Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

TFC Rathell,
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 Maryland. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 18, 2023

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

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

September 18, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Rathell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 24, 2019

Parkie was a very special guy. On a scale of one to ten, he would be a twenty in likability. He and I were both starters on the SS Peter & Paul high school basketball team in Easton, MD. Parkie was all business on the court, and always gave 100%. You could always depend on him. It was a real tragedy and certainly a shock when I heard of his untimely death. I had just talked with him a few weeks before, and just could not believe that would be our last conversation in this life. In his short life, he made quite an impact on his many friends. Rest in peace good buddy. See you in heaven.

Bill Dickerson
High school friend

April 28, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th 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

September 18, 2010

TFC Rathell,
On today, the 36th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your partner for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Maryland. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

September 18, 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

February 18, 2008

Always remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 18, 2007

God speed

December 25, 2004

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

October 1, 2004