Officer Down Memorial Page

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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.

Time never diminsihe respect and your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. I thank your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
February 22, 2012

Lest we forget. Godspeed.

Det. Michael S. Gage
University City Police Department
February 22, 2012

Thanks for your 7 years of services.

David
February 22, 2012

I just stumbled upon this today for the first time. It’s amazing that it has been 35 years. I am now the age my dad was when he died. Now I realize how young he truly was. It’s lovely to read these messages and know my father is still alive in many hearts. Thank you for remembering. He is my guardian angel.

Eileen Graham Hankin
daughter
March 13, 2011

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous
November 1, 2008

Dear officer Graham,

I was friend to your daughter and neighbor as well. I remember the huge pile of pancakes someone left on your lawn one morning, and the sense of humor you had about it. I remember the night my mother woke me up to tell me that you had been killed. I was in the second grade and didn't have a full grasp on what had just happened, but had a sick feeling over the news. This morning I came to work at the justice center and heard similiar news once again. One of U.City's finest shot and killed. I didn't know who it was and was really upset because I know quite of few officers. My Heart still goes out to your family, and now to the family of the recently deceased Sargent.

Liz Hinds
BWJC RN. Family friend
November 1, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
February 13, 2008

"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
December 11, 2007

Frank was my soccer coach in grade school, lived behind my apartment,and worked a Mc Donald Douglas when I met him..He was instrumental in my becoming a police officer..He was shot and killed while responding with officer Joe Didden, who was also severely wounded..Frank was one of the kindest,gentlest people I have ever known..to this day, Oct 23, 2006, I still think of him..
R

Rick Spurgeon, ex Police Office
University City/Creve Coeur
October 23, 2006

Frank, I was 14 when this happened but I can remember it like it was yesterday. I remember the phone call and the look on my dads face when he told us. I remember worrying about Mike and the other kids. Now I'm a year older than you were when it happened and that seems surreal. Your daughter teaches where my daughter will go to school next year and I hope she gets her for a teacher. We still miss you.

May 12, 2006

Dear Officer Graham--
I recently had a chance to tell your story to some folks in St. Louis on the St. Louis airwaves. I am your age now, 42, and was 13 when you died. I will always remember you as my soccer coach at Christ The King and still hear the jingle of your keychain as you ran up and down the sidelines telling us to run run run. I know you fit the coaching in with the buisness of your job and your growing family. Thank you for the memories and thank you for your service to our community. I am forever an advocate of the police in large part because of you. I think about and pray for your family often.
Sincerely,
Jamie

Jamie Allman
97.1 FM Talk
February 11, 2006

Frank,
You were a friend of my Dads for many years , and my basketball coach at school. My family respects you as a person, and I have the ultimate respect for your service Thank you, we think of you often

Patrolman Robert Tabers III
University City 381
January 24, 2006

To the family of Francis Graham and all my close friends at the University City Police Department, my continued deepest sympathy to you all.

Although this horrible incident may have happened many years ago, it has remained etched in my memory.

But also in my mind are pleasant memories of Francis and my father working to make the city a safer place for us all.

I have often thought of Francis, James Boevingloh and Wilbert Downey and felt that they have been looking after me during my law enforcement career even though it has taken me far from University City.

I hope you all continue to find the peace and comfort of the Lord that I know Francis found in his new assignment.

Peter Damos
St. Louis County Police ( 1975 - 1981 )
U.S. Secret Service - San Antonio

Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge
U.S. Secret Service - San Antonio
April 21, 2005

Frank, May you rest in peace. You were a friend, coach, and a fine Officer.

PO Tim Tumbrink
Saint Louis Police Department
January 13, 2005