Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Remembering a fine Deputy on this reflection page.

Carol A Reitmeier
Retired Air Natl Gd, California

December 4, 2024

Absolutely not forgotten. -- through programs I'm in that stop drunk drivers who can turn their life around . It is possible. See it frequently.

Retired Air Natl Gd mbr Carol Reitmeier
Friend of Bill W. & Deputy Brooks.

December 4, 2024

Remembering you this Holiday Season. And throughout the year!

Carol Reitmeier
Calif Air National Guard, Retired

November 30, 2023

Rest in peace.

J.R.

January 18, 2023

Reporting I found a website for "Henri Lloyd sailing clothes". CAR-76

Carol Reitmeier
Retired, Calif Air Guard

January 14, 2023

Remembering you this January and always.

Carol Reitmeier, Retired
Calif Air Gd

January 5, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brooks,
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 Jefferson County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 18, 2022

I recently shared your loss with a Veterans Affairs Chaplain who has experienced military losses and since I am retired from Calif Air Natiinal Gd I do feel your loss as I would if you were in my unit.

TSgt Carol Reitmeier
Calif Air National Gd

January 15, 2022

On behalf of Alabama Concerns of Police Survivors, we will assist your family with any needs they may have, within our means. We care. www.alabamacops.org

Cindy Hatcher
Alabama Concerns of Police Survivors, President

July 15, 2021

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Brooks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 12, 2021

Did not know you but remember you.

Carol Reitmeier
Continuing to fight against alcohol.

January 19, 2021

I-59. There is no I-50. There is now a section of I-59 north of Birmingham named after him.

Jason Hoffman
None

December 1, 2018

Hi again! May I correct my age which was 46 in 1993. Thank you.

Ms. Carol Reitmeier

November 18, 2017

Greetings from San Jose California where I attended a memorial for two fallen Santa Cruz officers and where Leon Panetta was one of the speakers. The speech is on-line from March 8, 2013: Leon Panetta at Santa Cruz fallen officers' memorial. It's very heartfelt. Thank you, CAR-70

Ms. Carol Reitmeier

November 18, 2017

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to communicate here. I retired from the California Air National Guard in 1993 at age 62. I lost a police officer uncle (in-law) in 1953 and notice a remembrance entry from relatives of a Pittsburg California fallen officer on this site and also on the San Francisco site of my uncle. We can all survive together!

Carol Ann Reitmeier

October 21, 2017

My aunt's husband Denis Bradley preceded your loss on October 8, 1953, in San Francisco. These reflections are helpful and I only came across them this evening. Thank you for your devotion to duty.

Carol Ann Reitmeier

October 21, 2017

Today the piece of highway where you were killed was dedicated to you, I was only three weeks old when you passed, I'm 20 now and I miss you all the time, everyone said such amazing things about you and always has, you are still revered by the department to this day.

I really wish I knew you

I love you Dad

Sarah Brooks
Daughter

January 5, 2017

Deputy Henry Brooks was a fine officer, of whom I worked closely with. At the time of his death, he was an Evidence Technician. I was the Senior Latent Print Examiner, so we frequently talked about cases and we improved each other’s way of doing our jobs. Deputy Brooks was also a member of the Alabama Air National Guard.

Deputy Brooks had returned to his vehicle to retrieve more film to photograph the scene he was at. Though Henry did his job, by the book, his killer swerved deeply off of the road, hit Deputy Brooks, knocking him for many years, and Henry was killed. After the killer was apprehended, and he was taken to the county jail where he was informed that he had killed a deputy, to which he said, " I don't give a (F word)" The trial jury did not do Deputy Brooks right, and the reduction in the killer's sentence was an injustice and an insult to Deputy Brooks, his wife, his children, to other deputies of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, and to officers throughout the nation.

Henry was a friend, and though it has been fifteen years now, I still think of him and his family. I also served in our departments Honor Guard, playing bagpipes at police funerals and memorial services, and though all,” killed in the line of duty,” funerals are hard, this one was the most difficult one that I was ever to play at.

You are missed, my friend!!

Senior Fingerprint Tech Charles R. Smith
Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and friend

June 22, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 14th 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.

Time never dimishes respect. I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

PHYLLIS LOYA
MOM OF FALLEN OFFICER LARRY LASATER

January 18, 2011

I was the coordinator for the CSI course that Henry attended at Jefferson State College in Birmingham. He lost his life doing the job he was trained to do: the collection and preservation of evidence. I have been an instructor at the Alabama State Trooper Academy for 11 years; I dedicate every CSI class I teach to Henry, as an example of selfless dedication to duty. He is still missed, as a friend, and will always be.

Captain Jim Coker
Hoover Police, Friend

July 15, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 7, 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 12, 2007

As we approach the anniversary of his death, we pause to honor the memory of Deputy Brooks and to acknowledge his ultimate sacrifice.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of his surviving family members. May God comfort and keep each of you.

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery Police Dept. - Montgomery, AL

January 12, 2007

Rest in Peace, Deputy Brooks. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2006

Deputy Brooks,

I was there with you that cold night you died. You fought so gallantly with the help of the Lifesaver doctor, who came to help, against death. In the end it was God's Will that you should come Home. We have grieved over your loss. We have incarcerated your killer. And now we pray you will help the Angels watch over us.

WMW

Lt. W. M. Walker (ret)
Birmingham PD

December 18, 2005