Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

June 9, 2020

12 years have passed since that day. I always remember a friend for me. RIP Mike

Arturo D.
OSI

June 9, 2019

Mike recruited me into AFOSI when we were stationed in Naples, Italy. I looked up to him. He was so kind, helpful and always a professional. I truly looked up to him. He was extremely smart and approachable.
We kept in touch while I was at my next duty station in northern Italy. I would seek advice from him and he always made time to chat about life and his motorcycle travels. I was heartbroken to hear about his passing and still think about him to this day. Having lost my father at 14, I keep his kids in my thoughts. If they are anything like Mike, they will succeed in everything they do.

RIP Mike.

Special Agent (Ret) Matthew Brigham
AFOSI

March 11, 2018

All of the sudden my mind wanted to surfed the web to look for my special friends from my youth. Mike, and his wife were my best friends in Albuquerque New Mexico. I always think about them. Today, 25 October 2017 I was able to find this site and to my surprised my friend Mike was taken to heaven. I am so sorry. God be with his family. Thank you for your service. You are a hero in my book.

LT Jimy Alvarez
USNR and friend

October 25, 2017

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 9, 2015

Mike, you were such a good guy. We first met at RAF Alconbury and ironically you read me my advisement of rights. Thankfully that whole situation was just a mistake. However, you were professional, courteous and you got the job done. Following that we became friends and for the next three years I saw you numerous times and you even borrowed my motorcycle to take rides through the English countryside. I miss you, you were a good man, an honest man and a good friend. God bless you and your family.

Your friend, Mike Cravens

Special Agent
U.S. Department of Justice OIG

May 16, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

December 7, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 5th 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

I pray for solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections

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

June 10, 2012

This is my father
Rip. miss you <3

Sonja
Daughter

March 10, 2012

Not forgotten. Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

kathy
Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. Dispatch

June 9, 2010

To Special Agent Michael Walkter Thyssen, his family and his fellow officers with the United States Air Force Office Of Special Investigations:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Specail Agent Thyssen’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Specail Agent Thyssen and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc.
Members and Staff

June 9, 2009

You are remembered today on this first anniversary of your passing. May your family be consoled with fond and loving memories of your times together, today and always.

Jennifer Mayo, sister of
Deputy Hilery Mayo Jr. EOW 6/9/07 STPSO

June 9, 2009

I worked with Mike when he was stationed in Izmir, Turkey and I was posted to the US Embassy in Ankara. He was helpful and professional and I enjoyed working with him very much. My condolences to the Thyssen family. God bless you all.

Sgt. Steve Coontz
BART Police Department

August 1, 2008

On the anniversary of your death you are still not forgotten and you never will be.
Rest in Peace Brother. We will keep a handle on everything down here while you walk a beat on the streets of gold.

Officer K.D. Matlock #748
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Ohio

June 9, 2008

At the one year anniversary of your sacrifice, allow me to say once again, Thank you sir for your service. You are NOT forgotten.

Jennifer Mayo, sister of
Deputy Hilery A. Mayo Jr. STPSO La. E.O.W 6/9/07

June 9, 2008

Hero's are never forgotten! Continue to rest in peace brother.

Paul Bodenhamer
Police Officer
Dept of Veterans Affairs Police

Police Officer - Paul Bodenhamer
Dept of Veterans Affairs

April 10, 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 12, 2008

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office

February 21, 2008

Gone, but never forgotten, Rest easy now my Brother in Law, your watch on earth is over...

SGT. John L. Gulledge (Ret.)
Escambia County Sheriff's Office Pensacola FL.

February 21, 2008

My Brother

Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.

He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what

they represent.

He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his

community and to his country.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.

He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.

He was competent, trained, and professional.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became

frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.

He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he

never wavered.

He stood by and for his fellow officers.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He longed for his family during the long hours.

He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely

weekends,holidays and midnights when they were apart.

He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling

and prayed they would understand.



He was a cop.



Although I never met him, I knew him.

He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.

He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the

people he served.

He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to

be the best he could be.

He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.



He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.



He was a cop, he was my brother.

DeputySheriff

February 21, 2008

Rest in peace brother. We've got the watch from here. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers who all mourn the loss of yet another hero.

Motor Officer Dominick Marraccini
Easton Police Department, Easton, PA

February 20, 2008

Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Agent Thyssen. God Bless him for his service to the United States Officer of Special Investigations. Rest in Peace brother, you will not be forgotten.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
CMPD Charlotte, NC

February 20, 2008

Thank you for your many years of dedication to your country, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
My throughts and prayers are with your family as they carry on in your absence.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

February 20, 2008

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.

Dispatcher Ted Smith
Martin, TN Police Dept.

February 19, 2008

Special Agent Thyssen, Thank you sir for your service to this country. You and my brother died in accidents on the same day both serving your fellow man. You are a true American Hero and your family has a loved one to be proud of. God Bless.

Jennifer Mayo, sister of
Deputy Hilery Mayo Jr. STPSO Covington, La.

February 19, 2008