Officer Down Memorial Page

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
February 25, 2012

Thanks for your two years of services, John.

David
February 25, 2012

When you were tragically killed, I was a rookie at another Dallas area PD. I went to your funeral and when I went by your casket, I looked inside and saw a face similar to mine. We looked alike - same age and facial features - and a similar name. It was an eye opening moment for me that has stayed with me for my 30+ years in law enforcement. From that point I understood that a badge and gun did not make me invulnerable.

May you Rest in Peace John.

SA Jon May
USDOJ
February 15, 2011

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
April 15, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR SERVICE AND DEDICATION, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
February 19, 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
February 5, 2008

My Brother, thou I was young when you left this world, the way you were taken from our lives set my life's purpose in motion. The day your murderer was executed, I was sworn in and began my career. Twenty six years after you left, I am now a Sergeant in the city where you were laid to rest. I miss you my brother but I look forward to riding a beat with you in heaven.

Sgt R D Adams
October 12, 2007

BIG JOHN WAS A CLASS MATE OF MINE IN THE ACADEMY. JOHN WAS A GREAT COP AND ALL AROUND GOOD GUY. I WAS WORKING THAT NIGHT WHEN IT HAPPENED . I REMEMBER GOING TO THE HOSPITAL TO SEE HIM.I THINK ABOUT JOHN AND REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES. JOHN WILL BE MISSED , HIS SHOES WILL BE HARD TO FILL..

SPECIAL AGENT TONY STEWART
ATF / EX DPD 78-89
July 4, 2007

To my best freind Ill see you again someday

David Trice
freind
June 8, 2007

God bless you and your family.

March 7, 2007

I am so sorry for your loss. This sacrifice will not go without the reward of eternity. For I know you are patrolling the streets of heaven.

I am so glad to see that justice was carried out here. It is a relief of some sort to see these senseless actions handled properly.

Rest in Peace.

Always.

LEO NC
February 25, 2007

We are sorry for your loss. We pray that some comfort can come to your family in the knowledge that your murderer was executed.

Corporal Marvin Thomas
Campwood Police Department
June 9, 2006

There but for the grace of God go I. I cant say that I know him or that he is related to me but his EOW happened to be on the day that I was born as the fact that he is 24 and had two years on the same as me currently. For some reason this struck me and I felt that I should leave something here.
*May God rest your soul brother*

Ofc. S.D. Hall Jr.
MPDC
February 10, 2006

Brother McCarthy,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club
January 9, 2006

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

May God continue to rest your soul, hero.

January 5, 2005

Officer McCarthy,

I have read the account of what happened on that day in February 1981. It is so sad and so needless. However, thank you for all you did for our community. Rest in peace.

Anonymous