Trooper Donald Bert Ziesmer Minnesota State Patrol Minnesota Monday, October 15, 1973  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

2009-10-15

"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
2007-11-28

Gone, but never forgotten, Rest easy now my Brother in Law, your watch on earth is over...

SGT. John L. Gulledge (Ret.)
Escambia County Sheriff's Office Pensacola FL.
2007-11-01

We remember you today and thank you for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2007-10-12

Don - I have thought of you often over the years since 1973. I got to the scene, but too late to see you. Did get to your funeral service along with the governor of Minnesota and a large contingent of law enforcement officers. I want to thank you for your kindness towards me while we worked together in the Grand Marais, MN area. I just learned of this web site and want you to know I have never forgotten you. You are always in my memories. With my fondest regards, your friend, Ron Moore.

Ronald E. Moore, Major
U.S. Border Patrol (retired)
2004-11-22

Trooper Ziesmer,

Today I learned of your murder from your friend, and mine, Ron Moore (U.S. Border Patrol, Ret.) He spoke very highly of you. Although I never met you personally, I consider you my brother. I honor you Don, I honor your name, your memory, and mostly, I honor you for the ultimate sacrifice you made protecting all of us. We all gave some, but you gave all. You are truly a hero . . . not necessarily for the way you died, but rather for the way you lived . . . for daring to walk the path of the warrior. Rest easy my brother, we'll take it from here . . . we'll cover your post on the thin blue line. With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
2004-11-19

God bless you, thank you for your sacrifice.

Anonymous