Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Milton Veasily Purnell, Jr.

Maryland State Police, Maryland

End of Watch Thursday, May 29, 1975

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Trooper Milton Veasily Purnell, Jr.

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

May 29, 2021

Thank you Milton Jr., for making all us so proud. You will never be forgotten and will always remain in our hearts and minds for your genuine caring and sacrifice!

Dr. Mark L. Bowen-retired DFC
Worcester County MD Sheriff's Office

May 29, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Purcell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2019

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

May 29, 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 37th 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 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.

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

May 29, 2012

Rest in peace.

Boomer

May 29, 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

February 18, 2008

You will always be remembered for your sacrifice.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

May 29, 2007

miss you Milt,thanks for all

Sgt.Ret.Vaughn Foreman
MSP

January 29, 2007

Tpr. Purnell, I learned about you today from one of your relatives, who is also now a Police Officer. Your family still holds you very dear to their hearts and souls. You are still very much a part of their lives. It is so sad that your time had to be cut so short. God Bless you Brother Purnell. You are in eternal peace!

DFC. Matt Crisafulli
Worcester County Sheriffs Office

March 10, 2005

~~~~~The Broken Chain~~~~~

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.~~In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.~~It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home.~~You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.~~Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the Chain will link again.

January 23, 2005

~~~The Final Goodbye~~~

It's been a while since you've been gone,
Guess I always hoped, deep inside,
that the facts weren’t true and someone lied, and instead of goodbye,
I would be saying hello to you.

Now my life carries on without you,
though I can't say that is so,
because each and every day
you fill my thoughts and dreams
and most things I do lately,
involve you it seems,
So how can it be that this is goodbye?
There are so many things we have to share,

So many plans to be made,
I turn to call you, I want to know you are home, but you're not there, you've already gone.
I’m not ready to say goodbye.

Some say that it's time to move on,
I know they are not wrong.
I move on, but I take you along.
I'm not ready yet,
to say goodbye.

It's been so hard to say goodbye,
and every time I try, I cry.
I just cant bring myself to believe,
that this is the final goodbye.

January 22, 2005

Although you were only a Trooper for a short time, your service made a difference. Thank you Trooper Purnell.

Officer
Montgomery County, Maryland

December 25, 2004

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.