Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Undersheriff Kenneth Ellsworth Miller

Beaver County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma

End of Watch Saturday, December 10, 1977

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Reflections for Undersheriff Kenneth Ellsworth Miller

You may be gone but never forgotten!

Bonnie
Friend

December 10, 2022

Undersheriff Miller rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 28, 2022

This was my granddad, whom I’m named after (Kendra) I never got to meet him because he was so selfishly taken away. I was born right after he died and I wish I could’ve been a part of his life. I’ve heard a lot of amazing stories about him

Kendra Ratzlaff
Granddaughter

May 30, 2022

I was a sophomore at Beaver High School when this occurred. My father worked for the Beacer Police Department and eventually became their Chief of Police. After the shooting, my father accompanied Alan Clark transporting both victims to the Medical Examiner's Office in OKC. Before they left, they stopped by our house to fill up their thermos with coffee. I went out and saw them lying in the back of the ambulance. Kenny's death made an impact on me choosing law enforcement as a career. Many years ago, a fellow officer went to the memorial wall and got a rubbing of Kenny's name for me. That rubbing has been displayed in my office ever since. In 2014, I went with my department's Honor Guard (Edmond Police Department, Okla.) to Washington D.C. For the Law Enforcement Memorial ceremonies, and I also went to the wall and proudly got a rubbing of Kenny's name. I have told Kenny's story to many officers over the years and how his death impacted more people than he will ever know. May his family have peace and comfort and may God watch over you all, as well as all my fellow brothers and sisters in uniform.

Lieutenant Scott Fees
Edmond Police Department, Edmond, Oklahoma

May 9, 2015

It's been 37 years since that tragic night. I can remember Pastor Parr and Uncle Delmar coming to our house to tell us what had happened like it was yesterday. What a generous and loving man Uncle Kenny was. I use to see him everyday after school as he sat at the corner by the school, making sure all the kids were safe as the were walking home. REST IN PEACE, I LOVE YOU.

Frank Velasquez

December 10, 2014

Undersheriff Miller, I never met you, but I worked the roadblock on US 412, December 10, 1977. It was cold that night, and windy as the Panhandle gets in December, so cold that my fingers froze to the shotgun when we stopped traffic with the Texas County Sheriff. I remember thinking then, and remember today, that you left your home and your family that awful night to go out into the cold and the darkness because someone - perhaps even someone you didn't know and never met, may have needed your help.
Thank you, sir, for being there to answer that call, for doing your duty though it cost you your life. You bring honor to the rest of us and inspire by your sacrifice.

Special Agent (Retired)
IRS Criminal Investigation Division

December 1, 2014

I never met him before but by the stories Grandma Diane tells me about how cool he was. I bet he was cool as the stories my grandma tells about him. This is all I have to say about him.
R.I.P.
Kenny

Elijah
Grandnephew

August 20, 2014

When I was a little boy uncle Kenny used to stop by Fairport on his way through to see his brother (granddad Irvin) and mother (Great grandma Grace).
On a few occasions he was transporting a prisoner from one location to another and would actually bring the prisoner in the house and unlock his handcuffs so he could eat with us.
He trusted that they would not so anything stupid. And he was armed of course, to protect us in case..........
Uncle Kenny was a great, great, great man. He was nearly identical to my granddad Irvin, in both looks and personality.
I was 8 years old when Kenny was murdered. I'm 45 now.
Those great times, the greatest memories of my life, are still as vivid as it happened yesterday.
I will see Uncle Kenny, Uncle Earny, Uncle Robert, Granddad Irvin, Gramma Grace, and many others one day again. That I do know, because they have come to me in my dreams throughout my life. Karen as well. She has come to me three or four times.
As for james lewis and david richardson, if you havnt got your punishment yet, you will. I could very easily put a bullet in your head, and feel very good about it and fully accept the consequences of my actions, but I have faith true justice will be served.
You know, in life, im a firm believer that what you do and how you treat others is recorded in a manner that can never be erased. Some things are unrepentable and unforgivable. But God is the ultimate authority.
Continue to rest in peace and happiness Uncle Kenny. You deserve it. You earned it. And thank you for your service.

Justin
Nephew

April 1, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 10, 2011

"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

January 9, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

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

December 6, 2007

Thought about you today, 30 years have passed and I still think of my old friends. Hope you and Tony are saving me a seat

L. Carter
former LPD

May 5, 2007

Undersheriff Miller,
On today, the 28th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Beaver County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

December 10, 2005

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