Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Coming up on 22 years since you were taken from your family at 33! We continue to reach out to other families who experience the tragedy of losing a law enforcement officer. That extended care helps us keep you with us each and every day!

Rest easy, son! We'll be along soon!

Love,
Mom

Lois Rao, Surviving Mother
Surviving Mother

April 12, 2024

Always remember you this day and each and every day! Miss you each day, and look forward to our reunion on that glorious day! We'll be along in the "blink of an eye!"

Lois Rao, Surviving Mother
Loving Mother of a Fallen Trooper

June 12, 2023

Talked to your mom and dad today. They are doing well. Always positive and helping others. You won't be forgotten.

DETECTIVE JC
Montgomery County Police

June 12, 2021

Rest in heavenly peace

Mark Mottola

July 2, 2020

Can't believe we just observed with your fellow troopers and deputies the eighteenth anniversary of your EOW date! We have heard from many of your friends and coworkers about you and some great stories of your childhood and your LE career. We miss you more every day and can't wait until we meet again.

Lois Rao, Surviving Mother
SCHP Senior Trooper Michael J. Rao, EOW June 12, 2002

June 19, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

June 17, 2020

Rest easy Trooper and K-9 Rao, your work here is done. May trooper and K-9 Rao rest in peace

William Jin
Boy Scout in Troop 737, Walnut CA

June 17, 2020

Never forgotten brother. Prayers to your family

Judge / Magistrate Sheridan Lynn (former
Aiken County, S.C.

June 12, 2020

Jacqui, I would have loved to speak with you to thank you for all you did for our son during those dark days at the hospital. We hope that the organs harvested from Mike are doing well in the recepients. Is there any way to meet those people?

Our deepest gratitude to you.

Lois Rao, Surviving Mother
South Carolina Highway Patrol, EOW June 12, 2002

September 13, 2019

It was my privilege to work with you and your beautiful family during such a trying and difficult time at the hospital. I was the patient services counselor with orgsn donation agrncy at yhe time. I remember the many stories told of Michael by so many who stopped by to support you'll. Hope your memories continue to comfort you in your loss.

Jacque Kendall
Organ donation agency at yhat tine

June 13, 2019

How could it be 17 years since we last held you, and then lost you! You would be tickled to know that your friends and coworkers continue to honor you for your great personality, your friendship, your smile, and tell funny stories about you and them! We'll be along "in a blink of the eye!" Love you forever, Mom and Dad

Lois Rao, Surviving Mother
South Carolina Highway Patrol, EOW June 12, 2002

June 12, 2019

Always remembered! Miss you my friend!

S/Trp Retired
George D Lloyd
South Carolina Highway Patrol

July 26, 2018

Honored you again this year in Washington at National Police Week. Dad and I met some really great officers who also come to honor the fallen!

We love you, Mike, and will also see you on "the other side!"

Lois Fehrer Rao
Surviving Mother, SCHP Sr. Tpr. Michael J. Rao, EOW June 12, 2002

May 22, 2018

It’s always the day after my birthday. Miss you brother and will see you on the other side.

Lt. JE Strait
SCHP

May 14, 2018

Never forgotten. Cannot believe it has been almost 16 years since we lost you. May God continue to bless those left behind until you see them again in eternity. The Rao family still means the world to the SCHP family.

Captain J. D. Connelly
SCHP (retired) 1984-2009

May 9, 2018

Tomorrow, September 2, is your 49th birthday. It seems that it was "only yesterday" that Dad and I held you in our arms at the Toms River hospital on that 1968 Labor Day--all 9 lbs of you! You brought us joy over your 33 years on this earth. You and your sister were gifts from above to us.

We will meet again and spend our "forever" days together.

Lois Rao
Surviving Mother, SCHP Sr. Tpr. Michael J. Rao, EOW June 12, 2002

September 1, 2017

Thank you for your note, Frank Rollings. We are so glad that you wrote this note and hope that our paths will cross one day! Mike was a special kind of guy who loved life, especially if it involved being around water! God bless you for remembering Mike in this special way.

Lois Rao
Surviving Mother, SCHP Sr. Tpr. Michael J. Rao, EOW June 12, 2002

July 30, 2017

Mike was one of my best friends in high school. I still think of him often, and I always smile. He helped bring me out of my shell, start meeting new people, and having fun. Riding through the back roads of Lancaster, and parking at the river where the conversations seemed to never end. I remember hanging out with him for the last time before he left for his time in the Navy. He told me that he was going to do great things with his life. He did great things, and he will always be remembered. Rest in Peace, and know that your friends and family will always keep your memory alive.

Frank Rollings
High School Friend

June 13, 2017

Well, "Mike's week" is almost over, leading us to Father Day's when we buried you at Memorial Park, Lancaster. So many friends, coworkers and patriots sent notes remembering you and the times you spent together. We love you, Mike, and know that we will be together one day!

Lois Rao, Surviving Mother

June 13, 2017

This was a sad day in SC Law Enforcement History

MAJ (Ret)/Steven A. Smith
SLED

June 13, 2017

Can't believe we are approaching 15 years since you were called Home. I can't begin to tell you how much you are missed by your family and friends. We continue to hear stories from officers and citizens whom you touched along your earthly life. We love you lots, Mike, and that will never change! Love ya, mean it!!!!

Lois Rao, Surviving Mother
SCHP Sr. Trp. Michael J. Rao, EOW 6/12/2002

February 9, 2017

Mike just a short note as we approach Law Enforcement Appreciation. I have gotten to know your story thru your parents who are outstanding. They have been so present for us through COPS and your Dad made the holder for our folded flag. As they say apples don't fall far from trees so we have an idea you were outstanding, rare and a master among many. Never to be forgotten.

Eleanor Stevens, Surviving Mother
NJ Ocean County Prosecutor, Det. J Scott Stevens, EOW 01/21/15

January 6, 2017

Thank you, Danny, for remembering Mike! He was indeed a special friend, the type of guy that comes along once or twice in a lifetime! One way that we honor Mike every year is by going down to the white cross marker we set on Interstate 95, mile marker 125 Southbound, and change the flowers. Next year in 2017 we will observe the 15th anniversary of Mike's End of Watch. His daughter is so beautiful and looks just like Mike--a real testament that he lives on in such a special way!

Lois Rao, Surviving Mother
SCHP Sr. Trooper Michael J. Rao, EOW 6/12/2012

November 16, 2016

We never forget!

Magistrate and former SC Trooper Danny L
Aiken County, SC

June 12, 2016

Mike, we are approaching the 14th anniversary of your tragic death. The events of June 10-16 are as fresh as they were back in 2002. Know that Dad and I miss you so and will look forward to the days when we are together again!

Lois Rao
Mike's Surviving Mother

June 7, 2016