Officer Down Memorial Page

Your heroism and service is honored today, the first 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. He was also your fellow Marine so I also bid you semper fi and thank you for serving our country in the Corps.

Heather, you wrote such a beautiful tribute to your stepfather and I can see from all the loving reflections left in his honor that Joe was an amazing man. I pray for solace for all those who love and remember him for both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
November 8, 2010

To Officer Joseph Anthony Fulton, his family and his fellow officers with the Korciusko Police Department:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Officer Fulton’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Officer Fulton and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff
November 8, 2010

Corporal Joe Fulton worked for me at a Correctional Custody Unit while he was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He was an outstanding NCO and friend. I have spoken with others who were stationed with him and we all feel the loss of a comrade.

Bruce Dangerfeild, MSGT USMC Retired
Marine Corps
June 16, 2010

Dear Family, Friends, and Co-Workers of Police Officer Joseph A. Fulton,

We are so sorry to here about your tragic loss of Police Officer Joseph A. Fulton. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in support during this very difficult time. We know that sometimes there is little comfort that comes from words. Keep focused as you can on the memories and joyous times for these things may bring you comfort. Rely heavily on family, friends, and other law enforcement for support. Honor your fallen loved one, for their sacrifice will not be forgotten. Police Officer Joseph A. Fulton is a hero.

Respectfully,

Alissa Scott
Widow of Beryl Wayne Scott
E.O.W. 09-10-02

Lisa Schultz
Widow of Don Schultz
E.O.W. 05-12-04

Co-Founders of Survivor Help Network

Anonymous
March 27, 2010

Officer Fulton,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just your community, but also for our Country when you served in the USMC. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO/former Marine

Anonymous
December 16, 2009

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
November 30, 2009

Rest in Peace, Brother.

OFC B. Grajek
November 29, 2009

Rest in peace Officer Fulton, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you very much for your service!

Shelly
Citizen
November 29, 2009

May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer
November 27, 2009

RIP Officer Fulton. May God look down upon and bless your family and department in their time of need. Thank you for your service.

Fellow Officer
Louisiana Association of Crisis Negotiators
November 25, 2009

Thoughts and prayers are with your family and your agency. RIP Brother in Blue.

Police Officer D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)
November 24, 2009

Rest in peace, sir...

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04
November 19, 2009

Officer Fulton, thank you for your service and your sacrifice and for being an American HERO! To the family of Officer Fulton, may God bless you and be with you during this difficult time. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with each of you!

Dana Overton
Cousin of Deputy Mike Pace EOW 12-29-98
November 19, 2009

Rest in peace brother!

Patrolman Jeff Tripp
Marion,Ma Police Dept
November 18, 2009

This is just a test

Chris Cosgriff
Test
November 17, 2009

rest in peace, brother
provincial constable marty lalonde
ontario provincial police

provincial constable marty lalonde
ontario provincial police
November 16, 2009

Lord, I come before you and ask that you put your shadow over this family and give them your strenght to endure their grief. ><>

patrolman G. David Cole
Pascagoula PD. Miss
November 16, 2009

A hero taken before his time. He saw so much, worked so hard, and served his community until the end. Bless the family and department.

Mom of a Sergeant
Colo Springs PD
November 15, 2009

My thoughts & prayers are with you. Rest easy.

Cindy, Arkansas
Sister of slain Officer Randy Basnett, eow 9-24-1976
November 15, 2009

My family would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of P.O. Joseph Fulton~you're in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. May God give you the strength to carry on and help heal your hearts. May you find comfort and support with those around you.
God bless you and rest in peace, Officer Fulton.

Gail M. Pabst
Aunt of a fallen MI P.O. eow 2004
November 15, 2009

My deepest condolences to the family, friends and Kosciusko PD. If the Army and the Navy ever looked on Heaven's scenes, they would find the streets are guarded by Officer Joe Fulton.

Happy 234th birthday brother!

T Ganci
Father of a NJPO
November 15, 2009

May God bless and be with your family, co-workers and friends at this very difficult time. R.I.P

Sgt Jean Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit
November 15, 2009

You've fought the noble fight and now God has called you home. Return to Him in honor, my brother, and rest forever in peace. Thank you for your selfless sacrifice. You are my Hero!

Jeff
Former GPD Officer
November 14, 2009

Rest in peace, brother. May God be with the family of Officer Fulton during this time of mourning. We've got the watch from here.

BL Mitchell, Patrol
FCPD, VA
November 13, 2009

I have no words to express the loss we feel, Joe was a very big part of my life throughout high school and college. He was with me during many of the most important times of my life and helped make me the person I am today. My sisters and I graduated from his High School, Neshoba Central. I played in the band, just as he did - did you know that he played the Trombone? He was the only father my younger sisters truly knew. He became our father at a critical time in our young lives. He protected and guided us. My youngest sister now lives in Panama City, FL. She deeply loved Joe. She her son's middle name is Joseph Anthony, after Joe. He taught her to be strong, both mentally and physically. While growing up, her punishment for misbehaving were leg lifts and Marine Corp. push ups (Laughing as I write this). Marine Corp. push ups were no walk in the park, even for strong men. It was up and down to the cadence of "1, 2, 3, 4 - I, love, the, Marine, Corp...this counted as only "1!" She usually had to do about 10.

I have so many wonderful memories I would love to share with you, the police department and Karen. I would also enjoy hearing about some of the exciting escapades he had while serving Kosciusko as an officer. I often rode with him when he worked night patrol in Philadelphia. I have a close friend who is an officer here. I have always enjoyed sharing many of Joe's stories with him while chatting about his own experiences.

Joe was an Ole Miss Rebel through and through. As a special gift, while I attended Ole Miss, I gave Joe a football helmet with the Ole Miss football teams' signatures on it. I can hear him now chanting, Hotty, Toddy!" On the night before my graduation, he and I snuck out onto the football field...something he always wanted to do! I have a picture of this moment. He has the biggest smile and it is how I will always remember him. My husband asked Joe for my hand in marriage and was present when Jody proposed. No one else in my family knew and I could see how much fun he had keeping it a secret.

Although Joe had a "tough guy" exterior, he was a somewhat shy and unassuming man. For those of us who knew him best we could always see his kindness, generosity, pride and love.

Joe truly embodied, "Semper Fi!" He would often tap out the Marine Corp. hymn on his Mother's piano. We always joined in, singing as loud as we could. He instilled in us respect and honor for our country, military and all the civilian officers who protect us - policeman, fireman, etc. I am teaching my son this. We frequent the stations and enjoy bringing goodies as a small way to say, 'thank you."

Joe gave us all so much. He is the most honorable and deeply patriotic person I will ever have the privilege of knowing. I was truly blessed to have him in my life and he will live on through us all.

Joe served our country as a US Marine and his communities (Philadelphia, MS and Kosciusko, MS) as a police officer for more than 12 yrs.

May Heaven be blessed with his presence. I can just see Joe now, hitting golf balls made of gold, leading the Angels in a chorus of the Marine Corp. Hymn and hugging his mother, whom he dearly loved.

In loving memory of Joseph Fulton - Father and Friend,

Heather O'Donnell Zschiedrich

Heather O'Donnell Zschiedrich
Step Daughter
November 13, 2009