Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

November 11, 2018

My cousin, my friend, you are forever in my heart, so deeply missed!

Sandra Akers ( no rank)
Cousin

May 31, 2016

My Daddy....I miss you every day. You are and always will be my hero.

Tamara Lilly- Levy
Daughter

May 12, 2016

Dave, I think of you & Kathy & Tammy often & know you are with the angels for eternity. Your best friend........

Chief of Detectives Butch Fink
Beckley Police Dept. Retired.

May 13, 2015

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 12, 2015

I worked with David. He was always very kind to the new guys. He took them under his wing. David was a professional and an asset to his profession and to the city of Beckley. We will always remember you.

Lt. Frank Pack
cheif of detectives Beckley Pd retired

March 25, 2015

Sergeant Lilly the sacrifice you made will never be forgotten as will the ones in your family that were left behind. David L. Price, my father and one of your partners thinks of you and your family everyday as prays that you were still with us. We recently were honered to visit the Police Hall of Fame in Florida and pay our respects to you and all of the other fallen HEROS. God bless you and your family, you will never be forgotten.

Captain Lonnie S. Price
Kansas City Missouri Police Department

May 12, 2014

Rest In Peace Sergeant Lilly, your service and sacrifice is remembered.

Sgt. Jarrod L. Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

May 12, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

February 5, 2013

I inadvertenly put an incorrect eow anniversary year in my previous post. Today is the 37th anniversary year of your death and I am sure your family has missed you each day of each year.

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

May 12, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 57th 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 12, 2012

Rest In Peace Sergeant Lilly. Your service and sacrifice is not forgotten. Thank you.

Sgt. Jarrod Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

March 12, 2012

Thank you Sgt. Lilly and the Lilly Family for your service.

Carol

December 8, 2010

David,
I never had the privilege of meeting you, as I joined BPD as a dispatcher about four months after you were killed. I still remember how the men and women of the PD spoke highly of you and grieved over your death.
If you were here today, I would tell you that over the past 34 years, the events of that horrible incident still comes to mind and prompts me to be extra-careful during high-risk times.
Thank you for your sacrifice in keeping the people of Beckley and Raleigh County safe. May God bless and watch over your family.

Officer Charles Rabley
New Madison (OH) PD

October 12, 2009

David, After all these years wishing I could hold your hand one more time or see your smiling eyes, I find this tribute to you and I have to say, my heart still breaks, my soul won't heal....I miss you so very much words can't begin to explain. Know I love you still today, my darling cousin. One day we will meet again ...
Sandy

Sandra Boothe Akers

March 13, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 2, 2008

I remember when you were shot , although I never knew you, and i was young,i thought what a horrible tragedy..A man doing his job , with family and being young, for no reason , he is killed...I come to you're page to write, you will never be for gotten, you a Hero will always be..
Never did i ever expect to know anyone that wouuld be gunned down, my son in law was gunned down , just doing his job as you amd many others have been, EOW was Aug.29,2006,Chuck Smith, I pray for all of you, the family you have lef behind, and i must say, R.I.P. God has you , and we will never ever forget all that you had done to keep us safe..
With prayers, and tears..
R.I,P..
Thank u for protecting us..

Alexandria Amick
Mother In Law To Chuck Smith EOW 2006

October 21, 2007

Sgt. Lilly, All my life I have heard stories of you, and the great memories my father, Michael Barnabi, has of you while he was growing up in Beckley. The other night I came across your memorial on this page, and I knew I had to show my father. When he saw it I thought he was going to cry. He hadn't seen your picture for years. Afterwards, my father told me that David Lilly was one of the best men he had ever known, and that he wished I could have had the pleasure of knowing him. Well Sgt. Lilly, I have heard of about you and your brother for most of my life, and I feel like you are an old friend. I am proud to have known of your great memory! Rest in peace Sgt. Lilly, and remember that we will always remember you and our other fallen heroes.

Chase Barnabi
Lebanon Police Dept Dispatcher

July 23, 2007

Sgt. Lilly I did not know you but I have heard alot about you from some of the older guys on the Department. You have always been remembered here at Beckley,but it really came to light when we lost another brother cpl. Smith. I realize now how hard it was for those guys when they lost you when a coward took you from us. I would like to thank you for service to the police department and the city of Beckley. All of us here will continue to fight against the crime that you and others started.

Cpl.J.G.Martin
Beckley police department

January 31, 2007

Dave, I think of you often.Hardly a day goes by without the memories of our childhood in gradeschool, the sockhop in jr. high and our graduating togeather from high school.I think of our joining the Beckley Police Dept. togeather and the long shifts and the nickname (Dinamic Duo) that we were called by the other officers.Well Dave we lost another brother so you and Buckland take him under your wing's until we are all togeather again. Your Pal, Butch....

Chief of Detectives (Ret).Butch Fink.
Beckley City Police Dept.

August 31, 2006

"In the simple performance of duty,
he pinned on a badge,
checked his gear with a practiced eye,
and kissed his loved ones good-bye.
In the simple performance of duty,
he reported for work,
joked with his buddies at roll call,
and made his last trip down the squad room hall.
In the simple performance of duty,
he answered the call
to help the helpless, to find the lost,
no matter the danger or how great the cost.
In the simple performance of duty,
he lay down his life,
for those in peril he tried to save,
our brave friend went to his grave.
In the simple performance of duty,
we honor his deed,
as we carry him to rest in a flag-draped casket,
long after the world has forgotten, we shall never forget.
Never judge or regret, what he did, In the simple performance of duty."

-Author unknown
You are not forgotten

Sergeant J.R. Corey
Beckley Police Dept.

August 22, 2006

May God bless and bring comfort to your family...even now, after all these years. May another officer never suffer at the hands of these thugs..Sergeant Lilly, you are not forgotten.

LORRIE LEGURSKY
BECKLEY RESIDENT

May 11, 2006

May God bless and bring comfort to your family...even now, after all these years. May another officer never suffer at the hands of these thugs..Sergeant Lilly, you are not forgotten.

LORRIE LEGURSKY
BECKLEY RESIDENT

May 11, 2006

Sgt Lilly, today I took a burglary report from a construction site managed by an acquaintance of yours. He and I talked of the dangers of law enforcement duty, and your name came up. He remembered you well and fondly, and spoke highly of you. After hearing all the good things he had to say, I just had to come visit your tribute page and pay my respects to you. I told him how to find your page, and hopefully he'll come visit you too. I pray that God grants you and your survivors peace and comfort. Rest easy, Sarge - we have the watch now.

CSO Huber
Tucson PD

January 22, 2006

Sergeant Lilly was an excellent officer with Beckley PD. He is fondly remembered by many current members along with countless other members who have retired. He gave his life for the citizens of Beckley and will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

Emmett Pugh / Mayor
Coty of Beckley

October 24, 2005