Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Five years ago our lives changed forever, but what has not changed and will never change is the love we have for you and for the void that can never be filled in this realm. Your fifth memorial service gave me a chance to see some of your friends, and once again share memories and tears. A hard weekend to get through, but friendship and caring helped tremendously. I love you forever, my sweet, sweet son.

Mom

April 26, 2010

Dear Jo Ann ~ My heart aches for you today.

My husband's 5 year EOW recently passed and it's so hard to believe that so much time has passed - some days it seems like just yesterday he was here with us. Yet other days it seems like an eternity since I heard his voice or felt his touch. From reading your reflections, I am sure this is a very difficult day for you; I hope and pray that you find a way to get through it.

I want to tell you that sometimes when I read your reflections, I get angry for you because I get the impression that you feel judged - that people are expecting you to be at a certain point in your grieving, or that they are expecting you to feel a certain way or do certain things that you aren't ready to do. I think that most people don't understand the journey of a widow, especially of a young widow with children. But they don't understand not because they are insensitive - but because they just CAN'T know because they've never had to live through what you've lived through. Only other widows can truly understand, but even we must acknowledge that everyone's journey is different. We all start out at the same horrible place - the graveside of our husbands - but from there our journeys are all unique.

You don't owe anyone an explanation for your journey, nor should you have to defend yourself against other people's opinions or expectations. You just have to keep living your life as best as you can and keep raising your son to be the best person he can be. That is all anyone should ask of you.

I do have a wish for you, Jo Ann, a wish that recently came true for me. I wish that someday you will have peace in your heart and in your soul again. I wish that someday - in your own time and on your own terms - you are able to find love again and to build a new life. The amount of love a heart can hold is boundless, and the life and love you had with Larry will always be there - like a rock-solid foundation for your future. But you do deserve to have a future, a future that is safe and secure and full of hopes and dreams. A future without sadness, without heartache and lonliness. Today I wish all of these things for you - and I wish them with love and understanding, from another widow who has been through the darkness, too.

And to Larry's mom, Phyllis ~ I can't tell you how much your reflections on Jesse's page mean to me. You are such an inspiration to so many people and I want you to know how much I appreciate all of your kind words of support.

You have known too much pain in your life - you were also widowed at a young age, then had to endure the loss of your beloved son - yet you are able to take that pain and use it to comfort others. You are an inspiration to me, and I think you are truly amazing.

And to Larry ~ You are in my thoughts and prayers today, this 5th anniversary of your EOW. Continue to watch over your family; be their guardian angel and help them to feel your presence and to know your love.

Thank you, Officer Lasater, for your service and ultimate sacrifice. You are not - nor will you ever be - forgotten.

With much love, warm thoughts, and lots of prayers,
Carin

Carin E. Sollman
widow of Jesse E. Sollman, EOW 3/25/05

April 24, 2010

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over all of them. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us;
What we have done for others and the world remains
and is immortal." by Albert Pike

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

April 24, 2010

Larry, you are remembered today and everyday. I am so sorry that your family has to carry on without you. I appreciate the sacrifice that you made. And I miss working with you. May you continue to watch over us all, and let us never forget how precious life is.

Dispatcher
Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

April 24, 2010

On this, the 5th anniversary, I pause and pray for your family and friends as I know they grieve. Life will never be the same. But, I can say that even though time does not erase the pain of what we have lost, the day does come that we can talk without tears and laugh with fond memories.
I never knew you Officer Lasater, but I know you. You are a hero of the highest caliber. Thank you for your sacrifice.
God bless your family and friends.

Lt. Valerie Arnold
Baton Rouge PD, retired
Sister of Cpl. Gerald Simmons, EOW/1988

Lt. Valerie Arnold
Baton Rouge PD, Retired

April 23, 2010

dear jo ann and family,
please know you are not alone in your grief, ever. remember, you and your family are also loved by those who have not met you but understand the life of loving a police officer. god bless.

Anonymous

April 23, 2010

Your Sigma Delta brothers in Chi Phi will never forget you.

We wish nothing for your family but love and strength during this time.

With pride and thanks for your efforts to make this world a better place,
- 49613

Anonymous

April 22, 2010

To the family of Officer Lasater, may this fine young hero rest in peace. Also to Mrs. Loya Officer Lasater's Mom, thank you for the many warm and thoughtful condolence messages that you continue to send to other ODMP EOW hero sites from throughout the country. May God bless and sustain your family.

Bob Walsh
Clayton, Mo. P.D./Ret. Sgt.

April 10, 2010

Jo Ann,
Officer Emily Davies and I honored Larry back in 2006 during the Police Unity Tour. We met you, little Cody, Chief Baker, and the rest of your wonerful family. We still think of all of you often. I received an email from the NLEOMF today and the subject was "And the winner is..." I opened it and saw Cody's handsome smiling face! It made my day not only to see how much he has grown, but to see that he won a contest honoring his Dad! We'd love to see you if you travel to DC this year.

Officer Kristen Chipoletti
Vanderbilt University Police Dept.

April 8, 2010

My brother, your mother left a reflection on Patrolman Don Aleshire's MHPD NJ (EOW 28 March 1975) page, I never met this man or his brothers that were murdered that Good Friday 35 years ago, but I was 9 years old when they were brutally murdered, I remember the media coverage, I worked in that department for a short time. I will always honor Patrolman Aleshire, Patrolman William Wurst HTPD NJ (EOW 28 March 1975), and Patrolman John Holmes, (EOW 22 July 1992)< Patrolman John Holmes died 17 years later from his injuries from that fatefull day. I just wanted to say thank you, for your service, and thank you to your mother for her reflection, I will honor you and the men and women who gave there lives, so we can live in a civilized society today, rest easy my BROTHER we got it from here....

Kevin T Ryan
New Jersey Cop

April 3, 2010

I really appreciate all the reflections left for you here. The person who left the one on 3/29...thank you. I needed to hear that.

5 years is coming up pretty quick. The only indication that time has moved on is Cody. He's getting so big and in some ways, he's wise beyond his years. He put his little hand on my face and said "You're gorgeous"...I chuckled a bit and said "Where did you learn that?" and he said "Daddy"

I looked through your things last night which in some ways makes me feel closer to you but it also makes me just want to give up. I'll never see you again and even though it's been almost 5 years, I still can't accept it.

I went back and forth about going to DC. Even though I hate flying, I have to be there to honor all the officers, especially our local officers from Oakland.

Cody and I have made a life for ourselves. It's not the life I wanted but I'm making the best of it for him. He has sports, school, his best friend and a lot to keep him busy. His favorite day of the week is when he gets to spend time with my dad and do projects. I'm glad my dad is here to give him a male perspective on life.

I'll always love you.

Jo Ann

Anonymous

March 31, 2010

Time does not heal all wounds. Not at all. Whomever said that is absolutely wrong. What time does do, is continue to march on.... and with that time comes opportunities to live life, make memories and friends that add to the richness of the wonderful memories you have left behind. Larry, you would be so proud of your beautiful wife and delightful son. They stand tall (well...not technically tall but metaphorically tall) they put one foot in front of the other and they continue to live as if life is a gift. It's your legacy and it's a beautiful thing.

Anonymous

March 29, 2010

Larry, I find it hard to believe that it will soon be 5 years for you and our son, Larry, to be taken away. There is never a day that goes by that I don't think of you and our son. We will never forget the sacrifice that you made. Your mother is a sweet lady and I know the loss she feels. May you rest in peace.

Joy Cox
One Fallen Officer's Mother to another Fallen's Officer's Mother

March 22, 2010

P.O. Larry Elwood Lasater I didn't know you but your mom wrote to my son it is such a shame you look like my son friendly, smiling all te time and carefree. You had to short of a career.

To his mom only we know the hurt of losing a child especially in such a sensless way. People say it will get easier but Jimmy' birthday was 2/16 he died at 34 and it still seems like yesterday and every year we have to have a birthday cake for him Tyler Ann insists and for her mom who died before she was 2 from stress of my sons illness.
We have a common bond not the kind I would like to have with you, but my prayer to give you strengt to deal with this will be with you.

Linda Zadroga

March 19, 2010

It has been awhile since I have been able to leave a message for you. As much as I enjoy reading all the wonderful thoughts everyone leaves, I only get through a couple before I can't read anymore because I can't see through my tears. They are not tears of sadness, but tears of pride, consumed by a since of your duty and courage. Next month it will be five years since I last saw you and heard your voice. I have the priveledge and honor to share your courageous acts on that fateful day with every academy class since you have been gone. I am overwhelmed with pride and emotion by the end of the discussion and for a moment the pain and sadness I feel everyday goes away. I love that place. Honoring your duty and courage everyday I put my uniform on...your friend, Phil

Phil Galer
A partner and friend

March 12, 2010

Thank you for your service.

Bev, Aunt of Mark Cross eow 4 23 05

March 4, 2010

I pray that your family is healthy and strong. I pray that you are at God's side and ask that you will watch over us here in New York...You'll always be in our hearts and prayers. Someday we'll all me at that cop bar in heaven. God be with yours....rest in peace Brother.

An Officer

March 1, 2010

Dear Mrs. Loya,
Thank you for the kind words about my husband on his 19th anniversary. I can look into your son Larry's eyes and see that he was a good man. He lives on in many ways, as does my husband John. Why do the good guys have to leave so soon? I know you can't quite believe it will be 5 years for your son. Before you know it, it will be almost 20. Time doesn't heal the pain, it just becomes more tolerable. Take care and God bless you.

Marybess Salvaggio
Widow of Officer John Salvaggio, HPD Eow 11/25/90

February 12, 2010

We can't believe it's been so long since you've been gone. It's all so very close to our hearts and seems like no time has passed at all. Yaniza misses her Uncle Larry every day and it's difficult for her to understand. She was so young, and yet she remembers so much. She misses you everyday. I wish I could see you dance with her. All those moments you missed out on are heartbreaking. But we are comforted by the amazing continuance of your dear family. They are so precious, and we love them.

Sharon

Anonymous

February 6, 2010

To Officer Larry Lasater and family,

It is a thin blue, tan, and green line that we as a family of Law Enforcement Officers share.

You got that call and you responded as a true crimefighter and hero. I want to thank you for your courage, sacrifice, and dedication.

My thoughts and prayers will be with your family.

Police Officer Louis B. Lave
Los Angeles County Police Department

February 3, 2010

Larry,
It is hard to believe that it will soon be 5 years on your passing. The legacy that you left behind will always be remembered. Rest assured that you are gone but will never be forgotten. Love and Blessings.

Joy Cox
Mother of Fallen Officer Larry R. Cox

January 30, 2010

Hi honey

It is nice that there are others in the community who want to see your sacrfice memorialized the way it should be. Your family should not have to prod anyone to do this. Talk means nothing without action...we have had promises made since your death, but no real follow through.

We all love and miss you.

Mom

January 13, 2010

My dearest thoughts and prayers go to Larry's wife and child. My Dept. experienced the horrible loss of Officer Brian Gregg EOW:9/29/05. We understand your ongoing pain and are here for you always in any way we can help.
A special thought to Larry's Mom, I'm so sorry for the pain you endure of the loss of your Son. Your reflection left on my Friend and Officer's blog was sweet. I need you to know as horrific as it was for Brian's parents' home to burn down, they did not lose any momentos of him of the family. Coincidently, they had just left for their family's homes to celebrate Christmas and had photo albums as gifts to bring with them. All of Brian's personal things and court documentations were locked in a fire safe cabinet and survived the catastrophe. Your kind words mean s much to the rest of us who are left with the pain and loss in my department. Please know we're your extended family across the country and are here for all of you.

Officer Colleen Rosenfeld
Newtown Borough Police Dept.

January 13, 2010

It's hard to believe you've been gone almost 5 years. People think that time heals but it doesn't! I get really mad when people act as if I should be in a better place emotionally. They just can't understand.

I can't believe it's almost time to go back to DC. Monique is coming this year so that will be nice for me and also Cody because he loves her.

Miss you!!!

Jo Ann

Anonymous

January 10, 2010

To the MOM of Officer Lasater, I just wanted to thank you 4 your research & 4 exposing the TRUTH in your reflection on the page of Ast. Chief Emma Horton --eow 9/8/2000. ALL who read these pages should know what really took the life of that dear officer on that tragic day. And 2day, my heart goes out to you, from one mom to another, that your heart would be comforted in due measure to the great comfort u have offered to so many on these pages. Bless you.

Anonymous

January 9, 2010