Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Vitale, it has been 39 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your 14 years of law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

June 19, 2024

Officer Vitale,
You are not forgotten by the men and women who are currently working in Massachusetts law enforcement. RIP

Mike Kane
Retired Detective, Boston Police Dept.

June 18, 2023

Officer Vitale , it has been 38 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices that you and too many others have made for us. Thank you for your service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

June 18, 2023

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

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service (Retired)

April 28, 2023

Officer Vitale you are not forgotten by the men and women of law enforcement. Rest in peace.

Michael Kane
Retired Detective, Boston Police Dept.

June 18, 2022

A peace maker by personality. Always wanted people to get along; even during union negotiations.

We often spoke when he was off duty. A good decent man.

Former Town Manager Paul Rabchenuk
Town Manager

May 2, 2022

Officer Harold Vitale,

I didn't have the chance to meet you. I joined the Saugus
Police Department September of 1985. I did have the pleasure of meeting your wife who is such a wonderful person. It has been a long time since your passing but I can tell you, you are still sorely missed by those that are still there!

January 14, 2017

Detective Jocelynn Kountze
Saugus Police Department

January 14, 2017

Hello Harold,
Just thinking of you.
Coby

Sergean t John Coburn (Ret)
Saugus Police Department

June 30, 2016

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

June 18, 2015

I am ashamed to have to admit that I was wrong, you, Officer Vitale, are the fourth of five. Somehow I missed Warden Charles Lincoln who's life was taken in 1843.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

June 18, 2015

Officer Vitale, you were the third officer from the Commonwealth to die in the line of duty on this date, out of four. I was lucky to work with a Vitale, but I don't know if there's any relation there. He's a fine man who went on to another job in the field, but I'm proud to say I worked with him.

This year marks 30 years since your death at the hands of a cowardly thing posing as a man. I pray you are resting at peace, Brother and may God Bless you.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

June 18, 2015

I am forever grateful to my x-brother in law Harold for the many things he had done for me in my young years. Taking the time to go down to a shady car dealership who was trying to rip a kid off and making them give my money back. He was also kind enough to identify my brothers body so my last thoughts of him would be one of death. You are still missed and loved by myself and your x-wife Gail. May you RIP.

n/a
realtive

April 10, 2014

I remember this situation as I am from Saugus and can't belive the punl dragged this police officerin his car and into a pole.
10 years WHAT?
must have been another liberal hearted judge who are ruining our country with light sentencing and no concern for its citizens.
God Bless this officer.

Steve Chrisos
Citizen of Saugus MA

May 14, 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 27th 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.

It was disheartening to read that your killer was paroled after serving only ten years for killing you in such a brutal manner.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both their pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 26, 2012

THE OUTCOME OF THIS MUTTS SENTENCE SICKENED ME, IF THERE COULD EVER BE A QUESTION OF INTENT TO KILL THIS FITS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE REASONING BEHIND IT.
JACK

John J Novicki
none

March 11, 2012

I used to live in Saugus and I remember learning of this policeman's death (murder, in my opinion.) It was terribly upsetting at the time and I felt so sad for his family and, of course, for him. I always assumed that the scum who killed him would spend the rest of his life in jail. To learn, today, from this site, of what the outcome was... I am saddened all over again and appalled. I can hardly believe that his life seems to have meant so little to the justice system that he served. I am sure, however, that those you served with do not feel the same way. Officer Vitale is not forgotten as proved by this; that a person who never knew him or met him personally, still remembers and looked him up today on this site. Rest in peace and know that you touched the life of someone who still cares.

Former Saugus resident
Someone who will always remember

March 7, 2012

Officer Vitale yesterday was the 41st anniversary of your MURDER. How some halfwit judge could determine it to be manslaughter is beyond comprehension, but this IS Massachusetts where the rights of the accused far outweigh the rights of the victim. YOU were a victim, and you are a martyr.

Where ever that man is who murdered you, I hope he knows nothing but pain and suffering. That's not a very Christian attitude on my part, but sadly, I don't care.

Thank you for your service to the people of Saugus and the Commonwealth as a whole.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

June 19, 2010

"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

February 18, 2008

Hello Harold,
It has been a long time. I still remember that fateful night when I heard your radio call. I tried to get there fast to back you up but it was too late. Charlie, Malloy, and I tried to save you but God took you. You are forever in my thoughts
Coby

Sergeant John F Coburn
Saugus Police Department

August 4, 2007

Thank you sir!

Mike C
Boston MA

June 18, 2007

i have only flashes of harold in my memory. My father is Reynold A. Vitale an ex-police officer from Revere,MA. I do remember seeing Harold at the Hilltop Steakhouse on Route 1 on a few occasions while on our way to eat, i must have been between 8-10 . I'm thirty now and i still remember the phone call to our house and the report on Channel 5. The reaction and condition of my father that day will always be engraved in my mind. In my thoughts still , he is.

Eric Vitale
son of a cousin of Harold

April 25, 2007

Harry, you are thought of often and missed daily by your brothers at the Saugus Police.

Ptlm.Mansfield
Saugus PD

April 12, 2006

Officer Vitale,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Saugus. I'm originally from Massachusetts and miss a lot of things about home but one thing I don't miss is the perverted legal system that allows someone who kills a cop to walk after only serving 10 years in prison.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

June 18, 2005

God bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten by your police family.

DE
St. Louis City Police

October 5, 2004