Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Michael A. Osornio

La Habra Police Department, California

End of Watch Monday, October 31, 1994

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Officer Michael A. Osornio

Mike, it’s now been 29 years since that tragic night. Most of us that worked with you have since retired, but you will always be a part of our family. I will always cherish our friendship. I will always miss you my friend. RIP brother.

Sgt. Jeff Baylos (Retired)
La Habra PD

October 31, 2023

You were always destined for greatness my friend. Your life was cut short but your legacy lives on through all of us who knew and loved you.

Lisa Swartz
Friend

May 15, 2023

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. I remember being notified of the accident that night while attending Cavalry Chapel in Costa Mesa. I couldn't believe it; I had to go to the station to verify it. The family will always be proud of your service and we will never forget. We were cousins and brothers. Semper Fidelis

Joel T. Osornio. USMC
Cousin

March 11, 2023

Mike,
Today marks 27 years since we lost you. I just wanted you and your family to know that you are still thought of often and will always be remembered by those of us who had the honor of working with you. You were a great friend and partner and there will always be a gap in my life because you are gone. RIP my friend.

Sergeant Jeff Baylos (Retired)
La Habra PD

October 31, 2021

You will never be forgotten.

Blessed are the Peacemakers.

CERT Leader Lori Hentcy
La Habra Police Department

October 31, 2019

Mike, On the 25th anniversary of your passing, I just want you and your family to know you will never be forgotten. I had such great memories working with you. We had so many laughs together. You would have been 51 this year. It's hard to believe someone can only get 6 years in prison for taking away 50+ years of someone else's life. Rest in peace my brother. I miss you.

Sergeant Jeff Baylos (Retired)
La Habra Police Department

October 31, 2019

Officer Osornio,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of La Habra. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 31, 2019

My name is Tom Naccarato. I both witnessed the accident and did my best to attend to Officer Osornio literally seconds after the horrible crash that night. I’ve never liked Halloween since that fateful night.
It’s an incident that will never leave me. I want everyone at the La Habra Police Department know I did all I could, praying to him to stay alive; talking to him, hoping he could hear my voice.

I hope and pray he sits over everyone of you, protecting you!

Thomas Naccarato
Civilian

October 25, 2019

As I sit here next to Mike’s grave nearly 25 years later, I can still see his huge smile the same as it was that night and larger than life personality. He had so much life to live and it was taken way too soon. 273 ~ You will NEVER EVER be forgotten.

Rebekah Spraggins Biedermann
Former LHPD

May 2, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother. You are not forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

October 31, 2017

Continue to rest in the Kingdom of Heaven my brother. You are not forgotten.

N.Y.P.D. Lt. Ray Flores (Ret.)

October 31, 2016

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

October 31, 2015

Michael, as I work another Halloween it always brings me back to that terrible night that we lost you. The accident scene is still very vivid in my mind. You would have been 48 this year. We should have both been making our retirement plans. I think about you often and the years of friendship that were lost. The PD stays in touch with your family and its good to see them from time to time. Rest well my brother. You will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Jeff Baylos
La Habra Police Department

October 31, 2015

Thoughts & prayers this birthday week for you & your loved ones, Mike. You, and your sacrifice, will never be forgotten, buddy...

Keith Patterson
Academy Classmate

May 5, 2015

Mike,

Thinking of you and your loved ones as another Halloween passes by. I know you are missed by so many. Just want you to know that even those of us who knew you only briefly remember the wonderful impact you had on our lives. God bless you, your family & your loved ones. You are not forgotten!

Keith Patterson
Academy Classmate

November 3, 2014

Mike,

Thinking of you this birthday week...You are remembered by so many friends & loved ones. It's hard to believe that it has been almost 20 years since you left this often difficult world for a better place... I just wanted you to know that you remain in the hearts of the many lives you touched. My continued prayers for you, your family & loved ones...and a special prayer of peace for your Soul Mate - Lucy. To be loved by someone, so much, is an amazing gift...You are both blessed. Miss ya, buddy...& God bless.

Keith Patterson
Academy Classmate

May 5, 2014

My Love and Soul Mate,

Happy Birthday. I miss you more as each year goes by. But thank you for watching over me. I'm sure I'll see you again one day.

Until then, "I'll love you forever and always"....

M❤️L

Lucy (Leslie) Sheddan-Russo
Soul Mate

May 4, 2014

Mike,
I still remember getting the call of your tragic death. Although it has been almost 20 years, your memory lives on. You are not forgotten, and never will be.

Carol Mona Assistant Chief OCDA
Former La Habra Police Officer

April 18, 2014

My Love ~ Another year gone by....We miss you - All your friends miss you. I'll see you in my dreams...I love you, for always and forever....

Lucy (Leslie) Sheddan-Yarden
Soul-Mate

November 1, 2013

Mike,

Thinking of you on this day...wishing life's cards would've dealt a different hand for you and your loved ones. I know how difficult today must be for all of the many who love and miss you. Today I feel so fortunate to have my son turn 20 and every God-given B-day when we celebrate, I think of you and yours, and I remember the words..."There but by the grace of God". Halloween will forever remain a day of mixed emotions for all of us who had the honor of knowing you. Thoughts & prayers going out strong to you, your family, and loved ones today. Also, a special prayer to everyone on this forum who helps keeps your memory alive for your loved ones & friends. It's very inspiring to see how your spirit continues to live on in the hearts of so many...as evidenced here on this forum. Also, a special prayer today to Leslie Sheddan-Yardin and to Thomas Naccarato. Two obviously wonderful & caring people. Leslie & Thomas, your messages were very touching. And Thomas, your actions the night of the accident were courageous and I'm sure the memories of that night must be particularly difficult for you...Thank you for your heroism. Mike was a hero and I assure you he would've done the same for you or any one of us. God bless all and all our loved ones...Carpe diem and please be safe tonight.

We miss ya, Mike.

Keith Patterson
Academy classmate & friend

October 31, 2013

I knew Mike waaaaay back in the seventies in NC. He was the little brother that tagged along with Rafael. He was a good kid then, and it sounds like he grew up to be a good man. The world is a sorrier place without him.

No Rank - Carl McCartney
Friend

May 11, 2013

Mike, 18 years...the days just turn to weeks, then months then years and they seem to fly by faster & faster. My son turns 19 today, a working-college syudent, and yet I still remember vividly his birthday...a day of celebration, that will forever haunted by tragedy. A day that I promise I will never forget. Because "But by the grace of God", it could've been any one of us that night...and so many just wish it didn't have to be you. The posts here show that are forever loved and remain in the hearts of so many who had the privilege to know you. We went through a challenging academy and I'll never forget the day we graduated. Who knew we would make it through....but we did. I was proud of us and I'm even more proud of you today. The sacrifice you made to make all of our world a better place. God bless you & yours...You will never be forgotten! And to Thomas & all others who still struggle with Mike's tragic passing...God bless all of you...You remain in my thoughts & prayers, as well. Until next year...K~

Keith Patterson
Academy Classmate & friend

October 31, 2012

Michael, in 2 days it'll be 18 years since you said "Good-Bye". But it only seems like yesterday. I don't think a single day goes by that I don't think of you, feel you, and talk to you. But mostly feel you. Just there. Bathing me in your Light and Warmth and Love. Thank you. You've made these past 11 months of pure hell bearable for me. I'll love you "For Always and Forever" ~ L.

Lucy (nee Leslie) Sheddan-Russo
Soul-Mate

October 29, 2012

I am Michael"s cousin Veronica. It has been about 18 years since I last saw you. Since we last hung out. Just 2 weeks before you died we went to the Nine Inch Nails Concert and then to got tacos later that night. Time passes and we all live, move on and survive but it's missing you something aweful.
What more can I say!
Love you Cousin!!!!

Veronica Lane Rodgers
Michael's Cousin

July 11, 2012

My Michael, My Love ~ Tomorrow would be your 44th Birthday. I won't be able to write tomorrow. The tears each May 4th since Oct 31st, 1994 just get in the way.

You. You made my life SO what it is today and only AFTER you were gone did I realize you were one of my soul mates. To others, we were like Night and Day, but only you and I know differently.

I cherish so many memories we had. There is just so much that makes me happy to think about: The Clown you were, sitting next to Raul Delos Santos in front of me in 10th grade science in Mrs Fritz Mr Ritter's class. The "secret admirer" hearts drew on my Spanish papers at the beginning of 11th grade when you were Student Helper - and kept me wondering WHO was doing that :-)....until we kissed at that party a few weeks later. The roses from your house garden that you left in my locker every single day. The fact that you'd choose to be late to your next class across campus...just to spend an extra 5 minutes with me between classes. How PROUD I was of you playing football, and especially when you won Defensive Player. The fact that you hated being called "Michael" (except by me :-) cuz you hated the "chael" part, for some odd reason. The awesome tamales your mom made. Listening to New Order, Depeche Mode and The Cure in your bedroom. Putting up with you smelling like flour and garlic from coming straight from Barro's Pizza to my house...just so you could see me at 9 o'clock at night...And you hugging me and then ME smelling like it! Riding with you to Huntington or Newport Beach on a weekend night in Maggie's little car with the headlight you had to screw open, listening to "our song" - The Killing Moon by Echo and The Bunnymen. You just being there for me through my tears, especially in March 1986. Me coming out to visit after I moved after Mt. SAC, and you singing GNR's "Sweet Child O' Mine" and INXS' "Never Tear Us Apart". You chasing me across the country to Atlanta...4 times. I was stupid. I couldn't SEE how much you loved me. It's MY loss.

And then...me. Laying in bed on October 31st, 1994. It was almost 1am my time. I wasn't asleep yet. And suddenly you came into my thoughts. Only, my heart began to feel so heavy. And I felt panicked and upset. My mind began to say, "NO!!". Your image was in my mind so clearly, and I just - out of the blue - HAD to hear you, see you, speak to you. For some reason, I NEEDED to tell you I loved you. I was married by now, for not quite 3 years, but you NEVER left my heart. And here you were, seemingly surrounding me, and I was so SAD. Had I made a mistake? I wasn't fighting with my husband. What was going on? ..."What time was it in L.A.? Oh, a little late. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll find Lupe and Rafe's number and get Michael's number and call him. I NEED to. Just cuz."

But the next day my sister, still living in Walnut had read it, splashed across the San Gabriel Times. And she called me at work. "Are you sitting down?" And I couldn't - WOULDN'T - believe my ears. No. It's a bad joke. It's mis-information. It's wrong. It couldn't be. NO!!

By Thursday, I was there, surrounded by our Walnut friends. In shock. Pure. Shock. We got drunk. We had "one for Mike!" and another toast, and another... We shared memories and stories. The clown. The kindness. The big heart. The cut-up. The guy who pissed the teachers off on purpose - and made the class FUN and BEARABLE. ...

Oh, Babe. What I'd give...

Only 6 months or so later, when I was quietly sitting on the couch, just thinking (I had started falling into my 10-year depression), did I realize: You had said "Good-Bye". Silly. Stupid-sounding. I don't believe in that stuff. That's crap you only READ about, and then you just KNOW they're makin' it up. ...So then, how come the coincidence? The overwhelming sadness at about the SAME time you left us? And so, I like to think of you as my Angel. And you pop into my thoughts out of the blue. And you make me smile, babe. And for THAT? It's just one more reason that I will ALWAYS love you. Cuz remember? That was our Promise. "I'll always love you, No Matter What." XOXO ~ L.

Leslie Sheddan-Yarden
Soul-Mate

May 3, 2012

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.