Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

He and I were in the same academy class. He had to work a shift and then sit in the class for 8 hours. No one worked harder at getting through the academy.

Retired police chief
Junction, Kirby, Hondo, Azle, Mansfield and Arlington.

February 14, 2022

I remember Officer Carpenter when he served the Joshua Police Department. It was the age of CB radios and many nights as I drove home late at night, he was on the air. He would always talk to me until I arrived safely home.

He was truly a nice guy who was taken far too soon.

Janice Snyder

June 21, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Carpenter.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2019

I remember this incident very well. The night Bill Straw was kidnapped I was a police officer with the Saginaw, Texas PD. Bills wife was dispatcher at that time for Saginaw PD and news quickly spread of Bill’s kidnapping. As I recall the kidnappers and car thieves left Bill tied up in a barn and stole the truck. Stolen pickup belonging to Bill Straw was stopped by Officer Carpenter of the Crowley PD and during the stop Officer Carpenter was murdered.
May you RIP my brother and never be forgotten.
May GOD always watch over and protect your loved ones.

Deputy Sheriff (Ret) Glen Allison
Tarrant County Sheriff Dept Ft Worth Tx

September 30, 2018

These two men that took this officers life kidnapped my grandfather and stole his truck. Thank you Officer Carpenter for your sacrifice and dedication! My family is forever thankful for your service!

Jason Straw
Texas Highway Patrol

June 16, 2018

Rest in Peace Officer James M. Carpenterl. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw at the flesh of your murderers!

Amen

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston,TX

February 13, 2016

The night that Mike was killed I was sitting on Loop 820 in my Patrol car for the City of Forest Hill. I will never forget the feelings and the sickness in my stomach when I hear it all on the radio. I am stll in Law Enforcement and I will never forget Mike.

Lt. Roger Braziel
Grayson County Sheriff's Office

December 13, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd 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.

Time never dimishes respect and 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. Your family is in my heart's embrace, I thank them for sharing their devotion to you by their loving reflections. I share your mom's anguish in losing a beloved child which is surely life's greatest sorrow...I cried when I read her reflection

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

February 13, 2012

Mike and his family went to my church. He was a teacher in the youth boys sunday school class when I was a youth at Reece Prairie Baptist Church. I will NEVER forget that Wednesday morning when mom told me what had happened. I attended his funeral. I have visited his grave site a couple of times over the past 30 years. I had forgotten what he looked like and when I saw this photo today, I broke down. Every time I hear of a fallen officer, I think of Mike.

Kathy Weaver Shaw
Friend

December 9, 2009

Mrs. Carpenter,
I can't begin to comprehend what his loss was to you. I can't look at his picture without losing my breathe. I don't think that telling you he was loved by our community could ever be enough to make up for what you lost or even what our community lost. But especially looking back on how young he was drives it home even further for me just how special he was. You did very well as a Mother to have raised a son so special I can assure you.

Anonymous

December 8, 2009

Michael has been gone longer than I had him on earth, but I miss you more every day. We love you.

Ethelene N. Carpenter
Mother

February 23, 2008

Mike was killed on my 18th birthday. I lived in Crowley at the time. He would be on patrol and would always wave and sometimes stop and say "Hi" when I was hanging out in the yard at my then girlfriend's house.
He was such a great guy and always had a smile just like the one in his picture here.
Losing him was a very painful time for all small town.
Rest in peace my old friend that will be forever young in my heart.

Mike Roberts

February 5, 2008

"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

February 5, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 13, 2008

Here I go again...Recently I left a reflection about officer Ludwig Bruno FWPD that was killed in 1977 trying to hold traffic off of me at an accident scene and was struck by a hit and run driver and later died. I knew Bruno, but did not know Officer Carpenter real well, although I had done a few impounds for him. Still I was part of the scenario that foggy night almost 30 years ago.

I was a towing operator in Fort Worth dispatched that night to impound that pickup. When I arrived the officers told me to leave because I wasn't needed.
At that point I had no idea what was happening, but within 10 minutes I knew exactly what had happened.

As I was traveling back towards Fort Worth on N. Crowley road I spotted the pickup in a ditch that I was sent out to impound. I called my dispatch who in turn called PD and then I was informed what was going on.

I appeared in two trials for the prosecution after that and became more aware of who Officer Carpenter was.

Officer Carpenter was a lot like Bruno. He was the kind you wanted watching your back... The one you could count on always.

I am still a towing operator, although I am in Oregon now.
Every time I work an accident or am in harms way I always think of these extraordinary cops that sacrificed it all to protect us.

I miss them both and feel they are still watching out for me at times.


Who guards heavens gates? I think I know

G. Hanner
Towing Operator

December 20, 2007

You paid the ultimate price over 28 years ago. I hope everyone takes comfort in knowing that you will NEVER be forgotten and will FOREVER be a hero!

SGT, Retired
AR

August 14, 2007

Officer Carpenter, May you Rest in Peace and may Our Lord bless your loved ones.

February 13, 2007

Officer Carpenter your sacrifice is not forgotten. Your dedication is appreciated by the many you touched thoughout you career. God Bless you and your family.

new castle county police - DE

April 17, 2005

Officer Carpenter,
As one officer wrote in another fallen officer's reflection-"no officer should be without a reflection." I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Crowley.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

February 14, 2005