Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Served with Lt. Champe in First Force Recon 1968-69. Did missions with him. Very good and brave Marine.
Semper Fi
Hal Creel
Brandon, Ms.

Corporal Erwin Hal Creel
Fellow Vietnam Veteran

August 31, 2023

Awarded the Silver Star for Heroism during his tour in Vietnam, 1969. Day is done, God is nigh.

CMSgt, USAF, Retired
Fellow Vietnam Veteran

January 21, 2023

Rest in peace Officer Champe.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 6, 2020

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

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

June 13, 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

September 21, 2017

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

June 15, 2015

Randy was my Academy Class Leader (11/73). He was a true leader and a great friend. His death is a tragedy and I will miss him. We both served in Vietnam but did not meet until the Academy. I'm sure he is looking over everyone in Heaven...

Marty Feinmark, Police Officer III
Retired from LAPD

September 10, 2014

Randy was my cousin, we grew up together until we were teenagers. He was a year behind me in school. Both of us were in ROTC, Randy in Naval while I was Army. I was on leave before going to Viet Nam while he was in officer basic at Quantico. We both were in Viet Nam at the same time. Randy wanted to be in LR recon but was assigned as a tank commander. I was XO of an artillery battery. We planned on going on R & R together, but it never worked out. I was always very proud of him. He was a unique person, who would seek out a position that no one else wanted. He was always willing to make a personal sacrifice to see that an essential situation was handled properly. When he died, it was the toughest thing I have ever faced. I miss him every day and will always be proud that he was my cousin.

1 lt Craig McElhinny
US Army

September 1, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the anniversary year 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. He was also your fellow Marine so I bid you semper fi and thank you for your service in the Corps.

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

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

November 19, 2012

I was stationed at Marine Barracks Pearl Harbor in 1970 and then Lt. Champe was our Guard Officer. I remember him as an outstanding leader and great example. He was greatly admired by the enlisted men. He spoke back then of wanting to become a member of LAPD.

Police Officer II
San Diego PD, Ret'd.

November 3, 2012

You saved many lives by avoiding the school you were destined to hit. True heros.

Officer Metoyer
Los Angeles Police Department

July 12, 2012

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

11169

January 14, 2012

I worked with Randy at 77th Division and as an Observer (TFO) with ASD in the late 70's. He will always be a part of my LAPD memories. From a Marine to a Marine "Semper FI"

Lt. (Ret.) Thomas C. Hudson
Burton Police Department, Michigan

November 10, 2011

You are not forgotten Randy. You live on in the memories of many of your ex-partners.

Sgt Dave Reynolds
LAPD (rtd) Friend & Partner

December 28, 2010

Officer Champe - Truly, we patrol units had to rely upon your steady hand and eagle eyes to get us through many a tough call. I hope you're still keeping watch over us, today. Thanks for your service to the people of Los Angeles. May God grant you eternal rest and may His perpetual light shine upon you.

Chief K. Moreland (Ret. Sgt.)
Palmer Lake, CO PD (Ret. LAPD)

April 20, 2010

I will not write this to Randy, but to those of you who did not know him. L.A.P.D, Class of 11-73 (as in November, 1973), when it came time to select a class D.I., there was no choice, it was Randy Champe, former Marine Captain, squared away as you can get, and a true leader. Randy would get his behind chewed daily by the academy staff, but always knew how to sell it to the rest of the class. Randy went to 77th and I went to S/W out of the academy. We were on several call together during that time but I really got to know him when he went to ASD. You could tell Randy's voice on the radio and when you heard him say what needed to be done, you knew that you were getting good info. Randy was a good guy, a street cop in the air, he knew the city and gave us good information. I now have a son who is a Marine Officer and can only hope that he turns out to be the guy that Randy was and that he can touch and influence as many people as Randy did.

J.J. Reese
L.A.P.D. (ret)

March 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 1, 2007

We are the LAPD ! We do not leave any Men or Women behind, and we do not forget any LAPD Brother or Sister, who may have fallen in the line – of – duty.

Last month, while attending the LAPMF Celebrity Golf Tournament, I bought several new Air Support Division (ASD) tee shirts, as I have done for many years. I give them to only those who are within my family or those within the civilian community, who are truly special to me.

On Friday, I will wear one of those ASD tee shirts, as I go to a local honky tonk to have a drink in the memory of all who have died while serving in ASD.

ASD has save my bum on more than one occasion and on the anniversary(sic) of that fateful day Devil Dawg, I salute You!

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC/LAPD

June 14, 2007

One of my former probationary officers was one of the first on scene and attempted to rescue. He later left LAPD. Today, he is not only back with LAPD, but your memory lives on as he is now assigned to ASD flying overhead, and he has alerted me on several occasions, during high-risk situations. We speak of the two of You each time we see each other. RIP Devil Dog

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC/LAPD

October 18, 2006

15 years, but not forgotton. God bless your soul. Continue to watch over us sir.

Police Officer Garcia
Los Angeles Police Dept

June 12, 2006

Randy was our class leader and always an inspiration........wasn't easy being among the first females going through on an equal basis!!! His encouragement was so helpful.

Det 2 (Ret) Trinka Porrata
LAPD

November 23, 2005

SEMPER FI!! You gave your all for Los Angeles and the USMC while serving with 1st Force Recon in Viet Nam.

Ron Miller (Retired)
LAPD

November 26, 2003

Randy was a friend. He was a young officer when he worked for me. He always had a smile on his face and a positive outlook on things. He was a good cop.

It is so sad that he had to leave us so soon. He died doing what he loved to do and served us all well.

May God truly bless your soul Randy and may you continue to fly over us that are left behind.

To his wife Sue the woman he loved so much. I am sorry for your loss, I know it hurt so much. Thanks for being a good friend also. May God bless you always.

Nick Barbara, Lieutenant
Los Angeles Police Department

Nick Barbara, Lieutenant
Los Angeles Police Department

October 24, 2003