Pittsburg Police Department, California
End of Watch Sunday, April 24, 2005
Reflections for Police Officer Larry Elwood Lasater, Jr.
Officer Lasater,
I have never met you not your family, but I can tell just how wonderful your family is. I’m a criminal justice student, a strong supporter of LEO’s, and a future LEO myself. Coming here to see your memorial and other memorials keeps me reminded and motivated of just how important this profession is to the world, the sacrifices the Blue family makes to keep our world safe from evil. I thank you and your family for making the ultimate sacrifice for your community and country.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)”
Rest in eternal Peace.
Danny Bloom
LEO Family Member/ Future LEO.
March 14, 2022
Sir you had to be a great man. I never knew you, but your mother, and spouse have both written on my dad's memorial page (Arthur Williams 3/1/78 Newark, N.J. Police Department). They both seem so loving, thoughtful, and wise. With that kind of love around you, you had to be a kind, wonderful man. Whenever I go to my dad's page, I read their comments, over again, because they give me comfort. I continue to keep them in my prayers. I pray they are well, and that you Rest In Peace. You were surrounded by love here on earth, but God loved you best. Thank you for your service.
Michael Williams
Son of a Fallen Officer
March 11, 2022
Good Evening Capt.
I just wanted to send you a little note. My agency is having another promotion process (I should have been promoted on the last one but was passed over). I just wanted to thank you for your words of encouragement when I was a young Marine. I was blessed to have had you, not only as my Series Commander in boot camp, but as my Platoon Commander prior to my deployment to Iraq. While I had an outstanding father (and Father) growing up, you took care of me and your fellow Marines as if we were your own kids. While I now know that the rank on your collar does not define you as a "leader", You Sir, were one that everyone should emulate. I know I will see you in the future (when I report to the Gates of Heaven and you undoubtedly will be assigning me my guard schedule :-) but I just wanted to send a quick note of thanks to you while you were here on this earth with us. Thank you Larry for being such an awesome man and example of what a true Leader is. I miss you brother.
Semper FI
James Gehris
Deputy James Gehris (Fmr USMC Sgt.)
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, PLT 3070, A Co 4th Tank Bn
February 18, 2022
Good Evening Sir,
Things have been going well for my family and I. As for work, well you know how that is from your current post. Was thinking about you today and just wanted again to thank you for what you shared with me in the Corps. Your integrity, motivation, and guidance, has helped many of us over the years. I miss you Captain and I wish I could call and speak to you. I am thankful for the guidance you gave me many years ago and I look forward to seeing you in the future...even though I know you will be briefing me on the guard rotation at the Pearly Gates. At any rate, Semper Fi Sir. Thank you for having been in my life.
Sgt James Gehris
Fellow Marine
January 11, 2022
You are not forgotten. You will live as a hero for eternity. RIP, brother.
Sgt. Brian Burton {Retired}
Fort Wayne Indiana Police Department
December 5, 2021
Your mother is such a classy and gentle lady to leave condolences on other officer's pages.
Thank you Ofc. Lasater for your service.
God speed. We'll take the watch from here, sir.
Jeffrey Leonard
November 13, 2021
Your son turns 16 today. Sixteen years without you here to share all though father- son moments. My heart aches for him, for you, for JoAnn...for all of us.
You would be so proud of the fine young man he is.
Loving you forever and a day
Mom
Phyllis Loya
mom of Pittsburg Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05
July 11, 2021
Rest easy Officer. Never forgotten.
officer
Park City PD (Utah)
June 5, 2021
Thinking of you and your family on this day Officer Lasater. To say that your actions that day were heroic is a huge understatement and your service, military as well as police, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. May God watch over you, your family and the men and women of the Pittsburg Police Department.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven RizzoDelaware State Police (Retired)
April 24, 2021
As of this moment (EDT) it's been 16 years since your passing after being viciously attacked by two nobodies. Thank you for your efforts to stop them and for the service you were allowed to give for all of 5 years.
Your mother, Phyllis Loya, has done an exemplary job of keeping your name in the forefront as she pays tribute to those who have fallen since your passing and many who went before. She is apparently a strong woman and she has more than earned the respect of anyone who frequents this site and have seen her unending tributes. Whereas I have missed many, she seems to miss NONE. God Bless her.
And, Brother, God Bless YOU for your hard work and may we forever mourn your sacrifice, acknowledge through your Mother, the families left behind to deal with the heartache and outrage and may you forever and always, Rest in Peace.
Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department
April 24, 2021
Your service and selflessness is not forgotten and your family’s strength and resilience still inspires me all these years later. They are in my prayers.
J. PAYNE
Family friend
April 22, 2021
RIP sir! Bravo Co 1st platoon 29 Palms Ca. Red 1 thank you for your service!
Sgt Frausto
1st Platoon Bravo Co
April 19, 2021
As I sit here and peruse the ODMP site, as I try and do most days, I could not help but to visit your site again because of the numerous amazing reflections I have seen left by your mother. To no surprise, I have found that many other people certainly feel the same way as I do based on the other reflections here citing your moms kind and uplifting messages to officers and their families all over the world. God Speed my friend and God Bless your wonderful and amazing mother always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
February 13, 2021
This message is to your mom Larry. You should be so proud of the way she is honoring your memory by leaving heartfelt prayers and thoughts on pages of law enforcement individuals she never met, they are so uplifting.
Phyllis left a message on my dad's page, Stanley Schall (EOW 5/6/64), and it meant so much to my family and I. I was 13 when my dad passed and now so many years later,, I look around at the world and wonder what he would think.
I bet you've met my dad, he's a great fellow very funny and so handsome, give him my love. Blessings to your family who know the pain of loss but know that Our Father in Heaven is watching all of us who were left behind.
Daughter of Patrolman Stanley Schall
Daughter
February 9, 2021
This message is to Phyllis Loya mother of hero police officer Larry Lasater. I have been on this website & quite amazed on how you leave a reflection for all our down police officers all over the United States. Your kind words & uplifting feelings make this world a better place to be. I sadly have many brothers in blue listed here & this is the only place we can say a few kind words or share a story of our departed friends. I want your family & daughter in law & grandson to know that Larry will never be forgotten. My LAPD brothers & sisters in heaven have taken Larry under their wing & are looking after him. They are all healthy & patrolling above doing some of gods work. Keep your head up high & know you are not alone the thin blue line is being tested but will not break. I look forward to more of your kind words & uplifting spirit. Thank you so much.
Rich Prindle P2+2 Motors
LAPD retired
January 6, 2021
I have not left a reflection for you for a long time, but you know you are always in my heart and my soul. Like many others, I have been troubled and depressed about the constant and unrelenting attacks on law enforcement and about the dangerous changes to us that I see happening in our country. Year 2020 has been challenging in so many ways. I worry a lot about your friends (and mine) that are holding the line. I have had to accept that I can only do what is in my power and stand firm in my own beliefs and values. I love you more than I can ever possibly express through written words. Continue to remain guard over us I don't understand how anyone without faith can survive grief journeys.
You would be so proud of Cody. JoAnn has done a great job of raising a stellar young man.
Mom misses you with every breath I take. Loving you forever and a day.
Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
January 2, 2021
Larry, your mom left a very sweet and kind message on the page of a relative of mine, the famous Cherokee Wild West lawman Sam Sixkiller. I figured I'd come here and return her kindness. I'm very sorry that you weren't on this planet when your son was born, but I'm sure you look down with pride on him and your other family. Many blessings to you and yours, Brother. You left your son with a fine example of duty, courage and heroism. Maybe in that place beyond what we know there is something like a special social club like the VFW for us cops and vets. If there is, I'll meet you there, shake your hand and trade stories with you. All the best to your family.
OFC JH Allen
AUPD - Columbia, SC
December 24, 2020
Today marks no particular anniversary or significant Day on a calendar with regard to the loss of Pittsburg Police Officer Larry Lasater Jr (ID #257), however, in my opinion, ALL days in the life of this HERO, are equally as important!
I did not know Larry personally, and sadly, had never even heard of “Pittsburg, California”, although I’ve lived and worked in California for over forty years now.
I was blessed to be able to retire from a nearly 24 year Law Enforcement career, here in California. During those years, I’ve had the misfortune of attending far too many Police Officer funerals!
After retirement, I did some searching, and found this Awesome website,(ODMP)! Every Peace Officer LODD posted, is an unfathomable loss!!
Officer Lasater Jr’s murder struck particularly close to home for me. In reading multiple Heartfelt posts from his Mother, Phyllis, I grieve alongside your family, friends, community members and co-workers. I could only imagine my own Mother’s pain in response to her own son’s murder in the Line of Duty!
Brother Larry, you can Rest Peacefully knowing that, although your life was cut way too short due to the EVIL, PURELY SELFISH actions of a couple depth-dwelling members of Society, you could not have served the Citizens of the City of Pittsburg, California, with more distinction!
Your Mother Phyllis has Exemplified what the Mother of a Fallen Police Officer could attain, in her expression of Strength, Faith, and Support. I’m certain that She has helped many other families of Fallen Officers navigate through such unimaginable pain!
Thank you again, Officer Larry Lasater Jr,
(ID #257), for your Service to our Country, and for unselfishly laying your life down while protecting the Citizens of Pittsburg, California, rather than swaying from your path of duty!!
Trooper Schobel/15502 (Ret)
Inland Division MRE
CHP Riverside Area
September 14, 2020
Officer Lasater, thank you for your service. You’ll never be forgotten.
Dispatcher H McCarthy
None
August 7, 2020
Officer Lasater, I frequently see the very nice reflections left by your mother for other officers on this incredible web site but have never actually taken the time to look you up until now. Your selfless actions that day are the true definition of heroism and you undoubtedly saved numerous lives, but you as if that wasn't enough, you surely saved even more lives afterwards with the donation of your organs. Never has the word "hero" been more true. Rest in peace always and God Bless you, your mother, your family and the entire Pittsburg Police Department.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
June 27, 2020
Officer laster, 15 years ago yesterday you were horrifically murdered by two robbers. May you continue to Rest In Peace
Mark Mottola
April 25, 2020
Larry was my platoon commander for 1st Tank Scout Platoon. Never a finer human. Rest In Peace brother. Semper Fi.
Lt. Dabney
Casper Police Department
April 25, 2020
Respect, Honor, Remember. Thinking of your bravery, service and sacrifice. Your memory lives on through your amazing family.
Wisconsin C.O.P.S. G. Birkholz
Mom of Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011 Fond du Lac PD
April 16, 2020
Officer Lasater, I did not know you and had not heard of your passing. I came here because I have seen your wonderful, giving mother posting on just about every fallen officer's page I have visited that I have known. You should be proud of her as she obviously is so very proud of you. She is keeping your memory alive as well as keeping the memories of ALL fallen officer's alive.
Mrs. Lasater, I am the founder of Blue_Wives_Matter - a support group for fallen officer's spouses and their children, regardless of COD (so that means I do not turn away any family, whether it was LODD or not). I have a special program for the children of our fallen where I send the kids law enforcement patches every month for them to collect. It's a nice way for the kids to know that their dad's and they are NOT FORGOTTEN and that someone out there remember's them and the ultimate sacrifice their family has made. If your grandchild would like to be a part of this program please contact me at [email protected] or you can find me on Facebook under Kristen Sweaza or Blue_Wives_Matter (use the underscores). If any law enforcement officer is reading this and would like to donate patches to my program you can also email me. I depend on donations to keep the program running.
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved son. He is a true hero and I can see where he gets it from! My sympathies go out to his family.
All my best to the Lasater Family
Kristen Sweaza
Daughter of retired ILOD LAPD Motor Officer
Wife of Police Captain Rob Sweaza Fountain Valley PD, CA (RET)
Founder of Blue_Wives_Matter
April 2, 2020
May god bless you
Mark Mottola
February 19, 2020
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