Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Keith Lee Evans of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 62 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 9, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Keith Lee Evans of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 62 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 9, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Keith Lee Evans of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 60 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 9, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Keith Lee Evans of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 59 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

July 9, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

July 9, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Keith Lee Evans of the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 55 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

July 9, 2018

Officer Evans,
On today, the 22nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Columbus. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 9, 2017

As a friend of Officer Evans son growing up, I was always in awe that Keith was a cop. After high school I certainly was not headed in much of a direction. The night that led to Officer Evans death was one that truly made me take a deep look at myself. In August I had decided to enroll in the Police Academy. I have served my community now for 20 years as an Officer. I thank him every day in my prayers and thank his family. i would like to think that Keith and his family had a profound impact on the man that O have become.

Detective Delbert Dalton (Groveport PD)
Groveport Police Department

December 8, 2016

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

July 15, 2015

Here is his name on the Memorial wall (its a panoramic picture of the actual memorial). 20th line down, last name on the right.

Old friend of his son Kevin.
Private Citizen

March 25, 2015

Gone but never forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice to Columbus, OH. Hope your family is doing well.

Anonymous
Friend of Son (Kevin) at time of accident

March 25, 2015

Uncle Keith So many lives you have touched. I can't believe it has been 18 years you have been gone from this world. I think of you everyday and the sacrifice you made for the people of Columbus, Ohio , your friends and your family.Until we meet again !
Love, Weiner

Lorena Fisher Zecher
neice

July 5, 2013

I will never forget the night that a thoughtless man chose to take your life in front of his wife and children. I was a dispatcher working that evening and still after all of these years the memories are still so very fresh in my mind. You were always such a great guy on the air and very respectiful of the job myself and the other dispatchers did! To this day when my children beg to go to Red, White and Boom I cannot bring myself to take them. The memories of that night and everything that went down afterwards never seem to go away. You were one of my "guys" didnt matter that you were freeway patrol. You were always willing to jump off and back up officers if I became backed up on runs. You are not and will not be forgotten...

Anonymous
Former CPD Dispatcher

April 3, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 15th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 9, 2010

Boy, this is a tuff pill to swallow. The circumstances are just horrendous. Thank
you for your dedicated service, every minute of it! It's easy to see you were loved.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

November 19, 2008

Sir:

As always, it was a pleasure to spend time this weekend in Ocean City with your sister, Marty and her husband, at the COPS retreat. You would be honored to see how your sister has preserved your memory and life. Thank you for your service and dedication.

Karen and Paul Highbarger
Mom And Stepfather/Officer Chris Nicholson EOW:12/19/07

October 26, 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

December 31, 2007

I had the honor of meeting Officer Evans' sister, Marty, yesterday for breakfast as a member of Maryland C.O.P.S. She has gathered the most impressive scrapbook in memory of her brother since his EOW, which inspired me to do the same for my brother who was killed in the line also (EOW 5/11/07). ALthough I have lost my only sibling, I have gained an extended family of other survivors, who have all helped me get through the grief. Marty, thank you for reaching out to me and I will see you at the annual COPS conference this weekend.

Meggen

Meggen McKay Payerle
Sister of Slain Officer Bruce McKay EOW 5/11/07

October 22, 2007

Officer Evans Sir,

O.V.I. paperwork takes a lot of time. It takes Officers off the street for a couple of hours here at CPD. Ive often heard fellow Officers complain about how tedious it really can be to process, but even on my worst day....sick, tired, cranky...whatever it may be....Ill take as much time as I have to for Officers like you who I feel were stolen and the thief who stole you that were not served justice. Each U10.100 turned in is another little piece broken off just for you Sir....Ill take as many as my shift and the law will allow for as long as I can.

Officer
CPD

August 2, 2007

Rest In Peace

We continue the fight for you brother and you are not forgotten by your department we honor you daily by wearing the uniform proudly and remembering the fallen brothers and sisters that came before us

detective scott alexander
columbus divsion of police

July 24, 2007

12 years ago you were taken from us! We will never forget your act of bravery and dedication to the job!

On behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City lodge #9 in Columbus, Ohio we are very sorry for the loss of your life while serving your community and our country! God bless your family!

President Jim Gilbert
Fraternal Order of Police,Capital City Lodge #9, Columbus, Ohio

July 9, 2007

Keith Evans was a man who everybody got along with. he was my fathers'(Rosie Reichgott)partner and friend. My parents enjoyed spending time with you and your family. you will be missed.

President Max Reichgott
Fraternal Order Of Police Capital City Lodge #5 / Friend

February 19, 2007

God, I had no idea that was you that night. I was there when that happened( in the area) and I remember feeling a little angry for what happened to you and scared for you. I have never forgotten though. I think about it quite often. I hope you're doing better up there...

June 13, 2006

hi uncle keith, the family all miss you and love you hopefully one day we can be like it was way back when

March 11, 2006

Officer Evans. I remember the night you were so violently run down. I was on the way home with my parents from red, white, and boom and we sat in traffic for hours it seemed like. I wish I could have met you but I will someday and untill then I just want to say THANK YOU!! for you sacrifice you made to stop a drunk driver. God Bless you and you will never be forgotten.

Patrol Officer Chris J. Rohner
Licking Memorial Hospital Police Dept. Newark,OH

January 12, 2006