Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Summers,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 5, 2023

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

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

April 5, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Summers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 5, 2019

My name is Jarret Summers and this brave man was my father. Unfortunately, before I got a chance to even really know him, he was snatched away from me. I don't even think I was two years old. All I can do is go by what people told me about him, but reading all your reflections tell me what a great man he was. Thank you for all the kind words. If any of you were friends with him and have pictures of him, I would love it if you could share them with me.

Thanks!

Jarret

Jarret Summers
My Father

September 21, 2016

For what it's worth, many officers including a certain Lieutenant lost a lot of sleep over what happened to this fine police officer. The words "Never play it cheap" come to mind...not that Officer Summers did anything wrong, but because many wish they had that night to do over...over and over.
God bless this officer and all the others who forfeited their lives in the line of duty.

Patrolman
St. Louis Police Department

April 3, 2015

Reading all the reflections about you let's me know that you were an officer of integrity and ethics, man of blue. Harris-Stowe Teachers College, now Harris-Stowe State University is iocated in the 9th district. You must have patrolled it over a hundred times. The reflections stated that you were the first black officer killed in the line of duty in St. Louis. Thank God John, today, we don't see color among officers. We see family. Rest in peace John, Thank You, we'll take it from here.

Officer Tony Gates DSN #138
Harris -Stowe State University

September 3, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary year 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.

Rest In Peace

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

April 5, 2012

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 5, 2010

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 7, 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

December 11, 2007

You made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting others, you sir are a true HERO. Thank you Officer Summers for your dedication and your service. You will not be forgotten. God Bless you and your family.

NC LEO
Winston-Salem PD

March 20, 2007

GOD BLESS YOU SIR. R.I.P. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. NEVER FORGOTTEN.

DETECTIVE LIONEL GARRETT
INGLEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 21, 2007

Officer Summers,

Although we never met, I did meet your wife on a call at her home. When she told me who she was, I remembered hearing of your death in 1973. You are not forgotten by your fellow officer's in St. Louis. God bless you and your family.

Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police

April 5, 2006

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

May 18, 2005

Big John: The time has really pass, it's hard to believe that it been over 30 years since your death. I remember hearing the news of the radio the next morning. I remember when you were a Detective in the 9th district, and I was a rookie.I never thought someone could take you down. But life is fragile and we all are too. I remember the good times in the old 9th district. We lost a lot of good officers Brian Grath, C.C. Smith, and you. We are all retired, or moved on with our lives, but we will remember our fallen comrades. rest in peace until the resurrection.

fellow 9th district officer

Foremer STLMPD officer
STLMPD

April 22, 2005

RIP brother officer. Thanks for paving the way.

Detective
California

April 14, 2005

I first read of your story while I was still training in the police academy. I graduated and was assigned to the same area you patrolled thirty years earlier. I would pass Westminster and think of what happened. I have spoke of your story, as a cautionary tale, to officers I work with. Though I never knew you, your loss, and the lessons learned, have not been forgotten.

Rest in peace.

P.O.
SLMPD

December 16, 2004

Rest in peace brother in blue.

RDC, SBPA
US Border Patrol

August 8, 2004