Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Briggs,
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 Grant Parish. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 2, 2019

January 2, 1989 changed my life forever. I lost my best friend on that day. Nothing else seemed to matter. But by God's grace I survived and went on to complete my 22 year law enforcement career. Many times through the years I wished I could have shared the memories with him. He was 52 years old on the day he died. I will turn 54 on the 28th of July. It's hard to believe that I was only 30 years old when he died. Sometimes it's seems like yesterday that he died and other times it seems like it's been an eternity. On the day he died the two of us were the only officers working our rural parish. I knew something bad was wrong when I heard an unfamiliar voice come over our communication system. That person said, "I have one of your officers here. He's gasping for breath." When I got there he was on the ground outside of his patrol car. Medical personnel did there best but I new he was dead when I saw him. All I could do was go sit in my patrol car. I couldn't believe what was happening. I'll never forget the comfort I felt when my longtime boss, friend, and sheriff, L.R. Hataway came to me and said, "come on and I'll take you to the hospital." Sheriff Hataway was always more than a boss. He was like family. I was off for a few days for the funeral. I didn't want to go back to work. On my first day back, my very first call, I was dispatched to the very same house that my father had been dispatched to on 1/2/1989. He didn't make it there and I almost didn't either. That was one of the hardest things in my life that I had to do. For a long time after that I could not drive by the location where he had died. Through the years the pain has dulled but I'll never forget. Now I can go to that location without the pain that I felt 24 years ago. The memories in some strange way are comforting now. Even to this day I still have different people in the parish tell me how my father had helped them and what he meant to them. Things that I never had a clue about. But that was him. He was always ready to help anyone in need.

Morgan Lamar Briggs Jr. (ret)
Grant Parish Sheriff's Department

July 18, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd 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.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered.. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both he pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

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

January 2, 2012

"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

February 2, 2008

I AM HONORED TO BE THE FIRST TO LEAVE A REFLECTION FOR YOU. YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSES

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 30, 2007