Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for dedication to both your law enforcement agency and to our great nation. Special Agent Earl Davenport will never be forgotten.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

December 30, 2023

Special Agent Davenport, you gave, served and protected in so many ways it's mind boggling. On this 80th anniversary of your brutal murder, I wish to say THANK YOU for all that service. You are truly the definition of 'hero'.

I can only hope, as I'm fond of saying, that your murderers faced true justice at some point, if not in this world, then in the next.

God Bless and may your eternal rest remain peaceful, Brother.

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

October 9, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 78th anniversary year of your death. I am privileged to leave a tribute to you. 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. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 6, 2013

Thank you to Jack Ralph for the notification that Special Agent Davenport's son has now joined him in the afterlife.

RIP to Special Agent Omer Davenport - gone, but never forgotten.

Child of a fallen officer
Washington State

October 9, 2013

I reget having to inform anyone reading this page that John Scott Davenport, Ph.D., son of the deceased officer, passed away on January 11, 2013 in Charles Town, West Virginia.

May the entire Davenport family rest in peace.
Posted Jan. 17, 2013.

Jack W. Ralph
Great Grandnephew of Deceased Officer

January 17, 2013

Dad:

I'm the last one left. I still vividly remember that morning in October 1935 when Mom yelled up the stairs, "Boys, boys, wake up! Daddy's been shot." That's going on 77 years ago. Mom died in 1979 in San Diego. Bob died four years ago in Lakewood, California. Bill died in 1998 in Chicago. Juliana died in 2009 in San Diego. Dick, who followed you in Police work, died in 1996 in Corona, California, from complications of a kidney transplant required after he lost both kidneys from a whipped chain injury received in subduing a motorcycle gang. He was Chief of Detectives and Watch Commander when he was disability retired from the Fountain Valley Police Department. In WWII, Bob was in the Army Air Corps, Bill was in France and Germany with an Army Railway Operating Battalion, and I was in the Marines. During Korea, Dick was in the 7th Marines, went to the Chosin Reservoir, got a hand wound, but didn't go on sick call, and came out with Chesty Puller. I've been a disabled veteran since I was 19-years-old (now rated 100%), but I managed to get a Ph.D. and fulfill the education role you and Mom planned. Thank you for making it all possible. Mom never remarried, had your picture in the front room until the day she died. Love, see you one these days. John Scott

John Scott Davenport, Ph.D.
Son of the Decease Officer

March 27, 2012

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 22, 2008

Agent Davenport,
On today, the 72nd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community, but also for our Country when you served in the U.S. Army during WW I. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

October 9, 2007

On the anniversary of your death we remember you and thank you Sir for your service.

This write also thanks you for your military srevice, you have quite an impressive background. Your bravery from other statements in your reflections to be passed on to your family members, we thak all of you for service to all citizens of this great courtry.

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better manchester, NH

October 8, 2007

Thank you for your service, sir.

Citizen
Grand Rapids, MI

August 1, 2007

Submitted as a possible add to previously offered reflection quoting statement of Edward A. Davenport:

The .38 calibre, pearl handled Smith & Wesson revolver that Special Agent Davenport never drew from its belt holster in 1935, was preserved by a brother-in-law for 35 years in Downstate Illinois and then was given to Davenport's third son, then of Cincinnati, who later gave it to Special Agent Davenport's fourth son, Lieutenant of Detectives and Watch Commander Richard A. Davenport, Fountain Valley, California, Police Department on Lieutenant Davenport's retirement in 1985 after 30 years of service with the Garden Grove and Fountain Valley Departments. Watch Commander Davenport was three-years-old when his father was murdered, had no recall of him, but was motivated by that loss to enter police work and obtain a Master's degree in Police Science from the University of Southern California after combat service with the Marines in Korea. The retired Lieutenant Davenport died in 1995. In 2006, the revolver, as well as a Colt .45 automatic, carried by Special Agent Davenport in a shoulder holster or as a military side arm, were, firing pins removed, in the possession of his grandson Scott Davenport, son of Richard, of Corona, California. The .45, firing pin in, had been given to Richard by his mother when he was called to Active Duty as a Marine Reservist in July 1950 and was used in combat by Corporal Davenport in Korea, including to and from the Chosin Reservoir with the 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

John Scott Davenport, Ph.D.
Third son of Decedent Officer

December 21, 2006

Edward A. Davenport, an older brother of the deceased officer, when interviewed for record by his nephew, Dr. John Scott Davenport, son of the deceased officer, relative to family history in April, 1969, said:

"Omer was the best shot in Illinois, was a whizz with both rifle and pistol, but he would rather talk than shoot in a showdown. He never took his gun out of his holster that night he was shot. He was going to talk those guys in. He was good at that, but he never got the chance to talk that time. Omer was too damn trusting.""

Omer E. Davenport was Captain of the Illinois National Guard Rifle Team at the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, 1927-30. Edward A. Davenport was noncommissioned officer in charge of weapons and ammunition in the Infantry Company commanded by his younger brother.

Edward A. Davenport, quoted
Interview in 1969

December 20, 2006

When shot, Special Agent Davenport was Major of Infantry, CO, 1st Bn, 130th Infantry Regt, 33rd Division, Illinois National Guard, stationed at Decatur. For 18 months, 1932-33, on furlough from the Wabash, he was Commanding Officer, Illinois National Guard enforced Martial Law during the Sangamon County Mine War. As such he was the Chief Law Enforcement Officer--with both the Sangamon County Sheriff and the Taylorville Chief of Police reporting to him. (His brother, M/Sgt. Edward A. Davenport, in his Guard capacity, was jailer for both the County-City.) Major Davenport's tour of duty was supposed to be one month, then another officer was to be rotated in. By the request of the Peabody Mines as well as the United Mine Workers and the Progressive Mine Workers, the three warring factions, Davenport was Officer-in-Charge for all but three weeks of the Martial Law. He began the Martial Law, was relieved after a month, then was called back after three weeks when his successor could not keep the Peace. It was Omer E. Davenport's largest and most important policing role. There is a Railroad Ghost Story concerning Special Agent Davenport's spirit haunting the site of the Old Wabash Railroad Hospital in Decatur and the railroad track near where he was shot.

"My father worked two jobs during the Great Depression to support his family of five young children. He worked Graveyard as a Wabash Special Agent. During the day, he was Manager of the Decatur National Guard Armory, a state owned facility, then the largest public assembly and display floor in Decatur. On a rental basis, it was used for civic and promotional affairs as well as a drill floor for two Guard companies, and a Battalion headquarters. Both high school and college basketball were played there, and an industrial basketball league took up at least three nights a week. Davenport managed the Armory, managed the constant booking of shows, athletic events, exhibits, conventions, assemblies, etc. His working as a Railroad Special Agent was contradictory to his day job's social status and influence, but he loved police work--and the Railroad was steady, dependable employment with a good pension. The Armory job was political patronage. When he died, Davenport was a Republican appointed by a Democrat Governor. He served at the Governor's pleasure, had originally been appointed by a Republican Governor five years earlier.”

John Scott Davenport, Ph.D.
Third Son of Decedent Officer

December 17, 2006

Patrolman Davenport, today marks the 71st anniversary of your murder. Thank you for your service to America’s Railroads and America itself. I’m sure the individual responsible for your death, faced justice, either on Earth or in Heaven.

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

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

October 9, 2006

We will not let you be forgotten. Rest in peace, my brother.

POMFCC

March 11, 2004

Omer...no officer should be without a reflection on this great website. Thank you for your service in WWI...on the streets...along the rails....and God bless.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police

March 5, 2004