Officer Down Memorial Page

Johnny
I still can't believe that this happened to you. Our band held a benefit concert for you to help raise money to pay off the memorial that was built for you in your honor to this community. I still remember all the time we had . You are sadly missed by everyone and I know you killer will be caught. By the way , the benefit concert paid off the memorial.
lanny
campbellsville, kt

Lanny Forbis
Good Friend
April 27, 2012

Johnny,
YOU are being thought about on this 23rd anniversary of your murder.
Still remember learning of your death like it was yesterday.
There are still that care and think of you.
See you again some day my Brother.
YOU are missed.

R Bierly
KY retired
December 21, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd 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. Rest In Peace

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 21, 2011

Johnny, it seems like yesterday that your Metro Police Car was parked in our yard on many Saturday nights. Those were the good old days. You were a great friend and a great peace officer. I miss you and think of you often. I want so much to know who took your life and to see them get what they deserve.

Gail Bright
Friend
December 20, 2011

December 20, 1988 my twin and I ten years old we celebrated in a matter of hours all changed to sorrow and disbelief as our grandmother was robbed at a local motel she woke us up in the early morning hours to tell us of the tragic events of the wee hours of the night before and morning am I watched helplessly by the TV for hours that led to months and years later still know nothing more but rest assured your death was not in vain we will never give up and will always remember a precious, husband, father, friend, and loved one!

Melissa McCrystal
A dear friend
December 4, 2011

Johnny you and I went to Campbellsville High School and graduated in 1972.You were soo funny and I know you're in heaven making everybody laugh. May you rest in peace and the person who took you away will be caught.

Theresa Haskins
February 11, 2011

To the daughter of this Trooper,

I am so sorry for the lose of your father. I understand so much of your pain. My Daughter's lost there father to cancer he was 35 years old,one was in her first week of her Senior Year our Youngest was starting her first week of Kindergarten. While they are gone they are never forgotten or ever really far away. My Dad is also gone,but always so close. I hear all my loved ones who have gone on. I know what they would say each day when things happen I am reminded of what kind of remark they would make. I can still hear their voices. I miss them often. But the memory's they gave us. Keep them very close with us till we see them again.

My daughters miss their Daddy at times still. I can't do enough or say enough to make that pain any better for them. Just embrace the missing of them being in your life physically everyday and keep loving them as if they were still here. I know my Dad is and theirs. Some of my family think well I might be out there a bit. But I do feel them it feels like. So I talk to them when I feel I need to. I encourage my daughters when they struggle with missing our loved ones. To take a private moment and tell Dad or Papaw. You love them or what ever you want to share with them.
I hope you family,gets justice in finding who took your fathers life away from you all to early.

I come here on occasion, when I think of my uncle John. I was just a little girl,who was his niece by marriage. Memory's of him. Still are apart of my life. I hope he know's he is missed and not forgotten still by many.

Karen Reeder - Peel
Neice of Fallen Trooper Hutchinson
August 28, 2009

December marked 20 years... Hope heaven is everything you expected.

Callie Edrington
Daughter
February 6, 2009

You are not forgotten uncle Johnny.

Sara
May 20, 2008

I was a 16 year old junior at Knox Central High School in Barbourville when this happened. I watched the news nightly and listened for updates hoping they would find out who did this. I have never forgotten.

amy
January 29, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service, this writer prays that your killer will be found and that justice will be served on your behalf.

VanDenBerghe
Manchester, NH
December 21, 2007

I pray that one day the Filth that committed this crime will be brought to justice.

Rest easy Brother.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA
December 21, 2007

God Bless your family and friends. You will never be forgotten!!!

PO (Ret.)
City of Miami PD Fla.
December 20, 2007

was browsing looking for police logos for my sons school report and ran across this site...my deepest condolences to the family and heartfelt prayers to surviving friends and family...please take comfort knowing he is at God's side and is awaiting the spiritual reunion with all his loved ones in the promised land...God bless you at this most difficult time of the year, and thanks to all of our fallen heroes, who make this beautiful state a more secure place for our kids...peace and joy

rick-civilian
web browser
December 19, 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 29, 2007

I hope that this case is at the top of the KSP cold case files. If law enforcement killers are not caught swiftly, others may be emboldened to assault/kill police officers.

This case MUST be solved using any and ALL resources necessary. Sorry for your terrible loss.

Security Officer
Connecticut
September 8, 2007

God bless you Johnny. Justice shall arrive from a higher court.

Matthew 5:9

An Ohio brother
Montgomery Co., Ohio
August 9, 2007

Your death was not in vain nor will you ever be forgotten. On judgement day, your killer will face the Lord and his just punishment will be received for all of eternity. May you rest in peace and thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Kentucky!

E 911 Dispatcher in Kentucky
December 26, 2006

I was a kid when I met Johnny. He was a metro policeman in Campbellsville at the time. He and another metro officer "Sammy" lived up the road from me. They were good positive influences in the neighborhood for us kids growing up there. They played football with us on many occassions in the field behind the Airview apartments there. I collected cans and bottles around the neighborhood and Johnny and Sammy saved bottles and cans for me to cash in. I always looked up to those two officers through the years and I often wonder about the events of that night. He is missed by many.

boy down the road
young friend
December 21, 2006

Trooper J.M. Edrington and his family...on your 18 year anniversary....we honor you and all that you stood for. One day GOD will be the judge to these cowards. That day will prove to be more punishment than what anyone could sentence them to while on this earth.
Thank you for being a hero!

Wife of Pentagon Force Police Officer
Former 11 year WV State Trooper/SRT Sniper
December 20, 2006

rest in peace brother. we will take it from here.

trooper
ksp
November 2, 2006

It must be wonderful patrolling the streets of heaven. Justice will be served on judgement day, when the person who took your life faces his maker. Until then, keep an eye on the rest of us who continue to walk a beat down here.

Wisconsin L.E.O.
September 8, 2006

Trooper Edrington,

God knows, brother, God knows. Thank you for your service. See you later.

August 25, 2006

Trooper Edrington, you know how the "Thin Gray Line" works. They never give up, the most premier law enforcement agency around. They will be caught. Have faith in the Gray.

Patrolman Sapp
Nicholasville P.D.
July 27, 2006

Trooper Edrington your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Care now. May you rest in peace brother.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
May 3, 2006