Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Never forgotten, Michael. Always in my heart.

C/I Evelyn McKee
Philadelphia P.D.

November 12, 2024

I knew this young man and as an investigator with the Hanover Sheriffs Dept. at the time of his murder I helped in the case against his killer and the three other suspects who had ties to Hanover County. A fine officer and I was proud to be part of the investigation that sent his killers to the death penalty.

Robert Sandridge, Criminal Investigator
Hanover County Sheriffs Department

June 10, 2020

They actually did it, they paroled and released the scumbag who killed Patrolman Connors. Virginia's governor is a piece of work. He's a disgrace and clearly has no respect for law enforcement. My heart continues to break for Patrolman Connors family. They have suffered enough, they should not have to endure any more heartbreak. Parole should never be an option for a cop killer!

Beth Rath-Powell

June 10, 2020

Proud to send my No-Parole letter. Prayers for the officer's family as they feel the pain all over again.

Sgt Donnie Meaders
Wetumka (OK) Police Department

May 21, 2020

To the family, friends and colleagues of HERO Patrolman Michael P. Connors: I was just about to finalize my No Parole letter, when I read about the awful and unjust decision by the Parole Board. All I can say is that I’m so very sorry!

To Patrolman Connors: Thank You for your service and sacrifice. You are not forgotten!

God Bless you All

Allie Wroten
Proudly Supporting All L.E.O.’s
Wife of a Corrections Deputy

May 21, 2020

May our brother rest in peace with the knowledge we did our best to stop the parole of his killers.

He gave his all, we need to give back to him, and his community a firm word to the parole board.

His killers should never be before a parole board, ever.

Sgt. John T. MacF. Mood
H.P.D., SC

May 19, 2020

May our brother rest in peace with the knowledge we did our best to stop the parole of his killers.

He gave his all, we need to give back to him, and his community a firm word to the parole board.

His killers should never be before a parole board, ever.

Sgt. John T. MacF. Mood
H.P.D., SC

May 19, 2020

Such a sad ending to a young officer's career by four animals with records that show that they have no regard for life. My heart hurt when I read this story. Your life mattered Patrolman Connors and you are a hero in the truest sense of the word.

R.L. Fleming #59416
Correctional Officer (Ret)
California Department of Corrections

May 19, 2020

Murderers such as these individuals, should never come up for parole. They should only be released from prison in a casket. They do not deserve any other release. Keep them locked up for their entire lives.

Sincerely,
Linda T

Retired Victims Advocate
Crawford County MO; Prosecutor's Office

May 18, 2020

So sorry the four convicts were paroled in the murder of this fine young officer who gave his life while conduction a traffic stop.

Chaplain Michael Peterson
Lee's Summit, MO Police Dept

May 18, 2020

My heartfelt condolences to Patrolman Connors family. It's a disgrace that his killer was paroled and it sickens me. Patrolman Connors family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Beth Rath-Powell

May 12, 2020

To Mike's family. I was working the desk in patrol that night and Mike had been in just a little earlier to get a new battery for his radio. I was beside myself when I learned what had happened. Mike was a credit to his parents and his family. He was a very polite and well-mannered young man who didn't deserve what happened to him. And now to hear that they are going to parole the animal that took his life speaks volumes about the state of our current society. I think about that night and Mike often. I miss him. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. God bless the Conners' family.

Troy Blackwell
Former Richmond Patrolman 1976 - 1980

April 30, 2020

You will never be forgotten, Officer Michael P. Connors. You and your brothers and sisters in blue are forever heroes in my heart.

LEO Family - I am a wife, mother, and daughter of brave LEO's. I ask God to protect my husband, children, father and all brave Police Officers.

April 29, 2020

Although I have no connection to the Richmond Police Department I am distraught and mad that a cowardly cop killer has been paroled for the murder of Officer Michael P. Connors. If our society cannot trust the criminal justice system to support our peace keepers, then it opens the door to any criminal that wants to slay a law enforcement officer. Lord help us all!

Ron Conlin (retired Detective)
New Orleans Police Department

April 21, 2020

From the Washington Post 4/16/20 Man convicted in 1979 police slaying paroled
Virginia officials have granted parole to a man convicted of killing a police officer in 1979, the state Parole Board confirmed Tuesday.
The board voted Friday to release Vincent Lamont Martin, 64, from the Virginia Department of Corrections, board chair Adrianne L. Bennett told the Richmond-Times Dispatch.
Martin was sentenced to life in prison more than 40 years ago in the slaying of Richmond patrolman Michael P. Connors, who was shot four times in the head during a traffic stop, news outlets have reported.
Bennett said three co-defendants gave conflicting testimony that contributed to Martin’s conviction at the time. Those co-defendants were also convicted, but completed lighter sentences in the 1980s and early 1990s, she added.
It was unclear when Martin was set to be released.

Captain- retired / US Capitol Police Dan
US Capitol Police

April 16, 2020

So many years ago. Remembering that night still makes my blood run cold. Rest in peace.

Dispatcher VCU
Dispatcher VCU

November 17, 2019

It has been forty years tonight, but I have not forgotten. Thank you for your service.

VCU Student
VCU Student

November 13, 2019

Thank you for your service.

VCU Student 1980

November 13, 2019

Rest in peace Patrolman Connors.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 14, 2019

I think of you every time I see my youngest son, Michael Patrick Ford, born April 13, 1980. You'll always be missed and loved.

Detective AJ Ford (retired)
Richmond PD

Detective
Richmond Police Dept

November 2, 2015

ANY ANGER WE STILL HOLD IS A WASTED EMOTION EVEN OUR ANGER TOWARDS THE MEN WHO TOOK HIS LIFE. THEIR JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING. THE 7-11 EMPLOYEE WHO JUST FOLLOWED ORDERS AND CALLED HIS MANAGER TO REPORT THE ROBBERY WAS NO MORE RESPONSIBLE THAN I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MICHAELL’S DEATH. THEY WERE JUST PEOPLE. THEY SIMPLY WERE PRESENT IN THAT TIME AND PLACE TO MAKE THE CHOICES THAT WERE MADE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES. SO MANY PPL WHOM WE NEVER EVEN IMAGINED HAVE CARRIED AND CONTINUE TO CARRY THIS BURDEN OF GUILT AND REMORSE AND “IF ONLY” FOR SO MANY YEARS AND RESOLVED NOTHING, CREATED NOTHING, MADE NOTHING BETTER FOR ANYONE NOT EVEN FOR OURSELVES. NOT ONE OF US IS GUILTY OF CAUSING MICHAEL’S DEATH BY OUR ABSENCE THUS ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN. WE ARE ONLY GUILTY OF HAVING CREATED THE MAGICAL THINKING THAT LED US TO BELIEVE THAT OUR PRESENCE WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE SOMEHOW. OUR MAGICAL THINKING ALLOWED US TO CHANGE EVENTS, PPL, TIMING, CHOICES AND FATE’S CRUEL BLOW TO SUIT OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AT THE TIME. THIRTY FIVE YEARS LATER, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT WE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE LOVED HIM AND WE HONOR HIM WITH EACH PASSING DAY THAT WE REMEMBER THIS FINE YOUNG MAN AND RECALL HIS KNIGHTLY SENSE OF HONOR AND NOBILITY AND THE COMPASSION HE FELT FOR HIS FELLOW MAN. TRULY HE WAS THE BEST OF US.

Patrolman Eva B. Miller-Cagle
RICHMOND POLICE DEPT.
CITY OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

April 11, 2015

MICHAEL: AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, I NEED TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO YOU NOW. YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. YOU ARE ALWAYS ON MY MIND AND IN MY HEART. I PRAY THAT NONE OF THE OTHER OFFICERS WORKING THAT NIGHT HAVE FELT THE SAME EMOTIONS I HAVE FELT FOR ALL THESE MANY YEARS. THOSE ‘IF ONLY’ THOUGHTS CAN DRIVE US OFF THE ROAD. JUST KNOW THAT YOU WERE LOVED.

Patrolman Eva B. Miller-Cagle
RICHMOND POLICE DEPT.
CITY OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

April 9, 2015

All these many years and we still have not forgotten him. All these years and it still feels like yesterday. He was the best of us and we all knew it. I take comfort in knowing that "the kid" will be waiting for us as we pass through those gates one day. He was loved.

Retired Patrolman
City of Richmond Police Dept.

April 9, 2015

I can't believe it has been 35 years since Michael's tragic death. I remember that cold night so well. My prayers are with his family on this sad day.

Martha Morley - Patrol Officer
Richmond Police Department

November 13, 2014

Michael, you'll always be alive to me. I'm sure your brother and sister officers in Richmond still honor your memory... as we all do.
You were one of the great ones.....a true gentleman.

C/I Evelyn McKee

November 12, 2014