Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

An Irish prayer for my son


We remember them. At the rising of the sun and at its going down, we remember them.

At the blowing of the wind and the chill of winter, we remember them. At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.

At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, we remember them. At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.

At the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.

As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them. When we have joy we crave to share, we remember them.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make, we remember them. When we have achievements that are based on theirs, we remember them.

As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us, as we remember them."

Amen.
(Irish Prayer)

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

March 15, 2012

You are not forgotten. Sending thoughts and prayers to your family today and always.

Janell, citizen
Kansas

March 12, 2012

If people we love are stolen from us, the way to
have them live on is to never stop loving them.
Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever."
Author Unknown

Our love for you is eternal. Our memories of you are precious.

A few memories that I treasure:

All the hugs and kisses over the years

The surprise birthday party you and James gave me when you were 12 and James was thirteen. It was a great party where all the party guests were 12 and 13-year-old boys.

Your requests to your grandmothers for your favorite meal.

Watching you wrestle in high school and being proud of the determination and discipline you had.

The pride we all felt when we attended the commissioning ceremony when you completed OCS in the Marine Corps and pinning on your second lieutenant bars.

The beautiful eulogy you gave Dad at his funeral.

Your beautiful wedding to the love of your life I miss you so much, my beloved son. Jo Ann

How excited you were about the pending birth of your son Cody, and how much you loved him already, and all the plans you were making for him.

The very last “I love you, Mom. I'll see you later". Watching you walk down the street as you were leaving and turning to my friend and saying" Don't I have a great son!” This was about 78 hours before you were shot.

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

March 8, 2012

Thinking of you today. Watch over us and let us feel your presence.

A friend

March 6, 2012

Officer Lasater

Thank you for your service, I want to be a police officer just like you but i have a few years intill i graduate high school. It's people like that make me want to be a police officer and have a inpact on my life, everyday out there protecting us, I just want to let you know how thankfull i am for you. May you rest in peace, Officer Lasater

Justin DiGeorgio
Future Police Officer

March 4, 2012

Dear Officer Lasater

Last night after I left my recent message to your mother, I realized something. My granddaughter was born on April 24th, 2005. In my imaginative mind I would like to think that your fingertips touched as you passed each other in your journey's to and from heaven. That thought brings a small brief smile to my heart, as I hope it will for your mother. There is a little girl on this earth with strawberry blond hair, big blue eyes, and "Betty Boop" lips. Her name is Ashley Nicole. I can now think of her living her life being touched by a special "Angel in Blue" and I will think of you as being her guardian angel. So please watch over her, and help her to grow up to be someone like you.

Terri

Terri Griffith
Sister of Deputy Griffith, Lassen Co. Sheriffs Dept.

March 3, 2012

Dear Mrs. Loya

I wanted to thank you for always remembering my brother, Larry. I know so well what you mean in your hopes that someone has left a reflection in memory of your son. It means so much to know that someone else cares, and eases some of the ache in our hearts.

I read the reflections that you leave for your beloved son, and I hear my own mother speaking all those very same words. I would bear your pain a million times over as I hate the thought of others having to feel the things that I feel. Reading your words I can tell that your son had many of the same qualities that my brother had, and the spirit of who they are still burns bright through us.

I know why you come here, and I know why you do so much for the other families. This is the one place where others understand because they have had to walk the same painful journey. We don't have to worry about someone telling us we need to move on with life, others here understand that while we eventually find things to smile about, there is that part of us that has been altered and changed forever. We don't forget.

Yes, the California Judicial System seems to add more insult and pain to what we already have to endure. Hopefully some day both of our families will have justice for both of our "Angels in Blue".

I send you my deep and heartfelt love; and if you wrap your arms around yourself as tight as you can; maybe you will feel the hug I am sending too.

Terri Griffith
baby sister of Deputy Griffith

Terri Griffith
Sister of Deputy Griffith, Lassen Co. Sheriffs Dept.

March 2, 2012

As an active military member and son of a wounded police officer, I salute you, Officer Lasater. Thank you for your honorable service, you will always be a hero.

D.C.

March 1, 2012

Today I opened your memorial page hoping to see that somewhere, someone had left a reflection for you. My heart ached a little when there was none. My heart is crying inside, plese don't forget my son. I miss you so much and today is one of those mornings I wake up and am overwhelmed with sadness with facing another day of not being able to see you.

My mind drifts to seven years ago today when you were alive...what were you doing? Were you just getting off work? Were you and Jo Ann going to work on the baby's room? Were you going to get together some time with James, Phil, Les, Phil, Eric or another of your buddies? Were you going to email Mike Ross? Were you going to call me for one of our lunches? All of the every day bits of life that we all take for granted. I wish I knew what your last March 1rst was like. I hope it was a good day.

Loving you forever.

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

March 1, 2012

My cherished son, you lived your life with a profound sense of duty and in the true meaning of a Gentleman, as defined by John Walter Wayland, as "A Man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe."

You were indeed an Officer and a Gentleman. Semper fi.

Loving you always, Mom

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

February 20, 2012

Today one of your cousins is in a hospital in North Carolina struggling for his life. I hope his suffering ends, I remembr some memories of the two of you. I remember when as a young adult he came to California for a visit and he, his then girlfriend, James, and you went to see an A's game. On the return Bart triip, an older drunk passenger tried to assault you. You were a small twelve-year-old, Your cousin Craig immediatley sprang into action and dispensed with that thug in the true fashion of a Carolina scrapper. When the melee ended, an off duty Newark officer showed his badge and remarked he was going to intervene until he saw the thug had more than met his match.

I remember when he attended my mom/your grandmother's funeral proudly waring your memorial bracelet as he knew it would provide some comfort for me on that day.

I know you will be on hand to welcome him to the other side.

Loving and missing you, Mom.

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

February 16, 2012

These beautiful words written by Raymond Chandler were posted on Officer Larry Gleason's memorial and I thought they fit you and all our other fallen heroes.


"Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is the hero, he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor, by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world."

Loving you always, my precious and cherished son.

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

February 11, 2012

Dear Phyllis, thank you for thinking of my grandfather, John P. Grove. I never got to know him because he was murdered long before I was born but I feel like I carry the burden of my father's grief now. Since Dad passed away almost thirteen years ago, I ache so much about what happened to my grandfather. Just like my father must have for all those years. It's like I inherited his pain. Looking back, all my life, things never were quite right because of what happened. So it really doesn't ever go away. I do know that the love we have for each other never goes away though either. It transcends everything else. Nothing, not even time, can ever take that away from us. Don't forget that your son still loves you where he is too!!!

Laurie Beam
Grand Daughter of John P. Grove EOW 1928

January 31, 2012

To Phyllis

Thank you for the kind words you left for my dad Agent Glover.. I am a very proud daughter tonight because of your words the only thing worst than losing you dad in blue is losing your child in blue. My thoghts and prayers will always be with you.. Thank you again for remembering my dad on this day ...

Tracy Glover Shouse
EOW 1/28/10

Tracy Glover Shouse
Daughter

January 28, 2012

My prayers go out to your son as he will soon know what a Hero his father was. Thank you sir for your service and may god be with you and your family. RIP Officer

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

January 21, 2012

Wanted to thank your Mom, for writing on my sons site. Only a mother knows how much we miss our sons, you guys are thought of everyday and we will never forget you or the joy you brought into our lives. There are days that are harder than others and the day that you left us is one of the hardest, so I just try to remember that God wanted you back also, so I call it Clint's 8th birthday in Heaven.
Just want you and your Mom to know that we will never forget your scarifice or the scarifice that your family has to make everyday you are not with them him on earth, we know that you watch over them, just send them signs that they will know.
Thank you Phyllis I check Clint's site everyday and love reading new things and quotes. We are thinking of you...

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker Prattville P.D. Alabama E.O.W. 1-14-04

January 20, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Lasater. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 19, 2012

Mrs. Loya,

I wanted to thank you for the kind words that you left today for Corporal Paul Walters of the Silver Spring Township Police Dept, Pa. (EOW 1/19/1975).

The many notes of encouragement that you leave throughout odmp.org are a true blessing and it is an honor that you devoted your time to remember our fallen officer.

God bless you.

Officer J. Craven
Silver Spring Township, PA Police Dept.

January 19, 2012

Dear Larry, Phyllis, and Family,

I stopped by today to visit and catch up. I know how hard the Christmas season has been and then to read that you had lost another precious family member...When I went to the hill to visit Matt at Christmas the tears flowed harder than ever as my precious daddy now lays just a few feet from him now, two sets of grandparents just a little farther away, and several aunts and uncles.....precious memories....but never any easier.

Thank you Phyllis for quoting the line I wrote for Matthew, and for calling me your good friend. I smiled when I read that, and always will cherish your friendship and meeting you at D.C.

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Fallen Officer Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/2004

January 19, 2012

I wrote a book about law enforcement titled, Everything you wanted to know about the Heroes in Blue" and I was proud to include your story!

Charlotte Hopkins

January 16, 2012

Yesterday Aunt Hope died. She was the mainstay of the Loya family and it is almost inconceivable to imagine a Loya family reunion without her. After your death I cold not bear going to a family reunion for several years. When I went again in 2009, I felt I received a sign from you. When the pinata for the adults was broken and candy fell out, Aunt Hope picked up a candy bar and handed it to me...it was your favorite, a Snickers bar. She will be sorely missed but I feel you and Dad were there to welcme her.

Honey, I miss you so very much. I don't fear death anymore because to me, you are just one breath away. I love you forever,

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

January 16, 2012

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

January 11, 2012

This is Linda Zadroga I lost my son from 9/11. Yo read my grand daughters letter to her dad, I really appreciate your concern. But this incident was only her thinking that she could see her dad if she died. She never did anything and we are with her 24/7. Thank you for your concerns. I know how you are hurting it's not suppose to be that your child goes before you. I also feel very sorry for his wife that was a terrible loss. My daughter in law died of a heart attack before Tyler Ann was 2 years old, and have had her since then. She was bullied in school just before Christmas break I think that also added to her saddness. Well my thoughts are with you. May you keep strong, I know it's hard I don't know they say it gets easier but it just seems to get harder. You will always be in my thoughs & prayers. Rest in peace larry. Gone but not forgotten.

linda zadroga
mother James Zadroga

January 8, 2012

rest in peace brother in blue god bless you.

Lt J.Pease
Brentwood Police Dept

January 6, 2012

Dear Phyllis,

This past weekend I saw the reflection you left for Park Ranger Margaret Anderson, and I thought it was very sweet and kind of you to be so thoughtful.

My husband is a Sgt. with North Salt Lake City Police. One of their officers (Charles Benjamin Skinner) was critically injured in a car accident and passed away on November 7, 2008... and I noticed that you had left a reflection for Charlie as well.

Tragically, last night, six of our officers from the Ogden area were shot, one of them, Jared Francom was killed... the others are still hospitalized and critical... Again, I see that you have left a post.

I am deeply touched and was literally moved to tears by your thoughfulness and concern for others during their darkest hours. I just wanted to say thank you for the love and compassion you have shown to all of these officers and their families. I am so sorry that your dear Son was taken from you and your family. These acts of violence are just so senseless and we will never understand why people do these terrible things that destroy so many lives.

May God bless you and your family, and may he be a constant source of peace, comfort and strength to each of you. You inspire me to be a better person and I wanted to say thank you.

Crisanta Gwilliam
Wife of a Utah Police Officer

January 5, 2012