Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Liebenstein family;
I want to pass along our admiration of John and his sacrifice on behalf of many distant cousins. While seeming to be of different generations I have researched enough to realize he almost surely had Phillip Liebenstein who arrived in Wisconsin in the 1840s as a common ancestor. Blessings to you all and may Jordan enjoy much success as a county supervisor.

Brian Liebenstein
Great--great grandson of Philip Liebenstein

May 11, 2024

Condolences to the liebenstein family

Carson loveless

February 8, 2024

My no parole email was just sent. Thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice and may you continue to rest in eternal peace. Thoughts and prayers for all of your family, friends and loved ones.

HEROES NEVER DIE....

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

April 24, 2023

My "No Parole" letter will be going out in the mail tomorrow. Hopefully, the inmate does not get parole ever.

Rest in peace, Deputy.

Greg Leeb
Fireman

April 12, 2023

To listen to a more detailed account of this incident, go to: https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/john-liebenstein

Posted by ODMP

February 17, 2023

Dear Deputy Liebenstein, first of all, thank you. You paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect others. I just read the Supreme Court opinion on the Chambers case. Even today sir, you life touched me. Thank you again and I hope to meet you up there in heaven. God bless your family.

Flávio Abreu
Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office

October 27, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Liebenstein,
On today, the 26th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Rice County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 3, 2022

Dad,
I miss you. We all miss you.
I tell the kids about you but they don't understand yet. I wish I didn't have to tell them. They know you are in heaven and they will meet you one day.
I wish I could remember what a hug from you felt like. Love you.

Your Daughter
Liebenstein Family

May 3, 2021

My cousin John was my friend and we graduated from highschool together. I was in law enforcement also. He was a sweet man and i miss all the friends I have lost. Mike Schrader

Training Officer
Eagan Police Department, My cousin

August 27, 2018

John,

I was just a punk kid working at the Big Steer gas station when I got to know you. Thank you John, as I am now surpassed the age you were when you were taken, and recognize and appreciate more now than ever what it is you gave. You were a funny and inspiring man to me as a kid. I looked up to you then, and I remember you still today.
I will never forget the day you were taken from our community. The shock of learning how quickly an event I watched pass in front of me on I-35 from my motorcycle on the frontage road south of 19 would come to be one remembered so exactly for the rest of my life... The officers from around the country that came for your funeral too will forever be remembered.
For me, you would still be here if someone had not left their car running while taking care of a simple and momentary task. A single second in their life I am sure they wish they could have back. For this, a lesson in life, I NEVER leave my car running or even unlocked when unattended. When I see people leave their car running with keys in the ignition, I tell people of my memory of you. I kindly ask them not to make this simple selfish oversight in the future. It is my small tribute to you, for your sacrifice, and memory...
To your Family and fellow officers who miss you most, should they ever see this, Thank you... I will never forget.

Kevin Damgard
Former kid remembers your humor and big smile who looked up to John

July 20, 2018

John
There is not one day that at some point I think of you and your wonderful family.. You had been assigned to an ATF Task force, and we had just completed a homicide case. We had each other and you are very much missed !!!

Sergeant Investigator-(Retired)
Rice County Sheriffs Department

May 3, 2016

John,
I just found out about the accident that took your life. It makes me sad. Throughout the years I have great memories of our days and weeks playing football for the Northfield Raiders. Your easy going good nature made many of these days so memorable.
Now I have a son that serves as a policeman here in Orange County and I catch a glimpse of the courage that is necessary to "serve and protect." He had a friend that was killed in the line of duty a couple of years ago, and he finds ways to remember Jon on a regular basis.
Thanks John! Your memory will live on.
Gilby

Steve Gilbertson
High School Friend

February 22, 2016

Rest in peace and Olav Hashalom, Deputy Liebenstein, your courage will not be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 3, 2012

Deputy Liebenstein, not a day goes by, still remember the day like it was tomorrow!! Hearing the radio transmission, knowing that we will get that guy!! With such courageous you possessed not so far from home!! You were determined to stop that guy!! Words cannot describe besides heroism. I can actually say that I look to you and say thanks!! My father, My Uncle Tim, still thinking about it every day!! You were a great guy to those guys, they still remember their fallen!! So I always heard great things about you!! Had a beer with son, sure was a good time to hangout with him!!

MA3 Johnson
United States Naval Security Forces

July 26, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

May 3, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirteenth 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 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 hold your family in thought and prayer today and pray for their solace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 3, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 5, 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

November 28, 2007

Dear, Deputy Liebenstein

Thank your for you service to this country and also to Rice county.. You will never be forgotten..

Chris Hermstad
Law Enforcement student

September 8, 2007

Thinking of you and your loved ones
on the anniversary of your death.
God bless.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

May 3, 2005

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, May 3, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy Sheriff John Warren Liebenstein who died in the line of duty on this date eight years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Deputy Liebenstein's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

May 3, 2004

You are not forgotten Deputy Liebenstein, rest in peace.

Andy

December 7, 2003