Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You and your fellow Troopers heroism and courage will never be forgotten by your law enforcement family. God Speed.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

May 26, 2024

When this happen I was living in Bethany and was married to my one and only sweetheart . We had a son on the way due in July. With a new life coming into the world it struck me that life's were leaving it. I followed this crime , it was on the local channels and later on a segment on Top Cop. The way these men's lives were loss still to this day leaves a mark on me. God bless these men and protect each and every one who comes across these horrible people.

none
no relationship

February 14, 2023

I have not forgotten you.

Anonymous

December 23, 2019

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown

Sergeant Chad Miner
Powell Police department
Powell, Wyoming

June 12, 2019

Trooper Summers,
On today, the 39th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow Troopers who were also killed in that incident for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Oklahoma. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 26, 2017

I was a young kid living in Enid OK near the old District 6 at the corner of Van Buren (US 81) and Market St, (now Owen Garriott Blvd). The dispatchers would let me sit in the station and listen to the OHP radio. I got to know most of the troopers at the District and especially Pappy Summers. Once in a while he'd give me a ride home. What a thrill for a young teenager. After the Army I relocated to Ohio and had been in law enforcement about 7 years when I learned of the tragic deaths of the Troopers, including Trooper Summers. What a shock. May he and his fellow Troopers rest in peace. Thanks Pappy!

Patrolman Bryan Waltz
Avon Lake PD, Ohio

September 4, 2016

Pappy taught me my Masonic work at Enid Lodge #501 40 years ago. He was a selfless and wonderful man. I still think of him and what an inspiration he was to who I am.

Kevin Milazzo
Texas

July 23, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 26, 2015

On May 26, 1978, I was a young patrolman less than one year out of the police academy. On that day, I read about the tragic deaths of the three troopers on the national police teletype. Though 34 years have passed, I still recall the day you and your brother troopers made the ultimate sacrifice.
May your soul and the souls of your brothers rest in peace in heaven.

Capt. Chris Linne (Ret.)
Morris Co. Prosecutor's Office

February 21, 2012

His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

Author unknown

May God be with everyone

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, TX

May 23, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 31rst 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 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.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

May 26, 2009

Today, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will honoed the three slain troopers with a service in Caddo at the intersections of McPhearson and Court Streets. The ceremony included a 21-gun salute by the OHP Honor Guard, the posting of a new American flag at the site, and the setting of a wreath in remembrance of the fallen troopers.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

May 26, 2008

Trooper Summers your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 25, 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 9, 2008

May all three of you rest in peace always and know that your sacrifice is one that will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

May 26, 2007

I will never forget the day this happened. Though I was hundreds of miles away it still had a profound effect. I had just gotten out of court in Dallas County and was on my police motorcycle going north on I-35 when a dispatcher came on the air and read the message about the three Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers that had been killed in a horrific shootout. As I cruised up the freeway my heart sank for the troopers, for their families and their co-workers.
As a motor jockey I attended countless police officer funerals and though I wasn't able to attend the services for these troopers I was there in spirit. There are those stories of fallen officers that really stand out in one's mind and these three definitely had an impact on my life. I vowed long ago to honor officers such as Trooper Summers that had so unselfishly given their lives for us by being the best officer I could be...to keep integrity at it's highest level.
May God continue to pour out His endless blessings on the family of Trooper Summers.

Patrolman Doug Hutchison
Irving Police Department, Texas, retired.

May 3, 2005

06-23-04 TROOPERS SUMMERS, YOUNG, AND (LT.) GRIMES HELPED IN ENDING A CRIME SPEE THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR A LONG TIME TO COME. THE MORNING THEY WERE KILLED WAS THE MORNING I TOLD MY PARENTS I WANTED TO BE AN OHP TROOPER. THESE MEN SACRIFICED SO ALL THE REST OF US COULD BE SAFE. I'VE MADE SURE MY SONS KNOW ABOUT THESE TROOPERS AND WHAT THEY DID FOR ALL OF US.

OHP TROOPER

June 23, 2004

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”

I honor you

Anonymous