Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Tarkington. Forever a young man and a hero to his community!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 23, 2023

In loving memory of you my dearest uncle I was so young when you left us .I would like to say thank you for laying your life on the line for the City of Nashville. I now have a son and he just like you wants to follow in your footsteps and protect and serve the city of Nashville . I ask that you look down on him when that time comes and be his guiding light .God Is ! Your memory will live on you will never be forgotten ! Your story will never be untold ! We love You !

L Williams
Great Niece

August 31, 2023

Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, proclaimed, “No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 HCSB]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Ministering to Law Enforcement Nationwide
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

March 4, 2021

May he never be forgotten. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice and best wishes to his blood brother for joining the force

Dale Mitchell, spouse of retired MNPD
Metro Nashville Police Dept

December 18, 2019

RIP, Officer Edward Tankington will never be forgotten. May God also look out for his brother.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired.
New York State Police

July 10, 2019

Officer Tarkington,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Nashville. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. I left a reflection sometime ago and unfortunately I had a typo in it so I need to correct it. I think it was travesty of justice that the POS that murdered you wasn’t convicted of the crime of killing you.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 17, 2018

Rest in peace Officer Tarkington. You honored Nashville as their hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 26, 2017

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 33rd 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

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

December 17, 2011

MNPD Session 59 remembers you on this 30th anniversary of your passing. Thank you for all you did.

Anonymus

December 17, 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 30, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service, this writer is as always disappointed that justice was not served on your behalf.

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 9, 2007

Fallen many yrs. ago, but remembered and honored still.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

December 10, 2006

You are not forgotten!! Maybe by the individuals that did not convict the suspect for your murder but not by your brother and sisters in BLUE!! Rest easy and may those responsible in not prosecuting the suspect have a conscious that will haunt them for the rest of their lives!!!!

LEG
CPD

February 9, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
HCSO

January 30, 2006

Officer Tarkington,
On today, the 27th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Nashville. It's a complete travesty of justice that your murderer was convicted of his crime.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

December 17, 2005

Ed,

All deaths are tragedies. Yours was more so since the scum was never convicted due to the lying "witnesses" that day.

For years after you died, I used to go by that spot on Jo Johnston Street several times a shift.

I would stop in the street, and glare at your killer when he was outside, wordlessly but unequivocally challenging him. I would have given the moon for the chance to even the score, and still would.

Rest in Peace. We'll all be with you in due time.

Retired
Metro-Nashville Police Department

March 7, 2005

~~~Eternally and Always~~~

I didn't get to say goodbye
You're gone without a reason why
I've loved you all of my life
and then you weren't there

I didn't get a chance to say
how much I cared
I can't even remember the tears
that I cried
All I really wanted was to tell you
Goodbye

When I last saw you I felt I wouldn't
see you again
There was a distance between us
that I couldn't explain
You wouldn't look
at me but I could see the tears
in your eyes
If you knew then
You should have told me
Then I could have said
Goodbye

So many words left unspoken
So many hearts left so broken
My love for you is forever
And that will never die
We'll be together always
Our souls are one with God
Eternally and Always
I'll never have to say
Goodbye

Anonymous

February 2, 2005

I muse everytime I read how any offender accused of murdering a police officer is not held accountable for their crime. Makes absolutely no sense at all, but one thing is certain, there is always justice to be found in the Lord.

~~~To those I Love and Those Who Love Me~~~

When I am gone, release me, Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while if indeed you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart,

I won't be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll
Hear all of my love around you soft and clear

And when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home"

January 20, 2005

Oct. 10, 2003

I salute you, Officer Tarkington. Rest in peace, brother.

Patrolman Samuel Harris #528
Markham (IL) Police Department

October 10, 2003

In the Ed's short career he made many friends and learned his craft well. Ed was known as an Officer who would get the job done and he showed it by his impressive arrest record. Ed wanted to help the community and in the short time he had, he did make a difference. Ed was a friend and will always be missed.

State Investigator / P.O. Retired
FL Dept. of State / Metro Nashville PD