Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I began my shift today, much like the countless other shifts I have worked in my nearly 27 years as a Virginia State Policeman. Except today I traveled to Prince George County, some two hours from my current assignment. I traveled there to attend a bridge dedication for Trooper Leo Whitt at a rest area at mm 37 I-95 N. I never met Leo, but his connection to my family has seemed somewhat surreal since his untimely death nearly 30 years ago. My father (VSP retired) was a shift partner of Leo's back in the mid 1960's. Shortly after his murder, Leo's widow married my great uncle who had suddenly lost his wife of 35 years. While I was afforded seating in the "family section", somehow every single soul there seemed like family. For some reason I have always thought of Leo as a "young Trooper", when in reality he was 49 at the time of his death, and would have been 78 years old today. To hear the heartfelt tribute fellow Troopers and friends gave today; some 30 years after this tragedy made me especially proud to be part of the family affectionately known as "Virginia's Finest!" If you find yourself traveling through the Commonwealth of Virginia on Interstate 95 N. South of our state capital, Richmond, in the vicinity of mm 37 will be a bridge dedicated to Trooper Leo Whitt....please give a salute, honk your horn, or merely glance toward the heavens.......for I am quite sure an Angel will be there to acknowledge your gesture. RIP Trooper Leo Whitt, it has been much too long of a time coming, may GOD bless the peacemakers in Blue.

First Sergeant Ken S. Keesee
Virginia State Police

July 18, 2014

RIP Trooper Whitt. I Attend the VSP 41st session in 1964 with Leo. I will always remember him. May God watch over is Family and all LE.

Former Trooper Ken R. Bays
Virginia State Police

March 12, 2014

Twenty-eight years ago today, Leo. Still seems like only yesterday...I think of you often. You remain an inspiration.

Retired
Colleague

April 12, 2013

Rest in peace Trooper Whitt. I was at the Academy at the same time with Leo, 41st Basic Training Session in 1964. He will be missed by everyone that met him. May God watch over his Family left behind. Thank you for for your many years of dedicated service.

Former Trooper Ken R. Bays
Virginia State Police

March 31, 2013

The most horrific night of my life: I was a sheriff's deputy who was sitting in the ER with a prisoner (drunk) who needed stitches when some of my ER nurse friends started whispering about a state trooper who'd been shot in the face on the interstate during a stop and who was en route to the ER. Never in my life would I have guessed that it was my family's friend and mentor from Prince George, some 40 miles south of Richmond. After working on him in the trauma suite for over 30 minutes, an attending nurse finally came by the room I was waiting in and told me the trooper's name was Whitt, she'd seen it on his silver name tag...my heart fell to my feet and I can still remember, after all these years, the lump that suddenly appeared in my throat...as soon as I got back to the city jail with my stitched up prisoner, I called my mother at 2 o'clock in the morning and told her that Leo had been killed while in the line of duty. When I got off work at 8am that morning (that was the longest shift of my life), my mother was waiting for me at her home in Hopewell, where we rode together to the Whitt home across from Prince George HS...I will never forget the funeral and the thousands of police officers who came from as far away as Maine, for Leo's funeral...I choked back tears the entire time. Also, I'm still grateful that the Sheriff's Dept. allowed me to be in the Honor Guard at Leo's funeral...it was a terribly emotional time but one that I will never forget...RIP Leo, you will always be missed and never forgotten...

C. Robin Crush (nee' Lancaster)
Family friend

April 21, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th 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 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflection.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 12, 2012

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 12, 2010

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

August 26, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

April 8, 2008

Thinking of you on the 22nd anniversary of your EOW.
20 years of service and you never got to enjoy one day
of retirement. Time has not diminished your sacrifice
and we thank you for your many years of loyal service.
I am glad to see that the murderer who took your life
paid with his. It doesn't bring you back and it may not
lessen the grief for your families, but at least justice
was done on your behalf. I wish more states had the death penalty for cop killers.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

April 12, 2007

Leo, I will never forget you. Today is the 20th anniversary since you were taken from us. I think of you often. You inspired me as a young, new trooper and you continue to inspire me.

Lieutenant Kimberly Lettner
VA State Police

April 12, 2005

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

April 12, 2005

Leo, it's been twenty years. So much has happened in that time. But know that you are still in our thoughts.

Senior Trooper
Virginia State Police

April 12, 2005

I remember when you were murdered. You were protecting all of us. We will not forget you. I will always honor you, your name, your service and your ultimate sacrifice. Thank you my brother, for giving "all." With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Policeman).

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)

March 30, 2004

If you pay attention the Commonwealth of Virginia ensures their Troopers do not die in vain. Generally less than ten years. For the subjects it is exceptionaly humane compared to the gurgling in his/her death as that Trooper dies on his own blood for his State and Country.