Officer Down Memorial Page

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 7th 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 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.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
March 17, 2012

Mike Buckner, we were friends in Junior High School and later in High School. We had a rough start but I think that it was necessary, a part of growing up. We tussled and laughed, joked, and played during recess. I look back and can see you wanted to be a Police Officer even back then; I am proud that you managed that dream.
Life and circumstance moved me away and we lost touch and for that I am the one that had a void where you use to be. My memories of you were always a mixed bag, but none that I would trade.
I recall that you and your sister were close and I know that you live on in her memories as you do in all those that you have crossed paths with in your life. To those that knew Mike, we were blessed; to those that will never meet the man, you have missed a rare opportunity.
Saying Mike will be missed is an understatement; his laugh, and his commitment to community and family. I will miss Mike at Class get togethers, I will miss telling him how proud I am that he made a difference, and that we won't have a chance to catch up on 30 years of shenanigans.
Rest in Peace my friend

Cleve

Cleve Williams
Friend
June 20, 2011

From the LaFevre's Daniel , Michelle , and Jean he will be truly by us. After all I went school with Mike at Coffee County High School and we were very good friens.

Daniel LaFevre
Friend
June 19, 2011

You are not forgotten!!!

Anonymous
April 3, 2011

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 17, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this 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
f
March 17, 2009

Thankyou for your service and sacrifice OFFICER BUCKNER. Rest in peace and watch over us, you will never be forgotten. God bless your family

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA
August 21, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
April 9, 2008

~Never forgotten~

911 Dispatcher
Virginia
March 17, 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
January 29, 2008

G-d Bless.

March 17, 2007

Two years have passed and you have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case as you are a true hero and heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
March 17, 2007

Mike, You are greatly missed by all! It still doesn't seem real that you're gone. I know you're in Heaven waiting for us all!!

a dispatcher

September 3, 2006

MIKE WAS MY FRIEND! I WOULD LET HIM RIDE IN MY PATROL CAR FROM TIME TO TIME BEFORE HE WAS A POLICE OFFICER. IT WASN'T EXACTLY ALLOWED BUT I COULD TELL HE LIKED IT.WE MADE A HIT AND RUN ARREST AND I THINK HE WAS HOOKED.I LOST TOUCH WITH HIM FOR A WHILE AND THEN FOUND OUT HE WAS A POLICE OFFICER.THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO HIM HE WAS VERY PROUD OF WHAT HE WAS DOING.IT BROKE MY HEART WHEN I GOT THE NEWES ABOUT THE CRASH. MIKE LOVED HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND JOB.HE IS MISSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

TROOPER
June 20, 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 4, 2006

You and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers as you pass the first anniversary of your arrival in Heaven. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04
March 18, 2006

To Officer Michael Keith Buckner and his loved ones:

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

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
I hope that our paths cross in D.C.

Officer Buckner, 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, Officer Buckner. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Officer Buckner gave to his community and the citizens of Tennessee, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 17, 2005.

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

March 17, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today.May Our Lord comfort them.

March 17, 2006

On the first anniversary of your tragic death, I hold you and your family in prayer. May you rest in peace in the loving arms of God.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04
March 16, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow officers of Officer Buckner on this one year anniversary. Officer Buckner's service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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 16, 2006

I will remember you in my prayers today
God bless you and your family.

Anne (UK)
Sth Wales Police (retd)
March 16, 2006

One year has passed and the broken hearts left behind think of you every day and will for the rest of the time they walk this earth. You have not been forgotten nor will you ever be forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and protect them from harm. You are a true hero.

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

Bob Gordon
March 11, 2006

Rest in peace, sir! You are not forgotten!

December 17, 2005

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

To the family and friends of Officer Buckner and his fellow officers in the Dechard Police Department: I wanted to extend my deepest condolences on behalf of my family for the grievous loss you sustained when Oficer Buckner 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 Michael gave to his community and the citizens of Tennessee, 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

phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
August 23, 2005