Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ronnie, thinking of you today along with my father, Capt OB and Bobby Hester. Three of MPD's finest. Miss you all.

Carlos Holcomb
Son of Capt O. B. Holcomb

September 23, 2022

Lt. Oliver,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Memphis.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 5, 2021

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 5, 2020

Rest in peace Lt. Oliver.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 28, 2019

Lt. Oliver you were my dad’s best friend and he thought very highly of you. I think about you often and the night you never came home. We lost a great person, police officer and a great friend of our family. You are still missed.

Carlos Holcomb
Son of retired Capt O. B. holcomb

December 19, 2018

Lt. Oliver, you were one of the driving influences that caused me to follow in your footsteps. I went into the Army as a young boy, but came out a man. I retired after 25 years of service. I spent the last 7 as an Assistant Chief of Police.

Assistant Chief (Retired).
Hitchcock, Tx.

August 9, 2018

My dad, Owen B. Holcomb, considered Ronnie his best friend and never got over his death. I was very young and remember attending the funeral. My dad was reunited with Ronnie in the spring of 2016 and I hope the Oliver family takes comfort in this reunion of friends as much as I do. A good man gone too soon.

Michael Holcomb
friend

September 21, 2017

Still missing you, my friend. Gone but most certainly, not forgotten.

Inspector Gerald W. Bursi
Memphis P.D.

March 28, 2017

I agree! To hell with the murderer!

none
none

August 5, 2016

I agree with the Border Patrol Officer. That tu.d got his at last. Workman played the "I've been saved" card to the end. True or not, it doesn't matter. An eye for an eye as the Bible says. He did not have to shoot either of the officers. All he had to do was give up and he would be walking the streets today a free man after parole and or probation. He chose to take a life instead so there you have it. He claimed friendly fire killed Lt. Olliver but he still put this whole thing in motion didn't he? So to hell with him.

anonomous
Law officer friend

August 27, 2015

Lt. Oliver,
On today, the 31st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Memphis. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. It took another 26 years but that POS finally got the justice that he deserved.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

August 5, 2012

It's been a long time since we last spoke and laughed but I remember every cherished moment. Now I'm coming to the end of my career after 32 years. I remembered when you got killed that Momma said that I would be getting out of police work. I told her that I don't think Ronnie would approve of me quitting because he got killed. She never brought it up again. I always loved you like a father. You will never be forgotten. Your loving stepson, Vic

Captain Gerald "Vic" Finger
Bartlett Police Dept.

July 28, 2012

Ronnie was my first partner. He happened to be off on the night that Jimmy Harper & I had a wreck caused by a DUI which killed Jimmy. Ronnie & I worked together for the better part of 20 years after that. On August 5, 1981,I was a Lieutenant on the day shift & Ronnie was a Lieutenant on the afternoon shift. After I got off duty that day, Ronnie came by the house & we made plans to get together Saturday night for dinner. When the dispatcher called me around 11 PM & told me he had been shot, I was in total disbelief.

It has been 30 years & I still miss him as much as as ever. He was more of a brother to me than my blood brothers.

Inspector Gerald Bursi
Memphis Police Department (retired)

November 15, 2011

Ronald Oliver was my Grandfather's brother and my uncle Ronnie......i remeber him as a very kind man and miss him often.......and i believe that the justice that was carried out in 2007 was a very long time coming and i believe that he got what he deserved for the pain that he caused to our entire family. You will be loved and missed Uncle Ronnie.

John Oliver
Nephew

September 29, 2011

I read about the execution of your murderer in 2007, 25 years after your murder. Although he testified at trial that he shot you, many years later he fought against the sentence being carried out and claimed you were a victim of friendly fire. There seems to be no end to what death penalty opponents argue. I have read in one source that your daughter supported clemency for your killer although in my research I could not find any written documentation, leaving me to wonder if this was another lie manufactured by death penalty opponents. If anyone knows the true facts about this, please post it.

I pray for solace for the family of Lt. Oliver. His memory will always be honored and revered.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 10, 2009

Lt. Oliver we have never met before, but I am still sadden by your passing. Thank-you for your service. Rest in Peace.

Lt. Stephen A. Joy #980
Prince George's County Police, Md.

January 27, 2009

LT. Oliver your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace. Justice for this crime has been carried out.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

November 17, 2008

You are not forgotten on the 27th anniversary of your end of watch. Several other Memphis and Shelby County officers have joined you at the Pearly Gates. We honor your memory and their's by continuing to do the job you gave your life for.

Officer Todd Riggins
Brighton Police Department
Brighton, Tennessee

OFFICER TODD RIGGINS
BRIGHTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

August 5, 2008

My dad thought alot of you.

Jason B Bolcomb
Son of Retired Capt OB Holcomb

June 9, 2008

"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

January 30, 2008

IT HAS BEEN 25 YEARS SINCE YOU GAVE THE "ULTIMATE SACRIFICE" IN THE SERVICE OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
IT HAS TAKEN 25 YEARS FOR THE PUNISHMENT TO BE CARRIED OUT. WHY DOES OUR SYSTEM TAKE SO LONG TO CARRY OUT THE PUNISHMENT? DO THEY NOT REALIZE THE AGONY THE FAMILIES HAVE TO ENDURE TO LISTEN EVERY TIME SOMEONE HAS AN APPEAL. IF THE EVIDENCE IS THERE, WHY?
I AM ALSO WAITING IN TENNESEE.
MOTHER OF A FALLEN SHERIFF DEPUTY.

August 5, 2007

Thank you for giving your life to protect others. You will always be a hero....

Trooper
Colorado State Patrol

June 2, 2007

The scum bag that killed Lt. Oliver was himself put to death in Nashville, Tn. At 0138 C.D.T. at the maximum security prison. Phillip Workman the murderer was executed by lethal injection and last words were he was commending his soul to Jesus Christ.
Justice finally has arrived!

Sr. Trooper (retired)
Kentucky State Police

May 10, 2007

You can now rest in peace Lt Oliver justice has been served
Respectfully submitted
Deborah Roelandts
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Deborah Roelandts
Retired Communication Officer

May 10, 2007

Lieutenant Oliver, thank you for your brave and selfless service. My prayers and thoughts are with your wife and children, family, friends, and Police brothers and sisters. The final punishment causes a revisiting of the original pain caused -- I ask God's strength and caring upon all who knew and loved you. May God Bless you all.

Timothy Reise
Nashville, TN (cousin of Chicago Police Officer)

May 10, 2007