Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hello. My name is Dawn Starling Pearce. I am C.L. Starlings daughter. Thank you so much to all of you that have posted over the years supporting my familys efforts to keep my dads killer behind bars. We have had to relive this horrible day over and over everytime Gaskey has come up for parole.
I feel I need to make some corrections if I may. My Dad was shot twice. Once in the hand and the second shot to the heart. My mom had just turned 38. My oldest brother Lynn was 16, my second brother Gary was 13 and I was 6 years old the day my dad died.
My prayer everyday is that justice will be served and James E. Gaskey will never be released from prison.

Dawn Starling Pearce
Daughter of C L Starling

February 27, 2014

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

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 18, 2012

YOU ARE SO RIGHT PATTY!
I SENT MY LETTER,HOW DO YOU KNOW IF GASKEY MADE PAROLE OR NOT?
HE NEEDS TO STAY THERE THE REST OF HIS SORRY LIFE!!!

TOM FAIRLEY
FORMER POLICE OFFICER

August 16, 2012

Growing up in Curtiston,on the street behind where Patrolman Starling was gunned down,I know the impact that this tragedy had on the community and his family.Why the family is subjected to this hearing every 5 years is beyond me. Gaskey does not deserve a hearing,he does not deserve to be set free.Why should this man have anything after what he did to this family.His Family at least has him behind bars but that is more consideration than he gave the Starling Family

Patti Gargus Young
Friend

July 30, 2012

I will never forget the day Lynn an Gary lost there Dad we were all very young an our hearts were broken.It was hard for all us kids to understand how someone could take this wonderful man from us for no reason but that is what he did.The Starling family did not deserve this or the pain that they went through.Please do not let this man out he should spend his life in prison just like the Judge said.

Gwen Cromer
Friend

July 27, 2012

Officer Starling's son, Gary is like a brother to me. He was only 7 yrs. old when this man took his father's life. His father never had a chance when this man opened fire on him.
Please keep him where he belongs. He does not deserve the right to get out among society.

Thank You!!

Deborah Batey
Friend

July 27, 2012

We will do our best to make sure your killer stays behind bars.. A "No Parole" letter has been sent. You will never be forgotten.

Alecia Pagerly
Widow of Kyle Pagerly, BCSD EOW 6/29/11

July 18, 2012

A "No Parole" letter for the thug that killed you has been sent. You will never be forgotten!

daughter of slain Special Agent J. Robert Porter
FBI
E.O.W. 8/9/79

Kristi Porter
Police Family Survivor

July 16, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th 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.

Time never diminsihe respect and your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. I thank your friends for sharing their memories and devotion through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

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

February 22, 2012

Thanks for the 6 months of services, Irvin.

David

February 22, 2012

You are not forgotten. We honor your memory and service to
your fellow man.

Anonymous

February 22, 2010

ON THIS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THAT FATEFUL DAY, WE PAUSE TO REMEMBER A GREAT MAN WHO DIED TRYING TO MAKE HIS COMMUNITY A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE. WE MUST NEVER FORGET HOW HE LIVED AND THE WAY HE DIED. THE SACRIFICE HE AND HIS FAMILY MADE MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

INV HAROLD HUTCHISON (RETIRED)
HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA POLICE DEPT

February 22, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 13, 2008

"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.

July 11, 2007

I was a junior Law Enforcement student at Jacksonville State University when Officer Starling was killed. This was not far from our college and we talked about it a lot in our classes. It really brought home to me the dangers of the career in which I was about to enter.

Over the years, I have thought about Officer Starling and this incident many, many times. If it is any consolation to his family, I know that I, for one, was always more careful during my police career because Officer Starling's death reminded me of how quickly things can go wrong out in the field.

I never met Officer Starling but he was an inspiration to me throughout my law enforcement career. May he Rest in Peace.

Major, retired

May 20, 2007

4-18-07

Parole denied for man convicted of killing Attalla officer


By Dana Beyerle, Times Montgomery Bureau
Published April 18, 2007



MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles today denied parole for the man convicted of shooting and killing Attalla police officer C.L. Starling in 1975.

The board in denying parole said James E. Gaskey will not be eligible for consideration for parole again until April 2012. Five years is the maximum time that the board can deny parole eligibility.

Testifying for the Starling family and against Gaskey’s parole were his widow, son and daughter, Attorney General Troy King and state Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla.

April 19, 2007

I remember sitting at the table the day Officer at Daniels Trailer court and saw a car speed into the driveway and then a patrol car, and the driver of the speeding car got out of his car and went around the patrol car the officer was getting out of his and moved his belt and stepped from behind the open car door and when the Suspect rounded the driver side of the Patrol car he suddenly pulled out the pistol officer Starling put up his hand and started shaking it as started for his weapon he said something but I can´t remember what then the suspect started firing officer Starling fell to the ground, in panic I started for the door to help but was pushed aside by dad who said if he shot a policeman he would shoot me to so we watched as the suspect took the Downed Patrol Officers gun and went around our trailer to the woods towards the San ann service station then I was able to run to the downed officer I ask are you Ok and unfortunately I heard the last moan of a dying man. I then got into the police car and got the microphone and said police man down I think twice then I went to a phone booth and was getting ready to call the police when somebody across the street said he had already called.

I often think about that dark day and wonder why anyone would do such a terrible thing for little or no reason. And what makes it worse I knew officer Starling from the fast food joint I worked at.

All I can say is I´m sorry this happened and I´ll remember for the rest of my life. And I hope that bum who did this terrible thing stays behind bars for the rest of his life, but he is probably out by now.

April 14, 2007

On the anniversary of his death, we pause to honor the memory of Officer Starling and to acknowledge his ultimate sacrifice.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his surviving family members. May he never be forgotten

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery Police Dept. - Montgomery, AL

February 23, 2007

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Starling. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

September 25, 2006

No officer that gave his life should be without reflection. "For those who pledge to uphold it, freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know."

Anonymous

January 2, 2004