Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It is decades since I was a LEO, before there even was an interent. But I just have to say something regarding CO Payant. Within law enforcement many consder COs to be at best second class citizens. They aren't "on the street", they don't deal with "real crime." There are many county sheriff's departments which start all deputies as jail guards, only eligible for "promotion" to road deputies after serving minimum periods as a guard. But CO are LEOs, and they have in many ways the toughest job in law enforcement. Most of the people officers on the street deal with are honest citizens, and the criminals they interact with usually comprise a minority of their encounters with people. Everyone a CO interacts with on duty is a criminal or, in the case of jails, someone strongly enough suspected of a crime to have been arrested. On the street, officers are well armed and can defend themselves. COs are, except in special circumstances, armed only with sticks, mace, and once in a while Tazers, while surrounded by overwhelming numbers of criminals. It is an extremely high stress job, one which never results in the kind of recognition an officer on the street might sometimes receive, and, I believe, requires a sense of dedication beyond that required in most law enforcement jobs. Officer Payant fell in the performance of her duty. Being one of the first female COs to work in a male prison in the state, at a time when female officers were still a relatively new component of most American law enforcement agencies, was in many ways a heroic person even before her death. She gave the most anyone can give, her life. Her sacrifice must be mourned, and never, ever forgotten.

Officer MacArthur
Bridgeport CT Housing Police

March 2, 2015

I WAS.NYSDOCS CORRECTIONS OFFICER @ EASTERN NY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY,NAPANOCH ,NY 12458, IN 1977.RIP CORRECTIONS OFFICER DONNA A. PAYANT. THERE GO I BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD FOR GOD ONLY TAKES THE BEST! MY CALLING WAS TO BE A NYSDOCS CORRECTIONS OFFICER.MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY,FRIENDS,ALL NYSDOCS CORRECTION OFFICERS AND ALL THOSE WHO LOVED YOU. YOU WERE AS PURE AS THE WIND DRIVEN SNOW A.D YOU ARE SORELY MISSED MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW,HERO! RIP DEAR,DONNA A. PAYANT. YOUR TIME @ GREEN HAVEN WAS SHORT,BUT WE WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER MORE!

NYSDOCS CORRECTIONS OFFICER,JOE
NYSDOCS

November 29, 2014

PLEASE RIP CORRECTION OFFICER DONNA
PAYANTI YOU WILL

CO JOE
NYSDOCS

November 10, 2014

PLEASE,CO.DONNA PAYANT I CAN ONLY HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU ARE RESTING IN PEACE,AKA RIP! I AM A FORMER NYSDOCS CO 6 YEARS AFTER ATTICA IN NAPANOCH NY..LET IT BE KNOW THAT YOU ARE MISSED,BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN ,FOR YOU I PRESUME WAS AS PURE AS THE WIND DRIVEN SNOW,AND GOD ONLY TAKES THE BEST! MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY,AND ALL NYSDOCS CO S AND EVERYONE WHO KNEW AND LOVED YOU. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND LOVED MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW PLEASE RIP,DEAR CO DONNA PAYANT SINCERELY,CO JOE

CO JOE
NYSDOCS

November 10, 2014

Sad Story, Wish it never happened....Donna you are truly missed!

Lee O
Cousin To Donna

March 1, 2013

RIP. I'm a female CO in Florida. I am saddened to hear this news as I'm browsing the net for info on "Female Firsts." I will definitely use this situation in our Federal Women Programs next month to remind everyone that we work with crooks who NEVER forget that they are CROOKS!

P.Green, Senior Officer Specialist
Bureau of Prisons

March 1, 2013

RIP Ofc. Payant.

R. Nanadiego
State Park Peace Officer
CA State Parks

February 17, 2013

I worked at Green Haven as an officer and a sargeant. I use to see your picture on the wall in the line-up room and all the other officers and staff who gave their lives for the people of New York State. You will always be remembered for you service and may the lord bless you and your family. I was able to retire from corrections with the lord's help. Because of you I was more alert and followed rule number one taught at the academy "never trust an inmate". On behalf of the NYSDOCS family all our love to you Officer Payant.

retired nysdocs correction counselor.
nysdocs

June 16, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 31rst 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know that both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 16, 2012

I'm ashamed that I live in the same city as the asshole who killed you, sis. I hope when this economy gets better, I'll be able to become a correctional officer. RIP.

Spc. Parker (Military Police Ret.)

April 14, 2012

Thank You Ma'am. Rest in peace.

Anonymous

March 23, 2011

Another female corrections officer lost her life in the chapel in a prison in Washington state late last month. Hopefully the federal investigation that is starting on Monday into her death will improve safety for all officers so your deaths are not in vain. I pray that your family is doing well and is keeping your memory alive. RIP hero!

Anonymous

February 27, 2011

You have not been forgotten. My thoughts are with all of your loved ones today, Police Memorial Day. Thank you for your service. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

May 15, 2010

I thought about you today at work I wish I was there to protect you I did not know you but I will never forget you!

Corrections Officer NYS
NYSDOCS

May 14, 2010

I said a little prayer today for Corrections Officer Payant and her family. She may be gone but never forgotten. She will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

May 13, 2009

Officer Payant, I saw your story today on Forensic Files. I too was moved, then your memorial here says that the death sentence was commuted to life for a 4th time. UNBELIEVEABLE. It is my wish that your memory always be with your Family, Corrections/Police Family and Friends...May your name be everlasting.

Lieutenant
Dept. of Defense, Retired

October 31, 2008

To the family of Officer Payant; She paid the ultimate sacrifice, in a horrible way, by a horrible person, may he forever live in hell, and may Officer Payant always guard the Holy Gates for us when we arrive.

She is remembered this day. Rest in peace sister.

Anonymous

May 15, 2008

My biggest sympathy goes out to Officer Payant and to all slain law enforcement officers in the nation. My brother is a officer in the RPD and i think about him and the job he's doing everyday. It takes the biggest heart to put your life at risk for those who you do not know. God bless

ian
brother of a RPD officer

May 23, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family and co-workers of Officer Payant. May you rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

May 15, 2007

Officer Payant,
Our dept just recently lost a co-worker which brought me to this website. I do remember watching the details of your case on CourtTv and although I didn't know you you have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Correctional Officer Farewell

We all know it can happen,
When we put our colors on.
It only takes an instant,
then one of us is gone.

Day to day we walk our beat,
In God we put our faith.
'Cause we're the law inside the walls,
We keep the public safe.

You have done the job that few can do;
Your shift is at an end.
Farewell my sister, rest in peace.
On you we could depend.

Sgt Lisa Thomas
Md Division Of Correction

August 18, 2006

May you Rest in peace and may your family recieve G-d's comfort.

May 15, 2006

I pray that you are not suffering anymore, having gone through such a horrendous death. May God continue to give strength to your family and friends. Thank you for your service and sacrfice--you will not be forgotten. RIP.

February 1, 2006

Donna, you are missed every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every month of every year.! Justice will be served.

December 12, 2005

Its been more than 24 years since I was working in H-block at Greenhaven C.F.and was first notified that you were "missing". I participated in your search into the early morning hours and then went home. It was'nt until I returned to work later that afternoon that we received the awful news. I have never forgotten you as the years have passed. May you rest in peace and God bless.

Police Officer
New York State Park Police

August 27, 2005

On the anniversary of your tragic death, I offer my condolences. Donna, you are not forgotten.

Rest in peace.

Officer Frank Finch
Federal Bureau of Prisons

May 15, 2005