Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Sergeant Robert B. Rigoni of the Port Clinton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 9, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Sergeant Robert B. Rigoni of the Port Clinton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 62 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 9, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Sergeant Robert B. Rigoni of the Port Clinton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 60 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 9, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Sergeant Robert B. Rigoni of the Port Clinton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 54 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

December 9, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Sergeant Robert B. Rigoni of the Port Clinton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 53 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

December 9, 2017

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 10, 2011

Billy,
Rest assure that you will be reunited with your parents when God's plan for you has run it's course. While no words of comfort can alleviate the pain of your family's loss, your Dad's heroic actions that night will never be forgotten!
Your father stands among many heroes of our time, and times long past. History is replete with examples of individuals who risk and sacrifice their lives for others, and John 15:13 pays tribute to that.
I sometimes hear criticism about the widespread outpouring of grief and respect for fallen police officers. I always point out that the police and citizenry are paying as much respect to the values of selfless service as they are to the individual officer. Your Dad's example of those values are inspiring to all, especially those who follow in his path.

OFC Curt Fleming
Huron Police Department

December 10, 2011

My "Nine Eleven"

I was a young boy on this cold foggy night.
Unaware this would be my fathers last flight.
I remember it well when the phone call came.
My mothers voice sounded in vain.
And then she let out a lioness roar.
As she dropped the phone and fell to the floor.
Mama what's wrong, Mama what's the matter ?
Your father is GONE......Gone.......gone..forever !
I thought theres No way this can't be true.
Then a knock at the door it was a few men in blue.
They had come to "officially" give us the bad news.
Within hours a massive search began.
By air, by boat, and scouring the land.
As days went on came a glimmer of hope.
Washed ashore on the Island was my fathers coat.
We knew it was his by the stripes on the sleeves.
And a patch on each arm that read "Port Clinton P.D."
There were three more souls lost on that flight.
On that cold and foggy December night.
Was this Gods will or was it fate ?
To lay down that plane in the cold Erie Lake.
We may never know but time does mend.
Maybe someday we'll all meet again in THE END !

By Billy Rigoni

written
12/09/2011

Billy Rigoni
Son of Fallen Hero~ Robert Rigoni

December 9, 2011

thank you for the service you gave daily

Michelle
One person in the world

December 9, 2011

"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 8, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
mancheste,r nh

December 5, 2007

Time has pasted but we shall remember those who serve and protect

Sgt Bruce Rigoni
Victoria Police Australia

January 19, 2007

Thank you for your service. You died a hero.

October 26, 2004