Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP Officer Tommy Ray. Today, Aug 19, 2024 was the first time I had ever heard your name. My wife who worked at White Castle in Louisville, Ky was just telling me that you used to come into White Castle where she worked and said she served you coffee the night of your murder. She spoke about how polite and kind you were and spoke how much she liked you. I am so sorry to have learned of your death. Prayers to your family and loved ones.

Deputy Sheriff (Ret) Glen Allison
Tarrant County S O Ft Worth, Texas

August 20, 2024

Dear Grandpa,

I just found this page for you. I never knew you physically. Your memory lives on through the lives of your children and grandchildren. At 35 now I’ve experienced 8 more years than you ever did and I’m taken back by that realization.

Your passing left a hole in your family’s lives that will never be replaced. I wish my father and uncles could have gotten more time with you and my brother and sisters too. The trajectory of all our lives changed the day you got shot. I will hold on to the stories of you until the day I die and know some part of you carries on inside your descendants.

Gone but never forgotten. Love you Grandpa

Dr. Kyle Thomas Ray, DPT, PT
Grandson

July 6, 2024

Patrolman Ray,
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 Louisville. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 20, 2023

I am the son of Officer Tommy Ray. My name is Tommy Lee Ray. A correction to his memorial is that my dad had three sons. Tommy Lee, Chris, and Scott. Please correct his memorial page

Major Tommy Lee Ray, USAF Retired
Son

January 2, 2022

Rest in peace Patrolman Ray.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2020

Tommy was also in my class in 1970. We were friends. I talked to him about an hour before he got that run on that saturday morning. I have a f b site called. Retired from louisville police friends
. retired officer Deloyd Cooper

Deloyd. Cooper patrolman
Louisville police

April 20, 2020

Tommy and I dated in our teenage years and I was so fond of his family.Then we went our separate ways and we both married and divorced but after 10 yrs or so he came looking for me and we reconnected but God called him home.He crosses my heart quiet often.Rest in peace Tommy with Buel,Mae, Hobert and J.B and Frost.

Joan
Friend

April 21, 2017

Was thinking about Tommy recently & remembered that he used to ride to work with me when we both worked at GE. He left GE & went to the Louisville Police department.. Lost track of him after that & then heard about his death. He was a great person & Was heartbroken when he died. I lived off Cane Run Rd & If I remember right, So did he.

Dave Davis
Friend

September 24, 2016

Hey Dad! Just checking in. I love you. I was hollow the day you were hurt, hollow the day you died, empty ever since.

Hope you are at peace.

Love, Your son, Tommy

Major Tommy Ray, USAF Retired.
Son

March 13, 2013

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

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered,

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

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

April 20, 2012

I met Ptl. Ray's youngest son today 12/08/11 he was cutting my hair and I told him I was a Police Officer. He then told me about his Dad who was killed in the line of duty. It's kinda ironic that we were drawn together today. That I have met a friend, and in fact I was 13 yrs old in 73 and 3/17 is my birthday. It was most likely on the news back then. I feel like my heart goes out to the Family and there loss. Also very upsetting that the shooter only got 15 yrs, however the family is without a father. My Prayers go out to the family and Police Officers past and present who were affected by the tradgedy. God Bless!!!

ULEO3 James P. Lunkenheimer
University of Cincinnati Police Division

December 8, 2011

I first met your Dad in the Record room prior to our Police academy. I knew then that I had met a Friend. We attended Police academy, and he would drop me off at home. We were assigned to the 4th Dist. My wife and I would visit your Family at your Home. We worked together at Phillip Morris off Duty. There is not a Day goes by that I do not think of your Dad. It seems like only yesterday when everyone’s day came apart. Contact me

David G Johnson
Louisville Police Retired

April 17, 2008

To any officer that may have served with my dad from 1970-1973. I sure would like to hear from you. I was 7 when he died and I have few memories of him. I'd like to borrow yours if you don't mind.

Tommy Ray

January 21, 2008

I have corrections for the site:

1 My dad was 27 when he died. He left 2 sons not a daughter and a son.

His badge # was 499. I have his badge mounted on a plaque beside my bed--I look at it every day.

His killer was Cedric Maxwell Wilson.

Take Care,

Tommy Ray

Tommy Ray

January 21, 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

October 30, 2007

It has been many years since Tommy died. He was a good friend and person. I think of him often. I was a young man and he and I worked on the same platoon in the west end of Louisville. I have now been in law enforcement for 39 years and contantly think of Tommy and the quick sense of humor he had. My prayers are with his family and friends.

DETECTIVE
LOUISVILE POLICE

June 13, 2006

I never had the privledge of knowing Officer Tommy Ray; however, we were neighbors and friends of his parents Beul & May Ray of Shrewsbury Ky. I remember as a 15 year old girl the overwelming feeling of grief for the familys loss and the honor that I felt that my sisters and I (The Richards Sisters) where asked to sing at his funeral. Though it was hard to sing through our tears of grief, I remember thinking "Be Brave, this is such a small thing to do for a man that gave the ultimate sacrifice". I am now 47 years old and I still think of this tragedy and wonder how his wife and children are. You have never been forgotten!
RIP Officer Ray until we meet in heavin.
In Christian Love,
Charlene RichardsComer

June 10, 2005

God bless you for your service and sacrifice. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

December 17, 2004

No officer that gave his life should be without reflection……

“For those who pledge to uphold it, Freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know”

Anonymous