Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace PFC Latu. May the Lord grant your family, friends and co-workers peace during this difficult time. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Deputy Parole Administrator Howard Wykes
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections

December 18, 2019

Rest in peace brother, we'll take it from here. Thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of PFC Latu during this time of tragic and sudden loss.

Officer Donnie Meaders
Wetumka (OK) Police Department

December 18, 2019

Rest in Peace

Ptl. Bryan Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake PD OH

December 18, 2019

On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Private First Class Michael Shawn Latu and the extended law enforcement family of the Marion County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina.


End of Watch Tuesday, December 17, 2019.


Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

December 18, 2019

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

December 18, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero for your sacrifice and service. Thoughts and prayers for your family, friends and brothers/sisters in blue. Always remembered.

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

December 18, 2019

Requiescat in Pacem

Police Officer Mike O'Connor
Branford CT PD

December 18, 2019

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”. Matthew 5:9

Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace, my brother.

Retired Chief of police Jim Spratlen
Durango Police Department

December 17, 2019

God Bless You, Your Family, & Friends.
Thank you for your unselfish service.

James P Waggle
Civilian

December 17, 2019

Rest in peace brother. You are a true hero.

Jamie Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office, Ret.

December 17, 2019

Thank you Private First Class Latu for your hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of South Carolina. You are a true American HERO. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

December 17, 2019

May you Rest In Peace Deputy Latu God give peace and comfort to your family and your Department during these tough days ahead. Thank you for your service Sir.

Retired Chief Tommy Davis
Henderson Police Department

December 17, 2019

On behalf of POINT 27, we would like to offer condolences for Private First Class Michael Shawn Latu. Please know we are eternally grateful for Michael’s service and his ultimate sacrifice.

To honor PFC Latu, POINT 27 sent 27 Thin Blue Line Dog Tag Necklaces, engraved with “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9, to the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for Michael’s partner and fellow officers. POINT 27 sent Folded Flag Necklaces engraved with “Greater Love has no one than this; than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” John 15:13 for Private First Class Latu’s parents.

POINT 27 is a Non-Profit organization with a mission to strengthen and encourage members of the Armed Forces, First Responders, and their families, by sharing scripture on Dog Tags and Jewelry called Shields of Strength.

We will never forget and we are forever grateful.

Respectfully,

Colonel David Dodd,
United States Army Retired
Executive Director-POINT 27

Detective Jerry M. Rhodes (Retired)
Dallas Police Department-Reserve Division
POINT 27 National Outreach Coordinator
Law Enforcement Liaison
[email protected]
214-908-2617

Detective Jerry M. Rhodes (Retired)
Dallas Police Department Reserve Division
POINT 27- National Out Reach Coordinator
Law Enforcement Liaison

December 17, 2019

Prayers for the family for this loss and for the department. Thank you for your service.

Parole Academy Instructor Brandon Smith
TX Department of Criminal Justice-Parole Division

December 17, 2019

My family and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Private First Class Michael Shawn Latu during this difficult time. May they find comfort and support from those around them. May happy moments from the past bring forth precious memories to cherish for a lifetime. May God help heal their aching hearts. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace Private First Class Michael Shawn Latu.

Gail M. Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit Police Officer Jennifer Fettig eow 2/16/04

December 17, 2019

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

December 17, 2019

RIP, PFC Latu. Praying for you and your loved ones.

Officer C Curione
Rochester Police Department, NY

December 17, 2019

PVT 1ST CLASS MICHAEL LATU MAY YOU REST IN PEACE

MICHAEL LONG
RETIRED NY STATE POLICE

December 17, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother

Cpl. Michael Stivers
Byrnes Mill, MO. PD

December 17, 2019

Thank you for your service.

Dmytro Goloborodko

December 17, 2019

I am saddened to hear of your recent passing, Private First Class Michael Latu. My heart, prayers and love go out to your family, the Department and Community. You are remembered and the loss is felt deeply.

Thank you for your service. God Bless. May HE keep you in His peace.

Kim

Kim Durham
Davis Police Department - Daughter

December 17, 2019

So sorry for the loss of another one of the good guys. God, please bring peace to his family, his department, and his community.

Carol
Police mom

December 17, 2019

My deepest condolences go out to Private First Class Latu's family, friends and co-workers at Marion County Sheriff's Office during this difficult time.
Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Rest In Peace my Brother in BLUE Private First Class Latu .

Officer Janet Sanchez
F.O.P member Yuma Lodge #24
Yuma Police Department

December 17, 2019

RIP PFC Latu. May God bless, comfort and protect your family and MCSO brothers and sisters during this most tragic and difficult time.

Mike - civilian. Sparks, NV

December 17, 2019

On behalf of Moms Back the Blue of the St. Louis County Police Family Association, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family (blood and blue) and friends of Private First Class Latu.
We will be forever indebted to you for your selfless service and sacrifice.
Always Honored; Never Forgotten

Proud Moms from
Moms Back the Blue of the
St. Louis County Police Family Association

December 17, 2019