Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Can it really be 34 years since that horrible phone call came? Michael, you epitomize the person in the phrase "only the good die young". Such a tragic loss for us all. You will always be in my heart and I will never forget you. I know you walk with the angels! A guardian angel to everyone...just as you were here.

Evelyn
Friend

November 13, 2013

Mike today we honor and remember your service and how you were killed protecting society from scum like those who took your life. Sad to say in 1979, you were the 7th officer killed in the line of duty since 1967, the year I was hired. There will always be a place in our hearts for you and your family. You are not forgotten.

Detective Sergeant retired, Bob Walker
Richmond Police Department

November 14, 2012

You will never be forgotten. Today "A" Shift honors you by dedicating our watch to your memory. R.I.P. brother.

Sgt. J.L. Slaughter
Radford Police Department

November 13, 2012

You're stll not forgotten!

Miles Turner
Caroline County Sheriff's Office

November 13, 2012

Michael,

Even after all of these years have passed, I've never forgotten you, all the fun we had and how much we meant to each other. Your sister, Renee, wrote me the most beautiful letter after you died and I still have it and read it. I know you're watching over us all and we'll meet again one day. You're a true hero, to the people of Richmond, the people of Buffalo and to us all.

Evelyn
Friend

January 1, 2012

Dear Michael,
Even after all these years the tears want to well up when I think of you, my classmate, lying on the ground wounded, but denied the information that you were in fact dead. Helping catch one of the suspects was some comfort, I feel it could've been more. Had I known the real truth, kept from all of us on shift, justice might have come swifter for the suspects, who were riding in the suspects car in 2nd precinct now, after having fled the scene. The unit that spotted it and I were on an intercept course that was waved off till more units got with us. By then the suspect were able to flee as they abandoned the car. I wished I could have rammed that car, I guess it would have been a mess, but I feel we would have got them in whatever way it took. It wouldn't have brought you back, but I'd felt I'd honored you. RIP young warrior.

Patrolman Frank E Stachura
Richmond Police Dept.-retired

November 13, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 13, 2010

To Detective Troy S. Pilivi, thanks you for including the lyrics to "Taps" in Patrolman Connor's honor. Stay safe, Jim Crotty, former Richmond, VA Police Officer.

Jim C rotty
ATF/Richmond, VA PD

November 13, 2010

We will not forget you or your honorable service Micheal. We will also remember that you did not "give your life" for your community . . . your life was feloniously TAKEN as you protected your community. You were a Richmond warrior, and will be honored as such forever. Rest easy Brother. With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty, former Richmond, VA Police Officer.

SA Jim Ccrotty
ATF/Richmond, VA PD

November 13, 2010

"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 7, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

November 28, 2007

God bless you and your family.

January 18, 2007

Michael, I still cannot believe you are gone. When I came in that morning to relive you, "our" unit was parked in the tunnel with POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS tape all around it. I thought you had done it, knowing I'd be relieving you after your mid-night shift. You were such a prankster! When they told me what happened when I went looking for you in Patrol, a part of me died with you. But I focused on getting buses and arrangements made with your family in W. Seneca, N. Y. to get as many of us up there as we could to say good bye in your hometown. We were all there for you, and your family and friends treated us so good. The food and friendship was as much a comfort to us as it was to everyone up there. I still think about you all the time and hope you are looking down from heaven and laughing at how much things have changed. Say hey to Lee, Donnie, Mongo, Stevie, Alan, Vernon and all the other heroes you are in good company with!

Donna S. Armstrong, Retired
Richmond Bureau of Police

December 30, 2005

DAY IS DONE
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER, OR THE SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHTM,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL, SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY.
AS WE GO THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

It is said that EVIL flourishes when good men do nothing.

To the family of this brave officer who gave all so that others might live, I extend my deepest sympathy and gratitude for your continued sacrifice.

To those of us who were left behind who still wear the badge, the mission continues... tomorrow is another Tour Of Duty... May God comfort you with the knowledge that you DO make a differance.

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)

November 7, 2004

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

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

October 20, 2004

Michael, I have heard a great deal about you since your death, all of which were wonderful. I honor you, your name, your memory and especially, for the ultimate sacrifice you made protecting all of us. And to Retired Officer Wade (RPD), I'd like to say, I feel your love for Michael brother . . . thank you. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond (VA) Police Officer 1972-1975).

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF, Ret.

April 7, 2004

Mike,
In silence we remember.

Gloria
RPD/DEC

I remember the night of your passing like yesterday. I remember the pain of your friends, and especially your mom and dad. I can still see the windshield wipers going back and forth, and your red lights blinking, forever-it seemed. You know, you saved my life. Until then I was ok. After that, I became a mean so and so. I survived to retire. Thanks, Mike.
The intersection has changed. I had a traffic light placed there. I call it the "Michael Conners Memorial Traffic Light."
I have lived that night a thousand times and then some.I had just left the area and felt a lot of guilt. I don't know why. For many years I just wished that I had hung around a little while longer.But, I saved a few cops afterwards. There, after all these years I feel alot better. I'm no sissy, but saying your name makes me cry. See ya, little brother.

RET OFF.RB WADE
RICHMOND POLICE (ret)

Rest easy, brother. You lived and died a hero, never to be forgotten. Never.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

To the man in Blue
Who has protected us through and through
For you are in a better place
As St. Paul meets you at the Pearly Gates
He says Son you have done your job well
As your brothers in blue say goodbye to you
Blue lights run as police cars lead the percession
Bagpipes played out over the land
Tears stream down out face
For we have lost another brother in blue
When will it end
To many have crossed the THIN BLUE LINE
To: Michael Patrick Connors- RPD

Michael Patrick Kiniry
Chesterfield County Police Explorer Post 609