Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You are deeply missed by family, friends and co-workers. May you rest in peace BLUE ANGEL. You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

September 21, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Senior Deputy Lisa Dianne Whitney and her fellow officers with the Ventura County Police Department:

On this the eighth anniversary of Lisa's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember her today. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Lisa, I feel as if I know her through the loving reflections left by loved ones and friends. Her valor and courage will never be forgotten.

I hope that God is holding her in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Lisa was robbed of her life so tragically, but through her heroism and the profound sense of duty with which she lived her life, she made an immeasurable difference. May her spirit continue to soar and may her memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Lisa gave to her community and the citizens of California, and for the supreme sacrifice she and her family made on August 12, 1998.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 12, 2006

It will be 8 years that your tour of duty ended and you have not been forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and those officers still out protecting the thin blue line. You are a true hero Lisa and will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

August 12, 2006

Lisa was my wife's cousin, and I only had the privilege of meeting and talking with her one time. She was a wonderful person. When I told her that I was pursuing a career in law enforcement, she was quite encouraging, and it was clear that she loved her job! In the years since her tragic death, I have learned so much more about her via family interaction. I am most fond of the stories that her 90 year old grandmother smiles and tells about of when Lisa would stop by her home to visit while on a meal break. In the past 8 years of Lisa stories, I eventually learned to no longer be shocked by the stories about her contributions to her family, the community, and her agency---instead knowing that deeds that might be considered a great feat for much of society would be everyday standards that Lisa would expect of herself. God Bless.

Joseph L. Caglia, Jr.

August 6, 2006

~~~To those I Love and Those Who Love Me~~~

When I am gone, release me, Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while if indeed you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart,

I won't be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll
Hear all of my love around you soft and clear

And when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home"

January 15, 2005

I have been living in Ventura County for about seven years now. I apprecite what you have done for our community. I didn't know you but thanks. I appreciate it.

Former Explorer Elise
Ventura County Sheriff's Dept., Camarillo

December 28, 2004

You are not forgotten.................

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

September 6, 2004

Deputy Whitney I too wore the same patch for about 10 years. You will be missed and remembered. Some years have passed but that has not diminished your memory. I wish your family God's Blessings.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

March 25, 2004

Lisa and I were on the Mounted Unit together for several years. My memories of Lisa are not all of sadness but many still bring smiles and laughter to me. Duke (Lisa's horse) recently passed away. I know they are together again and Lisa is probably still yelling at Duke running off and her having to chase him through the brush! I miss you, Lisa.

Sr. Deputy Janice Morrill
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

November 29, 2003

Lisa was my cousin, so it is very difficult for me to say exactly how I feel.  Lisa was like no other person in this world.  She was, and still is, a very real and living part of who I am and it is in honor of her that I will go into criminal psychology.  Our grandfather, Hila Kenton Johnson was captain of the search and rescue.  My father, Vance Johnson was a former deputy for Ventura County, in fact, Lisa wore my father's badge.  We shared so much in common.  See, i live in another state, so when I got to visit her, she did so much fun stuff with me, like horse-back riding or shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.  A part of her is still living inside me and I know she will always be with me.  Last spring my mother took her 8th grade class to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. and did their wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial in Lisa's honor.  I love her and miss her very much.  I hope I can someday be half the woman she was.

sarah johnson

What a sad incident...what a shame. May the family and friends of Deputy Whitney take comfort in the fact that she is with God now. I'm sure she is watching over them everyday just as she watched over the citizens of her county.

My, what a beautiful woman she was. From the reflections left above it seems that she was beautiful in ways more than one...perhaps even her physical beauty was outshined by her inner beauty.

Anonymous

I still remember that day in May of 1998 when I first met Lisa. She was helping Sheriff Larry Carpenter teach the Equestrian Merit Badge at a local Boy Scout event. I was teaching a seperate event and we chatted during the lunch break. She impressed me with her knowledge of horses and her eagerness to share that knowledge with the young Boy Scouts in her class. Having played alongside her husband Scott, and brother-in-law Roger in the Ventura County Pride Bowl, we also talked about the upcoming charity football game. Lisa left a great impression on me that day as someone who took great pride in her work and used her talents in life to the fullest.

Little did I know that 3 short months later Lisa's life would be brought to a sudden end by a terrible auto accident at the same intersection I had driven through not 15 minutes earlier that same day.

I drive through that intersection frequently and still think of Lisa each time I pass. God bless you, Lisa, for paying the ultimate sacrifice. I look forward to meeting you again one day. Watch over us all, and help keep us safe from harms way.

PSO Aaron Serr
Ventura Police Department

My name is Dave Hawtin, I was an Oxnard Police Officer, CA for 7 years and worked with Lisa's husband Scott. I met Lisa at the Police Explorer Academy in 1994 and we were tactical officers together. One afternoon, Lisa and I were demonstrating crowd control for the explorer cadets with Lisa riding her horse "Duke" and I as the bad guy. Duke stepped on me and Lisa felt so bad she let me ride him. She told me she never let anyone ride him and I felt truely honored by the opportunity. Duke was one of the most handsome, muscular horses I have ever seen. I was thrilled with the ride. Lisa, was a great person and I really enjoyed that brief time we spent together at the academy. I was stunned to hear of her death when I had returned to California for a trial in late 1998. My thoughts and prayers are with Scott and all of Lisa's family. I have her memorial bracelet to carry on her memory.

Sincerely,

Dave Hawtin

Traffic Inv. David Hawtin
Brentwood Police Dept TN

I learned of Senior Deputy Whitney's tragic death today, when I visited the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial. Her photo is pictured on the memorial's pamphlet. It's hard to imagine how difficult it was for her family at the time of her death, and still must be now. Her memory lives on and her sacrifice won't be forgotten. I can't describe what an honor it would be for me to become an officer, having the same job as heroes like her. God bless her family and fellow officers.

Explorer Patrick Siemon
Baltimore County Police Explorers