Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Larry J. Safreed

Riverside Police Department, Ohio

End of Watch Tuesday, October 2, 1984

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Patrolman Larry J. Safreed

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Larry J. Safreed of the Riverside Police Department, Ohio and the additional 76 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 2, 2022

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

October 2, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Larry J. Safreed of the Riverside Police Department, Ohio and the additional 71 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 2, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Larry J. Safreed of the Riverside Police Department, Ohio and the additional 61 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 2, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Larry J. Safreed Riverside Police Department, Ohio and the additional 67 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.


End of Watch: Tuesday, October 2, 1984

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 2, 2017

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.
Continue to watch over us all.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

October 2, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 2, 2010

The funeral line was long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites All let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said, "Aw, just a cop."
Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear Some people said, "It's stupid," "all these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?" "Or in a doughnut shop?" Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a cop."
They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Damn, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a cop."
Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful Taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a cop"
Yeah, just a cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a cop."
His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

May God be with everyone!!!!!!!!!

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano,TX

April 14, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

January 8, 2008

I was talking to Larry around 12:30a.m., Larry left the police station. I went next door to a carry out, I saw a car go by me very slowly,then and hit a car in the on coming lane. I responded to accident scene to find Larry involved in the accident. Larry died not more than 3 minutes on duty, god rest his soul. I carry this incident every day of my the police life. I think of Larry every day. I when my wife I go to D.C visit the police memorial .Pannel29W LINE5 is where you find Larry Safreed name. L

retired sgt. ed leen
riverside pd

January 4, 2008

You are re membered today and thank you Sir for your service.

vandenberghe
nh

October 14, 2007

I remember Larry when I was just starting out in my police career in 1983. I was a reserve officer with Mad River Twp. Police (now a part of Riverside). The last time I saw Larry was on a traffic stop on Woodman Drive. I had stopped a car and Larry had stopped by to check on me. I remember him coming the opposite way and I gave him the thumbs up as he looked over to me. I did not know it but that was the last time I would see him alive. I still recall that day in my mind from time to time. It was hard to believe that he had been killed when I heard the news. Now 20 years into my full time career it seems like yesterday that Larry was here. I think of you often brother and have been fortunate to have survived being hit by drunk drivers twice since your death.

Officer Gene Jarman
West Carrollton Police Dept.

March 19, 2007

Rest In Peace my friend, I bless your soul and as a victim of a DUI driver just 3 months prior to this incident May God bless your family.

Team Captain Philippe Dufour
Edmonton Strikers floor hockey team

January 9, 2006

Ptl. Safreed,

Sir, It is only because of brave men like you that we have any peace in this world. Your sacrafice will never be forgotten by your brothers. "Poi si 'torno 'all eterna fontana."

Ptl.T.D.HILL
Ontario Police

August 13, 2005

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