Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I think often of Archie and the others I've known. After serving on your relief squad for three years, I had only recently transferred to Southern Division. That night I was meeting with a Border Pattol Agent when I heard dispatch calling Archie in a "Roll Call" attempt to identify an officer down report called in to dispatch. I told the PA "Archie never misses a call, something is wrong". I later was sent to the scene of one of the suspects' residence where I lay in ice plant on the embankment at the back for an hour, with a shotgun, before it was determined he was not home.

I'm now a Senior Crime Scene Analyst at Las Vegas Metro Police, and one of my duties is to attend autopsies. When I am in the room with one of LVMPD's; The memories of Archie, Kimberly Tonahill, Tim Roup and Tom Riggs are there with me also.

It was my honor to serve with you all. See you someday in Paradise.

Officer Larry R. Morton (SDPD retired)
LVMPD SCSA

May 7, 2012

Although I only knew Archie a short time I was working the night he was shot while assigned to the Lemon Grove Office at the SDSO. We used to meet from time to time for info exchanges in the same area where he was killed as my beat ran up to his. He was a soft spoken man who always had a good read on what was happening in his area. A senseless loss and one that we will always remember.

Detective Mike Sindelar
San Juan County (NM) Sheriff - SDSO retired

May 1, 2012

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Buggs. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 22, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 33rd 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 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

November 4, 2011

Archie,

I'll never forget the night you were killed. I was working Mira Mesa on second watch. I remember the officer down call, with all second watch officers to respond to the scene. When I arrived and saw you lying there in the street my heart was broken. We looked for the killers and one of the officers found them. I'm sorry your life ended so soon. I think of you alot.

Rest in peace my brother.
Tom

Tom Lahart
San Diego County Sheriffs Office - Retired

August 31, 2011

Archie, you were a great guy and fun to work with. Your death came as a huge shock. I think of you every year about this time. Rest in peace my friend.

Patrolman Mike Kerins
SDPD

May 18, 2011

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 2, 2007

"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

September 20, 2007

My respect for him is still there after so many years. I got to know about Officer Buggs over a six week period. It was my honor to serve on the 1979 jury that convicted the two gang members that shot Officer Buggs. I am sometimes reminded of that powerful experience of being on that jury when I see a SDPD officer making a stop in a residential neighborhood. Rarely, there is a TV news filmclip of Allen Praeckel, Superior Court Judge. He was the prosecutor in the case. GW 7/2007

July 17, 2007

What you did in service to your community meant more than you'd ever guess - Thank you so much for your service

Sgt Don "Boots" Jensen Retired
Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee, WI

May 19, 2007

To the family and friends of Patrolman Archie Buggs, his fellow officers, and most especially to Officer Buggs.

On this the seventeenth anniversary of your tragic death, we honor and remember you. Rest in Peace, Patrolman Buggs.

On behalf of our entire family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Officer Buggs was brutally murdered in the line of duty.

May his loved ones continued to be supported by their law enforcement family and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the four years of distinquished service Officer Buggs gave to his community and the citizens of California, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on November 4, 1978.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larrry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 4, 2005

I was brand new on the Dept. and worked a relief squad with Archie-having just met him. We alternated days off and worked the same beat and drove the same car. I woke up Sat. morning and saw the newspaper picture of him lying on the street and our car nearby. I had contacted the murder suspects myself just days before. I guess it just wasn't my time. Archie will always be missed and remian a pleasant memory in my heart and mind.

Sgt. Reeggie Frank
San Diego P.D.

February 28, 2004

It is sad to lose any officer. It is however an honor to them that we never forget. I am glad to see that this officer is still in the hearts of the people. To often we seem to forget about their sacrifice all to soon. Rest in Peace.

Anonymous

I can remember the night Archie was killed. I even remember what I was doing. I was arresting a DUI driver in the Golden Hills section of San Diego. I later went to the scene to assist in the search for his killers. I haven't forgotten the vivid image of Archie lying in the street for hours while the homicide detectives conducted their investigation. He was a brother officer and a friend. He will never be forgotten.

Motorcycle Officer Tom Simonds
San Diego Police Department

I knew Archie well having worked with him on many occasions. He was a kind, generous to a fault, slow to anger, fast to praise. I still miss my friend 20+ years later, and think of him often.

Dorianne Phares Wiley, Patrol Officer
San Diego Police Dept. (Reserves)