Officer Down Memorial Page

I remember Gary from our days working for Med-A-Van Ambulance on Superior Street. Great guy and a lot of fun to work with. Gary always stayed calm and knew exactly what to do to help others in need. I think he learned a lot from his dad Bozo, and it showed on every call.
Gary and I just loved working the old Proctor car races together. He is sadly missed, but we all know that we will all see each other again some day. Take care my friend.

Jeff Damm Captain/Paramedic retired
Virginia Fire Department
January 7, 2012

I had been dispatching for only 10 months when Gary was killed. I will never forget that day and how incredibly devastated and saddened we all were. That day made me realize that yes the worst can happen and how important our job to officer saftey can be. Gary was a great man and truly a hero. RIP Gary, We will love and remember you always.

Julie Fogarty
Duluth/St Louis Co 911 dispatch
December 10, 2011

Yes, I remember Gary, I remember him as he grew up.
I worked with his father Bozo at Wilcol and Gold Cross ambulance. He always aspired to be a police officer, his
late father was the constable in Rice Lake TWP.
I was a very frequent guest in the Wilson home.

When I first recieved this horrific news, I was both
saddened and enraged.

The citizens of Duluth lost more than they will ever
realize, the day that Gary laid his life down for
this community.

Larry G. Zeleznik
Former WI Police Officer
June 28, 2011

Sergeant -

Thank you for your service, brother. RIP.

Officer Jason Antrim
Woodbury PD
June 9, 2010

Sargent Wilson sir,
I have always remembered the day your watch ended, but recently learned of the webpage. my brother's watch ended on September 7th 2009 of the North St. Paul Police Dept.
on behalf of the entire Crittenden Family, our condolences go out to your Family. Your ultimate sacrifice will naver be forgotten. Rest in Peace Sir
Wayne & Wanda Crittenden

Wayne M. Crittenden Sr.
Brother of Officer Richard s. Crittenden Sr.
October 24, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 19th 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.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
April 10, 2009

Sergeant Gary Dale Wilson,

The circumstances in which you were involved on the day you died are as dreadful as can be. Each of us who wears a badge can at anytime be invovled in a similar situation. None of us can guarantee that we will survive regardless our amount of training. We can only respond to our call of duty and place ourselves on the scene and do our job. That a reckless scroundrel would fire through a wall killing whom ever his bullets would hit qualifies him only as a coward and the worst among them. That those law officers who were with you would bring him down demonstrates our bond in law enforcement, and nothing can bring that down. We can all look to the sky and night and see only stars, but our brothers and sisters who wear a badge see a legion of heros whose badges shine brighter than ever. Each who has given his life in the service of others has earned the title of hero. And, Sergeant Gary Dale Wilson has now locked arms with them and, having obeyed our Creator's commandment, will enter, I am certain, the gates of Heaven. Well done sergeant, ... well done.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police
July 6, 2008

YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
May 1, 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
November 26, 2007

I love you and miss you so much

Your son,
Chad

Chad
Son
October 26, 2007

Thanks for your service. Rest in Peace.

Trooper
MSP
June 30, 2005

May your memory live on. No Officer should ever die in vain. You are a true hero Officer Wilson..Rest in Peace.

Mother of a Police Officer
September 9, 2004

It was 1976 when we first met - BCA Officer Basic Training - You were one of the first EMT/Police Officers in the State of Minnesota. The memory of your dedication to the people we serve shall not be forgotten. I shall be forever grateful for having known you and what I learned from you. May God watch over you.

Chief Rick Hogenson
Two Harbors Police
May 24, 2004

Officer Wilson:

I was young when you passed. I knew what I wanted to do when I got older. Now, I am working as a deputy and protecting and serving those you once did. You will never be forgotten and always remembered.

MN Deputy

Anonymous
April 10, 2004

The sadness of that terrible night has given way to more than a decade of pride and inspiration to the next generation of cops in and around Duluth. A salute, Sir, for your ultimate sacrifice. You are remembered with honor.

A Cop in Duluth

No officer that gave his life should be without reflection……

“For those who pledge to uphold it, Freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know”

Anonymous