Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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 13, 2020

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

September 14, 2017

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to be among the first 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 Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 11, 2013

Remembering you today, you are a hero who will never be forgotten. God bless your family. RIP

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

January 14, 2011

Uncle Joe,
It has been 32 years since you died and the emptiness is always present. I was young when you were killed, but I have spent every year since then wondering what our relationship would have been like. Their is a song that says "It ain't fair, you died too young, Like a story that had just begun, but death tore the pages all away. God knows how I miss you, all the hell that "we've" been through, just knowing no one could take your place. I wonder who you'd be today."
That song says it all. I wonder where you would be living and if you would still be the jokester that everybody says you were. We were robbed of some really good times, but instead of grieving, we take our loss and pay it forward with good deeds in your name. We miss you and wish life had been different, for all of us.
All my love,
Jennifer
Your niece and Goddaughter
(You've done a great job from Heaven watching over me!!)

Jennifer Mercereau
Niece

June 19, 2009

Trooper Joseph J. Welsch,

The circumstances of your death are among the most horric involving the slaying of a law officer. None of us can predict what we might encounter on the next patrol or the next investigation. We accept it as our lot. When a person about to be arrested draws a gun and suddenly shoots a law officer he is deemed a scoundrel and a coward. You are a true hero who lived-up to our creed when you laid down your life rather than swerve from the path of duty. It is a demonstration to all who follow, and wear our uniform, why we are called soldiers of the law. A legion of law officers who have died doing their duty await you at Heaven's door. Engage them and step into Eternity. Well done, trooper...well done.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police

August 2, 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 23, 2008

My prayers are with you and your family. Rest easy brother.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

September 13, 2007

Here we are a year later Trooper, and as always, your memory lives on sir. Rest in peace.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 13, 2007

On this your 29th anniversary of your heroic departure, your brother and sister Trooper's from the South say thank you for your heroism and courage!

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 13, 2006

Trooper Welsch was my youngest brother. He is certainly not forgotten. Just recently his boyhood home of Archbald, Pa. named a playground in his old neighborhood after him.

Barbara Harvey
Sister of Trooper Welsch

April 17, 2006

As a native of Tioga County (PA) and a member of the brotherhood, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Detective
Onondaga County (NY) Sheriff's Office

February 11, 2005

05/10/04

Rest in peace Trooper Welsch. You will not be forgotten.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

May 11, 2004

You made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. We are proud of you and thankful for all of your service. May God bless you and your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

February 19, 2004

I was looking through and saw that my name matched yours.I wanted to just say hi, and let you know that someone is carrying on the family tradition. RIP

Officer David Welsch
Baltimore County Police

I am a Pennsylvania State Trooper. A soldier of the law. To me is entrusted the honor of the force. I must serve honestly, faithfully, and if need be, lay down my life as others have done before me, rather than swerve from the path of duty. It is my duty to obey the law and to enforce it without any consideration of class, color, creed, or condition. It is also my duty to be of service to anyone who may be in danger or distress, and at all times so conduct myself that the honor of the force may be upheld.

My brother, your memory goes on with the fellow Troopers who recite and live these words.

The Pennsylvania State Police