Officer Down Memorial Page

Happy Birthday Richie!!! I know you are having a cold one with your Dad and Pop. Miss you......

Ralph Vazquez
Brother In-law
January 11, 2012

Hello Brother, Another year has passed. I think of you every day. I know you are looking after us from above. Miss you and love you.......

Ralph Vazquez
Brother In-law
July 29, 2011

I can't belive it has been 7 years since you were taken from our family. You will never be forgotten , always in our hearts.
We miss you and love you Richie!

Doreen Brooks Roniger
Cousin
July 17, 2011

You are on my mind every passing day. I love you and miss you so much. Don't let dad drink too much whiskey up there.

Cindy
Sister
July 16, 2011

Hi Rich. It is coming up to seven years that you have passed on. I am always thinking of you my brother. You will never be forgotten. You will always be on my mind, and in my heart. I love you and miss you. You are my Hero.

George N. Vazquez
Brother In-Law
July 13, 2011

Not really sure what to say except there's not a day that goes by that we don't think of you and miss you...We hope what we're doing down here is making you proud because you made us proud.

Annonymous
June 19, 2011

Happy Birthday my brother! We miss you very much. I hope you enjoyed that cold Bud I left for you :). Love you.....

Ralph Vazquez
Brother inlaw
January 11, 2011

Merry Christmas is Heaven brother...

Constable Kevin Markhamn
Huntington Marine Patrol
December 20, 2010

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

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
July 16, 2010

6 long years and still on our minds daily.

J

J
July 16, 2010

We miss you...and I hope you're looking down on us all because we need it. You've been gone far too long.

Anonymous
December 4, 2009

It’s been five long years and you will always be missed and in our hearts.
It still memories in my pocket.

J

Anonymous
July 17, 2009

I think about you all the time, and especially today. I remember that hateful day that we found out that you had been taken so viciously from us, our family had lost another , destined to be an angel. You live on in all our hearts. I love and miss yuo, and my love and thoughts always Richies family, and to Aunt Alice, Uncle Pete, Elena, Peter, and Cindy

Doreen
Cousin
July 17, 2009

Richie, It's been five years since you left us. I think of you everyday. You have been truely missed. Love Ya....Ralph

Ralph Vazquez
Brother inlaw
July 16, 2009

Richie,
I think about you everyday and today more then ever. I can't believe its been 5 years. I love you and miss you so much.

Cindy
Sister
July 16, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Bay Constable Brooks and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes
July 13, 2009

i miss you....please come back.

Anonymous
October 30, 2008

Richie,
We spent a lot of time working together at the same commands, Dist 33, Dist 1 and adjoining commands in Bklyn South. I have your fallen angel poster in my office and think of you every time I look at it. I can't believe it's almost 27 years since Harlem U. You were always someone I looked forward to working with.

Andy Silverman
NYPD NYCTPD Retired
August 27, 2008

Four years



In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think of you.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

J
July 15, 2008

Dad:

This past week, Mom and I went to D.C. for National Police Week. I think you really would have enjoyed C.O.P.S. if you had known about it...I hope to always stay involved in it and maybe one day be able to work for them or something...the sacrifices given by all those killed on the line of dtuy are incredible. I wish you had been there to experience the beauty of something like Police Week, but I know you were watching down on me from Heaven as I was able to connect to a lot of different people.

I got to meet the rest of the Baker family...I love them so much. I think you and Tom would probably get along, and I'm hoping you guys do get along up there. You know I would give anything to get you back, but thank you for connecting me to people like Alyssa Nick and Kyle. Alot of things would be different and better if you were still here which makes it bad that you're not, but meeting people like them is one of the good things that have come about because of your sacrifice.

Okay...that's it for now...as always, I miss you so much it hurts.

May 17, 2008

Merry Christmas "Brooksie". District 1 doesn't forget. God Bless your family and you.

PO B
NYC Transit Police Dept
December 22, 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
December 18, 2007

I would like to thank everyone that wrote a reflection. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.We miss Rich everyday but feel it more when Christmas comes.He loved Christmas.I pray for all the families missing a loved one.
Rich is watching from heaven and is very proud of Lori and Richie.
Love, Sylvia

Sylvia
wife
December 16, 2007

Hi Richie,

Its been about 2 1/2 years since I've come and read the reflections. I think about you every day and still after 3 years I still feel like it is a dream. I miss you so much and still remember the last time I spoke to you on the phone, the day of Richie Jrs high school grad. party. I only wish we could have been there that day with you and the family. You are always in my heart and I know you are always watching Sylvia and the kids. I know you would be (are) so proud of your kids. We are.
I love you forever.

Cindy
Sister
December 15, 2007

As I was reading your last reflection, It sounded how I some times feel. Some days it seems like you just can't go on. Your family I know misses you a bunch. I know I miss my dad. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. May god bless you and you family.

Daughter of Kevin Orr EOW 11/22/06
September 19, 2007