Deputy Sheriff Kenneth B. Royal Sacramento County Sheriff's Department California Friday, June 7, 1968  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Your heroism and service is honored today, the forty-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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Melody, I hope one day to meet you and other members of your family at a NorCal Cops meeting.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

2009-06-07

Melody,

The Horrible news of the 4 slain police officers in Oakland brought me back to 1968 when you and I were in the 3rd grade. You were my best pal who always encouraged me to get up in front of the class and tap dance with you. You and I spent many of our recesses in the bathroom, where you would teach me all of your "moves". I remember going to your house and playing "Mystery Date" (Ugh!)with you. You were such a happy, outgoing, kind little girl.
I have never forgotten the day (it was after your Dad died) you brought cupcakes to class for your birthday. Your Mom stood in the back of the class with a very concerned expression on her face. You walked to the front of the class, and as soon as you placed the cupcakes on the teacher's desk, you burst into tears and ran out.
I moved away shortly after that, and we lost touch. But I'm so glad I found this website so I could tell you that watching you that day left a life-long impression with me. It was the first time I had ever experienced the effects of a tragic death. To this day, whenever I hear of an Officer's death, I think of you and the devistating pain you experienced. You were the little girl who was always positive, and encouraged me when my self esteem wasn't that great. When I saw you run out of the classroom that day, I understood completely that you were experiencing every kid's worst fear. And that your life would never be the same.
Every time an officer dies at the hand of another, it brings my memory back to you. I can't help but get teary-eyed when I think of the children and families that are left behind. God bless the officers who risk their lives every day for the rest of us.

I hope you are doing well and your life is filled with the happiness you deserve.

Your 3rd grade friend and dance partner,

Deborah (Puccio) Dafoe

Anonymous

2009-03-29

See you on the other side.

Sgt Don "Boots" Jensen Retired
Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee, WI
2007-09-22

Deputy Royal- You will never be forgotten-
We send love to your family-


The Family of Deputy Dave Grant/EOW/5/31/04
Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Dept.
Sonora, Ca.

2007-06-07

I posted this many years ago on another site: "BEHIND THE BADGE OF A DEPUTY SHERIFF".

Melody, you are absolutely correct. This is not a good photograph of your loving father. He was always happy and smiling. Most of the deputy sheriff's of that era have similar photo's; I know mine is horrible.

Patrick O'Neal, Sacramento Sheriff's Dept. Det. (Ret.)

Kenneth B. Royal (Deputy Sheriff)
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
By Patrick O'Neal, CA USA
During the early morning hours, shortly after midnight, on June 7, 1968, I spotted a vehicle traveling out of a residential neighborhood into a well lighted commercial area that was the likely escape route of two armed robbery suspects. The traffic at that time was usually very light and and the timing seemed about right from the broadcast of "a 211 (armed robbery) just occurred at the Hub Bar on 47th Avenue, two Mexican male suspects, additional information to follow." I broadcast that I had two possible suspects and Deputy Royal was "my partner car" (we were one-man cars in those days) responded to assist me in the felony stop. The driver did not immediately yield to the red light and siren and pulled on to a darkened side street and stopped abruptly and immediately jumped from the vehicle and fled into the darkness. The passenger remained in the car for a short time. Officer Royal approached the suspect's vehicle while I shined a spotlight and shotgun on the lone remaining suspect. Suddenly shots rang out from the suspects vehicle and officer Royal went down, mortally wounded. He never gave up and while lying on the ground, returned fire at the suspect. The suspect backed out of the car and I shot him immediately with the shotgun. He went down then arose and fired in my direction. I fired a second round and he fell again; I felt sure he was dead by then. (Thirteen hits with 00 buckshot on the crook, a single .38 shot killed Officer Royal) I went to officer Royal to discover him mortally wounded. He died at the scene. Son, Husband, Father, Partner and friend gone... for $38.00 and a six pack of beer from the a bar robbery. Shot suspect, Francisco Salas, recovered and convicted of 1st degree murder and sentenced to death. Sentence later commuted when death penalty abolished in California. Later escaped from San Quentin, kidnapped people and again shot several times by shotgun by another county sheriff's department and survived. Died in 1989 in San Quentin. Second suspect convicted of lesser offenses and served time in state prison. Deputy Royal has two sons and a grandson on the Sacramento Sheriff's Department. One son is currently the Sheriff of Nevada County California Sheriff's Department. Ken, you are missed but NEVER forgotten. Detective Patrick O'Neal (retired).

Patrick O'Neal
Detective (Ret.)/Partner
2007-01-12

What I want you to know about my Dad is he did not look like this picture. He was always smiling. He took me for a banana split every month, just the two of us and never complained when I couldn't finish the whole thing. His sons and grandson followed in his footsteps. I know he watches over them. My dad died when I was eigth years old on the last day of school, when I was in third grade. My little brother was only two years old.I know God always has a plan, but I must admit, this one I don't understand. Daddy, you are forever in my heart forever. I miss you everyday. Love, "Sam"

Melody Royal

2005-09-14

Rest in peace, brother. The sword continues to be passed from generation to generation and it is carried with honor and pride. Though we would rather receive the sword because of a retirement, it would not have the same meaning as being received from warriors such as yourself who selflessly dance where others fear to walk.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

A Squad
Woodbridge PD CT
2005-02-13

MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU
MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK
MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE
MAY THE RAIN FALL SOFT UPON YOUR FIELDS
AND UNTILL WE MEET AGAIN
MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND

GOD BLESS YOU

RET SGT AJC
MCSD, NJ
2004-08-26