Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This year the 42nd year of our loss. I am still telling everyone I meet about you, and of how brave you were on
that tragic day. Sad but proud of you I am God rest your soul. love Mae

Mae Rossi
Cousin

July 19, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the forty-second 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. I pray for the solace of all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 15, 2010

"In Valor There Is Hope"
We never forget, brother.

P/O Joseph Leighthardt
Philadelphia Police dept

April 21, 2010

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Wisconsin L.E.O.

April 16, 2009

To the family and friends of this fine officer:

"I pray that the Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."
~ Abraham Lincoln

Lt. Peter Salzberg
Walpole Police Department

November 25, 2008

Hi Daddy:
I write this note with tear-filled eyes not knowing if I can finish but will surely try. It's been 40 years and I still miss you and still cry.

If only we could have spent more time together then perhaps the void wouldn't be so big. The saddest of all is that I know nothing about you. Nothing of your childhood, nothing of your short lived adult life and nothing of your family for they have forgotten me.

The little I do know, came from my wonderful mom who loves me more than life itself. She gave me a wonderful, memorable childhood with the most awesome sister and that I would never want to change, but it would have been great to share it with you as well. She taught me never to hate, always to forgive but never forget and most of all to love.

So, I forgive you for leaving me so young, but will never forget. I forgive the man who took you from me but will never forget. I forgive the family who forgot me but will never forget and most of all
I LOVE YOU


[email protected]

Lisa
His Daughter

October 24, 2008

Ross's and my daughter Lisa just called me and told me about this site. I have been in tears and I am still as I write this. Being of the non-computer age I was unaware that something like this existed. I guess we learn something everyday. For many, many years I wondered what happened to the little boy who witnessed this. I was not permitted, and rightfully so, to know his (their) name. I was so touched to read about you, and happy you grew into a good and productive man. It was a horrible thing you witnessed, but it seems to have made you a strong man. This will be with you for a lifetime, as it has been with us, his family. I will be regularly looking at this sight to see if anyone would like to chat. I am so proud of our granddaughter for thinking of her grandfather. She did this all on her own. That proves even tho he's not been with us in body for 40yrs. he's still in our hearts and souls. Thank you all for remembering..and as I have said for many a year.....Be Safe

Amelia
widow

October 24, 2008

i wish i could have met you..
i heard nothing but wonderful things from my mother
(your daughter)
she told me i have your eyes
and im happy about that.
i had to do a family tree today at school
and i had to put you in...your actually the first person i thought of..
Rest in Peace.♥
look after us okay.?

gina
grandfather

October 23, 2008

Dear Family, Friends and Officers,

I was so happy to see that Officer Ross Brackett is being honored in this way, and his spirit and service will go on. How amazing that so many others continue to be inspired by Ross’s life and work from his nephew, Officer Ross D. Brackett, to Officer Keith White, who witnessed this brutal crime. Thank you all for sharing your stories and your continued service. My parents told me this story as I grew up, and I’m sorry I never had the chance to know Ross, but I feel as though I have made a spiritual connection through all of the wonderful people whose lives he has touched. We are living in frightening times with the countless gun murders of our citizens and fallen officers in Philadelphia, and I pray the laws will change to protect our city and keep us safe.

Lynne Rossi Ruelan

Daughter of Mae Gaughan (nee DeLiberato/Consalvo) and Lanis Rossi.

Lynne Rossi Ruelan
Cousin

October 3, 2008

Ross I'll never forget you. You had to leave your daughter Lisa who was only a 2 year old. We and the family are so sad and haved missed you all these 40 years. Be happy Ross for thine is the kingdom of heaven.I'm so proud and tell everyone about you and your courage. love Mae.

Mae Gaughan
cousin

October 2, 2008

Officer Brackett,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Philadelphia. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

July 15, 2008

Your bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always my friend.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

July 15, 2007

On that Monday my best friend and I while walking to school witnessed the struggle between OFC. Brackett and the suspect, at nine years old we were the only witnesses to the murder at the corner of Walton Ave and 52nd St. Though we were never called to testify, the image of seeing this police officer killed has never left my memory, at 47 years old I can still see that incident as if it were yesterday. From that day forward I vowed never to be a police officer, plus as a black man in the inner city my experience with the police was not very positive.

Improbably I became a police officer myself and on several occasions I have found myself in the same situation officer Brackett faced, only my training and will to survive and grace of GOD allowed me to survive. I found the police memorial site by accident after years of wondering what the policeman's name was or what happened to the man that shot him.
Incidentally after shooting officer Brackett the shooter turned his gun on us and fired a shot but missed, the bullet struck the wall of the corner gas station missing us by inches. My condolence’s to the Brackett family and to the families of all the fallen officers of the Philadelphia Police Dept.

Keith White
FOB Sykes Iraq.

Officer Keith A. White
College Park P.D.(Atlanta Ga) Ga. Counter Drug Task Force

June 4, 2007

I never had the privledge of meeting you Uncle Ross, you were taken way too soon. Yet your legacy still lives. I inherited your name, I inherited your calling. I hope I've honored you with both.

Deputy Ross D. Brackett (Ret.)
Greenville Co. Sheriff's Office - S.C / Nephew

December 25, 2006

From your brothers and sisters just to the South. Never forgotten!!

Delaware State Police

August 10, 2006

May you Rest in Peace Offc.Brackett.

July 15, 2006

Ross .. although forgotten by most, never by me. You were my mentor, my friend, my hero, and most of all you were my brother. Say hello to Pop for me.

Larry

[email protected]

Lawrence Brackett
Brother

May 1, 2006

God bless you, Officer Brackett, for your noble service. You are a hero, and as your cousin noted, you will always be remembered and revered, even by those you may never have met. Rest in heavenly peace.

Karl Gwynne

November 14, 2004

ross brackett was a family memeber. he was a cousin to me. i was very small, age 9 , when he passed. but i remember my mother crying the day it happened.
ross was shot, while persuing a robbery in progress. he was loved deeply by everyone who new him. that much i remember.
rest in peace ross. you will always be remembered.

lorraine

October 12, 2004