Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today I was chatting with a gentleman who owns Fitzhugh Brewery and he told me the story. I was touched by this as my Dad, Ray was an officer with Irving PD. These guys don’t get the respect and loyalty they deserve and I’m here, all these years later to keep your name alive. Thank you for your service, continue to rest easy, sir.

Niki Eichman

November 14, 2024

I started a job a few months ago whose office is on the street named after you. I came across this site searching for the address for the police station that is also on Ralph Ablanedo Dr. I would have been 9 years old when you were taken from this earth. Words cannot convey the thanks to you for your service. To your family and fellow officers, I hope you have found peace over the years that have passed. I look forward to meeting Ralph in heaven one day. God's blessings and comfort to those he left behind.

Rebecca Albe
South Austin resident

August 4, 2023

There's a street named after you that I have driven down every day for the last 6 years. I finally took the time to look up why a street was named after you and found this page, and other articles of you. My father is a police officer and has been in law enforcement for over 40 years. Reading about you hit really close to home. I feel blessed my dad has been kept safe all these years but my heart is heavy for your family and friends you left behind. I will pray for them and will forever think of you when I drive down the street named in your honor.

RIP

Erica Bergman
South Austin resident

November 10, 2022

Well today you would have turned 69 years old. We think of you often and the short time we were friends first as aides, cadet and then officer. You were a true friend. As I am approaching the end of the trail I truly wish you would have been here for the journey.
See ya when I see ya.
Happy Birthday in heaven my friend.
Smokey

Smokey Frisinger (Detective)
Austin Police Department

April 27, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Ablanedo.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 12, 2020

Dad,
Today as I set down to read my Bible I remembered it is your birthday. I found this site and was blown away by the many who have commented. While I was too young to remember our time together I'm so proud of and thankful for you. I treasure comments like these as well as the many stories I've heard.
To all who have commented, thank you!
- David

David
Son

April 27, 2019

you'll always be a hero, Rest In Peace!!

Officer Mohamad
Texas Police Officer

August 18, 2018

Rest in Peace Officer Ralph Allen Ablanedo. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Austin, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell are gnawing at the bones of the bastard that murdered you. May he forever feel the flames of hell as they consume his wretched soul!

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

May 18, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 18, 2015

Ralph, just wanted to stop by and say how much I miss you as a fellow APD cop and how much I think about you often. You are a hell of a man and a cops cop. May God give you a hug today and remind you that all of us left behind still think about you very often. I salute you my comrade. Till we see each other again my friend.

Chief Mike Lummus
Lockhart PD

January 16, 2015

To my brother Ralph, there's not a day goes by where I don't talk to you our memories will always be in my heart until the day I die that is one thing Powell could not take away from me. I'm so proud of you as a Police ofc. but much, much more I am so proud of you being my brother.

I miss & Love you very much
your sister (Winnie) Irene Ablanedo
XXXXXXOOOOOO

Irene Ablanedo
sister

June 22, 2013

I was a delivery driver in south austin for many years. And I drove on this road daily. I like to learn where our road names come from so looked it up and found this.
RIP, thanks for serving.

Christopher Banacka

April 10, 2012

Ralph - as we responded to the calls for assistance that night, the chill went down all our backs and the prayers you were ok.... like we'll get there and all will work out . Like Bruce said, it was a night from hell - the other agencies that helped in the search with their canines and DPS who was right there as we combed through the wooded area. I too, remember it like it was yesterday - as I do your jovial yet serious attitude about your job. It did take time for 'justice' to come about in this world. We will all be together again for that reunion with all the other officers who gave their lives for their community. Thank you for your friendship. TomS Unit 379

Tom Suter
former APD officer

March 30, 2012

It was an honor recently to talk with your family and friends as we travelled to Huntsville to get your much overdue justice. You've been gone so very long now, but your memory and sacrafice still lives on, rest in peace now, knowing your family has closure.

SPO B. Huckaby

June 29, 2010

It has been a long time coming, but justice has FINALLY been served! May God Bless your family and friends.

SGT Mark B. Hanna, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

June 17, 2010

Thank God and God Bless TEXAS. Even though 30 plus years is way to long for some animal not to get justice. But,today he got what was coming to him.
Oh,and such wonderful defense attorneys we have:"Good behavior", maybe this attorney should be shown what 10 rounds from an AK-47 does to the human body. See if he thinks that was "good behavior" too.
God Bless you and your family officer Ablanedo, rest in peace hero.

wayne cespedes
LAPD 1990-2007

June 15, 2010

Sir, at 18:19 this date, justice for your murder has been served! I pray your family is now able to find some closure and be at peace.
This in no way means we will ever forget you or your family or the sacrifice made.
Thank you for your service and courage. Continue to watch over those of us continuing the battle for justice begun by those on whose shoulders we now stand.
Today there is justice.....tomorrow there may be just us.

Cpl Miller
CPPD

June 15, 2010

Ralph, I enjoyed working with you in Austin at the old South Lamar K-Mart; when you worked part time while working with APD. You were a hard worker, had a good sense of humour and were a loving family man. I remember when I was taking a law class in high school and you recommended and then lent me books and gave me advice for a report that I had to write. Now tomorrow 32 years, 3 weeks, and almost 5 days later I will be in Huntsville Tx tomorrow because Davis Powell ended your life back then in 1978. I know that many people think Powell has led a "good" life behind bars. I do not think that could compare to the good life you would have led and if they think it is not fair then they should work towards changing the laws. It has been a long Journey to Justice. I will be there for you buddy. Love, Debby

Debby
Friend/co worker of Ralph

June 14, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 18, 2010

Thank you for your dedication to duty and sacrifice. You will FOEVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten.

Sergeant, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

April 5, 2010

So many years.....but the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals holds up the death sentence for your murderer!

You are not forgotten!

Miller
CPPD

July 18, 2008

You are still waiting for justice. So are we. Sorry its taking so long for your murderer to get his death sentence.

Doug Teachworth
Lynnwood, WA PD

June 4, 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

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Ablanedo on the anniversary of his passing. You paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you.
Rest in peace.

The memory of a good person is a blessing Proverb 10:7

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

May 18, 2007

G-d Bless.

May 18, 2007