Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My husband (retired NYPD) and I visited my brother's grave today for Memorial Day. Staff Sgt. Gerald Vetrano was killed in Vietnam 3 months after Larry. They were classmates in Elmont and are buried next to one another at St. Boniface Cemetery in Elmont. They were both heroes and it was our honor to place flags at their resting place.

Christine Vetrano Dolan

May 30, 2011

My husband (retired NYPD) and I visited my brother's grave today for Memorial Day. Staff Sgt. Gerald Vetrano was killed in Vietnam 3 months after Larry. They were classmates in Elmont and are buried next to one another at St. Boniface Cemetery in Elmont. They were both heroes and it was our honor to place flags at their resting place.

Christine Vetrano Dolan

May 30, 2011

As all of the reflections suggest Patrolmen Lawrence Stefane was one of the Finest of the Finest. May he rest in Peace. He and all the other hero's in Blue will never be forgotten.

Retired Detective Frank DeMarco
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 28, 2011

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge - Proverbs 14:32.

Your story touched my heart. The reflection from the sarge who worked with you did too. What a terrible tragic story, and what a true heroic sacrifice.

You are not forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 24, 2011

I said a little prayer today for Patrolman Stefane and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

May 26, 2009

"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

December 20, 2007

Another true hero. Still protecting others with your own life. Rest in peace my brother.

Kevin A. White
Eden Prairie PD/MN

May 28, 2007

Larry- You were and are an inspiration to all the young Men at Elmont's Engine Company Four. ( Larry Volunteered his time off duty in his Home town) I was 9 Years old when you left us, but some 37 Years later you remain one of Engine Fours TRUE LEADERS.

Lt S. Burack
FDNY

April 17, 2007

The day he died is burned in my memory. I spent 22 years on the job, but my proudest are 18 months I spent as a sergeant in the 9th Precinct. About 120 men were assigned to the command in those days. The East Village had a little bit of everything. Sgt. Bobby Cantwell called it "the Casbar." Off-Broadway shows, The Bowery, Hell's Angels, Fillmore East, Electric Circus, Black Panthers, Young Lords, Alphabet City, Luchows. I could go on and on. In the 5 years after Larry died, Greg Foster, Rocco Laurie, Jerry Murphy, Freddy Reddy and Andy Grover would die by gunshot. All in the 9th, a one square mile Precinct. On 5/28/70 I called the roll and the 2nd platoon took to the streets. Before I could complete the adminisrative tasks and get out of the stationhouse, a 10-13 was screaming from the radio. My chauffeur and I went directly to Bellevue. Cops always said "if I get shot take me to Bellevue." They had the best emergency room in the city. Larry couldn't be saved. The knife severed his aorta. He saved his partner's life. The perp was going around the RMP, and the operator, unaware of what had happened, was looking over his left shoulder preparing to pull out of the parking space. Larry climbed over his partner, drew his gun, opened the driver's door, and fired 2 shots into the perp's chest before losing consciousness. The perp lived. Later that afternoon a fellow patrolman would question why Larry was taken to Bellevue and the perp was left at the scene. I didn't witness it, but I think his locker was thrown out the 3rd floor window. At 4PM Mayor Lindsay turned out the 3rd platoon, and extended his sympathies to the command. He wasn't well liked by cops and I was amazed that he chose to put up with some heckling. Everyone was grieving and I remember one cop, Tommy Merlino sobbing in ranks. My day ended next door in Cal's.

Lt. Andy DiMarco
NYPD

March 30, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

March 5, 2007

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service..

Shannon
Collins fire Dept. (Mississippi)

July 30, 2006

Rest in Peace.

May 28, 2006

Larry - You were married to my cousin for less than six months, but I have such strong memories of you and your tragic death. As my research has proven, you are indeed the hero that I remember you to be.

This world suffered a great loss when you left it on May 28, 1970.

Lisa Ann Maynard
Family

May 9, 2005

Rest in Peace , Your sacrifice shall not be forgotten. God Bless

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept

November 16, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace.

Private
United States Park Poilce

June 5, 2004

Officer Stefane, you are a hero and will not be forgotten (thanks to the ODMP and your enlarged police family)... We honor all of you who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless you and the family you left behind. Rest in peace.

"Well done, good and faithful servant!... Come and share your master's happiness." MATTHEW 25:21

Rosa Waters
Mother of Michael Waters
EOW: September 11, 2003

May 26, 2004

No one is forgotten. You are a true hero. RIP and God bless.

A Brother in Blue

Ptlm
CPD, NY