Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I miss you and all that you meant to me.

December 14, 2007

Richie,
Happy Birthday! I think I may eat a stromboli today in your honor. Today is always a tough day. I just never seem to know what to do with myself. The kids are all doing well and moving on from their fall sports to winter activities. Katie has been busy with all the college application process. She is following your advise and picking a school that is right for her. She's so excited! Can you believe she'll be in college next year? We played the annual Thanksgiving football game and had a great time. It's getting a little harder since some of us are getting older, but the kids are stopping up and showing their athletic ability. We love and miss you, but you are still with us everyday. Your love and example lives on in all of us.

Laurie

November 30, 2007

happy birthday big guy,You are an awesome example of how to live.Thanks.
I love you brother
Small fry

brian lawn
brother

November 28, 2007

I miss you.

November 19, 2007

Your beautiful sister Mary Kate was married on Friday. Her new husband treats her like a queen. The wedding was beautiful and so was your entire family. You would have been proud. Your memory was with everyone present.

family friend

November 11, 2007

Hey Bubba... You've been in my thoughts lately. Please show Ofc. Cassidy the way.... Miss you.

Ofc. Shannon Gallagher
Lower Gwynedd Twp. Police Dept.

November 2, 2007

Richie,
This is your time of year! I believe you used to say, "I can smell it in the air". Yes, another football sason is upon us and of course my thoughts turn to you. Connor and I went to the Eagles-Panthers game and it was awesome. We had great seats and Connor was so excited. I know he was thinking about you since the last Eagles game he went to was with you when he was 3. Do what you can to help both Penn State and the birds. We love and miss you!

Laurie

August 26, 2007

Richie,
Time makes the crying a little less often but man, when it sneaks up on you, its like an avalanche of emotions. Like Laurie said so well, I cry because I miss seeing and having you in my day to day but I know you are where you should be now. I love you so much and I can't thank God enough that he gave me such an amazingly caring big brother and Godfather :)
I Love you,
Erin

Erin
Sister

August 24, 2007

Yo Rich, been thinking a lot about you lately, miss you very much.

Rusty

August 20, 2007

As tomorrow marks the anniversary of the funeral...I gotta share this. I remember sitting in the church listening to the wicked thunderstorm think how Rich wasn't going easy and wanted to let everyone know and feel his presence. Even more mystical..... at the cemetery, while standing at attention, I remember a sudden downpour as the casket passed. I remember looking to the sky and thinking "Yo pal, it's me your raining on", and it IMMEDIATELY stopped. I'll never forget that, and with that, I always know he's looking down and watching over all of us. It still ain't the same and I still think of you every shift.

July 31, 2007

Hey Bubba,

Just thought I would drop you a line to know that you are never forgotten. Training camp starts today so I bet you're up there watching practice with a 6-pack...or two.


5 weeks til PSU starts up.

We are...

July 27, 2007

It is proven to me every day that you were one of a kind.

July 2, 2007

Richie,
Another Father's Day is here and we are still missing you like crazy. I wish you could be here celebrating all the many things we have to be thankful for, but I know you're in a better place and the thought of that brings me comfort. I no longer cry for you, because I know how happy you are and that you are experiencing all our many joys and sorrows with us. I do however still cry for me, our children, your parents, your siblings, your nieces and nephews, your friends, and the many people who were not lucky enough to have had you in their lives. On this day I especially cry for our children because they did not have enough time with you, but it never would have been enough. So I choose to be thankful that you are the father of my children. You have passed along the strong Lawn moral code by your examples in life and the many stories they still hear about you. I know you watch over them and guide them everyday of their lives and I see this through the choices they make. You would be so proud of them and the strength they have within them. They overcome fear and pain on a daily basis with strength and a smile. Megan won your award at school this year and she was so proud. She has your need to help people who don't have the strength to help themselves. Connor made the speech and presented her with the award. Needless to say I shed a tear or two. Thank you again for all you have given me and continue to give me through our children. I love and miss you forever. Enjoy your Father's Day with our other little angel, Tara.

Laurie

June 17, 2007

Thinking of you alot lately. I could use a little of your strength.

May 30, 2007

Richie,

Today is Mother's Day and I miss you very much. I'm very grateful for the beautiful children we have and they are what keeps me going. I will continue to pray to you to help me be the best mom I can for our kids...they deserve it. We all love and miss you. You know you will always be in my heart forever.

Laurie

May 13, 2007

Richie,
This past week was a tough one. Chief Hancock's funeral took me right back to yours like it was yesterday. It also took me back to the early days of your career and our marriage. Remember when I was in labor with Connor, but you had to go play in the softball championship game? You told me the baby was going to be a boy and he would wait until the game was over. Lucky for you, you were right! We also had the Norristown Memorial to attend. I can't believe this was our 4th one. There's also been other things happening that I could use your help with. I miss your advise and your shoulder to cry on. We love and miss you. Stay close.

Laurie

May 7, 2007

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER
BROTHER WHEN YOU WEEP FOR ME REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
LAY ME DOWN AND WHEN YOU LEAVE REMEMBER I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE...IN EVERY DARK AND DREARY ALLEY I'LL BE THERE AS YOU SLOWLY TREAD, ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE DRIVING SNOW I'LL HOLD YOUR COAT AND YOU WILL KNOW.
IN PLACES WHERE THE DEVIL IS AFRAID TO WALK...
AT DOORS WHERE YOU MEET RESISTANCE...
IN HOUSES WHERE CHILDREN HIDE...
YOU KNOW I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE.
THE PLACE FROM WHICH I NOW RESPOND IS OVERSTAFFED WITH HEROES GONE...MEN WHO ANSWERED ONE LAST JOB AND DID IT WELL.
AS POLICEMEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CARD DEALT IN OUR HAND...A CARD WE HOPE WE NEVER PLAY BUT WE HOLD IT THERE ANYWAY.
THE CARD IS SOMETHING WE IGNORE AS WE STAND ON THAT THIN BLUE LINE EVERY TOUR...FOR WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ONLY PRAYER FOR MANY OUT THERE.
SO REMEMBER, AS YOU WIPE YOUR TEARS, THE JOY I HAVE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS...AS THE JOB I LOVED TO DO I PRAY THAT THIS THOUGHT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

May 5, 2007

Rich,

Thought about you a lot today. Please welcome Chief Hancock and watch over his family in their time of need. When the inevitable stories of the LG softball dynasty come up please remember the irreplacable contributions of the chubby left fielder with the big stick that carried us through the playoffs. ( You guys weren't bad either) CHAMPS 95, 96, 97.

Vanilla Thunder

May 3, 2007

Bubba (Rich),

It took me a while to even look at this memorial page. I finally got the courage to look and write something now. I still remember the last words we spoke that night, the night I left early. I am still haunted by the thoughts and wonder if maybe I could have prevented the the chain of events that lead to us losing a close partner, friend and father. I am in a new place now and keep your picture on the mantel in my office. I often get asked about your picture, and I tell the many people who inquire about your picture, how great of a officer,friend and father you were. It often leads to stories of how you saved my butt on several occasions. I have not forgotten you and your family. God Bless you, Laurie and your children. Rest in peace my friend

April 27, 2007

Richie,
I've really been missing you. I know you're still close by and I feel your guidance. Please give me some of your strength.

Laurie

April 27, 2007

I never had the pleasure of meeting you, however, I have met Erin. She is such a nice person and speaks of you all of the time. She is so proud of you.
I worked with Officer Alvin Palmer and taught Officer Brian Gregg, two of your fellow fallen heroes. May all three of you and your families experience as much peace as possible.
God Bless You and thank you for your sacrifice. Lest we forget.

Sincerely,
Dave

April 12, 2007

Richie,

Happy Easter! Thinking of you and wishing you were here. Stay close and guide me. We love and miss you.

Laurie

April 8, 2007

Richie,
Use your spirit to protect the weak as you did here on Earth. Walk with them and give them the lift they need to make it through each day. Whether captives held against their will around the world, or just those who fight uphill each day at home, lend your boundless strength. That is where we need you and where you were (are) our champ.
Love,
Bobby

Bobby
Brother

March 30, 2007

Richie,
MK and I saw Katie in her play on Sunday night...what a great performance! All 4 of them are such great kids. Please watch over them, Laurie, and all of us. We miss you so much and love you more than we could ever say with words. Help us in all our decisions.

FYI- PSU depth charts came out the other day...lookin' good :)

Love,
Erin

Erin Lawn
sister

March 27, 2007

I just read all these reflections and what an amazing
man! I would have loved to have had him for a son,
father or friend! His wife and kids are equally amazing.
May his memory inspire us forever!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

March 5, 2007