Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Awtrey rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 6, 2019

Deputy Sheriff Awtrey,
On today, the 128th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Tuscaloosa County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 25, 2016

Rest in peace my great grandfather we will never forget and honor you with our service today

Corporal Scott Sullivan
Houston County Ga Sheriffs Office

May 11, 2015

To be remembered and honored by your family, 127 years after your death, says volumes about you. May you continue to rest in peace.

Lt. Milton E. Proctor
Deer Park Police Dept, Oh (Ret)

January 23, 2015

Great,Great-Grandfather John Manning Awtrey it has been a little over 6 years since I found the picture of you in old family photos and had them submitted to the Tuscaloosa
County Sheriff's Dept. and enjoyed taking my sons and brother and his family to Washington D.C.. that May to have your name permanetly ectched in the Memorial Wall of Policeman. It was a great event and one of great honor; having your name read by our own Sheriff Ted Sexton because he was the President of the National Sheriffs Association and you being from Alabama and your name starting with A, it was the very first name read that night at the candlelight service of fallen police officers. That made the event even that more special and something we all will aiways remember. I would like to thank everyone you have left reflections on your behalf and would like to know more about your life and family they may contact me.

Kenneth M.Parker
Great-great grandson

March 10, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 124th 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.

Time never dimishes respect, and your memory will always be honored and revered. I am sure you are proud that your family continued your legacy of protecting and serving.

Rest In Peace

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

January 24, 2012

Me and my brother learned tht john awtry is our ggreat grandfather i have 10 years in law enforcement and my brother 16.We will not forget and it inspires us everyday in our job.I wish that we had known you

deputy scott sullivan sgt ted sullivan
houston county and byron police dept

August 25, 2011

It's important that you are remembered for your sacrifice, even over a century after it was made.

The 6 children bit really hurt my heart. You are not forgotten sir.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police

January 24, 2011

My GrandDad was John Manning Awtrey who was born in 1880 in Alabama on May 1. His wifes name was Mary Lou. He died in 1928 in a coal mine in Alabama. I'm 63 now and can only wonder if this was my great granddad. My father-inlaw is a retired deputy sheriff and 2 of my nephews are in law inforcement. I live in Georgia. Your memory will live on as will the job done by all in the line of duty.

Frank Awtrey

Frank Awtrey
If not in blood in spirit.

June 8, 2010

Deputy Sheriff John Manning Awtrey

Growing up as a child I heard about you and your service! I am proud to have you as my Great Great Grandfather! You were such a brave Man! May God Bless your family (decendants). You gave the ultimate price for your service as a sheriff, protecting the citizens of Tuscaloosa!

I am very grateful for the ones that have honor you. I want to thank you for this beautiful memorial page!

Mollie Awtrey
Great Great Grandfather

April 25, 2010

May you always rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

January 24, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

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

January 18, 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

July 24, 2007

On the anniversary of his death, we pause to honor the memory of Deputy Awtrey and to acknowledge his ultimate sacrifice.

May we never forget.

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

January 24, 2007

Though we never met I feel I know you, you are my Great Great Grand Father in which i'm very proud of. In your footsteps I followed not knowing why at the time. Its became clear to me now that i've found you. I have heard the story of your passing by family members since my youth. God bless you Deputy Awtrey and i will See you on the other side. your Great Great Grandson Lt: John Awtrey Sky Valley Police Department (N.E.Georgia) 23 yrs law enforcement.

John A Awtrey
Sky Valley Police department (Ga)

November 5, 2006

Rest in Peace, Deputy Awtrey. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

November 2, 2006

OFFICER AWTREY REST IN PEACE.

GILBERT DANIEL

February 27, 2006

Deputy Sheriff Awtrey,
It has taken over 118 years, but you are finally being honored. I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Tuscaloosa County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

February 26, 2006