Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Town Marshal William Dean Miner, Jr.

Avilla Police Department, Indiana

End of Watch Saturday, May 28, 1983

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Town Marshal William Dean Miner, Jr.

Bill was kind hearted and a great friend. I worked with him as a young State Trooper in Whitley County. He will always be remembered.

Kelvis Williams

Deputy Chief Kelvis Williams
Marion County Sheriff's Office

September 22, 2023

A friend and a brother in arms....we were always trying to recruit each other to our own departments.

Patrolman 1st Class Retired
Garrett PD

May 27, 2023

Thank you to each and everyone of you who takes the time to remember my father. Being able to read through these reflections is very heart warming.

Amy Ann (Miner) Stansbery
Daughter

June 10, 2022

Remembering my fallen Brother on this day. You are never forgotten!! Your friendship and memory live with me always!

Rex A Willoughby 1st Class Patrolman Ret
Garrett PD

May 27, 2019

Rest in peace Town Marshal Miner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2019

Rest in Peace Marshal William Dean Miner Jr.. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Avilla, Indiana.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and the men and women who now serve the Avilla Police Department. I also Pray that the hounds of hell forever pursue the scum responsible for your murder. He may have escaped true punishment here on earth but may he know no peace or rest in this life. May his sorry soul forever burn in hell. May his nights be plagued with tortuous nightmares. May his grave be covered with thorn bushes and weeds.

Amen.

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

May 27, 2016

I was one month away from graduating from The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy when you were killed. We arrived on Monday morning to the flag at half mast. We learned very much that day, and I have thought of you and what happened often. We never met, but we will always be BROTHERS.
RIP and know I will never forget.

Sgt. B. Burton
Fort Wayne Police Department

March 6, 2016

I remember getting the notice this monster was getting out and hearing a few of the older officers grumble and talk about how hard it was to believe. I was not familiar with the story and had to research to see the circumstances. What I learned and what I read was heartbreaking. The thought of this guy walking around while you are unable to because of his deliberate actions is hard to fathom. God bless you and you're family though for the willingness to serve, protect, and sacrifice for your community. God only knows who else you saved from having to suffer loss and tragedy in their life because of him.

TW Jester - Patrolman
Ft Wayne Police Dept

June 4, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise; Always honored, never forgotten.
Know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

May 28, 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 28, 2015

It's Police Officer Memorial Day in the State of MT. My Uncle Bill has been on my mind. I remember the day he was shot as it was the morning after my 8th grade graduation. I'm sad for my Grandmother who has never gotten over the death of her son. Sad for my Dad and his siblings who lost a brother. Sad for Uncle Bill's children. I appreciate the State of MT and Gov. Bullock for declaring May 15th to be such a special day and while I'm sad my Uncle is gone, I will use this day to remember the way he used to tickle me until I couldn't breathe. Love you Uncle Bill.

Shannone
Niece

May 15, 2014

I reflect often on the way things were when we were growing up. I wonder how different things may have been if God had not called you home when He did. I miss our brother-sister talks, our holiday celebrations with family, your smile, your laugh. I thank God for allowing me to have you as a big brother. The pain of losing you is still just as real today as it was in 1983. I have just learned to hide the pain of losing you & keep it private. I love you big brother & miss you dearly. Your little sister, Sherri

Sherri l. Miner-Robinson
Sister

May 12, 2014

I can no longer place the small flags at your headstone, nor can I visit your grave each year at this time, as I have done for so many years before; but your memory lives on, and your sacrifice is not forgotten. You were my friend and a brother in blue. You live on in the hearts of all who knew you.

Patrolman 1st Class (retired)
Garrett Police Department

May 27, 2013

Rest in Peace, Marshal Miner. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2013

29 years is not much time for killing anyone let alone a police officer. Our court system is broken nation wide!

Sgt. Jerry Gilbert
Montgomery County, KS Sheriff's Office

August 3, 2012

The people of Indiana need to stand up to this travesty of justice! I'm sorry for the family and friends of yours and only hope and pray that your attacker meets a horrible, lasting and painful demise!

Captain Davy Davis
Pascagoula Police Dept.

August 3, 2012

The traged of your sacrifice and the tragedy of your death, are only overshadowed by the tragedy of the court system for allowing your killer out early...You will not be forgotten

Anonymous
former Federal Police Officer

August 3, 2012

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. 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 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 the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends 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

May 28, 2012

Uncle Bill, I was just a little boy at your funeral and didn't really know what it meant. I have never forgotten, though, how the family came together to mourn your passing. I have learned over the years about your many good works and now that I am a man with a family of my own I can just begin to appreciate how much your service and sacrifice has cost to all those who love you so much. Thank you for being a true hero among us. I am proud to be your nephew.

Ezra Houser
nephew

February 8, 2012

Hardly a day passes when I work my shift on the same department as marshal Miner did, that I don't think about the sacrifice he made to his community and his family.

Senior Reserve Deputy Dean Orewiler
Avilla Police Department / Avilla, IN

December 21, 2011

Hardly a day passes when I work my shift on the same department as marshal Miner did, that I don't think about the sacrifice he made to his community and his family.

Senior Reserve Deputy Dean Orewiler
Avilla Police Department / Avilla, IN

December 21, 2011

R.I.P. Brother. God bless you and your family.

P.O.
CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT/011TH DIST

October 30, 2011

I will never forget the feeling of helplessness when I heard the call go out that dreadful morning. You were a friend; a brother in the thin blue line. We trained and laughed together; I tried to recruit you and you tried to recruit me, but we both knew we were where we were meant to be. We lost a true American hero that morning. You are always remembered - time can never erase the memories we all have in our hearts.

Patrolman 1st Class Rex A. Willoughby, S
Garrett Police Dept. - Retired

May 18, 2010

My Big Brother & My Hero,
There is never a time that I think of you that it does not bring tears to my eyes. In time we only learn how to better manage our emotions...the pain of losing you has NEVER lessened; nor has it gone away. The day you ere laid to rest, a piece of each one of us was laid to rest with you, as well. You were the best brother,husband,son,father and Law Enforcement Officer that anyone could ask for. All my love, Your sister Sherri

Sherri L. Robinson
Bill's Little Sister

February 4, 2009

"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

October 23, 2007

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