Officer Down Memorial Page

Every year since 2009 I have made the blue ribbons with the 51 names of the Oakland Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. It is my honor to do this for the fallen officers. The ribbons hang on a tree outside the Warehouse Bar and Grill in Oakland, California for all to see the sacrifice they have made to keep us safe. God bless you all and rest in peace.

A grateful citizen
February 24, 2012

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

Officer 11169
January 16, 2012

God Bless you and your family...16 years ago you became a guardian angel for the Oakland Police Department!

Anonymous
December 15, 2009

You have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
December 15, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 16th 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 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.

Two days a memorial was held for your four brothers from Oakland. Our community is mourning their loss that happened on the darkest day in OPD history.

I am sure you are proud of how much your wife helps other survivors.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
March 29, 2009

Today, more than 15 years after your death, four Oakland police officers were put in the ground. Senseless death, on all sides, just like yours.
I've cried for you for the first time in a long time recently, but that doesn't mean I ever stop thinking of you, missing you, or loving you.
I'm not a kid anymore, but there are times that I feel like I am, like when I remember the day you died.
I hope that no one places the blame for your death on any certain group of people. It was a tragic event, where one individual, who was clearly struggling, made a really awful choice.
It's important to me not to carry hate. I try to forgive what I can and let go of what I can't, because I understand that there are more factors at play than I can ever comprehend (and I try hard), and because I think you would be strong enough to do the same.
There are cracks in our system, we can all agree, and I wish that it didn't take your death (or the untimely deaths of any brave officers...or any humans)to remind us of this.
Everyone deserves to be heard. Everyone deserves to be loved. I wish that in this world we could all be there for each other, like you were for me.

I Love You, Dad.

Thanks for everything,

MG

Anonymous
March 28, 2009

During my tour of duty with OPD I had the pleasure to work with Bill; we were in the Foot Patrol Unit together and on occasion partnered. Bill had a great sense of humor and could make me laugh, despite the tragedies seen through a cop's eyes.

A day does not pass that my thoughts and prayers do not go out to my fallen friends and their families.

Officer Brian Camozzi
Oakland PD / Denver PD
March 23, 2009

God Speed Hero...

You and your family will always be in my prayers.....

Anonymous
November 3, 2008

Thankyou for your service and scarifice sir, you are a hero to us all.

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA
February 15, 2008

Bill, I will never forget as a rookie (1988) at OPD, you would love to put your finger prints on our silver stars! I will always miss your finger print on my badge.

Jim

Sergeant James W. Barbour
UCDPD
January 31, 2008

On the 14th anniversary of Officer Grijalva's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Grijalva is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
December 15, 2007

You are remembered today Sir and thank for your 20 years of dedicated service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh
December 8, 2007

"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
September 20, 2007

Bill,
Its been 14 years, you and my husband were the best of friends. I still think of you and your beautiful family and the good times we used to have. Rest in peace my friend and know you are still loved and missed by your friends. Gone, but never forgotten.

Susan
Friend
April 14, 2007

Thank you for your service. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten......

Senior Officer D. W. Reichhardt
Waverly PD, Va.
December 15, 2006

You have not been forgotten as a true hero never dies. Continue to watch over your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8804
December 15, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
April 6, 2006

Dear Bill,
It's been many years since we went to high school together - I have many fond memories of our time together. I remember the night that you were gunned down. I had worked patrol that day in San Jose and as I got undressed at the end of my shift - I learned of an Oakland officer being shot. Although a tragecy, I only knew one Oakland officer personally - and that was you. When I told a fellow officer that I only knew one Oakland cop and I mentioned your name - he said that it was you that had been gunned down. To this day, I will never forget that night - I will never forget what a great guy you were - take care old buddy - see you on the other side.
Always your friend, Jim

Sgt James Wagner (retired)
San Jose Police Dept
March 10, 2006

Ofc Grijalva it has been almost 12 years since you were killed. I heard about your death today from one of the paramedics that responded to you rcall for help that horrible day. As he related the story I couldn't help but shed a tear, he was unable to make it throught he story without crying either. What a senseless tragedy. Rest in Peace brother.

Chad Watson, Police Corporal
Camp Parks Federal Police
September 28, 2005

Lucy and family, I am sorry for your loss. No sense can be made of your husband's death. I now take nothing for granted, or at least try not to. I am glad that you will not have to go through a painful court trial for the evil being that took your husband's life.

Cpl. Elness
Gustine PD
January 22, 2005

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

P.O.
CHICAGO P.D.
December 15, 2004

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

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

December 15, 2004

to the family of officer grijalva -thankyou for your sacrifices your family has had to make in the those years of lost family time and now the final lost of your loved one. Please let it be known, that the story from this site will be shared with other mp's on how to handle situations, we will and have learned from this traject incident. may you always be blessed by knowing that your husband,.brother, father, etc.. was A HERO

SPC.Ruiz
military police corps.
December 30, 2003

Billy, I just want to tell you that after more than 8 years, we still miss you. You were the anchor of this family and we feel your loss every day. You're our hero!

Lucy Grijalva
Oakland PD line-of-duty widow