Gulfport Police Department, Mississippi
End of Watch Sunday, November 21, 1971
Reflections for Patrolman Joe Douglas Spiers
Patrolman Spiers,
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 in Vietnam. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Fair Winds And Following Seas
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
November 21, 2021
Rest in peace Officer Spiers.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
April 27, 2019
Officer Spiers your sacrifice will never be forgotten! Thank you for your dedicated service to the Citizens of and City of Gulfport! Continue to Rest in Peace.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD." Matthew 5:9
Corporal Tony Dunn
Mississippi Highway Patrol, Troop D
November 21, 2015
IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise... Always honored, never forgotten.
Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio
November 21, 2014
I never knew you, My dad, your son Doug never knew you, I never knew my dad.. somehow I feel as if I know you both. There are so many loved ones on this plane that have shared your stories and your love with me..
I am so lucky to have been born into this family..
God Bless
Love to All
megan e miller
Granddaughter
June 29, 2013
Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th 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.
I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Rest In Peace
Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05
November 21, 2011
Joe you are in heaven with our Lord and savior. We spent so much time together on our boat in viet nam and i remember how much you talked of sherry and of home. I miss not seeing you but some day we will all meet again, your friend and brother forever.
james kaufman
best friend
October 23, 2011
Such a young age to have ur life stolen by someone u had such compassion for. Rest in peace and god bless.
Anonymous
November 5, 2009
Rest in place war hero and hero of the heart, you are also a hero and honored today just by the profession you chose
Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
November 30, 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
November 29, 2007
On the 36th anniversary of Patrolman Spiers' death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Patrolman Spiers is not forgotten.
Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
November 21, 2007
rets easy my old friend. i havent forgotten your friendship through the years
guy
friend
October 7, 2007
You sir are the true definition of an AMERICAN hero. From your service for this country to your dedication to your community by serving it as a police officer, I wish to aspire one day to the level of MAN you were. RIP brother.
Public Safety Officer J. Perrone
Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, CA
March 10, 2007
Rest in peace blue angel. I hope the old hag rots in jail.
shannon
private citizen
December 27, 2006
Joe, I have thought of you often through the years.
You were my best friend in Vietnam.
God bless you and your family.
Keith Phillips
Virginia State Police, retired
December 23, 2006
Warrior.
Anonymous
October 21, 2006
Too young to have your life taken by some apparently innocuous vermin.
Never forgotten Sir.
Godbless mate.
Senior Constable
South Australia Police
April 28, 2006
Patrolman Spiers,
On today, the 34th anniversary of your murder, I would 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 in Vietnam.
R.I.P.
Anonymous
November 21, 2005
Thank you sir, You are a hero.
Officer Caleb Williams
Gulfport Police Department, Gulfport, Ms
November 17, 2005
Patrolman Spiers, thank you for your service to your community. Rest in peace, you are remembered.
a citizen
November 21, 2004
Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:
- Quick access to your heroes
- Reflections published quicker
- Save a Reflection signature
- View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past