Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Vaird good people like you are the reason that i'm here today. Rest in peace and you shall never be forgotten.

SFC Michael A. Cade
US Army FT. Bragg North Carolina

November 1, 2007

i loved you more then anything.....<3 i was only 5 years old seeing everything on t.v. and i cried and cried.......i hope your in a happy place right now...if i had one wish it would be for you to come back....you will always be in my heart and for ever......we all love you and will never for get about you..... we may all do bad things in our lives but we all learn from them..like me. I learned that not doing good in school will not get you any where. So what im saying is that thank you for being in my life, and directing me the right way.

love always, Jasmine Vaird<3

citizen
niece

October 10, 2007

Laurie, I have finally had a bit of closure this week. For the past 10 years I have felt a void that has been filled with efforts of many others in the Philadelphia Police Dept.and neighboring citizens I had been waiting for a commemorative plaque to be placed and it is now placed where she was killed. I was happy to attend several benefits this month and feel the greatest memory of P/O Lauretha Vaird has been established. A youth center has been renamed in her honor. I was told that this center was the first Boys & Girls Club in USA renamed after a FEMALE POLICE OFFICER.
That day I finally felt a bit of closure. I was waiting for the honor and glory Laurie deserved for putting her life on the line and being killed in the line of duty. As I saw the little children dressed in their club shirts I thought that Laurie would be very happy to see what has been done in her memory.
I personally want to thank everyone who was involved in honoring my co-worker and giving me a feeling of closure that Laurie will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
There was also a benefit in which a Scholarship Fund has now been established.
I anxiously await the placing a a murial at the center.
Laurie, I will never forget you and now feel a sense of peace has been bestowed.

RPC 2519

Anonymous
Philadelphia Police Dept

July 4, 2007

LAURIE,
SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME THAT WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OURSELVES ALONE DIES WITH US BUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OTHERS AND THE WORLD REMAINS AND IS IMMORTAL. LAURIE YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IMMORTAL TO ME. TRULY GREAT FRIENDS ARE HARD TO FIND, DIFFICULT TO LEAVE AND HARD TO FORGET. P/O LAURETHA VAIRD YOU ARE TRULY THAT GREAT FRIEND AND PERSON TO ME. MUCH LOVE AND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN HOPEFULLY.
DETECTIVE #8051

Det. Crystal Williams #8051
Philadelphia Police Department

June 21, 2007

I just wanted to say that I am so sorry to hear of the tragic end that one coward man took of your life. This story touched me because to be truthful I just wanted to know what happened to "cool C". But when I found what actually happened and how soon you were taken away from your boys, me as a mother, I was just so MADD. I googled your name and I loved the song that was in your memory. I hope that your boys grow up with the courage and strength that everyone of thousands of friends and family are saying that you are. Again, I am so sorry to hear this story with this saddened ending. I know I don' know you and you live 3,000 miles away from me but my heart goes out to all that was touched by you and especially your two sons. R.I.P and God Bless You- I salute you

tdavis
civillan

June 16, 2007

Good morning son
It's off to school you go
Mom's gone to work you know

There's a bank robbery that's going on
Ooh this very morn
Mom's gone to work for sure
Mom when are you coming home
Mom when are you coming home
Officers the bank is being held
By two gunmen that don't mean well
Mom's on the job can't you tell
Mom when are you coming home
Mom when are you coming home
Mom when are you coming home
To see your son (slipped away...)

Teacher please excuse these boys from class
Their mother gone from a gunshot blast
Another cop shot down on patrol
Mom won't be coming home
Mom won't be coming home
To see his son

The gangsters killed our mother dead
All is lost from our family
They tried to save our mom in vain
She drowned in blood and she was not saved
The bank is open and the robbers jailed
And mom won't be coming home
To see his son (slipped away...)

The way they run their world so wrong
How can us brothers get along
Mom won't be coming home

"Daughter don't be a policeman
Please be a school teacher instead
You're so good with the children
Mom won't be coming home"

Song's lyrics G Love and the Special Sauce - Slipped Away

mad man about all of this
A Ballad for Lauretha Vaird

June 16, 2007

I was in the process of becoming a police officer when your death occured. When I thought about your two young boys, I turned and looked at my six month old son who I could not imagine having his mother. The next day I withdrew my application. Your death moved me. My heart still aches for your boys. You are a shinning star always in my eyes. I thank you for everything you have done.

May 29, 2007

Ms. Lauretha, I remember when you lived on Chelten Ave. and we would complain about all of those steps we had to climb to get to your apt. on the top floor. I remember when you were pregnant with Steven. I remember how beautiful your eyes were. I remember how hearty your laugh was and all of your silver jewelry. I remember when you took me to the zoo on my birthday with the boys, because I had nothing else to do. I remember the last time that I saw you on Erie Ave., and pointing out the person who just robbed an older man. We didn't have time to talk because you had business to take care of but I have never forgotten you and I never will. Your blue wings have turned to white, job well done Ms. Lauretha

civilian/ Aisha Horton
friend

April 27, 2007

So much time has gone by since you passed, and I still think of you EVERY DAY. I read here how people were touched by Laurie's sacrifice and am glad that she is not forgotten. I will never forget her. Many people write in this site how they didn't know Officer Vaird and I think, oh, yes you did. She was the Officer that was standing in the rain handling an auto accident, the Officer helped resolve a family disturbances during the holidays, the Officer who told kids to stay away from drugs and drove sick persons to the hospital. She was Officer who helped children cross the street to go to school, that Officer that you saw sitting in a parking lot on patrol during a midnight shift while you were sleeping. Everyone knew Officer Vaird, she was the image of a true Police Officer and I am proud to say I KNEW her, worked with her, and sadly, miss her.
You are gone, Laurie, but never forgotten.

2519
Philadelphia Police Dept.

March 30, 2007

There are so many things that happen in our City and our everyday lifes, that things like this often slip our memories. Although I didn't know Officer Vaird, I remember her name and the day that she was slain. Somethings you just never want to forget.

RN
Civilian

January 17, 2007

P/o Vaird, May God Bless your memory and bless your family in there lost.

P/o Frazier
PPD

January 12, 2007

Dear Officer Vaird,

I can remember the exact day that you were killed because I was at work in the breakroom. I was saddened to learn that you had died but even worse I was crushed when I heard that it was one of my favorite rappers that killed you! I have felt like I was caught in the middle for 10 years now and I felt as though I had to come here and pay my respects to you! I think of you often! Everytime that I hear or think of your killer. It saddens me everytime! Please forgive me for not throwing his music in the trash! I definitely mean no disrespect to you or your memory! I was at your memorial, in front of the bank, recently and I had to touch it and apologize then. May you rest in peace!

Kevin Pompey, Civilian
Citizen of Philadelphia

January 4, 2007

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I'm just a private citizen who wants to let your family know you are not forgotten. Thank you for protecting us. Rest in Peace.

JM
Phila. citizen

January 2, 2007

R.I.P MY SISTER...ALWAYS IN MY HEART!

P/O Fowler
PPD

January 2, 2007

So many times I come to the ODMP to write relfections for our Fallen Officers. i am the wife of a retired Philly Cop and the mom of two active P{hilly Cops And I remember the day your life was vicioulsy taken. I was taking my oldest son to LaSalle College to register and all traffic was blocked There were Police officers everywhere and my son said to me A police officer is in trouble. The following year August of 1997 he became a Police officer. OfficerVaird you will never ever be forgotten you are in my prayers every day along with all our Fallen officers. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication and the sacrifice you made in making Philadelphia safer. God Bless you as you continue to sleep in God's Love and in His Arms.
Respectfully,
Kathi Halligan Phila PA wife and mom of LEO"S

Kathi Halligan
Phila., PA.

January 2, 2007

I remember this incident quite well when it was broadcasted on all of the news channels. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

January 2, 2007

I.am.not.an.officer.nor.part.of.an.agency...i.am.
a.g-love.and.special.sauce.fan....and.the.song.
slipped.away.made.me.want.to.look.into.Lauretha.
Vairds.tragic.story...my.heart.goes.out.to.her.
family.and.fellow.partners...

it.is.my.reflection.that.Lauretha.Vaird.was.a.
true.Philadelphonic.hero

Jay Polaski
na

November 27, 2006

Fallen but NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

September 26, 2006

P/O Vaird, you are not forgotten.

P/O #5434
Philadelphia PD

May 30, 2006

All praise to a fine mother and Police officer. I never had the chance to know you, however my thoughts and prayers are always with your children. God Bless You

citizen

May 10, 2006

Laurie #5897,
I miss you more then you could imagine. I visit your grave site often and reflect all the awesome times we had together. To serve as a Honor Guard for you is a memory that will never be forgotten. God Rest Your soul. You were a true Police Officer to everyone you worked for and worked with. 2518 was ALWAYS availavble for a backup. Your badge #5897 will be with me forever. I love you. You are my angel and the angel to all the other police officrs.
Peace,
Former P/O Bill McKenna

Former P/O Bill McKenna
Phila. PD

May 9, 2006

rip may the lord watch over your family

ret. po s.d.
nypd

March 28, 2006

Lori,I will always miss you!I look at your picture in my office, everyday. Your friend Raul.

P/O Malveiro
PPD

March 15, 2006

I never met you before but that does not matter. We all belong to the same fraternity of law enforcement. I see your picture and feel the devotion you had for your department. I can truly say that i am honored to leave you a message my fallen sister. As tears fall from my face i send my condolenses. rest in peace .

Ofc. Ruiz
Cook County Sheriff's Dept, IL

February 5, 2006

God bless you Officer Vaird and may you Rest in Peace. You did not die in vain.

Respectfully,
Officer Martin, K.C.P.D

Police Officer Martin
Kansas City Missouri Police Department

January 31, 2006