Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We all miss you and will never forget you. 84-12.

David Smith
Brother-in-law

July 7, 2023

I Knew Kevin he was a good guy and a fine Police Officer I had just spoken to him on the Jail parking Lot 30 minutes before he was shot the last thing we said to each other was to Be Careful. Ironic I thought Then as Now Go Easy Bro.

Lt. John Lewis
Terre Haute Police Department

July 1, 2022

I love you, Dad. I will never forget you and I am so proud to be your daughter. Give Ashley a big hug for me. Keep watching over us.

Lyndsay
Daughter

May 30, 2022

I love you, Dad. I know you are always with me.

Lyndsay Jaber

July 1, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

July 1, 2020

Love and miss you.

Lyndsay Jaber
Daughter

July 1, 2019

Kevin 31 years and the pain is still there. Lynda is no longer with us ,but with you now. What happened to you destoyed our family . You are Loved and Missed.

tamara blacketer
Sister in law

July 2, 2018

A Hero not forgotten....

Sgt Yoli Trujillo, Retired
Corpus Christi (Tx) P.D.

July 1, 2017

I love you Dad, think about you everyday. I am so proud to be your daughter.

Lyndsay Jaber
Daughter

March 17, 2017

ΦΑ brother, we've been looking for you. Your name is being added to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Law Enforcement Memorial. You'll join brothers David Nelson (CA Epsilon/Bakersfield PD EOW 2015) and Daniel Ellis (KY Delta/Richmond PD EOW 2015.) Your brothers miss and love you. Phi Alpha

Ofcr. Matt Jones
LAPD (Ret)

March 9, 2017

I was a patient at Union Hospital giving birth to my third child, a son. He was born at 7:02pm which was the same time that Officer Artz was brought to the hospital. My husband told me about all the action going on. almost 28 years later, I still remember that night and how sad it was for his family while at the same time I was experiencing extreme joy with my new baby. every year on my sons birthday, we remember Officer Artz. Although I never knew him, I have always felt that I was connected. I have always wanted to reach out to his wife and daughters to tell them that.

Jstrohm

October 22, 2015

We all miss and love you.

linda artz
wife

July 15, 2015

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

July 4, 2015

You are Loved and missed. Your children have turned out to be beautiful ladies and you would have been a grandpa to two wonderful little girls.What could have been?My sisters life was never the same after this happened!The PAIN never goes away!

Tammy Blacketer
Sister-in-Law

July 1, 2015

Miss and love you. Wonder what ciuld have been. You have beautiful daughters.

Linda/wife
VCSD/wife

November 12, 2014

Kevin was one of my good buddy's when I was a kid !! Think about him all the time. Mis you friend !!!

JR Combs
friend

September 20, 2013

We miss you everyday.

[email protected]
wife

June 3, 2013

We miss you everyday.

[email protected]
wife

June 3, 2013

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Artz. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 6, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th 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 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

December 20, 2012

As as Senior performing my interernship with my local department approved through Indiana State University (84-88), your sacrifice showed me how fragile this career I was choosing could be. An honorable profession, with a sense of duty to protect, & I was now thrust into reality of how bad things happen to good people. I could not believe it. Your sacrifice encouraged me to proceed....to learn, to train myself & then to train others in officer safety, threat management, & physical tactics. Not a day went back, as the uniform went on, as I quoted my survival pledge...I thought of you & your sacrifice, & the sacrifice your family took. I attempted to cover all fallen brothers & sisters throughout my career,
& to this day. I pray now that those you touched during life have been blessed with God's mercy & healing upon your death. Rest on, my brother, your back is always covered.

Sr Security Specialist
Seymour PD (88-04)/FedEx Security

July 1, 2011

I remember the phone call the day that it happened. I was only 9 years old, but I can vividly remember the overwhelming sadness. I still think of you often and hold you in my heart. Thank you for your bravery, Uncle Kevin. Rest in peace.

Mandy Smith
Niece

July 27, 2009

Lyndsay, Ashley and I love and miss you every day. It is a different world for us since you left, but we are strong because of you.

Linda

Linda Artz
Wife

July 4, 2008

It has been 21 years today since you took your wings and
joined St. Michael's Police Patrol. How you died was tragic.
I hope and pray it serves as a reminder to officers everywhere that Domestic calls are very dangerous and extreme caution should be implemented. While that can serve the blue line well your legacy is not in your death but in your life, your children, and your service.
Your are remembered today and forever Officer Artz. Rest in
Peace.

July 1, 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

October 23, 2007