Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ten years already........unbelievable....just got back from hoisting a few in your memory at Lucille's with Nick and Cliff....Leonard was sort of there too on the phone....You are missed every day.

Retired policeman Sammy Zavala

March 19, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 17, 2010

Reading all of the wonderful comments here has made it even more difficult to find the words to express my feelings. I was near death ten years ago and had been waiting for five years for a new heart. The call came on March 17,2000 that I was to receive, " a very strong heart from a 52 year old." The surgeon told me that normally it would have gone to someone smaller (I am 6'3") but because it was so strong he thought it would work out fine for me.

"Strong" doesn't really cut it. I remember the rehab nurse telling me one day while I was on the treadmill that she had never heard a pulse that strong, she thought it was going to hurt her ears. And it has worked out 'fine' to say the least. I am the poster boy for successful heart transplantation.

I can't begin to find the words to express my gratitude or sense of humility. I feel a deep sense of remorse that such a fine man lost his life. I can't change that. But at least I thought I could let his friends know that his heart is still beating as strong as ever.

Dave Saunders

March 14, 2010

Lou,
another Christmas has passed without you. Partner, roommate & Best Man at my wedding. All those holidays spent at my parents, eating, drinking and laughing. It still goes on and you are always there at the table in spirit. You filled my spot there when I moved north. I never thanked you for all that meant to my Mother & Father. You know you were another son to them and they honor you and our other fallen Brothers (Raul & Randy) in a special corner of their home. Saddened by your passing & that my kids never got to meet you. They know plenty about you and how much you meant to all my family. Love you Bro and I pray I see you down the road.

Police Officer III Leonard Mora
LAPD

December 29, 2009

Nine years bro. Nine years.

Retired Policeman Sammy Zavala

March 26, 2009

Louie,
Was having some toddies with old timers and someone mentioned Prairie Fires and I immediately thought of all the times you got Pete and me hammered. Drink this punk!!! But Louie we just got here.... Drink this or we are going to fight!!! Well of course we just had to do it, 6 or 7 times. Ha ha, but we got even when we spread the rumor that you were going to break dance at the club and everyone started calling you asking when the event was. Man we had some great times brother. Sure miss you.

Sgt II Greg Horton
LAPD Retired

March 25, 2009

Dear officer Villalobos, today marks another passing year without your smiling face. may you always know that your work made your community safer and you will always be remembered

Anonymous

March 17, 2009

NINE YEARS AGO YOU WERE TRAGICALLY TAKEN FROM THE LAPD FAMILY AS WELL AS YOUR OWN. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOUR FAMILY.

POLICE OFFICER GARCIA
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

March 17, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 17, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 2008

8 years ago today, bro. Go easy.....we'll hoist a few for you tonight.

Retired Policeman Sammy Zavala
Rialto PD

March 17, 2008

Louie my brother.........Randy bought it today. Take care of him. I remember when you introduced me to him when we were running up Cardiac Hill. So long ago. Sometimes life really blows. I can't believe this happened to a couple of oldtimers. The 8th anniversary of you leaving us is coming up. Same with Raul. Miss you all.

Retired Policeman Sammy Zavala
Rialto PD

February 8, 2008

Yo, Bro:

Now, You have to share the No. 1 "Gates of Heaven Guardian Spot, with Randy Simmons....

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

February 7, 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 1, 2007

Hey Louie, we still talk about you every day and reflect on how much we miss all the bbq's at the house and on the boat, bar hopping, and general partying with you down through the years. Your god son is now an agent with FBI SWAT, and we are very proud of him and are glad we chose you to be his godfather. You were my inspiration to work SWAT and I miss all the conversations we had about tactics and how to handle stuff. The job's changed and is now almost impossible. I'm glad I'm retired. Our same group is still together, and we still toast your memory. I can't believe it's been over seven years since that horrible day. We were all honored to be your pallbearers. Our hearts still ache over you not being here.

Police Officer Sammy Zavala
Rialto Police Dept-Retired

October 21, 2007

Devil Dawg:

Upon my return from Commander Tatreau's funeral, some of the guys here at Southeast asked me why I was dressed in a black suit. It was then that I realized that I had not worn this suit to a funeral, since Yours. So, of course, I had to share with them stories about You.

It seems that one of Your closest buddies is now a Detective here (small world). Metro / SWAT - nothing like it was when You were in the front lines, Bro.

Well, I reckon that I have rambled enough. I was just thinking abouut You......

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

May 9, 2007

People have spoken of you highly here so I know you
left a huge void. Though it has been 7 years, time has
not diminished your sacrifice. Thank you for your many
years of dedicated service. I am so sorry you didn't get
to enjoy the retirement you so richly deserved.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

March 17, 2007

May you rest in peace.G-d Bless.

March 17, 2007

I chose not to wear my USMC or LAPD uniform. Instead, I wore all Black (including a Black Cowboy Hat, adorned with the Eagle, Globe & Anchor). After all, you always called me "Cowboy" or "Major Pain" during the SWAT training days provided for my recruit officers.

I can still remember standing all alone in that San Pedro cemetery, thinking how you survived Vietnam, and so many hairy situations while assigned to Metro. How ironic-leaving us as a result of participating in a training exercise at MCB Camp Pendleton....Semper Fi, Bro. RIP !

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

August 23, 2006

Lou, I can't believe it's been 6 years since you decided to leave us. I'll never forget the day a bunch of us said our good byes to you at the hospital. I think about you all the time. I miss your words of wisdom, I miss your corny jokes, I miss us hanging around cocktailing every friday, But most of all i just miss being around you. I'll have a prairee fire for you. Double shot. God bless your son and three daughters. Joe

Joe Rios
LAPD/SWAT

March 23, 2006

Louie,
By now you and Raul have "hooked up" together. I miss you both very much. The streets of Heaven must be very safe now as they have one of the greatest officers I know of and the best detective there now. You will live on as I will always keep your memory alive. Semper Fi.

Police Officer III Cliff Armas
LAPD

March 21, 2006

To Officer Louis Villalobos and his loved ones:

On this the sixth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.

Officer Villalobos, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Officer Villalobos. I am humbled by your valor, courage, and dedication.

As I was reading your reflections, I saw some common threads between my son and yourself. My sons and I became part of a large Hispanic family when I remarried three years after my son's biological father was killed when my son was three. You were the well-seasoned SWAT veteran; my son was in his first year of being on the swat team and he was very proud of that. My son was a Marine Captain before becoming a cop, and had been based at Pendleton for a year. The reflection about your tobasco bottle made me remember the small tobasco bottles the Marines took into the field. My son always made them collectibles by filling them with soil from every foreign country to which he was deployed. I hope you guys are trading stories together and watching over us.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of distinquished service Officer Villalobos gave to his community and the citizens of California, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 17, 2000.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 17, 2006

Lou,
You are missed far more than I think you could have ever realized. Your dedication, honor and integrity have left an indelible mark on this Department, one which will forever shine. I am proud and honored to be able to call you a friend and partner and miss our frequent gas pump conversations at Harbor Station. Until our next "Code B" and "Prairie Fire" (I still hate those things!), rest in peace brother and Semper Fi.

Sergeant II Bill Forman
LAPD

January 16, 2006

Louie,
It is hard to beleive it has been over five years since you left. You were and still are a great inspiration to me. Sometimes I look back to The curve, The 135 club, Stops, Green Patio, and the SS and I wonder where all that time went. God bless you Louie. I miss you.

Police Officer III Cliff Armas
LAPD

November 23, 2005

Lou, you son of a gun my friend, my partner you are truly missed by me and my family. You take care of my son who is with you....but the rest of us truly do miss you everyday of the year. You got me into so much trouble...well, maybe not. Maybe it was me that got us both into trouble..but you helped. I do miss you a lot, and if there was anyone I could trust you were one of the top 3. I do miss you and will join you one day so we can talk about old times...short stop, alley end, and all the other places we ended up at. Miss you my brother.

Retired Detective III Ed Lindsey
LAPD Retired

November 23, 2005