Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Det. Rogers,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Terre Haute. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

June 16, 2024

When I was about maybe 11 or 12 years old. I am now 66. When I was about that age I always saw this particular Police Officer on his Motorcycle around Terre Haute. I thought he looked cool with his bald head, then one day I waved at him and he waved back! I found out his name was Officer Rogers. His waved planted a seed of trust and awe for the Police.

When I look back on my life, that wave set the stage for Four years in the Marines and Six years as a ISP State Trooper.
I was in the service when Officer Roger’s was shot and I can still feel the hurt! I didn’t know much about but him at the time, I just knew he waved at a little black kid and spoke to me once and encouraged me to stay of trouble and which I did!

I liked him is how felt as a kid and as a adult I have spoken his name in many my conversations about me growing up in Terre Haute. Now he is Heaven waving and keeping kids out of trouble!

Emerson Allen
Former Indiana State Trooper

July 8, 2021

Rest in peace Detective Rogers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 19, 2019

Mr. Rogers,

I didn’t know you, but I feel as if I did.
You have left a legacy that will live on through your caring, loving, and talented family. What a role model you must have been for that to be passed on to your children and grandchildren. I am thankful for all of them, and how they set an example of how to care for others, and how to love and live with their full hearts. Thank you

John Henderson
Friend of the family

June 15, 2019

sonny had plans to open a music store.
"any fire dept is just an ambulance service with firetrucks".........................................bruchini

thomas bastian emt/firefighter
ret fire dept

March 8, 2019

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 5, 2018

i took me years to figure how i got on thfd, but i finally got it. it was you. sonny, and your plans for a music store. thanks for the job, sonny. you changed my life. sorry it didn't pan out.

thomas bastian thfd firefighter emt
musician and pal

October 2, 2016

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

June 16, 2015

God bless you Sonny. Rest in Peace.

Tab Tabscott aka Bobby Scott
Band member

August 16, 2014

Rest in Peace, Detective Rogers. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 6, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

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

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

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

November 21, 2012

I Never met Sonny but if he is anything like his sons Marc and Randy then he had to be an INCREDIBLE PERSON. I met mark roughly 6 years back and he has become one of my personal best friends and I feel almost like I would of known his Dad just off all the amazing times we had.... R.I.P. Sonny I wish I could have met ya.

Don DeBiase

Don DeBiase
Friend of Family

June 16, 2012

From what I remember growing up and being a friend of the family, You were a great father and husband. I loved being around when you played music and the fun trips we took to Fan Fair all those years ago. You are missed every day and your family has grown strong because of the love you showed them. We will all meet agine someday and let the music stay in our hearts. Karen Osborn

Karen Osborn

June 15, 2012

Dad,

This is always a difficult day for the family, as it's been twenty seven years since the night you gave your life to protect me, Barbie, and the patrons in the Wagon Wheel. The older I get the more I miss having you in my life. Barbie and I will be married 28 years this October 2011, and have made sure our two sons, Marc Jr. and John, know who your are and what a brave and good hearted person you were. The family will never forget the tremendous sacrifice you made. A local news station recently did a story about your heroics and many people still honor your life and what you stood for. Thanks Dad for the love and guidance you gave me and please be waiting there for me when it's my time to go home.

Until We Meet Again!,
Marcus Harold Rogers Sr.

Marc Rogers
Son

June 16, 2011

Dad,

This is always a difficult day for the family, as it's been twenty seven years since the night you gave your life to protect me, Barbie, and the patrons in the Wagon Wheel. The older I get the more I miss having you in my life. Barbie and I will be married 28 years this October 2011, and have made sure our two sons, Marc Jr. and John, know who your are and what a brave and good hearted person you were. The family will never forget the tremendous sacrifice you made. A local news station recently did a story about your heroics and many people still honor your life and what you stood for. Thanks Dad for the love and guidance you gave me and please be waiting there for me when it's my time to go home.

Until we meet again!
Marc

Marc Rogers
Son

June 16, 2011

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Remember, courage is the ability to hold off fear and do what is right. Detective Rogers did what was right. For that, he is in a place in heaven especially reserved for those who lay down their lives for others.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Officer Douglas M. Wiencek
Metra Police Department, Chicago, IL

November 28, 2010

I never had the chance to meet Grandpa Sonny. But through shared memories I have learned that he was a great man. I've been looking forward to meeting him since I was a little kid, and I know I will someday! I'll always admire Grandpa's bravery on that day! I'm proud to say that I am the grandson of Harold Rogers.
I love you Grandpa!
-Marcus Jr.

Marcus Jr.
Grandson

March 29, 2010

Wow! It's hard to believe it's been 25 yrs. I had the priviledge of knowing "Mr. Rogers" when my brother Mike met his some Marc at Sarah Scott. Our parents didn't allow us to call him by his first name out of respect. He told me I could call him Sonny but I was more scared of my Mom so Mr. Rogers was it:)As Mike and Marc became friends our families became friends. He was so proud of his family and rightly so! Mr. Rogers had a gift of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world when he talked with you. I'll never forget all the advice he gave me and the time he talked me out of becoming a police officer. He told me I was too nice and trusting. I so appreciated his honesty and am glad I took his advice about that b/c he was so right:)
Although he's absent in body he's always with us in spirit:)

RJ JOYNER
FRIEND

June 17, 2009

Dad, Its been 25 years, a lot has changed. Debbie and I are still happily married 28 years now, she had a baby girl named Sarah 3 weeks after you were killed who is now 24 soon to be 25. Melissa who was 2 when you passed is married to Nick Ferguson and very happy, they are both doing great. Debbie and I love each other very much. We are proud of what you did that night protecting others and taking the bullet. I wrote the man who killed you and shared with him that while he needed to pay for what he did, I told him Christ died for him and shared the gospel, it was hard to do as earthly speaking I didnt care to much for him, but his soul held more value then my personal distaste for him. May u rest in peace, u died a real hero, your name is on the wall in Washington, D.C. and Terre Haute, a fellow Indpls officer that was shot in the head and survived went to D.C. and scratched your name onto a piece of paper and brought it back for me. See u in heaven, you are in a much better place, no bills... ha ha...Love u and proud of what you did.... Randy

Randy Rogers
Son

June 16, 2009

Dad,

I MISS YOU! Thanks so much for everything you did for me as a parent. You were a Great Dad, Patient Teacher, Brave Police Officer, and "My Best Friend". You'd be so proud of your grandsons, Marcus Jr. & John Jared. They are great musicians (like you) but most importantly good teenage kids. Barbie and I will be married 25 years this October and you will have been gone 24. Sorry it's taken so long to leave something....it hurts so bad not having you here the past years but I know you're in a better place for sure.

I could never thank you enough for the bravery you showed that night and your willingness to do your job without hesitation. You insured the safety of Me, Barbie, and everyone there...I wish it hadn't been at such a cost, but you did what you had sworn in to do as a police officer, and Dad, you will always be "My Hero".

Until We Meet Again!

Love You,
Marc
Son

Marcus Harold Rogers
SON

April 19, 2008

I knew harold Rogers since I was a little boy. Harold coached my first biddy basketball team @ the Terre haute Boys Club. He coched his son, my very good friend, Randy, lifetime friends, Jim Bogle, Steve Jeffers & Lee Shipley just to name a few. I remember "Coach Rogers" in the miidle of a pile where our entire team jumped on him after we won the championship, That is something I have never forgotten. Detective Rogers & his family along with my family, the tanoos' were very close, you see my father, Tom Tanoos was the Chief of Detectives from 1980 to 1984 & that is when Harold worked for my father in the Detective division. I will never forget the night my father got the call when this unnecessary tragedy occured, he left the house to help find the "animal" who did this to his friend. Harold Rogers sons, Mark & Randy are like brothers to me & his daughter Vicki I also have known since my childhood days. Mark,Randy & I still see each other @ my sons high school basketball games where Mark excelled for the same team, Terre Haute South Vigo. Harold was instumental in teaching basketball to both Mark & Randy & taught Mark to be the best guitar player this area has ever heard. Now Mark is doing the same with his son & now he is the best guitarist probably in the midwest. We all miss & Love Harold & we will for sure see him again in the Kingdom of Heaven. From, Pete Tanoos,

Pete Tanoos

January 2, 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 23, 2007

I remember sonny rogers from when i was a little girl.He had to take my dad to city hall(my dad wouldnt go with the police and was fighting them,but sonny came out and talked to my dad and promised him that i would be ok.He took me to city hall with them,bought me sodas,candy and chips lol.Then he took us to where my mom was working,and took my mom and i home.Of course he had to arrest my dad ,but all the same my dad had alot of respect for him, and so do i.To me that showed he cared.I wish the police were more like him today.

August 4, 2006

To sonny's family
I went to school with Sonny and Sue and I beleive my daughter became a cop and went on to be a detective in Colorado, because of the impression Sonny had on her as a kid.
He is truly missed by us, Norma Mallory Britton. Love you!

May 4, 2006

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You are a true hero for your actions on that June day.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 30, 2005