Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

That was the saddest police funeral I ever attended. I'll never forget seeing his father walk by us as he approached the church. Heart-wrenching. When I got to know him some years later when he worked for P.O.ST, I found him to be one of the kindest, most competent, down to earth and humble law enforcement officers I've ever known. A real cops cop. I cam still see him waking by us all in immense pain and how you could see the empathy on every officer's face. Not a dry eye in sight. Great cop who I know must have been an awesome dad who raised a great son. God bless both these men who dedicated themselves to the protection of others. And may Deputy Ray Rest In Peace.

Chief Mike Dorn
Bibb County Board of Education PD

May 14, 2022

Danny and I were friends. He took my place at the jail when I moved to the Patrol Division. I was working the night we lost him.

Keith Kindle Perry PD Retired
Houston County Sheriff

May 13, 2020

"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 30, 2017

During my 13 year career with the HCSO, I got to know Danny Ray Sr, very well while working in the Traffic Unit. To hear him talk about Danny Jr, and the accomplishments he made at such a young age, you can tell he was always proud. Danny Jr, picture forever hangs in the lobby (Next to Jessie Tanner's), to help keep his memory alive, and not forgotten.

(Former) Sgt. Danny Glass
Former HCSO Deputy, Current Savannah-Chatham Investigations

June 16, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 10, 2015

Danny was my uncle I may not have known him but he did a lot for Perry, GA I love him even though I do not know him. my little sister raylin ray who is only two she looks at his picture in my grandmams living room and she looks at some random space in the kitchen and you can tell in her face and in her eyes someone is their hes like my gardain angel but i wish you where her right now so when i need help i could go to you but i know in heaven above your waqtching all of us kids grow up and make something of our slef and grow to ber young adults but i know your in better place i love you uncle ray

55 skylar ray
officer down

December 18, 2014

Tara, Danny Ray Jr. was the son of Danny Ray Sr, who worked for the Georgia State Patrol. We were having a cup of coffee a the Perry Waffle House when we receiver the call. I was then working with the Houston County Sheriff's Office. You can't imagine what that like when you respond with the father to his own childs murder scene. Danny Ray was not able to to to the killer at the jail. Lucky for the trash. Danny Sr. was the epitome of a man. If Danny would have got to the killer, there would have been no trial. Such a terrible night.

(Former ) Sgt. John Pagura
Houston Co. Sheriff's office (Ga)

December 16, 2013

When I see names posted on vehicles in memory of loved ones, I normally don't do anything more than read them and note the dates. But this week I saw a truck with "Danny Ray, Jr, 1966-1986" on the back window, and for some reason, maybe it was because of his young age, I felt compelled to write down the name and dates to "Google" later. I'm glad I did. Being new to Perry and only 12 years old in 1986, I never knew Danny Ray, Jr., but his family can rest assured that his memory and sacrifice lives on.

Tara Poole

August 2, 2013

Rest in Peace, Deputy Ray. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 31, 2012

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones today. You are a true hero and have not been forgotten.

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

May 10, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today as we approach the 23rd 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, 19 years after you were killed.

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

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 10, 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

October 10, 2007

I grew up and went to school with Danny Ray. He is sadly missed. I think about him every time I put on the uniform and go to work. Rest In Peace My Friend.

Deputy Kenny Hamsley
Douglas County Colorado Sheriff's Office

August 9, 2006

I find it so hard to believe that he's been gone for 20 years. I was fortunate to have known Danny Jr. since the day he was born and to have been his aunt for 20 years. Who could have known that his desire to follow in his father's footsteps would have led to his death at such an early age.

He was an amazing and responsible young man and possessed such humor. Whenever I was with him all I did was laugh. We gave each other 'goofy gifts'. I once gave him a Stretch Armstrong action figure. Christmas, 1983, he gave me a Mickey Mouse filled with gum balls. I keep it on my dresser and will cherish it forever.

I think about him and miss him every day.

Aunt Georgi

Georgi W. Gunnell
Aunt

June 28, 2006

I was saddened to hear of your loss and at the hands of a man you had "broken bread" with the previous day.May you Rest safe with Our Lord.

May 10, 2006

Almost 20 years later, I want the family of Deputy Ray to know that he has not been forgotten. Whenever I walk into the Sheriff's Department and see those 2 paintings of Deputy Ray and Deputy Tanner I think about their families and wonder how they are doing now all these years later. Day in and day out we try to keep the deputies safe and some days there's nothing you can do to change what happens.

I read below a comment from Sgt. Chris Sutcliff. Anybody who wonders what the men and women of law enforcement go through day in and day out should talk to him. Sgt. Sutcliff is one of the lucky ones...thankfully he lived to tell about the day he was shot. Maybe, just maybe, Deputy Ray was looking out for him that day. We can look at the incident and say it was good training, good instincts, or luck that saved Sgt. Sutcliff that day...but I have a feeling when it's all said and done there's a lot more help behind the scenes that we'll never know about. ; )

A 911 Dispatcher
Houston County Sheriff's Department

September 24, 2005

The policeman stood and faced 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 a badge
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 got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept 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 here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

September 12, 2005

I never knew Danny Ray, but have met his family since moving to Perry over 8 yrs. ago. I was saddened and upset when I heard about this incident. I have prayed that God will bless Danny Ray and his family, & I know that Danny is looking out for his fellow Officers everyday....

Sgt. Chris Sutcliff
Perry PD

April 2, 2005

Although I never knew Deputy Ray, I am saddened by the loss of this officer. In 1986 I was only 10 years old...maybe that was before I came to know the ugly truth that officers sometimes lose their lives protecting me and my family. God Bless you, Deputy Ray...our county has not forgotten the sacrifice that you made for us. Our deputies have an angel looking out for them every day in Deputy Daniel Stephen Ray.

Anonymous