Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and dedication Sir. A Hero may fall but shall never be forgotten. RIP Hero

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

November 12, 2012

December 18th, 1992 I was 13 years old. I had just turned 13 a week earlier, and was bouncing all week because Friday meant Domino's Pizza & hangin out with Woody til it was ready. Then my world came crashing down. When my dad heard what happened, at first he didn't know what to say. I was still a sweet innocent naive little catholic school girl who had been sheltered from the horrible things people do to each other - war was something on television and in history books, and monsters were big hairy things with fangs and horns and bug-eyes. I asked my dad why would God take a good police officer away. His answer? "Sometimes God needs heroes to help him in heaven." I think of this every year on that day, and every time i drive past the cemetery your body rests in. I hope your family realizes that the wonderful man they knew made a huge impact so very many people, and you are missed every day just for being you.

Jennifer

June 5, 2012

On Dec. 18th, 1992, I celebrated my 2nd birthday, not knowing that an officer was killed. It wasn't until recently, when I was having a discussion about the death penalty, that I found out that an officer not only died protecting the citizens of Waterbury, but was an officer who was serving a city that is 45 minutes away from me. I currently am a college student who is pursuing a career in Law Enforcement. Thank you sir, for your service and dedication to the WPD.

Holly McCarthy, Cadet Advisor
Wethersfield Police

April 25, 2012

Walt, I never met you but your legacy lives through the department. There are reminders everywhere. I've met your mother (what an incredible women), your father, your wife and your 2 younger brothers. They are all amazingly strong. Every year we gather at the site, you will NEVER be forgotten.

Det. Shane Dufresne (retired)
Waterbury PD

March 24, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Williams. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2012

Just stumbled upon this site, & I'd like to say how I miss my old friend Walter as I think of him often. Hard to believe it's 19 yrs later.

God bless you Walter & God bless Jeannine for the great job in raising your boys into by all accounts good solid young men their father would be proud of.

Bobby Kerwin

January 9, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 19th 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 who was murdered in the 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know that both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

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

December 18, 2011

Officer Williams, your story is told in the Police Officers' Bible, a book given to me by my son, a book that I turn to for strength and guidance. Thank you for your courage and your sacrifice.

Sergeant P.M. Salcido
El Paso Police Department

November 3, 2011

I am sitting here thinking of you Walt, we were suppose to retire together and have a wonderful time enjoying our families. Many nights we sat in the cruiser and discussed our lives and our families. Working A-3 with you was the best time of my career. You were a great friend, policeman, partner. Waterbury PD remembers you every year where the incident occurred. We will be there tonight at 0400 hrs. You would be proud. You were such a great person , I miss you dearly.

Donald S. Costa
Retired Waterbury Police Detective

December 17, 2010

What a really sad story, I pray for your family. Your wife and sons deserved to have you in their lives. Please watch over them and keep them safe.

God bless you & rest in peace.

Boomer

December 18, 2009

I remember this brave officer and how he died so tragically. My God continue to watch over his family. Walter is with God and suffers no more. Thank you to all our police officers - guardians of peace.

Anonymous

December 8, 2009

Though I never knew him, the memory of this tragedy will remain with me the rest of my life. My heart aches for each officer lost through the years and my only comfort is knowing that true justice lies with God. He will take care of it. I have been in law enforcement over 30 years, and the death of any of my law enforcement family never gets any easier. I wish I had known each of them, but look forward to embracing them all in heaven one day. See you then, Walter!

Vicki Hare
Salisbury NC PD

March 26, 2009

My last reflection was 5 years ago. Today is the 16th anniversary of your EOW.
Time has not diminished your service nor sacrifice. God be with all those who
love and miss you. Such a huge loss for your families!
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

December 18, 2008

RIP officer and god speed.

June 6, 2008

as years past the memory never fades it only lives and justice against the person charged will prevail

CITZEN
CITZEN

May 16, 2008

Thinking of you and all your loved ones on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and heroes are never forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 18, 2007

Today is the 15th anniversary of your death so we pause and say a prayer for your family as they go through yet another holiday season without you.
You are not forgotten Officer, rest in peace and May God bless and continue to watch over your family.
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (911 retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

December 18, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

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

December 10, 2007

I am pleased to see more memorials on this pase than are pm the offices that have passed before.

You protected the City of Waterbury well and made a huge sacrafice for them.

This writed remembers you today and thanks you for the years your protected it Citizens,

God Bless you Sir and may you always have eternal peace.

Pat Van DEn Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors fpr a Better Manchester, NH

October 4, 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

September 25, 2007

Walter,

May you have comfort in knowing that your legacy lives on at WPD and that your life and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Jeannine and the boys will always be part of the WPD family. We miss you.

David Jannetty

David Jannetty
Waterbury PD

June 6, 2007

Not a Christmas goes by since your tragic death that you and your family are not thought of and prayed for.

Det Calhoun
Naugatuck Ct PD

April 3, 2007

Walter was a good friend of mine when I lived in Waterbury, Ct. I knew him for several years growing up. There is never a day that goes by that I don't think of Walter. I still have a memorial sweat shirt when Walter passed. You were a great friend Walter, and I will never, ever FORGET you. It's still sad to me why someone would take your life away, when you worked everyday protecting the ones you loved and even the ones you didn't know. I'm also very angry that your son never got to meet you, as he was just 2 weeks of being born. Walter was a caring father, a great friend and an awesome officer. He liked to work alone so he had a nickname of "Robo Cop".
Your in a safe place now buddy, so FEAR NO MORE. My prayers will always be with you Walter and your family. God Bless

Res. Officer Ray Bessette
Port Gamble S'Klallam Police Dept.

January 21, 2007

Officer Williams you are a hero. Thank you for your service to your fellowman. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

December 18, 2006

Heroes and the sacrifices they make are never forgotten. Officer Williams, you are a true hero and you are not forgotten.

SPO
Salem,Va

December 18, 2006