Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

REMEMBERING YOU TODAY ON THE 26TH ANIVERSARY OF YOUR DEATH.
IT IS SO HARD TO ACCEPT THIS KIND OF DEATH BUT WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR SACRIFICE.

July 3, 2005

Deputy Sheriff Tomaszewski,
Thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Lorain County. It sickens me that a piece of scum would murder a LEO and then only get a few years in a juvenile detention center all over not having vehicle registration.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

May 12, 2005

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

April 12, 2005

I happened to hit this site by accident. I was deeply touched to read of the brief description of the incident. I share the grief and loss of a fellow officer and wish the best to his family and the Lorain County Sheriff's Department. I know I reflect the feelings of our entire department.

Respectfully........

SGT JOHN HUCKESTEIN
MIAMI-DADE POLICE DEPT

October 26, 2004

You are remembered Brother. God's Blessings to your family left behind.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

August 21, 2004

I am so saddened to read this and see that the person responsible for your murder was released from prison on his 21st birthday all b/c he was a juvenile when he took your life!!! I pray to God that he will not be responsible for taking another officer's life in the future.

Deputy Tomaszewski, I never knew you and, in fact, I was barely 3 years old when you were killed...but I look at your picture and I see a handsome young man who was taken from this world much too early and in such a cowardly way. God Bless You, Deputy Tomaszewski.

A 911 Dispatcher
Houston County 911

June 20, 2004

KEN I DID NOT KNOW YOU WE ARE FROM DIFFERENT STATES BUT ARE TRUE TO THE SAME CAUSE.AND WHEN I READ THAT A OFFICER WHO WAS A TRUSTING SOUL AS YOURSELF WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN SUCH A COWARDLY WAY IT HITS A RAW NERVE. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU. WALK YOUR BEAT IN HEAVEN WITH ALL THE FALLEN OFFICERS .GOD BLESS

SCOTT MONTGOMERY
RET/S/OFFICER DETROIT MI