Officer Down Memorial Page

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 Grubensky. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
January 16, 2012

I remember the firestorm like it was yesterday. The flames and later the smell of smoldering ashes, the graveyard of chimneys, the melted aluminum wheels, the injured animals and the devastation.

Your heroic attempt to save others will never be forgotten. So many died on that hill...you tried your best and ultimately sacrificed your life.

May you rest in peace.

Deputy-retired
ACSO
October 20, 2011

With the word "hero" thrown around freely in our society for sports figures and the like, more people should read this story and understand the true meaning of the word..."HERO"!
May God continue to bless you and your family!

R. Emary
Chandler, Az PD
March 15, 2010

I never got the chance to say thank you for the many lives you saved during the Oakland fire on October 20, 1991. I was in the fire area that day and I remember looking over the hill at the firestorm and thinking, "if anyone comes up here to fight this thing, they'll surely die trying." It was a horrible and frightening sight. I know that you kept your cool and saved the lives of many people that day. You didn't run from it, you stayed. Your calm courage and heroic acts will never, ever be forgotten. Every October 20th, I walk by the spot where you died. Every October 20th, there are flowers placed there in your memory. R.I.P., Officer Grubensky, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Anonymous
October 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

What you were attempting to do as the Lord took you away from us speaks volumes about your level of compassion for the people you served.

You gave your life so that an innocent child may live. What can be more honorable and noble than this?!

You are long gone, but your deeds have forged a recognition that LEOs are a force for all things good in this world.

God bless you and your loved ones.

RIP

-Former LEO

former LEO
anonymous
April 29, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 18th 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.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
March 29, 2009

You my friend are a true hero!

Keith Owen
March 27, 2009

John and I met as classmates in the 114th recruit class. We graduated recruit classes, and like all new cops, we had a great time. John, Barri, and I would grab something to eat after work on occasion and talk about what was happening on our beats since we worked the same district.

Being a cop means that you have a huge extended family, and when one is fallen a piece of your heart is torn away.

My prayers go out to my fallen friends and their families.

Officer Brian Camozzi
Oakland PD / Denver PD
March 23, 2009

Never to be forgotten. God Bless the Grubensky family and friends.

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD Fla.
March 23, 2009

Of all the ODMP reflections that I've read over the years, this one moved me the most. An absolute true hero. I'm terribly sad that 4 of your colleagues died by a coward's gun this weekend. May all survivor officers appreciate the ultimate sacrifices that the members of the Oakland PD have made. You will be in our hearts forever. HERO!!!

former LEO

Anonymous
March 22, 2009

Officer Grubensky,

I read about your death several years ago as a teenager, in a book about fallen police heroes in the line of duty. I read it before I became an officer and I wanted you to know your story was one of many that inspired me. I can only hope that I can live up to the same honor and sacrifice that you demonstrated. God bless you and thank you. You will never be forgotten.

Officer Andrew Schuck
NLVPD-North Las Vegas, NV
November 3, 2008

To Officer John Grubensky and his loved ones:

On this the seventeenth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today. Rest in Peace, John. I am praying for solace for your family members today, and each day that they are on the survivors' path.


This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service John gave to his community and the citizens of California, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 20, 1991.

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05
October 21, 2008

I can't seem to find the words to express my admiration. God bless you, God
bless you, God bless you.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

June 1, 2008

John, I will always remember when as a young officer you taught me how to testify in court. You were in SDU then, and I was a 2 year patrol officer. I will never forget you!

Sergeant James W. Barbour
UCDPD
January 31, 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
December 1, 2007

A little more than 16 years have passed and I still remember that fateful day. I worked for a neighoring agency at the time, and was working on that fateful day... and I still remember how horrible it was when we found our you died with a child in your lap. You are a true hero. Although I no longer wear a badge, and I am proud to have worked with you on that fateful day.

P

J. Picard. Former officer
neighoring agency
October 29, 2007

OFFICER GRUBENSKY, YOU HAVE TRULY SERVED WELL. THERE IS WITHOUT DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TRULY A HERO. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FOR YOUR ACT OF COURAGE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
October 22, 2007

On the 16th anniversary of Officer Grubensky's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Grubensky is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
October 20, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Van enBerghe
NH
October 17, 2007

To this heroïc man and his family:
The story of Officer Grubensky moved me. As an officer myself I know the dangers that can occur in the job but sacrificing your own life to safe a child, is beyond all words.
Officer Grubensky, you will not be forgotten and I will carry your story with me in doing my job here in Belgium.
A brother in law enforcement

Detective Wim Ooms
Police Mol - Belgium
October 20, 2006

Remembering and honoring Officer Grubensky's heroic efforts and tragic sacrifice fifteen years ago. I can so easily recall the massive amounts of smoke from the Oakland hills visible from San Francisco that day...it felt like a nightmare to those of us on the outside and certainly for those who dealt with it firsthand. The bravery of this officer is beyond words. Thank you, Officer Grubensky.

Michelle Walker
Widow, CHP Lt. Michael Walker
October 18, 2006

To the family and friends of Officer John William Grubensky and his fellow officers in the Oakland Police Department, and most especially to Officer Grubensky:


Reading of the heroism of this officer made me cry. What a noble man he was.

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when he was so tragically killed in the line of duty.
Officer Grubensky's dedication and valor will not be forgotten. He continues to awe and inspire. I am so saddened that this tragedy happened to he and his family.

May his family continue to find comfort in the support and caring of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Officer Grubensky gave to his community and the citizens of California, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 20, 1991.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

October 20, 2005

YOU TRIED YOR BEST, GOD BLESS

JOHNNY
LRPD
October 20, 2005

DAY IS DONE,
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL, SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER OR SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHT,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL. SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY,
AS WE GO, THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

A Brother In Blue

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)
October 20, 2004