Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This man is a HERO! He should have a statue down town. He selflessly gave his life in the line of duty. That is alot and too much sometimes to ask of a person but he did it bravely and valiantly. When I think of hero this is what I think of men and women like this. Thank you and may you find peace in heaven!

Craig Isherwood
Citizen of the city of tulare ca

April 5, 2023

Officer Smith,
On today, the 75th 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 you served with the USAAF during WW II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 11, 2022

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 11, 2018

Officer Smith,
On today, the 71st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Tulare. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 11, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are not forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 11, 2018

Twenty-nine years old. He hadn't even had a chance to live life. A terrible scenario there in that basement. Thankfully, we have better tools at our disposal today for a situation such as that. If they'd had K-9's back in the 40's that officer would never have been murdered.

I am glad there are two accounts of officers giving their lives for the citizens of Tulare, not 22. Looking to my right I see a scary statistic and I expect it to get worse considering the number of felons being released onto our streets. I believe that being a peace officer working the streets IS THE MOST DANGEROUS BEAT IN THIS STATE (or any state). There's nobody in tower with a rifle watching a street cop's back, no easy way to lock down people and a street officer seldom knows the criminal history of those persons with whom he/she comes into contact. Is the driver a family man or a felon with two strikes? Street cops never have that information ahead of time.

Terry Davis, M.Ed., Coordinator AOJ
West Hills College / ex-VPD

April 26, 2013

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

Officer 11169

January 23, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 63rd 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
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 14, 2010

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

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

January 3, 2008

Richard,

Know that I still think of you and the sacrifice that you and your family made for the citizens of Tulare.

It was a labor of love to be a part of the "Richard Smith Steet" Committee. And what a thrill it was to locate your family back east and then share the honor of standing next to your elderly Mom and Aunt Lovey as the proclamation was read and the flag at city hall lowered to half staff.

I know they are with you now so send them my love.

May you & your entire family enjoy today's Thanksgiving Feast at God's Table in Heaven.

Chaplain Jim Taylor
Fresno County Sheriff's Department

November 22, 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

September 20, 2007

Rest in Peace Motorman. You are not forgotten.

Motor Officer Danny Johnson
Metro Nashville Police Dept.

April 11, 2007

God Bless you and keep you forever in his arms.
Rest easy Blue Angel.

CPD