Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

George Rupp and I attend Republic High School at the same time. HIs younger brother, Jim, was in my class. Mike Main was a long time family friend. The pilot Hal Banks was a relative. Looking back at the date of the crash, September 11, 1981, the irony of it all is not lost. On this day, May 16, 2022, I am proud to be taking part in the third annual ROTARY CLUB / FONTANA POA THANK YOU LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT LUNCH.

David Dragnich
Incoming Fontana California Rotary Club President for 2022-2023

May 16, 2022

My father, Michael John Main. Was one of the civilians that was killed in the same plane accident. He may have not have been a police officer but he sure was my hero. He was a great man and a tremendously awesome dad. I miss him everyday and it's been this many years and I still love him so much!!
Sincerely, Deanna Main Swanson

Deanna Swanson
Daughter

January 19, 2021

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 11, 2020

RIP, Good man and officer. Both graduated from 1st State funded police academy class 1975.

Asst Police Chief Ed McConnell
OPD

June 17, 2018

Remembering you today. A hero to more than he knows. ©2004

Emory - Ephrata, WA
brother of Ferry County WA Undersheriff Matthew J Lane, EOW 5/30/03

September 11, 2015

Good buy George, you were my friend and training officer. I only learned of your death a few years ago. Even today when I hear of an officer down I think of you. I wish I could have know you better before I left the department. Because of budget cutbacks I had to leave.

Deputy Dan Thompson FY8
Ferry County SO

August 1, 2014

I did not have the pleasure of meeting SGT Rupp... However I have met his son.. He is a good man and I hope a reflection of his father. Thanks Mike for being who you are.

SFC Felts

May 15, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nf anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. 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 the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

May 5, 2013

As a Deputy Marshal working on Republic Police Dept. I had the honor and privilege of knowing George. He worked for the Ferry County Sheriff 's Dept. and he was the Firearms Instructor. He trained me in combat shooting with my service weapon and shotgun, also did sniper training with a .308 rilfe.
George was a great friend, outstanding officer and guardian angel, always there when I needed him.
I thank God for allowing us to meet and become friends.
You are deeply missed, but not forgotten.
Thanks for the backup.

Deputy Marshal Andy Spear
Republic Police Dept, Ruidoso Police Dept. Lincoln Co. Sheriff 's Dept

January 3, 2013

What can I say about my friend George, he was a good person, a good friend, as a Deputy Sheriff, I have never met anyone who could fill his shoes. I was new to Law Enforcement, I just started as a Deputy Marshal working for Republic Police Dept. And George was a Sergeant on Ferry County Sheriff 's Dept. It didn't matter to George that I was city and he was county, he was always there for me. He trained me in combat shooting, investigations (we worked several cases together) and interviewing suspects. We would use the good cop, bad cop technique, he always played the bad cop and he was good at it.
Due to cuts on our department, we lost several positions one of them mine. When I left Republic I didn't get a chance to say good bye to George, he was working on a case. I was really disappointed that I was not able say good bye and George felt the same way, so he drove 150 miles, I was at a gas station fueling up when he pulled up. This was the last time I saw or talked to my friend George, he was killed a few months later. The last thing he told me, was " don 't give up on Law Enforcement, you belong in Law Enforcement you are good at it and it needs you and the public needs you." Because of what he said to me that day and when I was contacted that was killed in the line duty, I continued in Law Enforcement, worked as a Police Officer and as a Deputy Sheriff working in Narcotics, K9 handler, Sniper, Traffic Safety and Invesigations, Thanks George.
It's still hard, I miss him, but I will never forget him. Everytime I hear of another one of our brothers or sisters getting killed or dies, I remember the day I was told about George being killed, knees still get weak and tears in the eyes.
I like to think, that when one of our brothers or sisters is called home, that George is there to meet them and welcome home.
Thanks George for being there, for the training and for being a friend you made a difference.

Deputy Marshal Andrew Spear
Republic Police Department

December 31, 2012

He was a friend of my father when they were young. Once when I was young my father and I were hunting and I got lost. George found me and took me back to my father. He was a very good man.

Daniel Bagley
Met briefly.

December 6, 2012

Although I did not know you sir I can relate to what your family is going through. My father Deputy James E. Taylor Towns County Ga. was also killed on this unforgetful night. I was twelve years old at the time and many years have passed since 1981 but the emptiness in your heart seems to never go away. Just a note to say that you did not leave this world in vain as I'm sure you were doing what you enjoyed and you will not be forgotten.

Pamela Owens
citizen of GA.

September 11, 2010

"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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 28, 2008

A fine officer, and a good man.

Ed. McConnell, Asst Chief Police
Okanogan Police Dept

April 22, 2006

You are not forgotten...........

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

March 8, 2005