Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was working with his daughter, Debbie, in Bethlehem when this happened. She never returned to work and I never forgot her heartbreak. We lost a hero that day, I lost a friend and coworker, and she lost her Daddy. May he peacefully rest.❤

Beth Melloy Masiado
Friend

January 3, 2022

Cpl. Valent,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the USN during WW II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 9, 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)

December 9, 2020

Rest in peace Corporal Valent.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2019

Dear Corporal Valent,
It’s been almost 48 years since your EOW!! I came to know your son through work!! You would be so proud of him!! He always made me laugh!! I’ve seen the impact this has taken on your family but want to thank you for first protecting our country during the war and second for protecting our state through your service!! I’m so sorry you didn’t get to spend more time with your kids and meet your grandkids!! And I’m really sorry about what they did to you in the courts!! I’ve cried reading Debbie’s tributes to you but can tell you were a man with a really big heart to have had such a positive influence on your kids!! Today after the first snowfall of the year I will go make some snowballs for you in your honor and Debbie’s memory to remember the fun times of your life!!

Linda Clark
Friend of Bruce Valent

November 16, 2018

Thank You for your service to our Commonwealth, Corporal. You will never, ever be forgotten. Also, Thank You for setting the example for the rest of us to follow with PSP. Your family should be very proud of you, which I'm sure they are.

Corporal
PA State Police

December 9, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th 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.

I am outraged that your county would not provide the funds for a trial of your murderers and instead chose to plea bargain down what was clearly a first degree murder. This was a travesty of justice, and each of those decision makers should be ashamed of themselves.

I pray for solace for all who love and miss you, especially your children for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 10, 2011

Rest in peace and god bless you

Lt. J.P.
B.P.D

December 9, 2011

Corporal John Valent was a really great man and an outstanding "Trooper" with the Pennsylvania State Police. He was a Corporal by rank, but always a Trooper at heart.

I was stationed with him at Lewistown, but had transferred from there the year before his death.

All of the members of the Pennsylvania State Police will remember him, but I will never forget John Valent.

Rest in Peace.

Major
Pennsylvania State Police

December 9, 2011

Cpl. Valent,
On today, the 38th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Pennsylvania. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

December 9, 2009

Dear Dad,

I started to write to you on the 9th, but I couldn't get through the tears as I typed. Yes, its Christmas again, and some are better than others. This one isn't so hot. I just go through the motions.

I just want you to know that I talk about you often to your two grandchildren you never met. I tell them of all the fun we used to have with you...The snowball battles where you would go into the garage and find a box to load up on your amunition of snowballs. I tell them of the hundreds of games of pool you and I shot. Remember the one night we shot fifty games or more and I didn't win not one, yet I kept saying "another one" and you would just stand there with that grin of yours and say rack 'em up.

I have to tell you though daddy that after all these years I cry often as I think about the injustice the courts handed you as they plea bargained your case to second degree murder because a trial would cost too much money. The two Philly DA's that Gov Shapp appointed to help Pete Searer were shocked. I even went to visit one of them, and he told me how Pete Searer told him over the phone that the county commissioners told him a trial would cost too much money.

Dad, there is no price that you were not worth after the horrible way you had to die. I still picture that gun in the back of your head as those two shots were fired. I still cry when I think about the picture in my scrapbook of your patrol car after you were killed - the door opened and your hat lay on top.

I have forgiven the young men who took you away from us so brutally. I tell myself that if they had a father who loved their kids as much as you loved us, or a mother who loved their kids as much as me, you wouldn't have to die the way you did. Dad, those two bullets fired into your head were horrible enough, but the third and fourth bullets were fired from people who were to be your advocates - the criminal justice system. How can they say your life and the way you had to die was not worth a trial. How can they put a price on your head. Daddy, I don't know how to forgive them, and find peace about this. This will be a hard burden for me to carry until I take my last breath. You are worth all the money in the world. How dare they.

Well, I pray you are resting peacefully with God holding you close in his arms. You wouldn't want to be living in Mifflin County now anyway - it is so corrupt.

I will always remember your big hugs, and all the good times. Your grandson reminds me so much of you which is a blessing.

Don't let my reflection get you down. God has always been with me, and I KNOW you have to.

Till we meet again...

With all my love,

Debbie

Deborah Valent Aldinger
Daughter

December 18, 2008

You're gone but will never be forgotten. May God bless those you left behind.

Sgt. Jeffrey L. Becker #500
Panama City Police Dept.

December 11, 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 23, 2008

You will always be remembered for your sacrifice and may you always rest in peace.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

December 9, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your dedication and 25 years of service.

This writer is as always, disappointed that justice was not served on your behalf.

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 5, 2007

Thank you for your service.

Anonymous

June 26, 2007

My father was a Pa State Trooper and I remember the time long ago when my father spoke of knowing you and
how it bothered him as he described what happened to you. Over 30 years has past since that time and my father has also since passed on. This is just a note to say you are not forgotten and to say it was the likes of you that made this dept. what it is today. Rest easy and say hello to my dad for me.

Cpl. Richard ALEKSON
PA State Police

December 19, 2006

I had the occasion to go on an airplane ride with a relative of your's this past year and he told me what had happened to you. I want to thank you for your service and wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Patrolman Brad L. Reider #185
Jackson Twp Police (NJ)

December 17, 2006

Corp. 35 years later and we still honor your memory, God speed my brother and keep watch over us you know we need it

Corporal
PA State Police

December 9, 2006

Remembered always, especially today.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

December 9, 2006

Brother Valent, your a bigger man, than those three punks every could be. Thanks for your service out there. Rest easy now, your shift on earth is over. May God Bless your Family still here with us.

Sgt. John L. Gulledge Retired
Escambia CO SO

October 26, 2006

Thank you for your dedicated service and bravery sir, from your brother and sister Trooper's to the South. Never Forgotten!

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

August 16, 2006

FYI = My fathers badge # was 1003.
I still look-up my fathers name on the internet. Thanks for caring and including my father on your site. Christmas has never been the same without him.

Bruce John Valent - Son

December 28, 2005

Thank you all for your kind words. You would not believe that after 33 years they are still comforting and apprecieated. Officer Becker is correct, the shots that were fired in the back of my father's head that cold December night did scar our family forever. But with the kindness of your posts and reflections, I'm aware that my father is not forgotten.

Sincerely,

Debbie Valent Aldinger

Officer Down's Daughter

January 15, 2005

As I read the memorial and saw the reflection from daughter Deborah a tear welled in my eye. Please know Deborah that God surely has a special place in Heaven for a true hero like your Dad. I was only 4 years old then and lived in Pennsylvania. He protected all of us from the bad guys..what a truly brave and honorable man you have for a Dad and your children have for a Grandfather.

Supervisory Special Agent
U.S. Treasury Dept

December 9, 2004