Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

R I P Brother

Herbie Buck Ret. Officer
NYSDOCS

August 9, 2023

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten Godspeed brother

Gunnery Sergeant Matthew R Bennett United States Marine Corps retired

November 7, 2022

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. Patrolman Whitwell thank you for your service and sacrifice to The Citizens of Columbia Tennessee and Maury County Godspeed.

Gunnery Sergeant Matthew R Bennett United States Marine Corps retired

November 7, 2022

Patrolman Whitewell,
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 Columbia. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 5, 2021

I was just sitting around thinking about my time at The Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy from 2/18/1980 to 3/28/1980. I was a Patrolman at East Tennessee State University when I went to the Academy. I spent 4 years at ETSU PD and then worked 3 years at Johnson City Police Department. I got out of Law Enforcement in November of 1986 and spent the rest of my career at the Johnson City, Tennessee Fire Department. I was looking at the list of Officers that went to school with me and when I Googled Larry I saw for the first time the news of his untimely death. I cannot believe that this gentleman was taken from us so long ago. He lost his life protecting his family and community. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." My prayers are with his family and may the animals that took this young man's life never see the light of day.

Tom McCormack
Went to Basic Police Recruit School 2/18-3/28/1980 with Larry.

March 2, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Whitwell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2019

Larry, I think of you often. You were a wonderful example of what a godly man should be. You were a man of joy, always looking at the positive, always making us laugh at something you would say. Even as a teen you were always making us children laugh with your imitation of Gomer Pyle.

Debra Sharp
Niece

December 31, 2017

Larry, I think of you often. You were a wonderful example of what a godly man should be. You were a man of joy, always looking at the positive, always making us laugh at something you would say. Even as a teen you were always making us children laugh with your imitation of Gomer Pyle.

Debra Sharp
Niece

December 31, 2017

Rest In Peace Brother. You are not forgotten

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

October 30, 2017

To the family, friends and colleagues of Patrolman Whitwell: I mailed my NO PAROLE FOR COP KILLERS letter today, on his behalf. Please know that his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten! I am so sorry for your loss. I wish that you didn’t have to endure the pain of another parole hearing. God Bless you all!

Allie
Supporter of Law Enforcement
Wife of Corrections Deputy

September 21, 2017

32 years ago tonight Officer William "Larry" Whitwell put his uniform on and kissed his wife and young son goodbye. In the late hours of the night he gave his life serving his community. He was shot during a struggle and succumbed to his wounds in the early morning hours of April 5th, 1981.

A HERO REMEMBERED NEVER DIES
RECOGNITION - MEMORY - HONOR

Sgt. Brian K. Jones
Columbia Police Dept.

April 4, 2013

Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, and kind words. Larry was my uncle. I remember what a kind and giving person he was. Whenever I would visit "big mama" in Columbia TN, he would always have a smile and spend time with me even though I was just a kid and probably an annoyance at that age.

Frank W. Sims II
nephew

October 25, 2012

God Bless

Dave
None

October 22, 2012

One of the men who took you away from your friends and family had his parole denied today. May your family find comfort in knowing that the justice system is still keeping these men where they belong, and may God bless your family.

Reserve Ofc. Travis Allred, #628
LaFayette (AL) Police Department

October 22, 2012

Every year in May we remember and honor your life and service to your community. Yesterday we took a stand against the coward who murdered you to have him kept behind bars. You will forever be in our hearts and be remembered as a true hero.

Anonymous supporter

October 5, 2012

You are a hero in your community, family and friends. Thank you for your life service to all!

Anonymous

October 4, 2012

Larry,

Your brother, your wife, myself, my wife, friends of mine, and just about the entire police department that I work for have sent letters to make sure that Andrew Braden III does not receive parole.

Detective Chris Whitwell

October 3, 2012

A "No parole" letter has been sent, so your cowardly killer remains locked up - and denied the pleasure of living in a world that you made safe for all of us.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret)
Nassau County PD, Nassau NY.

October 2, 2012

I believe Andrew Braden, III, the cop-killer should not be paroled even after 31 years for killing officer Larry Whitwell. My prayers also go out to the family of this innocent officer who was only doing his job.

Mrs. Gladys West
Friend

September 29, 2012

A "No Parole" letter for the thug that killed you has been sent. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. They should not have to endure such hardships after their sacrifice.
You will never be forgotten!

Kristi
Surviving Daughter of Special Agent J. Robert Porter
Federal Bureau of Investigation
E.O.W. 8/9/79

September 28, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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 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 Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 5, 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 5, 2010

Larry, I thought you would like to know that your fellow brothers and sisters from the Columbia PD are honoring you with the 1st annual motorcycle memorial ride on May 17. I don't know if you were a motorcycle enthusiast or rode during your short time here, but on May 17 you will ride in the hearts of all motorcyclists that day. Thank you sir for your service and may you continue to watch over us from the highways of heaven.

Ride on Brother and God Speed.

Carlton Moore #186
M.C.S.D.

Carlton Moore #186
Maury County Sheriff's Dept.

May 3, 2008

you will forever be remembered because hero's never die, they live forever.

daughter and sister of officers n columb

April 12, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 7, 2008