Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Your stepson mentioned you to me today. May god bless you and your family. Your are remembered and never forgotten.

Officer Carlos Cuellar (Ret.)
Miami Beach Police Department

August 31, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer John William Bechtol of the Delhi Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 83 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 25, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer John William Bechtol of the Delhi Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 81 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 25, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer John William Bechtol of the Delhi Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 76 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 25, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Bechtol. Young and heroic!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 8, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer John William Bechtol Delhi Township Police Department, Ohio and the additional 73 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 26, 2017

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 25, 2010

"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

January 3, 2008

You aare remembered today and thank you young Sir for your service.

VanDenBerghe
NH

October 20, 2007

I was saddened to learn of Officer John Bechtol's passing.
I was a classmate of John's when I was young boy and had no idea that John became a policeman. However, I am not surprised for he was a fine young man whom often had a smile upon his face and liked to laugh.
I will think and pray for you often John.
May your family have peace and love in their lives.

Deputy Kenneth E. Frank
Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office

May 23, 2007

Rest in Peace.

October 25, 2006

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

Rest in peace.

October 25, 2004

6 months for the murder of a Police Officer? That's sick!!!!!!! The same type of lame sentance was given for the death of Officer Evans in Columbus, Ohio. I urge the residents of Delhi Township to contact your State Representative to enact laws that would make the killing of a Police Officer by vehicle punishable by 25 years to life.

Jonathan D. Phillipss

May 9, 2004