Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On my first day as an officer, I noticed the memorial in your honor on the wall. I felt proud to be part of a police force that you were once part of. Your sacrifice fills me with courage every time I see your badge on that wall. Thank you for your sacrifice, you will never be forgotten sir.

Corporal Benjamin Sanchez
Deming Police Department

September 15, 2021

Patrolman Bennett,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

July 25, 2019

My father, also a police officer in Deming, pulled up on this scene just as the shooting started. I've forgotten a lot of things about my life, but I've never forgotten this officer and how he was set up to be murdered. I'd like the family to know the great impact his death had on our family and that he's been in my prayers for almost 40 years.

KAB
DPD officer's daughter

April 12, 2018

My thoughts and prayers to your family sir. Thank you for your sacrifice, although you are gone, you will never be forgotten.

Lieutenant Lou Tavizon
Deming Police Department, Deming, New Mexico, USA

March 12, 2018

I still miss you Daddy

Casey
Son

May 13, 2014

I remember Royce sitting in my families living room watching my sister trying to blow out the trick candles on her birthday cake that he had bought. He had to drive from Deming to El Paso to find them. Had never seen him laughing so hard. He was shot just a few months later. I refuse to post the name of the scum who shot him but he got what was coming to him. Thank you to the officer who put him away. You did the world a great service.

Reserve Deputy Fred Ruebush
Sierra County Sheriff's Department

December 21, 2013

Royce was friend and brother. I have missed him and I would like to thank Florida highway trooper for doing what I could not do.

thanks clark

Clark Reynolds

October 3, 2013

Patrolman Bennett,
Sir, it has been 34 years since your End of Watch but you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served in the U.S. Army. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 14, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

July 25, 2013

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

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

February 20, 2013

I also remember what Cinde said about playing pool with you, her and Clark. I still have the pic of you in your uniform and think of you with fond memories. You were the best role model and friend we could have had at that time in our lives. You will always be in my heart and memories. Thank you. RIP

Niki Alexander
friends

July 19, 2012

I ran across this site by accident, I was doing web searches on people that I had known in Deming before moving to Phoenix, AZ around 1966. I did know of Royce's passing, as I had spoken to Leroy at some later date, when I had called just to see how everyone was. I had seen Royce while he was an officer, when I had come back to my Grandmother's funeral. I was so glad I had gotten to see him as a proud Police Officer, he was such a great guy.

Royce will always hold a special place in my heart. He was my first love. At the ripe old age of 12. His whole family meant a lot to me. It really struck me that I had a son who also passed on "July 25", 2001, due to a gunshot, but his was self inflicted due to having some problems in his life.

I also wanted to say that my husband Keith, of 39 years, bears such a resemblance to Royce. I have a photo of my husband in his military dress uniform and it is such an uncanny likeness. I wonder if that is what drew me to my husband.

For all the rest of Royce's family, I still think of him to this day, and of all the pain and grief I know you all have gone through. Please know that the people who knew him, knew what a special young man he was. God Bless any and all of his surviving family and children.

Jeanie (Lewis) Bebo
Friend

January 22, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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 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. I pray for the solace of all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 25, 2010

"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

December 13, 2007

Heros are never forgotten. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

July 25, 2007

Officer Bennett,
Thank you for keeping us safe. Thank you for laying down your life for citizen's you had never met. God tells us that no greater love has any man than when he lays down his life for another. You were the one of which he spoke. It's men like you that give our communities peace and freedom. You are gone, but you will not be forgotten. I am very proud of your service, rest in peace.

Stacie/ PO's sister/Houston
searching for dad

September 7, 2006

Royce,
I remember playing pool with you and Clark at the Village Green. All the times you caught me out past curfew and sent me home. Jumping my car battery every time it died! I'm grown with children of my own now, and probably have you to thank for your guidance in my teen years. Thank you for all you did!

Cinde Waller

February 8, 2006

Officer Bennett,
I did not know you, but knew of your great sacrifice to your community in Deming, NM. My husband, Dan an I are from Deming and I would like to say thank you. My father also was killed in the line of duty. God bless you!

Norberta Moreno-Anderson

January 17, 2006

officer Bennett,
On today, the 26th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Deming.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

July 25, 2005

So many years ago and yet your memory lives on.
Know that you are not forgotten.
All who wear the badge, continue in your memory.

Master Trooper
Virginia State Police

July 25, 2005