Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I visited the Sacramento and the Washington DC Police Officer Memorials this year. I wanted to see your name on the walls. It was a bittersweet experience.

Your death still haunts me. Every day, I think of you. You centered my life.

However, I also feel joy when I see Michael and his family. His wife Yen, his daughters Emily and Avery. They are beautiful children and you would beam with pride at them. Michael is a good man and I’m proud of him.

In addition, I’m grateful that the Huntington Beach Police Department remembers you and your sacrifice. You were a brave and noble officer.

I love you.

Lynda Prince Rudesill
Surviving Spouse

May 18, 2023

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

December 1, 2019

Officer Prince in tribute to your service the Department has honored the fallen officers' who have sacrificed so much within our city. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

FULL Dedication Ceremony - https://youtu.be/JTMQomEE0QY

Officer Jeff Huss (Retired)
Huntington Beach (CA) PD

October 21, 2019

Thank you for your service. You shall never be forgotten.

Recruit Morales
LASD

May 14, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice. We mourn and honor you on the 43rd anniversary of your E.O.W.

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

December 1, 2017

To the family of Officer Prince: My name is Tom Schultz, my Father had just retired from the Santa Ana PD in August 1974. I was 19 years old and wanted to become an Officer. The night Les was hit I was inside the gas station at Beach&Adams, an Exxon at the time, visiting my cousin the owner of the station. My Brother Bob saw it happen from the front office window and we all ran to assist Officer Prince. We tried to comfort Les and let him know that we were there for him! There was not a dry eye in the crowd.

Tom Schultz
Prayer Partner

November 15, 2013

Les, I never forgot you. We graduated CSULB together, we got hired on the same day, 9-1-1970, and attended the police academy together. I sat with your family at the hospital and when you died I was
assigned to drive your parents to the your gravesite after the funeral service. I was honored to do it. You would have been proud of the turn out of family, friends, and cops from all over California. It was an impressive sight. It still seems like yesterday since you died. Everyday for 36 years I looked at your photo hanging in the lobby of the police department until I retired.

I now have a son, Joshua, who is a Hermosa Beach police officer. I told him about you and how you died. Rest in peace, you are not forgotten.

Detective
Huntington Beach PD

July 21, 2012

Les, we still miss you. It has been 37 years, which is unbelievable to me, since we lost you. Over half of my life you have been gone and it still seems like yesterday. This year, we almost lost your son Michael, who was only 5 months old when you died. Thankfully, he survived and is back with his family, including the granddaughter you never got to see. We went out to your gravesite and left flowers for you and mom and dad on the anniversary of your "incident", which happened on Saturday November 16th 1974. See, I haven't forgotten any details. Neither has the rest of your family.
It would be nice to see more drunk drivers punished before they do the same thing to someone else and alter a whole family's future. I hope that Morrison Hall Cress got what he deserved. I hope all the judges who let him go after previous drunk driving violations got what they deserve.
Miss you, and love you.

Donna Prince Levi
sister of fallen officer Leslie James Prince

November 16, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 2, 2009

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

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been many years since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Officer Prince.

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 19, 2008

You are remembered todayand thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 1, 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

November 28, 2007

I went to college with Les and had the privilege of working "next door" until his death. I have missed him since that day.

Captain Rod Gillman, Retired
Fountain Valley Police Department

December 1, 2005

Thank you for your sacrifice. I remember you today and everyday.

God bless and keep your widow and child.

Be safe, everyone.

December 1, 2005

Following the call of heroism led to the ultimate sacrifice. Officer Prince, your life will never be forgotten.

December 23, 2004

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

Rest in peace.

December 1, 2004

I'm honored to be the first to leave a reflection for Officer Prince. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. God Bless this man.

Taryn Walters Ontiveros
Daughter of Officer Larry Walters EOW 11-13-74

March 25, 2004