Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hey Gary...first, I wish that today you could have celebrated Memorial Day with your family and friends by the pool having a BBQ and enjoying each other's company and telling war stories. I know that did not happen but I was thinking about you today, so in a sense, you did celebrate this day. Second, you are very lucky to have Dan and Steve as friends. They keep your memory and spirit alive and are willing to share you with those that want to know who you were. Please continue to watch over Dan, Steve, myself and all others that care about you. Rest easy, my friend. See you in the next life.

Corporal Sean DeGrilla
Orange County Sheriff's Office

May 31, 2010

Gary as you already know, Steve and I had brunch together today...and, as you also already know, I spoke with your Sister last night. How ironic that after all these years...Steve and I would finally arrange a meeting during National Police Week. Many thanks go out to Sean for facilitating this meeting actually. Without his efforts in "tracking" everyone down...this meeting would never have happened. As Steve and I discussed, we know "your hands" reached out and made this happen as well. Steve was able to provide me with a lot of answers to so many questions I had...and even though this meeting and fellowship has brought me closer to closure, rest assured you will NEVER be forgotten. I will continue forever to display the two blue ribbons from my motorcyle symbolizing the "Thin Blue Line"....R.I.P. my friend, my "brother", R.I.P.

Dan Johnson
Family/Childhood Friend

May 15, 2010

Gary, as I'm sure you already know...your memory has created a situation where many people who still love you have connected/reconnected...so you continue to influence those who will never forget. Through your nephew and my Sister, I was able to get some information to your Sister about my recent connection with two people that you have/continue to remember. Rest assured, you will NEVER be forgotten...

DAN JOHNSON
Childhood/Family Friend

April 6, 2010

Another year has past and you still walk with me every day of my life. You will always be honored and NEVER forgotten.

Dan Johnson

Dan Johnson
Childhood Friend

March 21, 2010

Gary, thank you so much for your service in my home town. I recently spoke with a Dallas officer who tried in vain to save your life, even though you were probably already sitting with the Lord when they arrived to help you. I have used your horrific story to educate and train the deputies on my squad and other deputies about you and your struggle with personified evil in that parking lot that evening. Please know that you will never be forgotten and as long as I am a deputy, I will continue to make sure that no one forgets your name or the sacrifice you made. I hope your fiance, your daughter, Dan and other family members know that you will never be forgotten. If anyone would like to tell me more about Gary, please email me. Thank you, Gary! [email protected]

Corporal Sean DeGrilla
Orange County Sheriff's Office, FL

March 21, 2010

Gary, You and your legacy continue to inspire and help others. I recently spoke to a young training officer with a sheriff's department in Florida. He uses experiences like yours to help the current generation of officers and deputies learn to survive on the street. He studies these reflections, and uses what he learns to develop his training. Please know that even now, as you walk on Golden streets, far from the evil of this world, you are helping other officers. God bless you and your family on this 24th anniversary of your final "double 6".

Steven S. Scholl #4459
Dallas Police Dept. 1980-1986

March 20, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

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

March 20, 2010

Gary, I will never forget our friendship and how much fun we had. I remember your last day as I hung out with you in the SW breakroom after picking up my check. You had had a wonderful morning with Stu, golfing. We laugh with another officer, I think Jerry Sanchez, about your little b-b's you had taped behind your ear and at your wrist, to try to quit smoking. You were always such a happy person with such a quick wit. I will never forget the awesome times we had at SW. I loved the way you messed with Patty B. You have always been one of my favorite DPD officers. Such a great friend. I'll always love and miss you. Kathy

Retired Detective Kathy Wolf Kresse
Dallas Police Dept

March 25, 2009

Another year has come and gone...and yet you are still with me as my prayers and thoughts are still for you and your family every day of my life. I hope to be visiting you again soon as we will be in Deleware visiting family next month. May you always RIP my friend...RIP.

Dan Johnson

DAN JOHNSON
Family/Childhood Friend

March 20, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd 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 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. I am touched that so many reflections are left for you after so many years. You lived your life in such a manner that you had a profound impact on others that is still felt.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 20, 2009

Gary:

My thoughts are with you and your family on this anniversary of your death. You were a good man and a good officer. Rest in Peace.

Steven S. Scholl #4459
Dallas PD 1980-1986

March 20, 2009

Gary - I was an Explorer for the Dallas Police, Northeast, and I remember your incident well. I did not know you but I know of your sacrifice. If you take away anything from these reflections, take this: We all thank you, sir, for giving your life so that others may live in a more peaceful society. Gary, I am going to dedicate our shift this Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 0600-1730 hours in honor of you and I will make sure my Deputies know of you and your sacrifice. May God grant peace to your soul and may you be surrounded by angels and departed loved ones. Corporal Sean DeGrilla, [email protected].

Corporal Sean DeGrilla
Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office

September 21, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

April 30, 2008

Officer Scholl,

Thank you for keeping Gary's memory alive....

Dan Johnson

Dan Johnson
Family/Childhood Friend

March 23, 2008

Gary...it was 22 years ago I heard your signal 15 call for help and responded. I arrived with Element 415, Officers P. Genovese and M.L. Gifford, and together, we performed CPR on you. Later, I had the privilege of serving on your Honor Guard. I received the Certificate of Merit for the events of that day in 1986, which I accepted on your behalf. I have that bar on the wall of my law office, proudly displayed with my DPD badge, as a reminder to me, and all who see it, of the sacrifice you, and too many others made and make, to help keep us all safe. You are always in my mind and I proudly tell of your heroism and valor in fighting off the evil you met and defeated that afternoon at the Parc Regency apartments. God bless you and your family. S.S. Scholl # 4459, DPD Tactical Section Element 741

S.S. Scholl #4459
Dallas Police Department

March 21, 2008

Hi Gary...22 years...I've been thinking a lot about you lately, but thats nothing new. You walk with me every day of my life it seems. Never forgotten.

Dan

Dan Johnson
Family Friend

March 20, 2008

CPL BLAIR, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

February 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

February 5, 2008

What a wonderful man you must have been Corporal Blair that your family and friends keep you so close in their hearts after all of these years. I hope you are at peace, you've left your mark on the lives of those you've touched, including me.

Toledo Police Dpt. Wife

December 12, 2007

This being National Police Week, I have thought about you a lot this week. Of course I don't need a special week to do that as hardly a siren goes off or more than a few days pass when something else will happen to cause you to come to mind. I was particularly reminded tonight as America's Most Wanted did a special and showed scenes from "The Wall" in D.C. It reminded me of a day a few years back when I was honored to visit with you for a few moments. A trip I will surely make again one day and a special place I will revisit. R.I.P my friend; you will never be forgotten.

Dan Johnson

Dan Johnson
Family Friend

May 20, 2007

Gary Gary....the last time I saw you was at your funeral. The second from the last, as you remember, was at our 10th. class reunion two years before your death. I had also been an officer with Plano for 3 years at that time. You had changed quite a bit since high school. You were on the DPD Rodeo Team and looked like you could take care of yourself pretty well. That's why I knew the day it happened you had to have put up a hell of a fight. It makes us all realize how vulnerable we really are. I'm still and always will be proud of you. In reflecting back to our high school days we were very innocent. Boy did we grow up. 26 years later I'm still here and I still think about you. I miss our days at GPHS and often wish we were still there....still innocent and still safe.

With Greatest Respect,
Officer Ronny L. Burton
Plano Police Dept.
Warrant Unit

Officer Ronny Burton
Plano Police Dept./High School Classmate

March 28, 2007

Twenty one years ago, Gary---it seems like yesterday. Living in the DC area, I am often at the LEO Memorial and reflect upon your life and death. Your roommate, who was my FTO at the time, introduced us to each other at Lew Sterrett with my first arrest. What a proud rookie I was and you even busted my chops about it since I looked a mess standing next to Paul!!! Things in Dallas have never been the same with your death and they never will.

Rest in peace, brother.

Brad Kaufman
ATF

September 5, 2006

Hard to believe it has been 20 years. My feeling of loss is as strong today as the day my Mother phoned and gave me the news. I was able to "visit" Gary in D.C. a couple years back and it was a good visit. Gary will forever be in my heart as well as every other man and woman who wear the badge of honor. To this day Gary has never failed me when I look to Heaven and ask for strength.

Dan Johnson

DANIEL JOHNSON
Family/Child Hood Friend

August 26, 2006

It has taken me over twenty years to face my reflections on your life and the ultimate sacrifice the day we lost you. I went to high school with you and grew up in the same town. The events of March 20, 1986 affected my career choices. I will never forget you and thank god every day for you and others like you. Rest in Peace and know that you will never be forgotten.

Captain Mark Kilgore
AZ Dept of Corrections

May 10, 2006

Gary, Next month will be twenty years since your tragic death. You were working SW Patrol but we had already interviewed and accepted you into Tactical. I was really looking forward to working with you. Your death ultimatelly changed my career with Dallas. You are gone but you will never be forgotten.

Police Officer Steve Minnis
Salida Police Salida, CO

February 26, 2006