Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Condolences to the Williams family

Carson loveless

February 6, 2024

Rest in peace Keith and Richie.

PO T. Pepe Retired QDAOS
NYPD / QDAOS

November 13, 2023

God Bless You. Rest In Peace.

Frank
NYPD Detective-Retired
MTS Pct/NYDAOS

November 13, 2023

May his very kind family be blessed with health for eternity

Cpt Larry Meyers
NYPD

September 9, 2023

Keith Williams was my first partner in NYPD/OCCB I will always remember how kind and caring he was as a professional. He always spoke so lovingly about his wife and daughter and their plans for the future. When I didn’t have car he would pick me up and drop me off at home in Bklyn even though he lived in Queens. He was a coach and mentor to youngsters in NYC. He did God’s work here on earth,may he Rip along with his partner Det Guerzon gone but never forgotten.

Det Debora Barker
NYPD

December 12, 2022

I remember how this hurt came from your voice in Ft Collins, my fair man. To the Victor go no EOW. I am happy for Stuart Kunkel, NYPD via Rush Limbaugh. He is a god among men for the tears he cried of sorrow. No EOW ever again if you please señor perp. Rush Limbaugh’s Chief of Smiley guys got Deborah and is beautiful to know when I do not wear makeup or write silly novels with #NYPD blues guys. Everyone live forever, if you please.

Rhonda vía Dan’s Bake Sale via Rush Squa
Unnamed

July 17, 2021

I remember this tragedy. Rest in peace, brother.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

November 13, 2020

Posted on the NY Post September 15, 2019

Google him,’ NYPD widow urges as Queens street renamed in honor of slain husband

It’s hardly the prettiest block in New York City.

Still, a block of 172nd Street in Jamaica, Queens now has a new, and some would say sacred, name — “Detective Keith L. Williams Way” — and the slain officer’s widow gave an impassioned speech at Saturday’s street renaming ceremony, describing the beauty she sees there.

“Someone asked why 172nd and Liberty Ave,” widow Rita Williams said at a well-attended renaming ceremony at the newly-honored corner, named for her husband, who was shot and slain by a prisoner, alongside partner Det. Richard J. Guerzon, as they transported him to Riker’s Island in 1989.

“I mean … It’s commercial, sometimes it smells, there’s no trees, there’s no beauty?” the widow noted.

Still, “This is home, plain and simple,” she said to audience cheers.

The slain cop had been well-known in the neighborhood, where he’d coached the local basketball league.

“This is where we were raised,” the widow noted.

“My family still lives over 50 some more years in the same house. Keith and I got our first opportunity over on Watson Place.

“This is fitting,” she said, accompanied by daughter Tennille Williams. “He deserved this and more. This is history.

“See it’s not the location, it’s the meaning. This is history,” the widow repeated.

“I want people to stop, get stuck at the light, look up and say — ‘Oooh — detective what?’ And Google — because today they Google,” she said to laughs.

“And then when they Google, they’re going to find out that two wonderful men lost their lives, two wonderful family men,” she said.

“I need the conversation, I need you guys to help me keep him alive. We can’t let ’em die; we gotta keep talking about ’em,” she urged.

“So, on behalf of Keith and Richie Guerzon’s family — who couldn’t make it, but we’re very much in touch — I want to say thank you, I love you.”

The touching re-naming ceremony was attended by Police Commissioner James O’Neil, who observed that while the 30th anniversary of the two officers’ murders was just days away, “We remember them and their sacrifice each and every day.”
Williams made a difference each day, the commissioner said.

“It was his work and the work of his collages that made New York of today possible,” the top cop said.

“I am proud to be here 30 years later to honor him and all the brave cops who followed in his footsteps.

“So many cops worked in pairs, teams, units and squads and faced the risk of their work together.

“And they always understand what that could mean, and over the past nearly 60 years, 19 sets of NYPD partners have been killed in the line of duty. It’s a terrible reality.”

He added, “Today we are here to honor heroes like Keith, and to always be reminded of the supreme courage that NYPD cops display every day in the face of very real dangers.

“Everyone who sees this street sign, everyone who walks into the park will see Keith’s name. Each time that happens is another opportunity for us to tell his story — the stories of all who gave their lives in the line of duty.

“That is how we honor them and that’s how we make sure no one ever forgets.”

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

September 15, 2019

Rest in peace Detective Williams.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 30, 2019

Rest in peace brother.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

November 13, 2018

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

November 13, 2017

Rest well my brother.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

November 13, 2017

It was my honor to research newspapers, magazines, online & books to find your ID CARD Photo. I found this photo in a 1989 NYPD MEDAL DAY BOOKLET about your heroic sacrifice. I felt it was necessary to have a photo on this website so that your family & friends can remember you. Rest Easy Hero! Always Remembered!

APO Christian Durante
NYPD: 68th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit

February 5, 2016

I said a little prayer today for Detective Williams and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

November 12, 2015

Prior to joining the military, I recall Keith as a great prospect for college basketball. I figured he would get picked up by any university. He was a mature young adult, and a great mentor as he was two years my senior. He was a outstanding athlete, I will always remember that about him. It's 2013 I been serving now 33 years, I wished I could have stayed I touch with Keith he was an inspiration to me. I regret he won't be there when I return to life in Queens. To his surviving family, my sincerest condolences for yours/our lost and the lost of one of New York's Finest!

SGM (Ret) Darryl M McNair
US Army

December 15, 2013

MY FRIEND AND MENTOR, DET. WILLIAMS HAD A PROFOUND AFFECT ON MY LIFE SIMPLY HOW HE LIVED HIS...WE WENT TO JAMAICA H.S TOGETHER AND PLAYED BASKETBALL...I ENTERED THE FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BECUZ OF KEITH AND OTHER FRIENDS THAT HAD BECOME POLICEMAN, I BECAME A NYC PROBATION OFFICER, AND I HAVE SINCED RETIRED AFTER 30 YRS IN OCT. '10. KEITH WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD THAT I SERVED AS A CIVIL SERVANT AS HE DID. I COACHED BASKETBALL AFTER WORK, GIVING BACK TO VARIOUS COMMUNITIES...IN QUEENS AND BROOKLYN. I ALSO NAMED MY SON AFTER HIM, GIVEN MY SON'S MIDDLE NAME, KEITH, AS A TRIBUTE TO DET. KEITH...SO I KNOW EVERYTIME I THINK OF MY SON I ALSO THINK OF KEITH, RIP MY BROTHER, WE WILL MEET AGAIN ONE DAY!

TONY BROWN

RETIRED NEW YORK CITY PROBATION OFFICER
DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION/FRIEND

February 23, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 22nd 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
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

November 13, 2011

Brother…. many years have gone by and I cannot forget that tragic day hearing of the fatal incident. Never thinking I’d be an officer I was led in that direction years later. I am in south Ga. Almost 20 years on the job. Have been a member with the Blue Knights for the past 14 years and travel to DC Police week every year (14yrs) and pay tribute to you and my fellow Georgia fallen officers. My prayers are continually with the family. God’s Peace and comfort to your family…remembering the family down the block in Queens (171Place)
Kenny Jackson and Family

Sgt. Ken Jackson
MCSO Georgia

December 28, 2010

time has passed its no day that go by you not thought about.you was my friend my coach, you tought me so much as a person.iam37 now 20yrs gone by i still remember your voice your walk your shooting form when playing basketball.i miss you love you forever you and miss will and taneal.

cornell starks
friend from liberty park 105th172st

December 9, 2009

Keith, I think about you and Richie Guerzon almost everyday. It's hard to believe that in two months it will be 20 years since that horrible day. I have visited your grave several times over the years, and once left my business card there. A few weeks later, your wife Rita called me and we spoke for several minutes. She found the card by your headstone. Remember when Det. Bill Vormittag was breaking my chops about carrying my shield on a chain around my neck: "Dennis, c'mon, you're in the bureau now, (Detective Bureau), not Anti-Crime". You reached into your desk and gave me a very well-used leather shield case. I carried it until I retired in 1992. When my youngest daughter went on the NYPD in 1997, I gave it to her, and explained that it had belonged to you. She carries it with honor. Rest in peace, Brother, till we meet again.

Det. Dennis J. Harrington (Ret.)
NYPD, Queens D.A.'s Office Squad

September 8, 2009

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

July 7, 2009

Hey Keith, we are closing in on 20 years since that fateful day. You are often in my thoughts, and will always be missed. You were a good man...

Stuart Kunkel
Retired NYPD

March 3, 2009

Keith Williams family and mine were very close; his mother and mine were best friends. We even shared the same last name, Williams. I also have a brother named Keith. I remember hearing the news announcement stating that Keith Williams had been shot, I thought it had been my actual brother, then I realized who it was. The last time I had seen Keith I had been staying in a rooming house after college, he knocked on the door to see one of his best friends, we were both extremely surprised when I answered the door an saw each other. We grab and hugged one another and talked about our childhood and how the last time we saw each other was at my mothers funeral. We talked about how we should not have let so much time slip by and not connected. As I stated before, his mother and mine were best friends, we all spent a great deal of time as children together. We lived right next door as children. We talked and caught up on a few things and promised that we would make the time to get together. The next time I saw him was at his funeral. I remember Keith as a child, he was a few years older than me, and even though I had 8 older brothers, I looked up to him, he was an extension to our family. Keith was very caring and even growing up as we did, he managed to keep that childhood spirit. I still think about him more almost 20 years later, it still seems like yesterday. Take care my brother, you are still alive and remembered in my heart.

Michael Williams
Brothers by extened Family and Friendship

August 13, 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 2, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

November 28, 2007