Exeter Police Department, California
End of Watch Wednesday, October 22, 1975
Reflections for Patrolman Thomas J. Schroth
Was able to say hello to your wife today at the Kingsburg Senior Center, Tom. You are always in her heart.
Bless you, Warrior.
Chaplain Jim Taylor
Kingsburg PD
December 13, 2024
Rest in peace Patrolman Schroth.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
May 26, 2020
Tom, Yours was the first police funeral I attended as a fellow officer. I have never forgotten you and honor your memory and sacrifice as one of America's heroes.
Chaplain Jim Taylor
Kingsburg Police Department
August 19, 2019
Senseless. Absolutely senseless, to be ambushed in the hospital parking lot--and then the suspect committed suicide. Who can make sense of this. Patrolman Schroth is remembered this day for his service. May his family remember him for the man he was.
Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona
October 22, 2017
Rest In Peace Brother. We remember and honor you on the 42nd anniversary of your E.O.W. You are not forgotten.
Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA
October 22, 2017
God bless you Tom. You were my friend in Navy boot camp and my whole family loved you. I had only been discharged for a few days from the submarine service when my mom brought me the newspaper article about your death. You are an incredible artist and many thanks for the portraits you made for the guys in boot camp company #684. Rest in peace dear friend. I miss you still.-Harold Clark EM1(SS)
US Navy- University of California Police Department
EM1(SS) US Navy
Friend- U.C. Police Department
May 24, 2013
Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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.
Your sacrifice was made so many years ago. Evil was, is, and will be a part of life just as goodness such as yours will also be present.
Rest In Peace
Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater. Pittsburg Police Dept., eow 4/24
October 22, 2011
Rest easy Patrolman Schroth. Your dedication to the community of Exeter is never forgotten. I read your plaque at the park almost daily when I walk my dog and young son. I hope to follow in your footsteps one day. God Speed!
C. Twentymon
October 21, 2010
Rest in Peace, Patrolman Schroth. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
Officer 11169
October 22, 2009
Let the record show that the service and ultimate sacrafice of Patrolman Thomas J. Schroth, to Exeter, Tulare County, California and America shall be remembered and appreciated always. While I did not know Officer Schroth, my late Uncle, Henry (Hank) Fry was the Exeter Chief of Police, that sad October day in 1975. My Mom, Uncle Hank's Sister told me how hard Uncle Hank and all of Exeter took this tragic loss of their own 27 year old police officer, Tom, who was also a husband and new father. I hope the years have been kind to his widow and then baby girl. I do believe Officer Schroth has had a peaceful beat this past 32 and a half years. And, it is heart warming to find by a web search that Officer Schroth and 18 other Tulare County Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty are now properly memorialized on the Tulare County Sheriff's Department Peace Officer Memorial, dedicated May 15, 2002.
To review this fine Memorial, search for Tulare County Peace Officers Memorial.
Ed Hensley, AW2 Aircrew USN Retired
Nephew of Exeter Chief Hank Fry
May 11, 2008
In Loving Memory of Tom. I knew you as a young man full of dreams and life. My heart is saddened that you were taken away from us at such an young age. You were such a talented young man with your art. I am sure you served your community with all your heart, because you always gave 100 percent in everything you did. I am saddened that your daughter never got to know her fatherand what a wonderful dad you would have been. I knew as a young man how important being a good father was to you. I litlle piece of my heart has been taken away with the knowledge of your passing. You have been and will continue to be remembered with great fondness and admiration for the young man you were and the man you became. Rest In Peace and God Bless
From an old school friend
Debby Green
Old school Friend
March 14, 2008
No fellow California law enforcement personnel killed in the line-of-duty, should be forgotten.
Patrolman Schroth, may Your Soul Rest-In-Peace.
Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
October 22, 2007
No fellow California law enforcement personnel killed in the line-of-duty, should be forgotten.
Officer Daniels, may Your Soul Rest-In-Peace.
Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
October 22, 2007
You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.
VanDenBerghe
NH
October 19, 2007
"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
August 28, 2007
God Bless you Tom, you are not forgotten.
Chaplain Jim Taylor
Fresno County Sheriff's Department
August 2, 2007
Thank you Officer Schroth for your dedication to keeping our community safe. I walk the path in the park in our town which was dedicated in your honor, and I think of you often.
Citizen of Exeter
November 14, 2005
Thank you for your devoted service. You are remembered.
A citizen
October 22, 2004
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