Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Walter Fredrick Irey

Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, July 6, 1976

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Walter Fredrick Irey

Thank you for your service, both military and police, and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 6, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Irey.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 4, 2019

So many years ago but I remember it like yesterday.
I worked with Walter Irey at the Police Department in Belle Glade from 1969 until 1972 .
He was a good man, dedicated
to his career. He was my friend as well.

Patrolman
Belle Glade

February 7, 2019

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

To my favorite Uncle Bub,
I just attended memorial roll call for one of my officers "IMPD Perry Renn". I always remember you today and tomorrow. We all continuously miss and love you. ALWAYS.
Love,
Jeanie

Admin Asst
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept

July 5, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 15, 2015

BUBBIE,
LAST NIGHT I LOST AN OFFICER AND ANOTHER ONE IN TIPTON INDIANA ALSO. I BELIEVE YOU MET THEM AT THE GATE AND WELCOMED THEM IN. MISS YOU. LOVE JEANIE

jEANIE HEDLUND
NEICE AND WITH IMPD

July 6, 2014

Bubby, mom misses you and so do all of us. One day we will be together in Heaven with our God and Savior. Till then we carry you in our hearts.

Jeanie L. Hedlund - niece
Indianapolis Metro PD

July 3, 2013

Walter was a good friend and a fine officer. I enjoyed working with him.

Lt. George W. Farnall, Ret.
Belle Glade Police lDept

May 27, 2013

HEROES live forever, and you sir are a hero. Continue to rest in peace Deputy Irey.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

July 6, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Irey. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 9, 2012

I was privileged to work with Walter for a number of years in Belle Glade,Fl. There is no one I trusted more for a back up than Walt. I miss his sence of humor and bright smile. He was a very good Officer.

R.I.P.

Lt. Raymond E. Hager
Fellow Officer- Belle Glade Police Dept and Fla Game and Fish Commissi

August 11, 2011

I submitted an update to the information and a better picture of daddy on this 35th anniversary of that Bi-Centennial weekend. On the one year anniversary, the Lake City Newspaper wanted to do a follow-up story. Mom asked me to write a poem. I was 18 and in basic training at Lackland AFB. This is that poem.

My Daddy

My daddy was the greatest,
man who ever lived.
He showed me love and kindness,
and taught me how to give.

He would give to anyone,
everything he had.
If someone said they needed it,
they'd get it from my dad.

He taught me to find good in people,
I thought were only mean.
And how to make people happy,
things aren't as bad as they seem.

But someone shot my daddy,
someone ugly, mean and cruel.
I guess his daddy never taught him,
about the golden rule.

Daddy taught me to love nature,
my country and my God.
But now his body's dead,
and his soul is up with God.

Michelle Berg Colon
daughter

July 2, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 6, 2010

I had not seen my uncle in 4 years. I took a trip down to buy my grandmother's car and visit with my uncle, my aunt and cousins. We left Florida on July 3 to get home (Indianapolis) on July 4. I brought my cousin (his daughter) back for a visit. On July 6, my mother woke me to tell me that he had been murdered. After the shock, the family loaded up the cars and drove back down. The funeral in Florida was memoriable. I was very proud of him and those who caught the responsible people for the hit. We love you and miss you.

Jeanie L. Hedlund
Indianapolis Metro P.D.-niece

May 1, 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

October 2, 2007

Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, rest in peace.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

April 27, 2004

You will never be forgotten by myself and Helen. You were truly a friend and a great police officer.

Charles W. Lowell, Retired Captain
Palm Beach Co. Sheriff's Dept.

January 20, 2004

Rest easy, brother. We will continue for you.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

Thank you for the service that you performed and the ultimate sacrifice you made for the citizens of Columbia County. I now proudly serve with the same agency you did and wanted to make sure that others knew of you. I am sorry that it took both the recent loss of another deputy and twenty six years from your incident to get the message out about the incident that took you from us. We will never forget and will always appreciate your sacrifice.

Robert Johnson, Deputy Sheriff
Columbia County Sheriff's Office

R.I.P DEPUTY IREY YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AT CCSO. GOD BLESS YOU, IT WAS YEARS AGO BUT WE HAVE NOW ALL BEEN TOLD THE STORY, YOU RISKED YOUR LIFE EVERYDAY TO PROTECT OUR HOME AND OUR COUNTY.

Anonymous

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