Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dana there is no way you’ll ever be forgotten. I named my son after you, you were his godfather and his father’s best friend. We spent so much time with you and Dennis was thinking of joining the CHP with you but, I was pregnant and he decided not to.
The 4th of July is always a sad day because that’s when officers came to our home to inform us of your passing and ask Dennis go with them to inform your mother Nellie; which was his wish.
My memories are so clear of what a wonderful friend you were to everyone and the godfather you were to you name sake.
Dennis had never been the same since loosing you and our entire family will love you forever.

Whitney Walker aka Mulvany
Mother of your Godson and Name sake

September 14, 2022

Patrolman Paladini,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the USN during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 4, 2022

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest In Peace always

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

July 4, 2020

Dana, 48 Years ago tomorrow you gave your life in such a sad event. July 4th 1972 will live in my heart forever. God Bless you Dana and God bless your family and please know that your memory will always be alive. To your family, Dana was a wonderful young officer and he made all of us so proud to have known him. Semper Fi brother and May God bless you and keep you in our hearts forever.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol, South LA.

July 3, 2020

Dana, I remember that bright sunny day in 1972 and how young and proud you were. I will always have a place in my heart for you and I will never forget you. I still wear your ODMP T-shirt and I I’m always telling people I run into about you. Your career was short but your service was very full. God Bless your family and continue to watch over our brothers and sisters in Blue. God Bless the California Highway Patrol and God Bless you.

State Traffic Officer 7185 and United St
California Highway Patrol/SLA Area 530

July 4, 2019

Dana, I never met you except through the memories of our mother, Nellie. I always wanted a brother and was thrilled to find out I had one. And then I was so sad to know I would never meet that brother.

What a random, absurd accident took you from this world. I admire your desire to serve people in California. I will always wish I could have seen you and truly known you.

Sandra (Paladini) Gutcher
Sister of Dana Paladini

August 9, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

July 4, 2018

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 24, 2015

Officer Paladini ... My brother-in-law may have been in your academy class. His I.D. was 7857; Officer Fred Enright. He died 6-27-75 while patrolling in the CHP helicopter. Reading your reflections on this site convinces me we lost a great officer that day. Thank you for your service.

Tim Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol (retired) 5342

August 28, 2015

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

July 13, 2015

Dana, after all these years I still miss you, you were my best friend since we were 4-5 years old. I love you and wish we could be retired together now. See in the next life buddy!

Dennis Mulvany
Best friend

November 13, 2011

Thank you for your service. Remembering you today...

C. Yarbrough
Citizen

July 4, 2011

Dana,

I just placed another one of your ODMP memorial bumper stickers on my newest security company vehicle. Many citizens will see your face and read your story and I will never allow your life to be forgotten. God Bless you and I am so sorry that your career was cut so short on that sunny 4th of July. A day does not go by that I do not think of you.

Semper Fi CHPY..............

#7185 CHP

State Traffic Officer #7185 Mike Becze
California Highway patrol

May 9, 2011

Dana,

I just saw one of your bumper stickers that I have placed on all my Security patrol vehicles.I will never forget you and as I have stated several times in the past, you will always be a part of my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you Dana and keep watching over my son and daughter as they proceed in their careers in law enforcement. Ryan is so close to graduating from the LAPD academy and he just received his Shield on Friday and boy is he excited and proud. I will tell them both that we spoke today and to watch over them..

Thank you very much,
Mike #7185

State Traffic Officer #7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol

December 20, 2010

Just remembering your final day with us. A day does not go by that I don't remember that day. It's been 38 years now and with my Son in the LAPD academy I remember all of our fallen Heros daily more and more..My Daughter has chosen a career in Law Enforcement with CBP and now I have two more to worry about and think about daily. Watch over both of them for me and God Bless from a Brother Chipy...Semper Fi Dana....

State Traffic Officer Mike Becze #7185
California Highway Patrol

December 3, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-eighth 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. Larry was also a Marine so I bid you semper fi.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 4, 2010

Reading ODMP again today and still thinking of the day you left us....I responded to your incident and that brief moment will live with me forever. So young and so sharp....I would go by your last location weekly when I transferred back to South L.A. and would just stop and remember you...Sorry your career was so short, but you were the best while you were with us. You are missed and always remembered...Semper Fi...

STO Mike Becze #7185
C.H.P.

May 28, 2010

Rest in Peace, Officer Paladini. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

"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

November 21, 2007

I was working in Central L.A. at the time of your untimely death. You were a young, sharp and very professional officer that several of my friends in South L.A. knew well. I had just transferred from South L.A. and transferred back to South L.A. one year later. Your name came up constantly regarding your very professional demeanor and you were and are surely missed.
May God bless you and from a Marine and Proud California Highway Patrol Officer you will always be remembered and missed deeply. You are a brother as are all Highway Patrolmen to me.

State Traffic Officer Mike Becze#7185
California Highway Patrol

August 4, 2007

Officer Paladini:

I have read the circumstances surrounding that tragic day on many websites. Most are retired now, but some of the old timers on LAPD would recount that L.A. County incident. It is apparent that God needed another sentry on that day.

May Your Soul Rest-In-Peace.

Maj. M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

July 4, 2007

What an incredible tragedy . . . absolutely unbelievable. The first thoughts to come to my mind upon seeing his face were "young" and "sharp looking." Then I read the reflections of Maria & John and for some reason, this tragedy pulled at my heart strings, a little more than most. After their brief but so complete descriptions of Dana, I feel like I know him. I am so sorry for your personal loss Maria & John . . . thank you for letting all of us who visit his memorial, know who he was. With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

October 26, 2004

An accidental shooting such as this is doubly tragic. I salute you for your dedication and sacrifice.

A grateful citizen.

September 16, 2004

I went to junior high and high school with Dana and he was the cutest guy in his graduating class. And, speaking of class, that man had it! He was such a soft spoken, easy to like, always kind to others, funny and very good looking young man. He was poplular with both the girls and boys in school and most everyone wanted to hang with him because he was such a fun guy...he had a James Dean kind of look and he was tall and slender. He looked great in those 501 Levi's know what I mean?! Dana hung around with my older brother Rick and it was not unusual to see him at the house dabbling butter on one of my mother's tortillas...we were devastated when we learned of his accident. I still miss him and every 4th of July we share stories of him to celebrate his life. I am still in love with you Dana! Maria

Investigator Maria C. Vargas
Department of Motor Vehicles

Dana was one of my classmates in the CHP Academy. He was a "Cool Hand Luke" sort of guy; sort of laid back, not one to get too excited. He always had a smile on his face and was well-liked by everyone. Although more than half of the cadets didn't make it until graduation, there was never any doubt about Dana - he did what it took and didn't let it get to him. It is truly a tragedy that he was accidentally shot only nine months after graduation, the first of several of my Academy classmates who gave the ultimate sacrifice. R.I.P., my brother!

Officer John E. M. Yeaw (Ret.)
California Highway Patrol