Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 21, 2020

Rest in peace Sheriff Oaks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2020

My mother Bonnie Dean worked as a waitress at the Millstone Fish Camp and our family lived in the log cabin between the fish camp and the boy scouts cabin. I can still see David with my brother on the handle bars riding down the hill from his house down to the cabin on a bicycle and a cigar clinche between his teeth both laughing histerically. Everday he did a prank on one of the boys that worked for him at the fish camp. All ways something going on. He was a good man to all of us. We were all treated like family.

Beth Dean
Daughter of Roger and Bonnie Dean

September 17, 2019

My Daddy J.C. Moore worked as a Deputy with Sheriff Oaks! I was of course much younger at the Time! Remember he used the Family Car as his Deputy Car! We would go to the Fish Camp with other Deputy Families! All the Deputies and Sheriff Oaks Family Close! Sheriff Oaks was a Great Man! Will never forget the Terrible News when he was shot!

Peggy Moore Knoelke
Daughter of a Deputy

September 3, 2018

Sheriff Oaks was a close friend of my father Noah O. Pitts, Jr. One of my best memories of Sheriff Oaks was when he took me trout fishing on a small stream on Jonas Ridge. Sheriff Oaks drove us there in his patrol car and let me as young boy have the thrill of pushing the siren button. He was a gentle man, good fisherman and could tell stories that were wonderful.

His tragic death was a tremendous shock to our family and the community.

Grady R. Pitts
Friend

February 12, 2016

I will always remember Sheriff Oaks. I grew up in the Abee's Grove Baptist Church where the Oaks family were member. Wally, Sheriff Oaks' son and I are the same age and were best freinds. We were in the Boy Scouts together. The scout hut sat directly across from the Oaks family home and you had to pass by the hut to go to the Millstone Fish Camp restaurant that the Oaks family owned. I will never forget Sheriff Oaks stopping at the scout hut one night and leaving an old black pickup truck loaded with coke/coal used at liquor stills because it did not smoke. He had captured the truck at an illegal liquor still. I remember he gave the keys for the truck to my dad and said have the boys unload the coke to use that winter for fuel to keep the hut warm. He told dad not to give the key to anyone because he was concerned someone would be looking to steal it back. He was bigger than life with his derby hat and bow tie. On one occasion when the troop had been out camping and returned to the hut he met us there and told all of us to go up to the restauaant and tell them to give us anything we wanted to eat. He was a true hero to us boys and a tremendus roll model. True heros are hard to come by in this world today but I can alway look back to a simpler time when politicians made a difference in peoples lives and were true servants of the people. David W. Oaks will always be missed.

Johnny Hipps
Family Friend

August 22, 2013

I will always remember Sheriff David Oaks, cause my dad was Alvin Wise and I was always hanging out at the Sheriffs Office.Your dad was always taking me out to eat and took me one time to break up a liquor still. I will never forget the good times we had together.I just read in the News Hearld today about the first republican sheriff in 50 years.

Sgt Rick Wise
Avery County Sheriffs Office

December 5, 2012

My father, David Oaks, will always be remembered in Burke County and by some many others that knew him as family or friend. His legacy is not forgotten. The comments here are appreciated by family and friends. My heart does and will always go out to loved ones and friends of fallen officers. Families give up so much in their personal lives while knowing those family members in this field are totally dedicated to serving the public. My dad died knowing the risks and loving his work as Sheriff. Every single day is a risk that they approach with bravery and fortitude. Thank you to all law enforcement and criminal justice partners. I'm glad they are not forgotten as our true heroes.

Cathy Oaks Lake
Daughter

November 9, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 43rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. 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.

I am sure that you are proud that your family has continued your legacy of protecting and serving.
Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

Anonymous

August 21, 2009

I was a child when Sheriff Oaks was killed. He was a friend of my dads,Ken Clark. I also remember a ballad written and recorded about him. I would love to get a copy of that recording. Sincerely, Kenny Clark

March 20, 2008

Any law enforcement officers death is tragic. In this case the man that died was my grandfather. I never got to know him, because he was killed before my time, when my father was still a teenager.

I know that my grandfather is proud of his family and how everyone has went on with their life.

My father is now in law enforcement and works for the same Sheriff's Office in which my grandfather use to be Sheriff.

Special Agent Kelly Oaks
Grand daughter

May 1, 2006

Too Sad. You're missed. Thanks for
your service and sacrifice. You paid
a huge cost. God bless your family
and friends.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

November 17, 2004

I started my career at the Burke County Sheriff's Office. I've heard many stories how Sheriff Oaks was always out there with his men. I'm sure Sheriff Oaks fondly looks down as his son, Wally Oaks, continues to serve the citizens of Burke County. Sergeant Wally Oaks is well liked and respected as he follows in his father's footsteps.

Sgt. Scott Rogers
Morganton Public Safety

October 14, 2004

08-21-03, MAY GOD BLESS THIS HERO. YOU ARE GONE BUT NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

August 21, 2003