Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Alvin,
Class officers of your 1973 Ed White High School graduating class are busy preparing for our 50th reunion. You are well remembered and honored by your friends and all our class members, for the exemplary classmate, person, and LEO you were. May God comfort your family and provide showers of blessings upon them.

Debbie Gaskin Tobin
Ed White Class of '73

February 19, 2023

I was never able to meet you Uncle Al, but the stories of you live on in Your surviving siblings and numerous friends. I'm honored to be related to such a man.

Karen
Niece

October 26, 2021

43 years today and never forgotten. Rest in peace Trooper Kohler. So young and heroic!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 19, 2021

Alvin (Al) was one of the most personable and trustworthy people I had the privilege to work with. I worked with Al in Security Police Squadron at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi.

David E Sheeks
Retired Special Agent Homeland Secure

September 8, 2021

Rest in peace Trooper Kohler. A young honorable and heroic young servant cut down way too soon!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 17, 2021

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

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

September 19, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Kohler.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 18, 2020

Al was my friend and one of a very close group of us (including his brother David RIP) that grew up together on the westside of Jacksonville Florida, attending Stillwell Junior High and Ed White High School together. He was our Class Vice President. We all call each other best friends.....even today, Al is spoken of often in the circle of friends who remain together and which he is still considered a principle member of to this day. It IS an honor we call him friend.

I was one of the few who knew Al's reason for going into law enforcement. Caused by a specific event where he was unable to protect and assist someone in need, a date who ran into a former boyfriend and his friends who were out for trouble. His resolve was to make sure that never happened again. He quickly devised his plan, that was his way. So it was the Air Force to start his training in Law Enforcement as a Security Specialist, then on to the FHP as soon as he could get in. A corrective lens (red in color) in one eye solved his color blindness problem. We use to laugh with him when non-matching socks made it into his wardrobe on any given day in high school and beyond. Usually the result of a switch in previously matched pairings by one of his brothers as a joke.

This past Wednesday March 13th 2019, I was honored to speak before the Florida Commission on Offender Review in Tallahassee at the hearing on the parole consideration of Al's killer Lester Enriquez. Al's mother Martha, Sister Karoline, niece and cousin also attended. Martha was unable to speak and Karoline elected to allow me to speak for them in their place. For that I thank them for the honor. Myself and two other gentlemen (Joe Chancy one of them) spoke in Opposition to granting parole within the 10 minute time limit allowed to the opposition. Joe was Al's boss at the time of the shooting and assigned Al to the area where he was shot, the result of a necessary sub area re-alignment due to another trooper needing to take off that day to bring his wife and new born baby home from the hospital. He gave a very good impassioned speech on the events of that day. No one showed to speak in support of parole, thankfully.

In conclusion, the Board recommended NO parole and set his next review consideration to be Oct. 2025. Also, they extended his earliest release date (if no parole is ever granted) from 2068 to 2070.

I'll be at every hearing going forward as long as I am alive to do my best to keep the killer where he belongs.

Russ Stalvey
Life long (and beyond) Friend

March 15, 2019

Rest in peace Trooper Kohler.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2019

Please no parole! Alvin was a dear neighbor friend growing up with me. We loved him and this person mercilessly took his life and that of the tow truck driver who were there to help.

India Dore Kurtz
Childhood friend, next door neighbor

December 10, 2018

No Parole! He showed to regard for human life or the family he effected for ever!

Tobi Meyers
Friend

December 9, 2018

The one who did this should never get out! He left a big hole in the family's heart! That family will never be the same. He will be remembered as a wonderful person!

Tobi Meyers

December 9, 2018

Trooper Kohler,
I have studied about the details of that day up to the moment you were murdered by researching old newspapers articles. The slime bag that murdered you of course is still alive and well, but still in prison! They say you were very intelligent with a bright future and a perfect trooper for F.H.P.. I just wanted to say it's a sad story about you only wanting to help a person that took your life without any remorse and to R.I.P. on this exact day forty years later from that awful evening in 1978. Your service with the U.S.A.F. and F.H.P. is very much appreciated to this day and always will be...

Deputy A.R. Hobbs
Jefferson County TN. Sheriffs Office

September 19, 2018

Trooper Kolar, it's been exactly forty years today since you were murdered by that animal and I wanted for you to know that I've studied your death through old news papers etc., and It's said you were an exceptionally bright person and exactly what the F.H.P. wanted out of a trooper! Your not forgotten and I plan to come visit where you were laid to rest one day soon, thank you for your service trooper...

Deputy A.R. Hobbs
Jefferson County TN. Sheriffs Office

September 19, 2018

Trooper Kohler,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a LEO but for our Country as well when you served with the USAF. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 19, 2018

Alvin and I were classmates at Edward H. White High School Class of 1973. We grew up as teenagers along with others in Jacksonville Florida. I joined the US Army in May of 1973 and would always find time to look Alvin up or visit his family whenever I came back to town on leave. In 1977 having returned from a 3 year tour in Germany I met with Alvin as he had just been Honorably Discharged from the US Air Force. We spoke of many memories, shared a few laughs and then he told me he was waiting for his application to the Florida Highway Patrol to be approved. He confided in me that he had reservations of how other High School classmates would react to his becoming a State Trooper. I told Alvin to follow his heart and do what was good for him and if others thought negative of his career choice do not let that bother him. We shook hands and I departed for my next assignment to Ft Carson Colorado, this where I heard of his tragic death in 1978. I still remember this last visit and conversation with Alvin as if it were today, and as I come into Jacksonville from time to time I remember him as I pass the exit to his family's home on Interstate 10. As I walk the hollowed grounds of his grave site in Jacksonville Memory Gardens Orange Park Florida and honor his courage and desire to serve.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 John B Moore
US Army Retired

May 22, 2018

I was the on duty police dispatcher (22 yrs old at the time) with Metro-Dade Police working South Frequency the evening you were murdered. It was one of my units, passing by while en-route to another call, who advised me to notify FHP Turnpike of a vehicle fire at the SW 168 St overpass. I can't help feeling somewhat responsible for having sent you to that call. Never expected that an hour later I would get another call of an officer down. You were there to help a stranded motorist whose car was on fire. They waited until the Fire Dept. left the scene before shooting you and the tow truck driver. They headed south in the tow truck. I put out the BOLO and they were apprehended getting off the Turnpike in Florida City. I am now 59 years old and retired. Your death and that of the tow truck driver has huanted me all these years. I often pray for you and the tow truck driver and your families. God Bless.

Theresa Morris, Police Disp Supv 2
Miami-Dade Police Dept.

February 16, 2016

I never got the pleasure in getting to know you, but I will never forget that day the lord took you away as i held you in my arms. You inspired me to become a police officer that day and I will always be grateful because it made a part of who I'am. You will always be remembered in my heart.

Thank you.

Officer Francisco Esteves
Hialeah Police Department., Miami, Fl

July 1, 2015

Mr. Kohler,

My father served with you in the Air Force, and spoke very highly of you while I was growing up. I met your parents a few years back as well, and a few of your friends. I have never heard such kind words to discribe someone, your character and actions are an inspiration to me. I am currently attending the FL police academy and often think of you when in class. Rest in peace Mr. Kohler, I only hope I could be as good as a officer as you.

BLE243
SF

Police Cadet
Florida

October 8, 2014

Thinking of you, your family & my father today. 36 years later, the loss & pain is still unbearable.

Clara Carrandi Santana
Daughter of civilian, Ivan Carrandi, Tow Truck Driver

September 19, 2014

Thinking of Al's family today. Left my last assignment to finish my years on the Turnpike like you and dad. I'm up at the "hump " with the rest of us that are going to have too leave soon with 30 years. Remember "Big John ?" He passed away too.

Al, you have been a great help in my life as a Senior trooper. Heck, you could have been the Director by now. You have been missed by many, and I still wear your name on my wrist every day. I miss you bro. Say hello to dad and all the other fallen troopers for me. Love you man. Parkway says hello...out.

Respectfully, I am.

Senior Trooper Scott Ashley Howard #643
Florida's Main Street, The Turnpike.
Troop K Orlando

Senior Scott A. Howard
F.H.P Troop K - Sunshine State Parkway

April 15, 2014

HEROES live forever and you sir are a hero... May you continue to rest in peace Trooper Kohler.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

September 19, 2012

One month and 14 days after meeting you , you were fatally shot. I had just turned 13. My father was called out and sped to the scene as one of the Miami District Commanders.

The initial impression you made on me by a firm handshake when my dad introduced us at the old Post 1 has lasted. "Hi Scott...Al Kohler".

I wear a metal memorial band on my wrist every day that FHP 1659 is started and my shift begins.

Trooper Alvin V. Kohler. End of watch 09-19-78.

Thank you for giving me a career of guidance. I've trained a bunch of new ones and you always brought to light the term "hero". One of them is now a Sheriff.

I'm stationed in Troop G again. The troop Headquarters is named in your memory, with you resting not far away.

My career has now reached 25 years and the "DROP program"

We will meet again one day big brother. Not with that firm handshake, but a strong and tearful hug to thank you for what you provided me, to teach to others, during our only meeting.

Thoughts to the Carrandi family as well. Rest in peace Mr. Ivan, who fell that night with Al.


Scott

Sr. Tpr. S.A. Howard #746
F.H.P. St. Augustine

June 15, 2012

Sending my letter to the Parole Commission. Thank you for serving.

Ofc CG

March 22, 2012

Not sure how someone convicted and sentenced to THREE life terms could even be eligible for parole? Printing and sending a letter today to the Parole Commission. Thank you for your service Trooper Kohler. You will NEVER be forgotten!

D/S Andrew D. Roedel
Jackson County Sheriff's Department - Marianna, FL

March 22, 2012