Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Gartrell,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Sacramento. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 25, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Gartrell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 24, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 25, 2018

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 26, 2017

You were a beat partner and good friend, Mike. God Speed, will see you again when I join your watch in Heaven

Sgt. Steve Perry (Ret)
Honolulu POlice Department

December 21, 2013

Officer Gartrell,
On today, the 21st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Sacramento. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
u.s. Border Patrol

April 25, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Gartrell. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 21, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today as we approach the 18th 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. He was shot twice when ambushed on April 23rd when he was on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, 14 years after you were killed.

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

I hope to meet your family at a COPS meeting one day.
Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 25, 2009

"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

December 5, 2007

I remember you from the SPD Academy September to December 1987. You were consistently kind and honest, two qualities most people lack. I liked your company. Wish you were still with us, and with your family. Do we ever need guys like you now.

Joe Glenn
Academia now

January 27, 2006

Mike,
How saddened to hear what had happened to you. Remember our times w/ the Grant School District Police? How two displaced local boys could end up there? You and I had so much fun and "talk story" times. It was so fun to hear of someone from HPD with the wild stories you had.
Even though I had moved away from Sacramento in '86, I was so happy to hear that you were finally hired by SPD. The most ironic thing is...while I was getting ready to move back home to Hawaii after being accepted to the Honolulu Police Department was when I heard of your passing.

Rest in peace Mike, until we 10-3 again.

MPOIIM Kevin Kobayashi
Honolulu Police Department

October 15, 2003