Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer DeRosa.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 1, 2019

May God rest my brother in blue and many blessings for your family. Your service will always be remembered.

Det. Sandie Youngs
Hampton Police Division, Hampton, VA

January 31, 2018

Another year. Miss and love you dad. No words can express how much I missed out on what should have been our time together. Love you always!

William DeRosa
Son

January 31, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 31, 2018

As a retired police officer, i worked with Bill, in the North Amityville section of the 1st Pct. Bill & I were in the same Squad together.
I was there about 5 minutes after Bill got shot. my partner Mike Koszalka were a few miles away, in an unmarked police car, doing a plainclothes assignment. I heard the frantic call come over the police radio "Shots Fired. Officer Down".
Bill was a great street cop. Always there to back you up on a call. A person you could always count on. Brave, Confident and Heroic. I cried for days. I will never forget that night.

Mel Cohen Retired SCPD 1970-2003
Retired Suffolk County PD NY

December 17, 2015

Hi dad. I miss you terribly. I went to a beautiful service for you a couple of months back along with the other Suffolk officers that lost their lives. I was so proud. I'm finally after so many years reconciling the loss. I think I buried it for so long. A small part of me always had a hole. I don't think I ever truly accepted you were gone. Things in my life now have gone through changes. I'm having an awakening, and a major part of this is not facing or understanding why you were taken from me. For the many times I cried, I still didn't accept. I do now. I am reconciling my mind and heart. You are not gone from me...just your physical form. I feel you beside me now, like i never did before. I know you are looking out for me, and was always hoping I would understand and feel it. I hope this brings you peace as it has been bringing me peace too. I love you.

William DeRosa
My Father

September 10, 2015

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 17, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th 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.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 31, 2011

Such a tragic end. Even though this was long ago (the year I was born in fact) my heart still goes out to the officers involved and the loved ones of William.

I hope everyone who loves and misses him knows that he is still remembered. Heroes are never forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

January 31, 2011

34 years ago I lost the man I didnt get a chance to know. You will always be remembered in my heart and soul.

Anonymous

February 4, 2010

It's been a long time,,,grandchildren are getting big,,they all have some characteristics and mannerisms of you...your sons are fantastic fathers,,you would be proud...rest in peace with our parents and my sister...

connie DeRosa-Steeves
wife

November 17, 2009

Time has passed, grandchildren are growing, they remind me of you..you would be very proud. Rest in Peace with our parents and my sister....

connie DeRosa-Steeves

November 17, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Police Officer DeRosa and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

January 19, 2009

Officer DeRosa, thank you for your service and dedication. Continue to watch over your family. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

September 9, 2008

Rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

July 14, 2008

Thirty two years later and nothing is forgotten. You have six astonishing beautiful grandchildren, some of them with your eyes, two independent grown respectable law abiding sons, you obviously did something right while you were here, as you still go on....connie

connie derosa-steeves
wife

May 22, 2008

God bless everyone mentioned in this incident, except of course the suspect.

DFC Daniel O'Donnell
Orange County Sheriff's Office (FL)

April 13, 2008

Officer DeRosa gave his life in brave and unselfish service to us all and for that I honor him. I know his family misses him still, but I pray that these 32 years have been filled with more laughter and happy memories than tears.

A Grateful Citizen

February 5, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 22, 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 20, 2007

God Bless you Officer DeRosa. I will have a good thought for you and your family today, especially your boys (men now). I hope they know what a true hero you are. Wearing a badge is not just a "job" or God given right. It is an honor and privilege. Few are willing and you will always be one of us. You will always be remembered!

Sergeant Tim Milliman
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

January 31, 2007

This was a tragic accident. I pray that time has healed the wounds for family, friends and co-workers. Most especially for the office who mistakenly fired the fatal shots.

It is difficult to lose someone and even more difficult knowing they should have had many more years ahead. Rest well, warrior, your job on earth is done. Patrol those streets of heaven with honor.

Your brothers and sisters walk the thin blue line in honor of those willing to fight evil here on earth.

LEO Wife, APD

November 2, 2006

My name is Bill DeRosa, and this was my father. I just happened to come across this site while searching for any news reports about my father.

He was a great man, from what I remember, being only 7 at the time of his death. I miss him every day, and wonder what life would have been like had he still been with us.

Thank you to all of the officers who protect us everyday without a second thought that they might leave a family behind one day.

Eldest son

May 8, 2006

I am honored to have known you and served with you. I felt a personal loss that fateful day. Rest in peace my friend.

Harold Mull PO #2140 (ret)
SCPD

January 14, 2006

You are surely missed. The Boys Bill and Thomas are fine Men and Connies during well. Rest in Peace.

Det Richard Hauser 636
Suffolk County Police Dept Retired

February 13, 2005