Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper William R. "Randy" Bender of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio, and the additional 65 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

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

November 20, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper William R. Bender of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 64 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

November 20, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper William R. Bender of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 64 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

November 20, 2021

I still miss my dad

Tim Bender
family

March 17, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper William R. Bender of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 62 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

November 20, 2019

Rest in peace Trooper Bender.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 24, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper William R. Bender of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 59 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

November 20, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper William R. Bender of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 60 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

November 20, 2017

William(Randy)Bender was a neighbor of ours when we lived in Fairpark....my father had left my mother with 3 little children....Randy would come down & take care of our yard & never accepted any money.....He was a great young man in every way~

Debbie Bosart
Mother of an Active Soldier/ Army

May 14, 2015

I eft a reflection for your father today and had not realized that your family suffered tlhe terriible loss of two family members in the line of duty. I pray for their solace for they have endured much suffering. Rest In Peace,

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

December 26, 2012

I can imagine the pain suffered by all the loved ones in this family with the loss of two officers. I ask that both of them continue to keep watch over all of their loved ones and protect them from harm. You have not been forgotten.

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

November 20, 2012

Continue to rest in peace, brother. You are not forgotten.

Trooper W.T. Dendler
Ohio State Highway Patrol

November 20, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

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

November 20, 2011

What a sacrifice your family has made, first your Dad and then you. It grieves
my heart to think of the pain this has caused. You both served proudly and we
respect your service and thank you for your sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

October 14, 2008

"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 8, 2008

Rest in Peace

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 29, 2007

I attended the Ohio State Highway Patrol's memorial service for the first time this past May and was moved by the dedication the Patrol has for remembering it's fallen officers. I was also greatly moved by the number of family members who come back year after year to honor their loved ones...some who have died over 50 years ago.

My boyfriend is a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I have always been proud of his job and his affiliation with the Patrol, but am even more so after attending the service. People always use the "words" "you will never be forgotten. The family of OSHP live by those words.

Becky Muncy, widow of Sgt. Marc Muncy
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Franklin County

September 21, 2007

Remembering these two fine officers and all the family members who miss them. May peace and God's love be with you.

Chaplain Jim Taylor
Fresno County Sheriff's Department

August 22, 2007

Gone but never forgotten

February 26, 2007

Randy and I were class mates at Harding High School and graduated together. I lost contact with Randy after I moved to Texas in 1981. I remember him 'preparing' for the Winged Tire Co. and the stretches he did to make sure he met the height requirement. On a recent vist to Virginia I visited the Law Enforcement Memorail. It was not till then did I learn about Randy's father. I made a rubbing, of both, and will keep it in my locker. I believe I could count him as a friend.

Sgt. Eric W. Felt
Mineral Wells, Tx., Police Dept.

September 17, 2006

On the 23rd anniversary of your passing. You are remembered for the TRUE HERO that you are. God Bless

OHIO \
summit county
11-20-2005

November 21, 2005

You have made many proud.

LEO wife
Marion, Ohio

January 23, 2005

To have lost two members of one family in the line of duty is so very sad. I can only think that the Good Lord is forming his own Department and found these two fine officers to good to pass up. May you both Rest In Peace.

Sergeant Eddie Bounds (Retired)
Jacksonville Beach P.D.

December 29, 2004

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

A grateful citizen.

September 23, 2004

I just visited your Dad's memorial. I hope I have honored him as you have honored him and us. There are some things in life I guess you just don't understand and this is one of them. Your family has given so much, society could never repay this debt. I do pray that some day your sacrafice will be realized in real terms by those who never knew you. Thank You Brother for being willing to go where few will for, such little reward. You honor us. "Poi si torno' all' eterna fontana.'

Ptl.T.D.HILL
Ontario Police

July 10, 2004