Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 16, 2020

Rest in Peace. Fellow officer , good friend, and occasional partner on patrol.

Long Beach Patrolman, Larry A. Carter
Long Beach Police Department

March 28, 2019

I never knew my grandfather but he and my father who was the youngest of his children look exactly alike in every way. I sometimes wonder how it would have been if we had known each other, sadly that never happened, RIP Grandpa and hope you are watching your son and grandson. I know you are proud of Dad and myself.

Michael Ray Birdsall

November 26, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother. You are not forgotten

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
City of Upland, CA

September 16, 2017

RIP. You will never be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff LASD

September 17, 2016

Bob and I served in Korea and lived in the same squad hut
for a year //Bob kept himself straight as he loved his wife
and he had a child //// we a couple of times drove to Seoul City in a weapons carrier to get a ICE cream soda over
some of the roughest roads and across the HAN river.
to a GI it was heaven the soda that is .
Bob was getting a collage of photos of us together but death stopped that the last time we met was at
Douglas Long Beach as at that time I was in flight test

lynwood sibley
39th fis K13

July 4, 2016

I always looked up to my Uncle Robert, he was the absolute nicest guy in the world. I wish I could have had a career like he did. He touched the lives of many. I will never forget his funeral and the honor that was shown by all the agencies. It was awe inspiring. Everyday I miss him, especially as I've grown older.

Anthony Beery
Nephew

November 12, 2015

Bob I just found this sight and wanted to thank you. Not only for your fine service but for all the support you gave myself and my brothers in the years after my father was killed. You have no idea how much it helped. The stories you told us about our father helped us to keep him in our hearts forever. The support you gave my Mom who was also LBPD along with others kept her going.

You were a GREAT OFFICER AND A GREAT MAN !
MAY YOU REST IN PEACE

Thank you for everything most of all for keeping me laughing it helped more than you know.
Until we meet again, many thanks and much Love, Chrissy

Christine Walsh Wells
Daughter of Fred Walsh 1/20/57

September 25, 2011

Officer Birdsall,

I remember when your life was so tragically taken. At the time I was serving the City of Signal Hill as a Police Explorer.

I had just graduated from Long Beach City College, earning an AA degree in Admin. of Justice. I soon began serving in the Air Force as a Security Policeman.

I remember attending your funereal, it was a sad day I will never forget.

Today I'm back to honor your memory and thank you for your service and sacrifice to the people of the cities of Long Beach and Signal Hill. Although it's been 35 years...
I still remember, I still care.

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you and your family always.

Aux. Deputy Sheriff Shaver
Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office

April 23, 2010

Rest in Peace, Officer Birdsall. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

September 17, 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

September 12, 2007

I remember the first police officer I ever saw up close. It was in 1965 or 1966 and it was in Long Beach. I knew right what I wanted to be. Rest in peace, Sir.........and thank you!

Sgt Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, AZ

May 5, 2007

Bob, I think of you often, especially the little things. We worked adjacent beats and had a great friendship. I especially remember the avocado orchard and the Green Chilli recipe I got from your wife. Every time I trim my moustache I always think of you and your friendship. It's from the time you asked me how I trimmed it and I don't know why that sticks in my mind, but it does. I have the group picture of you and several other officers receiving a certificate for heroism. It is framed and on my office wall so I will never forget you.

Retired-Larry Carter
Long Beach Ca. Police Department

December 2, 2004

Robert's son's name is Richard. We went to school together and I have known him to always be a gentleman. His Dad, Robert, would be very proud of the successful officer Richard has been for the last 2 decades.

Vernon Geiger
City of Long Beach employee

Officer Birdsall's son Robert is a Long Beach Police Officer (working detectives, last I heard).

He is a great guy, respected and admired by all and an asset to the department. I think its great his loss didn't stop him from pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Anonymous