Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP sir.

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

June 3, 2023

Cpl. Stone,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Air Force and WVANG. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 16, 2022

He was great friend of my now ex husband and they flew C-130s together in the WVANG. Bill's EOW was 12-16-1982. I remember this time very vividly as this tragedy was on the day our son was born back in 12-16-1982 which was a very bittersweet day for us. Having a new baby and the tragic death of a true friend. His funeral was on the day we brought our son home. A snowy cold day as we brought our new baby home, only for him to turn around and attend his funeral. Gone way too young, leaving children and many loved ones behind.

kimberly A Eskew

July 25, 2022

I’m a retired WV State Trooper. Bill was my friend and I flew with him several times while stationed in Moundsville doing air surveillance. One day I was asked to do a show and tell at my daughters grade school. Instead of arriving in the my police cruiser, Bill flew me there, landed the helicopter on the playground and gave the kids a tour. Needless to say, we were the hit of the day. I think about you often pal. Rest In Peace my friend and brother in green.

Trooper Steve Snelson
West Virginia State Police

March 30, 2021

Grandfather, though you were gone long before I was born your legacy impacts me. Everybody who knew you have only the best to say about you. I wear your dog tags every day. Hearing them clatter around my neck helps me get through some especially tough personal trainings in the Marine Corps. Your service to our country and my home state of West Virginia inspired me to do the same.

I love you and rest in peace,
Carlen Joseph Stone Gordon

Carlen Joseph Stone Gordon
Grandson

March 19, 2013

Bill Stone was one of my best friends. I had the unpleasant task of going to his house and notifying is wife and children he was missing. I later had the more unpleasant task of later, along with Wayne Childress (deceased), of locating his crash site and calling his wife to give her the unpleasant news of his death.

Brian, I read your letter above and you may not remember me, but I remember you so well. I spent so much time with you after your father's death, but eventually lost touch after you moved. I would love to get in contact with you and help with the answers you seek. You'll be even more proud of your dad I'm certain. Feel free to contact me through this website or contact the Superintendent of the WVSP for my contact info.

Your father has never been forgotten......nor have you and Eric.

Mike Hatten
WVSP (former)

March 11, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th 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, especially your family. The hurt of losing a beloved never goes away and both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

To your son: I hope you have discovered what you needed to know about your father. My grandson will only know his dad through pictures and memories of others and I am preparing an album now with stories to accompany pictures so he will know some things about his father as a child, young adult, Marine and leo, and the wonderful man he became. It is important stuff to know because you will always be your father's son.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 16, 2009

Not sure what to say. This is my dad. He died 3 days before I turned 4, so I didn't even really know him... not like my brother at least. He was 7, I think; the age where your dad is your absolute hero. Eric kind of stopped eating after Dad died, and I guess I followed his example... we've both been really picky eaters since.

I went to college just outside of DC, and one day while in town, I made my way to the police officers memorial across from Ford's Theatre. Found his name in the book fairly quickly, but for some reason it was hard to actually locate it on the arcs. Tracked it down eventually, and started to really think about Dad for the first time since I was a kid, really.

In the years since, I've tried to dig up information about him on my own. I know I can ask Mom, but neither Eric nor I have ever been terribly comfortable talking about Dad. She knows we have questions, but doesn't push us. Sometimes I think she wants us to ask her about him... but it just feels weird. It's just hard to do. I have the contact information for the current WVSP superintendant and the personnel department, but I've reluctant to really get in touch with them.

It's something I need to do. I need to do it for myself, for Eric and Mom... Hell, I need to do it for my wife and for Gary, my step-dad. It's like Dad is the elephant in the room: we all feel him around and we all want to say something, but nobody knows how to start.

I plan on contacting the Troopers to get information about his service, and specifically (some may say morbidly) I want to get the coordinates of the crash. I have all the clippings (Mom made Eric and I great scrapbooks), but I don't know where it really happened. I'd like to get a GPS and hike out there. Guess I just want to see it for myself. I'm honestly not sure why.

I know all this isn't really about my Dad, but like I said, I didn't really know him. I just wanted to say that we still think about him, and miss him, and he is still very much a part of our lives.

I love my dad.

Brian G. Stone
Columbus, OH
3/27/08

Brian G. Stone

March 27, 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

March 2, 2008

Bill Stone was one of a kind. He was full of enthusiasm, life, and eager to serve the people of West Virginia. He had a distinctive laugh, and used it often, it was easy to laugh with him.

Bill first and foremost loved his family and spoke of them often. Bill always projected professionalism and concern for the people he served. Although his true love was flying, helicopters in the State Police and C130s in the National Guard; however, as a field Trooper with me at the Big Chimney detachment he pursued his duties with all his energy and talent, and he had a great deal of both.

I think of Bill often and I'm very thankful to have known and served with him.

John Gainer, former WV State Trooper
Retired U.S. Marshals Service

Senior Inspector John D. Gainer
U.S. Marshals Service - Retired

February 5, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 7, 2007

THANK YOU CORPORAL STONE FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE GREAT STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA. IT'S HOW YOU LIVED THAT MAKES YOU A HERO.....NOT HOW YOU DIE. MY HUSBAND WAS A CORPORAL WITH THIS FINE STATE TOO UNTIL 6 MONTHS AGO. LEFT FOR A BIGGER OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A BETTER LIVING FOR HIS KIDS AND FOR ME. HIS HEART IS STILL HERE IN WV WITH HIS FELLOW BROTHERS IN "GREEN". ONCE YOU WEAR THE GREEN, NOTHING ELSE IS THE SAME.
I KNOW THAT MANY YEARS HAVE NOW PASSED SINCE YOUR DEATH. ALMOST 24 YEARS. I'M SURE YOUR ARE VERY MUCH STILL DEARLY LOVED AND MISSED BY YOUR FAMILY AND BROTHERS IN BLUE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO YOUR JOB. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

Wife of Pentagon Police Officer
Also A Former 11 year WV State Trooper/Sniper

June 25, 2006

MAY GOD BLESS YOU MY BROTHER. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

December 21, 2003