Officer Down Memorial Page

RIP officer. Today they showed the story of Officer Hartless on a tv show called Gangland. The wrong message was sent out to the public, when an officer loses his life and it goes unsolved. Thank you and thanks to your family for your sacrifice.

Ret. MP
May 11, 2012

Another year Jerry and we all still miss you. One of my favorite poems reminds me of you. It goes like this:
My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends–
It gives a lovely light!
*Edna St.Vincent Millay*

Your time here was limited but you were a bright light.

Ruth & Bob May
January 30, 2012

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Hartless. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
January 21, 2012

He was a great man that stood up for his country even though i'm only 12 yrs old,I think the thing he did on that horrible night was awesome. I don't know the world we live in where a cop just gets out of a car just to talk and gets shot.That is just speechless. All i did was watch GANGLAND and saw this and it touch my heart that a cop doing his job then die like i said that is speechless.

Abraham Barkayoko
citizen
January 7, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd 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. He was your fellow Marine also so I bid you semper fi.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater
January 31, 2011

Today I watched a show called "Gangland", featuring information about the the passing of Officer Hartless. The show seemed to literally glorify the perverse nature of individuals that took Officer Hartless from his family, his co-workers and the decent citizens of San Diego.

Though you left this earth over 20 yrs ago, the disease that took your life still exists, and it is truly disgusting that TV producers protray them as modern robin hoods with any legitimate reasons for even existing.The oath you took to fight against this may not be glorified by these deluded media types, but it will never be forgotten by those of us who know their evil deeds.

When I'm off duty I often frequent the SD area, and feel at peace there, while getting away from the turmoil that is Los Angeles. I am truly thankful for the risks taken by fellow Officers with SDPD, and I am forever appreciative that others gave so much to try and make somewhere as beautiful as San diego a safer place. God Bless and keep you close, Officer Hartless.....

M.K Gentry
L.A. Airport PD
October 2, 2010

Oh Jerry, you've been gone so long, yet our entire family still misses you and thinks of you especially at the end of January. We miss your smile and your wit but are comforted by the fact that even tho'you were with us briefly, you left an indelible mark. Sleep well.

Ruth & Bob May
January 30, 2010

I can't believe it has been 21 years Jerry. We were only 23 when you were taken away. I think about you still. I still remember the funeral... "Jerry was a thoroughbred, and you can not tell a thoroughbred not to race..."

Lt. Dale Cummins
Gresham PD
February 1, 2009

God bless you and keep you always. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police
January 31, 2008

These days, I spend so many of my weekends in San Diego, and in spite of so much political drama, the Men and Women of SDPD simply do their jobs, and keep on stepping.

No fellow Southern California law enforcement personnel killed in the line-of-duty, should be forgotten.

Patrolman Hartless, may Your Soul Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
January 31, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, Va
January 31, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU YOUNG SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
January 22, 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
September 20, 2007

I was in the 111th SDPD Police academy when you went to heaven. Many of us learned from you and your name came up often in training especially P.T.
Your last day on earth was also your first day in heaven...Congrats on getting your next assignment. Former officer J.Lane Moscow, idaho

Jack Lane
EPD, La Grande PD, Oregon
February 11, 2005

Officer Hartless,
On today, the 17th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you-not only for your service to to the citizens of San Diego but also to our Country and to our Corps as a Marine.
Semper Fi Devil Dog,
A fellow LEO and former Marine

January 31, 2005

Jerry,

I was in the SDPD academy and on a two week field training with my FTO out of Central Division. My FTO was also a SWAT officer and the morning of your death, I was met by him as he rushed out the building, informing me of what had happened and that he was needed to help find the man who was responsible. Your story was told many times althrough my time with SDPD and now as a Sergeant and FTO with the Kennewick Police Department, I still tell your story with hopes that every officer can learn from the past and make the future a safer place. God Bless you Jerry!

Sgt Mike Genack
Kennewick Police (WA)
October 4, 2003

Officer Hartless's sacrifice should remind all citizens why we should not take our law enforcment officers or those who serve in the millitary for grandet. They put their lives on the line for us everyday for little pay and recieve little respect. In the end though there are those who will not forget.

A Kansas Citizen

August 21, 2003

Jerry and I went to the academy together and were close friends as young patrol officers working Southeast division. 14 years have past and I still think of our good times together. Jerry was an ex-marine and very physically fit. He was on top of his game. His memory should serve as a reminder to all of us that no matter how prepared you are things can and will go wrong. Work smart, work safe and never assume...

Sergeant Dale Cummins
Gresham Police Department

I'm a former NYPD officer that just joined the SDPD 7 months ago. I'll be graduating my second police academy next week and walking some "new" beats. Jerry's story is often told at the academy and he is still thought of as one of San Diego's best and brightest. He is not forgotten.

Police Officer Christopher M. Poznanski
San Diego Police Dept.( retired NYPD)