Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ron and I both worked at Addison PD and were on the same shift. He was a couple of years older than me. We joked wit each other about being old. We were the two oldest officers on the department. He was a friend. He was a good officer. Today I have been reflecting about officers who have died in the line of duty who I worked with. There have been 7. They were all good officers. I pray for them and their families. God bless.

Richard Adams, Corporal II
Addison (Texas) PD

September 13, 2024

I first met Ronnie at the Hillcrest facility with was being run by Dennis. While sparing with Dennis I tagged him with a side kick(maybe a little to hard). Ronnie came after me and fortunately I was able to avoid serious injury and Dennis stepped in. We later became friends and I visited him often at the Addison PD where my agency utilized there indoor range.

SA Frank Foster
U.S. Secret Service

June 5, 2024

Rest in peace Officer Cox.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 6, 2020

This time of year, Christmas, is always a time for reflection on many things. Rest assured buddy, you’re in my thoughts. Hard to believe it has been 33 years! God Bless your heart and soul.

ASAC Doug Scott - Retired
U.S. Department of the Treasury

December 21, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
City of Upland, CA

December 15, 2017

There's a relatively new effort to bring Memorial Day back to it's original purpose, to remember those who have served and protected us, and have fallen in the line of duty. Called Carry the Load, people walk, often carrying full packs, for weeks, coming from around the nation to Dallas for a touching Memorial Day ceremony.

As they walk they are asked, "Who are you carrying the load for.

I can't stand, let alone walk. And no one asks me that question. But I have an answer; I carry the load for Officer Ronnie Cox and his family, whether blood or blue.

I lived in Addison. I had many health problems, leading to any number of 911 calls. In Addison, such calls were not only rapidly answered; they were well attended, by police, fire & ems personnel. There were also a few encounters with police officers due to lost children in the neighborhood, vandalism, and the like. If I were hospitalized, the police were always informed.

Somewhere in the course of events Officer Cox started watching out for me. He stopped by often, usually with a tip on staying safe. And I'd better carry through with them! I was never supposed to open the door to anyone I didn't know. Just days before he was taken from us someone knocked and said "Police." It sounded like him through the crackle of the intercom so I opened the door! Big mistake! Officer Cox was all over me about "You couldn't be sure who was there! You couldn't see my car from the front window! And you certainly didn't do what I told you about calling 911 and asking if someone was supposed to be coming by!" He was right on every count. "We don't want to loose you!" He said it that night, as he had on other visits. And then I, we lost him.

Jane Harmon
Addison resident

May 28, 2016

Ronnie was my first martial arts instructor, at Texas Karate Institute in Dallas, along with his brother Dennis (also in law enforcement). I knew him for several years and was greatly saddened to learn of his death.
To this day I believe I still have the newspaper notification. He was a great los not only to Law Enforcement but to Texas "Blood and Guts" karate. His training was tough as would be expected of a Marine. He taught many young people how to be disciplined and how to work and to achieve. I remember him fondly.
Now at the age of 55 I find myself a brother in blue as a Part Time Officer in another state. I hope I can exhibit the discipline I learned from Mr. Cox many years ago.
With respect,
David Wollard

Officer David Wollard
Shannon Hills Police Department

November 29, 2015

Ronnie, you are not forgotten.

Lt. Mike Vincent
Addison PD

January 9, 2015

A fellow firearms instructor and a friend. I love you and miss by you.

Sgt Gary D Call / Ret.
Carrollton PD / Batavia PD

November 10, 2014

Ronnie was my uncle. We all miss him very much. I was just a young girl when he died but I will never forget him as a terrific officer, martial artist, veteran, friend and uncle. Love you uncle Ronnie!

Melanie Cox-Trammell
Niece

August 25, 2014

I met Ronnie at Richland Jr. College, Dallas, around 1974-1976. He was a little older, and I was, in my own eyes, just a kid working and trying to get thru Jr. College. I met Ronnie and we got along well, he said he was my friend and I thought he was kidding, but he waited for me at lunch every day, and he let me know if I missed a day! Did y'all know he served in Viet Nam, was decorated, took a rifle butt to the head, had scars on his tongue and lost a few teeth from that. He was also Chuck Norris' cousin, I believe, if you knew him you would have seen the strong family resemblance. He always treated me like I was "somebody" to him and he was quite a guy, a lot more there than the classic tough guy exterior, but he was most certainly that too! I heard of his death on the evening news one day.... I was absolutely crushed!!! Actually, I cried.... sometimes things just don't make sense.

John T. Little Jr
Dallas Fire Dept., (Ret.)

May 10, 2014

Officer Cox,
On today, the 27th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community, but for our Country as well when you served in the USMC. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO;former Marine

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 15, 2013

I knew this officer when I came to his station to repair jail equipment (in my 20's). Was a very personal individual, a guys type of guy. Introduced me to many aspects of law enforcement. Just a fun guy to be around. I am retiring this year with 25 years in law enforcement. I still remember that day when I heard he was gone.

Robert Evans
Federal Bureau of Prisons

August 8, 2013

After reading thru the past reflections, i can see that he touched many lives. I met Ronnie as a teen student as well. He was my instructor in the early to mid 70's at the AKBBA on Webs Chapel Rd. Dallas, Tx. I remember him arriving to class in a white unmarked PD car in full dress uniform and all the gear he laid carefully in the trunk. This man gave his all to his students, so I can believe nothing less that he gave his all in the line of duty. Yes, what you fellow students say.. he was one tough dude in class. I think of him often.. I know I will miss this guy my entire life. If he were here with us today, I would love to see him. Thanks for the great memories Ronnie.

None
Student

April 30, 2013

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

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 24, 2013

I met Ronnie Cox when I was testing for brown in Amarillo under Nelson Harvey. Ronnie didn't think I was showing enough heart when I was fighting mulitples. So he jumped over the table and we got it on. when we got done I Earned my brown belt. Ronnie was one tough man. God bless him. I still miss him till this day

1st Dan
AKBBA Harvey Karate Amarillo Texas

December 3, 2012

Ron Cox was my Tae Kwon Do intructor's teacher. He will always be remembered in my history.

None
student

September 1, 2012

Ron and I had attended several firearms schools together. We served in adjacent PD's in the North Dallas area. He was a good friend and a brother.

PO Gary D Call (ret.)
Carrollton PD

April 27, 2012

I first met Ronnie in the middle 60's at the Hillcrest Texas Karate Institute in Dallas, Texas, the school I ran then for Allen Steen.
We sat and talked for literally hundreds of hours and fought and trained together many times at that school.
We even competed against one another at tournaments, but were always friends – no matter the outcome...that was the way Ronnie was, beat the stuffings out of you one minute and shake your hand with a boyish mile the next, asking if you're alright.
I never knew Ronnie as a police officer, but from the numerous comments I was privileged to read on here, it would appear he was every bit as fine a law officer as he was an exemplary martial artist and teacher to his many successful students.
I think of Ronnie often, and miss him just as much...a one of a kind guy, a man I was, and am, proud to call friend.

Bless you, Ronnie Cox, and may you ever rest in peace.
Richard W. Jenkins, simply an old friend.

Richard W. Jenkins, 9th dan
American Karate Black Belt Association~CSHK

October 7, 2011

I first met Ronnie in the middle 60's at the Hillcrest Texas Karate Institute in Dallas, Texas, the school I ran then for Allen Steen.
We sat and talked for literally hundreds of hours and fought and trained together many times at that school.
We even competed against one another at tournaments, but were always friends – no matter the outcome...that was the way Ronnie was, beat the stuffings out of you one minute and shake your hand with a boyish mile the next, asking if you're alright.
I never knew Ronnie as a police officer, but from the numerous comments I was privileged to read on here, it would appear he was every bit as fine a law officer as he was an exemplary martial artist and teacher to his many successful students.
I think of Ronnie often, and miss him just as much...a one of a kind guy, a man I was, and am, proud to call friend.

Bless you, Ronnie Cox, and may you ever rest in peace.
Richard W. Jenkins, simply an old friend.

Richard W. Jenkins, 9th dan
American Karate Black Belt Association~CSHK

October 7, 2011

Grandmaster Ronnie Cox was one of the greatest fighters in the karate circuit of the 60's and 70's. He was a tremendous teacher who touched many students lives. He gave honor to his badge in how he conducted himself as a martial arts master, and gave honor to the American Karate Black Belt Association-Chin Sook Hage Kwan by how he conducted himself as an officer.
Ronnie was one of the founding High Dan Board members of the AKBBA-CSHK, a carry over from the original AKBBA which it replaced. He was our first Association Secretary and very instrumental in creating what we are today. He has been greatly missed and continues to be missed by the board and membership of this association. Eternal be his memory.

Charles Bouton
American Karate Black Belt Assn-Chin Sook Hage Kwan

October 6, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-fourth 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.

The hurt never goes away, but both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest in Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 15, 2010

Ronnie I dedicate this bike ride "Life Across America 2010"/"Ride for Life" in your memory. Larry Fredrick, another officer, will be riding through Amarillo, TX on August 31. I will participate in the bike ride. Thank you for your service to our community, our country and the martial arts family.

Ava Azores
Martial Arts Student / friend

August 16, 2010

I was a student at Texas Karate Institute in Dallas, Texas at a very young age. Ronnie was one of my first instructors at the dojo. We were all terrified of him in class, especially if we had to fight him. I had a coach in High School that used to tell us "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but size of the fight in the dog". I'm sure he did not coin that phrase, but it stuck and was blatantly evident in Ronnie. In the ring, he was a terror. In the class and in life with his students, friends and family he was one of the greatest men I ever knew. His brother Dennis is cut from the same mold. I always think on Ronnie on December 15th because it is my birthday. This will come as no surprise, but he left his mark on me in many ways and I'm sure he did with many, many others as well. His pictures, friendship, teachings and memory will remain a part of my life forever

Bob Sloan
3rd Dan
Texas Karate Instutite

Bob Sloan
Texas Karate Institute

January 9, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

January 30, 2008