Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Delbert Wayne Miller, Sr.

Amarillo Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Wednesday, November 24, 1982

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Reflections for Patrolman Delbert Wayne Miller, Sr.

I ride through Amarillo as a truck driver and each time I do I think of that day and how officer Miller saved my life
I was a rookie and fresh out of the academy,myself and corporal Robert Taylor had been called up on I 40 to work accidents and traffic direction, miller responded on the radio that he was there and that area and we moved further down, 15 minutes later he was struck and killed, that would have been me there
I have thought often of that and I want to thank you for your sacrifice, I hope that I have with the chance you gave me lived my life that would make you smile and say good job, thank you sir, I hope to see again one day and tell you thank you in person

Former officer Charles E Walker, #683
Amarillo police department

July 17, 2021

I left before everything happened, but you and your family remain in my heart. You're missed more than you'll ever know! How's the popcorn in heaven???

Donna Brandt

October 23, 2020

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

January 4, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th 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

Phyllis Loya




Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

November 24, 2011

Hey Grandpa,

I never got to meet you. I was born 6 years after you had died. Dad would tell me stories about you, show pictures of you and your motorcycle. I have a picture of you and dad when he was about 4 years old. You were working on one of your motorcycles, and dad was sitting on his tricycle watching you. I see Davis around town all the time and sometimes he would tell me little stories of you. When I was about 11 or 12 years old, Dad and I watched your funeral on tape, and that was the first time I had ever seen him break down. I see your picture everytime I walk in through the main doors at the APD on the Wall of Honor. I remember the first time I had been asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told the teacher right off the bat that I wanted to become an officer. I'm working on becoming one now. I wanted to become an officer because I want to be like you were, a hero. I'm starting the police academy in January, hopefully. I want to do this to make you and Dad proud. Like I said, I never knew you, but I love you.

Jason

Jason Wayne Miller
Grandson

September 6, 2010

Today I was just running last names of some of my relatives and I put in my favorite uncle's name. I lived with Aunt Dorthy (Wimpy) and Uncle Delbert in the late 70's, early 80's. I remember as a kid, Uncle Delbert and my father built dune buggies and we would ride them on the red river. When I heard of my Uncle's death, I was heartbroken. Aunt Wimpy and Uncle Delbert were there for me when I needed them the most. My Uncle was always happy and smiling. He had the kind of personality that even if he was giving you a ticket, he could make you smile. Uncle Delbert, Gone but Never forgotten.

Kim Rackley Daley
Niece

August 16, 2009

Officer Miller's name was on the Texas Panhandle Officers Memorial at Llano Cemetery. After going to the ODMP website I found out who you were. Amarillo is famous for vetrans of our nations military,but do citizens of our community know about Amarillo's heros who served and protected the people of Amarillo. Let it be known that Officer Miller is a true hero of our community and will always be remembered by me and anyone who I can share with.

God Bless Officer Delbert Wayne Miller Sr.

j. Richardson
Criminal Justice major Amarillo College/West Texas A&M

June 5, 2009

Well Wayne it has been a total of 26 years ago that this happen. I still everyday think about what happen and it always makes me look twice and even a third time just to try and stay safe. You live on everyday by keeping the rest of safe. I ve been a cop for 15 years now and it seems like I started yesterday. No matter how long ago that this occurred, I will always be stopping back by and posting a reflection for you forever. When I was in the Marine Corps our Motto was "Semper Fidelis" meaning Always Faithful. You lived up to the Marine Corps Motto and was Always Faithful to Brothers in Blue.

Sergeant John S. Conrad Jr.
Dandridge Police Dept TN.

December 23, 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

January 30, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 26, 2007

GF-d Bless.

November 24, 2006

Patrolman Miller,
On today, the 23rd anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of Amarillo. It's a real travesty of justice that the person who killed you only had to serve a 1 year in jail.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

November 24, 2005

There are so many things I can say to describe Matt he was kind, caring, and lots more! He would always come to our school and said hi to us and visited w/us! I remember one time my stepmom told me something about riding a bike on the street and I went and asked Matt about it and to find out my stepmom was wrong I remember Matt saying "Now u can go home and tell her that she is wrong" I will miss Matt a lot! His memories are engraved in my heart forever!! There's no one that can ever replace you!! I love you!!.....RIP Matt!! Never be forgotten!!!!!!!

Angela Michael-Student at Eureka

January 30, 2005

I was six when Officer Miller was killed by that Drunk Driver. I lived in Amarillo at that time and remember Miller running traffic on 10th Street at Milam. My friends and I would go to the end of the block and watch him and his partner run traffic for hours. On one occation Officer Miller gave me a ride on his patrol motorcycle and I was sold. I knew from that moment that I wanted to be a police officer. I remember the day that the news broke with his death. My mother recognized Officer Miller of the news cast and sat me down to let me know of his death. It was a crushing blow as a child, that someone I knew, respected, and enjoyed spending a little bit of summer with, had died. To Officer Miller's family and friends, know that he changed so many lives that he touched and community was better place with him. He is truely missed and thought of with many fond memories. Thank you everything Officer Miller. Rest in Peace.

Officer Curtice Spencer 1308
O'Donnell Police Department

I WAS ONLY 12 YEARS OLD AT TIME OF THIS INCIDENT AND I WOULD COME OVER TO THE MILLER HOUSE TO PLAY AND RIDE MOTORCYCLES. I REMEMBER ALWAYS THEN WANTING TO BE A POLICE OFFICER...AND I REMEMBER THAT WHAT HAPPEN TO WAYNE SR STILL DID NOT MAKE ME WANT TO CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT BEING A COP ONE DAY. I MOVED AWAY FROM TEXAS WHEN I WAS IN 10 TH GRADE UP TO TENNESSEE.. SINCE THEN IVE WENT INTO THE MARINE CORPS AND NOW FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS HAVE BEEN A DEPUTY FOR SEVIER COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT. I FEEL THAT FELLOW OFFICERS THAT FALL IN THE LINE OF DUTY DO SO DOING WHAT THEY LOVE. WE ARE ALL A FAMILY, AND WE ALL LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. AND WE ALL NEVER FORGET EACH OTHER NO MATTER HOW LONG AGO SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED...TO THE MILLER FAMILY MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS STILL TODAY GO TO THEM...GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

PATROLMAN JOHN S. CONRAD JR.
SEVIER COUNTY TN SHERIFF'S DEPT.

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