Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We were in our Prime... Professionals, Happy, Fun Loving. On the DEA Softball team in Atlanta you batted first and I second. I remembered we always discussed strategy and bet who would get a hit that inning. Having beers afterwards at Good Ole Days on Roswell Rd.

It was a shock that morning I heard and was so sad. I traveled from Atlanta to Schenectady to play in your first memorial golf tourney..I placed second which was so fitting.

Take Care my buddy.

Edwin L Finch, First Sergeant (ret)
United States Army

July 19, 2021

RIP sir; you will never ever be forgotten sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

September 5, 2020

Rest in peace Special Agent Stastny.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2020

So proud to be named after such an amazing man. I often think of how different our lives would have been had this not happened. Everytime I write my name, I make sure everyone spells it the right way because it is such an honor to me.

Raychel Stastny
Neice

November 16, 2019

Ray,

It seems like only yesterday when my SAE Brothers and me last visited you and Val in Atlanta. It was a great weekend! We played tee ball in the back yard of your new home with Val. We had a great time at Atlanta's then disco clubs. We went to a Bravos game and "took over" the City. You, Val and Cesar were awesome hosts!

On this 4th of July, I wish you peace! Thank you for your service! We all miss you Brother!

Don Gibson

SAE Brother
SAE Brother

July 4, 2019

Gone—
Never forgotten...

Lt. Jay Grover (Ret.)
Conyers, Ga PD / DEA Atlanta Group 2 State/Local Task Force

January 20, 2019

Always with me in my heart, my memory, and my thoughts

Mike “Squiggy” Cosper
DEA Group 2 1987

January 19, 2019

Miss you my Brother.

Gordon Hogben
Brother

October 21, 2018

Dear, Uncle Ray

I know you weren't able to be there for any of my birthdays, and you never had the opportunity to have the great impact i know you would have had on mine and my siblings lives. I know you would be proud of me and my accomplishments becoming who i am today. I wish it were possible for me to express the feelings of pure honor that i have now and forever for you.

Thank you for your service.

~ Your Nephew, Deputy E. Stastny ~

Deputy E. Stastny
Pinellas County Sheriffs Office

August 22, 2018

REST-IN-PEACE My Brother in Arms

Anrae Godley-Cooper
U.S. Army Military Police

April 20, 2018

I remember Ray from my time working as Special Deputy US Marshal in Atlanta in the 80's. He had a golden personality. We weren't close but he always took time to speak, say hello and use my first name. I've never forgotten him, nor his sacrifice. I'm now retired and very thankful for his example and influence on my early years. That example helped me through the years. For that I'm eternally in his debt.

Sergeant (Ret.) Greg Samaras
Elizabethtown (KY) Police Department

July 23, 2014

Remembering Ray as always--26 years ago, a quote from his memorial service at Christ The King Church in Atlanta GA

“When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.”

Valerie Stastny Diaz
wife

January 24, 2013

Thank you for your service and RIP Sir.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

January 26, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th 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 dimishes respect, and your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heat's embrace today.

Rest In Peace

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

January 26, 2012

On this 25th Anniversary of Ray's death I am remembering Ray, with love, honor, and anguish. I am also remembering all his colleagues, both pre and post, who have been lost to loved ones in line of duty deaths, as well as all of you who continue the fight. I pray for you to continue the fight bravely in honor and rememberence of those who have already given the ultimate sacriface and that you do so as safely as possible in this ever increasingly dangerous profession. Thank you or for service.

Valerie Stastny Diaz

January 25, 2012

Ray, this Friday we will all gather in your honor, please know that you are still remembered and talked about as a true hero not only throughout the Division, but throughout the entire agency.

Special Agent
Drug Enforcement Administration

September 22, 2011

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 22, 2008

God bless and bring peace to your family as the anniversary of your passing comes round again. May you always be remembered.

Sergeant
Dayton OH PD

January 22, 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., Columbia, SC

January 19, 2008

Rest in Peace S/A Stastny

Detective
Chicago P.D.

September 26, 2006

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

April 13, 2005

UNDERCOVER
No crisp uniform of honor did he wear
Nor golden badge of glory did his chest bear
Only troubling thoughts of money, guns and drugs
Fighting back the tears as he collected his nightly hugs

In this secret life he chose, he clearly was the best
But his uneasy path was much different then the rest
He knelt in prayer with his family at night
Before he quietly went out to carry on his fight

They kept a scrapbook of his many feats
But his true worth is not captured on these sheets
He knew that he was a soldier in a losing war
And his return to those who love him was unsure

His futile fight to save a city block by block
Resulted one night in that tragic knock
His friends sadly called upon his loving wife
With a tearful message of how he lost his life

One last time his brothers gave him praise
But only half way up Old Glory did they raise
And in the end the bugler played his solemn tune
With prayers that his soul will enter soon

God bless you, brave warrior!

Private citizen
U. S. A.

October 17, 2004

Ray, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation remembers your sacrafice. God Bless.

Director of Legal Services, Mark Jackson
Georgia Bureau of Investigation

November 12, 2003

I was just 15 when you died and now I'm 30 as you were. Thirty is too young to pass on...
Thank you for protecting society from the scourges of criminality. May you rest in peace.
--A Canadian

Anonymous