Officer Down Memorial Page

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was a fellow reserve with Tom. I got the call to help search for the killer and was at the intersection of Egbert Rd. and State Road 37 with reserve deputy Jack Courtright when the message came that the killer had been captured. My wife Alene has a fond memory of Tom. A few days before at the department Christmas party Tom had tried some of her 7-up salad and raved about it. She has never forgotten that memory. He was a great guy and will always be missed by us and his family.

FF/EMT J. R. Lacy
Washinton Twp. Fire Dept. / Brown Twp Fire & Rescue
December 27, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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 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.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
December 26, 2011

Deputy Dunigan,
Your sacrifice was not made in vain...and we will never forget.

Senior Lead Officer Stephen Nichols
Los Angeles Police Department, Central Division
December 26, 2011

Tom,

On the 35th anniversary, you are still remembered.

Deputy Randy Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)
December 26, 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana Parole Board has unanimously rejected parole for a man serving a life sentence for the 1975 slaying of a southern Indiana sheriff's deputy.
The Herald-Times reported that the board denied Hiram Cobb's request Tuesday after he spoke to the panel by video conference from the Miami Valley Correctional Facility.
The 77-year-old told the panel that he's come to terms with his sentence, saying "I've made peace with God. You best leave me where I'm at."

Members of Dunigan's family asked the board last week to deny his parole request.
Cobb was sentenced to life in prison in 1977 for fatally shooting Morgan County Reserve Deputy Tom Dunigan after Cobb had robbed a bank

Deputy Randy Bennett
Henry Co. Sheriff's Dept.
November 17, 2010

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
Manchester, NH
December 24, 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
October 23, 2007

I was just looking through this sight after obtaining some information when I saw this part about officers that have been lost, and decided to read it. Through my tears now, I realize how dangerous it is out there for law enforcement officers. I have an uncle that is chief of police for my hometown, but it never dawned on me until just now, how much danger he faces everytime he puts on his uniform. Both of these officers paid the price that he risked everyday for the last 30 years. So I say thank you to the families of the Heroes we've lost and stay strong with your families. I say open your eyes to everyone else. It's not that hard to change lanes and slow down when you see an officer on the side of the road or to take other safety measures when necessary. For all that say they don't "like" police officers, just think of what our life would be like without them. Between police officers and firemen, I'd say they are just our unsung heroes in this day and age. We all focus on our soldiers, who we also need to keep in our hearts, but don't forget our protection here at home.

Mandi
niece of an officer
February 14, 2007

HEROES LIVE FOREVER! You will not be forgotten.

Officer Kyle R. Landgrebe
September 12, 2004

Deputy Dunigan....God bless, brother.....from a fellow Hoosier.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police
March 3, 2004

Rest easy, Hero, you are not forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.l
December 26, 2003

Grandpa,

Though I never met you, you have had a huge impact on my life. I grew up going to friends houses and hearing stories from their grandparents, but I could only hear stories about you. You are my hero because you gave your life for the safety of others. I know one day I will see you in heaven. I know you are watching over me now and I just pray that I am the grandson you always prayed for.

Ryan

Ryan Thomas Dunigan
Grandson
November 12, 2003

HERO!!!

Anonymous
October 15, 2003

I was just a Freshman in Martinsville HS when Tom Dunigan was killed. His death had a large impact on me. You see, my father (Charles Inabnitt) had been a Reserve Deputy and Reserve Officer for many years. Because of the snow, he couldn't get out of our drive that day without dragging the truck out with the tractor. I had never seen my father shed a tear, until that day. Shortly after Tommys death, Dad resigned his badge and duties for Morgan County and Martinsville.

God Bless the Dunigan and Starnes families

Deputy Ray Inabnitt
Marion County S.O.

I am a reserve police officer for a local police department and reading this entry REALLY hits home... more than any of the other entries I have read thus far and I have been visiting this site for what seems like forever. Reserves get picked at a lot for not being 'real LEOs'... the duties are pretty much the same... the main difference is you have to buy your own equipment. Reserve Deputy Dunigan was doing his part to protect his community and gave his life for his community. He, his family, his co-workers, and his friends are in my thoughts.

Dir Kevin R Turley, EMT-B / EMT-Tactical
Cheaha EMS & Rescue Services, Inc (Alabama)

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tom Dunigan. Our family can say we know first hand the pain and sadness in loosing your loved one In The Line of Duty.
May God be with you all.

wife of MURDERED Officer
Sgt. Dan R. Starnes
Morgan Co. Sheriff Dept.
Martinsville, IN
KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY 7-10-01

janice starnes
none

I remember the day that Officer Dunigan was shot very well. He and my mother were cousins. It was a cold December day when that terrible call came, it was one of the few times I've seen my mother cry. I was nine years old.
Now that I am a reserve Officer there is no way that I can show my gratitude to Officer Dunigan. Because of his death,I have recieved some of the best training one can have.
The sad part is that no matter how much we train and prepare, there are always cowards out there. We know that risk when we put on our uniform.
Linda, Kirby, Kathy, Kelly, you'll always be in alot of people's prayers. I'm sure your father is very proud.

Reserve Officer Michael Arthur
Martinsville Police Dept.

Tom

It has been a long 25 years since you paid the ultimate sacrifice and I know how bad you are missed by all of us. You know how good your kids done and what they have accomplished. You can be very proud of all three of them. I also want to thank you for the way you taught me and how you helped raise me. You were more like a father to me than a brother-in-law. The day that you were called home by God made are family pull much closer together. The pain is still there and loneliness is still there but we will make it. We also know that someday we will be joining you again in a much better place.


Robert Williams
Deputy Sheriff Retired
Morgan County Sheriff Dept
Martinsville, Indiana

Robert Williams Retired Deputy Sheriff
Morgan County Sheriff Dept Martinsville, Indiana