Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Went to HS with Karl. Who would have known we both would have picked Thank less professions ! God Bless you my friend, I see your little sister often, shes well.!
Hasta Amigo,
Billy Ray Smith NREMT

Wm. (Billy) Ray Smith NREMT
1st Response EMS

May 31, 2022

Officer Reishus,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Juneau. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 4, 2022

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Jeff Bray

December 11, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service. Never forgotten.

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

May 4, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Reishus.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 3, 2019

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 4, 2018

As a professional rope rescue technician & rescue swimmer I spend a good part of my year passing on my knowledge to those who attend my various training classes. Today I was going over my notes for an upcoming school and I thought about Officer Reishus and I wanted you to know why. To this day every one of my students are taught to refer to the safety lines we use for positive tie off when working at height as a “Juneau”. To his wife Sue & to SR. Det. Jennings, I’ve read your posts. Rest assure your husband and friend did not die in vain. The term “Juneau” was taught to me many years ago by a rescue legend. Officer Reishus’ story has been used thousands of times by me and many, many others when conveying the importance of “Safety First”. I have absolutely no doubt that his sacrifice has saved countless lives. Because of your words on this refection page I now have an even deeper backstory about his loss to refer to when teaching and I greatly appreciate having found this.

Captain Chris "Shaggy" Williams
West of the Brazos Rescue Team

April 19, 2018

I knew, worked with, and respected Karl. I was the first responding officer to the event related above, which happened directly across the street from Trooper Detachment on Sherwood Lane, where my department (Juneau P.D.) had two patrol desks.

At that time I was an 8-year patrolman. I had borrowed an air compressor from Karl about 4-months earlier but due to being on opposite patrol shifts, I'd failed to return it. (It became an "ownership vs Possession is 9/10ths" joke between us).

The day of his accident I was sitting at one desk completing a report when Karl entered the office area via a back door. He was wearing fireman bunker gear. He explained he had volunteered and was about to participate in "rope rescue scenarios" with the FD at the Fire Training Center (FTC).

"WTF?!!" (Says I), you're not a Fireman...you're a Policeman. You're gonna get yourself killed over there." (At this point I put a blank sheet of paper and a pen on the desk). "Do me a favor...write a quick Will saying the compressor is mine." "Nah" (says Karl) "I'll come over and get it when I'm done".

15-minutes later there's someone frantically beating on the back door screaming "There's been an accident!"...and I'm running to the FTC and radioing out for emergency assistance and at least one ambulance.

The two injured firemen (one hanging from ropes and one on the ground) both refused help, both pointing and telling me to "check on that guy!"

Due to the severity of his forehead injury, I didn't recognize him. Like we do, I went to work clearing his airway and pressure to the wound, talking to "the guy" and radioing responders to expedite...and that's when he stopped breathing/no pulse. CPR till the ambulance guys took over...and they did their best, too...but there was no recovering from that kind of head injury.

Essentially Karl died in the arms of a friend and brother who loved him, and who remembers him fondly.

Oh. And Karl...sorry dude, but I ha e no idea where our compressor has gone.

Sr. Det. Kenneth J. Jennings (ret)
Juneau Police Department

January 24, 2018

May he rest in peace, secure in the knowledge that he did his duty. May he find peace in God's light and good fishing. We will fish together again some day, my Brother.

Gov. Bill Peters
Sitka Police Department

May 4, 2015

I think of you often over the 20 years plus you have been on your journey above. I visited the Police Memorial in DC last summer found your name & we talked alittle while. I know your family misses you. Wish you were here. Tell everyone hello in heaven.

Scott Gray
Cousin

July 2, 2013

I still miss you every single day and will until the day I no longer breathe. Our love was a forever love.

Sue
Your Wife

June 13, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 21rst anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. 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 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 California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 10, 2013

Sir, you are remembered for your service this day May 4th 2013.

Dede Hodge
Paramedic's wife.

May 10, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 24, 2012

I was friends with the family before this happened and Karl gave me a badge a couple of days before he died. I was a small child at the time and I have it somewhere in the abyss of my parents basement. I would like to give it back to the family some day, but, it is going to be very hard to find.

SC, Firefighter instructor
personal friend

June 26, 2012

Officer Reishus,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Juneau. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

May 4, 2012

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 15, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

May 4, 2010

Karl,
You are gone but not forgotten and are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We will never forget you and your sacrifice.
Dave

Sergeant David Jones
Alaska State Troopers

May 9, 2008

YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NHV

May 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

November 14, 2007

15 years have gone by and he is not forgotten. Know that you are not alone in your sorrow.

RIP Officer Reishus. Watch over your brothers in blue.

Wife of an officer

May 4, 2007

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

Officer 11169

November 2, 2006

I thank you for your service and salute you for your sacrifice.

A grateful citizen.

September 22, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

(Formerly of Seward Alaska)

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 6, 2004