Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Luis L. Garza

Atascosa County Sheriff's Department, Texas

End of Watch Thursday, July 19, 1973

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Luis L. Garza

Deputy Sheriff Garza,
On today,, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Atascosa County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 19, 2023

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THOSE WONDERFULL WORDS OF MY PARENTS.I WAS VERY YOUNG TO REMEMBER BUT ALL I WANT TO REMEMBER ARE BEUTIFUL WORDS I HEAR ABOUT THEM . I REMEMBER MY DAD ALWAYS TELLING ME THAT ONE DAY HE WOULD TAKE US BACK HOME WHERE THE STARS LOOKS LIKE THE CITY. I NEVER FORGOT EACH TIME I SEE THE CITY WITH ALL THE LIGHTS I LOOK UP AND TELL MY DAD YOUR HOME DAD MY MOM WAS A ANGEL EVERYBODY LOVED MY MOM WE WERE ALWAYS HER FIRST IN HER LIST.SHE WAS AMAZING . THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE MEMORIES .GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND EVERYONE WHO IS ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR US THE SHERIFFS AND OFFICERS. MAY GOD BE BY YOU ALL ALWAYS

DUAGHTER
DAUGHTER

November 7, 2011

I remember Luis and Elida Garza very well. They, along with their children, were always ready with a smile and a kind word. As children, we attended the Crystal City Community School (the private school) and Luis and Elida frequented our grocery store, and became friends with my parents, Ted and Emma Muñoz.

Thank you Luis and Elida Garza for your kindness. I will always remember you.

Special thoughts and prayers to their children.

Teresa Muñoz
Childhood Friend of the Garza children

April 3, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th 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.

The tragedy this officer's children suffered because of the brutal murder of Luis and his wife is horrific. I pray for their solace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 19, 2010

"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 30, 2008

He was a great father and husband who left behind 4 small children, who now grown still grieve him and his wife.

October 18, 2006

Deputy Sheriff Garza,
As one officer wrote in another fallen officer's reflection-"No fallen officer should be without a reflection." I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Atascosa County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

July 20, 2005

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