Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May God and St. Michael continue to watch over you in Heaven, Deputy Tomaszewski. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department

July 3, 2025

Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

July 3, 2025

Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace in Heaven.

Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department

July 4, 2024

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Kenneth M. Tomaszewski of the Lorain County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 86 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 3, 2024

Deputy Tomaszewski, my God and St. Michael watch over you in Heaven.

Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department

July 3, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Kenneth M. Tomaszewski of the Lorain County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 78 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 3, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Kenneth M. Tomaszewski of the Lorain County Sheriff's 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

July 3, 2022

I was working radio on July 3, 1979. I received the call we had an officer down. As I gave out the codes, which you hope you never have to use, for "officer down all other departments maintain radio silence" my stomach turned. I was desperately hoping the report we had received was wrong since you had just called out at that house. But as my repeated calls to your car went unanswered, I knew. It had all happened so fast. I sat next to you in roll call that day. I trained you on radio. I have thought back on that day more times than I can count. Thoughts filled with "if only". I will never forget that horrible day. I will never forget you, Ken.

Communications Officer Jannie Shakir
Lorain County Sheriff Department

July 21, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest In Peace always.

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

July 3, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Tomaszewski.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 27, 2019

Time has gone so fast, i think about that terrible evening and all the pain it caused your family and friends. Gone but not forgotten Ken ,everyone at LCSO back then will never forget. Continued prayers for your family.

Deputy Brad Clark
LCSO

July 4, 2019

Deputy Sheriff Tomaszewski,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Hamilton County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

July 3, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Kenneth M. Tomaszewski Lorain County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 71 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

July 3, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Kenneth M. Tomaszewski of the Lorain County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 71 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

July 3, 2018

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Tomaszewski. Your bravery and heroism are circling around heaven as are your angels wings. Terrible that young man was released and did not serve his full punishment. Lorain County and its citizens are deeply indebted to your integrity and honor.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 19, 2018

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

July 4, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
The Promise; Always honored, never forgotten.

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

July 3, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

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

July 3, 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 33rd anniversary year 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

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phylllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater

December 28, 2012

Deputy Sheriff Tomaszewski,
Sir, even though it has been 34 years since your End of Watch you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Lorain County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. I can't help but agree with several of the previous reflections regarding the POS that murdered you.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

July 11, 2012

To the family of Kenneth:

My heart goes out to you today, March 17 2010. I have thought about Ken many times through the years and wondered how his family was doing.

I happened to be on duty at the local hospital on the day that this horrific accident happened. I will never forget as long as I live how truly saddened this whole town and county was. May you rest in peace and may your family be blessed with continued happy memories of how proud they must have been that you chose to serve and protect us and died while doing that.

Does not matter

March 17, 2010

You will never be forgotten my brother.

K.D. Matlock #748
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Ohio

August 28, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 2, 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

January 3, 2008

Rest safe with Our Lord Sir.

July 3, 2006