Officer Down Memorial Page

I worked on the New Jersey Turnpike with Trooper Carroll when his life ended so soon. I always respected and looked up to Bill as a very "squared away Trooper", as we would see each other when our shifts changed. It is so difficult to understand why God takes away the great ones at such young ages and with such great promise. Once thing is for sure I will never forget Bill for being the true professional and good person he was.

Captain (retired) Dan Hurley #3399
New Jersey State Police
May 8, 2012

Billy,
You know I speak to you twice a day, everytime I look at the clock it's 7:12 and I say good morning or good night. It's never 7:15 or 18 so I know you are still with me all the time. Writing today as I prepare to give a presentation to the new class at Sea Girt, to tell your story, I can't tell you have hard it is to tell it over and over. But if it helps just one Trooper it's worth itl
I still remember exactly what I was doing and wearing on that beautiful July morning, waitng for you to call so we could meet. Miss you and you know I will love you for the rest of my life.

Michelle
wife
January 6, 2012

Thank you to all who have expressed their feelings on the sacrifice of my brother.....I know that all who have given their lives in the performance of duty have a special place in the hearts of those who care and in our almighty Creator!!!

Lt. Christopher Carroll
New Brunswick Pollice NJ Brother of Tpr. Carroll
July 29, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th 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.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
July 12, 2010

As we remember the sacrifice you made 26 years ago, we are keeping your family and friends in our thoughts and prayers. You will NEVER be forgotten!

NJSPSOTT
July 12, 2010

25 years July 12, 2009.

Christopher A. Carroll
August 9, 2009

RIP Trooper Carroll even though it has been 25 yrs-- you are not forgotten

Ptl Sawyer
Chatham Twp
July 12, 2009

It seems like yesterday that we were all together! Another year has passed. Although we have no control over fate, we know that our family has been blessed in more ways than the sorrow we have faced. May the grace of God shine on you, Jay and mom. We all miss you and think of you everyday. 25 years!!!!!

God Bless

Brother Chris

Brother Christopher
Brother
July 9, 2009

July 12, 1984. 24 years is fast approaching. We were all just kids. As we grow older, we look back on great memeories and realize that you will never be "old". We remember your smile, your punches but most of all, your ability to act half your age!!! The Bill we knew need not be worn out on our sleeves. We keep our memories and thoughts deep within our hearts for only us to see.
Life has changed in so many ways since you have gone. I know that you are walking everyday with mom who so devastated on that horrible day and was never that same when you left. We pray for your soul everyday Bill and know that you are in HIS glory and in complete peace.

Until we meet again.

April 8, 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 12, 2007

Willy,
Unfortumatly time does not heal ALL wounds. We miss you as if we saw you yesterday. My memories of our childhood are as fresh as if they happened 5 minutes ago. We are proud of you knowing you were doing what you loved when God took you to heaven. Their are alot more of us since your last call, and they all know about you. You are our hero. We continue to pray for your soul and your New Jersey state Troopers left here on the job. May God bless all of them and protect them.

Jay

Jay
brother
September 6, 2007

Thank you for your bravery, duty, service, and sacrifice. "Until we meet, keep walking the beat on the Golden Street."

DET SGT, Retired
AR
July 19, 2007

Never forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
July 12, 2007

God bless you and your family on this 23rd anniversary of your tragic death

Detective
Cranford Police Dept (NJ)
July 12, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ
March 22, 2007

Dear Bill,
As we enter our 23 year, some say that time heals all wounds. Although we may not feel the pain, each us who knew you well, tuck our memories of you in a special part of our hearts. You have shaped so many of our lives and those who were not alive when you taken from us. Your memory lives on in each of us in a very special way.
We think back to the special times we had with you. Mom and Dad, who made you who you were. Your brothers and sisters, who you protected and cherished with all your love. We all look to the future of our lives with you in our hearts, knowing that you are there guiding and watching over us. Until we meet again....

All Our Love
Your Brothers and Sisters.

Brother
February 4, 2007

I salute you for your service as you left this earth on my birthday.

December 15, 2006

HI BILL,

SORRY I DIDNT' GET THIS TO YOU YESTERDAY, COMPUTER BREAK DOWN, BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, DAYS DON'T REALLY MATTER AS MUCH AS REMEMBERING; THIS I DO OF YOU SO OFTEN. NOT SURE WHY, BUT I HAVE ALWAYS HELD YOU RIGHT NEXT TO PHIL; WHENECER IN DC OR ANY OTHER MEMORIAL, THE LUMP IN MY THROAT BEGINS AT YOUR NAME AND ENDS WITH PHIL. THE TWO OF YOU ARE SO MUCH ALIKE AND THE LOVE FOR THE JOB DUPLICATED.

MAY I SHARE WITH YOU THIS 26TH YEAR OF YOUR ABSENCE, THAT MICHELLE AND I HAVE A CLOSENESS THAT I DON'T THINK THE TWO OF US TRUELY UNDERSTAND. IT'S LIKE SISTRS WITH A BOND DEEPER THAN BLOOD. I ATRIBUTE IT TO THE LIKENESS OF YOU AND PHIL.

SO AS THIS DAY ONCE AGAIN, COMES INTO MICHELLES HEART, WE ALL REMEMBER YOU AND REMEMBER HER. I ASK THAT PHIL CONTINUE TO GUIDE YOU THROUGHOUT THE FIELD OF ANGELS AS I WILL DO SO HERE WITH MICHELLE. TILL WE ALL MEET AGAIN.

DONNA

PS HI HONEY

DONNA LAMONACO W/81
July 13, 2006

Michelle,

Thank you for getting Denise, Carmen and I through an emotional week in D.C.
Our thanks to you and your mom and the other survivors during a difficult time for all of us.

Thank you for sharing your time with us and never leaving our side during the most difficult parts. I will always remember while walking up the Capitol lawn with tears in my eyes when the Zimmerman family was called, how I saw the faces of the Survivors of the Triangle smiling and waving their support and saying to myself, they have walked in our shoes. We can do this.

And thank you for the more lighthearted moments that we all shared. We needed that.

The tribute on Sat night with the other survivors was as heartful as all the other events we attended. Maybe even more so because of the closeness we all felt being our own Survivors of the Triangle and being the family that we have all become.

God Bless you for the wonderful job you do in helping those that come after you.

Love,
Vicki & Carmen

Vicki Petrelli
MIL of Trp Bertram Zimmerman EOW 2/05/04
June 17, 2005

Michelle,

I had the privilege of meeting you and your mother this past weekend in Washington D.C. during National Police Week. The two of you are a part of an all too large part of truly amazing women that I am so privileged to have met and gotten to know. This past weekend was a truly amazing and overwhelming experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I was truly touched to have been a part of the late night tribute on Saturday night paid to your husband and the other troopers who lost their lives doing a job they loved to do. It was heartouching to witness the emotions that were expressed after all of these years. In spite of your own sorrow and grief, you welcomed Gary and myself into your circle with open arms and we are eternally grateful. We will see you again next year.

Colleen Brandt
Proud Wife of a NJ State Trooper

Colleen Brandt
Proud Wife of a NJ State Trooper
May 16, 2005

TO: The family; loved ones; friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER:--- O, gentle Lord ! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE *** Sent to you by the father of Master Officer J.D.Koeppen, Capital City Raleigh North Carolina; Trooper D.C.Koeppen, New Jersey State Police and Cadet Officer A.M.Koeppen, Wilmington North Carolina.

Chief (retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey
October 1, 2004

Billy.....Though you were taken from this world entirely too soon, your presence in our lives will never be forgotten. Those who knew you, no matter how briefly, will forever be changed for the better. Ther New Jersey State Police was made better by your membership in it and the people of New Jersey were safer because of you. You have not been,and never will be, forgotten.

Anonymous