Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Swafford.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 18, 2019

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

November 13, 2011

"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 30, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

November 28, 2007

May you rest in peace, you will always be remembered.

Jeff Hill Pres. Rhea County FOP
Rhea County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 68

November 19, 2006

May you sleep safe with Our lord and may He bless your family.

November 13, 2006

To the family and friends of Deputy Johnny Alford Swafford, his fellow officers, and most especially to Deputy Swafford:

Although this is the twentieth anniversary of your tragic murder, please know that you are not forgotten. Your valor and dedication are still remembered and your memory honored. Rest in Peace, Deputy Swafford.

May your family continue to be comforted by their law enforcement family, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Deputy Swafford gave to his community, and the citizens of Tennessee, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on November 13, 1975.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater
Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

November 13, 2005

I WORK FOR HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT. I WAS INVOLVED IN A INCIDENT WERE AN OFFICER WAS KILLED, ALSO I WORK HIXON MIDDLE VALLEY,I WAS TRANSFERRED FROM EAST BRAINERD, I HAVE DELT. WITH THE SUBJECT THAT SHOT AND KILLED OFF. SWAFFORD, I CAN NOT TELL HIS FAMILY HOW SORRY I AM EVEN THOUGH THIS HAPPENED SO LONG AGO, I WISHED I HAD KNOWN HIM. AGAIN IM SORRY FOR THE LOSS.

patyrolman kevin floyd
Hamilton Co. Sheriff's Dept. TN