Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Well Buddy another year has passed and still it is hard to think about that day when you went home. I want you to know Vance that your accident has helped me become a better FTO. I use your accident as a training tool with all of my trainees. It's amazing that, even though you are gone, you are still serving the public. Thank you and we all miss you.

Patrol Deputy Tray Anderson
Rusk County S.O.

February 1, 2013

Lots of memories Vance! We still miss you my friend!

Officer Dee Ann Brown
Kilgore PD

February 2, 2012

Vance, really dosen't seem like its been 11 years but it has. I miss the old days brother of orange hair!!! LOL We miss you tremendously and your loss still is felt everyday!

Joe Nolley

February 2, 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 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 who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Cort, thank you for sharing a son's devotion to his beloved father and I am sure he is proud that you are pursuing educational goals to lay the foundation for a successful career in law enforcement.

Rest In Peace.

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

February 1, 2012

Vance it has been 11 years since you left us. We miss you.

Patrol Deputy Tray Anderson
Rusk County Sheriff's Office

February 1, 2012

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones. You have not been forgotten.

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

February 1, 2012

521, I will never forget that day when your watch ended and the new one began. It does seem like 10 years ago.

Sergeant Richard Stanley
Kilgore Police Dept

June 20, 2011

Hey Bro Miss ya man wow 10 years, Thanks for keeping the watch over all of us wearing the uniform.

Sergeant Shane Guthrie
Rusk County S.O.

June 9, 2011

Wow … 10 years. Miss you still, my friend. God bless.

Michael Ferguson
East Texas Police Academy

February 1, 2011

Well Buddy it has been 10 years. I can not believe that it has been that long. I remember getting the call and am still to this day in shock. We miss you Vance.

Deputy Tray Anderson
Rusk County S.O.

February 1, 2011

I can't believe it has been 10 years. It seems like yesterday I talked to you. You will always be in the hearts and memories of those who worked and knew you. We all miss you brother. Keep watching over us until we get up there to see you again.

Vance Callahan

Sergeant Vance Callahan
Kilgore Police Department TX

February 1, 2011

Been almost 10 years. I never will forget the day you left us.

Tim Bryan

December 28, 2010

Brother Vance!!! Man it still seems just like yesterday I saw you walk into the squad room with that goofy grin on your face. I talk to Cort reguarly...You would be soo proud of the MAN, not young man anymore, but the MAN he has become. I see a LOT of you in him. Bro, just want you to know you are missed and NEVER forgotten!!! Rest in God's arms brother....We have the watch! Lil' Rock

Deputy Joe Nolley
Gregg County Sheriff's Office

September 27, 2010

hey pops its been a while but man still miss u as everyday goes on and i have started my 2nd yr at tjc and its pretty awsome...college is so much better than highschool...no drama and lots of FINE women...wish u cud b here to watch me go through and graduate and move on to get my masters in criminal justice..well got go ole' man...love ya and watch over all of us...

love ur baby boy
cort allen clements

cort clements
son

August 23, 2010

Dang Vance I can't believe it has been 9 years since you left us. It doesn't seem that long ago. Vance I want you to know how proud I am to have known you and how proud I am of your son, Cort. He is a great guy and takes after you. Please keep a watch on all of us that are still trying to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your sacrafice.

Deputy Tray Anderson
Rusk County Sheriff's Office

February 1, 2010

hey daddy...been 9 yrs to the day...cnt believe it has been this long...seems like it was just yesterday...man i swear to u tht i am goin to keep the promise and fulfill the dreams thti long to fill...dad i miss u more and more as days go by but seem to overcome all the hurdles along the way...i am the next generation and i am number 521...i love u more and always will...

cort allen clements
son

February 1, 2010

well well...was up pops no its been a while but i think about u every day...first semester of college is almost over with and seems like it just started yesterday. man miss u alot.Dont think im ever gunna get over all this.I guess u heard about the 4 officers tht were killed just 2 days ago. man wat kind of monster would do this it makes me sick.Well they r in a better place now and can help keep watch with u and all the others up there. Man its been hard this past yr because so much has happened and u cudnt b here to witness it but i no u were watchin from ur car up there and thts wat counts. Man did u here about seth getting married...never would have thot tht but i didnt here about it till a couple of weekes ago..Never got an invite idk wat i have done but we havent sed much to eachother ever since u were killed...but at least me and bg keep in touch...well man gtg got school in the am...man i love u with all my heart and miss u more and more every day...c u soon...

YOUR SON
cort allen clements

cort clements

December 1, 2009

I know it may sound funny dude, but there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and the times we had. Miss you brother.

Sgt Seth Vanover
Longview Police Department

August 4, 2009

Saw Cort at the Academy Sporting Goods store the other day, he was probably buying some fishing or hunting stuff, but it wouldn't matter, he would just lie about what he caught or shot. He has grown up to be a great young man. We still miss and think about you often.

Tim Bryan
Gregg County Sheriff's Office

July 14, 2009

hey dad its been way to long...man i miss u more and more as every day goes by...i think about that mornig all the time and cant seem to stop thinking about it...i have episodes every once in a while and i no the people around me get tired of it but they arent the ones that had to go through the hell that i did...i see the guys at SO pretty regular... i always go and find eddy while im up there cuz hell all we talk about is the day u burnt up ur cruiser...haha...still get a lil kick out of that...but man not seeing u in the stands at graduation with all the guys and nana and pawpaw really hit me hard...i started cryin as i walked across that lonely stage but looked up and blew u a kiss and said look old man i have finally done what u wanted me to do for 18 years...i had a special person with me that night...u might have seen her...her name is lanie...and dad she is everything i could ever ask for...she helps me through so much...even at times when i no she cant stand me she is always there for me and that is what i have been looking for since u left...for someone to listen and actually cares about my emotions...she will b uthe daughter law u will never fisically b able to meet but i promise she is amazing and i dont no what i would do without her...well man got to go gettin tired and ready to hit the sack...i love u more daddy

Anonymous

July 1, 2009

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

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

February 25, 2009

Vance I have not written anything until now. I just have never known what to say. I guess that I still don't. It is still so hard to believe that you are gone. It has been 8 years now. I still remember it like it just happened. Vance you are still greatly missed and you always will be. We just got through with your memorial hunt that we have every year. Cort is really growing up. We shared lots of memories about you this past weekend and everybody was there. Please continue to watch over all of us that are still on the street. Thank you for being a friend and for your and your family's sacrifice.

Deputy Sheriff - Tray Anderson
Rusk County S.O.

February 13, 2009

wats up daddy..cant believe its been 7 yrs it doesnt seem like its been that long...dude me and pawpaw are going to alaska sometime for my graduation gift...man i love and miss you sooooooo much but its ok because i will b with you and mom soon enough...well man gtg haha chasing girls.haha always remember i love you more

your next fbi agent

cort clements
your son

October 29, 2008

Just wanted to say your sacrifice has not and never will be forgotten. We still miss you here!!

Little Rock
co worker

April 30, 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

February 7, 2008