Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Goodwin,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 11, 2023

NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Cops Cycling for Survivors, Indiana

Monica Zahasky
Cops Cycling for Survivors

December 11, 2018

Tommy,
Another year has come and gone.
Lisa and I are making plans to meet at your memorial ceremony tomorrow morning.
You are not forgotten, you never will be.
We miss you, my friend.

Officer David Zollinger
Goshen Police Department

December 10, 2014

I hope that the guy thatkilledhim repentsbeforehedies or he will be swimming in the lake of fire

privatecitizen,JoelSchneider

November 26, 2014

You live on in our thoughts.

Cpl. Lance Anderson
SJCPD

December 11, 2013

Hard to believe it's been 15yrs. I remember everything like it was yesterday. Tommy, your sacrifice will never be forgotten!

Det. Sgt. Dan Young
Hammond Police Dept.

December 11, 2013

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Goodwin. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 17, 2013

thanks for what you have done for the Goshen Community

Kyle
elkhart resident

February 7, 2013

Thank you for your heroism Sir, RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

December 11, 2012

Fourteen years ago, I lost not only a fellow brother but one of my best friends. I think of you daily and wish you were still here with us. I know you are in a better place, but you are still loved and missed by many. I love you Tommy!

Ex Ptl Officer Teresa Maurer 9122
Formly of Goshen Police Department

December 11, 2012

It's hard to believe it was 14 years ago today that you were taken. I never knew you, but I can still remember that day. My thoughts and prayers are with your friends, familly, and fellow police officers today. Thank you for your service and you will never be forgotten.

anonymous

December 11, 2012

Tommy, I called the cadence/commands for the "final salute" firing detail at your funeral. I and the other members of the detail practiced and practiced out in the cold for a long time in an effort to ensure you were honored in the best way we could muster...knowing it would never be good enough for the salute you so deserved. I remember the lump in my throat as I attempted to call the commands with some sort of authority and professionalism. Some of the hardest words I ever had to get out. The experience changed a lot of my thought processes forever. We stood in that cold empty cemetery for a long time waiting well ahead of the long procession. We were wearing only the Honor Guard uniform, no cold weather gear...but each time the cold started to get to me I just thought of the sacrifice you made and that enduring the weather to honor you was the very least I could do in comparison. Every single year around this time your memory and the memory of that day sink in to me deeply despite the distance in both years and miles. I am way "off the job" now...but I still consider you a brother and one that impacted my life greatly forever.

Former Sgt. & Honor Guard
ECSD

December 11, 2011

Tommy, I now live in Tampa, FL. and I just finished watching the funeral of two St. Petersburg officers that were murdered during the execution of a warrant. It brought back many memories about you and how much I missed you and needed you back on my shift. You will always be by my side for the rest of my life. Now that God has you in his loving care, rest well my brother, rest well.

Retired Captain Ross Albert
Goshen Police Department

January 29, 2011

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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 14, 2009

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

November 9, 2008

I had lunch with one of your co-workers a few weeks ago. I never had the honor of meeting you, but the stories I heard about you showed me that you were definately one of Goshen's finest. You are sorely missed by all, not only in Goshen and Elkhart County, but the everywhere. Rest easy brother, and keep watch over all of us.

ECSD

May 8, 2008

I met some of your brothers this weekend at an honor guard graduation. Their hearts are there with and for you! They spoke of you with such sadness that you were gone. But the fondness of your time here on Earth was so comforting. I lost my brother Shad in '05 I know you guys are watching over us and smiling when we meet each other down here. It is so nice to have people in my life who have the heart for the same thing I do. This was NOT our chosen passion.... but it is my honor to carry this passion for all of you!!! Your memories and the honor to keep them remembered are now mine. I do this with all of my heart.
Could you please give my brother a huge hug from me. Thanks to your guys, it was wonderful to "meet" you.
God bless...

Brukentta sister of Dep. Shad Bassett
Pulaski Co. Sheriff Dept., EOW 10/7/05

April 28, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 6, 2007

"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

October 23, 2007

I miss you Tommy........

Ex-Officer
Goshen Police Department

July 10, 2007

Tommy,
It's so hard to believe that so much time has passed since that terrible day. I still think about you often and am so grateful for the times that I was able to ride along with you and the things I learned from you.

JB
Former Law Enforcement Officer

December 6, 2006

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

September 17, 2006

I never met Tom during my time working at the County Jail. I was there though, that day. I will never forget how I felt and how the experience changed me. Again, I didn't really know Tom like others, but he was still a brother. I was proud to fill in on the Honor Guard during that time.

I buried another law enforcement brother today in Montana. He is listed on this website as well. His name was Nicholas Greenig.

I have been a member of the Honor Guard in the Border Patrol for about 4 years now. There isn't a funeral service that goes by that I don't think of Tom and how he touched me.

Rest easy brother...

Senior Patrol Agent Bryan Laidlaw
U.S. Border Patrol, Formally Elk. County Jail Officer

March 23, 2006

Goshen Police department I'm sorry for your loss. I know the hurt is still there.



Lt. Steven Rodrick

Detective
Wiggins Police Department

February 14, 2006

Officer Goodwin your work on Earth as we know it is done. You are now in Gods Care. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

December 10, 2005