Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

July 11, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Black.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2020

Officer Black,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow Officer who was also killed in that accident for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Virginia Beach. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

July 11, 2019

Just thinking of you today. Remembering standing on the shore hopeful you and Jimmy survived and would soon be swimming to shore.... you swam on to another journey instead

Laura Arehart
former VBPD Dispatcher

September 14, 2016

Bill
You haven't been forgotten

Sergeant
Norfolk Police Department

December 30, 2014

In the 1970's I served with the Virginia Beach Police Depart as the 1st and 2d Precinct clerk. I knew William Black, Jimmy W. Mobley, as well as Donald Rimer, husband of Gene.

It always saddens me to hear of any police officer dying in the line of duty, in any way. It saddens me for their loved ones to have to continue on in life, without their son, their daughter, their husband, their father, etc.

When I knew all three back in the 1970's, they were all fine, outstanding and intelligent police officers. So sorry for every family that lost what we called back then, the Virginia Beach's Finest - members of the Police Force.

I do hope the families recovered from their tragic ordeal. I just found this on the Internet, 9/14/2014.

Raymond L. Britt
former 1st and 2d Precinct Clerk

September 14, 2014

In rememberance of Officer William Black. My late husband and Bill used to be on the VB Rescue Squad together for years. Bill had dinner at our house frequently as most of the single Officers did at that time. He was agreat young man and admired the stories and things my husband told him of being a Policw Officer. Because of that Bill excitely put in his application and we were all so thrilled for him when he made it and then graduated from the academy. He rode some with my husband and was alway super excited to be doing what he loved so much. He was taken from us way too soon!! Long before he was able to reach his true goal of being promoted and moving forward. God Bless you Billand I am sure now you and Don are once again sharing those wonderful stories.

GENE P. RIMER
WIFE OF DONALD RIMER[POLICE)

July 12, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 11, 2010

Not only was Bill a wonderful person, he was a dedicated Police Officer, Bill would volunteer to go to calls that a traffic officer normally wouldnt respond to. I will never forget sending Bill to a call in the 3rd Prec, I didnt mean to put him on the case, he was Unit 537 and I meant to put 527 on the case, Bill beat the other two units to the call by a longshot. He could be any place you needed him. I still laugh when I think of that! I wanted to write myself up for mistakely assigning him to the call. He had the best sense of humor also. It was a pleasure to know Bill and to work with him.
RIP MY FRIEND

TC3 SANDRA OBRIEN
VB 911

August 12, 2008

Officer Black,
On today, the 29th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you to you and your partner for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Virginia Beach. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

July 11, 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

April 8, 2008

Thank you for your sacrifice to the citizens of Virginia Beach. Your actions on July 11 were nothing short of heroic and awe-inspiring. It is 28 years later, but I still think of your sacrifice and Officer Mobley's sacrifice every time I am near Croatan and Rudee Inlet.

Thank you again. You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous
Virginia Beach Resident

July 20, 2007

Bill will have been gone twenty seven years this week.

Through the years I have had the honor and pleasure to work with men and women who have amazed me with their phenomenal acts of bravery. When other ran away, they charged forward. When others reached out for safety, they offered a helping hand. When others cried out, they responded with a soothing voice.
Tragically, like Bill, many of them died...but in doing so they have taught us all how to live.
With their service and sacrifice they redefined the word “HEROES”

Anonymous
Norfolk Police Dept

July 9, 2006

HERO...

May 7, 2004

It will be 24 years this year.
I had the pleasure of becoming Bill's friend after attending an Advanced Accident Investigation School with him. He was a picture perfect cop, I used to joke he was just killing time until Hollywood discovered him.
He loved being a cop and went out of his way to help others. That's how he died, he had switched shifts with another officer who needed the night off. I've always felt he sacrificed himself so another cop's children wouldn't have to grow up without a father.
I visit his name on the WALL in D.C. every year, and I still miss him. He hasn't been forgotten.

Sergeant NPD

Anonymous