Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Martin W. Yawarsky of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 62 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 6, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Martin W. Yawarsky of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 63 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 6, 2022

I remember this auto crash that lead to the death of this very young police officer. If correct there was a collision between to Columbus police cruisers which were responding to a crime of violence. If I am right about this then the odmp website should change the narrative to be more accurate and that officer Yawarsky was killed responding to a violent crime, not just an on duty auto accident! I was not yet a police officer when this happened in 1980, but I wanted to be. I’ve never forgotten his name. I believe that Martin Yawarsky is in Heaven for eternity. I pray for his family and for the officers who knew him.
Respectfully Sgt. Jay S. Packard
Upper Arlington police, ( retired)

Sgt. Jay S. Packard retired
Upper Arlington

September 27, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Martin W. Yawarsky of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 63 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 6, 2021

Rest in Peace

Ptl. B L Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake PD OH

November 25, 2020

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

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

September 6, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Yawarsky.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 27, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Martin W. Yawarsky of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 60 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

September 6, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Martin W. Yawarsky of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 58 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

End of Watch: Saturday, September 6, 1980

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

September 5, 2017

Marty died in the line of duty protecting people he never met. See Deuteronomy 19:19 and Romans 12:21. The Columbus Division of Police and every officer throughout the land carries the torch you have passed.

Cmdr. Bob Meader
Columbus Division of Police

September 6, 2015

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. 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 29, 2013

Rest in peace and Olav Hashalom Officer Yawarsky.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 9, 2013

Marty, Always remembered, always cherished.

Lieutenant Owen Jones (retired)
Columbus, Ohio Division of Police

September 5, 2011

Your sacrifice, and your friendship, will never be forgotten.

Lieutenant Owen Jones (retired)
Columbus Ohio Division of Police

August 29, 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

December 31, 2007

Rest In Peace

We continue the fight for you brother and you are not forgotten by your department we honor you daily by wearing the uniform proudly and remembering the fallen brothers and sisters that came before us

detective scott alexander
columbus division of police

July 22, 2007

On behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City lodge #9 in Columbus, Ohio we are very sorry for the loss of your life while serving your community and our country! God bless your family!

President Jim Gilbert
Fraternal Order of Police,Capital City Lodge #9, Columbus, Ohio

July 9, 2007

Be alert to give service. What counts a great deal in life is what we do for others. -Anonymous Thank you for your service and continue to watch over us.

Detective James Shockey
Columbus Division of Police

September 5, 2006

You were never forgotten. Mother mourned you until the day she died. God rest both your souls.

Paddy

paddy
sister

July 15, 2005

YOU ARE SADLY MISSED AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTTEN AMONGST THE MANY MEMBERS OF THE COLUMBUS DIV OF POLICE.

OFFICER JIM GILBERT
COLUMBUS DIV OF POLICE

December 18, 2004