Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Prohibition Officer Gustavis Simmons was my great-grandfather. I am Garland Simmons Jr. My father (Garland Simmons Sr.) was Earl Simmons’ son. He was born in 1934. A few years after Gustavis was killed. I am also a police officer. Thank you for your service and dedication. You obviously had a huge impact on your family.

SGT Garland Simmons
Great-Grandfather

April 6, 2024

Grandpa: ninety years ago today my father, your eldest son Earl, named me in your honor. Even though you were murdered three years before I was born, you were the patriarch of the Simmons clan – much present in family stories and reminiscences as I grew up, many of which recounted your experiences as a prohibition agent and lawman. One of those, whose veracity I cannot vouch for, was that you became a prohibition agent because moonshiners had given Earl moonshine and gotten him drunk. It is indeed an honor to be your namesake.
May you and grandma rest in peace.

Gustavus James Simmons
27 October 2020

Gustavus James Simmons
grandson

October 27, 2020

Grandpa: ninety years ago today my father, your eldest son Earl, named me in your honor. Even though you were murdered three years before I was born, you were the patriarch of the Simmons clan – much present in family stories and reminiscences as I grew up, many of which recounted your experiences as a prohibition agent and lawman. One of those, whose veracity I cannot vouch for, was that you became a prohibition agent because moonshiners had given Earl moonshine and gotten him drunk. It is indeed an honor to be your namesake.
May you and grandma rest in peace.

Gustavus James Simmons
27 October 2020

Gustavus James Simmons
grandson

October 27, 2020

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 Prohibition Officer Simmons.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 14, 2019

91 years today you are still remembered and loved! Thank you for your service

anonymous
family

July 11, 2018

This was my great great grandfather..I am the great grandson of the late Nora Simmons Hatcher of Fort spring w.v. who was the daughter of Gus and and I am a former police officer aswell..this family I can say have never forgotten the sacrifice that was made by my great great grandad and and he is talked about and loved to this very day! I know that my great grandmother even though young at the time of his murder loved and missed her daddy and talked about things she remember of him up until her very last days on earth...I have no doubt that their reunion in heaven after such time apart was a sweet and joyfilled moment as she had missed him very much after his passing...I am thankful for the man that he was and the things he stood for and against that those same values have been passed down through generations of this family and live on today! God bless our fallen hero's and may they rest in peace until we are all brought together again one day!

D.L.Judy
former ptl. Rainelle police dept - Great great grandson

October 31, 2017

Great Grandfather, R.I.P. not a day went by that your children did not miss you. As my Grandmother, one of your daughters, told me so. May you all R.I.P. Thank you for your service to the state of West Virginia.

Laura F. Roberts-Trent, Great Grandchild
Laura F. Roberts-Trent

September 1, 2015

Your motivations to do the job were noble and admirable and the willingness to do such an unpopular job are also worthy of praise. How sad that you were murdered doing that job. I can only hope that those sentenced to life actually served that sentence.

Your descendants should be proud, and no doubt are.

God Bless you and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

July 11, 2015

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

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

October 24, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 83rd 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

Officer Simmons,
It has taken almost 81 years, but you are finally being honored. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of West Virginia.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

May 5, 2009