Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Released from prison in 2008 what a travesty of justice Trooper Tripp for you and your family. Rest in peace. Your killer will receive their ultimate punishment one day.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2022

As I sit in the foothills of Mount Guyot in the Great Smokies, Cosby TN with a light rain falling while on vacation week with my family sleeping inside, I thought of this man as I have in the past. His death was in the same month and year as I became a deputy sheriff, now 27 years ago. Back then, there was no social media or instant information, only the local news reporting the murder of one of its sons and protectors. It’s as senseless now to me as it was back then.
I have thought of him countless times over the years as an example of the evil that men do while trying my best to stay vigilant of those threats as I’m doing paperwork in the best hidden and secreted places I can find. I believe that “you’ll never know what never happened. “ Perhaps that lesson helped to keep me safe over all these years. I will never know, but I owe him for the reminder of his sacrifice burned deeply into my mind. He should never had to seek such a place in a righteous world while simply doing his job for his community. No one had the right to take his life or his family away from him.
Now, to see that the coward that took this man’s life has been free for ten years and spent less time in prison than my Brother gave in years of service to his fellow citizens and country is a travesty and a disgrace. May all that let this happen be ashamed.
To Miss Deborah and all that loved or cared for him, I believe that you will see him again one day in Glory! Until then, know that good men and women like Trooper Tripp stood for those who could not stand for themselves,. I am grateful for and honor his life.

Lt. James Wilson
Blount County Sheriff’s Office, TN

July 22, 2018

Twenty seven years as of this coming May 19th. Wow, hard to believe. It has been a long hard road since you've been gone. Anger still flames with thoughts of your loss, the why's, the how, and all involved. It is amazing how your still so remembered by many in our community, you definitely made an impact in a lot of people's lives. They either loved you or hated you depending on which side of the track they were on. But even some on the wrong side admired you. I still miss you terribly and my heart goes out to all the families that will be in Washington this month to pay tribute to all the Officers killed in the line of duty for the year 2017. Gone but never forgotten. Love you dad.

Deborah Tripp, daughter

May 4, 2018

Missed you tonight, Doug.

L. Buis
Classmate

August 12, 2017

We are celebrating our 50th Claiborne County High School Reunion on August 12th of this year. Doug was a close friend and our Class President all four years of high school. He is and will always be missed by the CCHS Class of 1967.

Joseph Payne
Friend

August 1, 2017

How do possibly justify that!! Prayers to your family rest easy

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

May 19, 2017

18 years for murder, prison system got that one completely wrong. The only place he should have gone to after prison was the grave yard. A terrible miscarriage of justice.

MSG Mark T
U.S. Army

May 19, 2015

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

May 19, 2015

Well Dad, it has been 22 yrs. since your end of shift. There is still not a day that goes by that I don't have a thought about you. I see a trooper car and my heart sinks. I hear or see a mule, and my heart sinks. I hear/see an older John Deere tractor and my heart sinks. I get so angry when I think of how your death came about. Even though there is so much more to the story, and the whole truth may never come out, God saw and heard it all. They can hide it here on earth, but nothing is hid on judgement day. And I am truly sorry how the results of the courts came as they did. It is my opinion, that it went as it was planned from the start. You were an honest, straight-up, respectful, careing, fair and did your duty Officer. You knew that wouldn't be tolerate, but you stood your ground anyway. You held on to that sliver of hope that you could clean this place up. But alone you stood. Everyone else either took a blind eye, didn't care, was to scared, or was part of the problem. The web here runs so deep. And it was choking you bit by bit. As you used to tell me, "It's like beating your head against the wall." Reading your journals gave me so much more insight of the indepth mentality you had. The only pain comes from the trust you had for some. I would have never believed I would ever know you to be wrong about anything, but wrong you were about those few. True colors always eventually shine through. But as I said, judgment day will tell all and answers will be demanded. So you sleep for now until the day God brings you fourth and you can face them all with that onry smirk you were so known for because you'll know what direction you'll be going and they can't do anything to stop you this time. Miss you and Mom so much.

Deborah Tripp
Daughter

July 4, 2013

Trooper Tripp you will not be forgotten. This was a first degree murder case that should've been a death penalty case. Its alarming that a person can murder a State Trooper in TN. and serve so little time for it. Your life and service to your state deserves more, a lot more. Thank you my brother for your service.

Capt. Glenn E. Kresge
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services

January 27, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 21rst 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 solace for 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 friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

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

May 19, 2012

Released in 17 yrs after what he did!!..That is a crime in itself..Your killer will face another judge once more brother and I guarantee you it will be a life sentence..

Ptlm Gary McCarty (Ret.)
Corning City Police NY

May 19, 2012

Thank you for your service and bravery. You are a true hero Trooper Tripp. It puts me in a state of disbelief to know that the coward that took your life has since been released from prison. May you watch over us as we try to safely do our job down here, while you continue to shine in heaven. Forever rest in peace brother.

Deputy Sheriff
Harris County Texas

April 4, 2011

I'll never forget the phone call from dispatch to go 10-8 and try to find you. Never expected to find what had actually happened. You were a Trooper who did his job and enjoyed working in the community and the people in it. Claiborne County justice still has not improved since your murder. Why should your murderer walk the same streets that you used too? See you again someday Muleman.

Former Trooper
TN Highway Patrol

February 15, 2011

Thinking about you..

D.Tripp
Grand daughter

June 30, 2010

Doug, brother, there isn't a day gone by since the early morning that Pam called me to tell me of your passing, that I haven't thought of you. I've pondered how fate brought us together when we worked together at Claiborne Co SO, and how life must surely be designed and certainly not happenstance. I miss you.

Lt. Thomas H. Oakes, Retired
Evendale (OH) PD and Friend

February 25, 2010

You are not forgotten by the ones you love.

Anonymous

January 11, 2009

Papaw,

I hear such wonderful things and kind words about you. I only wish I had more time to get to know you. You were taken away when I was at a very young age. I'm glad other people had that opportunity to have known a person like you. I think about you, mammaw & Gary often. Wish you all were still here. I know you all are watching from above. Love and Miss you!

Dannielle Tripp
Grand daughter

December 4, 2008

Muleman,

Doug, I realized the other day that it has been almost 30 years to the day since you and I graduated from Trooper School in 1978. I remember all those late-night bull sessions we had in my room or yours. We used to hold those city boys attention when we would tell them our tales of how we had to handle people in the eastern part of the state as well as to how they were quick to be of assistance if you needed some help at a wreck or if when arresting someone turned into a fight and an officer needed backup.

No matter the topic of the discussion when we started our bull sessions, it always ended up with me doing imitations and/or you talking about your mule or mules in general. I remember you and I taping the picture of your mule over your door so you could see your ass first thing in the mornings and the last thing you would see when you turned off the light to go to sleep.

Doug, I know that you are probably running radar somewhere in heaven. I hope that you will forgive me for not coming to your funeral. I just could not bear to know that the last time that I would see you, you would be in a coffin. I wanted to remember you as you were the last time that you and I were together. I want you to know that I have prayed many a time to the "Chief of cheifs" that he reserve a special place in Hell for cop killers and I have asked that he has special place in Heaven for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man.

Doug, please rest eternally in peace knowing that your family and friends will be forever grateful for what you did here on Earth. Just know that if they have only one brain cell that thinks of you, you will still be here with us.

Thank you Trooper, a job well done!

Bill Yardley
THP Recruit School Fall 1978

Former Trooper Bill Yardley
Late of the THP

September 24, 2008

Rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

May 26, 2008

I am dumbfounded as to why this less than human defendant is released. I thought New York took honors for liberal, weeping, cop-hating juries.
Rest in peace my brother.

Tpr
NYSP

May 22, 2008

I am terribly sorry for the short time that you spent here on this Earth. I never knew you but I have thought about you a lot. I also wanted to set the record straight, the person convicted of your murder was not released until 2/17/2008, not 2006. I know that 2 more years spent in jail is not much comfort. I'm sorry that you were taken away at such an early age from your young family. May God be with you all!

March 4, 2008

I met him many years ago where he visited a friend and there could have been a more nicer individual.

February 16, 2008

Something is seriously wrong with our court system to allow this criminal back onto the streets.I can only think of 1 place this criminal should be, in a box! Trooper Tripp, you are not forgotten.

A brother in blue

February 4, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 30, 2008