Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I never met you but I heard the tale of what happened. You will always be remembered by all employees and former employees of the jail.

Thank you for your service, you are truly missed by many at the jail.

Correction Officer Wheeling
Former crawford county C.O. - currently venango county C.O.

March 20, 2024

I never knew you but wore the same uniform. I walked the same halls and worked the same duty stations. Corrections is a difficult and mostly thank less job. Thank you for your service.

Corrections Officer Zischkau, S.
Former Crawford County Jail employee - Currently Erie County Prison

November 25, 2020

On this actual 10th anniversary of your untimely and heroic departure I’d like to reiterate my previous reflection and say that your sacrifice is always remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

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

November 15, 2020

Officer Chaplin,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Crawford County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement then that of a Law Enforcement Officer.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 15, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing 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 1, 2020

Correctional Officer Chapin, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 11, 2019

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

September 29, 2018

Rest in perpetual peace my brother and may God bless and continue to give strength to your loving family.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

November 15, 2017

R.I.P. Brother. Time passes but your sacrifice does not. God Bless.

Retired Prison Guard G.S. SIEGRIST
County of Bucks, Pa.

June 26, 2015

Another year has come and gone..............You have watched over us so many times..............We miss you.......Love all of us..........

N/A

November 15, 2014

Thank you for watching over us.............we miss you.........Love all of us.

N/A

November 15, 2013

Footprints
One night I dreamed I was walking
Along the beach with the Lord,
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.
Other times there was only one.
This bothered me because I noticed
During the low periods of my life when I was
Suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, “You promised me,
Lord, that if I followed you,
You would walk with me always.
But I noticed during the most trying periods
Of my life there has only been
One set of prints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
Have you not been there for me?
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints
It was then that I carried you.”

I know that you are my angel...............God carried you to heaven and we can't be sad, but know that out loved ones need us here and that someday we will be reunited.

We love you and miss you,
-Your princess girl

N/A

November 16, 2012

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

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

November 15, 2011

The Corrections Officer stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, Corrections Officer. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?" The Corrections Officer squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord I guess I ain't, because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my work was rough, and sometimes I've been violent. Because inside the walls are awful tough. But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep, I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills just got too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear, and sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fears. If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't I will understand." There was silence all around the Throne, where the Saints often trod. As the Corrections Officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, Corrections Officer, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat behind Heaven's walls, you've done your time in Hell............

Sgt. Mark Richter
Sheboygan Co. Sheriff - Sheboygan WI

October 26, 2011

Unbelieveable

Sr. Correctional Officer
Virginia Dept. of Corrections

October 25, 2011

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when the day is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun, of happy memories that I leave behind when the day is done.


Gary,
We are all seeking answers and explanations this week as to how the loss of you can go so unpunished by the justice system. We all have missed you and thought of you each day since you've been taken from us. We stand united because we know that's what you would have wanted and we know that you are forever watching over us.

I miss you more than anything.

C.O. Renae Slater
Crawford County Correctional Facility

October 11, 2011

mr chapin, i want you to know i know you never switched the letters. the last time i saw i gave you a hard time about. it was a joke between us. we know that. i could really use your advice right now in my life, things arent always what they seem. my sincerest sympothies to your family and friends. we will always remember you for the good person you always was. my final goodbye mr chapin may you rest in peace

mike shaw- former inmate

September 8, 2011

I just happened onto the site by looking up some of my poetry. I come to say I cried reading it. I remember what I felt when I wrote it, it is my passion to express feelings, some good and some bad. I thank you for putting this poem on your site for CO Gary Martin Chapin. These are the days and people you don't won't to hear about. Society sometimes forgets where the evil goes after a conviction, but the peace officers know the reality of the evil in men/women's hearts. What do you say really when they don't come home, most times the family don't hear nothing but their own pain. I do want to thank CO Gary Martin Chapin for his service to his state. Well done good and faithful servant. A servant to man. A son of God.

Brenda Evangeline Seger, a wife,Alabama
Proud to contribute a poem to a "fallen officer"

July 30, 2011

I would like to say thank you to Mr Chapin for always understanding me and giving me the best advice. Alot of the inmates at the jail blame the guards for their problems and don't realize or want to realize that the guards are just trying to do their job.Mr chapin I miss your advice and thank you.I will gladly take your advice and try to turn my life around. god bless you and I miss youE

tonio rosario
former inmate

July 1, 2011

Officer Chapin,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Crawford County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of Corrections Officer.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

January 2, 2011

The National Police Wives Association would like to extend their heartfelt prayers to the family of Officer Gary M. Chapin and the Crawford County Correctional Facility during this time. Thank you, Officer Chapin, for your service.

National Police Wives Association
Staff

December 2, 2010

Rest in Peace, Brother.

OFC B. Grajek

December 2, 2010

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

Officer Douglas M. Wiencek
Metra Police Department, Chicago, IL

November 28, 2010

Rest in Peace , Brother.

Brother CO
HCDOC

November 27, 2010

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service.

Senior Officer
Federal Bureau of Prisons

November 26, 2010