Officer Down Memorial Page

You are not forgotten Ricky. I look at your picture every time I walk through the lobby of the station.

Trooper
New York State Police
May 20, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 18th 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.

I pray for solace for all that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your friends for sharing their memories and devotion to yuo through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
May 20, 2012

I first met Ricky when he was a bouncer working at the Copper Fox bar in Oeonta, NY, and I was a rookie cop, just starting my career in law enforcement (circa 1983). He was a gentle giant of a man, with an easy-going demeanor, and well liked by many. Ricky subsequently fulfilled his dream of becoming a police officer and came to work along with us at the Oneonta Police Dept. We both eventually moved on to further our careers with the NY State Police. I was also honored to have attended the wedding to his lovely bride, Deb, and to have known his immediate family. Since his passing, I participated in the running of a few of the "Pit Run" 5K races, which is a memorial running race in his honor. Although I do not fancy myself as a runner anymore, it was always enjoyable to go back to Oneonta and fondly remember Rick as a person who dedicated his life to his community, family, and friends. It was a pleasure to have known the man, but we still miss you dearly...

Retired Investigator/Sergeant
New York State Police
December 19, 2011

Ricky was the first recruit Trooper I trained. It was a blessing because he was a friend and a fellow police officer...he had served with the Oneonta Police Dept. before becoming a Trooper. He really didn't need training, just familiarization with the State Police model of policing. He was a great person. I was somewhat jealous that when we stopped at my home for lunch, that my boys ran to Ricky...He was a natural for children... My family holds Ricky as a model of what a policeman should be and we feel honored to have known him...Rest in Peace bud...I will always remember you...and my boys will too.

Investigator Richard J. Loopez
NYSP
August 1, 2011

Ricky:
Your ultimate sacrifice is remembered by all. The history of the NYSP and the NYPD reveals that both agencies have lost more members in the line of duty than all law enforcement agencies in the World. A special bond exists within this unique brotherhood. The memory of your heroic actions in from of your wife will live on as time goes on. God bless you, Trooper!

Joseph H. McAndrew
NYPD-RET
June 13, 2011

I can still remember watching your funereal outside St. Mary's School, I was in the third grade! Now I am a State Trooper, and think of you often. You are not forgotten! "It's an Oneonta Thing!"

Virginia State Trooper
Virginia State Police
June 1, 2011

Ricky, Hard to believe it will be 17 yrs tomorrow.

Trooper
Troop "C" NYSP
May 19, 2011

On the evening of May 21, 1994, we had a testimonial dinner in Saratoga Springs, New York for Tom Constantine. Tom had just left the New York State Police and had been sworn in as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration a few weeks earlier.

The night before, New York State Police Investigator Ricky J. Parisian had been killed outside a supermarket in Oneonta, New York. Ricky was involved in undercover narcotics work in and around New York City. He was home with his wife for the weekend. They had gone out shopping. A robber came into the store while they were there. The robber was armed with a shotgun. Ricky tried to arrest the robber and was killed. Before he died, Ricky pulled off the robber's mask. Witnesses saw the man's face and later identified him when he was arrested.

Mr. Constantine said sadly that we would probably find the story of this tragedy somewhere in the B section of the next day's newspaper. In fact, it was on page 34. But even if it had been on the front page, it wouldn't have communicated the grief and shock that went through our community.


"OFF-DUTY TROOPER SHOT AND KILLED"

On the death of Inv. Ricky J. Parisian, NYSP
20 May 1994
Oneonta, New York

You could fill an encyclopedia
With important things ignored by the media.
But news is news and heaven knows
They'll boil it down to newsman's prose.

Reporters scramble to get the scoop;
A quote from someone in the loop.
They stick to facts; no room for stories,
Legends, myths or allegories.

The people have to have their news,
Their recipes, their sports and book reviews.
The headlines strive to catch the eye
Inducing John Q. Public to buy.

"Postal Worker Runs Amok".
"Train Collides with Speeding Truck".
"Bureaucrat Throws Monkey Wrench".
"High Heaven Reeks of Scandal's Stench".

And so on and so forth and ad infinitum.
But once in a while the eye scans an item
Reporting a story aimed straight for the heart.
A story untrammeled with hype or with art.

A story so simple, so clear and so terse
That it moves us as though it were written in verse.
It appears at the bottom of page thirty-four.
It says what it says. One could hardly say more.

We're not offended; be it however brief,
It speaks oceans of anger, admiration, gratitude and grief.
It won't sell more papers or make their stock rise,
Attract them new sponsors, win the Pulitzer Prize.

It crosses the line 'tween the Truth and mere news;
Between lyric poetry and the editors' views.
For a moment the media work as they should
To bind us together for everyone's good.

By reporting the facts and the dates spark the feeling
We share in our grief and in sharing start healing.
Such a one came this morning when I opened the Times.
'midst the scandals, disasters, the wars and the crimes,

Among, yet apart from, the ephemeral facts
Was shining a simple and selfless act.
And see how little space it filled:
"Off-Duty Trooper Shot and Killed."

Terry O'Neill
The Constantine Institute
December 9, 2010

We thank you for Ricky's service to our community. It is our prayer that in time your hearts can heal. Be well.

Bill & Deb Mason
parents of an Officer
November 25, 2010

Your actions that day place you miles above us all. May you rest in Peace. You will never be forgotten.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
May 20, 2010

I said a little prayer today for Investigator Parisian and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes
May 19, 2009

Gone but never forgotten.

Hero Always!

Sincerely,

Officer #5351
USCBP Blaine
September 21, 2008

Investigator Parisian your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
May 29, 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 20, 2007

Ricky, Just thinking of you today. You were the first guy that I rode with when I got to SP Oneonta. You were my partner the night I got my first DWI. When we ran a criminal history on the guy he had a long history of Resisting and Assaults on Police. For some reason I still have the paperwork for this arrest. To this day I believe the only reason he didn't fight was because you were there with me. Thank you. Rest in Peace, Brother.

Trooper
NYSP - Troop C
May 20, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
October 22, 2006

You are a shining example of what law enforcement officers do on a daily basis. You are now in God's Kingdom forever. He will look after your loved ones for you.

Wisconsin L.E.O.
August 21, 2006

Investigator Ricky J. Parisian, I have read the story of your heroic actions while off duty several times. While upstate and at this site. You are truly one of New York States finest. You will always be remembered. Thank You

Detective Thomas Tully
Southampton Town Police, Long Island, New York
June 29, 2006

I hope you are still resting in peace and pray that you are still watching over us.

Cpl. Egendoerfer
Mishawaka PD
May 20, 2006

When I was nine and you weren't yet on the job, you loomed larger than life to me. You never stopped, you only grew larger. Whenever I go home and see a blue and gold, I am reminded of you.

It's a shame, it's a crime and I'm still saddened to this day. I probably always will be.

SA Andrew Shedlock
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
July 9, 2005

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

Terry Parisian
Brother
March 18, 2005

The Parisian family is just the very best! After losing Rick (truly a Hero), they continue to comfort and support other families of the NYSP, who have suffered the same kind of loss. God Bless you Rick, and Rest in Peace. You will never be forgotten, and are always in our prayers.
Gary

Gary LaTour
I.P. Co
November 18, 2004

You are a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. We are proud of you and thankful for all of your service. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers in NYSP.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police
June 10, 2004

Brother, may God bless you and continue to watch over your family. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI New York
January 24, 2004

A NYS Trooper once went diligently looking for my brother when he was homeless. It's kind of neat how exemplary human character permeates into others. For you were that trooper's FTO. God bless you Ricky Parisian.

September 11, 2003