Officer Down Memorial Page

Your heroism and service is honored today, the second 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 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.

I hold your family in my heart's embrace today.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
May 24, 2012

Brother, Its has been along time since we were called the "Old Guys" in class. It seemed like yesterday we were driving to the office for our FTO shift. I wished I could have been there for your family as a true brother should have done. Rest In Peace Brother. May you never be forgotten.

Charles R. Hood
Classmate USBP#849/Georgia Forestry Commission
May 14, 2011

I too will be riding in the 2011 Police Unity Tour to honor Agent Van Doren and all of the other USBP Agents and Law Enforcement Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. I will also be hoping to meet with the Van Doren family in DC at the candlelight vigil. Thank you for your service Agent Van Doren, you are not and WILL NOT be forgotten.

Teresa (Riley) Shepherd, if you see this, please contact me. I may be able to help in regard to passing on the bracelet. My condolences to you as well on the loss of Byron. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Det A. Buerstetta
Long Hill Twp Police Dept
March 30, 2011

I have just been notified of your name and will be wearing a bracelet for you in this years Police Unity Tour. As a former widow of a fallen officer, my prayers, thoughts and memories of what was sacrified for all of us will be in my daily prayers for you and your family. My husband also was killed in a car accident. If any of your family will be in Washington I would love to meet you so I can pass on the bracelet worn in his honor. I will be at the candlelight vigil and the ceremony on the Capitol law. I will try to find you and your family at the candlelight vigil.

Teresa (Riley) Shepherd
former widow Hollywood Police Dept Hollywood, Fla
March 23, 2011

As you celebrate this, your first Thanksgiving without your loved one, please be aware that his service and sacrifice where not in vain. Though these words are small comfort on a day such as this, his brothers and sisters in law enforcement shall ensure that he and you are never forgotten! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones, may GOD bless you and keep you on this and every day!

Deportation Officer
DHS ICE
November 25, 2010

The Dail family of Ocala, Florida sends our deepest condolences to you and sincerest love. We are praying for you and grieving with you. May the LORD carry you and protect and provide for you. Trust Him, rest in Him.

The Dail family, Ocala, FL
in-laws Ofc. Tony Zeppetella eow:6/13/03
July 2, 2010

The National Police Wives Association would like to extend their heartfelt prayers to the family of Agent Mark Van Doren and the U.S. Border Patrol during this time. Thank you, Agent Van Doren, for your service.

National Police Wives Association
Staff
June 16, 2010

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 whose 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

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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff Dept., Columbia, SC
June 11, 2010

Thank you for your service Agent Doren

Rest in peace

J Clendening #407
Glades County Sheriff's Office (FL)
June 10, 2010

Rest in peace brother. We've got the watch from here. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers who all mourn the loss of yet another hero.

Motor Officer Dominick Marraccini
Easton Police Department, Easton, PA
June 7, 2010

Rest in Peace, Brother.

OFC B. Grajek
June 7, 2010

Agent Van Doren, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.
June 5, 2010

Thinking of you, your family and your partner at this time of sorrow. May God be with you all and guide you through the sorrowful times ahead of you....
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Aunt of Fallen officer

Anonymous
June 2, 2010

My heartfelt condolences go out to your family and friends. Thank you for serving our country with such great courage. Rest in peace.

PA Resident
Friend of Fallen BP Agent David Tourscher
June 2, 2010

Agent Van Doren,
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
USBP EPT/EPS

BPA Michael Casey
U.S. Border Patrol
June 2, 2010

Thank you for your service. God Bless and Godspeed.

Lisa
GEORGIA CIVILIAN
June 2, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Agent Van Doren as well as the brotherhood at U.S. Border Patrol. May you rest in God's eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department
June 1, 2010

Rest in peace my brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat. Your family, friends, and co-workers with the United States Departmetn of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection, are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless

Sr. Officer D. Johns
City of Sandy Springs Police, Georgia
June 1, 2010

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Border Patrol Agent Mark Van Doren as well as to the United States Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol. Rest in peace Agent Van Doren, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL
May 31, 2010

Knowing that you have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect this great land. God rest knowing that the lives you touched and your memory will be eternal.

Inspector 436
US Customs
May 31, 2010

Final Inspection
The warrior stood and faced God, Which will always come to pass, He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass.“Step forward now, old warrior, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?” The warrior squared his shoulders and Said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain’t, ‘Cause those of us who carry guns Can’t always be a saint.“I’ve had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough, And sometimes I’ve been violent, ‘Cause the world is awfully rough.“But, I never took a penny That wasn’t mine to keep. Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep,“And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears.“I know I don’t deserve a place Among the people here, They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears.“If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, It needn’t be so grand. In life I didn’t expect nor need too much, So if you don’t, I’ll understand.”There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod, As the warrior stood quietly. For the judgment of his God..“Step forward now, my warrior, You’ve born your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets, You’ve done your time in Hell.
Author Unknown

Anonymous
May 31, 2010

Agent Mark Van Doren's Family, Friends and the Units that worked with him are in my Prayers, Thoughts and have my Heartfelt Sympathy! Thank you Sir for Your Service.
God Bless. So very sorry my Brother.

Officer
Kentucky Retired
May 30, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and family members that are left behind and cannot follow. Rest in peace my brother in blue...we will take it from here.

PFC Adam F Laser
Westminster City Police Department
May 30, 2010

On behalf of all Missouri officers, dispatchers and the like, I extend our sincere sympathies to the family, friends, and co-workers of Agent Van Doren. Rest in peace our fallen hero.

Scott Barthelmass, Founder/President
Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team
May 29, 2010

I had met Agent Van Doren on several occasions and knew he was upstanding law enforcement officer; professional and courteous. I also know he was called to Heaven for a reason; to help guard the streets. God only recruits the finest officers for his police force. Rest in Peace brother, we will now take up your watch.

Detective Mike Tamez
Kingsville Police Department-Criminal Interdiction
May 29, 2010