Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Dobbs,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Texas. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

February 15, 2024

Jesus Christ, during His Sermon on the Mount, proclaimed, “The peacemakers are blessed,
for they will be called sons of God.” [Matthew 5:9 HCSB]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Ministering to Law Enforcement Nationwide
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

March 3, 2021

Thank you dear father for your service to our state. You have been gone a long time but it still feels like yesterday.

Angela Dobbs
Daughter

July 10, 2016

Rest in Peace Trooper Ernest Dobbs. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice. I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers.

Amen

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston,TX

February 15, 2016

Buddy, rest assured you & Angela's father was a good man as are you.. Many will NEVER forget that horrible day. I love You Dear Friend :)

Ben Blake -- Schoolmate through the Good and Tough times at Centerville Elementary, Junior, and Senior High Schools

Retired USAF
USAF -- Good Friend

October 3, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th 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.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your family for sharing their devotion to you in their memories. I too understand the meaning of a life-altering event.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 15, 2012

On Feb 15th 1974 my Dad was taken away from all of us... me, my sister, my mother, the rest of our family and all of the other people he served and whose lives he touched.

He lived a short but fruitful life... he did anything and everything he wanted, and did it well. It is like he knew he had to pack alot into the time he had on earth. He was not only an Officer; he flew planes, made another living as an Electrician and helped his parents as a Plumber growing up. He wasn't just a Gun Collector but also a Gunsmith and reloaded his own shells... he also took a military training class to learn how to defuse bombs (he liked blowing things up). He loved to hunt, fish and go camping... some of my greatest memories.

I wish he had lived and added many more memories to that list... sometimes I feel sorry for myself and also wish that he had lived to teach me how to do all the things he knew how to do and mostly how to be a Man... a Dad... Grandfather and especially to watch him being a Great Grandfather today. I hope I have made him proud of me and his family he never got to meet... or they him...

I know he is watching us all as he has pulled each and everyone of us out of a wreck or two in which we have not only survived to walk away but with little or no injuries as if his hand was protecting us... you too would believe this if you had seen the vehicles we've walked away from...

I'm writing this for others to know a little more about him and to know what kind of people protect them... Officers are special people and are more than just Cops... they are somebodys Son... Daughter... Brother... Sister... Dad... Mom and on an on. They deserve your respect and appreciation as well as their families who also sacrifice for their service.

Last but not least... don't drink and drive! There are worse things than getting a DWI or DUI... you could have to live with the fact that you killed somebodies Dad or a Whole family.

Dad, I hope you approved this message!

Ernest "Buddy" Dobbs
Son

January 21, 2012

He was a wonderful husband, loving father, son and brother. I know he would be proud of the way his children have turned out. I wish he could have been here for the milestones in their lives.

Linda Carol (Dobbs) Giddens
Wife for 14 years

January 18, 2012

Ernest Dobbs was my grandfather. He died when my mother was 12, so I never had the pleasure of getting to know him. I have however heard many great things about him and feel sure that we would have been two peas in pod. I often wonder how things would be different in my life and more so in mothers life if he were still here today. I know that it wasn't easy for my family to handle such a terrible loss, but they seem to have made it through okay. There are lots of times that I will see a trooper in passing and wonder what my grandfather was like and if he would be proud of me, and how excited he would have been to meet his newest great-grandson. But I just remind myself that somewhere far better than here, he is watching us all and waiting for the day that we can catch up on lost time. I wish I could have met him on this earth, but will settle for the amazing greeting I will have from my grandfather when I meet him some day in gods kingdom.

I just wish that more people would realize the sacrafice that our officers make everyday to keep us safe. They don't have to take this job, they are not drafted into service. This is a choice that they make for the greater good, and so many people take that for granted. The next time you see a police officer, fireman or any one in service, please take a moment to thank them. Think about the fact that this could be the day that there family has to suffer a loss like my family did.

Caren Anne Clute Hasty
Grand-Daughter

January 17, 2012

I knew Ernest Dobbs as a friend and as a role model. While I was in High School in Centerville, I rode with him at night, hunted deer with him and help him do electrical work on his days off. I know his wife, son and daughter miss him a lot, but others like myself also miss him greatly. He taught me about the good and the bad of putting your life on the line daily as a patrolman but not once did he ever tell me that he regretted doing his job. I know he is watching over his family and guiding them daily. Thank you Ernest for your service to the people of Centerville and Leon County. You are truly a good man.

Raymond Wayne Bell
Friend

January 16, 2012

I never knew you but I heard alot about you and I have become good friends with your Family. I am thankful for your service and may your legacy live on. Rest in Peace sir.

James McGuire
Family Friend

January 16, 2012

It's almost the anniversary of my Dad's death, even though I think about him daily, this date brings on stronger memories every year. I try to go to Centerville on the 15th of Feburary every year to put a flower on my Fathers memorial marker and to stand at attention in front of it while saying a prayer, not only for him, but for the other law enforcement that are out there. I always end up crying miles before I get there, but am calmer when I leave because I feel him looking down on me from heaven. I'm 50 years old, he was taken from us when I was only 12 years old. I remember the Officer standing at the front door telling my mother the news, her scream, and for some reason I didn't get out of bed, I felt I knew what happened. I pray daily for those that serve us and for their families. I recently was involved in a VERY bad accident, it's amazing that we survived, but I felt Dad's hand on my shoulder and him telling me "it's gonna be ok". So, I know even though he's no longer here with us, or here to help and protect others, he's in heaven on God's force. On behalf of Myself, my Brother and the family, all Officers are in our prayers.

Angela Dobbs
Patrolman Dobbs Daughter

January 16, 2012

I thank you all for the words you wrote about the great man i never knew. He is always wathching over me as he has protected me and my family from many car wrecks and accidents from which we have just walked away. I know he is looking down on my family and is proud of who his son has become, as i am proud to have him as a father. I never thought that telling a man a story about my grandfather one day at work my senior year would influence him to find this page and tell his story and it means alot that Special Ranger Doug Hutchison told me about this website. thank you all ounce again and god bless

C. Jordan Dobbs
Grandson

May 31, 2011

Officer Dobbs was my uncle, my dad's brother, and I wasn't quite 2 years old when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver while performing a routine traffic stop. I didn't know this site existed until today. I wish I had known sooner because my Mamaw would have loved to have read these words written to her son. She passed away in July and never quit thinking about her son. I know that they are together again and having a wonderful reunion. Such a senseless act took him from his family so long ago, but no he has never been forgotten. I only wish that I had been old enough to remember him, but he was always kept alive through pictures and stories and will continue to be. I'm so glad that the laws have changed to prosecute DWI offenders with much harsher sentences than the one imposed on the driver that took my uncle's life...3 years of probation is what he recieved...doesn't seem right does it? He left behind a young wife and 2 small children who are now wonderful adults that he never got to know. Through all my musings I guess I want people to just take from this one thought...please think before you get behind the wheel if you've been drinking. If you kill no one you've gotten lucky, but if you do kill someone you devastate a whole family..it has repercussions that affect that family for years...he never seen his kids graduate, get married, nor did he ever get to meet any of his wonderful grandchildren or greatgrandchildren. Please think before you do something like this to a family.

Mondale Dobbs Christie
Neice

March 15, 2010

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been a long time, I'm sure those you left behind and served with disctinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thanks for your service and for looking out for us you left behind. Rest in peace Patrolman Dobbs.

Sgt. Robert Mau, Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 16, 2008

I was in Centerville, Texas today and stopped in a convenience store on the corner of I-45 and Texas Hwy. 7. The young man working in the store was telling me about a couple of family members that are currently serving in law enforcement and then told me that Trooper Dobbs was his grandfather and how he gave his life in the line of duty. I told him about this website and I hope he visits. To the family of Trooper Dobbs, we will never forget the sacrifice he made.
May you each experience the eternal love and endless blessings of our Lord and Savior in the coming days.

Special Ranger Doug Hutchison
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

March 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

March 3, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 10, 2008

God bless my family when I am away,
Leave the lights on I'll return from harms way,

Grant me courage and strength to protect others each day,
So they live in peace without worry, fear or dismay,

Bless those who have fallen given their life for another
May their spirit live on from then and forever,

Return me home to my family at the end of each night,
May I pass through the door before the morning's first light,

Shall I give my life for another before the dawn breaks today,
God bless my family when I am away.

Anonymous

November 30, 2004

Police Officers are part of a brotherhood that others will never know. Rest in Peace, Ofc. Dobbs, we've got the watch from here.

Ofc. Culver, RJ
Holly Hill Police Department
Volusia County, FL

Ofc. Culver, RJ
Holly Hill Police Department

August 30, 2004