Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest easy Trooper. I was inside Post 2 today, visiting while on vacation and saw his memorial on the wall.

D. Smith
SCSO (Retired)

Dustin Smith Retired
Scott County Sheriffs Office

June 28, 2024

Trooper Ward,
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 U.S. Army in Vietnam as a member of the 9th Infantry Division-the "Old Reliables." And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 23, 2023

Trooper Ward, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2019

Rest In Peace Trooper Ward, your service and sacrifice is remembered.

Sgt. Jarrod L. Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

April 23, 2013

I met Joe when he was with the 9th M.P.Co,. In Vietnam.. I was only told a few weeks about Joe's death. My heart goes out to the family. I had a lot of great times with Joe and I'll never forget him. He had a great smile and always helped anyone who needed it. He was a great comrade and an ever greater friend. Heaven has taken a great person and I know he's looking down on us with great admiration. We had great times together and like I said, he'll be missed dearly. Bob

Bob Dembro
Vietnam, Great Friend

October 10, 2011

I was fortunate to have served in Vietnam with Joe in the 9th Military Police in Bearcat and Dong Tam 67-68. He and I had adjoining bunks and always tried to make the best out of a bad situation. He had one of the most contageous laughs I have ever heard. He in my estimation was a good MP and a man of great character and I'm sure he was a damn good Kentucky Trooper. He used to make me laugh a lot and sometimes I got him laughing as well. He used to tell me all about his Kentucky home and his desire to be a trooper. Being from St. Louis, we always talked about getting together someday....well in I retired from the Army and in 2000 came to Louisville and decided to look up o'l Joe. I was stunned to say the least when I learned of his death while in the performance of his duty. I think of Joe whenever I see a KY trooper and have actually talked to an old timer that knew Joe. I have very fond memories of a damn good soldier, and a good man. Larry Wapelhorst
9th Inf. div. 9th Military Police 1967-68

sfc/e-7 usa retired
us army (friend and partner)

August 19, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today as we approach the 36th 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 the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was shot twice when ambushed on April 23rd when he was on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, 32 years after you were killed.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 4, 2009

Joe, I had originally been assigned to ride with you on the night of April 23, 1973. I was later reassigned to ride with another unit on day shift that fateful day. I've always wondered if things might have been different if my schedule had not been changed. You were a great friend and I always think of you when travelling on the Pennyrile Parkway in Hopkinsville.

Lt Ed DeArmond
Kentucky State Police

October 3, 2008

RIP you and all the fallen officers were taken too soon from your loved ones.

Anonymous

October 3, 2008

Trooper Ward,
On today, the 35th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the State of Kentucky. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

April 23, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 22, 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 27, 2008

REST IN PEACE TROOPER ON THOSE GOLDEN STREETS ABOVE WITH THOSE GONE BEFORE AND SINCE!! LORD BE WITH THOSE YOU LOVE AND THOSE THAT LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

DISPATCHER GRETA M HUFF
KY STATE POLICE POST 13 HAZARD

December 16, 2007

Joe, I will never forget the nignt this happened, much less forget you.You were my best friend and a great example for a rookie. I think abut you often and rememeber the good times. Your snake stories are alive and well.

Tpr. Pat Bell 318R
Kentucky State Police

August 13, 2006

Its been 30 years my friend, and I still think of you often.
Kentucky lost one of it's best way back then, much change down here Teddy Bear, I'll probally be joining you soon.



Marvin Smith
Former KSP Unit 509/646

former Trooper Marvin Smith
Kentucky State Police

January 17, 2004

A good man, a fine brother and a light of hope for the entire family.

Ed R. Ward

Rest in Peace blue angel. God bless those you left behind

S. Yates

To Joe, one of the finest young men and Brother in Laws a man could have. You have been and are still missed,

Sergeant Douglas M. Howard
PInellas County Florida Sheriff's Office