Officer Down Memorial Page

Thinking of you and your family today on this sixth anniversary.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05
November 23, 2011

Thinking of you today Rick.

Trey Lipscomb
Nags Head Police / Former PPD
November 23, 2011

6 years today Brother. I think of you often. Monica seems to be doing ok. Still feels like yesterday when I got the call early in the morning. Feels as fresh as if it were today.

Miss you brother.

Officer Scott White (Retired)
Portsmouth Police Department
November 23, 2011

Hey Rick,

Been thinkin about you lately. It's crazy how the world works. I moved back to Minnesota about a year ago, but I am sure you already knew that. Monica sent me a message a couple month ago telling me Heather is up here too. Hanging with your beautiful daughter as much as I can, but I am sure you knew that too. :-) Can you do me a favor? When God decides it's time for my mom to go home, can ya meet her at the door with the rest of my family? At least that way I know she is safe. Love you and miss you!!

Jane Foster
Former PPD
June 24, 2011

Miss you my friend.

Scott White (PPD Retired)
Portsmouth Police Department
May 9, 2011

Rick,

You always kept us laughing while we were going through Portsmouth Aux Police Academy and kept us awake. You were the gentle giant backing us up on patrol. Also you were my friend when I stopped by your house for a talk during the day while out on my Allstate Ins duties. Rest in Peace Brother!

Darrel Adams
Former PPD, Former Suffolk PD, Corps of Engineers Provost Marshal Offi
August 12, 2010

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Deputy Sheriff
Covinton County Sheriff's Dept. (Ms)
April 2, 2010

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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
November 24, 2009

thinking about you today....... hard to believe it's been so long. miss ya.

scott
ppd
November 23, 2009

Hey Rick,

Just wanted to say Thanks Buddy for the work you did to keep Portsmouth safe. You were a great cop but an even better man. You are missed my friend.

Shaun
Former PPD
March 2, 2009

I worked w/Rick on the overnight shift when I was a 911 Dispatcher for the Portsmouth Police Department. Whenever he could, he would stop in the Communications Center to visit & bring coffee (& sometimes donuts). He always had a funny story to tell & was one of my favorite officers. I learned about his death after I left the department & moved to Minnesota where I am currently employed as a 911 Dispatch Supervisor. I was saddened to hear of his passing (& how it happened), but I know he is in a better place where there are no bad guys to chase. God bless you Rick - we miss you!

Michelle Dunham
Washington County Sheriff's Office
January 12, 2009

Another holiday without you here, we are all thinking of you & your family. Not a day goes by that you are not on our minds. We look to you for guidance, and have this sense of security & peace. We miss you Rick.

Anonymous
December 8, 2008

RIP hero.. gone but never forgotten

wife of LEO
November 23, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this third 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 23, 2008

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous
November 1, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
April 3, 2008

Uncle Rick, sorry it has been a while since I have talked to you. I think about you everyday that I get up and go to work. As you probably know already I have switched from blue to brown. I bet that seems funny to you but I know you still have my back. Our family misses you dearly and I look forward to seeing you once again some day. I will cover the streets down here as you once did knowing that you have the ones up there covered. Forever thinking of you, Barry.

Deputy B.N. Bennett
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office N.C.
February 6, 2008

Rest in Peace....

Police Officer
Portsmouth Police Department
December 12, 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 26, 2007

Thinking of you today Rick! Partner, keep us safe.....

Jeff Whitson
POrtsmouth Police DEept.
November 23, 2007

"IT IS NOT HOW HE DIED, BUT HOW HE LIVED, THAT MAKES HIM A HERO" Your sacrifice is not forgotten. Thank You for keeping US safe. Godspeed.

Lisa
GEORGIA CIVILIAN
November 23, 2007

On the 2 year date of your death, we are thinking about your family and friends. It is always hard during these holidays, but we know you are watching over all. You are a true hero and will always be remembered.

Craig Figgins
Brother - SGT Dan Figgins St Charles, IL EOW 4/9/05
November 23, 2007

Wow... almost two years... The things that have changed since then. We miss you so much...It's great that they have a guardian like you! My prayers go to Monica and family, espeially the young ones...

Jen Sumner
Portsmouth Police Dept
November 15, 2007

Miss you my friend.....not a day goes by where you and your family aren't in my thoughts.

K.R. Bachman
Portsmouth Police Dept.
October 8, 2007

Hey Rick, Just wanted to stop in and say HI! I sure do miss you. It's just not the same without you....
Thanks for looking over us and keeping us safe

Officer Jeff Whitson
Portsmouth Police Department
July 5, 2007