Trooper Richard Terrell Gaston Indiana State Police Indiana Thursday, March 4, 1999  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

I never knew you..Just knew Amy from school. Hoping that you have met Harry Coelho and my dear friend Trooper Brian Linn from WV and hoping all of yall watch over your family and friends.

teri fincham-tritelli

2009-03-04

10 years, I can not believe it. I guess it's the double digits that makes it feel really wierd. I've thought about it all day. I stopped some cars today, but found myself thinking about the radio traffic that day. I was such a rookie that I didn't really "get" what was happening, but I knew it was bad. I was with a great FTO, I think he knew. He got us off the Toll Road and sent me home to change and head toward South Bend. As you know, it didn't work out quite that way, but I was glad to be there for Amy and beautiful Jeanie. She and Jeanie are doing great, we need to get together with them more. My Gaston just turned 5, he's growing up fast. I took him hunting several times this past October. We saw a few deer and a couple raccons, he was thrilled. My goal is to get one with him in the tree with me. It's hard to explain to him about the waiting, but Amy filled me in on one of your old quotes. "It's not getting one that is fun, it's the wait." I will tell him that next season when he is bored sitting up there with me and we will think about you. We love you brother.

Rob McKeeman
I.S.P.
2009-03-04

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 10th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you contwinue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was your brother in green as well as in blue so I also salute your service to our country in the Corps. You sound like a fun loving guy but I know you were squared away to get the 8th & I billet.

When I go to D.C. this May, I will be sure to visit you at the Wall. Semper Fi.

Your wife, daughter, and other family members are in my heart's embrace today.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Richard gave to his community and country, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 4, 1999.

Rest In Peace, Richard.

Phyllis Loya
mother of Police Officer Larry Lasater/Captain Lasater USMC

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
2009-03-04

Dear Trooper Gaston, Today marks the 10th anniversary of your tragic and untimely death. Although its been 10 years, you still live on to this day in the heart and minds of your family, friends and fellow colleges in the Indiana State Police.

MIKE WIMBS, Toronto Canada

Mike Wimbs

2009-03-04

Richard, I leave you this poem for your Honorable service in the Corps-Semper Fi Brother!

Marines”

You can have your Army Kakiis,
And your Navy Blues,
But here’s a different fighting man,
I’ll introduce to you.
His uniform is unlike,
Any you’ve ever seen,
The Germans called him “Devil Dog”,
His title is “Marine”.

He was trained in Parris Island,
The place that God forgot,
The sand was fourteen inches deep,
The sun was blazing hot.
He awakened up one morning,
In front of his rack he’ll stand,
And in through the doorway walked,
A giant of a man.

He turned and faced this young Marine,
With eyes as cold as steel,
He said, “I am your DI,
And this is for real.
I’ll make your life as miserable,
As miserable as I can,
And when you finally leave this place,
You’ll be a fighting man.
You’ll be a rifle expert,
You’ll know your weapon well,
And when you encounter the Viet Cong,
You’ll send their souls to Hell.

Now gather around you young Marines,
And lend me all your ears,
And I’ll tell you of a few things,
We’ve conquered through the years,
We fought at Iwo Jima,
The land of fire and Hell,
We killed all those Japanese,
And took their land as well.

Now you can tell your ladies,
And this my Lad is true,
To get herself a young “Marine”,
There is nothing he can’t do.
He’s peeled a million onions,
And twice as many spuds,
Then you’ll find him in the slopchutes,
A soaking up the suds.

And when he gets to Heaven,
St.Peter he will tell,
Another “Marine” reporting Sir.
I’ve served my time in Hell.


Written and copyright by: David Lee Bell
1968

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1968 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2008-12-10

We still miss you man. March 4 of 2008 was nasty and cold here in Central Indiana. We had a freezing rain storm and I stood out at a powerless traffic light for 3 hours. Were you testing me or just laughing about my whining and moaning?
My little Gaston is growing fast and he talks about you and Gary Dudley sometimes. We go to the ISP museum once in awhile so he can play with the 2-headed ISP car and he always takes the time to point out your picture and the Lt.'s Thinking about you.

Tpr. Rob McKeeman
ISP
2008-05-31

The only thing deeper than our grief and pain is the
love and admiration from those who knew and loved
you best. Thanks for serving and I look forward to
meeting you one fine day.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

2008-04-03

You may be gone from this earth, but you are never, never forgotten.

2008-03-04

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-03-03

"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
2008-01-09

8 years you've been gone and it seems like only yesterday we were in the academy. I think of you often and how great it was to hang out with you. My little man Gaston turned 3 years old this past Mar. 1 and we took him the the Children's Museum. I asked the ticket taker how long she had worked there and it was only a few years. I told her about you and that you had worked there. I told Gaston about you later that day and that you died in a car crash. Now every time I go 10-41, he tells me to be careful and "don't get in a car crash". He will learn more about you in the future and I'm going to try to raise him in your image, courteous, trustworthy, brave, and most of all a quality friend to other people.
I saw Jeanie and Amy a few months ago, they are doing great. Jeanie is beautiful and outgoing and loves life. She's had a tough one, but what a support network she has. I know you know all of this, but I had to tell you, she is getting along great.
You won't be forgotten brother.

Tpr. Rob McKeeman
I.S.P.
2007-03-04

MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!! I KNOW YOU ARE STILL WATCHING OVER US FROM THE STREETS OF GOLD!!

DISPATCHER GRETA M HUFF
KY STATE POLICE POST 13 HAZARD
2007-02-22

Having recently discovered this website, let me first say that it is a wonderful place. Now onto Richard.
I didn't know Richard until we met in the Indiana State Police Academy in July of 1998. Even though we were friend for a short time, I feel like I knew him well. We sat next to each other during the 22 week-long academy and we would try to make the other one laugh so we could get each other into trouble with the counselors. During our time together Monday through Friday, I grew to know him better and bettr and to realize that he was the family man I wanted to be. He had a beautiful 2 month old daughter and a wonderful wife Amy who he cherished, and you couldn't run fast enough to catch him on Friday afternoon as he raced for his Jeep to get hom to them.
We graduated in December and went to the Toll Road post together, he was to work on the west end of the state and I on the east end. During his 2 weeks of training east, he stayed with me in my apartment so he wouldn't have to drive so far every day. We had a ball in those 2 weeks. After that, I had to train on the west end and in true richard form, he had a key made for me so I could come and go from his apartment.
The night before he was killed, we had fun watching T.V. and talking about the careers we had ahead of us. He joked about how "things will be different when I run this show", the guy was hilarious. The morning of the 4th, he had to get going an hour before me, so as I tried not to wake up, he got ready and was preparing to shuv off for the day. He told me that he had made some coffee and to help myself, so I jumped up and poured a cup. I feel a little guilty that the last thing I said to him was a joke about how awful the coffee was. It really was, some sort of amaretto stuff. We laughed and said we'd see each other later.
When tragedy struck, I was writing a warning to a speeder. The call came out that one of our vehicles was involved in a crash at the 74 mile marker. I knew that Richard was working down there and my heart sank. By the tone in the voices of the dispatchers, you knew it was very serious. It was, and we all cried that day. a few years later, I was lucky enough to have a child, a fantastic little boy who we named Gaston. He is 2 now and I can't wait to tell him about Richard. -You are the man, Rich, thank you for being my friend.

Trooper Rob McKeeman
Indiana State Police
2006-09-02

You are not forgotten

Wife of ISP Trooper

2006-09-01

Amy,

I just read your kind reflection for my brother and our family. I remember you from the Memorial Service in Washington, and how similar the events of our fallen officers' lives and deaths. I pray you are well. Our
family is doing well, except for Dee, my brother's widow.
Please remember her and get in touch with her if you can.

Scott Williams
Brother of Gene V. Williams EOW 8-9-99
2006-07-10

My Brother Shaky: I remember the cold days at Fort A.P. Hill with you and those crazy jarheads of Suicide Second Platoon, B Company, 8th & I Marine barracks, Washington, D.C. 1990-1992. I remember the young Marines you and I trained together. I remember the Cope we shared. I remember the laughs and triumphs we shared in Suicide Second. You were the most beloved of us all. I remember you each year and I smile. Richard "Shaky G" Gaston you are my platoon mate and you cared, listened and acted with the fullest and most optimistic heart of any man or Marine I ever knew.

My Friend, you will never leave my heart. You did it best and always with the fire of a Warrior and Protector of our nation and fine citizens of Indiana. They don't know that how many times you talked of being that Indiana Trooper. But I know. I remember the many times we all sat around and talked of the future.

I wanted you to know that my son is going on three now, and he will know about what makes a kind man such as you. He will know about you and what you meant to me when I arrived in Second Platoon. He will know about the McFarland body presses, the Bolden and McVey battles that made us laugh until we cried. He will know about the locust landing on us at the Pentagon that freaked everyone out while we were performing our spit-n-shine routine. He will know about "edge-dressing" incident. He will know about the Sykes war and the Rabbit chase. He will know about me and you watching the melt-down of the First Sergeant, which I personally believed you caused but you believed I caused for running those young Marines through DC streets and midnight screaming cadence to the top of our lungs. It was frightening when they dragged him off in the straight jacket. Remember you having to take me to Bethesda Naval Hospital because he swore I was jaundice. He gave you $60 bucks and told you to take care of me for the day. We drank that and more the night.

Brother, I miss you. Many people miss you. It would make you laugh to know that I actually run with that old t-shirt that I swiped from McVey that I swore I didn't take from him (I think his mother gave it to him or something).

Remember the goofy kid from Tennessee that joined to fight in the war and ended up at the barracks in our CDS class. He was like 10 years older than all of us. "I did it for the war!" Man was he disappointed.

God Shaky, I remember all of that like it was yesterday and I remember it because of you.

I wish everyone could know you the way I know you.

"I got a little change in my pocket going janga-langa-lang." Remember me singing that while you guys were pouring shots of my shaved head at the Marine Corps Ball and then I went up to the General Al Gray and tripped, hitting my head off his knee and him picking me up. You guys were rolling.

Its April now, and its been 7 years and I still feel empty.

Semper Fi Shaky G. I love you. I know you. I talk about you still.

From my heart,
Billy

Billy D. Chism

2006-04-12

Trooper Gaston, thank you for your service.

Michelle - wife of LEO

2006-04-06

May The Lord Bless and Keep you, May He shine His Face upon you.

2006-03-04

Rest in Peace Richard

Bennett SR #134
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)
2006-03-04

To Richard's wife, child, family, friends, co-workers, and others... may God be with you... may He carry you when you simply cannot walk on your own. I won't let anyone forget Richard's sacrifice. It is my promise to you. God bless you.

LEO fiancee and friend of Peter Grignon EOW 3/23/05

2005-12-28

Our Greatest Fear
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again, I hold back a tear.
They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary,
but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.
They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.
To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?
They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.
Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
too many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
" Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.



Master Trooper Dave “Stumpy” Miller

Indiana State Police Dist 13
2005-12-19

"The path of the Warrior is lifelong, and mastery is often simply staying on the path."

Thank you for helping us stay on the path. You shall not be forgotten.

65th Indiana State Police Recruit
Indiana State Police
2005-12-03

I have worn your St. Michael medal to work every day since Amy gave it to me at the funeral. Six years brother, I will wear it every day for my entire carrier.

We miss you and we will never forget.

Corey A. Shaffer
Indianapolis Police Department
2005-04-15

God grant that I may live
To fish until my dying day,
And when it comes to my last breath
I, then, most humbly pray,
When in the Lord's safe landing net
I am peacefully asleep,
That in His mercy I be judged
As good enough to keep.

2005-04-14

You are not forgotten, Semper Fi.

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ
2004-10-26