Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Chief LeMaster,
Today is the fourth anniversary of your EOW. Your dedication to law enforcement will always be remembered, as you did make a difference in the world. Thank you for your service to us.

Pennsylvania citizen

August 15, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this anniversary of your EOW. Keep watch over all of your loved ones and they continue on in life, stand beside them and guide them. You are a true hero and heroes never die, you will never be forgotten. Thank you for your dedication to law enforcement.

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

August 15, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Chief LeMaster Jr on the anniversary of his passing. May God continue to comfort you all. He paid the ultimate sacrifice trying to make this world a beter place for us all. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

August 15, 2007

"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

July 11, 2007

i remember verlon as a friend a motivator and an all around great guy.i remember once when i was about 13 he caught me out driving my moms car he just laughed at me and told me to go home.if i or anyone else ever had a problem or needed help verlon was always there.i miss you dearly and you are greatly loved by all.

pebbles and dustin
friend and citizen of grant

April 8, 2007

Thank you for your service. You will be remembered always.

March 22, 2007

Rest in Peace, Chief LeMaster. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2006

hey verlon,

i drove up to grant the other day and saw the memorial
the citizens of grant dedicated to you.it was awesome.
you will never be forgotten.

your friend
deputy walt williams

deputy walt williams
madison county sheriff dept./friend

October 16, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Chief of Police Verlon LeMaster Jr. and his fellow officers with the Grant Police Department:

On this the third anniversary of Verlon's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Verlon's valor and courage will never be forgotten.

I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Verlon was robbed of his life so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

His death must have been such an incredible blow to the small community in which he served. I am sure that everyone knew him in Grant, and can see by the reflections that he was a revered Chief. Valerie, you must be so proud of your father, but I know that doesn't diminish the pain you suffer at losing your dad.

In reading different memorials on ODMP, it seems that so many of its law enforcement are killed by juveniles or young adults (my own beloved son included). I am sorry that Verlon who devoted twenty-seven years to law enforcement suffered this fate.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Verlon gave to his community and the citizens of Alabama, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 15, 2003.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 15, 2006

TO THE FAMILY OF CHIEF LEMASTER:

DEDICATION TO A FALLEN OFFICER

A MILLION TIMES WE HAVE MISSED YOU,
A MILLION TIMES WE'VE CRIED,
IF LOVE COULD HAVE SAVED YOU,
YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE DIED.
THINGS WE FEEL MOST DEEPLY,
ARE THE HARDEST THINGS TO SAY,
OUR DEAREST ONE, WE HAVE LOVED YOU IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY.
WE OFTEN SIT AND THINK OF YOU,
AND THINK OF HOW YOU DIED,
TO THINK WE COULDN'T SAY GOOD-BYE
BEFORE YOU CLOSED YOUR EYES.
NO ONE CAN KNOW OUR LONELINESS,
AND NO ONE CAN SEE US WEEPING,
ALL OUR TEARS FROM ACHING HEARTS,
WHILE OTHERS ARE STILL SLEEPING.
IF WE HAD ONE LIFETIME WISH,
A DREAM THAT WOULD COME TRUE,
WE'D PRAY TO GOD WITH ALL OUR HEARTS,
FOR YESTERDAY AND YOU.

GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU IN HIS CARE.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN. DEPUTY SHERIFF
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

August 15, 2006

"And death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be one,
With the man in the moon and the west wind.
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot.
Though they go mad, they shall be sane.
Though they sink through the see, they shall rise again.
Though lovers be lost...Love shall not.
And death shall have no dominion."

--Dylan Thomas

----------------------------------------
Life in Every Breath
And to squander none.
To hold those who would hold us
To weep among those who mourn your loss.
Not drowning in the why's of death
But reflecting on the celebration of life.
Raising our hands up to the heavens
And evermore feeling your presence.
From the seed to the sea,
Life in Every Breath...

Wes H.

Wes

May 30, 2006

rest in peace

zac

March 19, 2006

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

Matthew 5:9

Rest easy Brother.

Officer David Pitts
Albertville Police Department

November 29, 2005

Verlon was one of the biggest cut-ups I have ever met. His nephew Josh and I have been friends since we were kids and Verlon & I had planned many jokes/tricks to play on Josh. Not to mention, Josh & I had plotted to "steal" his car as a joke.
Verlon will never be forgotten! He was a great man with a caring and sweet pesonality.
Rest in Peace...I will miss you!
Love, Kendra

Kendra Bevel

July 13, 2005

I will forever remember August 15, 2003. That is that day that a great officer was taken home to patrol Heaven's streets of gold. I was working as the receptionist that day next to dispatch and can still remember details of that day. Below is a poem that I wrote in February 2004 to help me deal with the situation, and I am told that it has helped others as well. If it helps anyone who reads this, it will be proven to be well worth the few minutes it took to wrote it.

His Final Call
A life live to God for all to see
He was a freind to you and me.
He treated his fellow man with love and respect.
A man just and fair - no one could reject.
He was a man who was loved and awed
Even by those who chose to break society's laws.
He wore his badge with a deep sense of pride
And if you broke the law, he'd give you a ride.
He could calm most situations with only his words.
A voice strong and sure - no doubt he was heard.
In his small town he knew most everyone
And to him with problems or fears one could run.
On a bright August day in the summer heat
Another officer he was going to meet.
Two young boys they were to arrest
Both hateful and angry this was no jest.
He went inside the room to talk to the boys.
No talking on their minds - no patience - few joys.
With a draw of his gun and a kick to the door,
A young man sent the officer falling to the floor.
With one quick shot soon heard by all
A much loved officer answered his final call.

Edith King

Edith King Administrative Clerk
Marshall County Sheriff's Department

July 1, 2005

It's Christmas and was thinking of you and your family. Merry Christmas buddy.

patrolman/Instructor Sam Decker
Hokes Bluff PD Hokes Bluff, AL

December 25, 2004

Verlon, It has been a year ago since you left to walk the beat in Heaven. I wanted you to know we still miss you and are praying for your family. Until we meet again......your friend and brother in blue,

Sam Decker

Patrolman/Instructor Sam Decker
Hokes Bluff Police Department

September 1, 2004

To the family of Chief LeMaster you are in my thoughts as you go through this month, it must be very hard, as is everyday with out him. Just know that I'm thinking, and praying for you.
Your family will miss you everyday, but we will never forget you.

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker 1-14-04

August 21, 2004

Thinking of you, Chief LeMaster, and your family as the one year anniversary of your line-of-duty death approaches. Rest in God's peace. Our prayers are with you.

Michigan Resident

August 13, 2004

it has been a year verlon since the
angels took you away.i just wanted you
to know that i still think about you
chief.i think about the times i used
to ride with you as your reserve and
i would come up to grant just to
visit with you.you were a great mentor
and friend chief.i miss you buddy.

deputy walt williams
madison county sheriff's dept.

August 10, 2004

Verlon, I miss you man. I wish I could have been there for you at that dark time. I will miss you for very long time to come and will never forget our friendship. Thanks for being my friend.

Former Law enforcement officer
In Marshall County, now Officer
In Etowah County.

Patrolman Sam Decker
Hokes Bluff PD

June 6, 2004

Goodbye dear friend. You will be missed.

Sgt. Terry Freeman
Albertville Police Department

May 8, 2004

Chief Lemaster I never knew you but always heard good things of you, Chief Lemaster of Grant, you and your family and the town of Grant are in my thoughts daily

Deputy Sheriff David K. Johnson
Jackson County Sheriff Department Scottsboro, Alabama

January 15, 2004

vern still love you and still and will never forget you. keeep watching over grant alabama you are still the hero of grant

janet kennamer

December 13, 2003

Chief LeMaster,
It was truely an honor to serve with you. You will be deeply missed. You were not only a dear brother of Law Enforcement but also a close friend and hero. You see, when I was with you on that darkest day, you did not know that you would change my life forever! To me, you are a highly decorated hero!!! I salute you...YOU ARE WITH THE ALMIGHTY CHIEF NOW!

Deputy Sheriff- Geoff Booth
Marshall County Sheriff Dept.

December 6, 2003