Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your fellow law enforcement.

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

September 1, 2020

Semper Fi Motorman and CHP pilot. God bless you and your partner. You were taken too soon but in your time you accomplished so much. The Blue & Gold will remember you forever. Thank you for all you did to make us all so proud of your service and the nan you are. 42 years seems like yesterday.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol, South LA. US Marine

September 1, 2020

Gale was a friend and flying buddy of my dad's when I was a kid. I met Gale when I was about 10 years old. He was a motor officer, stopping by the house to visit dad when we lived in Huntington Beach. Ever since then I wanted to be a policeman. I retired from law enforcement in June of 2018 after serving more than 34 years with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.

Thank you Gale, may you rest in peace.

Deputy Mike Mansur (Ret.)
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, Wa.

April 7, 2020

Officer Wood,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your Partner for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of of the state of California. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 1, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 40th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

September 1, 2018

Officer Wood,
On today, the 39th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your Partner for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of California. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 1, 2017

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 24, 2015

That hat ! We called it the "50-mission crush". It was so very CHP back then, and you deserved the look.

Tim Liddell #5342
CHP (retired)

February 20, 2015

My father first intorduced me to Gayle when I was about 10 years old. He and my dad flew airplanes together. I remember first meeting him when he was a motor officer in Huntington Beach. Ever since all I wanted to do was be a police officer. That was 40 years ago and today I celebrate my 28th year as a Deputy Sheriff in Washington State. Thank you for being a mentor and such a great friend to my dad Gayle.

Deputy Mike Mansur
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

November 16, 2011

I was 18 when I lost my father, I still think of him and miss him daily. He was not only a good father, husband, friend but a man that had a huge heart, he loved adventure, playing jokes on friends and family, he loved to laugh and to make people laugh, he was always ready to try something knew, whether it was creating some off the wall food recipe or building some in his garage or a new way of flying (hang gliding), he just wanted to experience life to the fullest. He died doing what he loved, flying and helping people, I am honored to call myself his daughter.

Tammy (Wood) McFall
Gayle W. Wood Jr. oldest child of five

September 1, 2011

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

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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.

I hope to meet your family one day at a COPS function, and I hold them in thought and prayer today.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 1, 2009

I have only recently known of this site that so honorably respects fallen officers. I was only 7 years old when he had his fatal accident. I have very vivid memories of my father even at this young of an age. I remember the night as if it were yesterday. We are all doing very well and have the best memories of my daddy. He was caring, fun loving, loved his wife and family and was a very loyal friend. He will never be forgotten and will still have the best stories told about him. He now has 11 grandchildren. We have many stories to tell of their beloved grandpa that lives in heaven with Jesus. Thank you all for the past reflections. It means more than you could ever know.

Ruthie (Wood) Gardner
Gayle W. Wood Jr.'s youngest child of five

August 4, 2009

"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

November 21, 2007

On the 29th anniversary of Officer Wood's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Wood is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

September 2, 2007

Here it is almost 30 years ago that the tragedy happened. Was sitting here today and for some unknown reason thought of when you and I rode motors out of Central. Hope you are keeping a watch over us from above. My prayers to your family.

Jerry Boyle
CHP/ret 5395

August 17, 2007

I lived a couple of doors down from the Wood family and went to school with officer Woods youngest daughter. He was such a nice man, good father. He was kind enough to take my sister and I along to church a couple of times with his family. I was 8 when he died and I still think of the night often. He is missed but never forgotten.

Lisa Gailey
Neighbor

January 17, 2007

No Officer should only have one reflection...
Thank you for your service and dedication Officer Wood.
You will NOT be forgotten!

Indianapolis

July 26, 2005

MY BROTHER, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. A HERO NEVER IS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR PARTNER AMD MAY YOU BOTH REST IN PEACE. YOU BOTH SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

March 18, 2004