Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sheriff Samuel Wilson Catron

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department, Kentucky

End of Watch Saturday, April 13, 2002

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Sheriff Samuel Wilson Catron

Gone but never forgotten

Cousin
Ellen Therese (Morrow) Golden

May 5, 2021

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 16, 2020

Rest in peace Sheriff Catron.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 29, 2019

I wanted to say thank you to one of the kindest and caring men whoever wore a badge. Thank you for everything you did to keep Pulaski county safe. Thank you for protecting my mom, brother and I those many nights after my daddy died. Thank you for getting those men who tried to break in our house. The world and Pulaski county was a much better place with you in it. Say hi to my dad and give my mom a hug as she now walks in Heaven too. And thank you for all that you did.

Joyce R Hines
Citizen of Pulaski County

May 26, 2018

It's impossible to "learn" to be brave, it's inside, in several heart: Samuel had a big heart, and he was, like his father before him, a noble servant of Justice. The pain of the family will always be great, but the pride to belong to the same Sam and his father's ancestry will instill in all of them always a great pride. We also are proud for men like Samuel, so rare to find!
Because Sam was a truly great man, and deservedly a great hero. Rest in peace now, Samuel, with your father in Paradise. Amen.

Mrs.Claudia Allegrini

January 18, 2014

Family is never forgotten, especially when they leave us doing their duty.

Charles Morrow
causin

May 19, 2012

Thank You for your hard work and dedication. You will not be forgotten.

Anonymous

April 23, 2011

You have not been forgotten. Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to law enforcement. I only wish you could have enjoyed some of the retirement that you earned.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 13, 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

April 13, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the fourth 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 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. Rest In Peace.

I hold your family in my thoughts and prayers today. You are loved and missed by so many.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 13, 2009

I will never forget the night Sheriff Catron was killed. I was in the hospital holding our newborn son that was just born the previous day. I felt so sick to my stomach as the details of his death were revealed. As I set there holding my new son I realized that another mother was forced to let hers go. I never met Sam, but I think of him everytime I think of my son's birth. We have visited his memorial several times. That just proves that Sheriff Catron will live on forever. Even though a coward bodily killed him his spirit will live forever. My prayers are with the family. Time to rest now Sheriff Catron I hope to meet you at Heavens gate. Who knows maybe my son needed a really special guardian angel.

Norman & Jonesta Richardson
Citizens

October 17, 2008

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones on this day. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a hero and will never be forgotten.

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

April 13, 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

October 30, 2007

God bless you Sam. Heroes such as you are never forgotten.

Matthew 5:9

An Ohio brother
Montgomery Co., Ohio

July 25, 2007

Sheriff Catron on this anniversary of your tragic and untimely death I wanted to let you and your family know, you sir, are not forgotten. Thank you for you and your family's dedication to law enforcement. I am sure you and your dad are patrolling the streets of Heaven together. Rest in Peace sir.

NC LEO
Winston-Salem PD

April 13, 2007

I remember hearing it come across the screen "Officer Down." I did not want to believe it at first. How could have they of killed such a good man. I remember crying and screaming at the television thinking that this was all a dream. When I found out it was not a dream I was devastated. I lost a friend that day and I feel all of your sorrows. You will always be in my prayers.

Courtney
friend of Sam

May 2, 2006

To Sheriff Samuel Wilson Catron and all his loved ones:

On this the fourth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

I saw a television program recently which highlighted the story of your brutal murder and the unique circumstances behind it. It sickened me that this happened to you.

My heart goes out to all of your loved ones during this time. You all remain in our thoughts and our prayers.
Your family had paid the ultimate price twice over, and your mother had suffered more grievous loss than anyone should have had to bear.

Reading the loving reflections about your beloved Sam gives us some understanding of what a kind and honorable man he was, and what he meant to his family and friends. I don't know if the creators of this web site ever envisioned how many of us would communicate with each other, and with our angels through these reflection pages. But we do and I find such comfort in it.

Sam, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Sheriff Catron. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Sam gave to his community and the citizens of Kentucky, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 13, 2002.

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

April 14, 2006

I remember hearing on the news of your assassination and watching the aftermath on the Louisville newsstations. I never did hear what your assassin received as punishment and was sad to hear it was only life.
Thank you for all you did to keep Pulaski County Kentucky safe.

Deputy Probation Officer Cory Walker
Jennings County Superior Court Probation (IN)

September 5, 2005

I remember hearing on the news of your assassination and watching the aftermath on the Louisville newsstations. I never did hear what your assassin received as punishment and was sad to hear it was only life.
Thank you for all you did to keep Pulaski County Kentucky safe.

Deputy Probation Officer Cory Walker
Jennings County Superior Court Probation

September 5, 2005

God bless you and your family, You will always be remembered. I never met you, but you were well known around the State. You will always be remembered as a Fair person with the best intentions. You were a friend to many, but a hero to us all.

Deputy Arnold V Dodge
Mason County Sheriff's Office, KY

May 10, 2005

How sad it is in America that a person can not run for office without having to fear for his life.

God bless you for your service and dedication to the citizens of Pulaski County. You and your father will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

January 27, 2005

GOD Bless you, Sheriff.
I was on my way through your state, coming back from having to interview a witness in a crime that occurred in Michigan, when my Lieutenant read an article from a local paper on your horrible departure.

I lost a close friend and co-worker, Deputy Kevin Sherwood, on 09-Oct-03 in a "Line of Duty Death". My heart goes out to all that worked under this fine man and his family. I hope you meet up with Deputy Sherwood and help him along the way, patrolling the streets of Heaven.

Fly High, Sheriff Catron

Sgt. John S. Wilson
Clare Co Sheriff Dept, Michigan

November 9, 2003

How horrible for this kind of tragedy to occur, and more so to the same family.

Condolences to the family and the Sheriff's Department.

Rest In Peace, My Brother.

September 28, 2003

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Catron family and the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. I never knew Sheriff Catron personally, but I do know he made a huge contribution to the citizens of Pulaski County. From a fellow Pulaski Countian and law enforcement officer, you will be missed.

Brian D. Coyt, Special Agent
U.S. Army CID

Sam we will miss you and your lifes dedication to all of law enforcement may you never be forgotten .

Deputy D Thomas
Laurel Co Sheriff Dept, KY

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