Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Dean.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 25, 2019

Officer Dean your sacrifice will never be forgotten! Thank you for your dedicated service to the Citizens of and City of Mize! Continue to Rest in Peace Officer Catchings.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD." Matthew 5:9

Corporal Tony Dunn
Mississippi Highway Patrol, Troop D

November 1, 2015

Dear Ralph, It will be 20 years this year since you gave your life doing what you loved best. So many things have changed these 20 years. Daddy passed on 1/11/1991 and then on 10/15/1993 Ashley passed. After that Mom died on 10/30/2004 then on 09/05/2005 Randy passed. I don't need to tell you that though since you see them each day on those streets of Gold. What a great time you must be having in Heaven with our family there. I know how important family was to you and we are all doing fine here. I now have 2 girls just like you and they are growing up so fast. I wish they could have known you. I know that you would have loved being part of their life. As for me and Steph, we are doing just fine and have moved back to our home county. We are enjoying being back near home and get by to see you every so often. I recently learned of this memorial after being in Washington DC for a week earlier this year. We went by the Policemans Memorial Wall and found your name engraved there. We made several copies and brought them back home to give to family. As my oldest brother by 23 years, I just want you to know how much I miss you and I want to thank you for being part of my life for the first 23 years. You know I was probably about 10 years old when Mom and Dad told me that you were a brother and not an uncle! I always enjoy telling that to people when they ask me about my family. Love, your little brother

Bob Dean
Brother

June 21, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

December 4, 2007

Released after only 2 years! I cannot believe that our society has deteriorated to the point that we allow this to happen. Two years for taking a life in such a cold blooded fashion. The perpetrators get to go on living while the rest of the people pick up the pieces. It's just really a shame. Bless you.

W. Beyer
Fla. Dept. of Corrections

November 1, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service, this writer is again not understanding why justice was not served on your behalf.

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 30, 2007

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Sr. Capt. Yates
Collins Fire Dept (Mississippi)

March 14, 2007

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Sr. Capt. Yates
Collins Fire Dept (Mississippi)

March 14, 2007

You were a hero to so many. I may not of had the privilage of knowing you but anyone who does the job that you did and sacrificed your life for the people of your town is a true hero. To the wife and children. I pray thatGod has made life easier for you deal with your loss. However I'm just beginning my journey of healing. But with God and our Fallin Officers by our side we will pull through. We have angels with us to carry us through. My heart goes out to you. Ralph, You have many other heros with you now. One includes my childrens father. Please together you and him watch over your children and ours together to help us pull through. Rest in Peace

Malissa Walker
Former wife of Cor. James (Jamie) Walker

December 17, 2005

Ralph,
I am so sorry nobody from the family has signed this until now, I only found out about the site when a friend of mine was killed in the line of duty (Jamie Walker E.O.W 9/28/05 Waynesboro, MS)
As soon as I found out about the site. I looked to make sure you were here. I know you must be happy to have your momma, daddy, and little brother in heaven with you.
I can not beleive the man who caused our family so much pain got away with this, but please know Ralph we have kept your memory alive. Your Aunt Bob (my grandma) talks about you all the time.
You are HERO to all of us and in the end your killer will pay. Thank you so much for your service Ralph! It is an honor to say you are a part of my family!
Gerri Thomas Smith
Cousin to Ralph Dean E.O.W. 11/1/1988
Friend of Jamie Walker E.O.W. 09/28/05

December 1, 2005

To the family and friends of Officer Dean and his fellow officers, and most especially to Officer Dean:

On this the seventeeth anniversary of Officer Dean's brutal murder, I wanted to honor his memory. His bravery and dedication will never be forgotten.

I do not understand how the scumbag who committed this awful crime got out of prison after serving only two years. No reasonable person could think that punishment came close to fitting the crime. I hope God renders the ultimate justice for this brutal murder.

May Officer Dean's family continue to be comforted by the caring and support of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Officer Dean gave to his community and the citizens of Mississippi, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on November 1, 1988.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater,
Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

November 1, 2005

Officer Mize,
On today, the 17th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Mize. What really boggles my mind is how that piece of scum that killed you so callously only served two years?!? What was the jury and judge thinking in that case?

R.I.P.
Anonymous

November 1, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

November 1, 2004

Rest in peace