Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

October 22, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Rhoden. A true Sunshine state hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 13, 2018

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all for us, and you sir are a hero... Continue to rest in peace Deputy Rhoden. My prayers are with your family today and always.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

October 22, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Rhoden. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 16, 2012

Deputy Rhoden, we will never forget the sacrifice that you and your family made for us. May you continue to rest in peace sir.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

October 22, 2011

Another EOW has come, but you sir are not forgotten. God bless your family, friends and the Polk County SO. HEROES live forever.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

October 22, 2010

Larry was the kid that lived one block behind our house. We grew up riding bikes, playing football, and wrestling. We were always over at his house aggrevating his mom and sister, or he was at ours doing the same. Then as life sometimes happen, we grew up. Larry went his own way and chose a vocation of law enforcement. I understand he was a fine young man, loving husband and father. To his mom and sister, wife and children, and all those who loved, admired, and worked with Larry...I offer my sincerest condolences.

Tony M. Spence
Childhood friend

December 15, 2009

You have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones.

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

October 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the eighth 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 sacrifice was made so many years ago. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 22, 2009

"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 16, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

November 27, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

VanDenBerghe
NH

October 19, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Rhoden. May God continue to give you comfort. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

May 23, 2007

Fallen but NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

October 16, 2006

Thank you Larry for all you did to keep us on the ground as safe as you can. We will miss you but you will never be forgotten. My prayers go out to your family and to all other LEO's. Bye Larry, RIP.

Luke

Lt. Luke Dickerson
Polk County Sheriff's Office

December 31, 2003

Deputy Angels

It was the 22 of October that he went away
A young father who will not get the chance
to take his young son
fishing or hunting,
or teach him how to play football or baseball.
All of the things, that Brian dreamed to do...
Wyatt was this young fathers world,
the son of a deputy sheriff.
A young fathers pride and joy...

But God had different plans for Brian
and on that crisp early morning
God instructed St. Michael,
to call Brian and his partner, Larry,
home to Heaven.
Even though they both had lots of dreams
to accomplish here on earth,
they were needed in Heaven,
to serve as Deputy Angels...
At His right hand...

So, about 1:05 a.m. Brian and Larry were
given their ‘wings’
and a beautiful halo surrounds each of their heads.
They look down from heaven and
watch over the ones they loved,
and whisper a soft message to their hearts,
I love you, and I am only as far away
as those treasured memories
you hold in your hearts...


Written in memory of:
Deputy Brian Wilkinson
And
Deputy Larry Rhoden
Polk County Sheriffs Department

By:
Loretta Cox

LORETTA COX
A DEPUTY'S FRIEND

December 30, 2003

A year ago today you took your Heavenly flight,
On October 22nd, in the dawn after the night.
You were just doing what you loved,
Protecting us all as you flew up above.
We still do not know what happened or what went wrong,
But God has given us great comfort and through Him, we will be strong.
No words can describe the pain that we feel,
As we look to the Father and His word to help us heal.
The boys and I love and miss you more than words can say,
And each night we ask God to tell you when we bow down and pray.
I am thankful that God made us a promise, that when we accept Jesus into our hearts,
One day we will live in Heaven and never more will we be apart.

I love you Larry!!!

Tamara Rhoden

Larry; I know we didn't get the chance to work together much, but the times we did will always be cherished.
May God bless you and your family, you will be missed.

Chief Flight Officer Michael Bennett
Polk County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We both knew Larry through his tenure as a Detention Deputy. We knew him to be a great person and an exceptional officer.

God speed Larry. You will be missed


Officer David Hensley
Laurel Park Police Dept. Laurel Park,N.C.

Michelle Hensley
Former Detention Deputy
Polk Co. Sheriff's Office

Officer David Hensley
Laurel Park Police Department

You gave the ultimate sacrifice for our safety. May God Bless you and comfort your family. Rest in Peace, brave hero.

Detention Deputy Gary Lange
Pinellas County Sheriff's Ofc

God bless you and your family, Larry. Rest in peace and glory for your struggles on earth are done.

D/S Barry Hill
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Florida

Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous

From your neighbor to the north, May you rest in peace and God's grace be with each of your families, friends, and your agency as we all greive with them.

Anonymous