Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Robert Galen Etter, Jr.

Hobart / Lawrence Police Department, Wisconsin

End of Watch Monday, July 22, 2002

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Officer Robert Galen Etter, Jr.

Seems like just yesterday that this happened. Thank you for your service Officers.God bless.

Johnny Udell,civilian.
Civilian.

July 10, 2024

Rest in peace Officer Etter.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 22, 2022

Thank you for your service, both military and police, and today we remind you and your family that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your LE brethren. Rest in peace always.

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

July 22, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country.

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

July 22, 2018

REST-IN-PEACE My Brother in Arms

Anrae Godley-Cooper
U.S. Army Military Police

July 2, 2018

Thinking of you, Bob, during Police Week 2016. Just talked about you yesterday. : ) Miss you & wish that awful July 22, 2002 never happened.

Thank you for all your years of service.

Lorie Francar, Records
Hobart/Lawrence Police Dept.

May 19, 2016

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Retired Wisconsin L.E.O.

February 25, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 11th 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.

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

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

January 16, 2013

Officer Robert Galen Etter, Jr. It has been 10 years since your life was taken by a crazy that just wanted to kill a cop. Thank you Sir for your service in the military to protect our great country and also thank you for the 30+ years of service in law enforcement. God Bless your family and friends and God Bless you Sir as you patrol the streets of Gold. Rest in Peace Brother.

Ed S.
Grateful Citizen

July 22, 2012

Thank you for your service and dedication Sir, RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

April 11, 2012

Thank you Sir, for your service, dedication and sacrifice. You are a true Hero.

Sgt. T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., CA.

July 29, 2010

We remember Officer Etter and the tragedy of this awful day. May all those who serve be safe and may God watch over you.

Citizen
Wisconsin

July 22, 2010

I'm sorry I never had a chance to meet Officer Etter. Thank you for serving. May you never be forgotten.

Citizen
Wisconsin

July 22, 2009

Thank you for serving our country. You are a great person that will never be forgotten. Thank you for the dedication and hard work. Rest in Peace ~ Jamie

Jamie
Family to Stephanie Markins

November 4, 2008

Remembering you today and wishing this had never happened. You will not be forgotten.

Citizen
Wisconsin

July 22, 2008

"There are few words that can express my pride and love that I feel for my father each and every day." These words were written by Officer Etter's daughter.
On behalf of the men and women of the NYPD I would like you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your father was and always will be a HERO! He will never be forgotten. Keep your head up high, you should have pride. Your father chose to dedicate his life to a thankless profession. I am sure he symbolized what the Hobart/Lawrence PD is all about. True professionals.

Rest in Peace Officet Etter

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

July 22, 2008

My, gosh. We will never make sense of this horrific act of devastation and destruction, but my hope and faith is in a God of Justice and Judgment. Thanks to the officer for giving us an account of the saddest day in your life and career.
Thanks for your contribution of serving and making a difference for 33 years.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

July 22, 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

February 22, 2008

HERO! Thanks for your service. RIP

Patrolman D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

July 22, 2007

On this day we take time out to remember a fallen hero. We thank you for your sacrifice and devotion to duty. I'm sorry that you were taken in such a tragic senseless way.

May God watch over and protect your fellow brother and sisters in blue and keep them safe.

Bless you all. Be safe.

Citizen
Wisconsin

July 22, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 5th anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them, protect them and also those still out on patrol. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

July 22, 2007

It has been 4 years since your end of watch and you have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case. Your loved ones will keep your name alive for as long as they walk this earth and the Blue Family will never let you be forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones. I just wish you could have spent some time enjoying retirement as you gave many years to law enforcement and deserved some special time to do things you wanted to do. My thoughts are with your family and I want them to know that they are not alone. Watch over them.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Chicago Gold Star Father

September 2, 2006

What a tragedy. Your killer will face justice on Judgement Day. Rest easy in God's Kingdom.

Wisconsin L.E.O.

August 20, 2006

On this the 4th Anniversary of you being taken from here, I wish to say thank you for your many years of service to your community. Officer Etter, you are a hero not only to the community you served but most importantly to your family and friends. Rest well brother.

Border Patrol Agent
United States Border Patrol

July 22, 2006

Dear Bob,
I knew that god had a special place in heaven for you. You were always there for everyone else, including the dispatchers who did thier best to keep you safe. (and you trained only the best!) May God keep you safe in heaven and watch down on us. You maybe gone but not forgotten. In 2005, we made the trip once again to the memorial, but this time it was for you.

Dawn Kreuser
Bellevue Municipal Court
Green Bay, WI

Dawn R. Kreuser: Dispatcher
DePere Police and Fire

July 4, 2006

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.