Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On December 19, 1967, I was fifteen and lived in South Miami and I had a Miami Herald paper route in Coconut Grove. I would ride my Vespa scooter down Sunset Drive to the Grove and when I would finish my deliveries I would ride back. On this morning going home I observed a lot of police activity and determined it was the result of Officer Stathers' shooting. I quickly recognized the Kaber's residence because I had gone to school with one of the daughters and observed Officer Stathers body which was covered. He was located on the south side of the residence in the grass and his police car was facing north not far away in the back yard against the wall of the house. I have never forgotten that time and how sad/shock I was. I would later become a police officer for Coral Gables and had the occasion to speak with Officers who were on the scene that fateful day. I would later transfer to the Miami Dade Police Department and would frequently check in with the cold case detectives who were assigned to the case. It is my hope that this case will be solved so justice may be served and the family may finally have the closure they so rightfully deserve.

William J Kean, Sergeant (retired)
Miami Dade Police Department

February 22, 2024

Hopefully one day there will be a break in the case so the family can have some closure. I never knew him personally but have spoken and worked with alot of guys who worked with him and they have nothing but great things to say. Rest in Peace !

Bill Grotjahn, Retired Sergeant
Coral Gables Police Department

December 18, 2018

I’ll never forget I was 15. My home was what he was protecting. My heart has never been the same.

Debbie Kaaber
My home 700 Alhambra Circle. Coral Gables

October 18, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother. You are honored and remembered on the 50th anniversary of your EOW. Thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice. May the coward who took your life find no peace.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

December 19, 2017

I barely had time to know you before you were taken from my life.

James Lyons Jr.
Nephew

September 23, 2014

Officer Stathers, you are remembered today on this 46th Anniversary of your E.O.W. Thank you for your service of 14yrs. Rest easy Brother in Blue, we have the watch down here.

D/S Andrew D. Roedel S-4
Jackson County Sheriff's Office Marianna, Florida

December 19, 2013

Rest in peace Officer Stathers. One day hopefully your killer will be brought to justice. Your courage will never be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 24, 2012

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

Officer 11169

February 9, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 44th 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 who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. I regret that your family did not receive justice in this realm, but there will be a reckoning day for this heartless murderer.

Rest In Peace.

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

December 19, 2011

Continue to rest in peace Offcer Stathers, we will never forget the heroes who gave their all for us, and you sir are a hero...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

December 19, 2011

On behalf of Walter Stathers' family I want to thank each and everyone of you that took the time to leave a message here. It really means so much to us, especially Wayne, Walt's only child. Wayne was 19 years old when he was told that his father was killed in the line of duty. Wayne is now 63 years old and buried his mother on Sept. 19 of this year. Wayne hopes that the dirt that is responsible for his father's death will be brought to justice. I am Wayne's wife and never had the pleasure of meeting Walter but through messages like these I feel that I know what type of person/Officer he was. Walt never got to see the faces of his 3 granddaughters, 2 great grandsons, or his adorable great granddaughter but our family has been able to teach them about Walter so we can keep his memory alive. Thank you to all of you who are doing the same. God Bless You and keep you safe!

Civilian
Family

November 9, 2011

Growing up in South Florida in 1967, a 14 year old was faced with many influences that could easily lead them astray. I was fortunate enough to be influenced by men that would affect the rest of my personal and professional life. They protected the citizens of the City Beautiful.
I sat in our living room the evening of December 19, 1967, and stared at the local Miami newspaper. It remains indelibly etched into my memory so vivid that it is as clear today as it was then. “Prowler Kills Officer At Gables Mansion”. I remember the familiar white Plymouth patrol car in the photo. I can still see his picture in the paper, he looked old to me, his hair was gray, but then I was a 14 year old kid. He was only 45 years old. How could someone do such a thing? Surely they would catch him. It became a defining moment in my life.
My mother was a dispatcher for the Coral Gables Police department in the 1960’s and 1970’s. As children, we couldn’t wait for her pay day. We would ride the bus into the Gables and catch a movie and lunch. My favorite part of the trip was going to the police station. It was an old building made of coral rock that housed the city’s police and fire departments. We felt comfortable there and the police officers influence had taken root.
As I entered high school I learned about a program called the “Police Explorers”. I could not wait to become a member. Our meetings were held at the old station. I knew then that law-enforcement was to be my calling. I lived and breathed the experience. We attended an explorer academy at the City of Miami Police department, we worked parades; we rode on patrol with our advisors, they even took us to Disney World. We felt like we were a part of the department. Our mentors shared a piece of themselves that I still hold very dear today. Lieutenant Lewis J. Mertz was the boss; he was the most professional, even tempered man I ever met. Officer Harvey Davis taught me to shoot a handgun; Harvey was a cool character and always had a smile. Officer Bruce Richards, a former Marine, taught our unit close order drill. Bruce walked the walk and talked the talk. Officers Glenn P. Falk and Butch Van Horne taught us never to lose our sense of humor. They all treated us like family.
I went to work as a state trooper in 1974. I patrolled the highways of South Dade County for many years. I recently retired from the Highway Patrol after almost 36 years. I realized that I never had the opportunity to thank those who so positively affected a young influential 14 year old boy. They were a very positive force that guided me through my career. By their example, they molded young minds in the right direction. They were and will always be the ever steady image of what a law-enforcement officer should be.
I still have the news article from December 19, 1967. He doesn’t look old to me any longer. I often wonder where the demon that took Officer Walter Franklin Stathers’ life ran to that December night. He was never caught. Maybe he was killed in Vietnam, or struck and killed by a car as he crossed South Dixie Highway one rainy night. He may be in prison, maybe killed in a drug deal, or he may be leading a quiet life somewhere blending into society, those around him not knowing the truth.

Captain John P. Iadanza (RET)
Florida Highway Patrol

February 3, 2011

My prayers are wit the Stathers family today as they face another EOW without their hero. We will never forget.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

December 19, 2010

Officer Stathers,
On today, the 41st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Coral Gables. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

December 19, 2008

Thank you for your service...You are not forgotten

Former PSP Civilian

July 16, 2008

It has been 40 years ago that you were killed. My brother Larry, spoke very highly of you, as he worked for Gables P.D. too. You are still a hero, and will not be forgotten.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept. Charlotte, NC

December 23, 2007

None of us may know how, but the anal pore responsible, will eventually pay for his actions.

Officer Stathers, May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

December 19, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

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

December 10, 2007

Walt, after I came out of the academy you and I rode together for a few weeks in the very zone where you made the ultimate sacrifice. I learned much from you in those weeks and in the years that followed, and I'll be eternally grateful for the way you "took me under your wing" in the early days of my transition from untested rookie to Coral Gables Police Officer. In large measure because of you, I'm still proud of that title..."Gables Cop". You were and will always be a genuine hero to those of us who knew and worked with you. We remember you with admiration, gratitude, and respect. Rest in peace, my brother.

Mac
Coral Gables P.D. 1960-1963

October 7, 2005

To Officer Stathers: Gone but not forgotten....

God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl 11/6/86

August 21, 2004

Your bravery is remembered, rest in peace.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

March 25, 2004

God speed brother....God speed.

Dep. Eric Thoresen
Marion County Sheriffs Office

February 29, 2004