Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My Father, simply put... Was the baddest dude any man ever met. He taught Chuck Norris how not to be a p&**y. Bet.

Erik Dean Fincher
Son

July 8, 2023

I knew Uncle Terry every day of my life. We may not have been blood related, but we didn’t need to be. I miss him dearly. I’ve yet to meet a man as caring, kind or loving. His family was a second family to ours. A huge loss indeed.

Rebecca D.
Civilian

June 17, 2021

Det. Fincher,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Brea. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 22, 2021

Never forgotten. RIP

Deputy Sheriff Los Angeles
County Sheriff

May 22, 2021

My name is Jason Rhodes I was close friends with Terry's son Erik, Terry was a wonderful man Erik was in several band's throughout the years Terry and Brenda would always show up to Erik's gigs. Terry was so proud of Erik a genuine smile from ear to ear. Terry you Will never be forgotten it's now 2020 and I still think you and your family. God bless you and your family and friends. With much Love Jason Rhodes.

Civilian
Civilian

March 16, 2020

I still remember talking you popping your head over the cubicle and talking with me the night before the incident. You were always upbeat. Solid. Miss you. Thought it'd be good to have you in my list of heroes.

Desiree Ivey
Retired 2002- Brea PD
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Matt. 5:9

July 16, 2019

Terry was the ultimate Friend he was always there when I would call him. He loved his wife and Family. He would always talk about his grand daughter in Texas. How he was looking forward to retiring. Terry you are and will be greatly missed!!!

Gary Turpin

November 14, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family, friends and coworkers for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 22, 2018

Terry, no words, no closure, even after 21 years.

Jim Reynolds, a friend forever, 8 June 2017

jim reynolds
life long best friend (42 years)

June 9, 2017

Terry, no words, no closure, even after 21 years.

Jim Reynolds, a friend forever

jim reynolds
life long best friend (42 years)

June 9, 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 17, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 22, 2015

terry such a wonderful man a true hero in many peoples lives. god bless r.i.p.

general
family friend

March 21, 2014

I was so amazed at how the Lord blessed Brenda, Nathan, and Melissa with such a strong, wise, caring man as Terry. He was a great DAD, an outstanding husband, and a sensitive and loving friend. He proved to me, once again, that miracles still happen. I praise God for the influence he had on Brenda and on my niece and nephew. Hallelujah!

Rose Scott
Sister-in-law

May 23, 2012

Terry, you were my brother and Larry considered you his best friend. He missed you till the day he left this world. I miss you daily and always will. You were, above all else, a wonderful husband to Brenda, a fantastic dad to your kids and no one could surpass you as an officer. I love you Terry!

Judy Dorough Seiberling

May 22, 2012

Terry, you will forever be missed by the Brea Police family, we honor your service, but you live on through your children and grandchildren. We will never forget you gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Linda Bugbee

May 22, 2012

A new man walked into my life, at a young age, after my Mother and Father divorced. I watched him closely as he dated my Mom. She had been thru too much pain and anguish in her marriage to my Father, and now it was my job to protect her and make sure she was treated like a lady.

For many years, even after Terry married my Mom, I called him "Pop", because I believed "Dad" was a name giving to your Father out of respect. Throughout the years, he never tried to take my Father's place. In fact, he encouraged me to visit with my Father when I was upset with him. He never even spoke a bad word about my Father in front of me or my little Sister, even when my Father was acting like a jerk.

Throughout the years I started noticing the many differences between Terry and my Father. I noticed how fair Terry was and how selfish my Father was. I noticed how happy my Mom was. He treated her, not only like a lady, but like the Queen of his world. I watched him open every door for my Mom, or any lady. I watched him hold his hand out everytime to help my Mom stand up, climb stairs, or step over any obstacle. I noticed how he always tried to put himself in the shoes of others and make the most fair decision possible. I noticed how I never once saw Terry and my Mom argue, because he was "Man" enough to control himself in front of us kids and keep even the littleset arguements or debates with her behind closed doors. All of these things were completely different from what I was used to with my Father.

With such a great example of a good man in my teenage years, I grew further from my Father and his selfishness. At 15 I left my Father's home, during an extended summer stay, when he became angry with me because I brought home the wrong ice cream from the store. As he chased me around the house screaming and hitting me, I escaped out the front door, jumped on my BMX bicycle, and never came back. Of course Terry tried to convince me to give my Father another chance, but I was finally pushed too far.

How was I ever going to show my appreciation for him and how he saved my family?

Just before my 18th birthday, I figured out how to show my appreciation for the man that helped my Mom find happiness, and taught me how be a good man by example. Most 18 year old boys are asking for cars for their birthday. But when Terry asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I only wanted one thing. I asked him if I would allow me to show him the same respect he had shown me and my family by having him legally adopt me and changing my last name to Fincher. He, of course, accepted with tears in his eyes and a giant hug that almost suffocated me. LOL

I suppose God's plan for Terry was fullfilled, because less than 2 years later the Angel that God had sent my family went back home.

To this day I still ask myself "What would DAD do?" when making tough decisions. I still open every door for my lady and any others, because that is what real men do. I still hold my hand out for my lady everytime she stands up, climbs stairs, or steps over any obstacles, because that is what my Dad did. I still try to act fairly with every decision. Terry granted my with the right to be called a "Fincher". So, I will always act like one!

Today, it has been 16 years without him, and I still miss him constantly. I feel extemely blessed that God allowed my family and I the time we had with him.

I could never write enough good things about my Dad to do him justice, but that is my short story of the greatest man I've ever known.

I miss you Dad! Your memory lives on in the hearts of the people whose lives you've touched...

Nathan Fincher
Son (by choice)

May 22, 2012

Terry,
It's had to believe it's been 16 years today. I remember the stories you'd tell when you'd stop in at Mc Donalds when I was a kid. Years later I had the honor to work with you at Brea. I think about you often, especially while driving down Esperanza Rd.

Traffic Officer Mark Kane
Brea Police

May 22, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 16th 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 22, 2012

Terry was a great person and I always enjoyed the meetings at Islands in Brea.

It seems like yesterday that I heard on the radio about his death.
Brenda I never really got a chance to talk to you afterwards but wished I had.

He talked about his grandkids and his parrot. I tried to keep him up to date with his computer.

I heard that when he called his grandkids he would sing to them on the phone.

Terry was a one of a kind person, he was always there to listen to whatever was going on and didn't mind to put in his 2 cents.

I really miss you Terry.

Gary Turpin
friend

September 28, 2011

Thanks to all for remembering Dad. I see him every day in the faces of my two boys. They were babies when he died and now they're almost grown. I can't believe it's been so long since I've heard his voice.

Edie
Daughter

June 17, 2011

Good friend, Good neighbor, Brother Cop....Terry, I miss you.

Sgt. Mike McGrattan
LASD, friend, and neighbor

May 12, 2010

Hi, Bro:

I have been discussing You often the past few weeks. A few weeks ago, I took a photograph of a train in Fullerton. Less than a week later, a Father and Son were struck and killed by a train at the spot where I had taken that photograph.....

Michael B. Parlor

December 2, 2009

Rest in Peace, Detective Fincher. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

June 8, 2009

I was honored to know and work with Tery Fincher for too brief a time at Brea. God Bless Terry and his family.

Andrew Musselman
Ret

June 9, 2008