Officer Down Memorial Page

Rest in Peace, Game Warden Elms. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
April 7, 2012

A Hero may fall, but never shall be forgotten. I remember your story well as I followed it close. I was in Vegas watching the Superbowl in 2005 when they had a news break about your killers release.. I was Sick! RIP now Sir, I will pray for you and your family.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)
February 16, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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 miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever, I think you and your family were robbed of justice when the killer of you and your partner was released after 25 years. Anyone murdering two officers should never be released.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
January 5, 2012

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer; and may it somehow help to know that,even after all these years,that he is respectfully remembered and his sacrifice appreciated.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD
October 13, 2009

You will never be forgotten, rest in peace, God bless you and your family.

Detective M. Marks
Pittsburgh Police Department
April 13, 2009

Thank you for your willingness to serve your fellowman. It is hard to believe that the person who murdered you and the other game warden only had to serve 24 years in prison. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables
January 5, 2009

RIP

Anonymous
September 9, 2008

You are not forgotten.

D. E. King
Munfordville KY P.D
January 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
December 31, 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 15, 2007

That animals of the caliber of Dallas can be released from prison at all is sad testimoney of the low regard in which those who serve are held. May all those still on the front lines take heart in the supposrt of those who know your hardships and trials.

Weldon Gillispie
Family Of Conely Elms
July 31, 2007

Warden Elms;

Your passing was not in vain. The footprints you left upon our souls bare testemony to your kindness and dedication. I was a young man in SE Idaho when you fell in the line of duty. But your story, your life and your dedication left an indelible sense of purpose and duty upon us and today I strive to live up to the standards of professionalism you demonstrated, in every contact I make with every citizen. Though your physical body has been laid to rest, your legacy lives among us each day.

An Idaho Ranger
Park Ranger, Enforcement
September 6, 2006

The death of you and your partner gives cause for reflection on the duties of our profession. I will carry thoughts of your final situation with me as I perform the duties of my job. Men like your killer will get theirs in the end. It is a shame that he must disrupt the lives of so many to satisfy his selfish ambitions and cowardly actions. It is almost unconceivable that members of society will try to create a folk hero out of such a criminal.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife
July 15, 2006

I love Idaho but the legal system, in particular the jurys, disgust me. When I saw your cowardly killer released after so short a sentence for killing you, your partner and then escaping, I was sick. We also lost one of ours, Billy Degan, who was killed by another coward that an Idaho jury released. I can only hope that they receive justice in the next world.

Walt Setzer, Deputy (ret)
US Marshals Service
July 10, 2006

Rest in peace brother.

Patrolman
January 7, 2006

It's a shame that your killer was released. Laws NEED to change.
Rest in peace

January 5, 2006

I am saddened and angered that the murderer of this hero was released. What a tragic decision! However, God's vengeance is greater than man's. My prayers are with the family of this G.W. Elms family and his heroic partner. God bless you.

R. Dean Pesnell,
Officer/Chaplain Birmignham Police Dept.

Off. R. Dean Pesnell
Birmingham, AL Police Dept.
July 20, 2005

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Cor. 12:10
Chaplain John Elms

Chaplain John Elms
Metro Police Chaplaincy/Oregon COPS
June 20, 2005

I just read today, February 7, 2005, in the Boston Globe that your killer was released yesterday. It says, "he just wants to go live his life." Unreal, he kills two officers (execution-style) and now he gets to live a life!! Nice system you have in Idaho. How sad!!!

Patrol
February 7, 2005

GW Elms,
There aren't words to thank you enough for your service and sacrifice.

To your family and friends,
I read news today that Wilson's murderer was paroled - for good behavior, of all things. I am so sorry. Life can be so unfair. I am praying that you can be at peace in the face of such tragedy.

Former LEO Wife
Central Ohio
February 6, 2005

I just watched the A&E story about your death. It is a shame that you had to die like you did, but I have comfort knowing that you were doing what you loved.

Thank you for watching over us!

Officer Adams
BPD