Officer Down Memorial Page

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 47th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. 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 am so thankful your killer was returned to prison after violating parole and glad he died there never seeing the world again as a free man..

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater
April 28, 2013

Thinking of you today, thankyou for your service. You are a hero who will never be forgotten. God bless your family

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA
December 27, 2010

I have walked past the lovely memorial to Officer Birch many times without stopping to actually see who it honored. I am, with others, grateful that there are people who unselfishly serve their communities and saddened that so many sacrifices are made in connection with that service. The memorial is beautiful and actually a fitting tribute to all.

Anonymous
July 14, 2009

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
March 1, 2008

I would personally like to thank everyone involved in James Belton's being returned to prison for violating his parole. Steve Hervey of the Fort Lee Police informed me that Belton was returned to prison on 9/01/06. He subsequently died in prison 5/15/07 serving out his sentence for murdering my father.
Although nothing can ever bring back my father's life, there is comfort in knowing that this man cannot hurt my family anymore with either his actions or words. This man escaped a harsh punishment and received mercy. Not ony did he remain unrepentent, but even recently bragged about murdering my father.
Thank you all who worked and fought to bring James Belton to justice. THANK YOU!

Judith Birch Brennan
daughter
June 23, 2007

"When good men die, their goodness does not perish but lives, though they are gone. As for the bad, all that was theirs dies and is buried with them."(Euripides)

I am so grateful for everyone's comments and memories.

Judith Birch Brennan
daughter
March 30, 2007

I was 11 years old when you were shot. I remember what a terrible day it was for Fort Lee. My family was very upset upon learning of your death.

My brother, two sisters and I stood outside of Shop Rite for a few days after school and collected money for your family. I remember the shoppers were all very generous and almost everyone gave us something. We collected around $400 which was a lot of money in 1966. We met the police chief and gave him the money for your wife and children.

You have not been forgotten, even after 40 years.

Karen Ellis
former resident
December 29, 2006

Thank you for not forgetting.......

Kelly
daughter
October 12, 2006

Dear Bill:
After 40 years, I am certain that the sorrow, loss, and pain of your family and in particular, your daughters, still lingers. Things have not changed much since you made the ultimate sacrifice. Brother officers are dying everyday, it seems, with little outcry from the public.
I have worn the badge and gun for 27 years, and only recently have I been involved in a gun battle. Grateful as I am for Divine Intervention, I still reflect on why you, and so many other fellow brother officers have had to die.
You answered the cry of the wolf at the door, and you gave all. In doing that, you were simply doing what we all take an oath to do...defend those you cannot defend themselves. You did your job well, brother, trying to protect the very ideals of our Founding Fathers, 230 years ago. That our people shall live free, and be free from fear, and to pursue their dreams and happiness. For that, Bill, your are one of America's heroes. And you shall NEVER be forgotten. May God walk with you while you patrol the streets of Heaven, and forever bless your family. Amen

Detective Ron Tomassi
Palm Beach Sheriff's Office-Florida
October 11, 2006

For years I have visited this site and have tried to think of things to write, but have never seemed to find the right words. So I will simply say, 40 years have past since your senseless death and you are not forgotten, nor will you ever be. Although I was not born when you lived your life and never had the honor of knowing you, I take great pride in following in your footsteps. Every day I walk into work, I look at your picture and I take great comfort in the fact I know you are looking after your brothers in blue, and I hope you take great comfort in the fact that you are thought of every day and always will be.

PO Patrick Kellett
Fort Lee PD
October 10, 2006

Officer Lee,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Fort Lee. It sickens me to think that your murderer only served 16 years in prison.


R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous
September 4, 2006

It will be 40 years since your tour of duty ended, you have not been forgotten by those that love you nor will the Blue Family ever let you be forgotten. Your family has suffered 40 years and still has to put up with our criminal justice systems blindness. I always thought Life Was Life. Who cares if he's in a wheel chair, let him spend the rest of his life in prison, the scooter will work in there just as it does on the outside. The ultimate crime in society is killing a police officer because if an individual is willing to kill a policeman, what about the ordinary citizen. In the case of my son, my family was lucky, the individual that killed him was also killed so we did not have to endure the many years of trials and parole board hearings etc. To the Birch Family, my thoughts are with you on Sept. 4th, even though it has been 40 years I know the pain is still there and always will be for as long as you walk this earth. Keep Bill's memory alive by never being afraid to talk about him with others. If some of his co workers, who are probably all retired by now, are still around, get stories from them. You all take care and remember, your Dad is a true hero and heroes never die.

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

Bob Gordon, Chicago Gold Star Father
September 2, 2006

In September it will be 40 years since your death. I was always told it would be easier as time passes but that's wrong. I never really got the chance to know you, so I can only go by what people tell me. You would have been so happy with all of your 21 grandchildren. I love you and miss you more with each passing day.
kathleen

P.S. To all who have tried to help right the wrong(evil) I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

daughter
August 27, 2006

I will never forget that night Billy, I think about you often, your brother in blue.

Lt Joe Broking
Cliffside Park Police
August 8, 2006

To all the people who have written such wonderful thoughts and words about my father.....a huge heartfelt Thank You!! A special thanks to Officer Edward Kelly and all the officers of the Boston Housing Authority Police. My family and I cannot thank you enough for all the work you have done to attempt to put the man who killed my father back in jail where he belongs. It is a travesty that he is still free and continues to speak so proudly of his past.

To my Dad....not a day goes by where I wish I knew you.

Kelly Latorre
His daughter
November 13, 2005

The murderer of Police Officer William T. Birch has violated the terms and conditions of his lifetime parole on 1-30-2005 and is now temporarially serving 60 days in the MCI Concord Prison here in Massachusetts pending a hearing. He attempted to sell a gun to a Safety Officer in the lobby of an elderly building in Boston, but was not arrested since he is in much pain due to a M/V accident suffered several years ago. He is confined to a scooter and is on many pain medications. If it were up to me, he would have been placed into custody & booked on this weapons posessions charge that morning but due to circumstances beyond our control, he was not arrested. We did notify his Parole Officer & he was swiftly apprehended within 4 hours of the phone call. He will be summonsed to Roxbury Court on 2-23-2005 for the gun and ammunition charges. Also underway is the eviction process from public housing which has been cheered by the residents of the building.
While speaking with this murderer that morning, he matter of factly told us that he had been a criminal since 1944 and had served time in federal prison and in correctional institiutions in KY, TX and in NJ for murdering a Police Officer. We thought these were the ramblings of an old man who was trying to inflate his stature in our eyes. When we ran a counrtywide background check and researched this site & found out what he had done was in fact the truth, we knew we had to act quickly to remove this menace from society.
The Massachusetts Parole Board will hold a hearing to determine which, if any state (Texas or New Jersey) would like to revoke his lifetime parole and surrender him to one, or both of those states. The Boston Housing Police has notified the Fort Lee NJ Police and their PBA President about his apprehension and possible subsequent incarceration for violation of his parole. I hope he spends the remainder of his pathetic life behind bars where he belongs.
To the Birch family, I hope this brings a bit of solace & comfort to your lives. I have 3 children of my own under 5 years old and his actions and statements that morning only solidified my resolve to do something to right the injustice this man has inflicted upon your family. Again, I speak for all members of my department when I say you are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you.
Patrolman Edward Kelly
Boston Housing Police

Edward Kelly
Boston Housing Authority Police
February 1, 2005

1966- Death sentence, 1972 - Life in Prison, 1982 - Parole???? Where is the justice in that for P/O Birch and his Family? Something has to change for us in Blue. Prayers for William's family.

Detective
Newark NJ Police Dept
October 16, 2004

Always in my thoughts Billy, always.

Peter Birch
May 18, 2004

Rest in peace brother and God Bless your family.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD
May 11, 2004

God Bless.

Det. Pedro Morey
Fort Lee Police
February 11, 2004

Although we never met, I feel as though we did and thought of you often.

Lt. William P. Stump (ret)
Fort Lee Police
November 28, 2003

God Bless Your Family

Detective Rich Stanley
Fort Lee Police Department
October 16, 2003

Happy Birthday, Dad. We all wish you were still with us. You would have been 63 today and Kathleen and Frank, and Kelly and John, and Rich and I along with your 20 grandchildren(along with 14 nieces and nephews) would have loved to celebrate this day with you. We will always miss you. Although my time with you was short, you were the best Dad. Love, Judy

Judith Birch Brennan
His daughter
September 26, 2003

Rest in peace Officer Birch. May GOD BLESS, the Birch family and the Fort Lee Police Department with the loss of a true American HERO.

Recruit Don Reichhardt
60th Basic Police Academy
Crater Criminal Justice Academy

Officer Don Reichhardt
Virginia State University Police Department