Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt. Godwin,
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 Morrisville. 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, 2022

Rest in Peace Sgt. Godwin. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Godwin Family and the Morrisville Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey

April 27, 2021

Earl, I remember all the times we all hung out as kids. I've lost touch with everyone since Grandma Duvall passed. I'm writing this to you cause I know you'll see it, I wish I had got to see you and pick on you like you did me but I'll see you in heaven my friend. Hope Ivan and Betty are good. Love you guys much . By the way this is Sissy . My email is [email protected]. if they see this. Fly High Sweetie.

Laura ( Sissy) Richardson ( Duvall)
Childhood Friend

March 5, 2021

Earl, I remember all the times we all hung out as kids. I've lost touch with everyone since Grandma Duvall passed. I'm writing this to you cause I know you'll see it, I wish I had got to see you and pick on you like you did me but I'll see you in heaven my friend. Hope Ivan and Betty are good. Love you guys much . By the way this is Sissy . My email is [email protected]. if they see this. Fly High Sweetie.

Laura ( Sissy) Richardson ( Duvall)
Childhood Friend

March 5, 2021

Remembered him as a great, always cheerful and friendly officer! Just realized today that one of his family members works with me!! May he rest in peace and may all of his family be provided for and protected in every way, as he protected all of us!! A great loss to many of us, that brought back some fond memories of this officer!!

Hashim Naqui

September 8, 2020

Sergeant Godwin, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 19, 2020

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

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 15th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. . 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 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

I can not believe it has been 14 years. I miss your friendship dearly. Thinking about you today !!

Teresa, Friend
friend

September 10, 2011

Thinking of you today on this 13th anniversary of your sacrifice. Rest in peace brother.

Gordon Hobbs
NC Game Warden

May 22, 2010

I can't believe its been 11 years. We miss you and love you and thank you for being our friend. So sorry to hear of Gray too.

Anonymous

August 26, 2008

Just thinking of you on this 11th anniversary. I miss you buddy. Keep watch over the rest of us and give Gray a pat on the head for me.

nc game warden

May 22, 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

December 27, 2007

Just thinking of you today Earl. I can't believe it's been ten years. Rest in peace brother.

nc game warden

June 7, 2007

"To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
And the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics
And endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give one's self;
To leave the world a little better,
Whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch,
Or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm
And sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier
Because you have lived ...

This is to have succeeded."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Earl,
It's ten years today. You succeeded in making this world a better place. You're not forgotten.

May 22, 2007

It has been many years my old friend. I have missed hanging out with you and the Morrisville PD. I think about you alot.

Officer William Brame
Kinston PD

February 21, 2007

Earl, I think about you everytime I see the Morrisville exit sign on I40. I only knew you for a couple of years doing the canine trials but you left a lasting impression on me. You were a fun loving guy who would do anything for a friend and I am proud to have been one.

M/O Gordon Hobbs
NC Wildlife

September 1, 2006

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 5, 2004

On behalf of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association, I would like to express our deepest regards and sympathy to the family, friends and fellow officers of Sgt. William Godwin. You gave the ultimate sacrifice. William, you may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten. Rest in peace blue angel and thank you for your service.

James A. Cortina

Director
Connecticut Police Work Dog Association

February 12, 2004

gone but not forgotten earl, can't believe it has been over 6 years now. Worked with you when I was with MFD, you were-and still are- definitely one of the most motivated PD guys I've seen. You left trying to make the world a better place, thanks. Good to know you are still watching over your family.

RIP gray, it was a shock to hear about you too - it is some comfort to know that you are partners again

Special Agent
DHS-ICE

September 21, 2003

Earl,

I can't really say the words quite yet, but today, being Sept 11, 2003 it's quite hard to share the feelings. So in the mean time, I love you, and will never forget you. You should be so proud of what Mercedez has accomplished so far.

I love you Earl,
Ali

Deputy Ali Godwin Vaughn
WSCO

September 11, 2003

He who dies doing the job he loves,
for the people he loves and
the town he loves.

WINS

Anonymous

"The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us." - Jean Paul Richter

You're not forgotten ...
May 22, 2003

Anonymous

“But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”

Anonymous