Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Chief Garcia,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served in Vietnam. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 1, 2021

Even though I have never met you; I feel as though I have always known you. My mother your big sister Frances would mention you when I was a little girl. She told me how you were killed in Oregon as an officer. Even though I was only a little girl the thought of you stood with me all these years; finally getting to see you and what you look like in a newspaper clipping makes me happy to know I can finally put a face on that brave uncle billy I used to hear about. My mom never called you Raymond she always said billy; so you are my uncle billy. I hope someday I can see and meet you in Heaven. I don't think my mom has ever met you, but now she is in Heaven also. I hope you too are celebrating life together in Heaven and getting to know each other with Jesus.
Love Cindy...your big sister's daughter.

Cindy
niece

February 5, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 1, 2020

To the Family of Officer Garcia
I was a young child who lived across the street from Ray died in the line of duty. What you may not know is the man he exchanged gunfire with that night was a predatory monster. I was one of the children he molested. I remember walking home down the alley where Ray was murdered, seeing the chalk outlines and picking up a blood stained rock from the outline of the monster that Ray ended. I have that rock to this day. I will always be grateful to Ray for the sacrifice he made and for the putting to and end the nightmare that this predatory monster was to myself and other children in the neighborhood. Thank you Officer Garcia. You spared me and other children the horrors of this man.

LtCol Forbes

August 26, 2020

A young and very brave police chief. Rest in peace Chief Garcia.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 9, 2020

I have searched for you for 40 plus years brother, only to find your on the past Memorial day ending my search with sadness at your loss so many years ago. Just as I was starting a family your family lost you my best friend.1967 and Vietnam were so long ago but you friendship and memories still live on with me and my family. I only have 1 photo of us. I posted it to your grave site memorial. REST in Peace. All to many of use pass away to soon. Thank you for having been my friend!! Blessing to your family.

Edward Jim Blasingame

June 7, 2019

I was a very close friend of Ray's brother Rick & Nina Garcia and learned of his brothers death. He gave his Life in Serving & Protecting the people of Vernonia over a senseless Act of Violence. He was Honored by a Memorial placed in the center of town so all could pay their respects to this great man who also served his country and Medal of Honor Recipient. Over the weekend at the Jamboree 8-6-2016 I noticed that the small minds of the City Council had Removed his Memorial and Stole the Slab to Replace it with one honoring those who have lost their lives fighting Domestic & Foreign Wars. I am not displeased with the Memorial for our Veterans, But to Steal the Slab that Ray's Memorial was on and replace it with the new one is Disgraceful. they could have spent $35 in concrete to build another one and Place the New Memorial next to his, But to Remove Ray's and either move it or destroy it is totally Unacceptable. As it has been in that place in the Center of Town for the people of Vernonia to Honor but also for those Tourists and Visitors to Honor is a Complete Disgrace and the City Council no longer deserves any Respect from those who Remember Chief Ray's dedication & Service to this community including of his Life.

Ret & Friend Rick Davis
Close friend of his Brother Rick & nina Garcia

August 10, 2016

His widow was the witness at my first Marriage and His Brother Art was a good friend of mine, we worked together and dealt with demons together, he told me stories of him and his brother growing up, I never met Ray but if he was anything like his family that I knew. He was a very Honorable Man Husband and Brother.
R.I.P Chief Garcia.

Bob Fields
Friend

February 13, 2016

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 42nd anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. 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 Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 26, 2013

Chief Garcia,
As a young boy my family lived in Vernonia. I remember the day that you were killed. Vernonia is a small town and everyone was shocked to hear about what happended. The next day my friends and I bicycled to the spot up on the hill where you made the traffic stop. I remember standing at the spot where you were involved in the shoot out (there were still chalk lines on the ground from the investigation) and looking on the spot in quiet reverence knowing that I (even at age 10) was standing on sacred ground.
My father was a pastor in town. You and your wife had just started attending his church (I remember when your wife was pregnant and I remember talking to you one time.) My dad ended up having your funeral service. I remember the seeing what seemed like hundreds of police cars and police officers from all over the state at the service. There was a huge crowd at the cemetary for the graveside service. As a young boy, it all made a big impression on me.
Now, I'm a career police officer and have attended too many of my co-workers' funerals. I understand the sacrafice you and your family made. Thank you.

Sgt. Blake Carlson
Phoenix Police Department

April 23, 2013

Ray was a very unique person, a great believer in the rights of an individual. One of my fondness memories of Ray was his stopping and giving me a ride up to my house as I came from Wrestling practice at Vernonia High School.
My father, Bill Rhoades always regretted not being the one on duty in Ray's place. He was sitting at the Vernonia Police Station waiting to relieve Ray when the call came in. Dad was never quite the same after that day, but he always spoke highly of Ray until his own passing several years ago.

Mack 'Bill' Rhoades
Friend

April 10, 2012

I WAS A VERY YOUNG LITTLE GIRL AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN WE ATTENDED YOUR FUNERAL...BUT NOW THAT IM A GROWN MOTHER OF 3 KIDS I OFTEN THINK OF YOU AND MY GARCIA UNCLES WHO HAVE PAST AND MOST OF ALL MY DADDY ..YOUR BROTHER I HOPE YOU ARE ALL TOGETHER AND RESTING IN PEACE..I LOVE YOU ALL AND I SADLY MISS EACH ONE OF YOU..SLEEP WITH THE ANGELS

CAROL GARCIA DURAN
NIECE

December 28, 2011

Chief Garcia, thank you for your service and dedication. You will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

February 24, 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

January 15, 2008

though I was not born at the time of your passing, I know first hand what kind of man and hero you were and are to your family and friends. You have always been larger than life to me and a real hero, thank you. I am very honored and proud to hold your badge and medal of honor and pass your memory down to my children.

Troy Garcia
Nephew

November 18, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your police and military service.

This writer is pleased thata you were aable to service justice for yourself.

Pat Van Den Berghe

October 13, 2007

I was a young boy of five, and I remember your funeral like it was yesterday! Tio (uncle Billy) even though I never got to meet you, I have a sadness in my heart on how you were taken from our family, yet I am very proud to know you served our country as a great serviceman and even a greater Chief of Police!

Love forever

Your nephew Michael Garcia Sr.

Legal Analyst
Nephew

June 30, 2006

I read this site often, to remind myself of the heroes that have gone before me, and this one always strikes me as sad. Chief Garcia was an ordinary hero, a guy who spent and gave his life being a better man than most can aspire to. I respect him and honor him.

deputy redman
Polk County SO

March 26, 2006

Chief Garcia,
On today, the 34th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice, not just for your community, but for our Country in Vietnam.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

October 1, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to This Officer, as well as the Family, Friends, Department and Community.

This is a loss that will never be forgotten. Hours will turn into days, days turn into weeks, weeks into months and months into years but, the difference that these officers have made will last forever.

We lost Our Deputy Morris Taylor on September 14, 2002. When he joined the other Angels in Blue.

God Bless Our Law Enforcement Officers and Those Who Love Them.

Jack & Tracy Van Dolah
Former LEO/U.S.M.C. & Wife in Sutherlin, Oregon

May 22, 2005

God's peace be with the Garcia family. What a tragedy they had to deal with. I am certain Mrs. Garcia has done an outstanding job raising their daughter into a fine woman. Rest in peace, Officer. Gone, but never forgotten. Your heroic actions are symbolic of what it takes to be a police officer.

Mich Resident

August 28, 2004

The Garcia family will always remember you. We are so very proud of you. You will always be in our hearts.

The Garcia Family

della garcia

June 8, 2004

You have not been forgotten, 32 years after your sacrifice and will always be remembered. Chief Garcia will always be a hero and remind police officers that they must serve proudly and with integrity in memory of all officers who have given their lives for us. Rest in peace, you earned it. Thanks for your selfless service and sacrifice.

Pat
Baltimore, MD

October 20, 2003