Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Det. Bell,
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 Tampa. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 19, 2023

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

May 19, 2021

Never to be forgotten.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

January 1, 2021

After all these years I still remember that day. I wept for the officers and their families like they were my family. It still hurts my heart today. I didn’t know them, but they died protecting others from a monster. RIP❤️

Dianne Barber
Friend

March 18, 2020

Rest in peace Detective Bell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 18, 2019

Detective Randy Scott Bell will never be forgotten. May your soul rest in Heaven, and may God bless your family. Thank you for your services Detective Bell. RIP

First Sergeant Thomas Webb (Retired)
New York State Police - Troop D

February 17, 2018

I once travelled to Tampa, Florida to investigate a homicide that occurred here in Mount Olive, NJ (while I was still a detective there). My partner, Detective Pete Yagiello, and I were partnered there with Randy and his partner. He was very serious about his job and I left Florida feeling that he was committed to justice. When we later learned of Randy going to heaven I decided to honor him when I participated in support of the Police Unity Tour. God bless Randy and his family.

Undersheriff
Morris County Sheriff's Office

May 6, 2017

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 19, 2015

Thank you Ricky Joe for your service and ultimate sacrifice. You are true hero and a great American

Will Keeler

December 12, 2014

Pushing the schedule to open the new stadium in just a few months, nothing else seemed as important to me & my construction managers as standing around the radio while these terrible events took place, stunned at the damage & chaos by the cowardly shooter, praying it would end without more loss of life. Still recall the the pain and sadness. Grateful for our law enforcement.

Cindy Peden
Tampa Native

December 3, 2014

Just letting every one know, I have never forgotten Randy and Rick. They both worked at Tampa Jai-Alai as off duty security. Randy and Rick were so out going and fun and treated us pari-mutual clerks as friends and always were in good humor. Randy could tell a great story and he had a great laugh! Rick was a bit more reserved but you could still get a good laugh out of him,
Missing them both.

Berty Jardine

October 12, 2014

Dear Kacey Bell -

Kacey, I will never forget the day that you lost your dad. I was on vacation in Clearwater, FL the week of May 19, 1998. I am a news junkie - I have to watch the morning news while I am drinking my morning coffee - even when on vacation. I turned on the TV earlier in the day to the news story that was unfolding regarding the suspect shooting his girlfriend's child. I was glued to the news the entire day when the bulletins appeared on the screen about your dad and officer Childers, and then the manhunt, shooting of the 3rd officer, and the suspects' standoff at the local gas station.

I was so saddened by the events of that day. I returned to Florida for the next several years on vacation during that same time period and the memories would always flood back to me when the city remembered your dad and officer Childers on the anniversary of their deaths.

My heart and prayers have always gone out to the families of Officers Childers and Bell. I was online and happened to come across this website and the message from you to your dad and was compelled to send you this message. Your words to your dad brought tears to my eyes. I am sure your dad is very proud of you and your sister and your mom. I guess I just wanted you to know that the heartache of the loss of your dad was also shared, in some small way, by a stranger from Ohio who was deeply affected by the events of that day.

God Bless you and your family, Kacey. I know your dad will always be up there looking down with love and pride on the family he had to leave behind.

Sincerely,
Jenny Miller

Jenny Miller

April 11, 2013

Dad I miss you so much every day. There isn't a day that goes by that I dont think of you. I wish That you were here to see Ashley and I grow up. I hope that you would be proud of the women that we have become. Mom did an amazing job with us, and I am sure you know that. I hope that you look down on Ashley and I every day. You were an amazing man, and father. I love you dad, I know your looking down on us.

Kacey Bell
Daughter

August 30, 2012

So I sit and think about how different my life would have been with you still here. I think about how proud and honored I am to call you my dad. I miss you so much it hurts. I wish you were here to see Kacey and I grow up. I only hope you would be proud of the women we have become and the life we have made. Mom did everything she could for us and pushed us to reach for our goals. My job is great because each day I put on my uniform and badge and walk proudly knowing that I get to do what you loved. You are my inspiration to be a better cop and to go after exactly what I want. Not to let anything or anyone stop me or bring me down. I love you.

Senior Officer Ashley Bell
Lee County Port Authority/Daughter

August 30, 2012

I thank you for my life and your sacrifice

Evelyn Sacks

August 17, 2012

I am watching an Investigative show now that tells the story from May 19, 1998. I have watched it before, but I feel I should watch it again. It makes me livid that Hank Carr was such a COWARD and couldn't face justice. His wife, or whatever she calls herself, other than a victim, should have received the death penalty.
You three are heroes and my heart goes out to all of the families that suffered such a loss.

Investigator Debbie Stanfill
Jackson Police Department Jackson,Tn

July 7, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 21rst 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 friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections. I am sure that you are proud that your daughter has continued your legacy of protecting and serving.

Rest In Peace.

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

May 19, 2012

I love you daddy and miss you everyday. I can't believe it's been almost 14 years. I'm proud to say that I followed in your footsteps and love every minute of it. Kacey and I love you and can't wait to meet again.

XOXO

Senior Officer Ashley Bell
daughter - Lee County Port Authority Police

March 24, 2012

Randy, I will never forget the time you, George McNamara and I had lunch in Ybor City and you made fun of my old car. I just want you to know that the book on Glen Rogers that John Eckberg and I wrote will soon come out in a new edition now that Rogers is running out of appeals. Without your generous help, our book would have suffered. May you rest in eternal peace with the Heavenly Father.

Steve Combs

February 29, 2012

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

Officer 11169

February 16, 2012

Merry Christmas big brother!! We love you and think of you every single day... Gone but never forgotten, always in our hearts!!! Love you

Jennifer Neal
Sister

December 24, 2011

!3 years ago today, you were taken from us!! Not a day goes by that we don't think about you!! Love you and miss you

Jennifer Neal
Sister

May 19, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving big brother!! I remember many that we spent together and they have not been the same since you were taken from us!! We love you and miss you always!! Always in our hearts, never forgotten!!!

Jennifer Neal
Sister

November 24, 2010

Today it is 12 years but you are not forgotten!! You would be so proud of your girls.. They are Beautiful.. We love you and miss you soooo much..

Jennifer Neal
Sister

May 19, 2010

Ten years have gone by and that day still is as clear as if it were yesterday. The loss of you and Ricky will never go away. I smile every time I think of our kids playing in the pool together at the olympics and our times sitting the bench together at the games. Are you still collecting "Beanies"? May you and Ricky never be forgotten !

Ret. Det. John Yaratch
Tampa

May 20, 2008