Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Agent Masengale,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but also when you served with the U.S. Air Force. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

June 8, 2024

Rest in peace Special Agent Masengale.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 20, 2019

A Hero in Heaven, always remembered and never forgotten.

Kim Weigand Mom of Sgt. Mike Weigand
PA C.O.P.S.

May 6, 2015

John, It has been 22 years but I still remember that day and the loss and heartache that followed will never go away. I remember feeling like I should have reached out to you to help you ... we are family and that's what we do, give a hand and help each other. It was impossible to do but that feeling is still there. I am glad we had that 2-hour conversation over the phone one night, two weeks before the accident. I am so thankful for that time. I was proud to be your sister-in-law (still am). You worked hard to achieve what you did in life through the Air Force, 2 college degrees and then ATF. It wasn't easy with a family in tow but you had the smarts and the fortitude to reach for your goals. You did pretty good too... kid from Buckeye. Who knows how far you could have gone? I am glad we are family. You loved to play and tease and you took just as much as you gave. You loved music, playing the guitar and singing. Our sing-a-longs were lots of fun. I wish you could have known my husband, David. Like you, he is a good person, was a wrestler in high school, likes to joke/laugh and loves with all of his heart. I think the two of you would have been good friends. You have a beautiful family in Washington, a son who has grown up to be a good husband/father, a pretty/special daughter-in-law and a beautiful, full of life granddaughter. But you already know all of that. Larry reminds me so much of you (body build, voice and personality). My sister continues to live her life but Lois will always love you. Thank you for sending Bill to love and care about her. Life isn't always fair and even though you are not here in the physical sense, you are in all of our hearts. Whenever we are together you are there with us. The years have passed but we love and miss you, John. As much now as ever before.

Cheryl Margetin, your sister-in-law

June 22, 2014

Hej Johnny,

Sorry for the delay in writing; i just recently found this site and yours was one of the first names to look up. A lot of time has passed since our days together as the 'old-timers' of our NAT class. it's hard to believe you've been gone almost 21 years as i still remember learning of your death, the disbelief and sadness that followed. I wish you peace and hope that your family is doing well.

L. A. Bykowsky
ATF K-9 Handler, retired
K-9 L. E. EOW 5/10/09

April 29, 2013

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

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

March 30, 2013

Twenty years have gone by since you lost your life. You are remembered today and everyday.

Lois Masengale
Widow of SA Johnny A. Masengale

May 7, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 20th 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 solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace.Rest In Peace.

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

May 6, 2012

I miss you dad.

Son
Son

May 6, 2012

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 6, 2010

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 7, 2008

Special Agent Masengale, today marks the 16th anniversary of your tragic death. It’s amazing to think that you were the only casualty of an explosion of such horrific magnitude. It took courage just to be near such a find but someone had to do it and you did. By finding and confiscating such a cache of explosives made in an illegal factory, which no doubt had rather low safety standards, you probably saved many innocent lives. It’s so sad that you were not so lucky.

Though you wife and son lost you in the physical sense, I am confident that you never truly left their sides and even after all these years, you still watch over them. I’m sure they are as proud of you as my family is of my cousin who is an ATF agent. You all do a wonderful job and far too many of you are listed on this site.

God Bless and may you continue to Rest in Peace, Brother.

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

May 6, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 19, 2008

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

December 25, 2006

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of
a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one deared
Disturb the sound of silence.

"Fools" said I,"You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning,
In the words that it was forming.
And the signs said, The words of the prophets
are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls.
And whisper'd in the sounds of silence.

Sleep well, we had to bury a friend today.

Anonymous

Rest in Peace Brother...you are not forgotten

CPD

You died a brave and courageous death. Your sacrifice is appreciated by myself and many others in our great nation. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you made to make our lives safe. God Bless you and your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police