Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Well Doug, it's been 39 years now partner! I think about you all the time. Our daughters are now in their 40's. It's been a rough ride.
Love you brother

Retired Officer Ralph Bregant
Norfolk police

April 5, 2023

My 25th birthday. Rest in peace Officer Drye.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2020

Doug,

I was off duty, we were sitting car to car at Ward's Corner, talking. You got THAT call and we broke away. I went on home. When I got home, I got a phone call from Steve Crawford telling me what happened. I tried to get to the scene, but they wouldn't let me through because I was off duty. I stayed by a fire truck as you laid there..... I went from sick to sad to angry, back to sad. I think of you often ole buddy, and I will NEVER forget.

M Carman - RETIRED INSPECTOR ( Captain)
Norfolk PD (at that time)

August 5, 2020

Rest in heavenly peace

Mark Mottola

April 14, 2020

I was a 2 year veteran on the VIrginia Beach Police Department when this Officer was ambushed. I remember going to his funeral, we were both 2 year.veterans on our perspective departments. The funeral was packed inside and out.

Pail F Day
VBPD

June 20, 2019

With all the recent killings of police that have been happening recently,it reminded me of Officer Drye's murder in the line of duty.
I lived next door to the sniper and had called the police during the first disturbance. There was a party going on at the house on the other side of the sniper's. There was an argument outside between a man and a woman, and there were other people outside as well.I heard one of them slap the other,so I called the police and they broke that up.About a half hour later there was a horn honking a few times, then I heard a gunshot , then a female's voice screaming the name of the woman who was having the party. then it was all silent. No one was outside. I don't even know if the people at the party heard the gunshot. Again I called the police to report gunfire. I had assumed it was related to the earlier incident. It wasn't. When Officer Drye and his partner showed up (they had parked their car a short distance from the sniper's house and very cautiously had walked up to where the car with the victim was at.I was watching from my front porch,not knowing that it was my neighbor that had done the shooting). When the officers got to the car they askled for help in getting the woman out of the car.Both I and my brother(who lived next to the party house) came out, as well as another neighbor. I cut across the sniper's front yard to get to the car, which was parked right in front of his house .As I got between the house and the car,another gunshot rang out, .It sounded like a cherry bomb and gone off next to my right ear. Instinctively I dove over the car and into the street. The others also got behind cars that were parked outside. As I looked over ,I couldn't believe what I was seeing .Officer Dye was lying on his back in the middle of the street. He had been shot. His partner was on edge but kept his cool. I remember him saying,"Did anyone see where the shot came from?" His partner ,my brother and another neighbor were all behind the car in which the victim was. I was lying on the street next to the car behind it. Not knowing where the shot came from , I felt like any one of us could be shot next. We were all pinned down.It was late at night , around midnight maybe.I remember the others taking officer Drye across the street to the front yard opposite the sniper's house ,behind another parked car. Somebody banged on the front door shouting at them to either turn on or turn off the porch light,(I don't remember which). They tried to stop the bleeding,but the wound was too bad. Officer Drye died in my brother's arms. GOD REST HIS SOUL. I had never seen so many police respond so quickly to a call in my life. They were everywhere.At some point , more shots had been fired ,and that's when they determined the sniper was in the house next to mine. There was one plainclothesman who seemed to be in charge ,and he was trying to get the woman out of the car and not get shot, hoping she might still be alive. I was still halfway under the other car when he saw me, and I he asked who I was. I told him I lived next door.H e asked what kind of gun the guy might have, and I told him I knew he had an M-1 rifle. He finally told me I had to get out of there, and so I crawled across the street to another officer.We all had to go downtown and make a statement.The police dropped us off back as close as we could get to our homes, as they had blocked off the whole block.It was early in the morning and we could see down the street. All of a sudden you could hear dozens of gunshots going off,and a big cloud of white smoke win the street. The sniper had tried to make a run for it out the back door, armed to the teeth, but fortunately he didn't have a chance. The whole thing seemed so surreal, and it really didn't hit me until I went to the funeral home and saw Officer Drye's wife and baby daughter.That's when I lost it. Even as I write this, I am holding back a tear. Makes me wish I hadn't been one of the people who called the police that night.

Gary Bates (citizen)
witness

September 2, 2015

Wow 31 yrs have pasted. Think of you often . I am retired now still go by your house and cemetery. You will never be forgotten. Rest well I friend

retired officer NPD Ralph
norfolk police

April 14, 2015

God Bless you Doug. I remember the good times we had at the academy. I will never forget that night as long as I live. You are my brother and will always be in my heart. I know I will see you again someday.

Officer J.H. Lloyd (Former Officer)
Norfolk Police 1st Patrol Division 82-93

July 21, 2014

God Bless you Doug, I will always remember the good time we had together at the academy. I will never forget you or what happened that night. I know I will see you again.

Officer J.H. Lloyd (Former Officer)
Norfolk Police 1st Patrol Division 82-93

July 21, 2014

Doug, I was in charge of the SWAT team the night you were killed. It was a night from hell and the suspect had officers pinned down in front of the house when I arrived. Your body laid in the yard across the street in the rain. We set up sniper positions and diversions so the officers could get out of the suspects kill zone. It was a couple of hours later when Bob and I were able to get to your body and carry you to the command post. You had already been pronounced deceased soon after you were shot. Big tuff Bob was so shaken I had to tell him to wait in the command post until I called him back into the operation. It is always so difficult when one of your own is a victim. One of our team members was also a certified EMT and a friend of yours. Jeff was one of the first officers to get to you after you had been shot and he and others officers did all they could do to try and revive you. They did this at risk to their own lives but there was nothing that could be done to bring you back. The suspect was a certified mental case and had recently been evaluated by shrinks that said he was not a danger. He should not have been in that house and you should never have been taken from your wife and kids. The suspect was heavily armed and refused to negotiate. He kept the lights off and stayed away from the windows thru the night. He would stand back in a dark room and fire his weapon when he thought he saw movement on the perimeter. By the grace of God no other officers were killed that night. He fired several rifle rounds and shotgun rounds at me when I began putting 37mm Ferret rounds in to the front of his house. When I took my uniform off that morning pellets fell out onto the floor (only by the grace of God). The suspect came out of the house firing two weapons and was struck down by several .223 rounds. The shots were lethal hits but the suspect lay on the ground laughing while trying to shoot again. He was struck by more rounds and finally Rocky from 10 yards away ended it with a 357 round too the head. I will never forget that night and I tried to write this reflection many times before but just couldn’t find the words I wanted to say. Once we did a final clearing of the house and the scene was safe I ordered the team to clear their long weapons and fall in formation to head back to the staging areas. As they marched I could hear other officers and neighbors applaud and cheer them for the job they had done. I was so proud and then I saw the pregnant young lady that was the first to be killed by the suspect. She was setting in her car, her eyes wide open staring right at me. During the operation I was able to put everything but planning and tactics out of my mind. All of a sudden my mind was only on you and your family. I felt such guilt that I had allowed myself to smile and feel pride before I felt the deep remorse for your death and loved ones loss. You should be retired now and enjoying life, not the victim of a murderous lunatic. You will forever be honored in memory by the NPD and all that knew you. You are a true hero Doug and your decision to leave your rookie back with the unit while you approached what at that time was an unknown threat may have saved his life that night. I will never forget you and I will always pray for your family. RIP Brother

Major Larry Carter
NSO Retired NPD

April 12, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

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

April 14, 2012

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 14, 2010

Eric
I can't believe it's been twenty-five years since that horrible night.
You are not forgotten
Rest in Peace Friend

Sergeant
Norfolk Police Department

April 7, 2009

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sergeant - retired
Norfolk Police FDept

April 13, 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

April 3, 2008

Uncle Eric,

I just stumbled across this site tonight, I had no idea this had been up here before. I'll never forget how horrible it felt when I found out what had happened to you that day. You were very kind to me and we all miss you.

You died protecting the innocent and I can't think of anything more noble or more brave than that. You are my hero.

...and to those of you out there who've patrolled the streets past or present, you have my deepest respect and gratitude.

P.S. Uncle Eric, tell Grandma I love her.

Denis Drye
Nephew

March 31, 2007

Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice, Officer.

A Private Citizen
Norfolk, Virginia

May 4, 2006

22years - NOT FORGOTTEN

Sgt.
Norfolk police dept.

April 14, 2006

officer drye,i was outside with you and your partner on that night,along with my brother and another neighbor,because a woman had just been shot in her car in front of the house next to mine.we came out to help you guys get her out of the car when another shot was fired ,and i dove into the street behind a car,looked over my shoulder and saw you lying there in the middle of the street.ill never forget the words of your partner when he said"did anybody see where the shot came from.?" we were terrified,thinking one of us was in his sight.your partner kept his cool.you would have been prud of him.
if my memory serves me right ,you died in my brother's arms after being literally dragged out of the street to the yard directly across from the house where the killer lived,which happened to be next store to me.
as terrible as that night was,it didnt really hit me until i went to the funeral home and saw your wife and little girl.thats when i lost it.
i still have the news article.
i think of that night now and then,but especially when i hear of another officer being killed in the line of duty.your memory will always be honored
in my mind.
thank you so much.
g.b.
chesapeake

g.bates
civilian

November 7, 2005

hey doug
today we had another shot by sniper.
i was with you that night,sat by you all night in the rain,dont know if you remember touched you talked to all night
you were only my partner for a week before they needed an extra car and split us up
spent thr nite before swat came and got you.brings back memories.i still have trouble about that night.especially when they ordered us not to return fire as not to make your killer mad. fyi i unloaded everything i had and was sitting on empty .hey by the way wrote a nice letter to the editor saying what a great guy you were,so i lie a bit it was half trust. drye be safe god bless

officer j m stewart
NPD

October 29, 2005

May God continue to bless your family, friends and department. Thank you for serving your community and our nation.

Patrol Officer
Chesterfield County Police, VA.

April 14, 2005

Doug
Tonight it will be twenty one years since that horrible night. We were still reeling from J.T.'s death on the 4th and then we lost you.
I remember meeting your wife at the funeral, I have never felt so helpless in my entire life. I want your family to know you haven't been forgotten and never will be, as long as those of us who had the honor and priviledge of serving with you live.
Until God picks a time for us be be together again, watch over all our brothers and sisters wearing a badge.

Sergeant
Norfolk Police Dept.

April 13, 2005

Heaven is warm and dry, Doug. Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.

October 3, 2004

Well Doug its been over 20 years now,the night I called in sick and you rode with Dave. I still think what if I had been there, but we will never know. Its hard to put into words how much I miss you even though we only rode together for abot 6 months and the action we saw. Your little girl is now a young lady as is mine. They were only nine months old then. Time sure does fly. Just thought it was time to tell you that I am sorry and I miss you not being here to retire with me. Well hope to see you up the patroling heaven one day. God bless you Brother. Ralph

Retired Officer
NORFOLK POLICE

May 18, 2004

Dear brother your fate has saved many officers lives by teaching that every call is a dangerous call. My Norfolk Police Academy class#41 was instructed in 1986 to observe the neighborhood and area of your tragic incident, it then made me realize that danger can lurk around every corner. God Bless and I will always give you and all other fallen brothers and sisters a toast at the police Memorial on may 15th. RIP

Master Police Officer Roger Mathias
Albemarle County Police Va.

April 15, 2004