Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jesse was my cousin. Easter was a big event at the family farm in Alabama. Lots of food, fun, and fellowship. Good memories of playing together, and growing up together. My heart broke when I learned Jesse had been killed. Honor Jesse, support your thin blue line.

Carolyn Monfee Roberson
Cousin

February 28, 2023

Rest in peace Deputy Tanner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 1, 2022

Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your fellow law enforcement.

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

September 1, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 30, 2017

I've heard your name a lot from my fathers mouth. He was working with you on that tragic day. I will always remember your service and that you laid down your life to protect the sheep from the wolf. You were a true sheep dog Deputy Tanner. We will never forget!

Deputy Banks
Houston County Sheriffs Office

September 28, 2015

Rest in Peace Deputy Tanner. Taken from us at such a young age and such a tragic way.

Steve Van Slyke, retired K9 Officer
El Cajon Police Department

September 1, 2015

When I was 16 years old, in 1977, I had a rollover wreck on Feagin Mill Road. I was not injured, but badly shaken up & terrified of how my parents would react. Deputy Tanner was the responding officer. He was kind, calm, professional, and able to calm down the scared kid who was actually just a few years younger than him. I was heartbroken when he was killed less than a year later. I will never forget him. Thank you for your service, Deputy Tanner.

Nancy Hill

September 16, 2014

Jean, the park was definitely named in his honor. I had the privilege of going to high school with Jesse and work at the sheriff's office with him. I was working the night Jesse was taken from us. Jesse's plans were to leave the sheriff's office in about a year so he could go teach at Mercer University. All through school he was in the gifted programs. God Gifted. I will always remember jesse

(Former ) Sgt. John Pagura
Houston Co. Sheriff's office (Ga)

December 16, 2013

I was curious on the Jesse Tanner memorial park name and do believe the park in Houston Co GA is named in your memory. May God continue to bless your family. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. There have been many games played at this park in your name.

Jean
DOJ

September 28, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. 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 Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 28, 2013

Rest in Peace, Deputy Tanner. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 31, 2012

Im not sure why I searched my uncles name online tonight but this brought tears to my eyes. Wish I could have met you.

MM3 (SW/AW) Tanner
Niece

March 5, 2012

Team 911 has placed a geocache in honor of Deputy Tanner AT Tanner Park. Those who go looking for this cache will first read the story of how Deputy Tanner served his community and paid the ultimate price. We have had nothing but positive responses from people who did not know the story of Deputy Tanner's life but now do.

Here's the link to the geocache: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=1202a848-1255-461c-8108-bcbae303a2a9

Team 911

November 9, 2011

The violators house where Deputy Tanner lost his life was recently bulldozed. A new house was built and a loving family reside there now, I see no use in tarnishing their "New Beginnings" but every time I patrol past this location I reflect on the Loss that Houston County Sheriff's Office had so many years ago.
Rest in peace Jessie

Patrol Sergeant
Houston County Sheriff's Office

June 19, 2011

Jesse loved the Air Force! He wanted to enlist but was not able to because of his vision (if I remember correctly). I never will forget the Friday night and the phone call that told us of death. My mom loved him like a son. He was so special to her.
The day of his funeral the procession to the graveside was the longest I have ever seen. Everyone that spoke of him spoke of how much they loved Jesse. It is hard to believe it has been almost 33 years since that tragic event.
Jesse lives in our hearts and will not be forgotten. The greatest thing you could do on earth for him is to support your local Law Enforcment. They put their lives on the line for you everyday! Thank you Jesse. I love you. I hate I never told you that!

Randy Tanner

February 26, 2011

well done houston county law enforcement community

a police friend in scotland.uk
none

September 1, 2009

The suspect that Killed Deputy Tanner died in prison.

The Houston County Law Enforcement Community Refused to escort his body to the cemetery.

Thank you Houston Law Enforcement Community for not forgetting and for your stance on this tragedy.

Anonymous

October 25, 2008

INFORMATION:
The suspect that Killed Deputy Tanner died in prison.
The Houston County Law Enforcement Community Refused to escort his body to the cemetary.

May 16, 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

October 10, 2007

I MISS YOU TODAY MORE THAN I DID ALMOST 30 YRS AGO

JOHN MASON TANNER
BROTHER

July 29, 2007

I was 11 years old when Deputy Tanner was killed and still remember that day. Thank you, Jesse, for your service.

Deputy Kenny Hamsley
Douglas County Colorado Sheriff's Office

October 15, 2006

My sypathies to Deputy Tanner's family, friends and colleagues. He was certainly too young to die and certainly too young to die in the line of duty.I did my basic training in Georgia a few short years before his untimely death. A beautiful state that he should still be enjoying. God grant him eternal peace.

SFC William L. Farrell
US Army Military Police Ret.

December 12, 2005

You were a good high school friend Jesse. Thanks for wanting me to go through the academy with you. Although I delayed my law enforcement a few years and went with another agency, I still look back and know you were doing the job you loved. I've now been a police officer longer than our young lives back then. It would have been nice to talk and laugh with you now. I still mention you to my wife and fellow officers. Thanks for the memories.

December 9, 2005

3 weeks ago we passed the 17 year anniversary of the day Deputy Tanner gave his life in the line of duty. As I sit in the dispatch center, trying to keep my guys safe and praying to God that I never have to deal w/ the situation Deputy Tanner's dispatcher had to deal w/ on that fateful night. It's comforting, to me, to know that Deputy Tanner is up there looking out for our men and women in blue.

As I step outside of the dispatch center I glance over at the ballfield that lies behind us. So many young children so full of life running around chasing a ball...all on a field that bears the name of Deputy Tanner.

My point??? I guess it's just that you haven't been forgotten, Deputy Tanner. You may have gone 10-7 10-42 in September of 1978...but in September of 2005 you're still thought of and remembered.

A 911 Dispatcher
Houston County Sheriff's Department

September 24, 2005

Deputy Tanner is not someone I have ever had the priveledge of meeting in person, however, in a sense I feel that I know him. He is someone who has left his mark on the people who knew him. His memory is engraved in the thoughts of his family and friends. They have not forgotten the days spent with him, or the love they felt for him. He will always be with them.

November 2, 2003