Trooper Alvin V. Kohler Florida Highway Patrol Florida Tuesday, September 19, 1978  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Today marks thirty years since your tragic death. I knew the 15-year-old shooter slightly at his junior high school. I was shocked to hear of this crime from a newspaper reporter who called me at school. The shooter has been in prison now for thirty years. I have learned how to look up prisoners on the website. He looks awful, since he was sentenced to life. How sad that he shot not only you, but a helpful tow truck driver. May you rest in peace.

Eileen Harris
Retired educator
2008-09-19

Almost 30 years ago, my wife and young baby daughter picked me up from work and we were driving home along the Turnpike Extension when I came over the hill and saw along the edge of the road ahead...your Trooper vehicle, a tow truck and a car.

As we got closer, we saw out of the corner of our eyes someone (who was probably you) on the ground between the cars moving.

My wife at the time, said "Stop ...someone is hurt"... (usually I do what she says) ... but this time some how I said, "No that is the Tow Truck Driver, reaching under the car to hook it up" by now we were past the scene and could see another car ahead, pulled over with two guys looking back at the scene. We continued home.

The next day I was shocked to learn from the news reports that you had been killed along with the Tow Truck Driver and that the individuals responsible for your death were found in the Keys driving the Tow Truck.

For almost 30 years I have thought of this evening. And thanked God that he protected my family and myself by "not allowing" me to stop, as I know the killer was still there as the tow truck was still there.

Tonight I went online and did a search and found your site.

To your family and love ones, I am sorry for your lost.

Thank you Alvin for your service. I am sorry I did not stop to help you, but I am sure that I and my family would have been killed as well.

Steven Griffin
Passer By
2008-07-10

Trooper Kohler I thank you along with so many other law enforcement officer for giving the ultimate sacrafice. It is a true tribute to your genuinely good qualities to be rembered this way by your fellow officer from Colier County. My son, who is 20, and is color blind also wants nothing more to be a Flordia Highway Patrol Trooper. I only can hope that he to will be able to become one of our State's finest law enforcement officers. God bless you Trooperr Kohler.

Captain Tomas Halvorsen (Ret.)
Lee County Sheriff, Fl
2008-06-25

To my "best friend" Al.

Al and I were in the US Air Force together and we were stationed at both Keesler AFB (1973-1974) and then Thule AFB, Greenland (1975-1976). As I ended my 4 year stint, Al stayed in the Air Force to finish his 6 year enlistment; I left in 1976 to join the Sebring Florida PD. In 1977 I came to the Collier County SO in Naples Florida, where I am now situated to retire after 31 years.

Al and I kept tabs for all those years as he finished the service. He wanted to be an FHP Trooper for as long as I knew him. He had one problem... he was color blind and he needed an FHP waiver. He finally got that waiver, I think his mom knew someone that helped to push it through. When Al moved to the Kendall area of Miami I went to see him quite often. I was there one Saturday to Sunday and stayed at his little apartment. His job, as a FHP rookie (just a month shy of his first year) was to patrol the Florida Turnpike. As we said goodbye, we had planned on getting together in 4 days on that Thursday. Al was taken from us on Tuesday, September 19, 1978. I'll never forget that day. I actually was washing my car and heard about the shooting and his name as it came over my FM radio.

That day a indellable mark was made on all his friends, and all who knew him felt the loss. Those that really knew Al, know how true that is. One never knows when you'll loose a close friend. I lost one of my best.

Al's mom, Martha, gave me his handcuffs (inscribed with his initials "AVK"). For 30 years I have carried those handcuffs and every person I have arrested has had the pleasure of meeting a little piece of ALVIN V. KOHLER ! I had great subliminal satisfaction knowing my arrests were his arrests. As thirty years draws close I plan on taking Sept 19th, 2008 and spending the day thinking of Al and his family. A road in Miami is named after him, there is a plaque at the base of a flagpole at a Florida Turnpike Rest Area and the FHP Building in Tallahassee all bear his name. Those honors and that of his name on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC (Panel 39, east wall, line 14) are all but just a few of the things that keep our life-long thoughts and memories of Trooper Alvin Vincent Kohler. God Bless you my friend, your mom, dad, brothers, sisters and family. We love and miss you dearly!

Tom Smith
CCSO ID #212
"A blood-brother in spirit and heart"

Lt. Thomas B. Smith
Collier County Sheriff's Office, Naples FL
2008-03-04

You were honored on the website today. After almost
30 years, your memory lingers. Thanks for your service
to your state and country. It's men like you that make
America great!
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

2008-01-06

"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
2007-12-12

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
2007-10-02

Al was a good friend and roommate for a year or more when we were stationed a Keesler AFB. I went off to be a deputy sheriff for a few years and then left. My youngest son has now followed in my footsteps and is going through the police academy. As I think of him, I thought of Al as my prayers have always been with him.

Jim St. Cyr
Roommate US Airforce Keesler AFB 1974
2007-09-19

Trooper Al Kohler

I clearly remember the September morning that the 56th Recruit Class learned of your death. The stunned silence and the immediate thoughts of loss, vulnerability and yes pride. While most of never met you, we knew what you were... a brother trooper who had died in the line of duty, serving a cause, the citizens of our state and giving us direction in knowing what we were to face as we stepped forward to fill a void left by a fallen trooper. Rest in Peace Trooper Al Kohler.....you have never been forgotten.

Lt. Tommy Moore
Fellow Trooper
2006-09-20

OUR DEPARTMENT MAY FORGET US, BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR HONOR TO OUR PATROL,
SEMPER FI
TROOPER JE BLANCO RETIRED 76TH RECRUIT CLASS
DISABLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY UNDER HOSTILE ACTIONS ON MAY 2ND 1992.

TROOPER JE BLANCO RETIRED 76 RECRUIT
FHP
2005-12-22

YOU WERE OUR CLASS PRESIDENT, AND BROUGHT HONOR TO THE 54 RECRUIT CLASS. YOUR MEMORY WILL CONTINUE TO HONOR THE TROOPERS OF THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL. REST IN PEACE AS WE HONOR YOU.

TROOPER ELLIOTT ROSEN
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
2005-12-03

Gone but Never forgotten brother. Rest easy, we have the watch.

Police Officer
Orlando Police Department
2005-05-15

REST IN PEACE YOUNG BROTHER.

Trooper
FLorida Highway Patrol
2004-07-21

We will never forget your sacrifice.

TROOPER
FHP
2004-06-02

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU, BUT I THINK OF YOU AND OTHER FALLEN TROOPERS OFTEN.

TPR. S.W. COODY
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
2003-10-21