Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Grandpa I think of you often and remember you were a quiet man who loved your family. I remember you playing guitar and walking the streets of Silex to protect the people who lived there. I remember the flood of 1973 when dad and uncle Lonnie went in by boat to bring grandma, Cheryl and Lynn to safety. You made the decision to stay on high ground by the school to keep an eye on the community. What a brave man you were. I remember US Marshall's attending your funeral.

Gwen Niebruegge
Granddaughter, daughter of Edna Carol Kitson

February 19, 2020

Great Grandpa, you passed before I was born, but hearing your story from Grandma and attending the dedication service in Jefferson City, MO I am honored and grateful for your service and ultimate sacrifice! Your memory definitely lives on in our family!

Marcie Bell Graham
Great Grandaughter

June 26, 2017

Shawn, I would love to take a look at the materials from the study you referenced, if you get this please reply to [email protected].
The 39th anniversary date and hour just passed for Marshal Kitson's murder, an event which has been a somber reminder for me to stay cautious and alert for the many dangers we face as officers. That is because I patrolled the very same streets where Marshal Kitson was shot and drew his last breath. Although several decades after his passing, I thought of him and his courageous battle often. Rest in Peace, Sir-your legacy lives on.

Rodney Owen
LEO Survival Instructor

February 20, 2014

I am a criminal justice instructor at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, MO. This incident is covered as a landmark case involving search warrants for surgical invasion. The killer of Marshal Kitson was required to have surgery to remove the bullet fired by Kitson, thus proving his guilt. Marshal Kitson's sacrifice will forever be remembered.

Shawn Westbrooks
Three Rivers College

May 18, 2013

my grandfather was a happy man who treated his family with respect. i remember his laughter and his big easy smiles most of all. softening of his voice while setting and talking with me. the strength of his gentle hands while tending a scrape. he was not a big man. but he was strong and firm in his beliefs. he was stolen away from my family, from me

Rhonda Walton
granddaughter of a great man

March 11, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th 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.

Your memory will always be honored and revered for time never diminishes respect. I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. I hold your family in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your faimly and friends for shariing their memories of you in their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

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

February 20, 2012

Dear Great grandpa,
I see and hear the pain in everyone when they tell me how great of a man you were. Especially seeing how great of a man grandpa (Paul Kitson) is. I feel like i knew you just by spending time with him. Even though i never had the chance to meet you I am still VERY PROUD to be called a KITSON grandchild. we love and miss you

jackie bales (kitson)
great grandaughter

November 26, 2008

Dear Great grandpa,
I see and hear the pain in everyone when they tell me how great of a man you were. Especially seeing how great of a man grandpa (Paul Kitson) is. I feel like i knew you just by spending time with him. Even though i never had the chance to meet you I am still VERY PROUD to be called a KITSON grandchild. we love and miss you

jackie bales (kitson)
great grandaughter

November 26, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 12, 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 10, 2007

Remembering your singing,the songs that you sang.
to watching you pick at your guitar strings.

The beauty of your wood carvings that you made
i had watch you create,upon a gun stock a special way.

Learning how to fish on a bamboo pole with out any bait,
and the stories that you told.

Thru you're teachings and safety of walking the beat,
to a small child it was just fun and play.

The dogs where barking one late night,
you went down town to check things out.

on that next day,
my parents picked me up from school
then came that horriable news.

A robbery had went down in your small little town
for less than thirty dollars they shot you down.

we will miss you allways this is the story that i choose to be in the whos who book.i was very proud of my grandfather.

Susan Christine Stone
Granddaughter

November 7, 2006

Dear Great Grandpa,
I didn't get the chance to meet you but i've heard great things about you i was there when they had the memorial for you in silex. they named the building after you and i felt really proud that you are my family and you will be greatly missed, loved and appreciated by everyone. R.I.P

Great Granddaughter Susanne Schuler

April 5, 2006

Don’t know what you got till its gone

I’ve dealt with many losses
I’ve felt all kinds of pain
One stands out from all the rest
My tears fell like the rain
Seeing you lying there
unable to work
You were moving your lips
But you just couldn’t talk
Trying to say you love me but
I didn’t understand
To weak to say the words
so you just reached out your
hand.
I rejected you far so long
it was a losing game
I didn’t want to know you
It hurt to say your name
You tried to solve your problem
but it needed more
than might
You tried to talk to me nicely
but it always ended in a fight,
I told myself I hated you
I would until you quit
But after I realized you were gone
My heart sank into a pit
You were dead, there was no more
it hit me like a bomb
I’ve dealt with many losses
but the worst one was
my grandpa.

Great Granddaghter, Jami Clanton

March 27, 2006

Marshal Kitson,
The fight against those who wrong us goes on. We do not seek to win the war but take solice in battles won every day. The kitson family is proud,thank you.

Police Constable Chris Kitson
Greater Manchester Police, England, UK

December 30, 2005

Marshal Kitson,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Silex.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

February 20, 2005