Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ranger Bobby Paul Doherty

Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Rangers, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, February 21, 1978

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Ranger Bobby Paul Doherty

We are all better as a nation because guys like you existed. Thank you sir. Rest in the arms of our lord. You'll never be forgotten.

Jerry
Fellow citizen

February 21, 2022

Rest in peace Ranger Doherty.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2021

RIP Ranger

Captain P. M. Larkin
Galveston County Pct. 1

April 3, 2018

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".

Bobby Thank You - remembering what you said has helped me through the hard times in my law enforcement career. Integrity is what you have left when everything else turns bad. A man does not need a reason to choose to do the right thing. Doing the right thing is a personal choice every day a choice not to allow hurt hate or evil to win, a choice based on personal character because it is the right thing to do.

Wes Williams
Internship Texas Highway Patrol 78-79

November 2, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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.

Your memory will always be honored and revered for time never diminishes respect. I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. I hold your family in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your faimly and friends for shariing their memories of you in their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 20, 2012

Thank you for your service Sir, The Texas Rangers are true American HERO"S and are the best of the best. RIP now you deserve it.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

February 20, 2012

Today I stopped at Ranger Doherty's memorial at the intersection of FM 1830 and Hickory Hill Road in Argyle, TX and paid my respects. I too am saddened and angered that his killer served such a light sentence.

My thanks go out to all of you who serve in law enforcement.

Law-Abiding Citizen

January 29, 2012

The murderer of this Ranger paroled after serving 16 years of a life sentence? A slap in the face to the family, the State of Texas and the law enforcement community! He will face the ultimate judgement and their will be no mercy hopefully.

Rest in Peace Ranger Doherty. You will always be remembered for your courageous service and sacrifice. You did not lose your life, you gave it in service to others. A true HERO indeed.

Ranger Dogerty, Never Forgotten.

Jim Sweeney Civilian New Jersey
A friend to our peace officers

October 19, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 5, 2008

Ranger Doherty,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your murder, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Texas. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. I can't believe that the state of Texas would have released a cop-killer from a life sentence.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

February 20, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

February 12, 2008

Heroes and the sacrifices they make will never be forgotten. Ranger Doherty, you are a true hero and you are not forgotten. It saddens me to see that your killer has been set free. No one who committs a crime like this deserves to be free. I am sure he has already been judged by a higher power than anyone in our justice sytem.

SPO
Salem, Va

February 20, 2007

It doesn't seem like it's been 28 years ago today. I can remember Bob giving advise to our recruit class in 1976. Bob is certainly not forgotten and never will be.

Lee Brakefield, Sgt. Ret.
Texas Dept. of Public Safety

February 20, 2006

I was a rookie at the time of Ranger Doherty's passing. I remember all of the newspaper accounts and what an impression his printed life made on me. He seemed larger than life.
What a shame to lose such a fine officer. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. God's blessings to his family.

Patrolman D.E. Hutchison, retired
Irving, Texas Police Department

March 15, 2005

No sense was made of Rangers Doherty's death. RIP my friend.

January 17, 2005

I saw the story of your killer tonight on A&E. It saddens me that all it takes is to be an "exemplary prisoner", and they'll release you for killing a cop. What happened to life meaning life?

To the Doherty family...
The media attention may have helped release the man who took your loved one away, but it also allowes many more to know what kind of man Ranger Doherty was.

It's been many years, and he is not forgetten. Not will he ever be....

Ptl
Glassboro PD, NJ

November 12, 2004

On 05/26/2004 I read that your killer was freed from prison. You are not forgotten and I hope you rest in peace brother.

We will always remember.

Denton County Law Enforcement Memorial Commission.

Officer Greg Stern
Lewisville P.D.

May 26, 2004

Bob was a true and dear friend. I knew Bob from my early teen years. He was a great influence on my getting into law enforcement, and his council was always worth seeking out and paying heed to. I remember Bob telling me when I was pretty young and he was helping me with my pistol shooting, "Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". I try to do this and remember what a fine man my friend was. I also reflect on what a senseless tragedy his untimely death was.

Officer Fred Vandergriff
DFW Airport Dept of Public Safety

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