Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Jahn E. Schmidt of the Butler Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 80 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 12, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Jahn E. Schmidt of the Butler Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 76 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 12, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Jahn E. Schmidt of the Butler Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 72 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 12, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

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

October 12, 2020

Patrolman Schmidt, today marks the 21st anniversary of your sacrifice for the people of Ohio. I can only hope and pray that this kid, who caused your death, reformed and became a better person and contributing member of society BECAUSE of your sacrifice. If he didn't, he should burn in Hell.

God Bless you, Brother and may your eternal rest be forever peaceful.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department

October 12, 2017

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Jahn E. Schmidt Butler Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

End of Watch: Tuesday, October 12, 1976

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 12, 2017

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Jahn E. Schmidt Butler Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

End of Watch: Tuesday, October 12, 1976

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 12, 2017

Patrolman Jahn E. Schmidt, we read your name today at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement memorial. While I never got the privileged of knowing you, I met some of your family today. You are not forgotten.

Chaplain Mike Crain
Butler TWP Police

May 8, 2015

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

October 30, 2012

I served with Jahn E. Schmidt JO3 USN during my tour in Viet Nam 1969-70. He served as a journalist with River Patrol Flotilla V. I was shocked to hear of his passing. Thank you for serving our country overseas and at home. God bless all his family.

James E. Hoehne PH2 USN '69-70
shipmate USN RivPatFlot V

July 29, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 12, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

December 31, 2007

On the u pcoming anniversary of your passing, we remember you today and thank you Sir for your service.

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

October 10, 2007

This was written in 1998. My reflection after standing as honor guard at Jahns funeral and around 20 years on the job.

STAY SAFE

I barely knew him, I was a rookie you see.
Looking in the casket I thought, How could this be?
This should not be his time, but his body’s now cold.
Due to a joy ride by a fifteen year old.
We stood at attention as family and friends
Stepped up to say bye, acknowledge the end.
I gave no thought to the hazards that be.
More careful am I, that will never be me.

Still working the beat after twenty long years.
Would like to think skill, though shear luck it appears.
Attended more funerals over this time now past.
As taps is played I think everyone asks.
Why did this happen? Explain this to me.
Why should he die to keep society free?
There’s never an answer, only more tears.
Watching a family face its worst fear.

A dangerous business, that’s a fact.
Decisions in seconds, how to react?
Then others take weeks on end.
Telling you how things should have been.
Dispatch says, “unknown problem”.
Your job is to find and solve them.
What’s behind that door? Who’s behind the wheel?
Place your fears on hold, even if they’re real.

Street Survival, those are key words.
Don’t let those bad boys enter your world.
Watch for the hazards, don’t play the fool.
Expect the unexpected, it CAN happen to you.
When it hits the fan, be ready, stay alive.
Remember your training, “I will survive”.
The most important thing to family and friends
Is that you make it home safe, after your shift ends.

Lt. Robert A. Makley Retired
Five Rivers MetroParks

April 15, 2005

I was just a month on the job with Union Police when I was asked by my Chief to stand as Honor Guard at Jahns viewing and services. It was an experience that has stayed with me to this day. I did not know him well but it was like losing a brother.

Lt. Robert A. Makley Retired
Five Rivers MetroParks

April 13, 2005

To the family,

It was an honor for me, and my wife Sharon, to speak at the Memorial and present the memorial stone to you. As I said at the memorial " I did not know Jahn, but he is still my brother and we all feel the loss.

Officer J. Hounshell
Butler Twp. Police Ohio

You're a Hero although your life was cut short. RIP

Explorer
Huber Heights Police Dept.