Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Carpenter and I were classmates at Macomb County community college . We were in the basic police academy in the summer of 1974 . Super nice person with a quick wit . When I learned of his death I stopped at our church and prayed for him . I went to the funeral and met his family and brother officers.

Lawrence Sproul Sgt. Retired
Cheboygan County Sheriff Dept.

April 14, 2024

I didn't know Jerry a hero, but I say a rosary for he and all our fallen. I know I'm not as great as you guys. You're amazing and I've been blessed to know you. I wish u would've know Jerry. Bless you all.

Chris Young 470
PONTIAC PD

April 7, 2024

I have thought about Officer Carpenter many times over the years. I was in the hospital that morning and witnessed the suspects fleeing the hospital. I was a witness in the trial. RIP

Susan Osentoski Salvador
Witness

December 13, 2023

This was my cousin.
I was only 8 years old when this happened.
May he RIP

Doreena Dropulich Tompkins
Cousin

May 10, 2023

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

December 7, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Carpenter.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2020

I just found this posting of the shootings at Pontiac General Hospital 1976. I remember this clearly. I was a respiratory therapist at PGH when I exited the elevator on the 5th floor on my way to ICU to check on some patients. It was about 3am and I heard shots so I went to the nurses station and turned off the lights. The nurses station was enclosed but had windows. I looked down a hallway and saw an officer lying on the floor. Two others were already helping the officer but I joined in and used an AMBU bag for breathing and when someone was doing cardiac compressions I saw blood on his chest. Also, the male accomplice died after surgery. I called in sick the next day because I could not believe that kind of crap could happen in a hospital.

Tom R
retired

January 11, 2016

I remember Jerry as a great guy to be around. While I only knew you for a few months I loved being at work when you were on duty. Your back door bellowing call to Officer Beverly Jefferson over the speaker always brought a laugh, especially to her. It was tha saddest day of my career working on that terrible night. Remember you forever Sir.

Chief Michael Story
Pontiac PD / Holly PD

July 22, 2014

I will never forget the night and morning that this incident was all taking place in a matter of hours ,then in seconds and minutes giving out the discription of the brown get away vehicle license plate # and number of subjects, running up five flights of stairs opening the door seeing officer Carpenter in the room laying on the floor not knowing if he was alive , or dead doing my job I ran into the room to see officer Hunter in a state of shock with his weapon on subject Melvin Scott, Icuffed Scott and went to help Officer Carpneter yelling up the hall for medical staff to come help him, no one was coming ,I yelled out again for help and two mediacl staff came running to the room scared not knowing if any of the subjects were still on the floor , I knew the subjects had left the floor ,so I ran back down the stairs in search of the subjects Bennie Clay ,Janice Love who were all apprehended within 45 minutes on Telegraph Rd. south. My prayers will always be with his wife, children, family and friends. I now work at HFHS POLICE AUTHORITY.

PGH Security Officer Ricky Day
PGH Security Dept.

December 29, 2012

Rest in peace my brother...you are a brave and dedicated officer who served your profession with pride, and you gave the ultimate sacrifice at such a young age.

Sergeant Barton
Garden City PD

December 3, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th 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.

Rest In Peace

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

December 7, 2011

I remember coming into work that morning and hearing the bad news.i went down to the basement line-up room and the officer in charge was giving out assignments for the officers to check and follow-up on leads on the respon. I do remember there were officers from many different dept helping to find the respon(s)

Michael Ramsey,Sgt. (retired)
Pontic

December 7, 2011

I remember the day it happened. We were all in shock. So young and tragic. Missed by all your old Rotten Robert friends
Rest in peace.

Lezlie McNew
Friend

December 7, 2011

Your legacy lives on, as you touched so many in so few years. God Bless you on this day we pay our respects.

Sergeant Susan (Brown) Johnson~Retired
Pontiac P.D. 1974 ~1999

December 7, 2011

Gerry, you are missed and thought of by all of us.

Sergeant Jim (Spider) Webb retired
Pontiac P.D. 1969 to 1994

December 7, 2011

Gerry Carpenter...rest in peace. You are still not forgotten.

Phil Van Houten
Former Pontiac PD

December 7, 2010

Carp, just a word to let you know that I think of you often. We (your 3rd and 4th shift coworkers) were all deeply affected by the tragedy which occurred. I believe that it made all of us better police officers and better human beings. Thanks for being my friend, and I am very proud to have worked with you.

Sgt. Jack Newman #459 (retired)
Pontiac Police Dept

March 26, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 4, 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 26, 2007

Officer Carpenter had only been on the department for two years, I recall my Father Sgt. Fred Stormer saying he was a very well liked officer. And how much pain was felt. I will always remember that December day, It brought sadness to so many who worked with and knew officer Carpenter. I was only fifteen at the time and whenever I'm back in pontiac I visit his memorial. It caused my Father great pain and sadness, as I'm sure it did other officers and people in the community.

Richad Stormer
Son of Sgt. Fred Stormer

January 27, 2007

Thank you for your service......

Senior Officer D. W. Reichhardt
Waverly PD, Va.

December 7, 2006

Officer Carpenter I never had the honor of meeting you. I came on the force a few years after you were killed. You were well liked by your peers and they all spoke highly of you. Every year for the past twenty nine years on the anniversary of your death we hold a memorial at the police department in your memory. A lot of retired and current officers are present every year for the memorial. Rest in peace my brother, you will never be forgotten.


Sergeant Pashko Ivezaj 12/17/2005

Sergeant Pashko Ivezaj
Pontiac P.D.

December 17, 2005

Thank you for your service, we will remember you forever.

June 5, 2005

Your bravery, courage and devotion to duty have not gone unnoticed. Thank you Sir.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Department, CA

December 7, 2004