Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Lieutenant Sun Vaughn was a fine officer. I saw him nearly every afternoon as I walked home from RRHS. Oftentimes he would stop and chat for a few minutes. Occasionally these chats would be as we drank a soda at Mr. Woods store on 7th. Street. Lt Vaughn understood community policing decades before it became all the rage. His death was a tremendous shock. His was the first police officer funeral that I attended but sadly not the last. Lt Vaughn had a tremendous influence on my career decisions. This July I will pass 40 years in law enforcement. Lieutenant Sun Vaughn is not forgotten. A true hero.

Colonel Neil Baxley
Beaufort County SC Sheriff's Office

May 6, 2023

Rest in peace Lt. Vaughan.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 10, 2019

Lord make me an instrument of thy peace where there hatred let me sow love where there is in injury pardon me faith where there is despair hope light darkness light and and where there is sadness joy.

One year veteran halifax
Blue lives.matter

January 2, 2019

Mailed my No Parole letter today, on behalf of Lieutenant Vaughan. You are not forgotten. God Bless You All!

Allie
Supporter of Law Enforcement
Wife of Corrections Deputy

April 17, 2018

Proud to send my No Parole letter today. Thank you for your service, you have not been forgotten sir. God bless the family, friends, and former co-workers of Lt. Vaughan during this time of reopening of a never healing wound. Rest in peace brother.

Sr Patrolman Donnie Meaders (RET)
Wewoka (OK Police Department

October 1, 2016

For 21 years you dedicated your life to protecting the citizens of our country. No words of mine can ever sum up the admiration that I have for you. I hope my letter to the parole board makes a difference. Many thanks and my prayers be with your family.

John Haseltine - Civilian

September 30, 2016

W. E. "Sun" Vaughan was a wonderful man and our family loved him dearly. He was a highly respected police officer and honored the uniform.

Roanoke Rapids was a safer place because of him and his service. He holds a special place in our hearts and we miss him to this day...never will he be forgotten.

Dawn Martin Darden
Family friend

November 3, 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

May 9, 2015

I remember Lieutenant "Sonny" Vaughan from my youth; he'd always wave as he patrolled my neighborhood. He was the epitome of a good police officer and one this resident certainly looked up to. Thank you sir for your service to the residents of Roanoke Rapids.

Steve Finch
past resident of Roanoke Rapids

June 24, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. 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

Phyllis Loya

May 9, 2009

"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

December 27, 2007

It is not how he lived his life that made him a hero, it is how he died. Officer Vaughan will never be forgotten.

He is one of our fallen heroes.

Lt. L.J. Burch
Halifax County Sheriff's Office

December 15, 2007

It is not how he lived his life that made him a hero, it is how he died. Officer Vaughan will never be forgotten.

He is one of our fallen heroes.

Lt. L.J. Burch
Halifax County Sheriff's Office

December 15, 2007

It is not how he lived his life that made him a hero, it is how he died. Officer Vaughan will never be forgotten.

He is one of our fallen heroes.

Lt. L.J. Burch
Halifax County Sheriff's Office

December 15, 2007

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 5, 2004