Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace Valliant Soldier! I remember fondly our sparring together at Livonia Boxing Club in the basement of the firehouse. You were not only a Golden Gloves Champion but an inspiration to all who met you. It was a sorrowful day when I heard of you having been shot to death. You are sorely missed, but I don't miss your punches!

GodSpeed My Hero!

Mark Baidel
Friend

February 14, 2013

My previous reflection left a widely inaccurate anniversary date. Today is the 21rst anniversary of your death and you are always remembered. Rest In Peace.

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

December 31, 2012

Kermit, you and I shared a year together at WMU as dorm mates. I was just a kid at 17 and you were such a man by that time, always with a warm greeting and encouraging conversation. Our worlds even then were so different, but our hall was a better place with you there among us, I remember that feeling strongly. To those that knew you better, I envy you, and to those that didn't know you at all, well, hopefully you have the chance in your lives to be touched by someone as much as, even after 30 years, you recall so warmly.

Mark Bellissimo
WMU, '82-'83

July 13, 2012

Everytime I ride by the memorial on I-96 I say prayer for Trooper Fitzpatrick a person I had the pleasure of knowing from childhood until his appointment with MSP to all that knew him knew that he was a big Teedy Bear very kind and concerning of other feelings -- A man that left us to early for a sensless act of violence

Mo Taylor
Friend

November 11, 2011

20 years ago, Trooper Fitzpatrick stopped me on Thanksgiving to remind me to slow down and have a safe trip home. I thanked him and said it was said that he had to spend the holiday on duty. He repied that it was ok as his family would have dinner after he got home. Who would have know that Thanksgiving would be one of his last holidays with his family.
Every year around Thanksgiving I think of this wonderful man and say a prayer for him. Good Bless You Trooper Fitzpatrick. It was a pleasure to have met you.

Judy Junga
Citizen

October 25, 2011

I remember Kermit as a college kid who hung out with the rest of us in the HPER department at WMU. I remember the day he told us he was going to enter the toughman contest. He wanted to win it and buy a TV for his mother. I could not imagine being willing to have your butt kicked just for a tv. He lived his values everyday and those of us who spent time with him were lucky. He taught us all the meaning of caring and his values are with me still today.

Kermit, you were a man among boys in college and I was so very lucky that our paths crossed.

Terri

Anonymous

April 26, 2011

I did not know Trooper Fitzpatrick. Actually, in 1991, I was preparing to start high school that fall and excited about the idea of learning how to drive. But as one of my friends posted a link to this memorial to him on Facebook, I read it and was so touched and saddened, that I was compelled to post a memorial. I simply want to say my prayers to his family and much respect to all officers who stand each day to diligently protect and serve. Having worked in local city government for several years, I know first-hand the sacrifice that our officers make to ensure our safety and there are not enough words to give thanks for the safety that we oftentimes take for granted. May God bless all officers on these so-called "routine stops" and may people realize that police officers are people with family and friends who love them and want to see them come home at the end of their work day. I am so sorry, may his soul rest in peace.

Reese

February 26, 2011

My guy. Kermit was my man. We did everything together: played ball, worked out, fought each other (that's what brothers do). I remember when he secretly entered the "toughman contest". He lost a front tooth, but won $2,500.00. With his purse, he bought his mother a TV and got his tooth replaced. That was "Big Kerm".

Anonymous

February 26, 2011

Merry Christmas, Trooper Fitzpatrick, to you and your family.
Thank you for your sacrifice.

May God's peace be with you this holiday season!

Trooper
Michigan State Police

December 14, 2010

Kermit,
I drive by the site on I-96 often , and say a prayer, when I do.
Because of you everytime I see any officer on a traffic stop I say a prayer for their safety.
May the Lord bless all the Patrol men and women as they go.

Mark Radzwion

November 9, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the one hundred and nineteenth 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 7, 2010

Trooper Fitzpatrick:

How fast time goes by, its hard to beleave it been so many years sence your EOW. Many of us attended your services and you will be remembered by so many you served in life. Now rest my brother and may Gods blessing be upon you and your family.

John (Michigan)

John Conaty
Ingham county sheriff Office (retired)

December 3, 2009

Kermit was an RA in my dorm at WMU and I lived next to him for a semester. He played football & I played hockey. He was a great guy and he always knocked on my door with a smile to tell me to turn my music down.

Rest In Peace

Anonymous

November 14, 2009

On the 18th anniversary of Trooper Fitzpatrick's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Trooper Fitzpatrick is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

July 7, 2009

Rest in peace

Lt. Stephen A. Joy #980
Prince George's County Police, Md.

March 11, 2009

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 8, 2008

I only met Trooper Fitzpatrick once.

I had just bought a new Corvette and in my exuberance on my way to work one morning I decided to gas it a bit before I had to exit the highway. Trooper Fitzpatrick pulled me over and wrote me up, understandably, since I was probably doing close to 90 mph at one point.

Still, he was so nice, understanding, polite and almost apologetic for issuing me the ticket that I found myself with a speeding ticket AND a smile on my face.

A few weeks later I heard about his passing on the news. He made enough of an impression on me in my ten minutes with him that I still find him in my thoughts occasionally, 16 years later.

My heartfelt condolences to his family.

Tom

February 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

November 15, 2007

Rest In Peace, Trooper Fitzpatrick. You have not been forgotten.

Detective PBJ
Chicago PD

June 29, 2007

Kermit, Growing up in Highland Park in Gabraiel you where my big brother you watch out for me and linda and Nap I watch you become an extremly compassionate man, friend, brother and soon A Husband to Gert. We miss so much and the emptiness we have all felt will forever be unfillable. WE LOVE YOU KERM

Trina Lewis

January 25, 2006

I remember and worked afternoon Road Patrol along with Trooper Kermit Fitzpatrick when he had been assigned to the Monroe Post #28. He was respected by the community and his peers from all of Monroe County. God Bless his family and rest in peace.

Detective Mark Kachar ( Ret .)
Monroe County Sheriffs Office

November 4, 2005

Remembering you on July 7th -you are never forgotten. Ironically you and Tpr Kevin Marshall, also of MSP, share the same anniversary date but 12 years apart and the last 2 Troops to be killed by gunfire. Hope you and Kevin have met and are watching over your MSP brothers and sisters.

July 8, 2005

Remembering Trooper Fitzpatrick who lost his life while on duty, fourteen years ago today. May your rest in heaven continue to be one of peace. Also remembering Trooper Kevin Marshall of the MSP who lost his life on this same day, 2003. Blue angels, rest in peace!

Michigan

July 7, 2005

I take pride in sharded the same last name. God Bless

Ret. Sgt. Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
Fairfx Co. Police Virginia

June 30, 2005

Troop,
Thank you for your service. You will NEVER be forgotten.

May God Bless your family and friends....

Until we meet at the "Big Roll Call"..God Speed Brother..

SGT Phil Abdoo
Macomb County Sheriff's Office (MI)

June 27, 2005