Police Officer Thomas M. Bray Philadelphia Police Department Pennsylvania Tuesday, November 13, 2001  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

A SON'S APOLOGY....November 13,2009
Forever i will live through you,no longer will i hide.
That November 13th day you left,took some of me inside.
The lesson that you tried to teach,sometimes got pushed aside.
I wish i knew right then and there,I'm sure i would abide.
I should have listened to you then,if only I had tried.
I miss you so much,i need you here,I'll take it all in stride.
Now I have a little girl,whose life I'm sure to guide.
One more thing in love and honor,through your life I grew pride.

TOM BRAY JR.
SON
2009-11-13

Your heroism and service is honored today, the eighth 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
2009-11-13

On the 7th anniversary of Officer Bray's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Bray is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
2008-11-13

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this seventh anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
2008-11-13

hes was a good cop i had the chance to work wit him b4 he was really into helpin the community and the people that lived in not so good neighborhood. its a shame we die all the time on the streets tryna help people and were still considered the enemy

police officer: kuch

2008-11-08

P/o Thomas Bray was a good cop and sacriface his life for the citizens in the city of philadelphia.He will be miss dearly but never forgotten

sgt. Marc Bowen
Philadelphia Police Explorers
2008-03-31

"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
2008-01-24

Officer Bray, thank you for your service. You will not, and have not been forgotten. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

2007-12-10

I will never forget all the BB-Q's at Uncle Wayne's where you always found time for us...whether it was throwing us in the pool, telling us good "cop-stories" whatever it may have been. You are truly missed by all the Carr and Harris family. I love you and miss you. R.I.P.

P/O MICHAEL CARR#1368
PPD
2007-12-06

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh
2007-11-28

Rest in peace always and know that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2007-11-13

Dear Dad,today marks six long years without you.Six years of weddings,holidays,graduations,and fathers days not being able to see you,hear your voice,seek advice or just get a hug.It feels like just yesterday that horriable phone call came ,and our whole life changed.No matter what anyone ever says,you always said you would never disgrace your badge for your kids.and that you took an oath in 1978 when you became a cop to tell the truth and that you always did.It is with that and all your accomidations, meetings with two presidents and twenty three years of true service to the citizens that we hold our heads up high,that we are p/o THOMAS BRAY"S CHILDREN and through your eyes we will see truth and we will not ever stop to seek the many unaswered questions. We love you Dad.and miss you,so do your grandchildren.love,Jennifer, Cristie, Tommy jr.,and poppop's angels:Jason, Stefan, Justin, Felicity, Darrah, Devin, Laylah, Cassidy, and Brian.

Jennifer, Cristie, and Thomas Bray
Children
2007-11-13

Dear Dad,
Not a day goes by that I don't feel the pain of not having you in my life.My kids no longer have their Pop-pop. The way you died seems so unfair.It is also unfair how some people can just pick up and go on with their life so easily, while I will be here missing you always.You can get a new friend or hire a new officer, but you can't replace your Dad.There is so much pain and anger I can't get rid of. I lost a piece of me the day you died. I lost my Dad, my rock, my best friend. Save me my walk down the isle in heaven.
Love always,
Jennifer

Jennifer Bray
Daughter
2007-11-01

I knew Toms daughter Jenny very well...she loved her father with all of her heart and soul...I think of her and Tom all of the time. Miss them both.

Margie Marchei

2007-09-18

I just had to leave a reflection for this man. To leave this world on such a freak accident, after 23 years of service to the Philadelphia citizens.. it really hits home. My deepest sympathy goes to the family and friends of this fallen hero. Know that for some reason it was his time to go and visit the big man so, watch over the rest of us Officer Bray and we pray for you and your family.

Sgt. Michael Montgomery
Nether Providence Twp. Police Department
2007-09-13

Tom, We all miss you very much and I hope you are at peace. Your family is still doing great and you are the reason for it. You raised great kids. Rest in Peace. I MISS YOU.

P/O CARR
PHILA P.D.
2007-04-14

WE MISS YOU DAD AND WE LOVE YOU ALWAYS
THANKYOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.
NEVER TAKE YOUR LOVED ONES FOR GRANTED CAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE THEIR LAST DAY.

Bray Children
HIS CHILDREN
2007-02-19

Hey Tommy,
Even after all these years, I still think about you and your family.

Though us, you still live on!

Sincerely,
Paul
Blaine, WA.

Officer Paul Werth (USCG Retired)
US Customs and Border Protection
2006-03-23

Officer Bray, I never knew you in life, but I know your daughters and their children well. They miss you very much. New babies, marriages...so many events you have missed. Please watch over them and your son. God Bless.

Elizabeth Boyle
Phila.Chapter Concerns of Police Survivors
2005-08-19

P/O Bray, rest in peace

Explorer Timcho
Philadelphia Police Explorers Post 991
2004-12-31

I had the pleasure of working with Tom in the police depts.
marine unit for approx. 5 yrs. During this time Tom was always the consummate professional police officer in his appearence, attitude and performance. Tom went further than out of his way to please and satisfy the members of his unit, department and community. Tom was always the first to start any assignment and the last to consider assignments complete to perfection. I have never met anyone who has displayed a greater work ethic. He will be sadly missed and his efforts will always be appreciated. I would like to again offer my condolences to his family and friends.

Officer Maurice Lanier
Philadelphia Police Department

I only met Tom a few times, but I remember how enthusiastic you were about being in the Marine Unit and being a diver. It was a true pleasure to meet and get to know you as well as all the guys at the Marine Unit. You still had a true love for the job after 23 years, and all that you have done for Philadelphia during those years will not be forgotten. God Bless you.

Police Officer John Hoyt
Philadelphia Police Department

Off. Bray may the Lord Bless and Keep you.
To the family,friends and the Philadelphia Police Department may the Lord provide comfort to you during this time of so many unanswered questions. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
The Lord is my Sheppard.....

Sgt Rex Prince
Tennessee Highway Patrol

To the family of Officer Bray. I to am a diver and spend alot of time underwater in the Tennessee River in the Chattanooga area. I still get very excited on each and every dive that I make as I'm sure that Officer Bray did. On my next dive however....as soon as I touch bottom , I will pray for Officer Bray ,the Officers that worked with him , and especially all of you.

Patrol Officer Chuck Wells
Chattanooga Police Dept.

SEMPER FIDELIS BROTHER. YOUR TOUR IS OVER. MAY YOU NOW WALK IN THE SHADOW OF THE LORD AND KEEP A WATCH ON US WHY WE SERVE THIS GREAT COUNTRY.

Sgt. Lakin
Harvard Univ. PD