Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Have a very Merry Christmas where ever you may be! Thinking of you always and wishing you were here.

December 24, 2007

as a probationer and a P2 back here, i have been fortunate enough to hear great stories and fun times of you, and how so-much everyone misses you. i feel i know you. everyday i walk in i take time to remember you and landon. over the holidays i know its diffucult for your family and you, but you are ALWAYS in my prayers and daily thoughts. i am a better officer becuase of you and landon....

thinking of you always......

P2 J
NTN

December 24, 2007

Hey Lizzy, just wanted to stop and say hello and thank you.

13Z11
LAPD

December 19, 2007

I think about you everyday, but this time of year is still very hard. I can't get myself to believe another year has come and gone without you. I look at your picture with that beautiful smile of yours and it makes me smile too.
I will miss you forever my angel in blue.

December 8, 2007

#1
Horatio
Member


WHEN GOD MADE COPS

When the Lord was creating cops, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order? A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform."

"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day."

"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals.
And he has to have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way."

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, "May I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look
reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all right ma'am,' when he knows it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."

"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop ... and still it keeps its sense of humor. This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the peace officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"That's not a leak," said the lord, "it's a tear."

"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.

"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."

"You're a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.

Dean
Citizen of LA

December 7, 2007

I heard your voice yesterday, its been a while since I called your phone to listen to your recording and for a moment I thought I should leave you a message. I

December 6, 2007

Holidays are here again. Wish you were here, no matter how we look from the outside, only we know how we feel on the inside. Miss you so much.

November 26, 2007

Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones. Today I decorated the exterior of my home with all blue lights for the Christmas holiday. One of those lights has been assigned to you and will be lit every night from today up until New Years as a tribute to you and to let you know that you are a true hero and have not been forgotten.

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

November 25, 2007

Hey Liz.

I miss you

09/01 cbf

November 15, 2007

Hello my friend, I was thinking about you, your sister sent this great poem that is called the Loyal Partner and it is so true. I know that you are still with me and watching over me and the rest of your friends at Newton. Although I know it is sometimes hard with all the stuff going on down there you still take care of us. I think next time I go to Starbucks I will get a white chocolate mocha with whipped cream, since that was your favorite. Stay Up Bro!!

13Z11
LAPD

October 30, 2007

thinking of you always

October 29, 2007

To all who have written such beautiful reflections.
I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
We will miss him... but remember him forever.
He is our Angel in Blue.
Love you alway my brother, my hero, my angel

September 24, 2007

LIZ, WE MISS YOU!! JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW ,, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY THOUGHTS,IN MY HEART.. I KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING OUR BACKS,, I MISS YOU

PO-2 MCDONAGH
LAPD

September 21, 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

September 17, 2007

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,
and each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready in heaven far above
and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye,
for all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for and so much yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories would take the place of me,
And when I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow,
But when I walked through heaven's gate, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past but here life starts anew,
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful, so trusting, so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand and share my life with me?"
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.

Love you always

August 23, 2007

Hey Lizzy, I was listening to a CD that Rusty let me have. The guys name is Lt Grossman and he hits on alot of things that Ofcrs go through. 1 point is being the Ofcr who has lost his partner. He said what do you think your partner would say to you? His ansewr was," Fight on and live a good life". Do you Remember when Spear asked us if we wanted to work gangs? we both said no,not now where still learning we were 2 brand new PII's trying to absorb all we could. Well the time has come, so as I heard out into this new job I know you will be there riding shotgun with me laughing the way we had done some many times before as partners. I love you and miss you very much my friend. You did something for me that I could never ever forget or repay. In the words of a great friend, "STAY UP BRO!!!"

13Z11
LAPD

August 21, 2007

I was at a gang conference 3 years ago and the senseless act of losing you had just occurred. I apologize that it has taken three years to get on here and leave you a reflection. I was at the Sacramento Memorial the year you were dedicated and I wanted to say THANK YOU for being a HERO and a role model to many. As I am sitting at my desk reading your reflections, my heart breaks for your loved ones. Please continue to watch over all of us from above and guide us in our daily trials and tribulations of this profession that we have dedicated ourselves to. With the highest respect, RIP Brother and Thank you!

R. Akans #1354
ESPD/PCPA

July 24, 2007

If we could bring you back again,
For one more hour or day,
We’d express all our unspoken love;
We’d have countless things to say.

If we could bring you back again,
We’d say we treasured you,
And that your presence in our lives
Meant more than we ever knew.

If we could bring you back again,
To tell you what we should,
You’d know how much we miss you now,
And if we could, we would.

July 13, 2007

I'd like to share a story...Last week I was visiting the gravesite of a relative who was laid to rest very close to Officer Lizarraga with my young daughter in tow. I stopped by Officer Lizarraga's gravesite to say a prayer and give thanks for serving the people of Los Angeles. My daughter asked "how did this man die daddy?" I said "he died trying to help someone who was in trouble" her reply "was he a hero?" I answered "he sure was sweetheart,he sure was"

A Citizen Of Los Angeles

July 13, 2007

Hey Lizzy,
Just wanted to say hello and let you know that I was thinking of you. Stay Up Bro!

13Z11
LAPD

June 22, 2007

It's Not how these Officers Died that made them Heroes.
It's how they lived.

Rest in Peace Brother.

Capt.Taylor
LAPD Venice Station

June 18, 2007

FYI-

Tne actual lettering of "Ricard Lizarraga Elementary School" was finally posted on the front side of the school about a month ago, it's located on the 40th Pl side of the school. Be sure to check it out if you haven't already, it looks great!

JORGE LIZARRAGA
BRO

June 14, 2007

Sgt. F. Banuelos, great reflection. Thanks for sharing. That's great to know that some coppers use "Lizarraga Square" freely, that's truly remarkable and a huge honor to my brohter. Thank you.

JORGE LIZARRAGA
BRO

June 14, 2007

I, like many others, had to work Memorial Day. I held a short roll call and only asked our officers, especially the ones who never new you or others like Officer Phil Cuesta, to remember the sacrifices you made. We briefly discussed the incidents that took your life and the others that have been taken in the line of duty recently. I make it a point to let the new cops that weren't even part of the Department to know who you are.

That same night, there was a back-up request in Newton. I switched over and monitored Newton's frequency till there was a code-4. I forgot to switch back to our frequency. I then heard a Newton unit get assigned a code 3 call. The copper said, "Show me responding from Lizarraga Square." That always sends chills through me. I know your Newton family will never forget you.

Rest in peace.

Sgt. F. Banuelos
LAPD Southwest

May 31, 2007

As always you are in my thoughts, there is never a day I dont think of you...love you always

May 30, 2007