Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I went for a walk at Lake Wilderness and was glad to see a small memorial to him today. I remember that sad day and all the fallout. Nice to know he’s remembered.

Dispatcher Brian Howland
Retired SPD

February 15, 2023

Thank you for your service Sir.

Megan Yeager
Citizen

June 23, 2022

He isn’t part of a history that is forgotten, keep reminding we civilian mortals that your lives matter. My life isn’t on the line as a chaplain. But every day you go out to work, you write a blank cheque for someone to collect on it, at their whim. Thanks guys.

Chaplain Martin Redman
Chaplain win KCPd and Sheriff for 9 yrs. with Dale Amundsen. Great guy

March 28, 2021

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)

March 27, 2021

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

March 27, 2020

I was on the honor guard for the county at his funeral service. Very hard to play TAPS for a fellow officer and comrade.

Jim Starr RO
King County Sherriff

March 27, 2019

I worked S.E. Radio When this happened it is not something that quickly goes away from your mind, it slowly fades but never leaves. You were a good man Mike I will always remember YOU ..

Jim A Paczkowski
Former King County Police Dispatcher

March 27, 2019

Mike worked off-duty security at the bank where I worked. We had been held up several times over the years, and it was nice to know we had Mike to protect us. It was hard to believe our protector had fallen, we were heartbroken. Thanks for your service Mike - it was greatly appreciated.

Jim Whitman
bank teller

December 3, 2016

I remember the day Mike Rayburn was killed. I was working with a Law Enforcement agency near Seattle and when I received the news I got so mad I punched a wall and ended up breaking my hand. So many years have passed since that day, but the memory of it never will. Rest easy Mike.

Captain Mike McAllister
Washington State Firefighter

March 27, 2016

Jimmy, I'm sure your Dad is very proud of your accomplishment. He loves you unconditionally as does our Lord that brought all of us through the rough parts on our road of life. Your Dad was a true and wnderful friend. I still miss him and all of the great memories we all shared while he walked with us. If I ever need to cheer up and laugh, I think of your Dad and know that he's watching over us.
Take care of yourself. I'm proud of you as well!

Ken Knott

Officer Ken Knott
Medina P.D. Friend

September 22, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th 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 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your son and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections. To his son James, I am glad that you achieved some balance and pece in your life and I am sure that your father is proud of you prevailing in your struggle. Unless you have been through this journey, it is hard for everyone to understand how your life can unravel in many ways.

Rest In Peace.

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

March 27, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th 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 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your son and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections. To his son James, I am glad that you achieved some balance and pece in your life and I am sure that your father is proud of you prevailing in your struggle. Unless you have been through this journey, it is hard for everyone to understand how your life can unravel in many ways.

Rest In Peace.

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

March 27, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th 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 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your son and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections. To his son James, I am glad that you achieved some balance and pece in your life and I am sure that your father is proud of you prevailing in your struggle. Unless you have been through this journey, it is hard for everyone to understand how your life can unravel in many ways.

Rest In Peace.

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

March 27, 2012

Dad,
i know that for many years I have been an embarassment to your name.It took me 40 years,but through the grace of God and with hard work i have finally got the upper hand on my addiction.i have been clean and sober now for 1218 days.i hope as you look down on me from heaven that you have a smile.I love you Dad and I miss you more and more with each and every day.there was never and will never be a better Father than you!

james raburn
son

June 25, 2011

It was the worst day in our lives. Mike was a true and honest friend, a shoulder to cry on, a man you could admire for all he had done in his life. To my children he was their "uncle Podger", to my husband, he was his best friend both in service to the uniform and to each other. To me, he was my "go to" guy when I needed to understand better. And then he was gone. The grief was nearly unbearable. We cried alone. We cried together. We wondered why. We wondered why we were not there to protect him. We will hold Mike and his memory in our hearts forever and always with love and honor. Still.

Kathi Johnston
Friend

March 20, 2011

Detective Raburn, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

March 27, 2010

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. 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 detective; and may it somehow help to know that, no matter how much time passes by, he is respectfully remembered and his sacrifice is deeply appreciated. It has been a great loss for all of us...even now; and he will always be in our thoughts.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicaor
Salisbury NC PD

October 13, 2009

"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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 28, 2008

I never knew my Grandpa but my dad has always told me that he was a good man.
It wasn't until yesterday that my aunt had found newspaper articles in my grandma Rita's belongings about the tragic innocident. I've been told what happened to my grandfather but yesterday was the first time that I had actually got read about it in detail.
My grandpa seemed like a very couragious man and I wish more then anything that I would have gotten the chance to know him. But, since I unfortunatly didn't get that chance I thought that I'd pay respects through this reflection.
Even though we never had the opportunity to meet/know each other Grandpa I love you and thank you for the time a dedication you put into protecting and helping those in need.
You will be sadly missed but NEVER FORGOTTEN!

Love-
Morgan

Morgan Brigham (Raburn)
Family

April 6, 2008

The reflections left here by those who knew you are
appreciated by those who didn't. Your legacy lives
on and today we honor you once again. Thank you
for your service and sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

March 27, 2008

Detective Raburn,

On this anniversary of your tragic death in the performance of your duties, we salute you. We are also grateful that your murderer is off the streets, thanks to your fellow officers.

You are not forgotten; rest in peace, sir.

Family of Patrolman Clifton Miller
Rossford, Ohio, P.D., EOW 14 May, 1966

March 27, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 26, 2008

I knew Mike Raburn well, he worked for me as a Motor Officer in the Traffic unit for a number of years before becoming a Detective in the Civil Section.

Another Officer and I from the King County SWAT team were on site and supplied some 37 MM Ferrets to aid the Seattle SWAT teams on there entry, (In fact we fired the the ferrets.) I think they counted 21 rounds in the suspect after he attacked the SPD SWAT with his sword. He was dead.

Lt. Thomas C. Regan (Retired)
King County Sheriff's Department

February 5, 2006

I will always remember the day you were so senselessly taken from us as though it were yesterday, even though it's now well into 2004, and I was very young and "green" then.Ever since I was little I have looked up to law enforcement officers, and have been lucky enough to have worked with many as colleagues and friends.But I have never forgotten your sacrifice,Mike, and I have learned and applied the heart wrenching lessons on officer survival that were again reinforced by your tragedy, whenever I go to work.And I have tried also to teach others the same things.
You will NEVER be forgotten in my mind.Rest in Peace-you have more than earned it.

Paul Bardal
Canadian Armed Forces

September 23, 2004

In loving memory of Michael Raburn:
It has been 20 years and your memory is still cherished. I am so
sorry your death was so violent,but I
want to thank you for your supreme
sacrifice and many years of dedicated service.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

July 17, 2004