Officer Down Memorial Page

Ron and I had attended several firearms schools together. We served in adjacent PD's in the North Dallas area. He was a good friend and a brother.

PO Gary D Call (ret.)
Carrollton PD
April 27, 2012

I first met Ronnie in the middle 60's at the Hillcrest Texas Karate Institute in Dallas, Texas, the school I ran then for Allen Steen.
We sat and talked for literally hundreds of hours and fought and trained together many times at that school.
We even competed against one another at tournaments, but were always friends – no matter the outcome...that was the way Ronnie was, beat the stuffings out of you one minute and shake your hand with a boyish mile the next, asking if you're alright.
I never knew Ronnie as a police officer, but from the numerous comments I was privileged to read on here, it would appear he was every bit as fine a law officer as he was an exemplary martial artist and teacher to his many successful students.
I think of Ronnie often, and miss him just as much...a one of a kind guy, a man I was, and am, proud to call friend.

Bless you, Ronnie Cox, and may you ever rest in peace.
Richard W. Jenkins, simply an old friend.

Richard W. Jenkins, 9th dan
American Karate Black Belt Association~CSHK
October 7, 2011

I first met Ronnie in the middle 60's at the Hillcrest Texas Karate Institute in Dallas, Texas, the school I ran then for Allen Steen.
We sat and talked for literally hundreds of hours and fought and trained together many times at that school.
We even competed against one another at tournaments, but were always friends – no matter the outcome...that was the way Ronnie was, beat the stuffings out of you one minute and shake your hand with a boyish mile the next, asking if you're alright.
I never knew Ronnie as a police officer, but from the numerous comments I was privileged to read on here, it would appear he was every bit as fine a law officer as he was an exemplary martial artist and teacher to his many successful students.
I think of Ronnie often, and miss him just as much...a one of a kind guy, a man I was, and am, proud to call friend.

Bless you, Ronnie Cox, and may you ever rest in peace.
Richard W. Jenkins, simply an old friend.

Richard W. Jenkins, 9th dan
American Karate Black Belt Association~CSHK
October 7, 2011

Grandmaster Ronnie Cox was one of the greatest fighters in the karate circuit of the 60's and 70's. He was a tremendous teacher who touched many students lives. He gave honor to his badge in how he conducted himself as a martial arts master, and gave honor to the American Karate Black Belt Association-Chin Sook Hage Kwan by how he conducted himself as an officer.
Ronnie was one of the founding High Dan Board members of the AKBBA-CSHK, a carry over from the original AKBBA which it replaced. He was our first Association Secretary and very instrumental in creating what we are today. He has been greatly missed and continues to be missed by the board and membership of this association. Eternal be his memory.

Charles Bouton
American Karate Black Belt Assn-Chin Sook Hage Kwan
October 6, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-fourth 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.

The hurt never goes away, but both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest in Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater
December 15, 2010

Ronnie I dedicate this bike ride "Life Across America 2010"/"Ride for Life" in your memory. Larry Fredrick, another officer, will be riding through Amarillo, TX on August 31. I will participate in the bike ride. Thank you for your service to our community, our country and the martial arts family.

Ava Azores
Martial Arts Student / friend
August 16, 2010

I was a student at Texas Karate Institute in Dallas, Texas at a very young age. Ronnie was one of my first instructors at the dojo. We were all terrified of him in class, especially if we had to fight him. I had a coach in High School that used to tell us "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but size of the fight in the dog". I'm sure he did not coin that phrase, but it stuck and was blatantly evident in Ronnie. In the ring, he was a terror. In the class and in life with his students, friends and family he was one of the greatest men I ever knew. His brother Dennis is cut from the same mold. I always think on Ronnie on December 15th because it is my birthday. This will come as no surprise, but he left his mark on me in many ways and I'm sure he did with many, many others as well. His pictures, friendship, teachings and memory will remain a part of my life forever

Bob Sloan
3rd Dan
Texas Karate Instutite

Bob Sloan
Texas Karate Institute
January 9, 2010

"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
January 30, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh
December 8, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh
December 8, 2007

Rest easy Brother.....

Senior Officer D. W. reichhardt
Waverly PD, Va.
December 15, 2006

May Our Lord bless you and may He also comfortand strengthen the other officer involved.

December 15, 2006

I went to the academy with Ronnie. He was a fine officer and a great friend to have. It was such a tragic loss when he was killed.

Officer James Henicke
Arlington Tx PD-retired
May 23, 2006

I remember the day I took this picture of you and all the other officers at the PD. I still think about you my friend...and still miss you. We had some great times.......

Scotty

ASAC Doug Scott
U.S. Treasury
May 21, 2006

Ron,

We had fun working together on midnights at Addison. We had fun at shift parties at your house.

You are greatly missed by all.

The Lord will bless you and keep you. We shall meet again.

Richard Adams, Corporal
DFW Airport DPS
February 10, 2006

Ronnie was my first Karate instructor when I was in third grade. I remember him as a kind and loving person. I will never forget him.

Carlos Zamora Fireman
Farmers Branch Fire Department
August 15, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

December 15, 2004

Thank you for your service to the great state of Texas.Rest in peace brother.You and your family are in my prayers

Texas Peace Officer
University of Houston Downtown Law Enforcement Academy class 89
March 25, 2004

I met Ronnie at the Texas Crime Prevention Institute in 1984. We were both learning the fine points community-based , proactive policing. Ronnie was a gentleman with great focus. He was a suburb martial artist and very competent police practitioner. I still remember very painfully the demonstration of an "aikido choke hold" he gave me!

I have to admit that I shed a few tears when I first heard of Ronnie's passing.

Fair winds, brother!

Sgt Tom Wilbeck
Longview Police Dept., (Ret.)