Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

1971. What turbulent times for our profession. We were still reeling from the shock and horror that had taken place in Newhall almost a year to the night that you and Leonard Christiansen stepped from your patrol car on Ottawa Ave to take a burglary report. In the wake of many a law enforcement officer's death, a lesson can be gleaned or a tactic developed to mitigate or reduce the chance of a repetitively fatal outcome. But your loss, and the that of Leonard Christiansen, reminds us more of a frightening reality than a tactical legacy - the reality of vulnerability. You remind us for all the tactical tweaking we can do, for all of the "don't park in front of the house" procedures we follow, at some point we still have to cross the yard or walk up the driveway to the door. That is the "tactical" legacy you and Leonard Christiansen left our profession. A reminder there will always be that measure of "vulnerability".

On this date of your incident anniversary I thank you Officer Paul Teel for your service to the community and to our profession...and for your willingness to "walk to the door". And to your family I say, thank you for sharing Paul with the rest of us.

NC Officer

April 2, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

April 2, 2021

Officer Teel,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Riverside. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 2, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Teel.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 18, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 47th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 2, 2018

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

February 10, 2013

Your sacrifice, at the hand of a coward, honors you, your department, your chosen vocation, your service, family and friends, your community and the larger law enforcement community. I pray that your family, colleagues, friends and community continue to heal, remember and honor you.

Now the community and your department must deal with another similar cowardly act resulting in the loss of one Riverside Officer and the serious wounding of another. My thoughts and prayers are with these most recent victims, their families and friends, the department and the community.

Continue to Rest in Peace - and welcome another Riverside hero in the next Life.

Retired Colorado Police Chief
Former Riverside Resident

February 8, 2013

Officer Teel,
On today, the 41st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your partner for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Riverside. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 2, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Teel. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 19, 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 2, 2010

Wanting to remember and honor you on this tragic anniversary. That whole time was horrible when you and Chris were so brutally murdered. God bless you and you keep an eye on the young troops down here. They need your wisdom.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Still feeling the pain 38 years later.

LoVae Pray Martines, Law Enf. Liaison
MADD, San Bernardino County, CA

April 2, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty eighth 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

I am so sorry you were robbed of your life at such a young age and in such a brutal murder. I also regret that our criminal justice system deprived you of justice. What a bitter blow that must have been for your family and department.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 2, 2009

I never knew Christiansen or Teel and was only 2 years old in 1971.

My father worked for the department when this occurred. He volunteered to work the radio room that April night. Back then things were different than they are now, and policeman were sometimes asked to work the radio room when dispatch was short-handed.

Although I wanted to become a policeman like Paul, Leonard, and my father, I never did. However, I feel I have a connection to the RPD officers of this era, mostly because of my father. He died young also, in 1976.

I visit Paul and Leonard’s resting place on occasion. That spot at Crestlawn has a feeling to it I cannot describe. It is emotionally moving. There are many others there with Paul and Leonard who served our community. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we owe them a lot ... they are my true heroes ... policemen.

Michael E. Hartmann, Riverside

May 12, 2008

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

September 20, 2007

This sad and tragic story was brought to my attention through the movie "The Ambush Murders." It's a painful and eye opening reminder of the dangers we as law enforcement officers go through every day. I hope these two young and brave officers are honored and memorialized by their departments every year for their sacrifice, and it goes without saying that they are remembered always by their law enforcement brethren. God Bless them and their families.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

April 27, 2007

RIP, Officer Teel and thank you for your service to the Riverside Police Department. God will take care of the ones who murder you and your partner.

Pecos Police Department
Pecos, Texas

October 12, 2006

i just read a book about your murder you and the other officer are brave men
rest in peace

annymous

May 5, 2004

Paul was a good friend and a wonderful person. I don't remember too many times when I saw Paul not smiling. He cared for people and, I have no doubt, would have had a very successful career as a police officer. Even after all these years, he is still missed very much.

Al McGill, Detective (retired)
Riverside PD

January 11, 2004

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of P.O. Teel

While I did not have the privilege to have known him, I am certain that he has earned his seat in heaven. Rest in Peace my friend, those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin, blue line.

Anonymous

November 27, 2003

Thank you, Officer Teel. You answered the highest call and we will never forget. Rest in peace.

Anonymous

September 4, 2003