Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My condolences to your family on this date. Your hard work will never be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff Los Angeles
County Sheriff

December 18, 2021

36 years of service to your community... a life well-lived. Thank you for your selfless commitment. RIP Officer Burch.

V.K.Mary, 911 Communications Officer, Harris County Sheriffs Office, Houston, in the Great State of Texas

December 9, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Burch.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 4, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

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

December 18, 2017

It will be 30 years since my father, Edward James Burch, died on December 18, 2014. My family and I still miss and think of him. Thanks to all the nice comments and reflections left on this page. RIP Daddy.

Dayna Burch Merritt/daughter

December 15, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th 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 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 the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

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

December 18, 2011

Officer Burch was a wonderful friend and co-worker. He personally made it possible for me to attend college on many, many days...as a passenger on the back of his motorcycle! He is someone who taught me so much by explaining his job to me, by being a friend to everyone and his zest for life. He is someone I will never forget...I think of him often. God Bless you Officer Burch!

Anonymous

April 26, 2011

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

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

And now it's been 24 years. RIP Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

December 18, 2008

The Final Inspection by "author unknown"

The Policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, Policeman. How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church, have you been true?"

The Policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those who carry badges, can't always be a Saint."

"I've had to work most Sundays, and at time my talk was rough . . . .

And sometimes I've been violent because the streets are aweful tough."

"But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep. . . .

Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got just too steep."

"And I never passed a cry for help, though at time I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears."

"I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.

They never wanted me around except to calm their fear."

"If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much, but, if you don't. . . . I understand."

There was silence all around the throne, where Saints had often trod.

As the Policeman waited quietly for the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, Policeman, You've born the burdens well.

Come walk a beat on heaven's streets. You've done your time in hell."

Brother Burch, you are gone, but you are never forgotten!

Officer D. Michael Kruggel (Retired)
Los Angeles Community College District Police Department

May 8, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

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

December 10, 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

November 28, 2007

I worked At Pierce College with the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. Community College Bureau, for five years. There is a memorial plaque in the Sheriff's Office dedicated to Officer Burch. I just want his family to know that I looked at that plaque many times, and always though about Officer Burch and those he left behind. We will never know just how many students were safe because of his mere presence there. His work and life were not in vain, nor forgotten. God bless you and Officer Burch.

John Valeri
U.S. Customs and Border Protection /Antelope Valley College Police

January 24, 2007

It is very tragic and sad Officer Burch
lost his life doing this. He still died a hero. Rest in peace.

LT Derrick L. Huckaby
Dept of Veterans Affairs

October 24, 2005

It is very tragic and sad Officer Burch
lost his life doing this. He still died a hero. Rest in peace.

LT Derrick L. Huckaby
Dept of Veterans Affairs

October 24, 2005

It is very tragic and sad Officer Burch
lost his life doing this. He still died a hero. Rest in peace.

LT Derrick L. Huckaby
Dept of Veterans Affairs

October 24, 2005

Brother, you lost your life while assisting another. It doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things if you lost your life in a big shoot out with bank robbers or were hit by a car after helping with some keys locked in a car, you were taken in the service of others. You are a hero.

It seems you also have the distinction (if I read correctly) of being the ONLY cop from the Los Angeles Community College District Police to die in the line of duty, now that said department no longer exists.

It's safe to say, however, that your name will live on forever regardless of that distinction. In the hearts and minds of your family and all those who served with the L.A.C.C.D. Police you will never be forgotten simply because of who you were, a hero.

Ptl. Jim Leahy Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

September 28, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Dep. Eric Thoresen
Marion County Sheriffs Office

March 3, 2004