Officer Down Memorial Page

Tonight, nine years ago, I lost you. We all lost you. My world changed as did so many others from the tragic events of that night. My life has changed as the years have past. There have been many things and events little Missy and I have gone through and experienced since we lost you. I know you have been watching over all of us. Thank you for the time we shared and the memories we made. Little Missy and I talk about you.

Love,
Chele

Chele
Love of Deputy Gene Wright II
November 19, 2011

Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of both officers. A strong reminder that nothing is routine. I myself was struck by a vehicle directing traffic at a four way intersection on February 28, 2011. I am partially disabled but fortunately I lived to see another day. May the fight continue to take drivers off of the street who don't belong there.

Deputy David Langston
Craven County Sheriff's Office N.C.
November 19, 2011

You can close your eyes & pray that they'll come back or you can open your eyes & see all they have left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see them or you can be full of the love you shared. You can remember them as only they are gone, or you can cherish the memory & let it live on. You can close your mind, be empty & turn your back, or you can do what they would want- smile, open your eyes, love & go on.

Gene,

I love and miss you so much!! I keep getting so many signs that remind me of you. Its the little things and big things that I see and hear and smell. It has been years since I lost you that night. Some days it feels like it just happened. Please continue to watch over all of us down here missing and loving you.

Beautiful

Chele - Love of Deputy Gene Wright II
August 21, 2011

Heather,
Ive spent years wondering how you were doing and how Taylor is!!!!!! I saw you at Gene's funeral but amongst all the chaos, I decided to wait to speak to you until some time had passed. I had no idea it would take this many years! I really wish I would've gotten your number. I really wish I could've expressed my condolences to you and to "Tater Tot". Please let me (and everyone on fb) know how you and Taylor are doing! Ive always wished for the opportunity to tell Taylor stories about her father and how wonderful he was. Feel free to add me on fb .

Take care!

Susan Digby
friend
July 9, 2011

This has been a long time coming ... as I sit here and read page by page all the wonderful things that everyone has said about MY daughter's father, I am thankful. All I ask, is that everyone please be respectful of my daughter and ensure your posts contain accurate information when making post on this page or any other page in reference to her father. Thank you!

Heather Greer
Mother of his Daughter
May 27, 2011

Hello Gene,

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on here. I'm aure you know that I have not fogotten you. You hold a piece of my heart and little Missy's heart too. It's so hard to believe she is already 13. She still remembers the bubble gun fight ya'll had on her burthday in April 2002. She was only 4 years old. You touched her heart so much that she still thinks of you and talks to you.
I am sorry there are people that are trying to claim to be something they are/were not to you. Those who know/knew you know the truth. You and I had our life together and our future planned together. In a tradgic turn of events those plans were lost. They were not lost because of another woman, they were lost because of the man who killed you and Officer Bell that night. I read the posts on here and it hurts to see some people say things about you that are untrue.
You are my guardian angel and I know you are Missy's too. I also know you are your family's as well. You and Chad are up there together patroling the streets of Heaven and watching over those of us you love down here on Earth.
I kept my promise and I have to thank you for that. I truly believe you have had a hand in what has happened in my life.
It is official now, the next Parole Hearing is coming up. I recieved the letter today. We will make sure he doesn't get out again this year.
Thank you for the memories we shared and know you are always in my heart!

Chele
Love of _ Deputy Gene Wright II
Eternally On Watch - November 19, 2002

Chele
April 20, 2011

Deputy Wright..8 years ago you were taken away from you family, friends and Berkeley CTY Sheriff's Dept. Gone but never forgotten.

k.Baltierra
Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. Dispatch
November 19, 2010

Gene,

Its been eight years. I remember when you were 448. Seems like yesterday. I find it hard when today comes. I read your reflections and I see how loved you are. I pray your daughter gets to read these. I miss you and all about you. You touched my life and you will always be with me. I am glad u went on to your passion. Advance was not your thing. I am glad you found true love too. I miss you. You should still be pateoling. I will never forget! I love you.

mandy
friend
November 19, 2010

Remembering you on this, the 8th anniversary of your passing. Thank you for your service, dedication and sacrifice. May God bless those whom you loved and left behind, and comfort them today and always~

Lorl Johnson Rowley
Daughter of Sgt. James M. Johnson, EOW 11/11/04
November 19, 2010

Gene,

I think I can finally leave you a message now. I remember when we started the academy together. I remember sitting in class sharing jolly ranchers and trying to stay awake. I remember the study nights with you an my roomate Tim. I remember your laugh, your smile and your strange taste in heavy metal music. I remember when Tim called me a day or so after the accident and told me what happened. I could not speak much after that and I just hung up. I went into the local store where I was sitting and got the paper and read a short article on the accident. I remember when they told us to look to the right and left of us while in class. Then they said that someone in our class will die in the line of duty. I would have never thought it would be you. You always sat to the left of me. I hate this tragic incident occured. I visit your page very often and have read every post numerous times. I was glad to have met you when I did and was glad to call you my friend. I will always remember the times we had in school and the fun we had studying. Look after us still down here fighting the fight. We need all the back up we can get in this crazy world. So long my friend.

Sgt. R. Wooten
York County Sheriff's Office
March 18, 2010

Just wanted to write to say you have not been forgotten. I look forward to seeing your smiling face again one day. There's so much that's happened since you've been gone, but somehow I still feel your presence...so I'm sure you already know somehow. Please know that you are truly missed and truly loved by many.
-Susan

Susan Digby
friend
January 31, 2010

Merry Christmas, my love!! You are forever in my heart. I miss you terribly.


Unknown

Anonymous
December 16, 2009

Gene,

Today is the memorial for 4 Lakewood officers that were killed here in Washington state. Today brings back such sad memories of your funeral and Dennis LePages. It hurts as much today as it did the day you died. Please welcome them into their new home. Also be with me today as I go over the radio for my agencies and ask for a moment of silence in their memory. I need your strength. I miss you.

M.M.M.
Friend
December 8, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the seventh 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 can see that your family misses you very much. I am sure you continue to watch over your loving family mmbers and friends. I pray for their solace. I shared your family's feelings about the denial of parole for the man who struck and killed you.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
November 19, 2009

I miss you. Its been too long. I still remember.

Anonymous
November 19, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this sixth anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
November 19, 2008

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GONE THIS LONG. I STILL THINK ABOUT YOU EVER DAY, AND WILL FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. THE KIDS STILL TALK ABOUT YOU, AND THE TIME THAT THEY SPENT WITH YOU. CERTAIN FRIENDS OF OURS STILL TALK ABOUT YOU. WE LAUGH SO HARD SOMETIMES, TALKING ABOUT YOU, AND THEN WE JUST SIT AN CRY. I KNOW THAT I CAN NEVER COME FORWARD WITH WHO I WAS TO YOU, BUT AS LONG AS I REMEBER AND YOU REMEMBER, THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS. I KNOW THAT YOU HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LOVED YOU, AND PEOPLE THAT YOU LOVED, BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY THAT YOU DEVOTED YOUR LOVE TO ME. I LOVE YOU, FOREVER AND ALWAYS. WE WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN VERY SOON.

UNKNOWN TO ALL, BUT GENE

UNKNOWN
August 5, 2008

Gene,

We will never forget your service. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO. Rest in peace brother.

Jake W.
Citizen
May 25, 2008

Merry Christmas Gene. I love you and miss you. your friend always

December 26, 2007

Hey, Gene. I know it has taken me awhile to write ya, but I think I have the courage now. I miss ya and the fun we shared on calls and off. I will never forget you.

Deputy Aaron Mandell
Orange County Sheriff's Ofc. Florida
December 19, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
November 27, 2007

Deputy Wright:

Thank You for having served the " B - C - D Community."

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
November 19, 2007

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones on this 5th anniversary of your EOW. Keep watch over your loved ones and stand at their sides and protect them from harm. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
November 19, 2007

Gone, but Not Forgotten.

Detective Cpl. Frank Thompson
Dorchester County Sheriff's Office
November 19, 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
November 16, 2007