Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Condolences to his family and his friends

Carson loveless

April 4, 2024

Above all else, thank you for your service Ofcr. Sasscer - for having made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of your community. Though I came on SAPD in 1982 and never had the opportunity to know you, your legacy is well known and will endure eternally. There was rarely a time I had occasion to patrol past 3rd/Raitt that you did not cross my mind.
RIP.

#1453
SAPD - Sta. 31

January 5, 2024

Jesus Christ proclaimed, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

February 22, 2021

Rest In Peace my friend you are one of the finest human beings I have ever met and I am so proud to say you were my best friend for so many years. You always live within me and your presence always bring a smile to my face remembering the great times we had together.

Bill Miskell

Lt. Bill Miskell, Fire/Rescue, retired
Best friend in high school

December 21, 2020

The same radical groups are targeting our officers again. ANTIFA is vowing to continue their assault on police officers as is Black lives Matter. Law enforcement needs to unite and stay strong. Our brothers and sisters in blue deserve the best society has to offer. God Bless you and your family and you are not forgotten. Semper Fi.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol, South Los Angeles 1969-1971

June 4, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Sasscer.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2020

Officer Sasscer,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USN during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

June 5, 2019

Thinking of you today on the 50th anniversary of your passing.

You are not forgotten!

Inv. Louie Martinez #282
Orange County District Attorneys Office

June 5, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 49th anniversary of your EOW. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

June 5, 2018

Seven years for the murder of a police officer? Nelson Sasscer's life was worth much more. He is remembered; his killer is lost to history.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

June 4, 2018

This retired Santa Ana CHP Officer remembers the night of your death, and the funeral procession that later detoured to drive past 3rd and Raitt, where a park with your name now stands.

Rest In Peace. You are in our hearts forever.

Traffic Officer Steve Thompson #6017
California Highway Patrol, Santa Ana

June 2, 2018

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

June 5, 2017

Officer Sasscer,
On today, the 48th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USN during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 5, 2017

I remember 5th and Raitt!

Thank you for your service!

Gene Pardee
Civilian

September 27, 2015

Your killer should never been paroled, he he knew he killed you.

Thin Blue Line

July 3, 2015

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 6, 2015

Though I never got to meet my great uncle Sasscer, I do miss him. From what I've been told, he was a great man, a great police officer. I have several other family members in law enforcement, including my father and brother in law. I pray everyday they make it home alive and safe. They put their lives on the line every day.

Lisa Sasscer
great niece, Knox Co E911

December 22, 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 43rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. just as you inspired another poster, Investigator Martinez, in his career. 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. Your family is in my heart's embrace.

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

June 5, 2012

On Thursday, June 5, 1969 around 10:00 or 11:00 pm, I was ten years old looking out the east living room window of our home in Santa Ana, California. I saw a Police Officer exit his car and approach two silhouettes standing on the west sidewalk. As I was looking out the window, my Grandmother approached asking, “What are you looking at?”

I turned to face her as she now stood to the right of me. As we were both looking out the east facing window, I told her that a Police Officer was outside on the sidewalk talking to someone. She immediately grabbed me and pulled me close to her body. She tried to shield my eyes when I heard two gunshots that impacted my life forever.

A large plum tree was partially blocking my view as I pushed away from my grandmother’s grasp. I saw the Officer take several steps backwards and fall on his back. He was lying in the street within the south bound lane of Raitt Street. I could hear his cries, “Help me, someone please help me”.

I turned from the window and ran through the kitchen, out the backdoor. My Grandmother was desperately yelling at me to stay inside the house. I immediately joined my Father and told him what I observed. He told me to be quite!

As we were crouched down by a flower planter, he told me to remain there. He slowly and methodically approached the Officer as my Dad was searching in all directions. He turned to me and again told me to remain there with his fingers pointing at me but my instincts took over. I was not going to hide and I defied his orders and approached the “Down Officer”.

As I stood next to my Dad, he spoke with the Officer asking him if he was shot. All the Officer could do was blink his eyes, once for “Yes” and twice for “No”. As I bent down to the left of the Officer, there was no further conversation. I looked into his eyes and saw they were blank and empty. His eyes were watery and glassy and he looked at peace.

My Dad ran to the Officers patrol car and used the Officers car radio requesting help. My Dad informed them that an “Officer was Down at Third and Raitt”. Within minutes all Hell broke loose and I will never forget the many Officers responding to the scene. I could hear sirens from afar and tires screeching as they approached the intersection.

As the arriving Officers arrived, they rushed to His aide and we were pushed aside. I saw the panic and fear in their faces and but it was not so, they were angry and upset that one of their own his shot. I saw the Officers pickup their fallen comrade and place him in the backseat of a patrol car. Within seconds, two or three Officers left the scene at a high rate of speed with the Fallen Officer.

As I saw the police car drive away there was a few seconds of silence. I saw the tears streaming from their eyes and a few Officers hugging one another. This memory I will never forget and because of this tragedy, it planted a seed that impacted my life by wanting to become a Police Officer at an early age.

I was honored by their response and the team effort to take care of their own. To Chief Allen, Officers Dick Beyl and Pat Bonner, your respect for my Father made an impact on me that has been instilled forever and has inspired my career.

To Officer Nelson K. Sasscer, because of you, I had a successful career having retired from of Law Enforcement with thirty-one years in a Sworn capacity and an additional four years in a Non-Sworn capacity.

We never spoke but because of your heroic actions on June 5th, 1969, you inspired me and your death will not go in vain. Forty-three years ago, YOU set my life in motion and I will always Treasure and Honor Your Name. I have always respected my Law Enforcement career and Honored the Badge that we wear.

In closing, to Officer Nelson SASSCER, My Brother In Arms, I will never forget you and thank you for your short service in the field of law enforcement representing the Santa Ana Police Department.

Respectfully,

Louie Martinez III, Investigator
Orange County District Attorney's Office
Investigation Bureau, Medical Fraud Unit
(My career continues!)

Investigator Louie Martinez III
Orange County District Attorney

January 27, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Sasscer. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 22, 2012

Last week, the OC Weekly published a Cover Story entitled "Murder Was The Case".

It has been 40 Years. However the Murder of Officer Sasscer has left many Scars yet to be Healed here in Orange County (OC)....

May He Rest - In - Peace.

Michael B. Parlor

September 25, 2009

To a man who shone brightly in our country's darkest time. Thank you for being here.

Citizen

September 8, 2007

The following is a letter sent to Chicago City Councilwoman Madeline Haithcock who has sponsored an ordinance to name a city street "in honor" of a former chairman of the Black Panthers who advocated murdering police officers.

************************************************************************

King County, in Seattle Washington just announced today that they will adorn all county seals, flags, papers, patches and badges with the image of Martin Luther King... I personally am proud to wear the image of my childhood "HERO" on my uniform and badge.

I am however shocked and appauled that you sponsored an ordinance to name a city street "in honor" of a former chairman of the Black Panthers who advocated murdering police officers. Members of the radical group were responsbible for the murders of 5 law enforcement officers, including 2 Chicago officers during his chairmanship.

I can think of the families of the murdered officers (Frank Rappaport ~ John Gilhooly ~ Glenn Smith ~ Kenneth Patrick ~ Ricky Kinchen), and how horrified they might feel to see this supposed honor. Please think of "all" involved before moving on with this idea.

Officer Glenn R. McGloughlin
King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention

March 2, 2006

Office5r Sasscer, you have not been forgotten. Thankyou for your dedicated service to law and forcement and to this country. I am fighting against the proposed street sign honoring a Black Panther in the City of Chicago. I have a real problem with them naming a street after an individual who was an advocate of violence against police officer. You are the HERO Nelson. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

March 1, 2006

Nelson, you would be very proud of my father, your nephew. He has followed in your foot steps and became one hell of an officer for the Knoxville Police Department in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is now a Lt. and is close to retirement and we are all very proud of him. Your brother is especially proud of him. I know that you would be proud of him as well. RIP!!

Kristie Ray, Office Manager
Tennessee Police Benevolent Association

May 20, 2005