Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Tommy Richard Gober, Jr.

DeKalb County Police Department, Georgia

End of Watch Saturday, June 28, 1980

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Officer Tommy Richard Gober, Jr.

Your are remembered by many, Rest easy one of DKPD'S Best,

Anonymous
DeKalb Public Safety, Retired

June 28, 2023

Tommy, my friend, and brother-in-armsarms. It has been a lot of years, but the memories are fresh in my mind and are a part of my life. Thank you for your friendship and your service. With just a couple of years' service, you were already a seasoned officer that I sought to emulate right out of the academy. I can see your energy and enthusiasm in some of the fine young officers today. Rest in peace knowing you died a hero.
881

Dan 881
Former DKPD

June 27, 2023

Rest in Heaven

"A Hero Remembered Never Dies"

MCS, Capt.
DeKalb Co.

June 28, 2022

I rented a room in the same house where Tommy lived. I lived across the hall from him from about June of 1978 to October of 1979 when I moved away from the area. The first time I saw Tommy in his uniform I was a little intimidated. But he became a good friend. I believe he had a Pontiac Firebird at the time. When I read about his death I was shocked. Rest In Peace, Tommy, I will never forget you. You changed my attitude of police officers.

Thomas Oliver
House Mate

September 29, 2021

Officer Tommy Gober will never be forgotten. RIP sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

January 3, 2021

For some reason today I have been thinking about the night Tommy was killed and my husband at that time was his partner and best friend was also shot. He was the best man at our wedding tho we have since divorced. The night I last saw him I had met them in the mall parking lot and I remember to this day Tommy saying" I feel like something big is gonna go down tonight." That was the night he was killed and my husband was shot. Fortunately he did survive but our married life ended years later. I never got to see Tommy's daughter, not even a picture. We tried to get in touch with his wife but never got a response and I do not blame her cause I don't know what I would have done at that time either, we had only been married a few months when it happened so at least I still have those pictures. Rest in peace Tommy, you will never be forgotten.
Anne Roseberry-Johnson

Anne Roseberry-Johnson
Friend

October 12, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

June 28, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Gober.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 21, 2020

Tommy, you are still missed very much. I think of you, your friendship and gregarious personalty all the time, especially when I hear Dillon's Knocking on Heaven's Door.
Your impact was so much greater than your time.

Officer Dan Mayfield #881 (retired)
DeKalb County Police Department
Friend and partner

July 8, 2019

Another year has come and gone, but you still are in so many people's thoughts and hearts.

friend

June 26, 2019

I met your daughter today, during a traffic stop. She told me about you. She was very humbled, respectful, and had a calm jouful spirit. You would be so proud of the beautiful person she has become.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

K9 Officer M. Lam
Chattahoochee Hills PD

September 8, 2018

Tommy was my cousin and I miss him very much! I was so proud to call him my cousin at Towers High school when he was the campus cop. He was tall and very handsome and had an amazing smile. I was heart broken when we got the news of his death. His funeral was huge, everybody loved Tommy. I'll never forget when the song "knocking on Heavens Door" was played, I lost it. When ever I hear that song, memories come flooding back.I miss you Tommy!!!

Donna Street Cowan
Cousin

September 15, 2016

I am so glad to find this page where I can give words to what I have felt for the last 36 years. I was fresh out of the academy and assigned to south precinct. In his own gregarious way, Tommy initiated me into the brotherhood. We backed each other up. He showed me the ropes. We loved being cops. We talked... I will never forget his mischievous smile and manner. I will forever honor his friendship, courage and sacrifice. I will ever pause and quietly reflect every time I hear Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door". Tommy represents the best of us all.

Officer Dan Mayfield #881 (retired)
DeKalb County Police Department
Friend and partner

August 3, 2016

I remember Tommy well. At the time, I was a Lt. in DeKalb Fire Rescue and knew and talked to Tommy often. The night Tommy was killed, I had been talking to him just hours earlier in a parking lot not far from where he was shot. When I arrived on the scene, I realized there was nothing I could do for Tommy and I needed to focus on the other officer that was shot. I think about Tommy all the time. He touched many lives and is forever in the hearts of those who new him.

Division Chief retired
DeKalb Fire Rescue

May 27, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

Thank you Karen for posting this. I always wondered about Tommy. I remember him at Peachcrest Elementary School, and at Towers High School. God bless him and his family for giving his life to protect us and keep us safe. What an honor it was to know him, and grow up with him.

Debbie Jones
Classmate and friend

June 28, 2015

THS classmate with Tommy and remember him as sweet & kind to everyone. He was truly blessed. He was given the opportunity to serve in DeKalb to protect and keep us safe. The ultimate sacrifice. I'm sure he is smiling at all of us..... :)

Katrinka (Twinkie) Fortmann Maddox
Towers High School

July 7, 2014

Remembering you today on your anniversary. RIP Brother.

anonymous
DKPS

June 27, 2014

Crysta if you come back to this memorial I would like to know how you and your mom are doing. I think about yall often. I don't know any other way to get in touch. You can reach me on facebook. Thanks and God Bless.

Rick Roseberry
DKPD retired

June 10, 2013

i am James "jimmy" Taylor and i grew up with Tommy Gober.went to Peachcrest Elementary.I remember Tommy crying the first day of school in the first grade when his parents(i think his mom)started to leave the room.We seemed to always end up in the same classes each year comming up in elem.school.He was carismatic and had no problem getting the girls.In High school years we grew apart somewhat as i worked on being a "dilenquent".I always remember him when i hear YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT by the Stones.I was at his and Steve Greens apartment when i first heard it,yes we were getting stoned,This was before he became a cop.Once along that same time ,again he and Steve Green chased me all around those apartments because i had stolen something(cant recall what)and they wanted me to return it.I was in jail some years later when i read about him getting shot by would be burglar(did not even know he was a cop).It saddened me,my buddy Tommy gone.I also knew Ted and Tim Gober very well.Those were the days my friend,we thought they'd never end,unfortunately for my little brother Randy Taylor and for Tommy, only the good die young. Any one who would like to swap some Tommy stories or any one knowing where to reach Tim or Ted Gober PLEASE contact me James Taylor at facebook.MY E-mail is [email protected] call anytime 404838-6910.Tommy,my dear friend,you will always be missed.

James "Jimmy" Taylor
friend

December 24, 2012

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd anniversary year 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

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

December 5, 2012

I was out at Fairview Cemetary on 08-10-12 and saw a beautiful headmarker with a badge on it. I walked over and saw this name. I am a police officer myself and thought what a beautiful monument this is for Officer Gober. I am glad I was able to find information about him on this site. My heart goes out to all of his family, friends and co-workers. To his daughter, Crysta, your dad was a hero. To your mom, it is unimaginable to lose the love of your life. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Sgt. Rene Swanson
Henry Couty Police Department

August 13, 2012

My husband and I knew Tommy in high school. He was such a sweet, funny and nice guy.If he didn't have a smile on his face, he had a famous smirk... I remember seeing him after he passed the police officers test. He was so excited and we were so proud for him. On a couple of calls where he had to work with the fire department, he worked with my dad who was a paramedic. He is still loved and remembered.

Julie Smith Long (Bill Long)
Towers High

June 28, 2012

I have just found this site. My name is Autumn. Tommy was my uncle.His brother,Tim is my dad.I never got to meet him but my mom and my aunt would tell me about him all the time.I never knew that he had a daughter.I think that we are about the same age.I just saw that her name is Crysta.The only other Crysta that I have ever seen spelled that way is my best friend's daughter.I thought that was a pretty cool coincidence.I have always been told what a great guy he was and I just wanted to pay my respects.

Autumn Gober Blackburn
neice

April 16, 2012

Tommy Gober was popular among my fellow students at Towers High when he was a student there and later when served as the campus cop. Ricky Roseberry was similarly well-liked. It was terrible that Tommy was killed, but a blessing that he was with one of his best friends, a former classmate, and doing what he loved: protecting the citizenry of DeKalb County. The county has gone so far downhill over the years that we may forget how unusual and shocking his death was at the time, but we won't forget Tommy's smile and bright eyes.

Titan, Class of '79
Towers High

March 27, 2012

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