Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Missing you today and always. Wish you were here to celebrate Christmas with us.

Santa gave Cody a lot of stuff but the best was new drums and a red electric guitar. Every year he loves Christmas more.

Cody pretty much put life in perspective for me. I guess I looked sad and he said "What's wrong mommy?" and I told him that I was missing his daddy. He said "Well, you still have me." He then went on to say "I'm happy so you should be too"

Our son is such a blessing.

Jo Ann

December 25, 2009

To Larry's Family,
Just wanted to take time out on this Christmas day that even those of us who never knew you or Larry are thinking of you and wishing you the best. We will always know that Larry's dedication to our country and enforcing the law has made our lives better. Larry will always be the hero I never met. Thank you for allowing me this moment to share in continuing the memory of this great man. I Wish you all the best in 2010. We will continue to remember.
Joe S. Bakersfield, Ca.

Joe S.
Civilian, Bakersfield, Ca.

December 25, 2009

Today I am leaving your Santa picture of you and James when you were little guys with you. I do this so it is with you on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

You would be proud that for the first time since we lost you that Mom has actually decorated some. No tree but Cody, Sage and Seth with the help of their mommies put up the Snow Village on the grand piano, they made a Santa town in front of the fireplace, and garland on the staircase. I added all the beautiful lenox holiday items, many of which were gifts from you and James, to the wall unit. Thus, the whole downstairs looks very festive. You were always such a help with decorating and I thought of you the whole time. I did not want my grandchildren to think of my home as barren and devoid of any holiday spirit.

As always, we all love and miss you so incredibly much. Son of my heart, my Christmas baby, I love you more than any words can possibly say.

Mom

December 24, 2009

All of Larry's family:

Hope you have a Merry Christmas. I was thinking of Larry today, and thought of you all as well. I was a fraternity brother of Larry's from Davis, and know that he really made an impact on all that knew him (certainly me). I will be with my family this Christmas, and know that Larry is with you as well. Best wishes. He was a GREAT guy. Not that you need me to tell you that.

Merry Christmas and the best for 2010.

Stephan Andranian
Friend

December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas Larry. I haven't talked to the Pollock family in a while, but I know that they too, are thinking of you and praying for your precious family. We have a blue light in our window this Christmas to remember the officers who have fallen. We think of your family and the grief they must feel this time of year. I pray your angels wings will reach out and surround them with the love you have for them. God Bless your family.

Anonymous

December 23, 2009

Dear Phyllis, Jo Ann, and Cody,

Just wanted to let you all know I was thinking of you. I had to take a break from "reflections" for a while. This year, the 5th, has been such a struggle, the sadness has been overwhelming. I took the time today, to catch up with you and send my love, always.

Linda Rittenhouse
Matt's Mom

December 19, 2009

Today I found myself staring at the dog tag that honors your name, given to our class by your wife and mother. As I hold it my hand....I think back and remember the year I spent in the academy yelling your call sign in honor of your memory. The strength it instilled in me to push myself. The inspiration that you still give me today. Your sacrifice has been a beacon that will not let me give up on my career choice to be a peace officer. I wish your wife, son and family a Safe Christmas...Never Forget...Never Forgotten...Always Remembered...

Pride Is Forever...

Anthony Punchard
Academy Graduate Class 14

December 18, 2009

Jo Ann, Not that I have the words to comfort you or even to bring a smile, but maybe just knowing there are those of us who care from afar will help in some small way. I think of you and Cody often and I keep you in my prayers. I wish you some kind of happiness today and always if only in the eyes of your beloved son do you find happiness.
I wish you a "Happy and safe Holiday"

Anonymous

December 15, 2009

Today ia a day that will have an impact on my future and I am feeling apprehensive. Whatever happens I know you will be watching over me and give me the strength I need. Losing you was the absolute worst thing that has ever happened in my life and having been through the worst (even though that journey is still on-going), I know that everything else pales in comparison. Early on in this grieving process I heard your voice telling me "Mom. I'm still here. If you need me, just reach out your hand."
So I'm taking your suggestion and keeping my chin up and praying for the best, whatever that may be.

Your son has the same caring for people and sweet nature that you always had as a child. What a good kid he is and I know you watch over Cody and Jo An with pride.

Loving you forever and ever.

Mom

December 15, 2009

Officer Larry Elwood Lasater Jr. Your mother "Mom" had written a reflection for my uncle Harry Hartford, who like you was killed in the line of duty. Living in this world we search for answers to our pain and why can sometimes never be found. We live in a fallen world and some take a stand and put on that uniform of public trust and a shield of faith. Faith in knowing that every badge worn by every fire and police officer is a public trust of faith we have in all of them, in doing a job only a few are called to do. Thank You for your service in putting on that uniform each day and doing what only you could do, in keeping us all safe. Now your Mother, wife, child and Friends know that Officer Larry Elwood Lasater Jr. is in a place to keep watch over all of us with our father in heaven. May God Bless your family and friends in uniform.

H.L. Hartford

December 14, 2009

Your mom is a wonderful person. She is always has kind words for the families of officers. Although her words are encouraging..this has to bring her sadness as she knows first hand the loss of a loved one. If I could help heal her heart I would.

May you rest in peace.

Deputy
ACSO

December 13, 2009

Forty years ago at 9:04 pm you and I began a journey together for that was the moment you were born. The same doctor who had delivered me 21 years earlier delivered you in the same hospital. You always made me so proud and I was so blessed to be the mom of two wonderful sons. Sadly, your journey in this realm ended in April of 2005 but you are forever with us in spirit and soul. I love you, my beloved son.

Mom

December 12, 2009

Your 40th birthday today. You know how much I want you here with me and Cody. Our family is not complete and it never will be without you.

We spent the morning at the 5th annual Larry Lasater Wrestling Tournament. I'm so glad your good friend Jim does this in your memory every year.

Cody and I picked out a nice plant to bring to the cemetery. We put up your Christmas tree there the other day.

I'll always miss you. Someday we'll be together again and I'll never let you go.

Love always

Jo Ann

December 12, 2009

The message you left on my brothers reflection was very warming and uplifting.He is Sgt James Mike Lane of the Beaumont,Texas Police Dept. Mike's EOW was 9-16-04.

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Carol Lane
Greater Houston Concerns of Police Survivors

December 2, 2009

I have seen so many kind messages on my husbands site from Officer Lasater's mother. They are very kind, and very much appreciated. I wanted to read the reflections for this fallen hero and thank you for continuing to share such touching words on Dan's page. I am so sorry for your loss, what a hero... another hero taken too soon and unfairly. I am thankful that the death penalty was given to one of the offenders, as in our situation, the death penalty was the sentencing. To the family of this fallen hero, may you find peace and comfort during the years ahead.

janice Starnes
Surviving spouse of Sgt. Dan R. Starnes

December 1, 2009

I am sickened and infuriated at the ambush of four officers in Washington that just occurred this morning. Now spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends and fellow officers will have their lives forever changed because of this horrific assassination of four officers, 3 male and one female, who were gunned down as they had coffee while they worked on their laptops before their morning shift began. I hope the monster who did this gets the fate he deserves and I pray that no leo or innocent citizen loses his/her life in the apprehension. This sickens me to my core. It seems that in 2009 the targeting of officers just because they wear the badge is spiriling out of control. Once a family has had to endure the unendurable loss of a line of duty death, we never want another family to have to go through it. But it happened today to four families and they will not be the last.

Each lod incident takes all of us back to the moment when we lost our beloved. I miss you so much, my precious son.
You are forever in my heart and soul.

Mom

November 29, 2009

Yessterday I spent Thanksgiving with James, Lenore and kids. It was a nice restful afternoon and the kids and I enjoyed each other. Seth and Sage talked about Cody and his trip; Jo Ann and Cody were missed but we all hoped that they were enjoying their trip with Cathy. Seth and Sage were excited about coming over to help me with Christmas decorating so with the help of my three beautiful and energetic grandchildren, I am going to decorate house for the holidays for the first time since you died. I think you would like that since you always got into the holiday spirit. It gives me a chance to share the ornaments collected over the years for you and James with your children so they can see what their daddies hung on the tree when they were little boys. And of course, all the pictures of you guys with Santa.

Loving you forever

Mom

November 27, 2009

I miss you every single day but today was harder since it's Thanksgiving. I made the right decision leaving. Being away from everyone made the day a little easier to get through.

I showed Cody where we used to live, we went to Legoland and the beach. You were on my mind every second.

Thinking about the Thanksgivings we spent together...especially that first one.

Love you always

Jo Ann

November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving. You are not forgotten. Please watch over your family, friends and all of your law enforcement brothers and sisters. Today I give thanks that there are people like you, who put your lives on the line for those in the community. Your sacrifice, and the sacrifice your family has made, is not forgotten.
Happy Birthday Jo Ann. I am thinking of you and hoping there is happiness in spending this day however you choose with Cody.
God Bless.

Dispatcher
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office

November 25, 2009

Mom had just written a very long reflection for Thanksgiving and was finishing up when my phone rang and when I came back it had all disappeared. I know you understand that as I was writing I became emotional and cannot rewrite it just now, but you know the words I wrote, the memories that were evoked, and the ever present longing and love I have for you.

Forever in my heart,

Anonymous

November 25, 2009

I love you, my sweet and awesome son.

Mom

Anonymous

November 24, 2009

Jo Ann,
I read your reflection about Thanksgiving. The holidays are so hard, especially in the early years. Yes, there are times that you have to do things for your children but you do have to think of yourself too. If you are like so many other survivors, you feel like people forget about your feelings after that first year or so goes by. I think it would be wonderful for you to do something different with Cody for Thanksgiving - after all, you need to make new memories that you can be thankful for and that will make you smile! After Calvin was killed, I tried to remember that he would want me to "DANCE" and not "sit it out". So even though there have been many tears & sad times, I've done my best to be happy because I know he wanted me to. So don't feel guilty about doing your own thing...get out there and DANCE if you feel like it! Will keep you in my prayers; hope you have a nice Thanksgiving & Christmas!

Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin Taylor NCSHP

November 19, 2009

I love and miss you. Wish you could have been here for Yaniza's sixteenth birthday. She has so many special memories of you. I heard her telling someone about you and what a charismatic personality you had and how you lit up a room with your presence. Out of the mouth of babes!
Loving you forever, Mom

Anonymous

November 14, 2009

Phyllis,
I can always count on you to leave such sweet messages on Daddy's page, and once again, you didn't disappoint me. Wednesday was a hard day, but with God's grace and the love of friends (even as far away as California!) we got through it. As for my husband's injury, he just found out he will be having surgery on Tuesday. He re-injured the arm that was shot on the night Daddy was killed, and this will be the 9th surgery to put it back together! Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
I love to read about Cody, and I'm sure he's the apple of your eye! Give him kisses from his Daddy's home state...maybe we'll meet again in DC sometime.
Thanks again for your support and kindness~it is much appreciated! Of course, your family remains dear to me and in my prayers also. Take care~
Lori

Lori Johnson Rowley
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson, EOW 11/11/04 FCSO, NC

November 13, 2009

"I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will believe in me. "

John 14:27-29

Anonymous

November 10, 2009