Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Wait,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 2, 2022

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)

September 2, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Wait.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 5, 2020

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 41rst anniversary year of your death. I am privileged to leave a tribute to you. 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

Phyllis Lasater
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

August 15, 2013

Patrolman Wait: Forty years ago and I still remember. I just turned ten years old a couple weeks prior to seeing you for the first and final time on that terrible day. Rest In Peace Patrolman Wait.

D. DeLancey
Citizen

October 20, 2012

Rest in peace Officer Wait. This tragedy serves to remind us of law enforcement work and its perils. your bravery will not be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 11, 2012

You will not be forgotten by your fellow officers...RIP.

Fellow Officers
Reading PD

September 10, 2009

Patrolman Wait:

While you may have only had a few short years with your son, I am sure that you have watched him grow into a wonderful man, husband, father and friend.

I have had the honor of being able to call your son my best friend for the past 17 years. Our friendship has seen each of us standing up for the other at our weddings, at the births of both his and my children and offering support to each other at times of loss.

While he has not followed in your path of service, he too protects us through his volunteer services with our local fire department. He apparently got that desire to protect and serve from his father, a trait of honor.

While it was many years after your death that he and I met, and I was not given the opportunity to know you, in a sense I feel that I may very well know the man that you were just by knowing your son. I thank you, and every other officier like you, that made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to protect us, and I will promise you that I will be there for your son whenever he needs anything. It is the least I can do to not only honor our friendship, but to also honor your memory.

Kevin Button
Family Friend

February 20, 2009

Thank you Patrolman Wait for your service. May your Family, Police Family and Friends always remember you....and may your name be everlasting.

Lieutenant
Dept. of Defense, Retired

October 28, 2008

On this 36th anniversary, you are remembered by your fellow officers....RIP.

FELLOW OFFICERS
READING, PA PD

September 1, 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 24, 2008

On this 35th anniversary, you are remembered by your brother officers in the Reading PD. Rest in peace....

Brother Officers
READING, PA, PD

September 2, 2007

Always remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 2, 2007

You paid the ultimate sacrifce almost 35 years ago. How tragic it is that you were murdered by a fellow officer. I hope your family takes solace in the fact that you will FOREVER be a hero and NEVER be forgotten!

DET SGT, Retired
AR

July 23, 2007

Thirty four years later but never forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 1, 2006

You will always be remembered! Thanks for your service.

July 24, 2006

Almost 34 years since your sacrifice, but you are still remembered. Rest in Peace...

SGT. B.D. HARDING #187
READING PD

March 6, 2006

Patrolman Wait,
On today, the 33rd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Reading.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

September 2, 2005