Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Your heroism and service is honored today, 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 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
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 8, 2011

I was in college at the time of the incident and not really interested in LE, but totally touched by this bravery of this fine officer.

I later became an ATF Agent, and have always thought of the supreme sacrifice of Sgt Riley.

I hope his family has done well.

Randall R. Evans
ATF/Livingston County SD (retired)

December 8, 2011

I always remember the support the police dept and the City and Michigan National Bank gave us over the years. My family just recently attended a banquet for MI Cops Fallen Officers it never gets easy. It nice to see the support from the other officers. Not only was my dad a hero but my Mom who dedicated her life to her six children at the most crucial time in her life is amazing

Bill Riley
son

December 8, 2011

Sadly I was checking on a friend's page here, and flashed back to this officer's name from my youth. Yes, I actually remember him from my father's DP service with STRESS, as one of my dad's lost friends. The sadness I still remember that my father had over his death. It hit my dad pretty hard back then. Now, with him also gone, I'm sure there is a small group of old STRESS/and department guys swapping stories in a "better place".
I do hope the family has held on to their good memories and made it through today.

Anonymous

January 25, 2010

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 5, 2007

"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

November 13, 2007

Over 35 years have elapsed since your brutal snd tragic murder. I salute you, sir. I doubt if time has made it any easier on your family and friends, and grieve most for your son who witnessed this horrible ordeal. I hope everyone will take comfort in knowing that you will NEVER be forgotten and will FOREVER be a hero! God Bless your family. Until we one day meet, keep walking the beat on the Golden Street in Heaven.

DET SGT, Retired
AR

August 2, 2007

Jerry, I think I can speak for the entire crew of STRESS-5 when I say that you were, and still are a real HERO, I still think of you and your family daily, you, and them will always be in our prayers, rest my brother, we'll all be together again one day. God Bless. Ron.

Officer Ron Sexton
Detroit PD (retired)

April 1, 2006

I never had the chance to meet you, but I grew up with your son who was next to you on that terrible day.

I remeber the first time I saw your badges, forever as a reminder of your work, encased in crystal on the T.V.

I think that was the first time I realized that I wanted to become a police officer.

And I did.. Thanks for the inspiration

Ofc. C. Foerg
Ann Arbor P.D.

February 6, 2006

Just looking at your picture on this site brings an immediate smile to my face. Your had a great sense of humor. A real likable chap. I worked with Riley at #10 and then at PSU, which subsequently became STRESS. Jerry was known by others in our unit as the "Lon Chaney" of decoy officers. He had many effective disguises working the special unit. It has been 33 years since your untimely death. You left a memorable impression on your fellow officers. May God comfort your dear wife, Barbara.

Don Richter - Sergeant (Retired)
Detroit Police Department

December 23, 2005

Gerry -

I was working the Tactical Mobile Unit in the 12th Precinct on the day of your death. I too remember arriving at the bank hold-up scene to find you gunned down in the back while your very young son had stood next to you in line. Your death instilled a valuable lesson in me that has allowed me to successfully (so far) continue my 36-year law enforcement career. Your sacrifice so inspired the Detroit Police Department that they promoted you posthomously - a class thing to do, something they've never done again and will probably never do again.

Those who are never completely forgotten never completely die - you are remembered often and live on in the hearts of many.

Bill Gray (LT. DPD - Retired)
Director, Sanilac County Drug Task Force

Director William Gray
Sanilac County Drug Task Force

December 2, 2005

I was one of the first cars to respond and saw his young son in the bank alone. Later, as a Sergeant at the 12th Pct., I was sent to his home so that we could identify which gun he was carrying at the time of the Hold-up, and found myself the first to talk to his wife. I pray that she and Jerry's children are well and safe, their husband and father was a hero who was doing "his job" off duty. God Bless them all.

Larry Holland, Retired Inspector
DPD

February 19, 2005

Jerry was in the class of 7-9-62 and we were among ten Officers assigned out of the Academy to the Tenth Precinct. Jerry loved police work and after he left Ten about 1968, he worked S.T.R.E.S.S. I remember him walking by the First Precinct desk in March, 1971 wearing a long overcoat as he was reporting for duty and preparing to go to work as a decoy. He had a sly smile on his face as though he was saying who am I going to arrest tonight! It's Ironic that in the Academy, he sat right next to Stan Rapaski who was killed in a hold up on Jan. 10th 1969. May you rest in peace, classmates and brother officers.

Inspector Ray Murray (Retired)
DPD

January 12, 2005

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You are a true hero to us all.

DE
St. Louis City Police

June 3, 2004

Thank you for the sacrifice that you made on this day 31 years ago. God bless Sergeant Riley's family and may he forever rest in peace. He will help make everyone who wears a badge proud forever.

Pat
Baltimore, MD

December 9, 2003

may this officer rest in peace.
SEMPER FI

What a great site this is, a place to let your deceased love one know that even though it is almost 30 years that he is missed just as much today as when it happened. Such a great husband and father we all love you.

barbara riley