Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff William J. Bender of the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 85 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 2, 2024

Deputy Sheriff Bender,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 2, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff William J. Bender of the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 86 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 2, 2023

Bill...i have thought of you many times throughout the years...we rode together many times and worked a lot of details together...me as a Deputy and you as an Auxiliary Deputy...i was just a wet behind the ears 21 year old...and you were the wizened old man so to speak...i learned a lot from you Bill...sitting at the counter at the 23 restaurant...where 4 and 23 split...listening to Charlie Pride on the juke box and talking about your pride and joy....that big ole thunderbird ...you were so proud of that car...when i left the SO to go back into the ARMY you were able to get hired on in my slot...what a kick in the teeth when i found out my ole buddy and replacement at the SO was gone...fwiw Bill i will always remember you...as a good man, a good friend, a fine Deputy and a Great American....

SGT
MCSO...US ARMY

November 26, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff William J. Bender of the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 84 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 2, 2021

Thank you for your service, both military and police, and always know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. God Bless your son and rest in peace.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 2, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Bender. So sad about your son being killed too in the line of duty.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 24, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff William J. Bender of the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 80 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

July 2, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff William J. Bender of the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Ohio and the additional 78 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

July 2, 2018

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary year 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for the soloce of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. I was so saddened to learn that your family suffered both the lives of you and your son in the line of duty.

Phylllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater

December 26, 2012

You are a true hero. I know you walk with your son protecting others on a sacred beat. You will never be forgotten.

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

November 20, 2012

Deputy Sheriff Bender,
Sir, even though it has been 39 years since your End Of Watch you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Marion County.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

July 11, 2012

"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

Unit 19, we have not forgotten what you sacraficed for your county. Sheriff Bailey is working hard to make sure that you and Brandy our properly honored. There is talk of naming that section of S.R. 309 after you and the section of S.R. 423 after Brandy. Rest in peace.

MCSO

November 22, 2005

You died before I was even born, but I can still appreciate your service. It takes a special person to be in law enforcement.

A marion citizen

October 24, 2004

I am so sorry.

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

Rest in peace. God bless.

September 29, 2004

Sir, no words could describe the respect that I have for you and your family. Some give a little and some give all. What a price your family has paid in protecting those who you never even knew. Thank You for being willing to go where few will. We all will be returned to the eternal fountain where God keeps his heroes, and you are one. "Poi si torno' all' eterna fontana."

Ptl.T.D.HILL
Ontario Police

July 10, 2004

Our uniform the same, you will never be forgotten. Rest easy, brother.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)