Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Purifoy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 11, 2021

21 years ago Deputy R.D. Purifoy made the ultimate sacrifice. Today "A" Shift honors Deputy Purifoy by dedicating our watch to him. R.I.P. brother, you will never be forgotten.

Sgt. J.L. Slaughter
Radford Police Department, VA

November 12, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 17th 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
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 12, 2009

Rest in Peace, Deputy Purifoy. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

June 8, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

November 26, 2007

"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

November 20, 2007

I have visited your resting place many times since that fateful afternoon. I will always remember what you told me when I was at your house the week before. When I was in Washington D.C. for the UN I visited the Law Enforcement Memorial. I read your name through my tears and recalled the event. I penciled a etching of your name on special paper and took it back home to Vera. I know she may never be able to visit the memorial to fallen officers. We felt your presence when I gave it to her and we cried together. I am in Europe now with the United Nations Internationl Police and take your advise every day. You have gone before us, waiting and watching. Your sweet wife Vera and my friend who still calls me "baby" along with all your family, neighbors and friends will some day see you and your old partner Pete Dockery again, patrolling the streets of heaven with kind hearts and guiding hands. Your duty is not over yet RD......Patrol On! Your Friend, Hebb

Deputy Hebb Sorrells
Nevada County / Friend - partner

September 15, 2007

May you Rest in peace.

November 12, 2006

To the family and friends of Deputy R.D. Purifoy, his fellow officers, and most especially to Deputy Purifoy:

Although this is the thirteenth anniversary of your tragic murder, please know that you are not forgotten. Your valor and dedication are still remembered and your memory honored. Rest in Peace, Deputy Purifoy.


I am enraged that some thug beat a seventy-four-year-old law enforcement to death. There isn't enough justice on this earth to vendicate this tragedy.

May your family continue to be comforted by their law enforcement family, and other police survivors.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished and heroic service Deputy Purifoy gave to his community, and the citizens of Arkansas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on November 12, 1992.

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

November 13, 2005

R.D. after all of these years you are still remembered as a hero! God bless you sir.

Ofcr. Dan Winger
LBCCPD, Ret.

March 14, 2005