Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Pilot George Reyes Saenz

United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, U.S. Government

End of Watch Thursday, November 2, 1989

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Reflections for Pilot George Reyes Saenz

Father, husband, brother, son...customs pilot.

You are missed.

A fellow customs agent

November 2, 2021

George
Thanks for your service to this great nation. You served with honor and dignity both in law enforcement, and in service to our armed services. In your short life you did much to make this country a better place. Thanks for your sacrifice and service.

James Lopey, Assistant Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno, Nevada)
Nevada DPS

November 2, 2021

Happy Birthday Brother

Peter Saenz / Brother

October 5, 2021

You are missed and not forgotten.

— Your fellow customs agents
United States Customs Service

May 4, 2021

Rest in peace Pilot Saenz.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 2, 2020

I worked with George at the Miami Air Branch, we flew Citations and Blackhawk helicopters togeather. I saw George the night he died and his final words to me were "Check you later". Great law enforcement officer, pilot, husband, dad, and friend. Blue sky's and tail winds amigo.

Brooks Bateman, U.S. Customs Pilot
Co-worker

November 2, 2020

I was a friend and colleague of George's back in the middle to late 80's while assigned as a special agent on a TDY to the Air Smuggling Group at Homestead AFB. George was one of the first to welcome me to the air branch and quickly became a friend.

I had the satisfaction of arresting the individuals who were the subject of the pursuit the night George so tragically perished. It occurred during an SRT entry and we only found out minutes before taking the door that the subjects were the same traffickers being sought the night of the crash.

I can remember telling them "this was for George" following the arrests.

George is often in my thoughts and will never be forgotten.

E.P.
Senior Special Agent, U.S. Customs Service (ret.)

January 26, 2020

George,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but also when you served with the U.S. Army Reserve as well. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 2, 2019

Happy Birthday George, I miss you so much and you are always with me.

Peter Saenz
Brother

October 5, 2015

George was flying for Eastern Airlines commuter system back in the mid 1980's. I met him when he came to join the 347th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) US Army Reserve. He loved flying and was especially proud of being both fixed wing and rotary wing rated. One of our other pilots was flying for Customs and George was the happiest guy in the world when he joined the Customs Service. It was a sad day when we learned of George's death. Especially sad for his lovely wife and small children. He was a great guy. I still miss him.

CPT James W. Cotter
Commander, 347th Med Det (HA)

June 7, 2013

My Dear Brother you raised us for the first four years of my live. You raised two little girls not knowing what a father is, but you had good instinct. You were the closest to a father is to me. I've never stopped looking for you. Sometimes I think you are still here with us. We never found your body. You told us how you were feeling about your job. We should of listened. You were a target for them. At the same time you were doing your job what you loved best. Making bad things right. Making bad things right. What really happened to you. You were as strong or even stronger than your comrades. How can you just disappear. And if you did get hurt why leave a man behind. So the family can have closure.
You have no idea how I've missed you. My live has such a void. My brother and father is a miss. I don't believe what happened to you. I never did. There is something in me that is unsettling.

You came to me in a Dream, on a White horse a week after your fate. I remember how you looked. You were riding this beautiful White Stallion it was dark all around you, but I remember the tears in your eyes and one thing that always stands out that you had no mouth. All I wanted was to hear you talk one more time. I wasn't scared I was real sad. Then every dream with you is the same. Tell me what you want me know. I won't let you down. I know you would do the same for me.
I know you would do the same for me. If something was to happen to me. I remember you warning me one day on a phone call. If I ever catch you doing illegal things I'll come get you myself. If he only knew how I needed him then, I would have had more time with him. I miss your sense of humor, you were not afraid of anything. You can drink a bottle of Pisco (Chilean Fire water) like no other.
I've never posted anything for you. The month of November is very Memorable for me. All I think about is you. Every year is the same, lots of questions for you. What happened to you?

You can come to me in my dreams any time, I wish dreams were a live time so we can spend time together. I have found out live without you has been so incomplete, scared at times, unstable and lonely.I feel like I have no net to catch me if I fall. You were my net George.

George you were my net.
I will go to sleep now, come visit me and stay awhile. I would like to ride the Beautiful White Stallion. We can laugh and play again just like when I was a little girl. Love you George.

Love you

Marisol Saenz
Sister

November 6, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 20th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

November 6, 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

March 31, 2008

George,
On today, the 18th anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country and the Service and for trying to keep illegal drugs out of this Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

November 2, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 30, 2007

Although I never knew you I just felt it was right to post something.

Rest in peace officer.

SC Brad Taylor
Metropolitan Police (London)

January 16, 2007

George was a dedicated pilot and family man. I recall asking him by our pool about the danger. He voiced no fear yet went out night after night on dangerous missions. After his Blackhawk went down, his family clung to the hope he'd be found

His Wife was Lauri Norris, and her Mom, Joyce, was my Wife at the time. I recall how considerate and thorough Customs was to the family at the time. as I jotted all the notes.

Everyone misses him. He'd be proud of his grown Daughters today.

Bob Sherin

Bob Sherin

April 8, 2006

we miss you so much.
daniela

October 9, 2005

hi am your niece that you never met but i heard wonderful things about you from your brother my dad Peter.We all miss you.You'll always have you an our hearts.
Your niece,
Daniela

October 5, 2005

Happy birthday George

I miss you, I wish you can see my son he is two years old.

Love allways

Peter

October 4, 2005

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

Rest in peace.

November 2, 2004

Happy Birthday George

Miss you

Always in my heart

Peter Saenz

October 5, 2003

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