Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Damacio Montano,

First off, I would like to say thank you so much for the sacrifice you and your brother both made that night. What you guys did 22 years ago in that restaurant was nothing short of heroic, and should never be forgotten. I guarantee you that not just your friends and family have been grieving your loss. The entire country has been mourning your death and we thank you with the most sincerity for your service to Valencia County and to the people of the United States. Rest in Peace Deputy Montano, may your name forever be written in the stars along with all of the other heroes who've made the ultimate sacrifice alongside you.

River Brazwell
Supportive Civilian

October 6, 2024

It seems like it was just yesterday we were living carefree as roommates and working at Campus Police together. I still miss you my friend!

Retired Deputy III Adrienne
SFSO

October 25, 2023

Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. Although I was a Reserve Deputy at the time, you trained me. Your voice still telling me 24 years later. "Always be ready, always play the what if game". I also refuse to let anyone forget you. keep watching over us brother. Till we meet again.

Robert Felix Jr.
Former Reserve Deputy/He was my FTO.

July 27, 2022

Rest well my brother. Thank you for your service.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

October 6, 2017

wow 14 yrs gone,u are never forgotten,your kids love and miss you so much,as do we all, RIP watch over ur babies always

fran garcia
cousin/comarde

October 6, 2016

Merry Christmas Dad. I miss & love you. I really wish you were here.. that's my number one Christmas wish. xoxo

Joscelin
Daughter

December 25, 2014

Me and our kids miss you and need you so much. It gets harder every year. Always love you.

Lina Montano
wife

October 14, 2014

Thank You Officer Montano for the service you have served, sorry to the family for the lose of her, i belive he loved his job and serving to keep the peace. Also thank you to the department and all the officers for their service

Vanessa Padron

May 9, 2014

Happy Birthday Daddy! I hop you have a great day up in heaven. One day I´ll be up there spending it with you. Me, Mom, and Dereck miss you so much. i love you daddy. have a good day. xoxoxoxoxo

Joscelin
Daughter

June 12, 2013

Daddy, i get to see you this summer! I cant wait. i miss you sooo much and so does dereck. me and mom were talking about you the other day. Its hard to believe its going to be 11 years with out you and it seems like just yesterday i lost you. well i have to go. I love you sooo much daddy.

Joscelin
Daughter

April 1, 2013

I miss you my friend, you were a good man and father and I pray you are in heaven as you deserve. I pray for your wife and children who miss you terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Carlos
Dept of the Air Force

January 24, 2013

It's hard to believe it's been this long. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you and our days patrolling the streets of WNMU Campus PD. I know you're watching over each and every one of us. And, I will forever be here for your family if they ever need anything. Miss you!

Adrienne
SFSO

October 9, 2012

daddy,im crying so hard right now. i need you daddy i miss so much. daddy please read this daddy. please. i love you so much.

Joscelin
Daughter

July 27, 2012

Ur always in our heart,and on our mind,ur god misses u so much he to loves to anything he can about u, he some times acts like u,we miss u toooooo much,one but not forgotten

fran cousin
family,cousin,friend,comadre

February 10, 2012

Hey Daddy,
Its almost summer break and Thats when I'll go see you!
Im almost in 6th grade. i miss u so much. I think of you every day. Alfredo has told me so much about you. Some of the stories just make me laugh so hard! Anyways Dereck is doing great, he's having trouble in school though. Mom is doing good to. You should see mmy school, like everyone is my friend. I have so much to tell you but i cant fit it all in this. I havnt heard from grandma at all, but Ive talked to Abuelita. anways i miss and love you so much. I'll right more later.

Love,
your little princess

Joscelin
Daughter

April 29, 2011

Hey daddy, i just entered the 5th grade and Dereck entered the 2nd grade and its goin good so far. I really miss you and love you and so does Dereck and Mommy. I will be 11 next month and Dereck will turn 9 in two months.I will go visit you on your anirversary. Anyways I planned what I want to be when I grow up I wanna studdy to be a lawyer just like you wanted to be. ok thats all whats going on I will write to you later. love you good night sweet dreams.

Anonymous

September 14, 2010

Damacio, Well my friend its been seven long years since your passing. I think of you more often than most will ever realize. Your friendship was so important to me. Loved working with you on shift, the laughter we had, the pranks we pulled, just the company of you and I was so healing. Truth be told, I miss you very much, you are not forgotten my friend, not then not now. I do think of you, I visit you often.
Simon.

Simon Heffron/Lee
VCSO, Partner/Best Friend.

December 12, 2009

Deputy Montano you are a true hero, and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

October 6, 2008

To Deputy Damacio Montano and and his loved ones:

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

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 your family and 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, Deputy Montano. I hope that you and your loved ones got the justice that was deserved for your brutal murder.

In reading the reflections, I can see the love your family ano friends have for you. Death ends a life, not a relationship and you have left a wonderful legacy in those who call you beloved and friend.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Damacio gave to his community and the citizens of New Mexico, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 6, 2002.

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

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

October 5, 2008

Deputy Montano,

God Bless Brother. I am a new resident of New Mexico and current applicant to Valencia SO Reserve Program. Thank you for your service and god speed.

-TF

TF

August 22, 2008

DADDY:

I MISS YOU SOOO MUCH.I WISH YOU COULD COME BACK.I REMEMBER WHEN YOU USED TO HUG ME AND KISS ME EVERY MINUTE. IM STILL YOUR LITTLE PRINCESS AND I KNOW YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF ME AND MY BROTHER, I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEARTH YOUR MY HERO I TELL MY FRIENDS ALL THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOU. I STILL DREAM ABOUT YOU MAKING ME LAUGH EVERY MORNING. I LOVE YOU DADDY TE QUIERO MUCHO.

LOVE, YOUR PRINCESS

Anonymous

July 11, 2008

Damacio:
We love you and miss you very much your kids think of you every day, i see you every time i look into their eyes we know you are watching over us.

Lina Montano and kids.

WIFE AND KIDS

July 11, 2008

Moss just thinking of U as always, U just had another b day we think of u always, we miss u so much u are never forgotten ur babies are so big they look just like u The Boy as jo calls him big strong we c u everytime we look at him we love u and miss u so much, remember GONE but Never Forgotten!

francine garcia carrillo
Cousin/comarde

July 2, 2008

Moss,
It seems like it was just yesterday when we were "fighting crime" on the Campus of Western New Mexico University as young rookie officers and helping the Silver City Police Department.

I will never forget my old partner and "My Big Teddy Bear!"

Adrienne
Old Friend, SCPD

May 22, 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 17, 2007