Officer Down Memorial Page

Patrolman Laffin

Sir, I recently had the opportunity to meet your son Timothy. He presented himself very well. Respectful well spoken young man. You are to be proud. Rest in peace my fellow brother.

Deputy
Orange County Sherif's Office
April 19, 2012

Capt. Merrithew said it best, "That was the way he was." Officer Laffin Sr., thankyou for your service. RIP Brother.

TFC Widener, Len
Connecticut State Police
April 10, 2012

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

Officer 11169
February 4, 2012

Officer Laffin

You passed away just two years before I was born. When I was at the CT Police Academy, one of my instructors assigned us to pick a name on the memorial and give a brief presentation on the officer of our choosing. I chose your name, not only because I am a North Haven native, but because I have come know your brother Pete over the last few years. Your brother has become a good friend of mine.

Please watch over all of us from your beat in Heaven and keep us safe throughout our careers.

Police Officer
Wallingford Police Department
June 28, 2009

No.H.P.D.

REST in PEACE Brother! Please watch over your guys in North Haven. I have some real good, life long friends there.

Deputy Lloyd MacKinnon & K9 Fons
Old 535 / Stanislus County S/O
December 19, 2007

"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 9, 2007

Although you died almost two years before I was born, I thank you for your service and sacrifice to my hometown. I am also honered to have met members of yor family and drive along the portion route 22 named in your honor on a daily basis.

May you rest in peace, and God bless your soul.

January 27, 2007

Soon to graduate high school in nearby Hamden CT in 1980, I was never fully aware of the sacrafices that policeman make. Now 25 years later as a San Francisco cop, I am painfully aware of our sacrafices and the Angels in Blue. Although it has been over 25 years, I want to thank a police officer from my home state. The pain that Patrolman Laffin's family never goes away and yet they still must endure the loss. Condolences to the friends and family of Patrolman Laffin and the entire North Haven Police Dept. Thank you Patrolman Laffin for your dedication to your fellow police officers and service to you country and community. Rest In Peace.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department
August 8, 2005

Tim, although I never had the pleasure of working with you, I have heard the many great things about you from Officer's that have. Your honor and legacy continues....Please keep a watchful eye over us from that big cruiser in the sky!

Officer Sean Connelly
North Haven Police Department
April 1, 2005

My fondest memory of Tim.....one evening I was parked alongside the road operating the radar. I noticed a figure approach my side of the cruiser on foot and it was Tim. He was holding a cup of coffee in a china cup and saucer. He had passed me on the way to his fiancee's home and was thoughtful enough to grab me a "cup" ..... That's the way he was.

Captain James Merrithew
North Haven Police Department