Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Brandon,
It has taken me much to long to express to others what a wonderful officer, friend and son you were and how you touched every life in this small South Alabama Town. Though Brandon (Fat Daddy as we called him) went to work for the county he just couldn't stop working in Florala. I guess he was a man who was a glutton for punishment. Being a dispatcher and court clerk in the department I had to interact with the officers every day and it was during these long days at the police department that your co-workers become your friends and family. Brandon once told me I didn't want to work at the police department because nobody liked cops or people who hung out with cops. He told me I would lose friends,and I did, but what I never got to tell him was the friends I lost were never friends because the friendships I made as a result of working at the police department have only grown stronger. I had always heard my dad say it takes a great and compassionate man to put on a badge and gun and head out to protect citizens who wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire. Brandon was such a great and compassionate man, he truly loved his job and the citizens he was sworn to protect. He always took classes on new procedures and purchased new equipment even if he had to pay for them out of his pocket. He would tell me ,"Jano I want to be the best police officer in the history of Florala" and I would kid him and say he already was. His desire was not to only do his job but to do it better than anyone else. He started quite a few little competitions in the department because when he was on duty he wanted to work. He came in one day and announced to all of us that he was giving up law enforcement because it was a thankless job and the pay wasn't worth the risk. I asked him what he was going to do and he said drive a big truck. Well, that is exactly what he did...at least for a few months. Everyday he would call me and ask me what was going on and how things were going and I would tell him to park that old big truck and get his butt back in the seat of a patrol car. I think he had just gotten burned out, which a lot of officers do. As we talked I told him it was normal to feel the way he was feeling because in his line of work you don't see the best of society, you see the worse. You deal with the man who raped his daughter and the son who killed his parents in anger. He told me that's what he meant, he didn't feel he was making much of a difference. I told him I knew he was making a difference. I have watched many officers place suspects under arrest and Brandon is the only one who could put cuffs on a man and have him laughing his head off at the same time. He'd tell the fella it wasn't personal he was just doing his job. Being a police officer is a calling, just like being a preacher. If you don't have the love, compassion and unselfishness in your heart then it will reflect in how you treat people and handle dangerous situations. I was blessed to have worked 8 hours with him the Wednesday before he died. He was a young man planning his life and I was like a nagging older sister telling him what I thought he should do. I have relived that day over and over again in my dreams and I remember all the messes he kept me caught up in just being Brandon. He would often call me at home or come to my house(sometimes he worked the night shift and I had days) and begin his sentence by saying, "Jano I really need you help, but don't tell Chief." I knew when I got that call/visit he had done something crazy and was needing my assistance in covering it up or explaining it. He was like a kid who ate the last piece of cake and I always helped him out and took care of him. He kept the entire place in stitches 24/7 and truly loved his job. I can't tell you how many times through the years since his death that we have recalled stories and memories and laughed as each of us told how old fat daddy pulled one over on us. He was the light of the department and when he was killed that sparkle left and has yet to return. I was truly amazed to learn exactly how many lives he did touch. I pray that as he patrols the streets of heaven he gets to hear what a wonderful, dedicated officer we all thought he was. The outpouring from the community was enormous and even they have a Brandon story. People like Brandon are shining jewels who add so much to our lives and when we lose those jewels we always have a void and emptyness that will never be filled.
I'll share one more memory of my friend and then sign off. Brandon and another officer in Florala, Perry, worked hard to keep drunks off the roads and drugs off the streets. I also work at the local newspaper office so I was called to a scene when they needed pictures taken. Brandon linc'd me one morning at about 2:30a.m. to tell me he and Perry needed me to come take pictures because they had found a trunk load of pot. Of course, I got out of bed and went to the scene (in the rain mind you) and as they were putting the bags of dope on the trunk of the car to be photographed Brandon suddendly yelled out it was time for the victory drug dance....that's right victory dance. So picture two pretty good sized police officers and a newspaper reporter doing what we affectionally called the "drug dance" on the main road into town in the pouring down rain. I think the old boy driving the car was kinda tapping his feet too. That is just part of what I miss about Brandon and I'm sure other officers could add more stories to his legacy.
Brandon, your face in on my fridge and on my dash board and I take you everywhere I go. There is not one day that passes that I don't think of you and what might have been had your life not been stolen from us by a drunk. I rest better knowning that you are in heaven looking out for us all and only ask you wait for me in dispatch cause when it's my turn to come up that will be the first place I go to see you. You were and are one of the best friends I ever had and I love you with all my heart. The day you went 10-42 down here on earth, you joined heaven's police force and went 10-41. Watch over us, guide us and remember you are loved and missed daily.

Jan Allred-dispatcher/court clerk
Florala Police Department

February 4, 2006

Brandon, so much has gone on since our days trying to one up each other in Florala, but it still seems like yesterday. We lived three houses away from each other but we never had the time to visit the other as often as I wish we could have. Yoy were always a great friend and Brother and no matter how wound up we got each other, we were always laughing about it by the end of the night. Since I've been activated and here in Kuwait, I've told many of the stories of our triumphs and misadventures together and how you died, but sometimes it's still hard to believe you're gone. Thank you for everything you did for me personally and professionally. Your memory will live on in every story I tell and every D.U.I. I arrest.
Fraternally yours,
a friend and Brother,
Perry Williams

Perry Williams
FLORALA P.D./LOCKHART P.D.

December 18, 2005

Rest in peace brother Lassiter.

August 20, 2005

Brandon you are one of the most beautiful people I have ever met in my life. Just the mention of your name still brings a smile to my face. I appreciate everything that you done for me you are a true friend and God blessed my life with you and I thank him everyday for you. I know that your up there looking out for me and my daughter. I do hope that you know that you are a better man than most. I love you Brandon and i thank you for loving me!

betty boop

July 14, 2005

Whats up bro...got promoted to SGT...cool huh..thought I Would let ya know!!!miss ya

SGT. Brandon Lisabelle
Conecuh County Sheriff Dept

June 21, 2005

There have a been alot of tears shed in the past year, some out of mourning, some out of anger because you are gone.
I have never missed anybody as much as I miss you, all the long talks and all the laughs we shared they are my own memories that nobody can take away from me.....They are bittersweet and I wouldn't take anything for the friendship we shared, When I got the news that fateful mourning everywhere I looked I saw your face smilin at me.....
I did not want to believe you were gone.... I often wondered as I held my youngest son close to me if your mom held you like that when you were a little boy about 4 years old....I had the privilige of askin her that question... she told me yes and for me to treasure every day I had with my baby.....I have taken alot of time with my boys since this happened. I often think of you and some of the laughter we shared in such a short period of time and instead of tears they are now smiles. I miss you Brandon u are my guardian angel, God brought you in to my life to be a friend when I needed one and I will never forget you. You are where every angel belongs, You will never be forgotten....I will always miss you no matter what.

Angie

April 25, 2005

Dear Bran, I have read the many messages about you. These touch my heart. I am very humbled that people took the time to write. I am also very glad you were given to me for a son. I know that you were always a happy child growing up and always a joy. We talked some about your times as a child. I would make you laugh at the things you had said and done. You were never jealous or spiteful of other children. It hurt me for you to see that side in anyone from experiences as a child and teenager to your experiences as an adult. You had been very disappointed at times with behavior from people you had set in your mind as role models; however

you always bounced back with an optimistic attitude and a forgiving heart. Thank God for you, Bran. You helped your family which was small, but we had such a good role model in you.

I miss you and will never stop. I love you so very much. I told you so often those very words. I am glad that I did, but at this time, one year that you left us, I can think of so much of what I want to say. Remember our last talk? I heard you say that money or having things was not important to you. You said that you only wanted to make enough money to pay your bills. I hugged you and reminded you that this was the teachings of Jesus.

You always went to church with me and those were some good days that we had at East Highland. You took the church program which had a true faith-based story on the back to your grandma Lassiter many times after you were old enough to drive with a license. She would put them on her refrigerator often telling me of them. Later, in your early 20's you made a public profession of faith accepting Jesus and being baptised at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church near Andalusia. Whenever I read how you put others ahead of yourself instead of this making me feel that you were letting your own needs go, I feel that you were being the caring person that I had known you to be since you were a small child. After all, you were four years old when you told me to go back and apologize to your Grandma Lee ( my mom) because you recognized even at that eary age that I had not treated her fairly. In your words," Go back and apologize to Granny. You did not even give her the chance to answer you" My dear Brandon. What a gift you were. I recall getting a small package from the mailbox which had a wood plaque with the words "I love you, Mom" printed on a small heart hanging free in a small opening of the plaque. Below on the plaque read "Mother, Our times together have become priceless treasures" Inside was a note dated 8-10-00 in which you wrote:
Mother, I love uou and hope you are doing well. Thought you'd enjoy this treasure.

Iwas so glad of the note and treasure. I wrote at the bottom of the note just under the information, mailed from Tonopah, Arizona 1:30 p.m.central which you had added, "words from my son..Indeed a treasure." I hung the plaque on my bedroom wall across from my bed. It hangs there now and has been so much comfort to me.

So many times, I find myself saying something to someone and I immediately think of what you would say if you were with me. You always had a way of adding the remark to make me pay attention to what I had really said except you did it with humor making me laugh at myself and the lack of reality or the senselessness in what I had said. Often we ended up laughing so much that I would think, 'Man, I feel better. I needed that laugh.'
I am going to sign off. Your presence is often with me as I look at your favorite items such as a favorite cap or hat. "Bran, what am I going to do with your special CB radio?" I want to treat your things with care. The ring that you bought for me is on my finger. I recall, " Mama, why don't you have the ring I bought for you on? That five hundred dollars was hard for me to get to buy it."

I will always remind your dad how much you loved him. He misses you terribly. Watch for us, okay?

I am signing off with what you wrote on a card sent with some flowers once on Valentine's Day. You knew it was a favorite day for me.

To someone so dear to me.
Love,
Mother

Florie L. Lassiter, Mother
Red Level, AL

April 21, 2005

It was such a sad day that I received the news of your death. I wish everyday that you was here with us. But I know now that you are in a better place watching over us everyday. I love and miss you very much!

Janna Mauldin

April 11, 2005

Deputy Lassiter,

GOD SPEED--Myself and fellow officers will pray for your families vigilance at briefing. We will remember a Brother.

MCSD-TN

April 9, 2005

Remembering you on the first anniversary of your death. I Just read
all the reflections and hopefully those remaining will recall stories
that will have them laughing thru the
tears. God bless all those who will
always miss Brandon and have a
special part of their heart reserved
just for him.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham,WA

April 7, 2005

I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO GIVE MY CONDLENCES TO THE FAMILY. I WENT THROUGH THE POLICE ACADEMY WITH LASSITER AND I ENJOYED HIS PRESENCE.I KNOW THAT HE WAS A TRUELY GOOD PERSON THAT WILL BE MISSED. MARCH 19, 2005.

PATROL OFFICER B.D.DAVIS
TUSCALOOSA POLICE DEPT. TUSC,AL.

March 19, 2005

Brandon..just to let you know ... still do miss you man

CPl Brandon Lisabelle
Conecuh County SO

February 16, 2005

Unanswered questions at times has questioned my faith,
Pieces to the puzzle i never could fit into place,
But, a voice deep within says"Child trust me and be of good cheer,"
"Heaven waits to explain it,"
"And to make it all clear."

Heaven holds all the answers we'll never know 'til we're there,
All of the reasons for our trials, our burdens, and cares.
In the presence of Jesus we'll no and understand well,
Heaven holds all the secrets that time will never tell.

Doors that won't open, storms, and painful Good-Byes,
Fill my mind with confusion, my mouth with the words,
"Dear Lord, WHY?"
Then He whispers "My Child, hold my hand and keep following me!"
"Someday Heaven will focus the picture<
That now you can't see!"

I STILL MISS YOU!

ANNONYMOUS

December 30, 2004

Unanswered questions at times has questioned my faith,
Pieces to the puzzle i never could fit into place,
But, a voice deep within says"Child trust me and be of good cheer,"
"Heaven waits to explain it,"
"And to make it all clear."

Heaven holds all the answers we'll never know 'til we're there,
All of the reasons for our trials, our burdens, and cares.
In the presence of Jesus we'll no and understand well,
Heaven holds all the secrets that time will never tell.

Doors that won't open, storms, and painful Good-Byes,
Fill my mind with confusion, my mouth with the words,
"Dear Lord, WHY?"
Then He whispers "My Child, hold my hand and keep following me!"
"Someday Heaven will focus the picture<
That now you can't see!"

I STILL MISS YOU!

ANNONYMOUS

December 30, 2004

My deepest sympathy to your family and friends. I know the struggle they face each day they wake and think it is all a dream and realize it is not and face yet another day of grief. May God watch over your family.

Robert Gordon, father of Officer
Michale P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Asst. Chief Robert Gordon, Retired
Riverside PD, Illinois

December 11, 2004

I remember the morning that you left us by the teletype over NCIC. Your service shall never be forgotten.

Chris Vinson
Coosa Co. Sheriffs Dept.

December 5, 2004

JUST THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK IN I SURE DO MISS YA .

SGT JACKSON
COVINGTON S/O

November 8, 2004

BRANDON WAS A VERY NICE GUY WHO LOVED LIFE AND LOVED TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH,HE KNEW JUST WHAT TO SAY TO MAKE SOMEONE SMILE. HE DIDN'T LIKE PEOPLE MAKING FUN OF OTHERS HE HAD A HEART THAT YOU JUST DON'T FIND ANYMORE, HE LOVED HIS FAMILY AND HIS FAMILY INCLUDED MS. FLORIE, MR. JIMMIE, AND IF YOU WERE HIS FRIEN YOU WERE HIS FAMILY. I KNEW BRANDON WHEN HE DROVE A TRUCK FOR JOHN DAVIS IF I WAS HAVING A BAD DAY IF HE STOPPED IN TO SAY HI WHEN HE LEFT I ALWAYS LAUGHED ABOUT SOMETHING HE SAID OR DONE. MY DAY WOULD BE BETTER!!! AND I COULD MAKE IT UNTIL I GOT HOME. WHEN HE QUIT DRIVING TO BECOME A COP HE CALLED ME AT WORK AND TOLD ME TO SIT DOWN BECAUSE HE WANTED TO TELL ME THAT HE WAS A COP... I ALMOST FELL OFF MY DESK.
HE WOULD CALL ME AT WORK AND TALK LIKE A WOMAN AND I ALWAYS KNEW IT WAS BRANDON AND WE WOULD LAUGH TOGETHER. THEN THE NEXT TIME HE CALLED HE TALKED IN HIS REGULAR VOICE, I'D ASK WHO IS THIS? HE WOULD LAUGH AND SAY"THIS IS BRANDON, YOU IDIOT." FROM THEN ON I'D KNOW WHO HE WAS WHEN HE CALLED ME.....
THE WORLD DOESN'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSON WE LOST. BUT HE IS AN ANGEL WATCHING OVER ALL OF US AND PERSONALLY I'M GLAD I HAVE SOMEONE UP THERE CHEERING ME ON ... SO IF YOU WERE BLESSED TO KNOW HIM WHEN HE WAS HERE, YOU'LL BE GLAD TO KNOW HE'S WATCHING OVER US AND WAITING TO SEE US AGAIN. SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND KEEP ON GOING JUST TO KNOW HE'S WAITING WILL HELP YOU THROUGH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.. WE LOVE AND MISS YOU BRANDON.
YOUR TRUCKER FRIENDS

November 3, 2004

Hi Deputy Lassiter,

I've just been reading your reflections, and what a wonderful, wonderful guy you are. I don't believe that when the soul leaves the body that life has ended, but that you carry on your love and protection from the other side. You are in our prayers, dear one. May your wings fly you high. Go with God and we will watch over and pray for your family and loved ones. Someday we will meet. Thank you for everything. We love you.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

October 25, 2004

BRANDON WAS A FRIEND THAT EVERY ONE SHOULD OF HAD. HE WOULD CALL ME AND HAVE DIFFERENT VOCIES EVERYTIME. HE WAS ALWAYS JOKING. BRANDON ALWAYS WORE A SMILE AND SHARED THAT SMILE WITH EVERY ONE. WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT WERE ON OUR MINDS OR JUST ANYTHING IN GENERAL. BRANDON WAS A GREAT COP. BUT NOW HE WILL BE PATROLING FROM THE HEAVEN ABOVE. BRANDON ALWAYS TOLD ME I WAS HIS LIL' SIS. SO BRANDON I AM HONORED FOR THAT. I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU. FAT DADDY..

JAMIE I.

Jamie I

October 11, 2004

I believe that God him self is the only one that knows what and why you where took at that time I think that it may be because you were just the best human ever.I ask my self why not the people that are the drug users and the wrong of the comunity. Brandon I believe that so many people where touched by your every smile joke and the friendlyness I know that everyone here on earth misses you so I still look for my fat dady looking around that corner just to say gotcha.I go to the police office just to see your face on that wall. I love the decals in your memory.I dont ever think the love that you gave florala and her people will ever fade away.I see your felow police officers in town and in the face of the children.I ask your close freind why you and he says he still askes the samething.In your memory will always be in my heart and mind loving your every smile.I believe if it was that drug dealer or the drunk,who would care not I just sorry to loss such an angel with love for you always loving you angels till I see you agian FLORALA

florala resadent

October 7, 2004

Brandon,
I wish I had told you what a wonderful person you were while you were still with us. I guess I thought I'd have more time. You entered our family as a friend and left it as a son. You called me momma, and I was honored. I was also proud of the work you did. I have finally met your mom and spoken with her a few times since your funeral. She could use a little sign from you that you are okay. Your friends in law enforcement and your trucker friends carry on but remember you fondly each day. Watch out for all of us as I know you are once again in a position to do so. God bless you and your family and friends. Alice Hall

Alice Hall

June 19, 2004

I never really got the chance to know Brandon personally, though he was very good friends with my baby brother. I did, however, get the chance to see first hand just what kind of person he was. I wanted to share with you all what Brandon done for me, so that you could see what a wonderful person he was, and also for his Mother. I am not sure if she has heard about my story, but if not I wanted her to know how greatful I am that she raised such a wonderful son, and then shared him with this community.

My husband and I have two children. Our daughter is 11 years old and our son just turned two last Friday. Our babies our the center of our Universe. On Christmas Eve I laid my son ( who was 18 months old at the time )down for the night and proceeded to start putting together his bigger presents so they would be ready for him to play with the next morning. After only a about thirty minutes he got up and came and got in my lap. I laid his head on my shoulder and began to rock him, thinking that something had just woke him up and he needed help going back to sleep. After a few moments it seemed as though he went limp in my arms, as I pulled him down from my shoulder to look at his face I saw that he was having a seziure. I jumped up, and luckily my mother-in-laws boyfreind was there, because my husband wasn't and I could not drive and pay attention to my son, I jumped into his car and we rushed off to the hospital. However when we got to the first red light it was red, after stopping for the trafic to clear I told him to run the light, which he did. And wouldn't you know it, there was the law, the police car whipped around and put his lights on us, but we were not about to pull over. I had the cargo light in the car on so that I could see my son's face. The police car came up beside us and after seeing that something was wrong, sped in front of us. At the hospital here in town you have to ring a bell at the ER and wait on someone to come to the back and let you in. Well by the time we got there Brandon already had the door open, after getting us inside he ran to the front of the hospital and summensed a doctor. In just a couple of minutes Brandon came back down the hall almost dragging the doctor into the room. After making sure that my son was alright he was gone, just like all angels, back into the night to save someone else.

I wrote a letter to the editor of the news paper in our hometown discribing Brandon's heroic efforts. I know to some people it didn't seem like allot, but this was my baby and I know that, even though he couldn't save him, he done everything that he could to aid in his safty and I will be forever greatful for that. The letter was publisher the following week. I know that Brandon knew about the letter, because my brother told me that he did, but he didn't even know that he was my brother at the time, I was just a complete stranger who he was doing all he could to help. My mother and Brother got the chance to thank Brandon in person for what he done for my baby, see neither of my brothers have any children of there own so they share mine,but my husband and I never got that chance. So now we would like to say a big THANK YOU to our hero Brandon Lassiter. I would also like to say thank you to his mom, without your influence and guidence, I know that Brandon may not have been there that night, and even though his love for helping other is what cost him his life, I will be forever greatful for the man who love a little baby boy, whom he had never met, enough to go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure his safty. Brandon you will be forever embeded in our hearts and minds.

Michael, Abigail, Reba, and Will Reese

June 17, 2004

We are truly saddened at Mike's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

June 11, 2004

I met Brandon while I was Chief at the Lockhart Police Department and a
part-time officer at Florala. Brandon was capable of making anyone smile at any given time. Even if he himself was having a bad day, Brandon was always there to lift everyone's spirits. Brandon and I worked closely at Lockhart and Florala. We attended the Florida Cross-Over class together in Marianna,Florida. Brandon was a friend to so many. I remember this one Halloween night, Brandon went to the Tom Thumb in Florala and bought a set of Bubba teeth. We were on our way to do a usual DL-check. We went and set up at Covington Co Rd 10 and US331. We had checked a few cars and I had forgot about the Bubba teeth. Finally, a car pulled up with two gentleman from Georgia. Brandon leaned over and asked the driver for his DL and proof of insurance. As he looked into the car, the driver could not see his smiling Bubba teeth, but the passenger could. The passenger couldn't resist and just busted out laughing. Brandon looked in the car and said what's so funny. The man replied, your teeth man. The man instantly sucked up his laughter and apologized. By this point the driver had noticed the Bubba teeth. Brandon could not hold it any longer. He removed the teeth and busted out laughing himself. The two gentleman laughed and wished us both a safe Tour of Duty and even thanked Brandon for the laugh. This is only one of the ways that Brandon could get anyone even a stranger to smile. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed by me and all 4-ever.

To Brandon, I say I miss you LL " Lt Lassiter." I always called Brandon LL because he had some LT bars on a jacket.

To Brandon's family, I am glad to have been Brandon's friend and co-worker. As you already know, you raised a fine young man that has touched the lives of so many.

To anyone who reads this, I say Don't wait until tomorrow to tell a friend or loved one how you feel. Whether it's, I love you mom or dad or Hey Buddy, you're a great friend. Say it today in case TOMORROW NEVER COMES.

K9 OFFICER JEREMY DOUGLAS
BREWTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 14, 2004