Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today marks 8 years since your untimely death. My heart breaks for your family. Your memory will live on forever and you will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace Sergeant Lucas.

Elizabeth
Widow of Deputy Michael Haugen.
Riverside County Sheriffs Department

October 31, 2024

My brother,

On All Hallows Eve you died. A time we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil. You are by my side. Always. Ready to do battle.

Time passes my friend, but not for you. In my heart you are unchanged. Like Ponyboy, staying golden. Forever. A loop reel runs in my head. Missing you. Your death is a wave that keeps coming. Like Sisyphus, pushing that rock. Over and over. Huge, breathtaking waves in the fall of 2016. Rollers that smashed me to the ground, disoriented, leaving me bewildered and lost. Heartbroken.

With the passing of time, the breakers seem to spread out further. Life here goes on. I work in a forest now. I know you’re happy for me, cheering me on. Thirty plus years of 911 to ponder. To process. You knew. You had the scars. And yet you balanced it. So strong. I still do battle with darkness, but am grateful for the journey. Grateful for the peace. Grateful for the joy.

I pray for you, speak to you, ask for your prayers, in the quiet of our Lords evergreen landscape. Which you loved, and still do.

The October swell looms on the horizon. I can see it, I can feel it. But, it’s okay. I’m at peace with being vulnerable. I want to feel the wave pour over me. You were real. You walked this earth. I will never forget you. Never. You’re laughing, flashing that pure smile. I’m listening to Blink 182, “I miss you”, when he shouts “Where are you, and I’m so sorry…” the wave hits. God I miss you Rod, I’m sorry we lost you. Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold.

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

~ Robert Frost
 

Patrick Hanson
Friend

October 31, 2023

Since 1996. My brother. You were different. Everything about you. Rough edges. Big heart. Never took your blessings for granted. Never, forgot your past. You were a Cop’s Cop. And not in a Hollywood bull**** way. But legit. Strong headed. Strong heart. And flat out strong. At the core you saw it as good versus evil. You were wise enough to see that tug of war play out in your own life. That the journey was every, single, day. You expressed your own weaknesses. You stood firm with your beliefs. Your relationship with Jesus Christ. Your bedrock. And you were always looking to lift someone else up. And if a bad guy needed to be put down, you were all in.

And I loved how the Cop thing never defined you; it was your job. You were proud of the legacy of service but not badge heavy. Not better than others. Not above others. Without hesitation, you would put yourself in harms way. You would earn it. Every, single, day.

I struggle with this journey. Like so many others. Not the least, your family. I know you are proud of each and every one of them. And you are sending them your love, prayers and guidance. I feel inept at trying to ease their burden. Yet, I am constantly humbled by their love. You are with them Rod, and they with you. And I pray, they continue their journey with love. Every. Single. Day. Please give Roe a hug for me my brother. And look into me from time to time.

“To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love. Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name.”

Fr. Thomas Merton

Deputy Patrick Hanson
Fresno County Sheriff’s Office

May 9, 2020

RIP. Sergeant Lucas will never ever be forgotten.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired, NYSP

January 26, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Lucas.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 31, 2019

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

August 30, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother. We remember and honor you on the 1st anniversary of your E.O.W. Prayers for your family and coworkers.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

October 31, 2017

Remembering you today Sir. You are not forgotten.

Det. Michele Nelson
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA

October 31, 2017

Rest well my brother. Always a prayer for your soul and your loving family.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

October 31, 2017

Rod was my sons football coach for three years. One year I was assitant coach with him. He will always be missed on the football fields in Lemoore and in the community.

PO1 Wedell
U.S. Navy

August 17, 2017

Peace to you brother. Peace to your family. We got it from here.

Deputy Mike Gagnon
Bonner County Sheriffs Office

December 31, 2016

God's peace and speed Sergeant Lucas. Thank you for your many years of brave, dedicated service. RIP Brother.

P/O R. Popelka #7903
Chicago P.D.

December 17, 2016

God bless you my brother. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May His healing hand touch your family, friends, and fellow deputies. Rest easy my brother, we'll take the watch from here.

Trooper Steve Olson
Michigan State Police

December 10, 2016

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. As you join our brothers and sisters in the hall of heroes, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Vires et Honorem

PTLM Frank Kapusta
Mohawk PD

November 24, 2016

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Rod Lucas. Thank you for your service to this country and your community. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your department at this time.

Chief Reuben C. Black
Barnwell Police Dept., Barnwell, SC

November 22, 2016

To the family of Sergeant Rod Lucas, friends, Sheriff Margaret Mims and the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.
You are lifted up in thoughts and prayers. May God comfort, hold you close and give you peace now and always. Thank you for your service. John 15:13 / Matthew 5:9

Patrolman A.S. Batson
Cherry / O'Berry Police Department NC

November 21, 2016

Every morning I go to my knees. During that time I pray:

“Lord, Be with all law enforcement officers. Keep them safe and free from harm. They are Your soldiers on the front line of the battle against evil. If one should fall this day - wrap their family in your loving arms. Surround them with Your angels, loving family, friends, neighbors and caring people to comfort them. Ease their pain. Help them to mourn well. In Jesus' name and for Your Glory, Amen.”

Feel His presence as God answers the prayers of many who have fallen to their knees on your behalf. Since the day of my son's death, I have carried every law enforcement officer and their family in my heart.

I have lifted you and your family to God every morning for over five years. Feel those prayers. God is with you; He knows and will ease your pain.

Our faith helps us to see beyond the grave.

Pamela Hotsinpiller
Mother of
Deputy United States Marshal
Derek W. Hotsinpiller
EOW 2-16-2011

November 14, 2016

The Durham County Sheriff's Office BLET Academy 38 sends its deepest condolences to your family and department. Rest In Peace.

BLET 38
Durham County Sheriff's Office

November 10, 2016

I will miss you Rod, you were my family, my blood, with grew up together, did everything together, Peace be with you!!

Edward Ward Correctional Officer
CDCR, brother

November 9, 2016

This is such a tragedy. To Jami and the rest of the family, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Everything I hear about Rod makes me sad that I did not know him; what a wonderful man!

Jean Kulbeth
Fresno City College Dental Hygiene

November 9, 2016

Rest In Peace my friend

Detective Christina Jones Kaer
Sandy Police

November 9, 2016

It is so sad to see so many deputies and police officers on this officer down memorial page. As a recruit going through the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, it does not make me scared yet it makes me mad and makes me want to push myself and work harder for those who lost their lives doing the same exact thing that I want to do. I pray for their families and I will continue to work hard for those who came before and were gone too soon. May they Rest In Peace.

LASD ACADEMY CLASS 417 Recruit Dingillo
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department

November 8, 2016

"Come forward now policeman. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat in heaven's street. You've done your time in hell." Rest In Peace Sgt. Lucas. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and the law enforcement community.

Recruit L Leduc
LASD ACADEMY CLASS 417

November 8, 2016

Our prayers go out to you and your family
Class 417

Deputy sheriff trainee
LASD

November 8, 2016

SGT. Lucas I'll be praying for you and your family. Thank you for hard work.

Recruit Lares Jonathan Lares
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department

November 8, 2016