Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Harris,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

February 27, 2024

The dirtbag only received one year in jail. What a disgrace. I hope the suspect rots in Hell and burns like the piece of garbage he is. To our officer, May God bless you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers and are with us forever. Rest in peace….

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol & US Marine

February 26, 2023

I worked with an officer in Norwalk in the mid sixties and we were teammates on our CHP basketball team. My ID#3749. He transferred to Bakersfield before 1970 and he was hit and killed in the early 70’s. I don’t remember his name but that has to be the same person. Too many similarities not to be him.

Bill Bathe
CHP CTCIII64 #3749

February 27, 2021

He was my friend and neighbor. Great man . It was devastating to us all

Stewart rogers
Friend

February 27, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Harris.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 19, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

February 27, 2018

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 24, 2015

How did I come to meet Gerald, my brother-in-law? It was in late 1965 when I met & later married my beloved wife & partner of twenty-five wonderful years. She was your "Sis"...Joann. It was awhile before I met you for you were assigned elsewhere. I met your dad Sam & Juanita who proudly supported your endeavors. When you got settled into your new assignment here in Bakersfield you then began to build a firm foundation to raise a family. You were always thoughtful of others & I learned about how you somehow found the time to spend coaching youngsters about bicycle safety. You might say it started with a call asking... "Sis", would you be in need of a coffee table? We went over & I met him for the first time. What a guy! I could tell you that his "Sis" was so very proud of her brother as he stood with his arms folded as he greeted her (us) as he often did with many who knew him. His daily itinerary was always giving 110% dedication. The 10% was given with love & caring (like, i.e.; associates, family or friends). Would have given more by constantly searching for improvement & the 100% was given with the belief: serve & protect what ever the cause...for he met on a daily basis those assignments proudly with no reserve or hesitation to never relent often venturing into the valley of the shadow of death & knowing in his heart he would put himself in arms way for the justice system & the peoples safety. E.O.W. when asked...what is it when you think of E.O.W.? my answer...for the loved ones; is daddy coming home? Stealing that often thought of E.O.W. brings an unimaginable plight of relief & delight or a fear...a mix of uncertainty in the heart of the ones who care. Courageous are the loved ones on an ongoing basis who continue to believe all is well or will be. Now I'm going to share the most over-whelming, shattering experience that I still carry to this day...my wife Joann & I were sitting in the kitchen discussing plans we wanted to do that late afternoon when all of a sudden Joann become very distant she was transfixed & seemed to be deeply worrisome. Asking what is it that troubles you... there is something wrong, she replied... so she began the process of elimination starting with her father until she focused on Gerald...there's something wrong with my brother Gerald. About that time our son Rick came running home & confirmed want went down. As I knew that Joann had the gift of sixth-sense, I was hoping for some kind of mistake & was in denial. To all of us and there is many, somehow we share tragedies as such of various degrees & heart-aches E.O.W. has weighed on my mined for sometime...as I mentioned earlier, serve & protect whatever the cause without reserve or hesitation. I found out that this dedicated officer (Gerald N. Harris) like so many other fine officers also, was officially off his watch & was in route homebound when he heard on the radio dispatch...traffic light out, Brundage Ln & Oak St. intersection, he responded without reserve & this is where he met his misfortune Wednesday Feb.27th 1974 This is when family asks that un-answered question...Why?

Frank E Cox
Brother-In-Law

April 12, 2015

As a roommate Gerald’s at the old CHP Academy, I got to know him like a family member in the 16 weeks we were there. Gerald had a great sense of humor and it was always fun to be around him. It was a big loss to hear of his death. We will miss him and will never forget him. Semper fi, Brother.

Les Hathaway CHP 5476 ret.

Les Hathaway
CHP Ret #5476

February 25, 2015

Thanks for your 7 years of services, Gerald.

David

February 27, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Harris. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th 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, Gerald. You are so handsome in your picture. I am sorry you were robbed of your life at such a young age.

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

February 27, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been a long time since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Officer Harris!

Sgt. Robert Mau, Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 16, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 21, 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 21, 2007

Been a lot of years since you left us but you know the Blue and Gold Never forgets !! Rest Easy Brother

DB
Calif Highway Patrol...Ret.

February 27, 2007

MAY GOD BLESS YOU MY BROTHER. YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. A HERO NEVER IS. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

January 6, 2004