Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The Illinois State Police lives forever, and since you were an Illinois State Trooper YOU will live forever. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.

Trooper A.M. Unal
Illinois State Police

April 19, 2020

You and your sacrifice are not forgotten, Sir.

Karen Bosen
Grateful citizen

January 15, 2020

Lee, you are missed by so many ❣️

Angie Gifford
Family friend

January 15, 2019

Still miss you❣️
Your wife......
Love,
Janice

Janice Bensyl
Wife

January 14, 2018

R.I.P. Agent Bensyl....

Tony Sacco
Retired Chief Deputy Sangamon Co.

January 15, 2017

I knew Agent Bensyl as a young adult. I grew up with his wife and brother in law in our small country village of Cisco, Illinois. I will never forget the day I learned of special Agent on a nationally televised crime show. I was in shock and broke down in disbelief.
Agent Bensyl was a very dedicated man of service as was his father before him. Knowing his wife and the heartbreak of widowhood and raising a child without their Dad is a daunting task. I commend Agent Bensyl for his dedication not only to his fellow officers but his duty to for the citizens he chose to protect.

I commend his fellow officers for their rememberance. For the new memorial to the fallen.
But most of all. Lets remember Janice and their son, who have carried on in his absence.

Citizen
friend

January 16, 2016

Remembering the day when I last saw you alive at the State's Attorney's office in Macon County, now that word has come down of the death of Dave McClearin, your partner that day. Say hello to him for me.
Rest in peace.

K. Miller
Hancock County Public Defender (former Macon Co. Ass't. St. Atty.)

August 5, 2014

I thought about you today, Lee. I mostly think about what an impact you had on me while I contemplated a career in Law Enforcement. Graduating from the Academy was the proudest day of my life. I was fortunate to know you as a friend and as a fellow officer. You are missed but never forgotten.

Former Law Enforcement
Friend and Co-Worker

March 13, 2014

God bless you and your family sir.

Trooper
Illinois State Police D15

April 5, 2013

Remembrance from fellow cadet Class 45, 1969

Former Trooper #1583 R.G.Klobucnik
ISP

July 7, 2012

Rest in Peace, Special Agent Bensyl. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

June 5, 2012

I went by your headstone today on my run. You have been on my mind lately. I said a prayer for Janice, Rodney, Tammy, and my Dad.

CPD Patrolman

February 14, 2012

Lee
I think of you often and remember what a great person you were.
As I think of you on this 24th anniversary of your passing, I have trouble comprehending the time that has passed.
I visited your grave this week and when I saw the new baseball that was on the headstone I smiled, remembering how proud you were of Rodney.
I saw him and his mother last year at the little memorial that we have each year and rest assured that he has grown into a young man that you can be proud of.
My son Dave runs almost daily and often runs by your burial site.
We miss you.

Ret. Msgt.
ISP

January 15, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th 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. He was also your brother in green so I must bid you semper fi and thank you for serving our country in Vietnam.

Your memory will always be honored and revered as time never diminishes respect. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 15, 2012

We honor your courage and service. Rest in Peace Trooper.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

April 26, 2010

Today on the 20th anniversary of your death, we pause and say a prayer for your family and the loved ones you left behind you to mourn.
May God comfort them on this difficult day and all days.
The pain of losing one never goes away you just somehow try to learn to accept.
Rest in peace Sarge you are not forgotten.
Respectfully submitted
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

January 15, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR POLICE AND MILITARY SERIVCE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 5, 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

October 17, 2007

I worked with Lee when I was an intern with his office in the Fall of 1987. I looked up to Lee as a dedicated investigator and a true professional in the law enforcement community. I am proud to have known him.

Sr. Inspector Scott Benton
United States Marshals Service

September 21, 2007

Lee,
You are still missed very much every day, but so much more a little over a week ago (10/14) when I, along with your parents, our family & friends watched our son get married and begin his life as we did, they are completing our circle of love because he used part of my ring for his new wife and he chose to use your ring for his expression of love for his new wife. You would have been very proud, Rodney is so handsome and a wonderful young man.

You are missed & loved as always,
Your wife,
Love,
Janice

wife

October 23, 2006

Dad...You are forever in my thoughts and I cherish the comforting hand that you guided me with while you were here on this Earth...Though you are no longer with me to toss the baseball in the backyard, I just close my eyes and I am instantly in that place with you once again.
Rest peacefully...Rodney

Rodney Bensyl
Son

October 6, 2006

you are missed deeply by family and friends Lee." No greater man is he than a man who lays down his life for his friends".

family friend

February 6, 2006

Rest easy Sgt. Bensyl. Thank you for your service.

January 15, 2005

You will forever be a hero to us all...God Bless you my brother...

Cleveland Police, Retired, Ohio