Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another shooting in that old neighborhood today. Made me think of you and the tears just started rolling thinking about that day 27 years ago. Crazy to believe it’s been so long since we’ve seen your smile or heard your laughter. I can see you patrolling the streets of heaven. RIP Wayne!! We surely miss you down here.

Anonymous
Wife of fellow officer

August 11, 2024

You know who I am and with very few regrets in my life I only wish I could have done something to make ours better unfortunately we were both deprived that opportunity by such a selfish man that still deserves less than what he has. It's a horrible deal and lots of us think miss and love you everyday. I never knew the things you taught me would make me in to the person I have become. I can only pray that someday we will meet again to rejoice the time we spent together. Please know I didn't have any idea that pride and ignorance are on a very thin line and the fact that I take pride in having known you was such a good thing and the good things all come back in time thru Karma. Unfortunately sometimes the bad side of people over come good. I always say we never die as long as we are loved talked about and remembered and so for that I am grateful because I know the good deeds you have done and the mark you left here in this cruel world. Our country is going in a very bad direction and I'm glad you are not here to witness the way officers of law enforcement has and is being viewed and treated because of the way things have been shown to Americans. So glad your not here to see it. Thank you for all you have done for me and everyone you came in contact with here on this God forsaken place. Rest in peace knowing you are not forgotten.
Thank you 81/601 W.W. Hathaway

N.D. 2RHSC

February 10, 2023

Rest in peace.

J.R.

January 14, 2023

Chief Hathaway,
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 Sharpsburg. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 18, 2022

You were such a great person and a wonderful friend. Thank you for listening to all my problems and always making me laugh. You always looked out for me and Buffy and we thank you. I've thought of you through the years and am so grateful I knew you. I miss you, your crazy dance moves and singing kareoke with you. I still have your handcuffs with your initials. I was blessed to know you.

Trisha M.
Friend/ neighbor

April 26, 2022

I miss you so much, since the day you were taken from us so much is going on in this world, officers are not respected, our country is changing and it’s not for the good, I know without a doubt you are Jonathan’s guardian angel and I thank God ,he’s got you looking out for him , I still think of you everyday, I try to keep your memory alive, I miss our talks and every time I hear an Officer is killed it just brings back the memory of the day you were taken from us and the pain is unbearable at times I love you

Monica Hathaway
Sisyer

May 2, 2021

You made the ultimate sacrifice for your service to our community. No words are adequate to express the appreciation. Priceless! Godspeed and Rest in Peace!

Nash County Citizen

April 27, 2021

Rest in peace.

J.R.

November 20, 2020

Rest in peace Chief of Police Hathaway.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 10, 2020

Hathaway was a wonderful friend. He lived near me in '96,'97. He always called me "Babygirl." I had 2 little girls and an abusive cheating husband. He would stop by just to play with the girls and make me laugh. He'd come see me at work and we'd go sing kareoke when I had a night off. He was like a brother, dad, and friend all in one! He looked out for me when I left my ex and would answer my call anytime I needed him. I was truly devastated when I heard what happened. He had given me one of his police shirts, his hat and badge that, and his very first pair of handcuffs that he had engraved his initials in with a pocket knife. I still have the badge and handcuffs. I was blessed to call him my friend. I am so very sorry that he was called away. I can't wait to see him again one day.

Trisha Mutchler
Friend and neighbor

June 19, 2019

happy birthday friend.

john mondak
friend

April 25, 2017

18 years later you are still missed, but live in our hearts forever!

Alison
friend and coworker

July 16, 2015

Rest in Peace brother...your service will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Barton
Garden City PD

July 3, 2015

Cousin Wayne,

You are very missed in our family. We love you dearly. Thanks for all you had done for our family and the community. I will always think of you.

Communications Supv. Eric L. Russ
Rocky Mount Police Dept

April 15, 2014

Wayne, It’s hard to put into words and explain just how much a friend you were to me. How do you pen a lifetime of memories in a condensed version when your heart wants to say so much more. Yes the heart feels so much, but those feelings are hard to translate to a printed page, so I will just do the best I can.

Wayne you were the best friend that I ever had. We grew up together and had many great times. I will always remember the happy memories, the laughter we shared, and times of fun we had. You were more than a friend, you were like a brother to me. I am so glad for all the memories that I have of you and your family. Just the other day I was looking at some old photos that were taken of you and one that you and I were in. It made my heart sad to look at them but it also made me smile remembering all the memories of when we were kids, teenagers and then adults. I will never have another friend as you were to me and I am so so sorry that you left us so soon, yes I wonder why sometimes. I go out to your grave site from time to time and just stay there a while. I know you are not there and me being there makes me sad for I am reminded that I will never see you again on this earth. I take joy though in knowing that I will see you again one day in Heaven.

I think of you often my friend.


Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!
~Author Unknown

David J. Mott
Friend

November 21, 2013

Uncle Wayne,
I will FOREVER miss you!!! You never judge anyone. You always had a kind heart for everyone you met.. Sharpsburg has not been the same without you. It's hard not having you here on earth but I know you are in heaven enoying our heavenaly father!! Love you unlce Wayne

your favorite neice

November 20, 2013

PaPa ,Its been a lil over 16 years..i never met you but i find you running through my head all the time..I see my dad strive to be what he says you where. He tells me you where a amazing officer,a wonderful person. I sit here and i thank you for all you done in your life not only for people you knew but for people you never got the chance to meet. Your honor still remains. You will NEVER be forgotten that i promise you. I look forward to the pleasure of meeting you.

the lil angel
daughter of officer

September 25, 2013

Papa i dont know who else to tlk to..everything seems to be falling apart...i know ur looking down on me and telling me to be strong but its so hard...i wish you where here i wish i got the honor and chance to meet you ...you mean the world to my family i will meat you one day..i promise

the lil angel
officers daughter

May 8, 2013

Wayne, I think of you often and miss you very much. I know we had lost touch over the years, but you and Jerry became the big brothers I never had. We had lots of wonderful times together when I was in college and I am so grateful I got to meet you through Jeff. You were the best man in our wedding and truly I do believe you always lived up to that title. You have always been one of the good guys and I know you are patrolling the streets of heaven waiting for everyone to arrive safely. You were taken from us much to soon, but God works through our loss to help others. There was a purpose that we do not understand for your going so soon, but it does not ease the pain and loss we feel. It is so nice to know that one day we will get to reunite in heaven and enjoy each other's company in a much better place. I still laugh at some of the things we did as a group and it seems like only yesterday. I love you and always will.

Dawn Leseney

July 26, 2012

Wayne,

I am so sorry I never got to meet you I am your sister.. I know we would have been friends. This day is hard for me because you see it's my granddaughter's 4th birthday and I just found out about all of you a few months ago. God had his plans for us! I know I will meet you one day dear BROTHER. Always,

Jonya Lynn Hathaway
sister

July 17, 2012

I dont know if yall remember that earlier post, but i am the angel that he met on his way up to heaven. That day my father was working the same time as papa was when my mother called and said that she was in labor, papa offered to take over for my daddy so he could go to the hospital. While in the delivery room my dad got a call and had to walk out. This call informed him that his close friend and fellow officer (chief) had been shot. to this day my daddy says that was the best and worst day of his life. we love and miss you papa.

daughter of officer
little angle

March 28, 2012

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 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. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 18, 2010

Wayne your Birthday is coming up and I know it has been awhile since your life was taken from us but I sure do still miss you so much. I think about you everyday and have since the day you were taken from us. So on April 25 I will be thinking of you even more, I love you and Miss you so much,
Your Sister always
Monica

Anonymous

April 14, 2010

"Papa Wayne" you are surely missed. Thinking of you all the time. Thanking you for taking the ultimate sacrifice that day.You died so another spirit could be born that day. People will never know the sacrafice you made so that one of your officers could have his child that day. I know your souls touched as yours went to heaven and hers came down to earth. I know you are her angel from above.I love you and miss you dearly!

Lynn Daniels
wife of fellow officer

March 28, 2009

"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