Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 77th 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

December 3, 2011

It is so nice to see my Uncle remembered for such bravery. I was only 3 years old when he was killed and never remembered seing a photo of him .

Louine Hicks Rayfield
Patrolman Deason was my Uncle David

May 4, 2010

You are not forgotten.

Anonymous

January 6, 2009

Even though it's been 74 years, Officer Deason's sacrifice is just as meaningful today as it was in 1934. He gave his life in defense of another and for that he will always be remembered.

Deputy Eric Brown
Lancaster, SC Sheriff's Office

December 3, 2008

It has been 74 years since the end of your watch, you have not been forgotten. Thank you for your willingness to serve your fellowman. May God continue to bless you and the members of your family. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

December 3, 2008

You are remembered today on the 74th anniversary of your death. Pageland will never forget you!

Sgt. Paul E Smith
Lancaster Police Department, SC

December 3, 2008

73 years later, you are still remembered.

Sgt. Paul Smith
Lancaster Police Department, SC

December 13, 2007

Thank You for having served the Chesterfield County community.

May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

December 3, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

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

December 3, 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.

July 10, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

January 29, 2007

Officer Deason was the son of Robert Lee Deason who was the son of my Great Great Grandfather, David Deason. I wasn't born until 1948 but I've heard of Office Deason my whole life. I wish I could have known his branch of the family.

Dale Deason

May 4, 2006

On 02/15/06, the SC Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial was dedicated at the State House Grounds in Columbia, SC. William David Deason was among the 308 heroes permanently memorialized. Now his memory will live forever among his fellow officers who have given their all for our state. We will not forget.

PFC Eric Brown
Pageland, SC Police Dept

March 5, 2006

William David Deason was my Uncle, the brother of my father. I was only a year and a half old at the time and don't really remember him. I am very pleased that he will finally be honored for his bravery,

Don Deason, nephew

March 24, 2005

Officer William David Deason has been awarded the Purple Heart by the SC Police Chief’s Association. This award will be presented to the family of Officer Deason by the members of the Pageland Police Department, past and present, and the President of the SC Police Chief’s Association at a planned memorial service.

My father was thirteen years old when Officer Deason was murdered and he lived only two blocks from the incident location. He shared with me often his recollections of that night. One thing that he seemed to emphasize was the enormous admiration that the town had for Officer Deason. The citizens of Pageland came to the aide of Officer Deason and the Police Department that tragic night. The town had only two police officers, the Chief of Police and the Night Policeman. (They were appointed for a one year term, in January of each year, by the Town Council. Officer Deason was nearing the expiration of his term when he was killed.) After the shooting, my father told me that the owner of a local hardware opened up his store and issued rifles and shotguns to the residents of the town so that they could assist the Chief of Police, who was the only remaining member of the police department, and the County’s Rural Police Officer in apprehending the armed suspect. They placed their lives on the line that night to see that the suspect was brought to justice.

Officer Deason, thank you for protecting my hometown during a time when it was in its infancy. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Cpl. Paul E. Smith, Jr.
Lancaster Police Department, SC

March 21, 2005

Officer William David Deason will be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington DC during National Police Week May 11 - May 15 2005. Even though over 70 years have passed since his tragic death, the town of Pageland still remembers his valiant sacrifice. This recognition is long overdue, but richly deserved. Rest in Peace brother and we know you're still watching our back.

PFC Eric Brown
Pageland SC Police Dept

March 14, 2005

It is wonderful to see my uncle added to this memorial after so many years!

Myra Coffey

August 26, 2004

Officer Deason,

I honor you. Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.) ATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

July 1, 2004

It's nice to see my father get the recognition he so deserved after all these years. A special thanks to Cpl. Paul Smith (Lancaster, SC PD), Officer Eric Brown (Pageland, SC PD) and Chief John Sowell (Pageland, SC PD).

Bobbie D. Taylor, daughter

June 22, 2004

I have missed having my Dad for 70 years. I was 9 years old, oldest of four children when he was taken from us.

Marcine D. Affleck (daughter)

June 21, 2004

Officer Deason was my grand father, I would have liked to know him.

Joel Affleck
Civilian

June 20, 2004

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell

Gregg Houston
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 20, 2004

MY BROTHER, 70 YEARS HAS PASS, BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

June 19, 2004