Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Even now, the sting of your loss goes deep...so many fond and fun memories of working with you......thank you for your service dear friend to help revive my darling son...you are a treasure to have had for a friend and a true hero and all around stand up kind of guy....our community and county remember you as a kind, caring, compassionate, wonderful person who was indeed a blessed servant as our beloved CC Sheriff. Miss you often...smile at the memories I have of your work antics!

JULIE BRANDNER
CoWorker

August 5, 2020

Rest in heavenly peace on this your 16 anniversary in heaven

Mark Mottola

August 4, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

August 4, 2020

RIP

President Bobby Jenkins
Florida State FOP Lodge

August 4, 2019

Rest in peace Sheriff Bechtold.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2019

John....so miss your bubbly personality at work....you put the sunshine in many days that could be rather mundane. Thank you for working so hard in your job as the Campbell County Sheriff. You were well respected among your peers, in the community and with the youth which says a lot about the man you were.

Miss you in a lot of different ways, but mostly the way you'd walk into the courthouse snapping your fingers and smacking your hand whistling each morning.

Julie Brandner
Great Friend

August 4, 2015

Thank you for your service Sheriff Bechtold

Police Officer
Santee Sioux Nation Police Nebraska

August 4, 2015

Thank you for your dedicated service, and the sacrifice you and your family made. We have the same last name , but don't know if we were related.

Chief Deputy Bruce Bechtold
Stearns County Sheriff's Office, MN

June 19, 2014

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 26, 2013

John, tonight when I was on patrol in Zeeland, ND, I had the privilege of meeting your mother and your brother. We spoke of you and even though I never met you, your mother said that we were brothers in arms, because of what we do. As you patrol the streets of heaven, take comfort that you are not forgotten and we are taking care of those you left behind.

Gerard R. Zlotkowski, Chief Deputy
McIntosh County, North Dakota Sheriff's Office

January 7, 2012

Thank you John for your service to protect and serve.Rest in Peace. And our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, and co-workers everyday. You will not be forgotten. God Bless your Family.

Dale and Becky Schroeder
Parents of Deputy Sheriff Travis Sass EOW 6-29-2004

April 19, 2011

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. You have not been forgotten.
"It's not the years in your life that count; I'ts the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln

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

August 4, 2010

Sheriff Bechtold thank you for your willingness to serve your fellowman. You are a hero. It has been 6 years since the end of your watch and you have not been forgotten. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones. Rest in peace.

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

August 4, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the fifth 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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

August 4, 2009

Thinking of you and all your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over all of them. You are a true hero and have not been forgotten.

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

August 4, 2008

with a heavy heart for you brother officer, and having the same name. my heart goes out to the Bechtold family and the law enforcement family.

policeman- John W. Bechtold
past patrolman- haysville,ks

February 25, 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 24, 2008

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 3rd anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Thankyou for your service to law enforcement and especially for your heroism.

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

August 4, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Sheriff Bechtold Jr on the anniversary of his passing. May God comfort you all. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

August 4, 2007

It will be 2 years that you were called away and I know your loved ones miss you today as much as they did the first day they lost you. I commend you for your heroism in attempting to save the life of another, you are a true hero and you will never be forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

August 2, 2006

Thank you for your inspirational service. We will remember your commitment and sacrifice as we continue on in our duties.

Deputy Justin Hooper
Mellette County Sheriff's Office South Dakota

June 15, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

March 18, 2006

Many days have gone by since you left us here to carry on without you. So often we remember you and the memory is always one of the deepest fondest. You brought joy here in Campbell County with your laughter and your upbeat personality. You were a great coworker....your presence is undeniable missed. But your memory lives here...we'll see you by and by. Thanks for the good times....Your Courthouse Family

Fellow Coworkers at Campbell County
The Campbell County Courthouse Crew

March 1, 2006

Rest in peace, Sheriff...

Darin W. Moke, Patrolman
Wagner Police Department

October 10, 2005

I will keep your family in my thoughts today. Thank you for the hard work and committment.

August 4, 2005