Police Officer Rocco W. Laurie New York City Police Department New York Thursday, January 27, 1972  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. I was an officer myself for over a decade, and remember well the horrific deeds of the Black Liberation Army. It hurts, especially, to know that our vets survived the tragedies of war only to be murdered in the USA. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer. May it somehow help to know he is not forgotten, and that those responsible are relentlessly persued for justice in his honor.

Anonymous

2009-09-09

Rocco was my platoon Sgt. in 1st Bn 9th Marines. I and the rest of the Marines in my platoon looked up to him, he was a true leader and we would have followed him anywhere. Forty years later and I still think of him often.

L/CPL Tim Holte
US Marines
2009-06-19

Rocco,It has been a long time since Vietnam. It's going to almost 40 years since that night of 08/10/69. A night when 3rd Plt, Echo Co,2nd,3rd Marines made USMC history. I have never forgotten you and all those other Marines.
Last time I saw you and Greg, you were on your back to the USA. I still have those pictures of us when we were in Vietnam during 1969. It has been along time and many years. I wished that I could had contacted your wife after your death, but it has been very painful all this years. If she reads this I hope she will contact me at gonzales.antonio@att.net. Semper Fi, Marine.

Cpl Antonio G Gonzales
USMC Friends
2009-03-12

Dear Rocco ,
We paid honor to you and Greg last Wednesday in memorial awards to 5 MOF who helped a USMC PFC WW II veteran in life and in death. The awards were in your name and Greg and another Marine WW II also a MOF who recently passed away. Vic Grillo the President of the 10-13 I belong too led the ceremony in makings sure the awards were in your name. He commented that you were his company Sgt and what a great guy. We miss you buddy and often think of you.

Gary G

Ret PO Gary Gorman
NYPD 23, TPF, ESU
2009-02-22

You and Gregory rest in peace....you two are a shining example to all those who serve the public!!

Anonymous

2009-02-18

Officer Laurie; how so many of us have wished that you could see after more than thirty six years, how not only your widow is so very devoted to your memory but continues to be the most sincere, warm, caring, loving and giving person that many of us have ever met. You would be as inestimably proud of her as she remains to this day, of you.

T,N. De Haven, Weapons Trng Off (Ret)
NYSDOCS
2009-01-29

May you rest in Peace. You will never be forgotten. You and our brothers in Blue died because of hatred. Dedicated officers never forgot and have brought all the perpetrators to Justice. May God watch over you and keep watch over your family.

RETIRED DETECTIVE FRANK DEMARCO
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
2009-01-27

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

Robyn Wilkes

2009-01-19

Dear Ms. Laurie, I just want you to know that I will never forget the sacrifice that your husband has made. Everyday I visit this site and always cry when I read the reflections left by family members and friends. Words can't express the bond that fellow officers feel for one another. Even though most of us will never meet we will always shed a tear when one of us answers the call. I am also a graduate of Port Richmond and always heard the name Rocco Laurie growing up. His name will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD
2008-05-01

.........This case still haunts me many years later....I lived in NYC in the 70's....

Noel Hynd
A citizen
2008-03-21

I read a book about this tragedy a long long time ago and it haunted me ever since. As a former Marine during the Vietnam Era, it is even more meaningful. These two patrolmen inspired a lot of people, many of whom were not even born when this happened. I am tempted to speak about the perpetrators but am mindful of the "terms of use" provisions, so will stop here. My heart goes out to all family and friends of Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster.

former st/fed pros. Davis C Bruce

2008-03-07

Here we are again, on this very day you gave your life serving the people of New York many years ago, to honor and remember you as we always will.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2008-01-27

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR POLICE AND MILITARY SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2008-01-23

"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
2007-12-20

Sleep soldier! still in honored rest
Your truth and valor wearing;
The bravest are the tenderest; ---
The loving are the daring.

From A Song of the Camp, by Bayard Taylor (1825-1878)

Anonymous

2007-09-10

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ
2007-06-11

To Adelaide Laurie. It was so nice to see your reflection to your husband. As I had mentioned in a previous reflection, your husband and Officer Foster were such an inspiration to me. Not just for being two great law enforcement officers, but to see how two men could come from two different backgrounds and become such good friends. I cannot help but to think back to the first time I watched the movie based on their story and cried. I cried for them, I cried for you and Officer Foster's wife, I cried for your families, and I cried for the entire law enforcement community. Please know that your husband and Officer Foster will never be forgotten and they will always be known as true heroes.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2007-03-20

I was profoundly moved after reading the reflections of other officers about my husband, Rocco. Rocco was not only a hero, but he was a kind, gentle, considerate person and he was loved by so many people. Even now, after so many years have passed, not a day goes by that I don't think of him. His death is something that I will never get over. We were indeed high school sweethearts and we married soon after he returned from his tour of duty in VietNam. To all the other law enforcement officers, I say "God bless you", with sincere heartfelt thanks for sacrifices you make.

Adelaide Laurie
Staten Island, NY

adelaide laurie
widow
2007-02-23

May you rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

2006-12-05

I remember watching the movie about Officer Laurie and Officer Foster many years ago. I could not help but to shed tears for the loss of two great men, two great officers, and two great friends which they had become. Your legacy lives on and the inspiration you have had and continue to have on other officers like myself is quite incredible. Thank you for you your service.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2006-09-14

Hello Rocco - For those that don't know, Rocco attended Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, NY. That is where he met and married his high school sweet heart. Rocco, held the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) record for years with the 12 Pound shot-put, 52 feet if my memory serves me correctly. Years later, I was assigned to the 9th Pct. Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Black Liberation Army took Rocco & Greg Fosters life at a very young age. Everyday, I stood roll call in front of the desk, I would look at the memorial, and reflect. Rocco, sorry that you answered the ultimate call, by a hate group that singled out black & white cops working together. May you rest in peace.

Richard A. Lapp
NYPD Retired
2006-02-09

God Bless You Rocco. I read the book and I know the story. My Father was a marine like you and I am a cop like you...we will always carry on and prevail. I will never forget you, or the sacrafice you made....Ciao Brother...

BZ
City of Yonkers PD, NY
2005-08-13

I remember Laurie, although vaguely, as I was a resident in the precinct. Laurie and his partner were stand up guys, and a terrible loss to both the department and the community. I hope you are really in a better place Rocco.

Im A. Nonymous
NYPD-Aux
2005-05-30

Officer Laurie,

Although I never knew you, the courage that you and Officer Foster demonstrated has always inspired me. Thank you for that... Rest in peace my brother in blue...

Captain Joseph J. Buyak, III
Hartford, CT Police Department
2005-05-01

DAY IS DONE,
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL, SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER OR SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHT,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL. SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY,
AS WE GO, THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

A Brother In Blue

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)
2004-10-20