Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Phillip J. Pence of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 47 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

June 10, 2023

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Pence.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 17, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Phillip J. Pence of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 47 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

June 10, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Phillip J. Pence of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 40 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

June 10, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice Deputy Sheriff Phillip J. Pence of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 38 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

June 10, 2018

Hey Phil:
I check on you at the OPOTA Memorial about every other month, and you and your Mom/Evelyn's graves periodically. Visited your name on the LE Wall in Washington DC. People still ask about you ! I fill them in on the funny stuff..which was most of the time !

I've made it through my main career; just PD training now; lesson's learned from our shared experience have been and are a part of that.

Ofc. Gary Roush
Miami Twp PD (ret) Goshen Twp PD; (formerly Hamilton Co Sheriff)

June 2, 2018

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 15, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th anniversary year 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 17, 2012

I worked with Phil . I worked at CCI from 1982-1987, I remember that day he came to worked. I was working the turkey and he cam ein an put his weapon in the gun locker an he Said "A man got to know his limitation" I will never forget that

Robert Mark Haynes
ex Deputy Sheriff

August 18, 2012

Phil,

Myself, Gary and Joe will never forget the sacrifice you made. It could have been any one of us. You were a good friend and co-worker. The three of us were with you on this tragic day. You were very brave and I'm glad you didn't die at the jail.

Zuern was a coward and it is a shame it took twenty years for him to receive his just reward. I will never forget you Phil.

your buddy Steve

Steven L. Pryor
Senior Special Agent (SSA)
Department of Homeland Security
Homeland Security Investigations
Office of Investigations

I was a Deputy Sheriff/Correctional Officer with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department from May of 1983 until May of 1987 - I worked at the Cincinnati Correction Institute (CCI); formerly known as the Workhouse.

Then - Deputy Sheriff, Steven L. Pryor
Now - Senior Special Agent - DHS/ICE/HSI

September 5, 2010

Phil: Was contacted a couple months ago by a then young teen that you helped long ago. (Sandra R.) She says you helped her see the errors of her ways. She is a productive member of Society now because of you. She remembered you, and wanted to visit you on the 25th year of your passing....as did I. Don't worry about Mom Evelyn's stone...I took care of it, and will continue to do so. I spoke with the Ohio Attorney General personally and requested he repair your name on the wall at OPOTA. I checked...it's OK now. I'll check in on you from time to time.

Ofc. Gary Roush
Miami Twp. PD // Formerly HCSO

October 19, 2009

I was an academy classmate of Phillip's. I was behind him when he went down. I was honored to drive a cruiser in his service procession. He was my friend and the anger still remains.

Anonymous

July 18, 2009

Deputy Pence, what a tragic loss for your loved ones. I too wear a deputy sheriff badge identical to yours and the next time I pin it on, I will say a praayer for your family and friends.

Heather
Ross County Ohio Deputy Sheriff

June 10, 2009

Sleep well, hero. Rest in peace.

William Woodburn
Private Citizen

February 19, 2008

"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

January 3, 2008

Deputy Pence was my partner on the 2nd shift at the old Workhouse located at 3208 Colerain Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was supposed to be with Phil the night that he was killed by William G. Zuern. However I took that weekend off. Phil was a fine officer and a good friend. The only satisfaction that came out of tragedy was I was able to attend Zuern's execution at the state Pen. up in Lucasville Ohio on Tuesday June 08, 2005 at 10:04 hrs. RIP Phil, we will always rember you!!!

Deputy C.B. Beal III
Hamilton County SO

September 25, 2007

RIP

March 14, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

November 28, 2006

May you rest in peace.

June 10, 2006

Deputy Sheriff Pence,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Hamilton County. It took another 20 years, but your murderer got the justice that he deserved.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

June 14, 2005

Rest in peace, Sir.I see that today is the 20th anniversary of your death.Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Shirley Roberts-Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

Shirley Roberts

June 10, 2004

Hey Phil...watching out for you buddy...your killers day is approaching. 2 Appeals left. It's been over 6000 days !!! You have no family left but me/us...I'll be there for you !!! Gary

Ofc. Gary Roush
Miami Twp. PD/formerly: HCSO

Our shirt the same, you are never forgotten. Rest easy, brother as we will carry on for you.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)