Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As a young Berkeley officer,Weeks (?) before Officer Blan died I was asked to cover Berkeley PD warrant officer trying to serve this warrant on Simmons at a motel on San Pablo Ave...
We asked the motel proprietor what room he was in; he told us we had just missed him leaving moments before.
We had passed three black guys on our approach and I’ve always wondered if Simmons was among them...
And if we had confronted them maybe Officer Blan would be alive today?
R J Richardson BPD #57
(retired Walnut Creek PD)

Rex Richardson, Officer
Berkeley Police 1969/1973

August 2, 2022

I was working as a bailiff at the Oakland Municipal Ct. I was assigned to handle thr arraignment of the killer of Officer Blan. Killer was named Simmons? Had a bandage on his head where other officers had shot Simmons through the windshield. He was a large, tough Black man. Very dangerous. Had a minor traffic warrant. I felt very bad for Officer Blan. The danger was that we did not have secure, locking holsters or semi-autos with a safety. David Marks, my friend from ACSO was later killed at OPD also with his own weapon. Both were very gentle, non agressive officers. I quit and took a teaching job. Never forgot these brave officers.

Deputy Sheriff
Alameda Co, Deputy Sheriff

November 14, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Blan.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 14, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 45th anniversary of your EOW. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country. may the coward who took your life suffer and rot forever.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 23, 2018

I was shot the same night as Officer Blan, just a few short miles away in Berkeley. I vividly recall being told of his death that morning as I awoke following surgery. Joe Thomas, who posted below was my neighbor and related the details of his death. I still live with the horror of that night and sometimes think about Officer Blan and wonder how I survived but he did not.

RIP Brother Blan

Terry Dail
Berkeley PD - Retired

May 5, 2017

It was an honor rub on your name on the piece for your daughter and you will be never be forgotten by me .

Pastor David Matthew Duffany
Private Citizen & Police Supporter

April 10, 2017

Back in the 1970's Bob and I worked together, adjacent watches and adjacent beats. Always fun with Bob around, we covered each other on almost all calls for a year. I was injured (in a UC drug case) and hospitalized on a Thursday; Bob was murdered the next week. We had planned to ride our motorcycles from OPD to Yosemite for a weekend, beginning on the day after I was injured. I never saw Bob again after his visit with me in the hospital. Bob adored his wife and two children. Sadly, like so many other families where fathers go missing, the young lad went into ruination. That's all been very hard to watch and no amount of caring or helping worked for him/them. But I know Bob is fine, cruising the clouds on his 1972 frog-green Honda 450.

Patrolman, John Compatore
Oakland PD

March 23, 2016

I saw your name on our memorial wall and wanted to know your story to help your memory live forever.

Officer D. White
Oakland P.D.

January 10, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 23, 2015

Bob along with neighborhood kids, ran with flour sack towels tied on our heads as we pretended to be some kind of Arabian Knights. Or watching WFW on Saturday afternoons or the Three Stooges. So many late nights playing hide n- seek, tag and watching scary movies. Most all the girls in the neighborhood had a crush on him. Still think of him, still miss him, still. Our son just retired from 21 years service in the Army and then the CA Army National Guard. Three tours in the Middle East, Purple Heart recipient and 10 as a CHP officer. We want to honor Bob in our hearts and lives. God bless his widow and family. Shelley Schirmer-Carpenter

Civilian
Neighborhood childhood friend

November 1, 2013

to the family of Robert Blan, as a widow I pray for all of you every day as mine was in 1973 as well. I have since then met you and your daughter and hope to stay in touch for years to come as a friend and support as needed.

I pray for all of our fallen heroes may that all rest in peace and know that they will never be forgotten.

Officer Byron Riley's widow Teresa Shepherd.

Teresa Shepherd widow of Byron Riley
spouse Hollywood PD Hollywood Fla

February 2, 2013

I looked at all the pictures your family posted of you. They have not forgotten you. 1973. Seems a lifetime away. For some I work with, they weren't even born. I never knew you. But your legacy as an Oakland Police Officer is carried on by all of us. I am honoring you today.

Oakland Police Officer
Once OPD, ALWAYS OPD.

October 27, 2012

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. You are remembered today on this 39th e.o.w. anniversary. Rest In Peace.

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

May 23, 2012

Every year since 2009 I have made the blue ribbons with the 51 names of the Oakland Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. It is my honor to do this for the fallen officers. The ribbons hang on a tree outside the Warehouse Bar and Grill in Oakland, California for all to see the sacrifice they have made to keep us safe. God bless you all and rest in peace.

A grateful citizen

February 24, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Blan. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 18, 2012

Thinking of you Today,and every day!I went and honored you in Washington DC last week..You will never be forgotten..I am taking Mom next year..I wish you were here to watch your Grandchildren Grow...I know someday we will be together again....You are My Hero!!

Michelle Blan
Daughter

May 23, 2010

Michelle

I am so glad that you came to the NORCAL COPS meeting in Dublin yesterday. We welcome you into our group and are here for you. Maybe next time your mother can attend. Hope to see you at the Christmas Party at the CHP academy in Sacramento on December 5th.

Rest in Peace, Officer Blan.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 8, 2009

Happy Birthday!!!

Michelle Blan
Daughter

July 10, 2009

Thinking of you!

Michelle Blan
Daughter

May 24, 2009

RIP fallen officer, you fought bravely for all that was right. May your name and memory live on forever.

May God bless your family and friends.

former LEO
anonymous

April 29, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th anniversary year 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.

Two days a memorial was held for your four brothers from Oakland. Our community is mourning their loss that happened on the darkest day in OPD history.

Rest In Peace.

To Michelle: I hope to see you and your family at a meeting of the Northern California Chapter of Police Survivors. I hold your family in thought and prayer today.
Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya

March 29, 2009

Thinking of you, cousin, following the horrible news from Oakland yesterday afternoon.

Richard Skaggs
Acton, MA

Richard Skaggs
1st Cousin

March 23, 2009

RIP

Anonymous

September 8, 2008

I think of you everyday!!Happy Father's day!!!!I miss you terribly!!

Michelle Blan
Daughter

June 14, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving Dad!!!!I love you!

Michelle
Daughter

November 22, 2007