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 Soto. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
January 16, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 15th 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.

Three 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 saw members of your family there from a distance as they were wearing your in-remembrance shirts.

I am sure you are proud of how much they continue to help other survivors.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
March 30, 2009

I had the pleasure of meeting officer soto in the early 90's.
He was a good officer and is greatly missed in the community.
the recent deaths of the 4 oakland police officers brought back the memory of soto.
rip

Anonymous
March 23, 2009

"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

OFFICER SOTO, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
September 10, 2007

Thank you Ofc. Soto for your dedication, service, and ultimate sacrafice to others. Please watch over your fellow brothers in blue. God Bless the Soto family.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department - Bayview District
September 8, 2006

I read my brothers' reflections and they are both correct. It only seems like yesterday that our father was still here. If we do forget the sacrifice of fallen officers and firefighters, then we have truly forgotten them. My father is a hero, who taught me many things about life and seeing things through to the end. So let us always remember our heros.

Michelle (Soto) Vancil
Daugher
April 27, 2006

I remember Miquel very well, I was from an outside agency, City of San Leandro Police Department, and attended the 122nd academy in 1988. Miquel was our instructor that taught us technician duties, consisting of dusting for prints etc. My academy mate from San Leandro Tim Degrano and I remember the course of instruction well, and promised one another that we would never ever become technicians, as this was a hard complicated dirty part of Police work that we both agreed we wanted nothing to do with. The man teaching the class, Ofc. Miguel Soto made it very fun and a lot easier to del with, as he had a quick smile and was just a very nice easy going guy that you could tell was a real leader and someone that people looked up to. Ofc. Soto also had a great deal of self discipline, and was always easy to talk with. I appreciate and thank you for being part of my training program, God Bless,

Francis Moynihan Police Officer
San Leandro Police
February 21, 2006

Today is Wednesday June 22 2005 and it only seems like yesterday when my father was with us. Thank you Dad for all the courage and and drive you have given me through my life eleven years later and your legacy still lives on. I love you.

Christopher M. Soto
June 22, 2005

Any man or woman who wears the badge is a hero from the moment they take the oath of office. Rest in peace Officer Soto.

Sergeant James Alfieri
New York State Office of Court Administration
September 28, 2004

Hero!

March 8, 2004

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

Special Agent
FBI New York
March 5, 2004

I would like to say that my father was my hero and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him I love you dad, My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of all the fallen officers and fire fighters in the trade center bombing let us not forget them for they gave the ultimate sacrifice

Miguel T. Soto Jr.