Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Although I think of my father often, I am thinking of him more than ever these days. In one month I will walk down the aisle without him leading the way much like I have walked through my entire life without his guidance and protection. I was barely a year old when my father was ripped from our lives so suddenly. I often wonder how different my life would have been if I had him there for all the important things that daddy's are supposed to be there for. My first boyfriend, my first actual date, my prom, my first broken heart, my graduation, the birth of his grandson, the ailing questions of who am I and what on earth am I here for? I often wonder what a different person I would be if I had had the love of a father to teach me the things that only a father could. Now one of the most important days of my life is here again and im doing it without his advice or his blessing. I can only hope he will be proud of his grandson as he walks me down the aisle stepping in to fill such important shoes. Although I could not think of a better, more fitting "stand-in" I truly hope you are watching on that day and that I do have your blessing. You gave everything to protect and serve others, including raising your children, all to do the right thing and for that I AM PROUD TO BE YOUR DAUGHTER but I miss you terribly. Every night we play out in the band I know you hear the song I sing to you and as long as there is a breath in me I will continue to do it. Thank you daddy for giving up so much to teach your children the greatest lesson in life, doing what is right is sometimes the hardest thing you will ever have to do, but there are times you must do it no matter what the cost. I love you and you are my hero.

Jasmine rosa
Youngest daughter

October 8, 2011

i do not know my heroic grandfather, Michael, but the stories iv been told tell me he was a very noble man and, believes that he could have made this world a better place... i may have have never known my grandfather but for him to make a sacrifice for our family means the world to all of us, to give up his to save ours. we miss him very very much and i do to, i wish i would have been able to meet this mysterious but heroic man that I've been told stories of. i hope that one day i can follow in his footsteps and try to change the world to be a better place as he did. my three aunts, my father and my uncle loved him very much.if i could have met the man just once, just to get to know him in the flesh, that would be the best gift in the whole world, i wouldn't ask god for anything else but to get to know my heroic grandfather, Michael Angel Rosa.:)

shelby marie rosa
grandaughter 14

February 12, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-second 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 line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was also your fellow Marine so I also bid you semper fi.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for the solace of all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 15, 2010

Many times I have come to this page and read the remarks. I always wanted to leave something but I was too afraid. I'm not afraid anymore. I was five... I remember my mother and father arguing about him leaving the house to go to his undercover spot. My mother was crying and begging him not to go... He knew he was going to die that night. He said he had to go because they were looking for him and if they found him there with us.... (Well, you fill in the blank). I am convinced he saved our lives that night because they did come looking for him at our home. They messed the place up looking for something and left. A few hours later other officers came to bring us the news... The events of that night and the weeks after are something I will never forget. The effects still linger to a degree. We didn't have the perfect family with the white picket fence, but we did love eachother the best way we knew how. I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason although I don't always understand it or think it's fair. The individuals involved got to live or are living out the rest of their days with their families. Only the Universe truly knows why.... RIP Daddy and thank you for the ultimate sacrifice.

Roxanne Rosa
Daughter

June 14, 2010

Officer Rosa. The Lord knows that truth. May your family find some comfort in knowing what a true hero you are. God Bless


Ohio
summit county

Anonymous

March 17, 2009

He was admired by friends and family. A very incredible person. He would take his shirt off his back. Everything he ever accomplished was not in vain.... A Brother, A Uncle, A Husband, A Father, A U.S. Marine, A undercover officer.... He will always be remembered and missed.

Robert Rosa
Son

April 10, 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

February 22, 2008

I remember this sad Day, I was a new Deputy with one month of service under my belt (in another Wyo. county) it shook me to my core so very unbelivable. Patrolman Rosa, I honor you and will always remember you, though we never met you made a large imprint on me about doing the right thing, you are responsible for the begining of a great change in a very corrupt time. You have been in my thoughts often throughout my 28 years of law enforcement service. Thank you and rest in peace.

D. Moore
Retired

March 13, 2007

There is not a single day that goes by I dont think of my dad and what he stood for. Direct Honesty, integrity, his family. My dad Michael Rosa is my hero, I wish he were here to know his 3 grandchildren, Shelby 10, Chance 6, Ethan 3. Not only is he a hero in uniform, because i grew up with out him from the age of 4, I spend the time I have with my daughter like it is the last.

Christopher Michael Rosa

December 15, 2006

My father is my hero for standing up in the manner he did.

Christopher Rosa
Son

December 15, 2006

Michael was killed just before he was to testify to a state grand jury about governmental corruption and organized crime in the Rock Springs area. His reports disappeared at the time of his death.

He died doing what he swore to do - his duty to uphold the laws of Wyoming and to protect the people of the state of Wyoming. He is an unknown and unsung hero.

R.I.P.
A fellow officer

Detective Johnston
Sacramento Sheriff's Department

December 12, 2006

Mike,
you are truly an inspiration to Law Enforcement and I honor your dedication to protecting the citizens of Wyoming.
Vios Con Dios Mi Primo

Ranger Roberto M. Sheets
Arizona State Parks

March 6, 2006

Patrolman Rosa,
As one officer wrote in another fallen officer's reflection-"No fallen officer should be without a reflection." I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the city of Rock Springs.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

June 19, 2005