Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Ricky:

41 years have come and gone, and I still recall your funeral in Boca Raton. So many officers from so many locations to show our love and solidarity. I came to know your family very well over the next few years, and enjoyed listening to them tell stories about you.

Rest in peace, we have the watch.

Sgt. Ron Tomassi, (Retired)
Lake Mary Police, Palm Beach S.O.

April 18, 2022

Forty years ago yesterday. He was so young and missed out on so much of life. May he Rest In Peace.

PBSO civilian
PBSO

April 19, 2021

Palm Beach Co. Sheriff's Office honors deputy killed in line of duty almost 40 years ago

Posted April 18th 2020

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — The palm beach County Sheriff's Office is honoring the memory of one of their own.

Deputy Sheriff Richard J. Landes died in the line of duty on April 18, 1981.

According to the sheriff's office, Landes was hit and killed by a passing vehicle while assisting others in a car crash where the vehicle fell into a canal.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

April 18, 2020

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

To the Landes family. Richard was in my academy class at Palm Beach Junior College. I remember his smile and eagerness to learn everything he could about law enforcement. I visited the wall in Washington DC and made a etching of his name which sat on my desk for many years. God bless

Retired Asst. Chief Robert Mutz
North Palm Beach PD and Juno Beach PD, FHP Auxiliary

May 18, 2014

We will never forget... Continue to rest in peace Deputy Landes.

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

April 18, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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. I pray for solace for all that love and remember you.

Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your family for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 18, 2012

Continue to rest in peace Deputy Landes, we will never forget the sacrifice that you and your family made for all of us...

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

April 18, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Landes. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 16, 2012

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all and the sacrifices the family left behind has made. Continue to rest in peace Deputy Landes.

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

Anonymous

April 18, 2011

To The Family of Deputy Landes:
I wanted to offer my sympathies on your tragic death. I noticed only 3 reflections for you were left. After 30 years you will forever be remembered by your family, friends and colleagues. Your courage will never be forgotten. The date of your passing would have been my dad's 75 birthday. He was a police officer in New York City with the 102 precinct. rest in peace Deputy Landes.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2011

To The Family of Deputy Landes:
I wanted to offer my sympathies on your tragic death. I noticed only 3 reflections for you were left. After 30 years you will forever be remembered by your family, friends and colleagues. Your courage will never be forgotten. The date of your passing would have been my dad's 75 birthday. He was a police officer in New York City with the 102 precinct. rest in peace Deputy Landes.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2011

"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

December 15, 2007

Dear Ricky:
Shortly after you left us, I got to know your family very well, and became very close to them. I guess working here, and being as friendly as we were, naturally made your Mom and Dad truly open up to me. I learned a lot about you, though you left here just months before I came on board. I think of you often, and wish we could have gotten to know one another. But I am certain that you are in a better place, and the world is worse off without you. Someday we will meet, and tell "war" stories to each other. Until then brother, may God hold next to His heart, and continue to bless your family. Rest in peace. Amen

Detective Ron Tomassi
Palm Beach Sheriff's Office

March 27, 2006

Not forgotten. Rest in peace.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

February 18, 2004