Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy Birthday DAD ! Just a note to let you know I am always and forever missing you. You are always in my thoughts. It has been a long time , but seems like just yesterday. I hope you are peaceful. I LOVE YOU and MISS YOU Jo

Jo Cohen
Daughter

August 21, 2022

Rest in peace Sergeant Acri.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 17, 2019

It was very early on a crisp, fall Saturday morning when the phone rang. The phone was in the bedroom I shared with my sister so that Dad could sleep when he was home. I was 14 years old, a freshman in high school, and until this very day - your end of watch - I had lived a blissfully ignorant and naive life, expecting Dad to come home to us after his shift. This day ended that innocence for everyone. I can only speak for our household.

The male voice on the other end of the phone was quiet, yet urgent. He asked me to get my 39 year old dad as fast as I could. I was pretty sure this wasn't going to be good news. Dad barreled down the stairs, sat down on the end of my bed, and I could tell that the call was very bad news. He quietly hung up the receiver, and I felt my bed shake. It was the first time in my life that I had seen my dad cry, and he was sobbing. In less than one minute, the larger than life head of our household became a human being in excruciating emotional pain. It was almost as bad as losing Dad himself. You were such good friends.

From that moment forward, my prayers were a lot more urgent. They were pleas to have him come home safely. I made those prayers for 4 more years before Dad retired. We all breathed a sigh of relief when that day arrived.

Those 4 years were acknowledged in our house: it was understood that Dad coming home every night was not something to be taken for granted. It wasn't until a couple years ago that I learned you and Dad exchanged shifts to honor family obligations. If you remember, you were both the same age and you had kids who were the same age. This message could be written by your children, and I could have been the child of a fallen officer.

Since that awful day in October 1976, I've never forgotten you, your family and the families of other fallen officers. I don't know what it's like not to feel punched in the gut every time I read of another fallen officer. I'm 57 now and your death profoundly affected me.

Rest in peace, Mr. Acri. Know that you are remembered by your friends and children those friends.

Betsey Dunn Kirkemo

Dau of Lt. William J. Dunn (Joe-ret'
MPDC

May 15, 2019

Rest in peace. Gone but not forgotten. I learned a lot from the circumstances surrounding the incident. I remember it well. I was there.

Det. Sgt. Earl Schmitt (Retired)
MPDC

November 4, 2015

Loving you and missing you every day more than ever.As time passes and I get older, I wish you were here to see the family grow .Jim and Michael resemble you most. They are our reminders of how loving, fun, hard working and caring you are. I LOVE YOU DAD and will always miss you. You are forever in my heart!!!!

Jo Cohen
Daughter

October 16, 2014

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 27, 2012

It was an honor and pleasure to work and serve with you Mike. I'll always remember your sacrifice. You are a true HERO.


Sergeant Joe Ranalli (Ret.)
Fifth District

Sgt. Joe Ranalli
MPDC (retired)

August 7, 2012

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Acri. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 5, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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.

Your sacrifice was made so many years ago. Evil was, is, and will be a part of life just as goodness such as yours will also be present.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 16, 2010

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 16, 2007

"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

September 27, 2007

"My Brother"

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.

He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.

Rest easy Brother Acri, we have the watch...



”I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
---Isaiah 6:8

You answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy in God's kingdom and watch over us as we continue the battle here on earth!!!

Officer
MPDC

April 8, 2007

Brother Acri,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

January 16, 2006

Thank you Sergeant . . for you service, dedication, protection and sacrifice. I honor you my brother. You are a blue angel now, and at peace.

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)

February 27, 2004

Sgt Acri,

You died a hero. You are not forgotten...

Anonymous

January 7, 2004