Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hi Dave, kinda sucks that I have been through this career and haven't been able to share a single story with you, here on earth. I'll have 32 years in November of 2025, perfect time to retire. Still think of you often and wish you were here to enjoy this career together. Thanks for the inspiration to get into this career, I really do appreciate it. Hope you are with me for whatever is next after law enforcement. Keep smiling, TJ

Captain TJ DeLitta
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, nephew and godson

June 20, 2024

I miss my friend and partner from our Tampa Police days in the late '70's and again in the late '80's with the U.S. EPA-CID. To the DeLitta family our constant thoughts and prayers.

Marty Wright
U.S. EPA/CID-retired

January 17, 2022

Rest in peace Special Agent Delitta.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2019

Dave, it was an honor to serve with you on Greeley PD. I can't believe you've been gone 30+ years. I miss your friendship and that smile. See you on the other side, my brother.

Chuck Cooper
Former badge 101 Greeley, Colorado P.D.

March 17, 2019

Agent DeLitta,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but when you served the USMC during the Vietnam War. 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

October 28, 2018

... so do we, young David ... so do we ... and yet in a special way, by reading your tribute just now ... the rest of us have just met another hero, and made 2 new friends ( you and your grandpa ...)
God Bless Your Loving Family

grateful citizen

July 1, 2014

I've never met him, but from the stories my mother and grandmother told me, he was a great man, father and friend. I wish I could have met him.

R.I.P. grandpa

David Andrew DeLitta Tousley
Grandson

March 21, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th 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

January 27, 2014

25 years.... seems like yesterday. missing you much!

tracey devonne delitta tousley
daughter

October 28, 2013

Rest in peace, Dave. You are not forgotten, my friend.
Semper Fi!

Jay Stenger
Tampa PD, FBI, USMC

December 1, 2012

Agent DeLitta,
On today, the 24th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country-not just as a LEO but also when you served with the USMC during the Vietnam War as well. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
a fellow LEO/former Marine

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

October 28, 2012

coming up on 24 years.... The tree you were shot under has finally fallen. I visit that place often... to think, reflect, cry... missing you! Your Daughter, Devonne

Tracey Tousley
Daughter OF fallen Officer David Robert DeLitta

October 20, 2012

I never knew Agent David Robert Delitta, but about a year ago I realized I had distant relatives living in Texas.
I talked to Tracey his daughter on the telephone and we discussed families.
All Delitta's are related,and it was overwhelming to see David's picture and his legacy written on these pages for me to witness.
I have learned has a Mom Rita, David's Widow.
One day I would like to meet them for real. I see Tracey is a super Mom and she is blessed with a close and loving family.Her Face Book Pages prove her defotion to all around her.
Special Agent Robert Delitts, R.I.P. and thank you for your service to our Country, and to your community.
You are sadly missed by those that knew you, and by those
"That Wish They Did~!" David F. DeLitta

David F. DeLitta
Private Citizen Veteran

June 20, 2010

Rest in Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Special Agent
U.S. Postal Service

April 20, 2010

I just came across your memorial on the ODMP. After reading some of the reflections of others, I see that you died just as you lived-a hero. You obviously touched many people in your life and law enforcement career. Most of your brothers in blue do, but we so rarely hear or learn about it until we fall in the line of duty. Luckily, most of us do not have to experience your fate in the line of duty.

I wish I could have been there for you on that fateful day. We would have taken the monster down together, or I would have fallen beside you while trying.

I hope that your kids, now grown and probably my age, remember that their father died an honorable hero's death.

Salute.

Retired Police Corporal
Michigan

February 10, 2010

David,
I remember you as a younger man, father, neighbor and officer of the Tampa Police Department. I searched for you and your family in Greely, CO throughout the 1980's and have only learned of your demise. You will always remain in our thought and prayers.
I salute you as a fallen hero.
Semper Fi.
Rest in peace.

Keith & Marilyn McCready
Old Friends

February 4, 2010

Today would have been your 60th birthday!... so strange that you eternally at 38... and I am now older than you! I miss you.

Devonne

Tracey Devonne DeLitta Daughter
daughter of fallen officer David DeLitta

December 12, 2009

21 years.... never forget you!

xoxo
your daughter, Tracey Devonne DeLitta Tousley

Daughter of David DeLitta

October 28, 2009

20 yrs today.....

I miss my dad

Devonne

Tracey DeLitta Tousley Daughter
David DeLitta

October 28, 2008

20 years ago today you were shot in Houston, Texas. Thinking of you. Love, Devonne

Tracey Devonne DeLitta Daughter
of David Robert DeLitta

October 27, 2008

Today marks 20 years that I last spoke with you. I was in Salina, Kansas. I remember how you encouraged me to " hang in there " as I was going through some rough times. As October 28 grows closer, I reflect on many things... about you, my life and how much has changed. I hope that you would have been proud of me. I miss you. Love, Devonne.

Tracey Devonne DeLItta
of David Robert DeLitta

October 24, 2008

I met Dave in November, 1987 when I reported for duty at the DEA office in Dallas, TX. Dave took me under his wing and guided me, until he transferred to the EPA (if I remember correctly) in an attempt to get his family back to Colorado. I spoke to him by phone about a week prior to his murder and he told me he was going to travel from Dallas to Houston (where he was killed) for a trial. I happened to have been in Houston the night he was killed and saw the news story live on the 10:00 PM local news. I was speechless when his picture flashed on the screen. For those of you that don't know the story, Dave and an unarmed chemist were going to dinner after work when they were robbed in the restaurant parking lot after exiting their vehicle. Dave drew his weapon and exchanged gunfire with the robber while moving to a position of cover. In doing so, he was mortally wounded, but the unarmed chemist was spared. The chemist told me later that he believes that Dave's action (drawing the robber's attention away from the car) was done intentionally to protect the chemist. But in doing so, Dave, a former DEA agent, lost his life at the hands of a robber who was trying to get money in order to buy drugs. The chemist called Dave a hero. As the 20th anniversary of Dave's death approaches, I still think of the tremendous example he set, and the sacrifice he made. His dedication to helping others, both in life and in death, was an early inspiration for me in my law enforcement career. I still miss him.

Jeff Gambrell
DEA

August 3, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 31, 2008

19 years.... I mis you. Devonne

Tracey Devonne DeLitta Tousley
daughter

October 29, 2007

My prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

October 28, 2007