Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Vargo. Was wondering if you were related to former umpire Ed Vargo?

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 8, 2022

Al, I just wanted to let you know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. You will always be a hero in my eyes. I have etched your name several times at the Law a Enforcement Wall in Washington, DC and each visit brings back memories of our friendship going way back to high school. Both of us wanted to be cops and we each fulfilled our dreams. I often wonder why you were taken way too soon and I was able to serve as long as I have in the job we both loved. I guess some questions will always go unanswered but I have always honored your memory and legacy each and every day of my career. Until we meet again, my friend. Rest in peace

Chief Michael Geier
Albuquerque Police Department

July 5, 2020

Al, I just wanted to let you know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. You will always be a hero in my eyes. I have etched your name several times at the Law a Enforcement Wall in Washington, DC and each visit brings back memories of our friendship going way back to high school. Both of us wanted to be cops and we each fulfilled our dreams. I often wonder why you were taken way too soon and I was able to serve as long as I have in the job we both loved. I guess some questions will always go unanswered but I have always honored your memory and legacy each and every day of my career. Until we meet again, my friend. Rest in peace

Chief Mike Geier
Albuquerque Police Department

July 5, 2020

Al, I was just watching the virtual candlelight vigil service, just wanted to say you are not forgotten.

Tony Halachoulis
Mt. Prospect PD (Ret)

May 13, 2020

Al,

Thank you for your service to Arlington Heights. Your sacrifice has not been forgotten by the men and women of the Arlington Heights Police Department. I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to work with you - I have only heard great things about you. Throughout my career, however, I have had the opportunity to keep your memory alive by sharing your story with community members who attend our Citizens Police Academy. More recently, AHPD named one of our new police K9's, Vargo, in your honor.

Rest in Peace

Officer Carrie Regilio
Arlington Heights Police Department

July 19, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Vargo. Was wondering if you were related to former major league umpire Ed Vargo?

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2019

Al, I think of you often and when training new officers I always talked about you and the sacrifice you made. I vividly remember the dispatcher calling your call sign and you not answering. I remember thinking you must be very busy not to answer. But after a few moments I feared the worst. Take care of all the guys we worked with have passed on due to illness. I feel you made me a better police officer by knowing you.

Mike McIntyre, Sergeant(retired)
Arlington Heights Police Department

June 5, 2019

Al,
It seem that I always get busy this time of year but I finally got around to posting my remembrance. I had been on Wilmette, IL PD for 2 years at the time of your death. My Dad, (a Winnetka, IL police officer) called me early in the morning when he started his shift to tell me what happened to you. I was in disbelief as this was my first personal experience with a line of duty death. Unfortunately, little would I know that this would be the first of many more over the course of my 44 plus year career in law enforcement.

I remember thinking about our friendship after I hung up from that fateful call. We worked together for a few years at a local grocery store when in high school. I recall driving around with you and you talked about how cool it would be to be a cop. We both followed those dreams a few years later. I still wonder to this day, why you Al, and not me or another officer? I guess some questions can never be answered.

I have devoted my career to you in some ways based on your untimely passing. I promised that I would always do my best to serve others in you honor. Well I am now 65 years old and still doing just that. This past June, I was named the new permanent Chief of the Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department. It's a long way and a long time from my days as a 21 year old rookie in Wilmette but I have never lost my passion for the job. The same passion we both shared early in our careers.

Rest in peace, my friend. You will never be forgotten and your sacrifice will not go unnoticed. Take care Al, until we meet again.

Chief Mike Geier
Albuquerque, NM Police Department

July 23, 2018

Al,
Just a note to say you will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers also go out to your family and your co-workers at AHPD, especially those that were there with you that night. It doesn't seem like 41 years, but just yesterday.

Tony Halachoulis
Mt. Prospect PD (ret.)

July 6, 2017

The horrible killings of the police officers in Dallas yesterday brings back memories of your line of duty death back in 1976. It was the first of many officers that I worked with over my career who also paid the ultimate sacrifice. We were close friends who talked about becoming cops while still in high school. As a new police chief, I lost two of my officers in less than two years along with another fellow officer that I worked with in Albuquerque during that same time to violent duty related deaths. I will never get used to this Al, and as I promised 40 years ago, I will never forget your sacrifice. This is the 40th anniversary of your untimely passing. I was fortunate this past May to attend Police Week services in Washington, DC and once again was able to visit the Memorial Wall and pay you tribute for your service. May God bless you always my brother. 'Til we meet again.

Chief Michael Geier
Rio Rancho Police Department

July 9, 2016

Officer Vargo's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 5-2-16 to honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
RPPD (IL)

May 7, 2016

Al,
Yesterday I just buried one of my officers, Off. Gregg "Nigel" Benner. He was shot and killed on a traffic stop on May 25, 2015. I met Scott Osborn at the graveside service and we talked about you and what happened that fateful July night back in 1978. Scott is now retired and living in Rio Rancho, NM. I retired last year as a Commander from my 2nd career in law enforcement with the Albuquerque Police Department to take on the job of Chief in Rio Rancho, NM. I thought this might be a good time to pay tribute to you, my friend, and let you know that we will never forget your sacrifice. Rest in peace, my brother and my friend.

Chief Mike Geier
Rio Rancho Police Department

June 5, 2015

Al, my friend, I was there that terrible midnight shift in July almost thirty-eight years ago and I remember it as vividly as if it had happened this morning. We had talked just shortly before and were going to meet for coffee if that crazy midnight shift ever slowed down a little bit. We never made it. Thank you for being my friend. I will never, ever forget you.

Scott Osborn
Arlington Heights Police - retired

March 16, 2014

Al, still and always in my thoughts.

T.H.
Mt. Prospect PD-Retired

February 12, 2014

Al, I recently visited the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC and saw your name on the wall. It brought back memories of many years back, before either of us ever became police officers in the early '70s. As I etched your name on my sheet of paper, I still remember those days in high school when we talked about wanting to be cops. As I enter my 40th year in this noble profession, I will never understand why you were one of those who gave their lives in the line of duty. You were one of the best and taken way before your time. I will always honor your memory and will never forget your ultimate sacrifice. God bless you my friend.

Commander Mike Geier
Albuququerque NM Police Department/Wilmette, IL, PD (retired)

July 10, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

December 18, 2012

Rest in Peace, Police Officer Vargo. Your sacrifice is not forgotten

Officer 11169

April 21, 2012

Al, I was reminiscing about the "good old days" and my thoughts turned toward you. Even though it's been more than 35 years it still seems like yesterday. Your smile and good nature will live in my memory forever I consider it an honor and privelege to have been able to share some time with you. God bless and continue to watch over those that serve.

Officer Tony Halachoulis (retired)
Mt. Prospect PD.

October 18, 2011

Rest in Peace my friend. It has now been 35 years since you left us. Once again I wanted to pay my respects and thank you for your sacrifice and friendship. I am starting my 38th year in law enforcement and despite all that I have seen and done in my career, I will never forget your dedication to our profession. Thank you Al, may God bless you always.

Commander Mike Geier
Albuquerque, NM Police Department

June 18, 2011

It's hard to believe that 34 years have past since you left us. We both were still new on the job back then and thought we had our whole lives ahead of us. Rest assured that even though I now have served for over 36 years in the same profession we started together, I have not stopped fighting for justice. I only wish that you had received the chance to do the same.
I am now a grandpa to a baby grandson. I hope to tell him about police work someday. My scrapbook is filled with many good memories but one still brings tears to my eyes-the newspaper article from the night you left us. I am sure I will tell him about you and the ultimate sacrifice you made to protect others on that early July morning in 1976. Maybe someday he will become part of the law enforcement family and like me, will never forget what you did. Thanks for the memories Al.
Rest in peace, my brother and my friend.

Commander Mike Geier
Albuquerque Police Department

September 5, 2010

Rest in Peace, Sir. You are not forgotten.

Anonymous

August 23, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 18, 2010

I'll never forget

TH
Mt. Prospect PD- Retired

July 21, 2009

Al,
It is hard to believe that it has been 33 years since that terrible midnight shift in July 1976. I have since lost many other fellow officers over the course of my career but none had the impact on me as your line of duty death that night. We knew each other since high school and both of us shared a desire to join such a honorable profession. I have never forgotten your sacrifice. The pencil etching of your name from the Law Enforcement Memorial still hangs from my office wall.

I was just a rookie for the most part when we lost you and wondered back then if it was really worth it to do this work. I truly believe that you were my inspiration to continue on and be the best cop I could be. I know you were watching my back from above during some dangerous situations that I faced down here. I somehow felt your guidance during all the tough times I faced on the job and only wished we could have shared "war stories" and laughs as we went through our careers and got to be "old timers."

I just completed my 35th year of service and am still loving what I do. Somehow I think that is how you would have done it had your life not been cut short. Although I am technically "big brass" now, I will always remember my roots in policing. More importantly, I will will never forget that you were back there when it all started. Thank you Al,for your friendship and for the ultimate sacrifice you made. It was an honor to know you. Until we meet again, brother, rest in peace.

Commander Michael Geier
Albuquerque, NM Police Department

June 30, 2009

RIP

Anonymous

September 8, 2008