Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Hamlette,
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 the Distress of Columbia. And to your and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 18, 2023

Rest well Tommy! 97-1 we finished the job for you.

Retired Sergeant Brandon Green
MPDC (RET)

January 24, 2023

RIP sir.

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

September 5, 2020

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

August 4, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Hamlette.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2019

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

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

July 18, 2018

SO SAD THAT HE AND HIS BROTHER WAS KILLED THE SAME WAY. THIS FAMILY HAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH SADNESS...REST IN PEACE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY

POLICE OFFICER
MPDC

April 23, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 24, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Hamlette. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 5, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 11th 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. 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

For Officer Thomas Franklin Hamlette, Jr.:

Our duty as police officers is fraught with situations that bring us into harm's way. One of the recurring situations is that of the officer who is in civilian dress and armed who takes police action in public. The action, though appropriate in nearly all situations, is not without extreme peril. Those additional officers happening on the scene make a judgement that can bring disasterous consequences. It has happened in the past, and sadly it will happen yet again in the future.

Our best defense in such a situation is to opt out of a sudden involvement upon arrival and utilize our powers of observation. Though easily said, it is truly most difficult dicipline and requires strength beyond imagination as it can, too, have equally disasterous results. Yet, to take the life of another police officer mistakenly has consequences beyond description, because forgiving one's self is far more difficult than forgiving others.

Our brother Tom, no doubt, would hold no grudge as he was sworn to life as a soldier-of-the-law. His life forfeited in the course of his duty was offered-up in the course of protecting his fellow man. No actions can be more noble and no sacrifice can be more honorable.

We pray for his family, his friends, his co-workers and all who cared about him. May each of them recall best the moments that he made an impression in their lives.

As a retired state trooper and former MPDC police officer, I am proud to render Officer Thomas Hamlette him a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennylvania State Police

October 24, 2009

The world today is getting newer and fresher. I hope that I'll be able to meet up to the expectations of being a worthy citizen and a patron on the other side of the thin blue line. Rest in peace to you and your brother.

Christopher Parkinson
Strayer University, Intro to Criminal Justice

May 26, 2009

Rest in peace brother.

Det. Hunt#7169
Dallas PD

May 6, 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 9, 2007

"My Brother"

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.

He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.

Rest easy Brother Hamlette, we have the watch...



”I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
---Isaiah 6:8

You answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy in God's kingdom and watch over us as we continue the battle here on earth!!!

Officer
MPDC

April 8, 2007

~~~~~The Broken Chain~~~~~

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.~~In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.~~It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home.~~You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.~~Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the Chain will link again.

January 25, 2005

God bless my family when I am away,
Leave the lights on I'll return from harms way,

Grant me courage and strength to protect others each day,
So they live in peace without worry, fear or dismay,

Bless those who have fallen given their life for another
May their spirit live on from then and forever,

Return me home to my family at the end of each night,
May I pass through the door before the morning's first light,

Shall I give my life for another before the dawn breaks today,
God bless my family when I am away.

December 16, 2004

Tommy,

We miss your smile and the love you have always shared with the family. We love you.

Brenda and Aiyana

Brenda Owens

You are not forgotten. Americans will always remember your sacrifice, and be very grateful for what you did. I am sorry to hear that Officer Hamlette's brother-in-law was also killed in the line of duty. God bless his family, I hope you are doing well.

Pat
Baltimore, MD

Thank you for your service, you will not be forgotten.

Andi-Criminal Justice Student

Rest in peace blue angel. God bless the family and friends left behind. 01/06/03

S. Yates
concerned citizen