Officer Down Memorial Page

Thinking of you and your family on this seventh anniversary. Rest In Peace and continue to watch over your loved ones.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
March 2, 2012

Jim and I played football together at NLU in Monroe. He always had a smile on his face and was willing to teach a rookie new tricks. You will be missed Big Jim.

POIIIA John Medlin, Jr.
Teammate NLU-Monroe?UL-Lafayette Police Dept.
December 30, 2011

Jimbo buddy its been a long time and you are greatly missed. I keep the memories of us in fishing tournaments and hunting close and think about it often. You were a great man.

Paramedic Shane Kessler
Friend from school
September 28, 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
March 2, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones, friends and fellow officers during this time of remembrance. 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
March 3, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 4th 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.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
March 2, 2009

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. Keep watch over the rest of us as we protect our nations natural resources.

nc game warden
March 2, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
March 2, 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 2, 2008

JIM,
you were one of the most important person's in my life my husband and i thought the world of you and we miss you dearly but you will always be in our hearts and souls, you were a good friend and man to all you met now it's been two years you've left us, but we have not forgotten and never will cause u will live in our heart's forever, JIM we love you always and miss you so. good-bye for now our friend we WILL see you again. gary and stacey simpson

STACEY SIMPSON
FRIENDS
March 5, 2007

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of your death and I know that the pain your family and friends felt then are still strong. You never get over losing a loved one!! But it helps to know that you are an ANGEL in HEAVEN and looking down on those who loves you. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts- Oakdale, La.
Aunt of Fallen Hero John Logan EOW-3-14-04
March 2, 2007

May you Rest in Peace and may Our Lord comfort and strengthen your loved ones.

March 2, 2007

You were a great friendand always stood for what was right. Watch over us all.

edmundo delacerda
friendswood pd, friendswood texas /former college team mate, friend
October 13, 2006

TO SENIOR AGENT JIM B. MATKIN'S FAMILY;
I AM A DETECTIVE WITH THE METUCHEN POLICE DEPT. IN NEW JERSEY I BELONG TO THE POLICE UNITY TOUR. WE RIDE BICYCLES FROM GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK TO THE WALL IN WASHINGTON D.C. THIS YEAR I'M HONORED TO BE RIDING IN THE MEMBER OF JIM MATKIN WHO HAS MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR SAFETY. I WILL BE THINKING OF HIM AND HIS FAMILY THE WHOLE WAY. PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME IF YOU OR ANYONE FROM HIS DEPT. IS GOING I WOULD BE HONORED TO GIVE YOU A BRACELET I WILL BE WEARING IN HIS HONOR. MY CELL PHONE NUMBER IS 732-841-5169. I AM LEAVING TOMORROW MORNING 5/9 FROM FLOHAM PARK NJ TO GROUND ZERO N.Y AND THEN TO WOODBRIDGE NJ. ON 5/10 WE WILL RIDE FROM WOODBRIDGE NEWJERSEY TO DELAWARE ON 5/11 FROM DELAWARE TO ANNAPLOLS MD . 5/12 WE WILL ARRIVE IN DC AT THE WALL. YOU MUST BE VERY PROUD OF THIS HERO AND I'M HONORED TO DO THIS FOR HIM GOD BLESS ARTHUR FLAHERTY SR

DETECTIVE ARTHUR M. FLAHERTY SR
METUCHEN POLICE DEPT.
May 8, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse
May 2, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Senior Agent Matkin as you all mark the one year anniversary of his death. His service and sacrifice are not forgotten.

May God bless you, Agent Matkin, and may you continue to rest in eternal peace, safe in the arms of the angels.

Carin E. Sollman, surviving spouse
Officer Jesse E. Sollman, EOW 3/25/05
March 2, 2006

Rest in Peace.

March 2, 2006

My thughts and prayers are with the family of Senior Agent Matkin as their journey of grief leads them to the first anniversary of his death. Agent Matkin, you are not forgotten. May you rest in peace in the loving arms of the Creator.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04
March 1, 2006

It will be the first anniversary since you were called away. I know the pain still runs deep in the broken hearts of all those that love you. You have not been forgotten and are a true hero. Keep watch over your family, wrap your wings around them in an effort to ease some of their pain. You will never be forgotten Jim.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon
February 27, 2006

Officer Matkin,

Thank you for serving the common cause we all strive to preserve. You will not be forgotton. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Officer Jerrod Alley
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
November 29, 2005

HOLIDAY:

We think of you and your family during these holidays, and offer thoughts and prayers as you celebrate without your loved one. Cherish the memories of the past and be open to new ones with your loved ones and friends. Your loved one will never be forgotten and always honored for their sacrifice.

Alissa Scott
Widow of Wayne Scott
E.O.W. 09-10-02

Lisa Schultz
Widow of Don Schultz
E.O.W. 05-12-03

Co-Founders of Survivor Help Network
www.survivorhelpnetwork.org

November 29, 2005

S/A Matkin, Rest in Peace.

Brad Fleenor
National Marine Fisheries Service
November 19, 2005

Jim, thanks for your service and our prayers are with your family.

Cpl John Miller
Lafayette PD
September 14, 2005

I pray that God will continue to comfort and Bless this family, I know the grief is tremendous and only the hands of God can touch such pain, I pray for his hands to always be on this family. God Bless you and keep you.

Pat Carruth

Pat Carruth
August 27, 2005

To the family and friends of Senior Agent and his fellow officers: I wanted to extend my deepest condolences on behalf of my family for the grievous loss you sustained when Jim was tragically killed. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you be comforted and embraced by the circle of love and support you will receive from the law enforcement community, and other police survivors. This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Jim gave to his community and the citizens of Louisiana, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made in the line of duty. His dedication to his work will be forever remembered and his memory honored. How tragic he had to die at such a young age.

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

August 23, 2005