Officer Down Memorial Page

Officer Motchan, has been missed by his family for many years. During his time on earth he was a great father and husband. His daughter has many happy memories of him. Debbie Sullivan

Debbie Sullivan
Friend of the family.
September 25, 2011

Dear Ms. Loya!

So sorry for your loss! Thank you for stopping in and commenting on my Grandfather's page. The loss of a child is the most horrible, and my prayers are with you always! I never had the opportunity to meet my grandfather, but I do feel a strong connection with him. My grandmother, George Motchan's wife has also lost her son as well, in a car accident a few years back. She has been dealt a rough hand of cards in life! I come in here to check on reflections every now and then and let her know how many people support her! I wish you peace in your heart knowing that your son is in good hands. what a shame his loss and that of all uniformed men and women is. Know that we are all a family. Be well.

kelly
grandaughter
June 26, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
September 15, 2010

Hi,

Just checking in. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers!

kelly
Grandaughter
October 2, 2009

I said a little prayer today for Correction Officer Motchan and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes
September 14, 2009

Today is Sept. 15, 2008, 33 years later.
I thanks everyone for remembering, and for all the beautiful words. The hurt and loss doesn't go away as you all know, but Thank you all for remembering him in such a special way. He was a great guy, well loved by everyone, and is truly missed. He's my dad.

Kathy Dory
C.O. George Motchan's daughter
September 15, 2008

Dear Officer Larone Koonce,

Thank you so very much for that beautiful letter and tribute to my grandfather. That is so beatiful and it is stories like these that keep his name and spirit alive.

I am glad you are safely retired.

Thank you again. I will share this with my family!

Kelly

Kelly
Grandaughter
June 23, 2008

(A letter of thanks to the Motchan Family)

Dear Motchan Family,

I am a retired New York City Correction officer. I worked eleven years in the Kings County Hospital Prison Ward, the facility where Officer George Motchan lost his life. Although I came to KCH in 1989, many years after his death, I feel that George Motchan has played an important role in my career and my life.

In KCHPW their was a plaque at the front entrance dedicated to the memory and sacrifice of George Motchan. Each day we all would have to pass that plaque when we entered and exited the facility. KCHPW was a small command and the only place that the plaque could be mounted was directly in front, near the entrance, which was also next to the facility's arsenal.

Each day when we surendered our firearms to the arsenal or were issued a firearm from the arsenal, we had to line up in front of George Motchan's Plaque. On many of days, while I stood on line, I placed my hand on his plaque and touched the bronzed shield that was at its center and said a silent prayer for George Motchan and for myself and my fellow officers. I saw many of my fellow officers do the same.

We often would talk softly among ourselves about the sacrifce that George Motchan made as we waited to be issued or firearms.

The accounts of that tragic day, when Officer Motchan gave his life in the line of duty, were passed down from one generation of KCH Officers to the next. His legacy lives in the collective memory of every KCH officer. He was an intergral part of the culture of KCHPW. We revered and honored him and kept his memory alive each and everyday.

He was a constant reminder of how we also may be called upon to give our lives, at anytime, in line the line of duty. He made me a proud to be a correction officer. We all were extremely security conscience and vigilent because of George Motchan's sarifice. I truly believe that his sacrifice has saved many lives at KCHPW and throughout the Department of Corrections because we all were more vigilent and alert because of George Motchan's sacrifice. Although I did not know him personally I can honestly say I felt his presence each time I entered KCHPW.

KCHPW closed down permenantly in 2005, I was assigned to Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward (BHPW) at the time.

Me and several of my fellow officers, who had also worked at KCHPW, were extremely concerned about the future of George Motchan's Plaque. I was the union delegate at BHPW at the time and the officers and I made it known to the Commanding Officer that we wanted George Motchan's Plaque to be rededicated at BHPW and mounted on the wall next to the arsenal, just like it had been at KCHPW.

Although there was a Building on Rikers Island (GMDC) dedicated to George Motchan, we at the Prison Ward, were determined to keep his memory alive in the Prison Wards as well. We did not what his plaque to be archived in some closet and lost forever.

We inquired daily about his plaque and had come to an agreement with the Commanding Officer of BHPW concerning the future location of the plaque but, we were later told that the decision was not ours or the Commanding Officer's. The Department heads would decide what would happen to his plaque.

As we waited on pins and needles for their decision, hopeing that his plque would not be archived, we were surprised and pleased to hear that the Department had decided to give the plaque to the Motchan family. We were extremely happy to hear this and although we wanted the plaque to be with us, at BHPW, we all knew and agreed that the very best place for the George Motchan plaques was with his family.

He, in the form of that plaque, had done his job and given his service and had given us inspiration to go on for many many years. It was only right that the plaque be retired and given to the family where it truly belongs.

Officer Motchan in my eyes was a role model and a constant inspiration. May he rest in peace. Thank you to the family for giving us such a fine Officer, he will always live in my heart and in the hearts and minds of every KCHPW Officer. He will never ever be forgotten.

Thank you,
Larone Koonce,
Correction Officer, #1611, Retired

Correction Officer Larone Koonce , Ret.
New York City Dept. Of Correction
May 22, 2008

I love that there are new posts in here all the time! It truly amazes me, Thank you.

Kelly
granddaughter
May 20, 2008

Rest in peace brother.

"My Brother"

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.

He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.

Sgt. J. O'Toole
Louisville Metro Police, KY
April 24, 2008

I salute C.O. Motchan and send love and support
to his family. May he rest in peace and remembered
for serving NYPD and his country.

Andrew

Andrew
Friend of Grandaughter
March 26, 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
December 19, 2007

Thank you to Retired CO Cornelia Katepodis,
NYCDOC. Your thoughts are appreciated. I assure you that our family respects and honors the NYCDOC on a daily basis. It is a scary job and we keep you all in our thoughts and prayers very often.

kelly
October 19, 2006

I wish what happened to George had never happened to him. I worked for 20 years in the prison that was named in his memory on Rikers Island. Whenever I was sent out and it was often I heard the story of George's ambush. I wish with all my heart that it had never happened. Nobody doesn't ever realize what a dangerous job correction really is. George rest in peace.

Retired CO Cornelia Katepodis
NYCDOC
September 10, 2006

Just checking in. Thank you again, sincerely for you thoughts and prayers. I enjoy the happy reaction from my grandmother when I share such messages with her. Thank you.

kelly
January 30, 2006

May you rest in peace Officer Motchan,
Your sacrifice and heroism will never be forgotten.We will pray for you, your grandaughter, and the rest of your family,friends and Dept members...

Sgt (Ret)
NJDOC SOG K9 UNIT
December 16, 2005

Thank you for your sacrifice. My we who continue to serve never forget.

Investigator Joe Willis
Anderson Co. (TX) D.A. Office
November 15, 2005

Just coming in to check if there are any new posts....And to my suprise there were. All the way from Alaska and Michigan. Love truly can travel across the world. What a Truly united nation. Thank You. Kelly

Kelly
Grandaugther
April 10, 2005

God holds a special place for those who give their lives in the service of others. Officer Motchan, may your family take some comfort in knowing that you are in His loving arms. Watch over us now, Brother.

Sgt. Bill Richardson
Anchorage, Alaska PD
February 28, 2005

To Granddaughter Kelly, we hope your pole project worked out well. What a nice thing for you to do in your Grandfather's memory. Very sad to read what happened to him. Yes, the ODMP website is a beautiful tribute to those that have died in the line of duty!

Michigan Resident
August 26, 2004

I was looking for something special online to decorate a street sign pole named in my grandfather's honor, George Motchan. I came across this memorial page and was highly impressed and honored. Unfortunately, I was not born when the tragedy happened, however, now at 27 years old can see the love and bond present in the correction Dept. My family is so appreciative for all you have done for us. My grandfather will never be forgotten with the help of all of you. Thank you.

Kelly Dory
C.O. George Motchan's grandaughter
May 23, 2004

To the Motchan Family:
Please rest asured that officers on duty that sad day responded to the call for help and blood at Kings County Hospital with the spirit of brotherhood in their hearts.
C.O. Godfrey S. Bailey (Ret.)

Correction Officer Godfrey S. Bailey
New York City Department of Correction
April 11, 2004