Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Willert,
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Turlock. And to your Family and loved ones I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

March 10, 2024

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice are always remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

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

August 17, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

February 9, 2018

I believe my father worked with and/or trained Ray. I remember (vividly) driving past the Western Union in Turlock and seeing Ray. We had been to his home and he and family had been to ours. I was only 11 years old when I watched Ray get shot. That has stayed with me my entire life. So sorry for the loss of this good man and officer. Thank you for your service. Glad to have known you if only for a short time.

Cathy Males Cowan

November 14, 2016

As your cousin, Raymond, I've thought of you often. I was 18 at the time. I met his wife and daughter once at their home. I would like to connect with them if they would like that. I live in Albuquerque and retired and traveling and would like to see you both if possible.

Laurie Huffaker
cousin

May 22, 2015

to the officer who purchased his service revolver i wish to purchase this weapon for his daughter..... i was lucky enough to marry raymonds daughter but i was never lucky enough to meet the man.... please help me reunite a daughter with her fathers service revolver, thank you.

darrin, husband of daughter
married his daughter

June 13, 2013

As I read all of the comments left regarding my father, I am very proud of him and thankful to everybody who remembers him today. Thank you for keeping his memory alive as I do with my children, who unfortunately will never know the wonderful, caring, kind man that was their grandfather! Once again, thank you for helping to keep his memory alive!

Daughter

March 16, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th 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.

Time never diminishes respect and 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

February 9, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Willert. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 23, 2012

Dear Connie,

At the time of Ray's senseless murder, I was attending Mt. Angel Seminary up here in Oregon. I'm from Turlock. My father was a Stanislaus County Municipal Judge at that time: Hon. J. Augustus Accurso. I wrote you a letter, handwritten, expressing my condolences. All I remember about that letter was that I had written so much that it could barely fit on the page. Or maybe I wrote a bunch of other stuff on the outside of the envelope. Either way, I know it appeared crowded, overstuffed with words, and perhaps messy. All, much like what I was feeling at the time. I had no idea that I would myself become a Police Officer much later in my life, beginning that career at the age of 41, about the age your and Ray's daughter must be right now.

I just want you to know that I never forgot about Ray, you and your daughter; I have discussed the incident several times over the years.

As Sgt. Dan Gray points out in his reflection, we have all learned so much about officer safety, due mostly to the sad outcomes of brothers who've gone before us. For that, we can be thankful. But it's a gratitude generated by a bitter lesson.

You're still in my prayers, Connie. Along with Wendy and her family, and for all families (professionally and by blood) who have suffered the loss of a brother or sister who paid the ultimate price.

Jacob Accurso

January 12, 2012

I meet Ray while a Sheriffs Deputy for Stanislaus County. One the day of his murder, I was a Court Bailiff and heard about the incident and the chase of one of the suspects. Myself and another bailiff responded toward the chase, arriving moments after the suspect surrendered. Ray was a nice guy, pleasant to talk to and work with. Ray lived a couple of blocks away at the time of his death. I see his photo everytime I enter the police station. He will never be forgotten.

Bert Bergman
Turlock PD Volunteer

September 19, 2011

It has been 38 yrs today since I saw you last. Unfortunately I was to young to remember too much. You are thought of often, my youngest son carries your name. My husband knows of you from other officers who served with you. He regards you with great respect. Our children know what a hero their grandfather was. Your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Your memory will be carried on to generations to come. I love you daddy.

Wendy Sullivan
Daughter

February 10, 2011

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer; and may it somehow help to know that, even after all these years, they do not grieve alone.

Vicki Hare, telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

October 13, 2009

Ray, may you rest in peace and know that you were not forgotten. I retired after (13) years with the Turlock Police in 1994. Though I never knew you, I always kept you in my heart for the sacrafice you made. May God bless your soul.

Detective Roy Fisher-Retired
Turlock Police Dept.

September 19, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. I hold your family in my heart's embrace today.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

February 9, 2009

I knew Connie and Raymond from high school. I graduated from Davis High School in the Class of 1969. I learned of Officer Willert's death while living in Europe. My thoughts and prayers go out to this family. I'm glad I found this wonderful memorial to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Linda M. Baker (Hegwood)

Linda Baker (Hegwood)

December 10, 2008

I READ YOUR REFLECTIONS AND IT BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES.I WAS A RECRUIT ATTENDING THE POLICE ACADEMY IN MODESTO WHEN OUR INSTRUCTOR READ A SUMMARY OF WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU.WE WERE ALL SADDEN AND ALL OF US WENT TO YOUR FUNERAL TO PAY OUR RESPECTS TO OUR FALLEN BROTHER. I WAS IMPRESSED BY ALL THE OFFICERS WHO CAME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE TO HONOR YOU.YES YOU A TRUE HERO THAT MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO MAKE THIS COUNTRY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.HEROES ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN BUT LIVE ON IN SPIRIT.WE ARE ALL VERY PROUD OF YOU.YOU SERVED WITH HONOR AND DISTINCTION.

AL LLANOS
FRESNO PD RET.

November 19, 2008

Thankyou for your service and sacrifice, you are a true hero to us all

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

February 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

February 7, 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

September 20, 2007

Even after more than 3 decades, you have not been forgotten nor will you ever be forgotten as you are a true hero. Keep watch over your loved ones, I know even after all these years they still think of you and at times still shed tears. Continue to protect them from harm and also keep watch on those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon, Father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

August 11, 2006

You are not forgotten Sir.

AZ Narc

December 6, 2005

Ray. You and I never met.Yet you had a strong influence in my life and career. On the day you were killed, I was riding as an Explorer Scout in the neighboring city of Modesto. That was my first night to ride. Now as I approach 30 years on the job, and went to work in your agency, I hope I have done well in carrying on where you started. I dedicated my life to firearms training and officer survival education to pass on to officers every where I teach. So no more wives and daughters would be left behind. As I approach retirement in the next few months, I hope I have brought credit to you. Turlock Police will never forget you. Your picture hangs with the others from our office who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their community by our door leading from Operations out into the world. Least we forget.

God Bless. We still and forever will look out for the family.

Sgt. Dan Gray

Sgt. Dan Gray
Turlock Police

September 29, 2005

your daughter has grown to be a wonderful woman, wife and mother
i'm so sorry that you could not be a part of all these events in her life
we see you in her children and i think of you when i hug her and our grandchildren---i know you are watching over us --our time with you was so short---we love you always
connie
your loving
wife

connie willert
widow

July 25, 2005

I think of your daughter, how old she is now, and how proud she must be of her daddy.

Officer
U.S. Park Service

April 30, 2005