Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Rocco W. Laurie

New York City Police Department, New York

End of Watch Thursday, January 27, 1972

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Reflections for Patrolman Rocco W. Laurie

Rocco, I'll never forget Foster & Laurie, My granddaughter Emily Navarra was born 25 yrs later Jan 27,1997 RIP brother, Blue lives are great lives, long live the means streets of New York City, NY "You can take the boy from NYC, BUT You'll Never Take The New York City from THE BOY" God Bless All Of Us 45 yrs later, RIP brother

PO Al Navarra, #2693
NYCPD/SCPD retired: 4-4-88

February 20, 2017

Rest in Peace my brother. ...to all of us in the law enforcement community you will always be remembered for being a true hero. ALL BLUE LIVES MATTER.

N.Y.PD. Ray Flores
Lieutenant (ret.)

January 27, 2017

Thinking of you two this day as I read about the horrible assassinations of the two officers in NYC yesterday - was out yesterday doing the holiday things and it will forever be a tragic season for the two families. I recall the movie - I believe that was the first time I became aware and then bought a paperback book about the slayings - when I was 13 or so. It never ends!

Doug Easterly
Rememberer

December 21, 2014

I am a student at I.S. 72 the police officer Rocco Laurie school. At first I knew he was a police officer and all, but I didn't know his back story. We had an assembly about him recently. Now I know what he stands for. He was a true hero, and didn't deserve to die at such a young age. He is truly a person to look up to, even though he is not that famous. He is a true American. No one should die for that. RIP Rocco Laurie and Gregory Foster (fellow officer in which he died with him). You'll be remembered by I.S.72 forever. I am proud to say I go to the school named after him.

Karah
student

October 28, 2014

I was in the Marines and Viet Nam with Rocco Laurie. I learned how to "get after" the weight pile. Rocco was a Marines, Marine . I ended up with three Purple Hearts and was sent home to Balboa Hospital. I was medically discharged. Memories of Rocco....all great, spoke a lot of the girl waiting for him that he was going to marry when he got back home. I will always remember him as a great Marine and great human being.

CPL. USMC Richard Rees
True Friend

June 10, 2014

I am a student in I.S 72 and i have just learned about Rocco Laurie I used to think he was just a regular man but when I learned about him I know now that he was a hero and he didn't deserve to die. I get angry when I think that he died when he was a good man because always in movies and in real life the good one dies.

GINA
student

November 4, 2012

Rocco was my friend & fellow shot putter on the PRHS Track team; Rocco was the best there was in NYC and a great guy. I knew him since childhood when his family owned the drug store on Morningstar Rd in Staten Island. RIP old friend

Mickey Pietrocola, Civilian, former USAF
Friend

August 27, 2012

Hero's may fall but are always remembered and honored. RIP brother.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

January 30, 2012

I left an inaccurate eow date on my previous post to honor you, Today is the 4oth anniversary of your death, and each one of those forty years, you have been missed,

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

January 27, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 55th anniversary of your death. and the death of your good friend and partner. 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. He was also your fellow Marine so I bid you semper fi and thank you for your service defending our country in Vietnam.

Time never diminishes respect, and your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today.

Rest In Peace

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

January 27, 2012

Officer Rocco Laurie today I remember you for you dedication to our city I will always honor you and Offficer Gregory Forster. You share this Day with my Son P.O. Kevin Lee NYPD EOW 1/27/06. God Bless. Thinking of you and you family.

Catherine Lee
Mother

January 27, 2012

I have recently met one of Roccos great friends and he has tought me soo much about him and i realized hes not just a police officer but hes a hero a fighter and a great role model.

c,a
Member of his school

October 25, 2011

I've heard it said you remember the people you meet in your life more than any of your trials or accomplishments. Rocco was a giant of a person. A leader, goal oriented, a friend, a scholar and a notable high school and college athlete. A hero. Rocco helped make this a better world.

Anonymous
P.R.H.S. Track 1963-65

August 10, 2011

I've heard it said you remember the people you meet in your life more than any of your trials or accomplishments. Rocco was a giant of a person. A leader, goal oriented, a friend, a scholar and a notable high school and college athlete. A hero. Rocco helped make this a better world.

Anonymous
P.R.H.S. Track 1963-65

August 10, 2011

Dear Rocco,
I just read Vic Grillo's comments. Vic and I have stayed friends over all thee years and we speak of you and Greg often. You will always be missed by your brothers and sisters in Blue.
Gary

Gary Gorman, Retired Police Officer
NYPD 23 Pct, TPF, ESU

July 28, 2011

I was 9 or 10 years old when my family sat down to watch the movie Foster and Laurie. I had no idea really what it was about. I was anticipating some happy ending of a white man and black man becoming best of friends. You know, little girl thoughts and hopes. To my surprise and great hurt they were killed. To my further surprise and great hurt it was a true story. For some reason today while looking at this really old sitcom the two cops in the episode made me think about Foster and Laurie. That childhood disappointment came back so I decided to come online to see if I could find out more about them and the real story because I never really understood as a child why they were killed. I came across their reflection pages. The hurt came back, the tears. I don't know why because I didn't know them and I was just a kid. But I'm glad even in death they were together because I'm sure their spirits got to travel to heaven, still together.

Bless you all every police officer who daily risks his life for his community and safety of others. Like Foster and Laurie, I'm so glad you have each other.

Allison
Richmond, VA
June 11, 2011

A child who still remembers
A stranger

June 11, 2011

"THE ROCK" was my company SGT. IN 70M, HIS name fit him perfectly.He was solid as a Rock, physically and spiritually, yet He had a heart of gold. His eyes told you, He was serious, but compassionate, and pity the bad guy who crossed his path. THE POLICE ACADEMY GYM PROGRAM was a cake walk for HIM, AND most of us would not box with HIM or Jim Dennedy, since we wanted to avoid Cabrini hospital across the street.I remember that cold night in, FEB. 72. JIM D and I agonized as 13 th div radio cracked with what was going in in the 9th, we had a bad feeling it was ROCCO and it proved to be right. THERE isn't a day goes buy that I don't think of you, I still have our company roster with all of our names on it, except with small crosses next to those of us who have who have passed.I started the ACADEMY with You as my company SGT. ,. and ended with you as a great friend. GOD keep you, the day will come when 70 M will muster together again. VIC GRILLO jr. RET BNTF & 79PCT.

RET. PO AURELIO VIC GRILLO JR
N.Y.P.D.

May 22, 2011

Rocco-

39 years later and the sacrifice that you and Greg made is not forgotten. You both are remembered in my prayers every day.

TPF/SCU

January 27, 2011

I was eight, I remember Rocco and Adelaide coming to softball games and thought they were the coolest couple ever. The were good looking, had a really cool car and a great big sweet dog named Buster and they always seemed so happy. I remember the day we heard, I remember waking up that day the radio was on and my parents were crying. What a tragic loss, some things leave an imprint on your whole life. This was one of them. When I think about it.......I still feel it in my chest...

toni iammatteo foskey

November 7, 2010

I remember the day Rocco died. His wife and I worked in the business office of NY Telephone Company on Staten Island. She was a beautiful young wife totally in love with him. She waited and prayed for him to return from Vietnam only to lose him to the streets of the city.

Toni Sasso
Co Worker of Adalaide

February 25, 2010

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. I was an officer myself for over a decade, and remember well the horrific deeds of the Black Liberation Army. It hurts, especially, to know that our vets survived the tragedies of war only to be murdered in the USA. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer. May it somehow help to know he is not forgotten, and that those responsible are relentlessly persued for justice in his honor.

Anonymous

September 9, 2009

Rocco was my platoon Sgt. in 1st Bn 9th Marines. I and the rest of the Marines in my platoon looked up to him, he was a true leader and we would have followed him anywhere. Forty years later and I still think of him often.

L/CPL Tim Holte
US Marines

June 19, 2009

Rocco,It has been a long time since Vietnam. It's going to almost 40 years since that night of 08/10/69. A night when 3rd Plt, Echo Co,2nd,3rd Marines made USMC history. I have never forgotten you and all those other Marines.
Last time I saw you and Greg, you were on your back to the USA. I still have those pictures of us when we were in Vietnam during 1969. It has been along time and many years. I wished that I could had contacted your wife after your death, but it has been very painful all this years. If she reads this I hope she will contact me at [email protected]. Semper Fi, Marine.

Cpl Antonio G Gonzales
USMC Friends

March 12, 2009

Dear Rocco ,
We paid honor to you and Greg last Wednesday in memorial awards to 5 MOF who helped a USMC PFC WW II veteran in life and in death. The awards were in your name and Greg and another Marine WW II also a MOF who recently passed away. Vic Grillo the President of the 10-13 I belong too led the ceremony in makings sure the awards were in your name. He commented that you were his company Sgt and what a great guy. We miss you buddy and often think of you.

Gary G

Ret PO Gary Gorman
NYPD 23, TPF, ESU

February 22, 2009

You and Gregory rest in peace....you two are a shining example to all those who serve the public!!

Anonymous

February 18, 2009

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