Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Lieutenant Rufus Frank Looper, III

Greenville County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina

End of Watch Saturday, February 1, 1975

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Lieutenant Rufus Frank Looper, III

Rest in peace Lt. Looper.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 5, 2019

My name was Jan Thompson then. My mother was Betty. My grandmother, Willie Mae Wood, was best friends with Vera. I grew up with them both. Vera is the one who told my grandmother has passed away. I was 18. I grew up having a crush on Frank. A man's man and a woman's dream. He never realized it. Oh well...that's hormones. I'm not getting over the fact that they let that man go. Two murders. Vera was heartbroken. She buried 2 of the most precious members of her family. Rufus was always so gruff in a lovable way. Frank was an angel. Vera was an Earth Angel while my grandmother was so sick. I'd love to talk to you sometime. I'm in Florida now. 904-527-1740.

Jan Ream
Friend of the family.

January 12, 2016

I remember January 31, 1975 like it was yesterday. I was a sophomore at Clemson and was excited that it was Friday, a beautiful, sunny day with a weekend ahead. I drove home and walked into our house in Berea. I remember the house being strangely quiet. My mom and dad were not home, but I remember it being different for some reason. The silence was broken when the phone rang and a lady asked to speak to my parents. I told her they were not home and she ask me if I knew anything about what had happened at the Loopers. I told her that I did not and hung up the phone confused and wondering what she was talking about. Shortly after that, my parents came home with my Aunt Vera and told me the sad news. We were devastated. Frank was my first cousin. Frank and I had done things together even though he was a bit older than I. His favorite movie was Bullitt with Steve McQueen. He took me to see this movie. I think he saw himself as a Steve McQueen type police officer, someone that was a strong officer that could handle any situation. That Friday changed our lives. Frank and his dad had always taken care of my aunt and that day we became her only family. Frank was a great guy that loved his job. I have his badge as a reminder of his service. The shootings that go on today against our officers remind me of his senseless murder.

Ted Mann
Family, First Cousin

September 5, 2015

Frank I was the Honor Guard that stood at the head of Your casket God Bless You My Broyher and May You Rest In Piece In Gods Hands

Master Deputy Frank Farmer
Greenville County Sheriff Dept

August 10, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 1, 2011

You have not been forgotten. It always has amazed me that the sentence of Life in prison is not necessarily Life. The individual that took you life and that of your father, should have had his taken long ago as payment for his debt owed to so many lives that have been affected, dreams that ended and things that never came about. You and your father and both true heroes and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

February 1, 2010

Despite 33 years of collective cowardice and silence, your memory persists each and every day, gnawing at the consciences of your former colleagues. We shall not permit you to have suffered this fate in vain. The peace your unsettled spirit seeks shall be delivered in time. It is our will -- and our solemn promise to you and your family.

Anonymous

July 30, 2008

Lieutenant Looper:

Thank You for having served the Carolina Community. May You and Your Father, Rest - In - Peace.

If indeed after all these years, Wakefield who still claims his innocence, may be telling the truth, may Justice finally be served.......

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

January 31, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, THIS WRITER IS PLEASED THAT JUSTICE IS BEING SERVED ON YOUR BEHALF. GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FATHER AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU. YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

Pat Van Den Berghe

January 22, 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.

July 9, 2007

One day, the truth shall be told. I will hold true to the promise I made to you both. I will NOT let you down.

March 20, 2006

It is so cruel that your family should suffer double pain.May you both rest in peace.

January 31, 2006

You and your Dad deserved so much more than 30 years of silence. May God forgive them all.

July 7, 2005

In loving memory of a loving and caring soul.

Teri

November 24, 2004

The policeman stood and faced his God,which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?
The policeman squared his shoulders and said.
"No, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a Saint."
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk is rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep...
though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got to steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
though at times I shook with fear,
and sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't...I'll understand"
There was a silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman.
You've borne you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"

G. Houston
South Carolina

September 19, 2003

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

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.