Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I grew up a few counties away from Bertie but never knew about your murder until today. Thinking about your family and will remember the sacrifice they made so many years ago and every day since.

Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin Taylor

August 2, 2021

Rest in peace 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)

August 2, 2020

Thanks for your service and ultimately giving your life to protect us.

Major Retired James Mills
Thomasville PD 1981-2011

August 2, 2019

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Cherry. You died the same day as New York Yankees catcher, Thurman Munson and three months after my neighbor, friend and hero, Metro-Dade Police Officer William Coleman Cook,of North MIami Beach, Florida

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 26, 2019

NO PAROLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deputy C.K. Holly
Mecklenburg County Sheriff

December 9, 2014

Just mailed out my no parole letter for you brother. May god bless you and your family, rest in peace.

Steve

November 19, 2014

Rest in peace my brother in blue. I your family and agency have found peace in your passing.

Evil will never prosper as long as brave men such as yourself stand for good.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called Sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Police Officer II D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

November 19, 2014

The true measure of a hero is when an Officer lays down their life with the knowledge that those they save... will never know

SMSgt (USAF-Retired) Ed Keeney
USAF Security Police

November 18, 2014

My wife and I mailed our No Parole letter today. God Bless your family.

Special Agent #8268
US Homeland Security Investigations, Phoenix, AZ

November 18, 2014

Thank you for your service Deputy Cherry, you have not been forgotten. Rest in peace sir. I am proud to send my "No Parole for Cop Killers" letter today. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Cherry during this time of re-opening a wound that will never heal.

Sr. Ptlmn/K-9 Hndlr Donnie Meaders
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

November 18, 2014

I was honored to send off my 'No Parole' letter today for you, my brother in blue. Thank you for your sacrifice and may you forever, rest in peace. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!! My prayers continue to be with your family, friends and co-workers.

HEROES LIVE FOREVER...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

November 18, 2014

My heartfelt sympathy and honor for someone making such a dutiful sacrifice. I hope over the years God has blessed your family and the child who never got to see you. I'm sure fellow officers have made sure he or she knew the Hero you were. Blessings to your family you left behind, may God keep them. I hope the suspect remains imprisioned for life. We will do our part to make sure of this. One final salute.

Marshal B. Tindle
City Of Killeen Marshals Office/Former Shreveport PD

November 18, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th 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

Anonymous

August 4, 2009

"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

December 26, 2007

MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND SERVICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MY BROTHER, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT.S.C.

August 2, 2007

I hope that you family may see this someday. I was there the day you were killed and I have never forgotten the Sundays when we would meet in the Aulander PD to eat some doughnuts, you had picked up. I was there that long night and I still can hear that one gunshot and we ran over to where you had gone and seeing you on the ground made me want to run away. I knew your wife was pregnant and today being a father I know what you have missed, for I too have a little girl. I hope some day I can meet your daughter by now she is a grown woman. I would love to tell her that her father was a great man and she should be proud.

SPO J Hathaway
Wilson PD

December 9, 2005

Deputy Cherry:

Although you were taken from your family and friends in 1979, your sacrifice is not forgotten. You gave all. Thank you Deputy Cherry for your service to your community. Rest in Peace.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater of Pittsburg Police Dept. eow 4/24/05, who was also a North Carolina native

Phyllis Loya, Mother of fallen officer

July 18, 2005

Don't grieve for me for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I've found a peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you all the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored so much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
for God wanted me now, He set me free.

Semper Fidelis....(Always Faithful)

December 1, 2004

As a law officer in North Carolina I just wanted to let you know that your sacrifice was not without recognition. It saddens me to hear of another officer being slain in the line of duty - today, tommorrow, or years ago. Many thanks for your service to America and it's citizens. Rest in peace brother.

Det. Akins
Liberty Police

March 5, 2004

As a former Georgia Police Officer and a current California Police Officer, Deputy Cherry's tragic death reminds us all, it is never code 4 until the very end. Always use a cover unit whenever possible. Don't let Deputy Cherry die in vain. I never knew Deputy Cherry, but I am grateful for his dedication and service.

Officer
CVPD, CA

November 23, 2003