Officer Down Memorial Page

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

"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
September 20, 2007

I worked with Bob, frequently in the same patrol car. We also commuted together on the BART train, when it was running. I lost a friend and colleague, and the world lost a good man.

Bob, I think of you almost daily and wonder what might have been.

Sgt. (ret) Mike Martin
Oakland Police Dept
July 19, 2007

Happy Birthday Dad!!Even though you are gone you are alway's right here in my heart and thought's.Love you!

Michelle
Daughter
July 10, 2007

I worked "A" Relief with Bob and remember his quiet smile, dedication to his OPD brothers and his honor to the star he wore. I was off on a comp day that night and only found out what happened the following morning when the newspaper arrived. I have never gone a day since then without thinking if I had gone to work that night, was there something I could have done?

It has been 35-years since that tragedy yet I am still in uniform doing what I love to do. Bob I promise that I will never do anything to tarnish the badge I wear on my left and my Dad’s name I wear on the right. Your sacrifice allowed me to become the type of cop I know you would have been proud of.

George Richardson - Police Officer
Fowler California Police Department
June 22, 2007

Happy Fathers day officer Blan. Your kids love you.



Bob Steinat

RAWS

June 17, 2007

Happy Fathers Day!!!!!!!!!! If you were still here, that would be awesome because you be able to see how great my family and I are doing, and you can see how good I play basketball. I love you and I wish you were here. We all miss you a whole bunch.

Robert
Grandson
June 17, 2007

Happy Fathers Day!You are on my mind!

Michelle
Daughter
June 17, 2007

Thinking of you and your family on the anniversary of your passing, GOD BLESS YOU and thank you for everything you did, your legacy will live on thru your daughter and her children.

Peggy

Peggy L
May 23, 2007

You may be gone but you are defintley not forgotten.You are often on my mind.

Michelle
Daughter
May 23, 2007

I think of you everyday!!!Even more so now that the anniversary of your death is getting closer.I Love You and miss you terribly.Cant wait to meet you in heaven.

Michelle Blan
Daughter
May 11, 2007

Your life carries on through the eyes of your daughter, Your are loved and missed and will never be forgotten.

Bob Steinat

Bob Steinat
May 5, 2007

You have not been forgotten Officer Blan. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

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

Bob Gordon, Chicago Gold Star Father
August 13, 2006