Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt Conner,

I never knew you, but my father was one of the officers there that night. Thank you for your sacrifice for your community and your country. Rest in Peace.

Trooper Stephen Horn
North Dakota Highway Patrol

August 18, 2024

I feel like there has been a hole in my heart because I wasn’t able to meet you, but each and every day I strive to be more like you and carry on your legacy I love you pawpaw,You are my hero and role model.

Officer Robert Fields
Middle River Regional Jail

July 7, 2023

It's hard to believe that it's been 34 years since that horrific evening. Myself and my fellow brothers who were with you that night will never forget. RIP , John.

Retired Detective Tom Horn
City of Manassas

July 24, 2022

Rest in peace Sergeant Conner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 1, 2019

We remember those who served our community, faced evil, and paid the ultimate price. R.I.P., Sergeant.

Anonymous

January 21, 2019

Dad I miss you SO MUCH an think about you everyday. I wish I was half the man you was. I was 9 yrs old when you left us and remember the phone call that morning from granny like it was yesterday telling us what happen and my life changed in so many ways from that point on. Some good changes and some bad. I wish i could have just 5 mins to sit down and talk to you. Hell id love to just remember your voice but I dont. All I remember is you were a cop that loved his family, job, and that beautiful El Camino. Wish I knew what year it was because I would try to find it or get one the same year and rebuild it just like yours, then id feel closer to you. Anyways just want to thank everybody for the kind words about my father. And want to say to you dad,you are my Hero and I Love You.

John Christopher Conner
Son

November 10, 2018

I was an M.P. at Quantico Marine Base at the time. I stopped by his grave at Quantico National Cemetry the week Sgt Conner was buried. It was raining and I just got off duty.

Bless your service and your sacrifice Sergeant. You are not forgotten.

Respectfully,

P.L. Burrell

Officer Peter L. Burrell
Mt. Weather Police Dept DHS

May 16, 2017

Never new you John, but testified at the trial of your murder. I had a run in with that perp in Mass. prior too your killing. Everything your Brothers in Blue said about you was honorable.
So honorable, that my badge hangs on the walls of your Dept.
( Waltham PD / Waltham MA. )

May Your family continue too bless, and all officers.

David Allen / Former Waltham Officer

David H. Allen
Waltham Police ( Former )

November 23, 2016

I remember that night like it was last night. It scared me for life. The suspect Roy Smith was my next door neighbor and was firing those shots above mine and my sisters head. That is when the adults called the police. I light a candle for SGT. Conner III every year and pray for wife and children and the Manassas City Police Dept.

Shelly Zimbro

July 24, 2016

Sorry for your Loss! Praying for comfort and peace for the blue family and the family of officer John Connor.

Michelle Atchison
Letona Volunteer Fire Dept. Arkansas

July 24, 2016

So hard to believe that was so long ago. That happened essentially in my backyard just after I graduated high school. I remember Prince William County Police Department coming and providing mutual aid and blocking the streets at Weems Rd and Landgreen St . I was able to see the house where it happened from my house on Firethorn. It was just hard to understand what was going on because Point of Woods didn't have a reputation of not being a safe neighborhood. It was a safe neighborhood, but essentially an isolated incident. My house faced the rear of the Townhouse (3 houses away) where the incident occurred.
Stuff like this generally didn't happen in Manassas at the time and it seemed surreal that it was happening as it had.
I still say prayers for the Connors every time I go by Laurelwood Ct.
MY memories of that neighborhood were NOT tainted by Roy Bruce Smith or his guns. God Bless the Connors and MCPD

Michael Burke
Point of Woods Neighbor

July 24, 2016

I remember that night like it was yesterday. To all my fellow brothers that was there that night God bless you. Stay safe

Corporal Thomas Horn
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

April 18, 2015

John, you were my roommate at the 555 and 437th MP Companies. You were my best man at my wedding. You were my friend and will never be forgotten. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with your family.

SSG Robert Peregoy
Fellow MP / Friend

January 26, 2014

John,
I didn't know you but your sister has told me all about you and your bravery! I admire you!
SNKimball

....they risk body and limb to protect and serve us...therefore I Salute You All!..
SNK

July 14, 2013

Good times at Ft Lee

Rita Luckmann McMurray
US Army

January 5, 2013

Rember Ft Lee and the Nickle

Rita Luckmann McMurray
US Army

January 5, 2013

I was a young man that didn't have a direction yet John treated me like an equal and pushed me to always do better. I will always remember you as a close friend.

Scott Withrow
USAF/US Dept of Veterans Affairs

February 7, 2012

John,
When we were MPs at Ft Belvoir, you were always kind and symbolized what an Army NCO was. At Police Week, each and every year, While the Midnight Piper plays I touch your name.

Lt. Thomas Hansen
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

September 15, 2011

A man who I only knew for five years of my life yet is in my mind every day. I have large shoes to fill and his inspiration pushes me forward every day. Thank you everyone for your kind words, and thank you for those who made this website to remember a wonderful man and father.

David A. Conner
Son

January 31, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 22nd 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 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 the solace of all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 25, 2010

Bro:

Thinking about You as I add Your Memory to my Quantico Facebook Site........

Michael B. Parlor

June 7, 2009

On the anniversary of Sgt. John D. Connor’s death, we honored his service during roll call by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job.

Sgt. Connor is gone, but not forgotten.

Sergeant Jeffrey W. Timmons
First Responder Unit
United States Capitol Police
Washington, D.C.

Anonymous

July 28, 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

April 3, 2008

I think about you every day.

Elizabeth

October 15, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Sergeant Conner on the anniversary of his passing. Heros are never forgotten. Rest in peace.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

July 25, 2007