Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Phelps,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Fresno County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 20, 2022

Two decades. May your memory live on and your sacrifice never be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff
Fresno County Sheriff's Office

May 19, 2022

Uncle Bubba...in times like this, it makes me think of and miss you so much more. It’s been 18 years since you were taken from us. I pray you’re resting easy knowing the world has grown to love and support LEOs.

Cortney
Niece

June 25, 2020

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

May 20, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 20, 2018

Officer Phelps - I remember you from the 1980s Fresno traffic courts, and I was deeply saddened to learn what happened. You treated everyone with kindness and respect, and I will always remember you and what you stood for. Rest in peace sir.

Delight Blackman Schwartz
private citizen

March 1, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 20, 2015

11 yrs..continue to rest in peace Dennis, gone but not forgotten

Comm Dispatcher - Sheila Ownsbey
Fresno County Sheriff's Offc

May 19, 2013

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

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

Dennis,

I miss you and think of you often. We always got along so well and laughed all of the time. Thanks for being such a wonderful nephew. I love YOU.

Jackie Brueser
Aunt

August 12, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today as we approach the 7th 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 who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. He was shot twice when ambushed on April 23rd when he was on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, 3 years after you were killed He had just attended SWAT school with three of your coworkers and they were so supportive of our family.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I hold your family in thought and prayer today.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 20, 2009

We think of you often. My Deputy has gone back to patrol in the last year, I do my best not to think about the possibilty of losing him, I keep my fear buried deep in the back of my mind, but it is still there. As is the day you were so brutally taken from your family. I think of you often....

LEO Wife
FSO

November 24, 2008

Deputy Phelps' murder understandably, made many of us within the California law enforcement community very angry, because once again, we had lost one of our own at the hands of someone who had a documented history of being mentally disturbed, sometimes to the point of being psychotic.

The debate still continues regarding should judges in this country have the power to forcibly commit a patient to a mental facility when it appears that the individual or the family is unwilling/incapable to maintain proper treatment regarding one who suffers from a severe mental instability.....

Deputy Phelps, May Your Soul Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

May 20, 2008

I REMEMBER THE DAY THIS DEPUTY LOST HIS LIFE, DOING WHAT HE WAS PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO. GOING THROUGH THE ACADEMY I HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SACRAFICE AND COURAGE THIS CAREER TAKES. I RESPECT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE, FOR OUR SAFETY. THANK YOU DEPUTY PHELPS FOR YOUR SERVICE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN HEAVEN, AS YOU BLESSED THOSE ON EARTH.

CADET DAVID HALL
ACADEMY

March 28, 2008

It's been nearly 6 years since you've passed away, but your legacy is everlasting. Thank you for putting your life on the line to protect the citizens of Fresno County. I became particularly interested in your EOW story, so I attended the training that was held at CLPD-- and I got the chills after listening to the radio traffic. Please keep an eye on our fellow deps and help them stay safe.

Dispatcher
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

March 23, 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

August 28, 2007

G-d Bless.

May 20, 2007

Deputy Phelps, Just let me drop you a line to LYK that I came up your story recently.I live and work in Brazil.But my pop is from the USA and mom from Brazil.I came up on your story readin'the Law Enforcement PORAC News magazine.
I pretty much understand that you have made the ultimate sacrifice ever.May you be watchin'over us all brothers in blue.You deserve to be remembered.As far as the police job goes, united we stand!!!!

stay safe CE Lima CCRPV # 2906

Ptl Lima
CCRPV São Paulo-Brazil

August 17, 2006

It has been four years since your end of watch. I still remember how you always were smiling. Your friendship is missed and you are thought of often. May God continue to hold your family near to his heart. I will never forget.

Deputy III George Ozburn#312
FSD / Friend

May 22, 2006

I still remeber the day you called me at home and told me you were going to patrol.You were assigned to family court as a deputy 1.You seemed so happy to finnally get a chance to go out on patrol ,with the sheriff's dept.You seemed a little nervous about the F.T.O program and were asking me about it.I tried to calm your nerves telling you that id been through it in 95 and heard it was not as tuff as it once was.I was so happy for you.I knew this was what you were meant to do.I remember back when i first met you at Fresno county fire station 85,when you were a firefighter there.Even then you were talking about F.S.O.You asked me if i liked working there.You seemed to have the Desire i did about being a proud .F.S.O Deputy.I never regreat steering you in that direction.I really wish you were here so we could exchange F.S.O./F.P.D stories.I still think about what my mom said when you came by the house 3 days after being released solo from your .F.T.O.She said ,You lit up with the biggest smile .I think about you evertime i make a traffic stop.Ill never forget you.

Robert Knight,police officer 943
Fresno P.D.

November 5, 2005

Deputy Phelps,
To a brother who will never be forgotten. I was at your service and was in awe of the number of officers that were there. The brothers and sisters in our fields are truly a family that cannot be broken. Although I never had the honor of meeting you, I will never forget you. Your passing only reminds us of the evils we as officers face everyday. It just comforts me to know that you are watching over us. Bless you and your family.

Cpl. Marroquin
Burlington PD
Burlington CO

Corporal Marina Marroquin
Burlington Police Dept. Burlington CO

November 21, 2004

You are missed so much. Tears still well up in the eyes of those who knew you. We are so thankful, yet saddened by your sacrifice. Mrs. Phelps I finally saw your smile at the car show, you shine so bright!!!

LEO wife
FSO

October 25, 2004

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Tonight, May 20, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Earl Phelps who died in the line of duty on this date two years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Deputy Phelps' sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

May 21, 2004

Deputy Phelps, you passed away so shortly into your carrer, but you did it serving the community that you were sworn to serve, you a truly a hero in my eyes. may you rest in peace and patrol youre new "beat" HEAVEN.

C.O. S.Alley
DOC

November 17, 2003

It has been a year since we have seen or heard your voice. You will always be a part of our lives and never be forgotten. Shine bright on us, you shining star.

Deputy Linda Baker
Fresno Sheriff Dept.