Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Little.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 25, 2020

I happened upon this site and having been raised in Stockton, CA, thought I would look at officers from this area whom had met an untimely passing. To my surprise and dismay I found Officer Little's name. Because of his uncommon first name, I think we may have attended high school at the same time. I graduated from Lincoln high school in 1974 and if I recall correctly, he was two or three years ahead of me and possibly played on the football team. I moved away in 1978 and was unaware of the events happening there. I belatedly offer my most sincere condolences to Officer Little's family and friends and my gratitude that he and other officers willingly put themselves in harm's way to ensure the safety of the public.

Robert
Classmate(?), Lincoln high school, class of 74

April 14, 2020

Just found this page. Dite was my son. His mother is deceased, not long after Dite's death. I'll be 90 next year. He was a fine young man and is loss was horrific. He died doing what he wanted. He loved the job, his coworkers and the challenges. A number of the men who were with him that day have stayed in touch and it has been a blessing. His brother and I visited his grave in Stockton, CA, last year and it was very moving. His mother is buried just about 5 yards away. He was divorced and had no children. Dite and both of his parents were born in Montana and he loved that state. Dite was a true warrior, studied martial arts as a youth (judo) and had real gifts on the football field. His ancestors were in the Little Clan in Scotland, one of the fifty oldest clans. He was a third generation member of the American Legion. It helps to know that given a choice he would have wanted to be where he was, doing what he did, right up to the end. We will never forget him. With love. Warren "Dite" Little, retired FBI Agent (1956-1980), Missoula, MT 20July2019

Warren Little,Retired Special Agent, FBI
FBI (1956-80)

July 20, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother. We honor and remember you on the 28th anniversary of your E.O.W. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

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

October 20, 2017

I still remember all of the fun we had as kids. And later as adults, you were my hero that night...I will never forget you.

Carol

March 14, 2016

It has been 25 years since I last looked into your eyes.
You are always loved and never forgotten...
Thank you for your love and your sacrifice.
"Buddha"

Vicki

October 31, 2014

Dighton
U were my first LOVE & still remember U driving away in my parents LaSabre from ElPaso, getting out of the Army. I can't help but wonder, if we would have married if your life would have been different. Love You Always, Carolyn Martin

Carolyn in Texas (MP)
Girlfriend

May 7, 2014

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

Officer 11169

January 22, 2012

Hey Dighton, its David from your Military Police Days down in Ft. Bliss. Been a long time 1973 or so. I remember you as a top notch partner, top notch soldier and a top notch military cop. I have told my kids about you and told some great stories, after all of these years thought it would be good to write something here to let people know that you are not nor have ever been forgotten

David Torres
U.S. Army Military Police

January 5, 2012

Autumn Leaves

Falling leaves
Caressing my face,
The color of fire
Aglow all over the place.

Tumbling leaves
Swirling at my feet,
Caught in a gentle wind
Dancing to nature’s beat.

Fallen leaves
Lacy with the frost,
Feel the end of summer days
Knowing what they lost.
The end of another autumn show.

Always remember and never forget!

Anonymous

October 19, 2010

On the 20th anniversary of Deputy Little's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Deputy Little is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

October 20, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 20th 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.

Though your sacrifice was made years ago, your memory will always be honored and revered. I hope to meet your family at a NORCAL COPS function sometime.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 20, 2009

When I have no one to turn to
And I am feeling kind of low,
When there is no one to talk to
And nowhere I want to go,
I search deep within myself
It is the love inside my heart
That lets me know my Angels are there
Even though we are miles apart.

A smile then appears upon my face
And the sun begins to shine.
I hear a voice, so soft and sweet
Saying, 'Everything will be just fine'
It may seem that I am alone
But I am never by myself at all.
Whenever I need my Angels near
All I have to do is call.

An Angel's love is always true
On that you can depend.
They will always stand behind you
And will always be your friend.
Through darkest hours and brightest days
Our Angel's see us through
They smile when we are happy, and will cry when we are blue..

Thanks for being my Angel and my friend

Anonymous

February 11, 2009

Dighton,
I was nothing more than a lil kid when you were gunned down. Today I am grown and my life has brought me to SJSO. I sit in the briefing room and always remember to look at your memorial on the wall. You gave all! There is not a soul here who doesnt look up to everything you are! Rest in peace brother and remember to look down and guide us through our shift and careers. GODSPEED

Deputy
SJSO

October 29, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 17, 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

September 20, 2007

Hi Dighton-
Just remembering, 17 years ago today, where I was when I heard about your death. You are not forgotten. You wouldn't recoginze the dept now, so many new faces. Every day at briefing I look at your memorial in the room, and remember. Rest in peace my brother

deputy
sjso

October 20, 2006

To the family and friends of Deputy Dighton Lewis Little and his fellow officers in the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Deputy Little was so brutally murdered sixteen years ago.

Deputy Little's dedication and valor is not forgotten.

May his family continue to find comfort in the support and caring of their law enforcment family, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Deputy Little gave to his community and the citizens of California, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 20, 1989.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

October 20, 2005

DAY IS DONE,
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL, SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER OR SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHT,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL. SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY,
AS WE GO, THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

A Brother In Blue

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)

October 20, 2004

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

October 20, 2004

Dighton-I just knew you passing in the hall. You were a detective and swat "god" and I was a new guy working the jail. I remember watching you, how happy and at ease you seemed and I thought that's how I want to be someday.
Now, I sit in the briefing room with your name on it and look at the memorial case that has pictures of you in it.
It's been almost 15 years, but I still look up to you.
You are not forgotten my brother.

Deputy
San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

September 20, 2003