Trooper Gary Gifford Nevada Highway Patrol Nevada Tuesday, October 14, 1975  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Back in early high school days at Campbell High, I got the unfortunate nickname "pancake" from Gary's sister, who's nickname was "pickles". There were two of us Garys so someone had to suffer a nickname. Gary was bigger, stronger, cooler and all other things more than I, so "pancake" it was.

I can't say how much my heart is broken to find my friend is gone. I wish I could have magically warned him to be extra careful on the awful day of his death.

Gary Gifford was easy to love. There was a special quality about him that made life more real for me. He knew how to freely and easily experience the world around him. If he had doubts, I never saw them.

So this was his choice. I might have tried to advise him to take a safer course, but I'm sure he would have had his own way.

Even though we never reconnected after early high school, I'm deeply hurt at his loss. He may be blessed by not seeing how the world has changed since his passing, but the years of life he missed just break my heart.

Farewell, my old friend, and I plan to see you again sometime.

Pancake

Gary Pintacura
high school friend
2008-05-16

Trooper Gary Gifford may you rest in peace, I was working that night in South Lake Tahoe and I remember when the call came in about your incident. May God bless you and thank you for your service, RIP brother of the badge.

Bob Reed, Retired Police Officer
South Lake Tahoe Police Department
2008-03-15

"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
2007-12-11

We remember you today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
2007-10-12

Trooper Gifford,

Thank you for your service..... Rest in peace my BROTHER and walk the Heavens beat......

Senior Officer D.W.Reichhardt #125
VSUPD
2006-06-06

I thank you for your service and salute you for your sacrifice.

Rest in peace, hero.

A grateful citizen.

2004-09-23

27 years later and you are not forgotten. Rest easy, Troop; we will continue the fight for justice.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)