Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service Sergeant Dingwall !!!!!

Sergeant David Dufault (Ret)
Hartford Police Department
Hartford, CT

March 6, 2024

Sergeant Dingwall, it has been 24 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your 19 years of law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

January 28, 2024

Today we remember Charter Oak State College Graduate Sergeant George Dingwall who was killed in the line of duty on January 28, 2000. Sergeant Dingwall was a Middletown, Connecticut law enforcement officer in pursuit of burglary suspects on Route 9 when he lost control of his cruiser and struck a grove of trees.

The Sergeant George R. Dingwall Scholarship was established at COSC in his memory and is open to those employed in the public safety field from any geographic region within the United States.

Ed Klonoski, President
Charter Oak State College

January 27, 2023

Rest in peace Sergeant Dingwall.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 19, 2022

My late father taught seventh grade history, and had the privilege of teaching Sgt. Dingwall’s daughter Alyssa while she was attending H-K middle school. When it came to the Parent-Teacher conferences, my father always had great things to share with Sgt. Dingwall and his wife in regards to their daughter’s grades and wonderful learning attitude. Sgt. Dingwall was more then a parent in my father’s eyes - he was a mentor, a proud dad to his daughter Alyssa, and very easy to talk with. My father always had something great to say about Sgt. Dingwall, and they were good friends. When my father learned of Sgt. Dingwall’s passing, he cried and was in disbelief, my father did not take it well.
Sgt. Dingwall, you are missed! I know my father is with you always. Thank you so much for being a great friend to my father, he truly appreciates your friendship. God bless you, you will be forever remembered! Never to be forgotten and will be honored by me, always.
Mrs. Dingwall, you are always in my thoughts and prayers, as are your children! Please do not ever hesitate to reach out if you and your children ever need anything!

Amelia Rogers

June 9, 2020

I drive every day on I-91. I saw his name on a marker and decided to research information about him. Thank you very much for taking your time to protect us! I am a veteran of the armed forces having served in the US Army. Thanks for your service!

Cecilio Garcia
School Bus Driver

April 12, 2019

George was a wonderful officer. He could be hilarious. I worked at Dunk in Donuts then and if we had to call for help he'd come in asking if it was the great donut heist this time. Also a very fair man.

Rose Pinheiro
Friend

March 18, 2018

I drive by the sign for Sergeant Dingwall on I-91 at least once a week and was struck by his unusual and very Scottish name. Dingwall is a town in Ross and Cromarty in the north of Scotland. I'm glad I looked him up. He sounds like a good, brave man who died way too young in the line of duty protecting the rest of us. I am from Scotland and was wondering if Sergeant Dingwall had scottish ancestry?

Joe Morledge
Member of the public

March 17, 2017

I echo Natasha's comments. I knew Ross since kindergarten. A gentle soul. He always was there for words of encouragement, smiling. I left the area and did not know of this until this weekend. God bless his family.
(Marcia Campbell Hooker)

Marcia Hooker
Friend

November 2, 2013

Every time I take a road trip I note the names listed on memorial markers throughout my journey. When I get home, I look up the names that I've come across so I can learn a little more about the man or woman listed on the marker and how they came to their end of tour.

While making my way from Georgia to Massachusetts, just a week before the horrific bombings at the Boston Marathon, I came across a marker for Sgt. Dingwall. I hope that one of his family members will see this reflection and smile knowing that a perfect stranger has now walked away with a little bit of knowledge about their loved one and the difference that he made in people's lives.

Natasha Hubbard

April 21, 2013

George... great memories, great humor, great guy.

Joe Dico

January 29, 2013

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Dingwall. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 12th 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.

Time never diminishes respect, and 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. I hold your family in my heart's embrace today. I think it is terrible that your wife had to fight the city for benefits.

.Rest In Peace

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

January 28, 2012

George, It had been over eleven years since you left us. Not a day goes by where I don't think of you. Thank you for the many hellos you have given me over the past eleven years.
I miss you bud.

Lt Sean Moriarty
Middletown PD

March 29, 2011

Gone but not forgotten sir. You are remembered.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

January 28, 2011

I can't believe its been 10 years already. I still think about you a lot. I miss you and I know my dad still misses you too. Please watch over my family today and especially my dad. We all miss you George. We love you.

Anonymous

January 28, 2011

Coming up on 10 years since that fateful afternoon on Route 9.
Still thinking of you Radio 16.

Anonymous

January 23, 2010

She is safe and will be loved forever...finally

Anonymous

January 20, 2009

I was just thinking about you, and how ashamed you would be of Middletown City Council. How Kim hows to fight to keep her benefits, How they told her, get a lawyer, they would wrap her up in court for year. George I am so sorry for the disrepect, the city/ NOT THE PD, has shown your widow, Its been 8 1/2 years, since you have gone, and you are so very missed

Anonymous

September 19, 2008

So many years and so many memories - sitting at the radio with you as our supervisor. I remember and with a smile. I am guessing that even now, you have finished every Sunday Crossword Puzzle too! You are happily remembered and sorely missed!

Dispatcher Liz
former Middletown PD Civilian Disp

April 12, 2008

Thankyou for you service and sacrifice, you are not forgotten

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

February 11, 2008

January 28, 2008, and it has been eight years since you were taken away. We just held a service in your name and it’s amazing that for one day, we as an agency and city are able to put all of our differences aside and come together in reminisce of our friend. Eight year later and I still find myself getting emotional at or loss; eight years later and you are still alive in our hearts. We miss you and we will never forget you. The new generation of police officers are greeted daily with the words you used to tell us at the end of roll call; “Come home with or shields, or on them.” George, I / we love you. Thanks for being a friend.

Captain Gregory Sneed
Middletown Police / friend

February 3, 2008

Posted on Mon, Jan 28, 2008
Police officers honor fallen comrade
By CRISTINA D. JOHNSON
MIDDLETOWN — Just one block from the Middletown Police Department there is a special sign that reads “Dingwall Drive,” with a symbol — in the shape of a badge — bearing the number 16.
And it was this sign where the comrades of a fallen officer, Sgt. George Ross Dingwall, stood in salute at a commemorative wreath as nearby bagpipes played “Amazing Grace,” followed by buglers playing “Taps,” in remembrance of the officer killed eight years ago while in the line of duty.
The small, intimate ceremony began in the lobby of police headquarters where friends, family, colleagues and associates gathered to collectively honor the life of Dingwall and to offer condolences to his widow, Kim Dingwall.
A Vince Gill song was played — “Go Rest High On That Mountain” — as uniformed police officers stood at attention in silence for several moments, and others quietly offered their respects.

No words were said — only directions for the crowd of dozens of officials — including Middletown Mayor N. Sebastian Giuliano – to move outside into a biting cold night. Their attendance was wordless, their faces somber and sincere.
Within moments, red and blue lights danced across the facades of Main Street buildings and offices to the echo of dozens of sirens as police units — motorcycles and cruisers — began a slow procession from both directions down Main Street.
Folks walking along Main Street stopped to observe as each line of officials’ vehicles drove slowly to meet near the middle of Main Street in front of the police department building — some with obvious curiosity in their expressions, until a quick glance at the police building entrance showed a U-shaped formation of police officers in uniform standing at attention, watching as the cars drove by and encircling the widow of their late friend.
As the cars quieted, and came to stop on Dingwall Drive, the crowd gathered together and followed as officers marched to the corner of Main Street and Dingwall Drive where they were met by the buglers and bagpipe players.
With the cold nipping at them, officers stood for several moments in silent praise for the late sergeant, as Kim Dingwall stood among them, facing the decorative wreath made with the same blue and yellow colors of her late husband’s police uniform.
As the entourage returned to the police station, officers held the door as those in attendance re-entered the police lobby for an emotional finish to the ceremony.
A second recording on a small radio played “Amazing Grace” once more, but this was received by officers who quickly became visibly touched by a different version of the song.
“A policeman died today,” the song sang. “I do not know why,” it continued. As officers stood erect, their faces staring straight forward as professionally trained, their hands never moved to wipe away tears that fell down dozens of their faces as the song played out.
As the officers and observers stood silently in the room, over the police radio it was heard: “Dispatch to 16,” followed by a brief flash of static.
The silence was thick as no answer came.
“Dispatch to unit 16,” came the sound over the radio once more, again met with eerie silence.
Finally, a two-second emergency signal pierced the air as officers stood in rigid formation and listened one final time: “Dispatch calling Sgt. George Ross Dingall.”
The only sounds remaining were the sniffs coming from the men and women of the force, as they listened to the silence in return.
“Jan. 28, 2000 18:25 hours,” the dispatcher announced, “Sgt. Dingwall never to be forgotten.”
As the radio died, Officer Rob Siena stepped forward, his face clearly moist from his tears. “It’s hard to speak,” he said, as he invited Dingwall’s widow and Mayor Giuliano to speak.
“Thank you all for being here,” Kim Dingwall said, as she wiped her eyes with a tissue. “It’s easy to say never forget,” she spoke to the group of officers who stood before her. “But you’ve shown me that you mean it.”
Giuliano addressed the crowd for several moments. “We have to remember on days like this, sometimes (police officers) pay the ultimate price. Most of us who go out into the streets, we can do that because there are people like you,” he said. “Thank you, on behalf of all the citizens in Middletown.”
Dingwall was spoken of fondly of by his colleagues — perhaps most touching were the words spoken by Off. Bill Hertler, who seemed to address Kim Dingwall specifically. “I speak for all of us here when I say it will continue,” he said. “Through every year, through our retirement, Main Street will ring loud every Jan. 28th.”
Sgt. George Ross Dingwall served on the Middletown police force for 19 years. He was killed when two burglars led him on a high-speed chase, during which his vehicle was rammed and knocked off the roadway on Route 9.
Dingwall left behind his wife and two children. He was 47 years old when he died.

Middletown Police Alumni Association
President / Retired Officer

January 29, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 25, 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