Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Det. Sgt. White,
On today, the 60th 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 Air Forces during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patol

October 18, 2023

Who was Marshall White? The first Utah Black Police Officer killed in the line of duty.

Posted on Feb. 15, 2021 Rochester News

NEWS – SALT LAKE CITY, UT) You see names on buildings all the time. Who are these people? In this Utah Caring Stories, Doug Jessop celebrates Black History Month with the story behind the name of the Marshall White Center in Ogden.

Ronald W. White is the son of Marshall White. He showed me a picture of a number of police officers and told me; “He was a black detective, Sargent Detective for Ogden City. He was Dad.”

In October 1963, Ogden, Utah Police Detective Sergeant Marshall White was shot and killed while trying to talk a suspect into surrendering his weapon. He was the first Utah black officer killed in the line of duty. His son, Ronald White, was six years old.

Ronald continued letting me know who his Dad was; “He was the president of the NAACP, Ogden City Detective, he was a Mason, he hung out at the local Golden Gloves boxing joint.”

It was clear that Detective Sergeant Marshall White looked out for people in the community. Ronald got understandably emotional as he said, “I’m sure he was that way to a lot of people in the neighborhood. He was their defender. He was a hero to me.”

The Marshall White Recreation Center was dedicated on the fifth Anniversary of his death. Today it’s a busy place with everyone from Head Start kids to seniors playing pickle ball and youth basketball.

What does Ronald White want people to remember about his father, Detective Sergeant Marshall White? “I guess, I want them to remember that it was a man that gave his all for his neighborhood. We all give some. But he gave his all.”

What does the Marshall White Recreation Center mean to the community? According to Edd Bridge, Recreation Manager for Ogden City; “It’s truly been a melting pot and gathering place for the community to come.”

I asked Ronald what he thought his Dad would think of this place now? He answered through a smile; “I think he would be proud that the young people have someplace to go. Something to do. I think that is what he always wanted.”

With that said, it’s nice to share a cell phone video from Danielle Peterson; “This is what I like to see. Ogden Police playing basketball with the kids.”

I strongly feel that “stories have power”. Chances are that if you are going through something, that someone else probably has as well. The shared experiences we humans have can help each other. That my friend makes the point that stories “help us understand each other.”

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

February 15, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 23, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 18, 2020

This Hero is laid to rest by my family. He has been forgotten. My family has taken care of his head stone. And place flags and Christmas on there. Just the last few years did Ogden City do anything at his grave for him. This year the cemetery did something to.

No rank
Grave neighbor

May 26, 2019

Rest in peace Detective Sergeant White.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 19, 2019

Thank you to your family for this tremendous sacrifice of your beloved one. Being alone has always made me anxious and knowing that even though this happened many years before......I am still safe because of the caliber of the officers here. God Bless.

Karen Hauenstein
grateful soul

February 11, 2016

Detective Sergeant Marshall White, I was 7 years old, lived in Ogden and attended Pingree Elementary when you gave gave your life protecting us. A few years later I witnessed the opening of the Marshall White Center. I being a hispanic was moved and inpsired of the stories I heard of you. A few years later my family moved to Denver, CO. Sir, I became a police officer on the Denver Police Department and I just completed my 36th year on the department. I also completed 21 years as a Sergeant and received my Gold Detective Sergeant badge. You will always be remembered in my heart. Thank you for the inspiration.

Sergeant Robert A. Silvas
Denver Police Department

March 3, 2013

Thank you for your service Sir, RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

July 9, 2012

Thank you.
I know that those words hold little weight in contrast with the ache of loss but I just wanna thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice to make this world this town a better place for everyone in it even if it did happen before my birth, thank you.
I'm so disappointed that in our community your some what unsung be it out of our own humiliation or foolish pride I'm sorry that more Ogden residents don't know your story. Thank you so much Sgt. White.

anonymous
Resident of Ogden, Utah.

January 12, 2012

WOW ...... a Det Sgt 1963 Utah, A African American. You SIR are a goal for us all. You set the standard back in the day that the only color is BLUE. I know your at our makers side smiling that it's not our color that makes a good cop but the contents of our hearts.
God bless and keep you close.

Officer Whiteman
Unified Police of Greater Salt Lake

January 8, 2012

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

January 5, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 48th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 18, 2011

Sir , i never met you and your death was before my birth.......you served during a time when there were many in our country who cared very little for you because of the color of your skin and then there were others that cared little for you for the profession you chose.......i thank you sir for your service to protect our country and to protect the community of ogden city , but more importantly i thank you for sharing the thin blue line with me . your courage and strong desire to protect and serve is what make you great , continued rest sir........

to the White family , thank you for sharing Sgt. White with us all . those that served with him , that served after him and those yet to serve will keep his memory alive.......he will never be forgotten.......

officer val pickens
b'ham pd/b'ham , al

January 31, 2009

"DOC":

Thank You for Your service to the U. S., the Utah citizens, and for helping to pave the way for others as I, who followed and pursued similar careers.

May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

October 18, 2007

You are remembered today for your police and military service.

This writer is very disappointed that justice was not served on your behalf.

Pat Van Den Berghe
Manchester, NH

October 16, 2007

Daddy I am older now than you were when you died. I miss you and I still feel like your little girl. Though only 15 when you left us; time has not eraced my memiors of you.....You will forevor be in my heart!

Marcella Onetia White
3rd Daughter

October 14, 2007

Sgt. White,
On today, the 43rd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but also for our Country when you served in the USAAF during WWII.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

October 18, 2006

you were a great granddaddy when i see you i think of my daddy, your son .thank you even if i dont know you you are still in my heart!

marie

January 17, 2006

Brother White,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

January 15, 2006

Your face is the face of my father. It graces the walls of my home. Your tragic death is a neverending source of sadness. A question that is left unanswered. It is an honor to be your granddaughter. I only wish I had been able to sit on your knee, and kiss your cheeks, and see for myself what it is to know you, a hero in the flesh. Still...I have loved your face, and imagined that you loved mine...Veronica

January 10, 2006

Tell someone you love them, while there’s daylight and sunshine
We can never capture moments that loneliness leaves behind.
Shattered pictures, broken glass are like words left unspoken
But, a heart that feels one’s love is like a promise never broken.

Anonymous

May 5, 2005

~~~Eternally and Always~~~

I didn't get to say goodbye
You're gone without a reason why
I've loved you all of my life
and then you weren't there

I didn't get a chance to say
how much I cared
I can't even remember the tears
that I cried
All I really wanted was to tell you
Goodbye

When I last saw you I felt I wouldn't
see you again
There was a distance between us
that I couldn't explain
You wouldn't look
at me but I could see the tears
in your eyes
If you knew then
You should have told me
Then I could have said
Goodbye

So many words left unspoken
So many hearts left so broken
My love for you is forever
And that will never die
We'll be together always
Our souls are one with God
Eternally and Always
I'll never have to say
Goodbye

Anonymous

February 1, 2005

~~~When Tomorrow Starts Without Me~~~

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today, while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, try to understand, that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready in Heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for and so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized that this could never be, for emptiness and memories would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things I'd miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you. Today for life on earth is past but here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past. But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free, so won't you take my hand and share my life with me?" So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart.

January 6, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

October 18, 2004