Officer Down Memorial Page

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Dabling. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
January 24, 2012

Rest in peace, sir. You are missed.

Sam
CSPD Explorer & Family Member
January 18, 2012

Mark: I remember you throughout every year. I don’t know why but this anniversary of your death is tough. I still have the engagement ring. I always think of you when “Blue Velvet” is playing....Hey! ... What was the name of the bar on Fillmore that we met at every Monday night? What fun!

Mike, Ron, Rick, Sharon, George, Steve and John…I may not recognize you on the street, but I remember you in my heart.

May peace be in your heart always!
Kindness to everyone.

See you at the yearly Valor Run!

Karen
December 6, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05
December 6, 2011

Today, on the 29th anniversary, I was fortunate to hear many great stories about this great man. My dad graduated from the police academy with Patrolman Dabling and as he puts it “was fortunate to serve with such a great man”. He often thinks of his friend and has reminded me how grateful I am to the entire CSPD officers and their families. May God Bless All of you!

Daughter of former CSPD Patrolman
December 6, 2011

I was 8 years old when I saw the story of this hero on the local news in the Springs, and I have never forgotten his name. Within a couple days my mother drove me downtown to Lorrig's (I think that was the name of the store) and took me upstairs where they had a police supply store, where I received my first ever policeman's hat. I knew the moment that hat touched my head I wanted to be a policeman.

Some time down the road I recall being disappointed when the City renamed a street in his honor, since the street was in those days very out of the way. I'm so happy to see the street has blossomed into what it is today...very fitting.

Technical Sergeant
11th Security Forces Group, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
October 14, 2011

I see Mark's grave every time I visit Littleton Cemetary. My parents are buried next to Patrolman Dabling and occassionally I see flowers left on Mark's grave so I know he is not forgotten. My Dad was always proud that he would be buried near Mark because my brother was a Littleton police officer for 28 years before he died of cancer. I will always watch over Mark's grave and know that he was loved.

Kay Clark
Littleton resident
August 9, 2011

Patrolman Dabbling - Three weeks ago, on a very rainy morning, I stood in the State Assembly chambers when your name was one of almost 250 read off during a motion regarding next month's Police Memorial Week. You are not forgotten.

This coming May 21st, I will attend the Pikes Peak region peace officers memorial. I will give pause, and think of you and all the rest who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. Thank you for you service to the people of Colorado Springs and the state of Colorado. May God grant you eternal rest and may His perpetual light shine upon you.

Chief K. Moreland (Ret. Sgt.)
Palmer Lake, CO PD (Ret. LAPD)
May 7, 2010

On the 27th anniversary of Patrolman Dabling'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. Patrolman Dabling is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
December 6, 2009

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer; and may it somehow help to know he is not forgotten.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD
September 9, 2009

Thank you for your sacrifice, and God speed.

1756
CSPD
May 15, 2009

Patrolman Dabling,
On today, the 26th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Colorado Springs. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
December 6, 2008

"If it takes my whole life
I won't break, I won't bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end"

Erin
October 17, 2008

Remembering you today and always.

May 16, 2008

25 years after you were taken from us, your sacrifice has not been forgotten.

Detective D. Thompson
Colorado Springs Police Department
December 6, 2007

Today, on the anniversary of your passing, and each day, we will continue to remember you. We will never forget.

Thank you for your bravery and dedication to this fine city. You are a true hero.

Wife of CSPD officer
December 6, 2007

I was in the Metro jail awaiting extradition when the news of this tragedy was reported. As a prisoner I was very saddened by this horrible waste of an honorable member of Colorado's finest. Many of us prisoners were hoping to get a chance to dispense some vigilante justice for this heinous act of senseless disrespect of Human life. This was a era when the drugs that were hitting the streets were creating psychopathic killers out of those that were using them. Unfortunately the mild mannered Police Officers of Colorado Springs were not aware of the potential threat of the times.
May God put his protective hedge around all of them, and their families today and for all times. My condolences, I felt your loss that day, and today again.....

Bruce Goodall
Incarcerated at the city jail at the time
October 29, 2007

Mark & Family, you will never be forgotten to those who knew you well. We remember your caring personality & your sence of humor, or should I say your "antics" that made us laugh so hard. You left us way too soon, but you will always go on in our hearts. God bless you and your family always.

Retired Detective Peggy Cassel-Covey
CSPD - Friend
October 9, 2007

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
September 24, 2007

My brother was killed before Mark. As you know this can either make or break a family. Our family was torn apart forever. I know much time has gone by, but it is still yesterday. We have never forgotten the kindness shown to us, and we have never stop praying for every police officer, and their families. They will be with us forever in our hearts. God bless your family.

Terri Perreira
sister of Ofc Augustus J. Perreira
September 22, 2007

Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts. - Cicero

Officer Dabling, you served this city as a brave man and we thank you for your service and dedication to making it safer.

Erin
Wife of a CSPD Officer
June 26, 2007

You are not forgotten we honor your sacrifice. Rest in Peace... HERO ALWAYS

Patrol Officer
W.P.P.D , Colorado
May 24, 2007

Many years ago, we were both Denver Police Cadets. Though our paths parted, our passion for police work did not. You served your community and your profession with honor...you will never be forgotten. God Bless you, Mark.

Captain Gary Graham (RET)
Denver Police Department
March 2, 2007

Your sacrifice has not been forgotten.

Rest in peace Patrolman Dabling.

Michelle - wife of retired LEO
February 6, 2007

You are NOT forgotten...Rest in Peace.
HEROES LIVE FOREVER

CSPD Wife
December 15, 2006