Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hoping you're having a drink up there with your musical hero Shane McGowan today, Tommy.

Seamus

Seamus O'Reilly
Friend

November 30, 2023

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 6th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pride and pain are forever.

Rest In Peace

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

December 8, 2011

Every year on St Pats day, your birthday, I think of you and how much life and energy you had. You were such a good man, a great father and husband and an outstanding officer. I knew you as a Coast Guard officer when I worked with you in Pittsburgh. To this day, when I am out running, now living in Hawaii, I often think of running with you over the rivers and through different districts of the Burgh. You were so quick with a smile and had a charisma that infected everyone. Your ability to regale everyone with stories of the tall ships, to your time in Ireland, or on stage and your ability to drop into a native sounding brogue brings a smile. Your love for you wife and the plans you had for your kids is what i remember most of all. Happy Birthday Tommy. Rest well.
Jason
"Hey Jason, that 'thing' in your can of Guinness is called a widget..."

Major Jason Hearn
US Army, Friend of Tommy

March 17, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Tom, and to your loving family you so often spoke of. I'll miss watching you sing Sea Chanty's at the local pub. From this day forth I will tip a pint in your name on St. Patty's Day. God Bless.

LT Bryson T. Spangler
U.S. Coast Guard

March 27, 2009

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones, especially those little ones. Their father is a true hero. Thank you for your service to law enforcement and also to you Country. You have not been forgotten.

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

December 8, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this third anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

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

December 8, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 27, 2008

Missing you, my brother.

Ron Kramer, Special Agent
USFWS, friend and academy classmate

January 15, 2008

Our squad took a minute to remember you on the anniversary of your EOW a few days ago. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Rest in peace.

Charlie Squad
University of Central Florida Police Department

December 13, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 5, 2007

Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice. May your family and friends take comfort in the fact you will NEVER be forgotten and will FOREVER be a hero!

SGT
AR

August 19, 2007

Tommy was a motivated, professional officer, who took his responsibilities as a law enforcement officer very seriously.

He was truly working in the field he loved and would have gone a long way in Fish and Wildlife had he had the opportunity.

He was a great guy and a lot fun. Truly one of a kind. We miss him deeply and will do so for the remainder of our days.

Former Police Officer Patrick Zerkle
Cobb County PD, Tommys brother in law

May 23, 2007

The Pirate

It’s May 2003
Tommy’s wearing his James Bond suit
And a green bandana
His long hair is in a pony tail
The dark room is full of people
The children are in the lobby with Tommy and Tammy
Learning a jig
While brothers and roommates
Say goodbye
Because the girls are still young
They fidget in their dresses and
Kick off their shiny black shoes
The best man and the groom
Start a can-can in kilts
While their mothers flush with laughter
Because the girls are still young
They fight off their stockings
I think of when Tommy was a pirate
And the visits where he’d
Wrap us in his favorite flannel shirt
And hug us until we
Felt completely welcome
And the awkward feeling
Melted away
Then the first few
Bitter sweet notes of an Irish song
Can be heard through the crowd
Because the girls are still young
They notice The Pirates feet begin
A beautiful complex jig
Through childish giggles they imitate his dance
Placing their feet
Where his once were
Because the girls are still young
Life lasts forever

You will always be in my heart Tommy! Words can not even begin to explain all that you were and still are to your family and friends.I know that you and Uncle Tom are smiling down on us everyday! I love you and miss you!

Shannon Nelson
cousin

May 8, 2007

Thoughts and prayers go to you and your family. You are not forgotten.

Family Member of Lt Mike Walker (EOW 12/
California Highway Patrol

December 10, 2006

My Daddy
You have watched me grow from the heavens above,
Oh, how I have missed those arms of love.
I have learned how to walk and talk and growl like a bear,
First I am here and then over there.
Mommy says I am just like you,
and I make her laugh at the funny things I do.
I know there is some reason God took you from this earth,
Even when it was only a short time before by birth.
You are in heaven now, keep a watchful eye on me,
watch me grow and learn my ABC's.
I have a lot of special people keeping me from harm,
I am learning from them what a great man you are.
I see the pictures and your name etched in stone,
But, it is still hard to understand, Mommy & Me here alone.
Other kids have their daddys to play in the park,
But, I have you with me, at all times, here in my heart.
Mommy keeps saying how proud you would have been of me,
But, I am proud too, of My Daddy, you see.

Friend of Mark Sawyers EOW 6-5-04
Michigan

December 8, 2006

My thoughts are with your loved ones and close friends on this first anniversary of your end of watch. Keep watch over all of them. You have not been forgotten.

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

December 8, 2006

May Our Lord ever bless your loved ones.

December 8, 2006

Fallen but NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

December 6, 2006

Tommy and I became housemates and good friends in Maynooth, Ireland when Tommy spent a year at the university there in the late 1980s. I later spent some of the best weeks of my life with him and his family at their home in New York in 1988.

As sometimes happens with friends we lost touch over the years, Tommy was a wanderer and so was I, but I've been thinking about him lately and today searched for him on the internet hoping to make contact with him again.

I was devastated to find only his obituary.

I remember his strength and I look at his picture on this page (where are your flowing locks Tommy?) and wonder how could such a vital, energetic, vigourous man go this way?

I'm not surprised he entered into the service of his fellow Americans. He was a lovely person.

His wife and children and mother and siblings must be inconsoleable to have lost him. My thoughts are with them.

Rest in Peace Tommy.

Shay.

Seamus O'Reilly

May 18, 2006

SA Cloherty, thank you for your service to our country and for protecting our natural resources.

Dep. District Atty. Scott Hanley
Los County (CA) DA's Office (former SA USFWS)

February 26, 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. Cloherty, children, 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 Special Agent Cloherty, 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

Im soo sorry about what happened and as what Ive heard he was a good cop and participated in mny activities involvong his job My Blessing goes out to all the close family membersand friends

Officer Cooper

Officer Cooper
........

February 24, 2006

Rest in peace brother. May God bless you and your family.

Patrolman

February 23, 2006