Trooper Joseph Thomas Lanzi Maryland State Police Maryland Saturday, October 28, 1995  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

To Trooper Joseph Thomas Lanzi and his loved ones:

On this the fourteenth anniversary of your tragic death, please knowr that your memory is honored and revered today. Rest in Peace. I am praying for solace for your family members today, and each day that they are on the survivors' path.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Trooper Lanzi gave to his community and the citizens of Maryland, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 28, 1995.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

2009-10-28

Trooper Lanzi your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
2008-05-30

"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
2008-02-18

Rest in peace as we will always remember you.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2007-10-28

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2007-10-26

I think of Joe often along with many other police officers and military personnel that have given their life to preserve freedom and order. I will never forget that terrible night when I received the news of my good friend leaving us.

Semper Fi,
Frank Esposito
Sergeant
Maryland State Police

Sergeant
Maryland State Police
2007-05-28

Not a day goes by that we don't remember that horrible day. Still in our thoughts. Rest in Pease Joe.

Sgt
Elkton Police (MD)
2007-04-06

Never forgotten my friend. Thanks for your service.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
2006-12-15

We remember...we will always remember

Maryland Citizen
2006-10-28

IT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS SINCE HE GAVE HIS LIFE.
I KNOW THAT IT MAY SEEM LIKE JUST YESTERDAY AND THEN AT TIMES IT PROBABLY FEELS LIKE A MILLION YEARS AGO, BUT THEY NEVER LEAVE YOUR MIND OR YOUR HEART.
WE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSE OF A LOVED ONE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.
HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
GOD BLESS.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN DEP. SHERIFF:
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

2005-10-28

Mrs. Lanzi & Family:

I caught the segment on CBS Evening News and my heart broke all over again when I heard your story. My daughter, Denise Zimmerman, lost her husband, NJ State Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman, III, last year in a similar accident. They were only married five months.

I am so sorry for your loss. Funny how you don't really pay attention to these kind of things until it happens close to you. You say to yourself, "What a shame" and then move on. I have since learned how difficult it is to move on. I hope and pray that as time has passed, your pain has lessened. I keep all survivors in my prayers to keep us strong and for God to give us comfort.

I am hopeful that with your interview on national news, changes will be made. We have lost too many law enforcement officers in car accidents that have left so many broken hearts behind.

My best wishes to you and your family.

Vicki Petrelli
MIL of Trp. Zimmerman EOW 2-05-04
2005-06-12

Your spirit lives on. God bless you.

2004-12-25

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

Rest in peace.

2004-10-28

Remembering you on the anniversary of your death. May God comfort
all those who are still grieving your passing. Life is difficult at times
and the Lord Jesus wants to help carry our burdens. He gives us many
beautiful promises in His Word to help us through our valleys. I pray you
will feel His presence and know His peace. God bless!

Lynn Kole
Washington State

2003-10-27

Trooper Lanzi may you rest in peace. I have had the fortunate opportunity of crossing paths with your wife, Lisa. You'd be real proud of her, as she's done so well in helping so many others in dealing with their loss through the COPS organization. I'm fortunate to have met her and thankful there are people like her in this world!

S. Cullinane Smith
Widow of Officer Mickey Cullinane
Sea Isle City Police (NJ), EOW 8/26/92
and Wife of a Montgomery County MD Police Officer

S. Cullinane Smith

2003-10-22

For those who pledge to uphold it, freedom requires a sacrafice the protected will never know.

Anon

PO 3 Lee Guzinski
Montgomery County, MD