Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God Bless you Brave Warrior.

Sergeant Kevin Waters
Indiana State Police

April 24, 2024

Trooper Rankin,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Pennsylvania. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 25, 2023

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

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

April 25, 2021

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 25, 2018

Bruce was one of the kindest people I've ever known. He was to marry my cousin the next month. I'll never forget him....

Barbara Marchand Zwolak

Civilian
Soon to be cousin

July 15, 2017

Bruce was my cousin. He was a fine young man and I still miss him. His death came just a few weeks before he was to be married.

David Illig

Civilian
Cousin

February 28, 2017

Trooper Rankin,
On today, the 41st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Pennsylvania. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 25, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today on 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 who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was shot twice when ambushed on April 23rd when he was on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers.

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

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

April 25, 2012

You are not forgotten today. Rest in peace Trooper.

Rocky Geppert

April 25, 2010

Thankyou for your service TROOPER RANKIN, you are a hero for us all to look up too. You will never be forgotten

POLICE OFFICER 9TH DISTRICT
PHILA PA

December 5, 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 23, 2008

Trooper Rankin, you have not been forgotten.

Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

September 5, 2007

Rest in peace always sir knowing that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

April 25, 2007

Rest in Peace Sir.

April 25, 2006

Trooper Rankin, you were much too young and much too short into your career to be taken from the Pennsylvania State Police family and more importantly, the Rankin family. I know each day you slip into people's memory and each day, you watch over all those left behind.

Though 1973 may have seemed like a long time ago to most of us, to your loved ones, it's like yesterday, but you've never really left, have you?

God Bless and Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

March 12, 2006

Trooper Rankin: As a native Pennsylvanian, I'd like to express both my gratitude for serving the citizens of PA., and my condolences to those you left behind. My daughter's fiance', Officer Cole Martin - Chatsworth, GA PD - EOW 4/25/03, is still mourning his falling.
May GOD Bless your surviving family members and loved ones, and the PA State Police.

John Garger, Secretary
GA Concerns Of Police Survivors

October 27, 2005

BROTHER, WE HONOR YOUR MEMORY AND ALL THE BROTHERS WE HAVE LOST

CORPORAL
PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE

April 24, 2005

My condolences to the family and friends of Trooper RANKIN as well as to his then fiancee. Rest in Peace brother..........

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

February 19, 2004

May god bless you and your family my friend.

Anonymous

September 29, 2003

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST ROLE CALL

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry badges can’t always be a Saint. I’ve had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I’ve been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many unmanly tears. I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you’ve a place for me Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don’t, I’ll understand."


There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell."

Anonoymus

I am a Pennsylvania State Trooper. A soldier of the law. To me is entrusted the honor of the force. I must serve honestly, faithfully, and if need be, lay down my life as others have done before me, rather than swerve from the path of duty. It is my duty to obey the law and to enforce it without any consideration of class, color, creed, or condition. It is also my duty to be of service to anyone who may be in danger or distress, and at all times so conduct myself that the honor of the force may be upheld.

My brother, your memory goes on with the fellow Troopers who recite and live these words.

The Pennsylvania State Police