Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Holmes,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Texas. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 19, 2022

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

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

May 19, 2021

Gayle was a very good , all around guy and a pleasure to be around. I had the privilege of knowing and going to school with him. I know all of his immediate family and I remember hearing of his death while living in Houston , Tx. I called a DPS office that same night because I was watching it while in bed to make sure I heard what I heard and had to answer so many questions to prove I just wasn't a thrill seeker and finally was told he had died. He had a great soul and a very, very reserved guy. I miss him to this day

Kay Daniel, respect and know law enforcement officers

April 29, 2021

Rest in peace Patrolman Holmes.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 11, 2020

I’ll never forget the call. Mom and I were in the kitchen and she answered the phone. As she listened she began to cry. Her brother’s son, her sweet nephew, had been murdered. I don’t remember knowing him. There were so many of us cousins and he was several years older than me but I know his face in pictures and I know the story. And I know our large Holmes family still grieves.

Tamera Gardner
Cousin

May 20, 2020

My Dad was the third trooper that returned fire on the suspect after shooting his partner Gayle. My Dad found the man hiding at a ranch nearby and unleashed on him before hauling him off. My Dad left law enforcement soon after that. Very traumatic for his partner and Sheriff to be killed in front of him. RIP Gayle.

Cherise Littlefield Lansford

January 15, 2020

My uncle gale I often think about u and wish I could of know u God rest your soul we love u forever!

Family wesley Alan Holmes
Family uncle

December 25, 2019

Officer Holmes, I was in DC for NPW again this year. I made rubbings of your name & Sheriff Vinson's for the Family of Sheriff Vinson. I also made rubbings of your names for my cousin Ret. TX DPS Lt. Neal Haralson. He worked with both of you. He was there that night. He only wishes he could have done more for you both. Please know you are not forgotten. Your names share the west wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial in DC with Sheriff Vinson ~ & ~ my late husband, Albuquerque Police Officer Gerald E. Cline. God bless & keep those you love.

Yolanda H Cline
COPS Past National President

May 28, 2019

Rest in Peace Trooper Gayle Lamar Holmes. Thank You for your brave Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of The Great State of Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and the men and women who now serve The Texas Department of Public Safety. I also Pray that while your murderer did not escape punishment here on this earthly realm that the hounds of hell will soon be now gnawing on his sorry bones. May nothing but thorn bushes and weeds grow on his grave. May his sorry soul be consumed by the lake of fire.

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

May 19, 2016

My brother your memory will be held in my heart for as long I live. I have missed you and think of you often. May God bless you and hold you in His loving arms forever. Brothers always!

Retired Senior Corporal Max E. Gunn
Texas Department of Public Safety/former partner

May 17, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 19, 2015

Gone but not forgotten. Thank you my brother for your service.

Capt. Glenn Kresge
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services

March 12, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th 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 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 Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 19, 2012

Gayle was a great man an a good friend, His life was cut way to short along with my dads Paul R Vinson. We love and miss you both

Belinda Vinson Sursa
friend

July 28, 2011

Trooper Holmes thank you for your service and sacrifice. May God continue to bless your family until you all can be together in Heaven.

Trooper
Florida Highway Patrol

July 9, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 3, 2008

Patrolman Holmes will never be forgotten. I did not know him but his service to the Great State of Texas will be remembered. Thank you Trooper

Trooper II
Texas Highway Patrol

August 10, 2006