Officer Down Memorial Page

20 years later and I still remember that sick feeling I got as the call came in. We had to retell the story with every call we made notifying command staff, supervisors and investigators. The more people we could get on the road the sooner we could get these evil men caught. The team could not stop them from taking you from use be the team could catch and prosecute these vile evil men. We did it because it was our job, we did it because you were our part of the family of blue, and we did it because it was right.

Matthew 5:9 – 10 9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Sgt. R. Townsend (Retired)
Harris County Sheriff's Office
September 14, 2011

Rest in peace, Corporal Sanford. You're not forgotten.

Greater Houston C.O.P.S.
September 14, 2011

You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
September 14, 2010

To the family and loved ones of Corporal Jeffrey Scott Sanford, his fellow officers with the Harris County Sheriff's Department, and most especially to Scott:

On this the seventeenth anniversary of your tragic death, ploase know that you are honored and revered today and everyday.

From the admiring reflections left about you, I can see that you were an amazing man and what a grievous loss your loved ones have endured because of your death. May your spirit continue to soar and your memory continue to inspire. You are loved and missed by so many.

Rest in Peace, Scott. A body is but for a lifetime, but spirits and souls are for eternity and yours is forever part of those who call you beloved.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Scott gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 14, 1991.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg Police Dept. eow 4/24/05

Anonymous
September 14, 2008

"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
February 7, 2008

It has been 17 years since your EOW and you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. Thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcement.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
January 8, 2008

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WORKS IN THE HARRIS CO JAIL AND HE IS
A HERO TO ME AND SO IS JEFFERY CUSE THEY GIVE IT THERE ALL
SOME TIMES THERE ALL IS GIVEN FORE US AND WE SHOULD HOLD
THEM ON HIGH CUSE THEY ARE WHO WE CALL WHEN THE CHIPS OR DNOWN AND SOME TIME THEY PAY A PRICE THAT IS CALLED FORE
SO TO JEFFERY AND ALL OFFICERS AT HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFFS
FALLEN AND ON DUTY I SAY THANK YOU STAY SAFE
SHANE LACAZE

shane lacaze
eastmontgomery co so
June 30, 2007

A man remembered with love and respect never dies but lives on in the hearts and minds of others.

September 14, 2006

There was a time when if you needed something you asked Scott. He knew how to get it or who to send you to. Scott was the man with a plan. His days of handling the Departments inventory busy ones for him. Where I work we have the duty to notify the command staff about major incidents and give them the details of the event. It was the hardest night of my career, there were three of use on duty that night in watch command and we all had worked with Scott on many occasions. There was no time to grieve. We miss you Scott.

R. Townsend
HCSO

scott was my partner for about a year until his tragic death
i vist his grave site and think of him offten.
i know he is in a better place watching over all of us. since scotts death i have buried 29 other co-workers/friends but none of them have compared to the loss of scott. this world we live in is getting worse every day and many fellow lawmen have followed scotts path. it is sad to know that many more are yet to come. we ask for all prays from our good law abiding citizens to to keep us safe out there.we do a job that most people have not the guts or courage to do.
we need to know that there are still good people who still "back the badge" sometimes it gets clouded by all the hate, evil, and violence that we must deal with daily.
scott was a good man a decent man, who loved his job and the citezen he protected. i want all to know that wear a gun and badge to keep working had make your mark on this world and leave it better than you found it and some day we will all be patroling with scott on his new beat. i look forward to the day when i see scott again and we can ride together once more doing what we do best
god bless us all....


i miss you scott....

your partner,

Benny

Deputy Benny Parsley
Harris Cunty Sheriff