talk about the old BCC days.

Cook, Attleboro PD

Timothy Cook Sr., Detective
Attleboro Police Department
April 24, 2006

Remembering Officer Magan - the circumstances surrounding your death are very sad. Our prayers go out to your wife, children, and those who knew and loved you. Rest in peace; some day you will be reunited with your family in heaven. Until then, keep eye over your brothers and sisters in blue. Godspeed.

Michigan Citizen
September 10, 2004

Days go by, and seasons have passed,
How much longer will this grieving last?

Not one day has gone by that I haven't thought of you,
Your life taken right out of the blue.

People say God had a plan for you, that is why your no longer here,
You lived an honorable life, protecting the city without having fear.

You were a public figure, a mentor for kids, a family man,
Why couldn't God have stuck to his original plan?

A beautiful August summer day unnecessarily had a tragic end,
Responding to another officer's call with a helping hand to lend.

It helps to think about all the good times that were shared,
The badge you wore with honor, a warm smile showing you cared.

People could find you in a hockey rink because that is where you liked to be,
Why didn't those men just stop, but instead they had to flee.

Questions that are asked, but answers that can't be found,
Constantly feeling a void because you are no longer around.

A song on the radio, an officer in blue,
There is always something reminding me of you.

I know with time the pain and sorrow will become less,
And questions like why did it have to be you? will seem useless.

Although you are gone, forgotten you will never be,
Your life will be remembered, instead of a tragedy.

The number eighty-eight will no longer make people cry.
Although no one was ready to have to say good-bye.

Anonymous
November 14, 2003

I was saddened to hear of your death that morning when at roll call as I began my tour of duty. though I didn't know you or have the pleasure to work with you I felt really sad inside. I payed my respects to you and marched side by side with thousands of other officer's. I saluted you that day for being a hero someone who gave his life to protect others. I wish your family all the blessings in the world. God has called you to walk a beat on heaven's streets.Rest in peace.

Officer DeSousa
Bristol County Sheriff's Office

Rick...

words alone could never express the saddness i feel in my heart..

you were an amazing man and i will miss you always..

my heart and prayers goes out to your friends, family, and those who loved you...

I will be forever blessed for having known you...

heaven is a much better place now that you are there...

you own a piece of my heart forever and always...

untill our paths cross again...

the memory of your incredible smile will remain with me always...

Me

Anonymous

Rick you were a great DAD! I think of you often. Especially when I see your Mom and your son Tim at school. You were a great person. I remember when we first met you were 20 and I was 16. My parents never approved of it. But once they got to know you the age difference did not matter because they new you were a respectful person.  I will miss you. I get flashbacks often of watching for you to pass by my parents house on your way home from (BCC) Bristol Community College,where you studied Crimal Justice before becoming a cop for the FRPD. Rick I have alot of memory's which I will remember for eva. Until we meet again,

Anonymous

Rick,

   When somebody dies, a cloud turns into

   an angel, and flies up to tell God

   to put another flower on a pillow.

   A bird gives the message back to

   the world, and sings a silent prayer

   that makes the rain cry. People dis-

   appear, but they never really go away.

   The spirits up there put the sun to

   bed, wake up grass, and spin the

   earth in dizzy circles. Sometimes you

   can see them dancing in a cloud during

   the day-time, when they're supposed

   to be sleeping. They paint the rain-

   bows and also the sunsets and make

   waves splash and tug at the tide.

   They toss shooting stars and listen to

   wishes. And when they sing wind-

   songs, they whisper to us, don't

   miss me too much. The view is nice

   and I'm doing just fine.

             
Rick I enjoyed working with you and you WILL be missed dearly, You are a true hero.

Anonymous

Rick,

It was a pleasure to see your smile every morning. You will truely be missed by everyone in the department and in the City.  May God Bless you and your family.

David Parent
Fall River Police Department

I will miss stopping in his office...where I immediately would direct my attention to his desk looking for that warm smile.  If he was in there would always be that stern handshake and a moment or two of catching up ... about how each other's lives were going.  Looking back I wish I would have popped in more often ... but I cherish the times that I did.  And I will never forget that he died rushing to the aid of a brother officer... a true hero.  I will miss you Rick, but I am a much better person for having been honored with your friendship.  May you rest in peace...and I know that you truly are shining down on us from heaven.

Capt. JMS
Fall River Massachusetts P.D.