Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was paging through past issues of IPMBA News and found a short article about Paul in the October 1994 issue. It states that Paul was one of the first bicycle patrol officers and helped initiate the San Antonio Park Police bike patrol in 1991. At that time, funds were being raised to place a Park Ranger Memorial at Hemisfair Park, site of the 1994 IPMBA Police on Bikes Competition. I wonder if the efforts were successful. I do know that the San Antonio Park Police Bike Patrol has been an ongoing success, which would no doubt make Paul proud.

Maureen Becker, Executive Director
International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA)

March 21, 2024

It’s been 26 years and not a day goes by that I don’t missmy brother. Even though he’s not w us…he is busy looking
Over us and keeping us safe, as he did because of his love for humanity. Thank you everyone who continue to keep him in your memory.

Judy Pytel
His Sis

September 11, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

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

July 31, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Pytel.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 23, 2019

Patrolman Pytel,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of San Antonio. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

July 31, 2019

Just completed the ride for the fallen from San Antonio to Austin for the memorial. While I did not work with Officer Pytel, I do work for his agency and we rode in his honor. It was truly an honor to ride for him and to find his name on the wall.

Officer M. Schorn
San Antonio Park Police

May 6, 2019

I visit Paul's place on our wall in DC every year during Police Week. He was a good partner.

Lt. (Ret.) M.C. Williams
Director and Chaplain, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers-USA

July 31, 2018

Thank u everyone for ur respect for my brother. Thank u All for
Ur respect
Just to clarify, His name...it’s: Paul Mathew Pytel, not Mathews.
Thank U everyone who has praised my brother for his duty.

Long overdue.
V/r judy

Judy pytel
His sister

July 7, 2018

Rest in Peace Officer Patrolman Paul M. Pytel. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of San Antonio, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends, Co-Workers and those brave souls who have chosen to follow in your foot steps protecting the public. I also Pray that the thug who murdered you is rotting in hell.

Amen.

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

August 3, 2016

Paul, it will be 20 years that you've been gone, to me it seems like only yesterday. Life still continues without you and i just keep wondering what life would have been like if you were still here on earth. I feel so cheated without you and our baby and wonder everyday why God still keeps me here on earth without you both. I'm doing the best I can to live life without you both. I only hope you both are together and look down every so often and check on me and the rest of the people who care so much about you both. I will always love and have a place in my heart for you and our baby.

Betty Jean Pytel
your loving wife

July 7, 2014

Paul my brother: I found your name on our wall in DC this past Tuesday. I continue to pray for your family and widow as we approach the 20th anniversary of your LODD.

Lt. M.C. Williams
State of CO and former SAPP

May 17, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 16th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state. 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.

I hold your family in my heart's embrace today and pray for their solace for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 31, 2010

RIP my Brother. Thank you for your service.

Deputy S. Yates
Covinton County Sheriff's Dept. (Mississippi)

July 26, 2010

May god grant you the peace you deserve, you are truly missed.

John Pytel

May 22, 2009

"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 20, 2008

YOU WERE A GREAT BROTHER IN LAW TO ME. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU AND MY SISTER CONSTANTLY AFTER ME TO TRAIN HARD FOR THE POLICE ACADEMY. EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST 14 YRS THAT I PUT ON MY PATROL UNIFORM I REMEMBER ALL THE POSITIVE THINGS AND ENCOURAGING WORDS THAT YOU SAID TO ME. GOD BLESS YOU PAUL.

OFFICER MANUEL RODRIGUEZ #0815
SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPT

May 24, 2007

Patrolman Pytel, thank you for your service. Neither you nor your sacrifice has been forgotten.

Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

April 26, 2007

I am a former San Antonio Park Police Officer who served with Paul. He was a "man's man" and a "cop's cop." Splendid behavior!

Know you are not forgotten, my Brother! "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Sgt. Michael Williams
Kwajalein Police Department

May 8, 2004

Officer Pytel, you will not be forgotten. You will be remembered by many as a HERO. Society owes you, your family, and your friends a great debt for your ultimate sacrifice.

You died for what you believed in, you stood up to what many in society run from. Without men like yourself, this world would be a very scary place for the weak and timid.

Thank you for your sacrifice and your honorable service. I will keep you and the other officers that have fallen in my prayers.

John Goebel

John Goebel
Cincinnati P.D. Recruit Candidate

Patrolman Pytel was killed for no reason just some coward did the crime but couldnt do the time. You are a hero

Criminal Justice Student