Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Ret.

October 19, 2023

Rest in peace Reserve Deputy Sheriff Wright.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 19, 2022

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)

August 16, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 30th anniversary of your EOW.

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

August 16, 2018

John,
Thinking of you today. I saw your sister Mary and it brought it all back
. I know you are with your Dad my Uncle Wesley. You live on my cousin.

Ava Laxton

May 17, 2017

John,
It's been 27 years and you are still in my memories and very much still in my heart. As long as I live,you will be in my heart.
Catrina

Catrina (Mauk) Stanley
Fiancee 1988

August 15, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

February 23, 2013

Another year gone by 24 yrs. still in my heart never forgotten. Untill we meet again in Heaven!
Catrina

Hawkins Co. Sherriff's Depart.
fiancee

August 15, 2012

John,

Cant believe its been 23 years since the good Lord called you home. I still remember that awful day as if it were yesterday. All our dreams and hopes for the future gone in a second never to get back again.You are my hero and my gaurdian angel who i know watches over me. Someday I will understand why and untill we meet again in Heaven I will love you forever.
Catrina

Catrina
fiancee

August 16, 2011

John,
Cant believe its been 23 yrs ago today since the good Lord took you home.I miss and think of you so very often and wonder what life would have been like for the two of us. I still remember that awful day as if was yesterday. I know God has a reason for everything and someday i will understand why.I know you are my angel watching over me! Untill we meet again someday in Heaven I love you forever John Wesley Wright.

Catrina/ engaged to be married to John W
hawkins county sherriff dept

August 16, 2011

my wonderful brother john. you have been gone from us 23 years today and i miss you so very much. i love you, linda

linda
sister

August 16, 2011

my wonderful brother john. you have been gone from us 23 years today and i miss you so very much. i love you, linda

sister
sister

August 16, 2011

John, you were a good friend, I remember the good times we had serving in squadron VAQ-137 aboard the USS Saratoga back in 1985. You are missed and not forgotten. Hope we see each other again some day.

Your Friend Forever,

Bob Axsom
Former US Navy Buddy

Bob Axsom
Served with John in the Navy

June 27, 2011

John,

You service to our country and to your community speaks volumes about who your are. You put us first and protected us from evil. You are loved and missed.

You are never far from the hearts and minds of those who knew you.....

Thank you for keeping me safe.

God Speed HERO.....

Anonymous

August 22, 2008

Thinking of you today and of those that love you. You have not been forgotten.

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

August 16, 2008

I remember John as a young boy growing up in my hometown and knew his parents as we attended the same church. I remember the horrow of the night this tragedy happened and it still is so real at times as we remember what a fine man was taken so soon in life. I look forward to seeing him again someday to tell him how greatful I am of his sacrifice.

family friend

April 26, 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 29, 2008

This year it will be 2 decades since your EOW. You have not been forgotten by those that love you dearly. Keep watch over them and those still out on patrol. You will never be forgotten.

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

January 22, 2008

I had the pleasure and privilege of serving with John Wright in the US Navy while we were both assigned to VAQ-137 (Electronic Warfare Squadron One Thirty-Seven) stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA and while embarked aboard the aircraft carriers USS John F. Kennedy (CV-6) and USS SARATOGA (CV-60). John had joined the Navy after injuring his back as a minor league pitcher in the New York Yankee organization. He entered the service as an undesignated seaman, but his natural talents and will to excel quickly got him noticed. He soon decided to strike for an Intelligence Specialist rate. John took to the intelligence discipline immediately; he contributed to the mission of his ship and squadron on a daily basis participating in tactical operations off of Libya to include the Achille Lauro incident in the Mediterranean Sea in 1985. He was popular with his shipmates and senior officers alike. John participated on the squadron's basketball and softball teams, neither proving much of a challenge; he jumped higher, ran swifter and threw farther and faster than the rest. John was a splendid athlete. I never knew John to be anything, but positive in his outlook. He possessed a keen sense of personal responsibility and independence; John looked to his future with optimism and hope. He inspired others and had no vices worth mentioning, on the contrary, he was a virtuous man. John Wright joined the US Navy to be part of something bigger than himself and to contribute to the greater good. I was not surprised to learn that he joined Law Enforcement, a fitting profession for such a fellow as John. Though all these years later, I still think of my old Shipmate fondly and feel deeply for his family and community which lost an All-American of the truest kind.

Bruce Waggoner
Former USN Shipmate

September 4, 2006

Deputy Sheriff Wright,
I would like to say thank you for your dedicated service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but for our Country as well when you served in the U.S. Navy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

August 16, 2005

John was my friend. We attended elementary, middle and high school together. We continued our friendship throughout the remainder of his life, here on earth. I have such pleasant memories of his laugh, warm smile, gracious manners and sense of fun...he loved and enjoyed life. I remember so many things about him...but the tragedy of his death hangs over my heart to this day...nearly 17 years later. John, you'll always have a special place in my heart...until the Lord calls me home and we meet again in heaven. Until then...my dear friend.

Ronda

April 3, 2005

I am the mother of a recent fallen police officer and since my son's death I have been reading the ODMP every day. Today, December 9, 2003, I saw your picture and read your story and even though I didn't know you, I felt the need to let you know how much your service and sacrifice is appreciated and that you have not been forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Anonymous

December 9, 2003