Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 25, 2018

Thinking of you and your family today, the seventh anniversary of your death. I am holding your family in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

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

April 26, 2012

To Patrolman Harold Loyd Thorne Jr., his family and his fellow officers with the Tuscaloosa Police Department:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Patrolman Thorne’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Patrolman Thorne and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc.
Members and Staff

April 25, 2009

"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

November 14, 2007

On the anniversary of his death, we pause to remember Officer Thorne and recognize the ultimate sacrifice he paid serving his fellow citizens.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to his surviving family members.

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery Police Dept. - Montgomery, AL

April 25, 2007

Two years have passed since you were called away from duty and those that love you have kept you close to their hearts and have thought of you every hour of every day. Continue to watch over them and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

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

April 25, 2007

Your memory will live on through your son and all those that were lucky enough to have met you. Rest in peace.

wife of a michigan deputy

April 25, 2007

G-d Bless.

April 25, 2007

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Thorne. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

November 2, 2006

I cannot believe a year has gone since you passed- As one of your training officers at TPD I believe you would have made an excellent officer. You will not be forgotten and your legacy is alive through your son. You are now remembered on the wall of heroes in Washington. Rest in Peace...

Officer Colleen Cantrell
Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles

May 22, 2006

You were remembered today at the memorial at the Capitol in Montgomery and will be again tomorrow night at the candle-lighting ceremony on the Capitol steps...your legacy will live on...Shalom

Friend of:
Patrolman Kip E. Boulis
Perrysburg City Police Department, Ohio
E.O.W.: Sunday, May 30, 1976

Kathleen
Alabama C.O.P.S.

May 5, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 4, 2006

You and your family are rememberd prayerfully on this first anniversary of your death. May you rest in peace, sir. Thank you for your service to the community.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

April 26, 2006

You and your family are rememberd prayerfully on this first anniversary of your death. May you rest in peace, sir. Thank you for your service to the community.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

April 26, 2006

Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers as you have just marked the first anniversary of your very unexpected death. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. You will always be remembered as a hero.

Linda Lamm- LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

April 26, 2006

To Patrolman Harold Loyd Thorne Jr., his loved ones and his fellow officers in the Tuscaloosa Police Dept.:

On this the first anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is revered and honored today.

May your family continue be to comforted by the warm embrace of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors who share this painful journey with them. My heart is with your family and I look forward to meeting them in D.C.

Reading all the loving reflections left by those who cared for you gives us an understanding of what a good and honorable man you were and of the high esteem with which you are held.

You rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Thorne. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Patrolman Thorne gave to his community and the citizens of Alabama, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 25, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 25, 2006

Rest in Peace Sir.Our Lord comfort your family,friends and co-workers today.

April 25, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Thorne Jr. My name is James Mirabile. I am an Officer with the Springfield Police Department in New Jersey. I am also a member of the Police Unity Tour. This up-coming May Officer Thorne's name will be added to the memorial wall in Washinton, DC. The Police Unity Tour is made up of Police Officers from around the world who ride from New Jersey on bicycles to Washinton DC. We each ride in the name of a Police Officer that made the ultimate scarifice. This year I will be riding in the the name of Officer Thorne, Jr. and will be wearing a braclet with his name on it for the trip. I have never met Officer Thorne, nor have I met anyone from his department. To me this means alot in order to show the respect and honor I have for other Police Officers around the world. This is something thats in my heart. So, I offer my prayers to Officer Thorne's family and am grateful that I can honor his name. I am so so sorry for your loss and will do everything I can to bring the honor Officer Thorne deserves.

officer james mirabile
springfield nj police department

April 8, 2006

To the family and friends of Patrolman Harold Thorne Jr. and his fellow patrolmen with the Tuscaloosa Police Department:

On behalf of our entire family, I wanted to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered at the untimely death of Patrolman Thorne. To his son and fellow officer, you must be proud that your father was in the academy after serving as a reserve officer. His commitment to law enforcement is truly inspiring. Although I am saddened by his death, he did reach the goal of entering the academy and died in pursuit of his dream. Many would call that a life well-lived.

May you continue to find comfort in the warm embrace of support and love from your law enforcement community. Undergoing a devastating experience like this forges bonds between blood families and police families that can never be broken.

Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater of the Pittsburg Police Department when he was fatally shot on April 23rd during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers. Larry left a loving wife and his son, born 2 1/2 months after Larry's murder, as well as all his extended family and friends who loved him so much.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Harold gave to his community and the citizens of the state of Alabama, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 25, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD eow 4/24/05

September 11, 2005

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Patrolman Thorne and to all the personnel of the Tuscaloosa Police Department who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Medicine Lodge Police Department
Medicine Lodge, KS

September 1, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Thorne.

OFC Kevin Turley
Jacksonville State Police

July 25, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Harold did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Harold be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Patrolman Thorne's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through these tough times, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (Dennis' department will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Andy but, I am certain Harold was well respected and well loved. Harold will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were lucky to have had him be a part of your lives. I am certain that Harold will continue to watch over us all as only he can.

Thank you Patrolman Thorne for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

June 17, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Tuscaloosa P.D

Fallen but never fotgotten.

Bryan Laurie son of Fallen Officer
Nathan Laurie EOW 7-29-04

May 31, 2005

Gone but not forgotten. Rest in peace.

Dispatcher Sue Rusch #429
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

May 30, 2005

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service. God bless your son and all your family.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept.

May 25, 2005