Officer Down Memorial Page

You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Cannot believe it has been 22 years Johnny - I think of you often - I miss you, but I shall always hear your voice and reflect upon our conversations from long ago.

You're always in my heart - rest easy.

Marlene
October 14, 2011

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear.
- Anonymous

M.E. Berryman
Civilian
April 15, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
October 14, 2010

Hi Johnny - still cannot get over how long it has been since you were taken from this earth. I truly miss you and not a day goes by that you are not in my head. You were a great officer, a true hero and a wonderful person. As always, you shall remain in my heart. Rest easy Johnny.

M.E. Berryman
Former I.D. Tech 263
October 14, 2010

HEY OFFCR JOHNNY THANK U FOR GIVING your life for us all. NOT a day Goes by i dnt thnk of the place where u gave your life for me. i do knw what its like and feeling what your family has went thru. was a little young girl at the time of your passing. i have passed by where u lost your life and have felt your presense there. Peace B wit u officer johnny i wish i couldve knwn u. god bless your whole family and friends

Anonymous
June 14, 2010

DEAR OFFCR JOHNNY I WISH I COUULDVE KNWN U BUT I WAS A LITTLE GIRL I PRAY N THNK OF U EVERYDAY AND TWO YEARS AGO I HAD PASSD BY WHERE U GAVE YOUR LIFE. I MISS U AND I FELT YIUR PRESENCE THERE AS WELL I PRAY FOR YOUR FAMIL N LOVED ONES ALSO I LOVE U N THNK OF U ALWAYS JOHNNY THANK U FOR GIVING YOUR LIFE FOR US ALL.

Anonymous
June 13, 2010

Hi Johnny:
Just know that you're always in my heart and I miss you.

MEB
civilian
October 13, 2009

Hi Johnny:
Can't believe it is going on 20 years. I think of you every day and often recall the night you stopped me for running the stop sign on Adamsville Road, it was a slow roll! Regardless, you then proceeded to eat all of my homemade chocolate chip cookies that my mom had made me for Christmas. We had a lot of good times Johnny and I treasure them all.

FORMER ID TECH M.E. BERRYMAN
PINAL CO SO
August 17, 2009

"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 14, 2007

We remember you today and thank you Sir for your service.

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
October 12, 2007

Rest in Peace, Officer Garcia. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
March 14, 2007

I still miss your goofy smile and dumb jokes. It could have been me that night, instead of you-very easily. To respond to that call, when you should've been on your way home is a true reflection of your dedication and I will never forget that. You were helping us cover the area when we were short-handed (as usual), and we all were running our rear-ends off on calls that night. The last thing I would ever imagine I would have to respond to, was to say goodbye to you that night. Vaya con Dios, Johnny. You are in my heart & my memory.

Officer Chris Drummond
AZDPS
August 24, 2006

We put up your picture in the office today for our memorial wall. I still miss your laugh.

Renee Mitchell
Arizona Department of Public Safety
April 29, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

God bless. Rest in peace.

October 14, 2004

There is no way to put into words my appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice you made to keep our world safe. We will miss you Officer Garcia. And will always be in my heart and prayers.

B.Bromert
N/A
September 20, 2004

After viewing the special on TV last week, Honoring all the fallen Officrs with DPS, I came upn your name. In remembering you, I offer my prayers and PRAISES for you, as I remember you so well, a jovial and caring person. Rest in Peace Johnny. Patrol the gates of heaven, and take care of my buddy (Jason Lopez).

Belia Fessennden
Retired, Pinal County S.O.-AZ
May 11, 2004

Johnny:

I miss you and our conversations from long ago - I still hear you though. You're a very special person and I will always hold you and our memories close to my heart. You loved your job, and that was contagious, for it made me love doing mine and it still does!! Thank you for the short time we had together, I will never forget you.
With love and prayers, ME

I.D. Tech M.E. Berryman
Pinal County Sheriff's Department