Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I absolutely wish we had more time together. I always say I only seen you during holidays(sometimes) and when you slept. You where the hardest working man I've ever know not only working as a full time deputy but as security at Ellis park. I remember all the stories and all the memories I was lucky enough to hear and share with you.
Wish you was here to see the man I have become and to meet your great grandchildren. Wish you was here to see your other grandchild(Brandi my sister) walk down the isle. I hope I've made you proud and I hope you are smiling from heaven right next to mamaw.

I love you and miss you papaw.

Cody Cottingham
Grandson

June 27, 2021

Thinking of you and your family on this seventh anniversary day and remembering your sacrifice. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Rest In Peace, Sgt. Cottngham

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

January 3, 2012

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

February 20, 2009

God Bless

Anonymous

January 3, 2009

Isa 57:1 ¶ The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Trooper D. Norris
KSP

April 9, 2008

Dad, we all miss you and always will.
You were more than a dad, a great officer you were my best friend.

Bret Cottingham
son

February 26, 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

January 27, 2008

On this day, the third anniversary of you passing, I want to say that you are not forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent
U.S. Border Patrol

January 3, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR LONG DEDICATED POLICE AND FOR YOUR MILITARY SERVICE.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 31, 2007

A year has passed since your tour of duty ended and I know your loved ones miss you today as much as they did one year ago. You will never be forgotten as you are a true hero and heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line.

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

January 2, 2007

Fallen but NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

December 19, 2006

Never knew you, but I often hear good things about you.

Your flag will fly for the first time on September 9th, 2006 and you will be remembered always as we honor your memory and family at the 4th Annual KY Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation Ride.

President
Blue Knights Law Enforcement M/C Club, Inc. KY Chapter XI

September 5, 2006

On behalf of the Police Unity Tour I am honored to carry your name to Washington DC this week to the NLEOM. Thank you for your years of selfless dedication - you are a true hero. God Bless you! May you rest in peace.

PO Albert Daidone
Passaic, NJ PD

May 7, 2006

With honor and respect we will be in Washington to hear your name read.

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

Linda Rittenhouse

May 1, 2006

REST IN PEACE BROTHER YOU DESERVE IT. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR DEDICATION AND TIME TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

B. GALLIMORE D.S.
CALLOWAY COUNTY S.O.

March 25, 2006

Larry, you were a good man and you served your community and agency well. I know the Gates were open when you stepped forth from this earth. Rest in God's arms.

Lieutenant Frank A. Gropp
Henderson County Sheriff's Office

March 22, 2006

Larry, you were a good man and a good christian. You gave many years to the safety of of others. May the rest you find in the arms of the Lord Jesus be your reward for the job you did while on this earth.

Deputy Rick Lawrence
Henderson County Sheriff Department

March 12, 2006

To Sgt. Larry Dale Cottingham and his loved ones:

On this the fourteenth month after your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
I hope we are able to meet in D.C.

Larry, 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, Sgt. Cottingham.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Sgt. Larry Cottingham gave to his community and the citizens of Kentucky , and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 3, 2005.

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

March 11, 2006

Larry, we miss you...

Karen Gentry
Henderson County Sheriff's Dept.

March 10, 2006

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

Matthew 5:9

Rest easy Brother.

Albertville Police Department Albertville, Al

February 25, 2006

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

February 25, 2006

Thank you for your dedicated service to your community and your department. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May they never forget your faithful service to your community and department and the brave HERO that you were. To Mrs. Cottingham, children, grandchildren, family, friends and co-workers, our heartfelt prayers and sympathies are with you. May God be with you all during this very sorrowful time. Words will never compensate the loss you have suffered. We pray that He now gives you all strength in your time of need. May you find peace in the thought, that we as friends in law enforcement, take this time to lift you up in prayer.

For your act of unselfish bravery and courage Sgt. Cottingham, we salute you. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Denise & Erin Hunter, Widow and Daughter
Sgt. Gregory L. Hunter, Grand Prairie, TX Police Dept., EOW 6-18-04

February 24, 2006

Rest in peace brother, may God bless you and your family.

Patrolman

February 23, 2006

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept. (Mississippi)

February 23, 2006

May God bless the Peacekeepers and their families. Thank you, Sgt. Cottingham, for keeping US safe. Rest in the arms of the Angels. Godspeed.

LISA
Georgia Civilian

February 22, 2006