Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Tommy and his sister lived 2 houses down from on Warren Street with his parents. Saw him come and go. He loved being involved with law enforcement. I listened to the whole situation on our new police radio. It haunts me to this day, I rode to the scene in the rescue sqad but one the way to the hospital I sat in the front while my dad and Ray Woods worked feverishly to save his life
He was loved and in my heart will stay with me forever. Taken from us too soon.

Maria Pittman Whitaker
Friend of family

September 8, 2023

Rest in peace Reserve Deputy Dunigan.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2019

NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Cops Cycling for Survivors
www.copscycling4survivors.org

Monica Zahasky
Cops Cycling for Survivors

December 26, 2017

well it has been 41 years now that you left us and not by choice i know that you have seen that you are a grandfather and now a great grandfather as Ryan and Hillary have a baby girl. you also know how much that made my sister happy having a great granddaughter now after seven grandsons. the family is still holding together as usual and we will see you again in the end until then God Bless you for all you done for the families and the community

Deputy
Morgan County Sheriff

December 27, 2016

Grandpa,

Today marks 40 years since you made the ultimate sacrifice. 6 days ago, I turned 30 years old. I am married, and have a baby girl on the way. Grandma is so happy that she finally gets a granddaughter. I'm writing this from a Navy ship currently deployed to the Middle East. It was you who inspired me to serve my country. You have always been my hero and you always will be.

Ryan Thomas Dunigan
Grandson

December 26, 2015

An amazing man that I will never forget. You weren't the dad of my blood, but you were the dad of my heart.

Reta Lewis Bouknight
daughter by heart

December 26, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

December 26, 2013

Tom i never told you this before but the spring of 1976 myself and chief deputy richard allen along with det bob betts and reserve officer dick anderson started the first reserve officer training school to help provide better training to the officers. this went over very well as we had officers from other depts in morgan county and also owen county and brown county attend these classes. they have had an excellent training school in johnson county for several years now and it is one of the best. if starting the first school for reserves saved one life it was more then worth the time that was put in it. all of our classes were held at the west middle school here in martinsville and without their help we may not of been able to do this so a big thank you goes out to them

deputy robert williams retired
morgan county sheriff

October 1, 2013

Deputy Dunigan was my Uncle Herschel Dunigan's nephew. He wasn't related to me but I am learning of his sacrifice and hope to view his name on the National Memorial wall in May of 2013. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace and bless you and your family.

Deputy Mary Schwartz, Retired
Weld County Sheriff's Office, Greeley, CO

April 7, 2013

Rest in Peace, Reserve Deputy Dunigan. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 6, 2013

Grandpa,

Though I never met you I feel like I have always known you. You have inspired me most of my life. I have always called you my Hero. As I sit in my dorm room and think on my future I know that you would have always been proud of me. If I could see you today and tell you anything it would be simple. I would say " thank you for everything and I love you grandpa. "

Bradley

Bradley Robert Dunigan
Grandson

October 23, 2012

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was a fellow reserve with Tom. I got the call to help search for the killer and was at the intersection of Egbert Rd. and State Road 37 with reserve deputy Jack Courtright when the message came that the killer had been captured. My wife Alene has a fond memory of Tom. A few days before at the department Christmas party Tom had tried some of her 7-up salad and raved about it. She has never forgotten that memory. He was a great guy and will always be missed by us and his family.

FF/EMT J. R. Lacy
Washinton Twp. Fire Dept. / Brown Twp Fire & Rescue

December 27, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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 both the pain and pride are forever.

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

December 26, 2011

Deputy Dunigan,
Your sacrifice was not made in vain...and we will never forget.

Senior Lead Officer Stephen Nichols
Los Angeles Police Department, Central Division

December 26, 2011

Tom,

On the 35th anniversary, you are still remembered.

Deputy Randy Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

December 26, 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana Parole Board has unanimously rejected parole for a man serving a life sentence for the 1975 slaying of a southern Indiana sheriff's deputy.
The Herald-Times reported that the board denied Hiram Cobb's request Tuesday after he spoke to the panel by video conference from the Miami Valley Correctional Facility.
The 77-year-old told the panel that he's come to terms with his sentence, saying "I've made peace with God. You best leave me where I'm at."

Members of Dunigan's family asked the board last week to deny his parole request.
Cobb was sentenced to life in prison in 1977 for fatally shooting Morgan County Reserve Deputy Tom Dunigan after Cobb had robbed a bank

Deputy Randy Bennett
Henry Co. Sheriff's Dept.

November 17, 2010

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
Manchester, NH

December 24, 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

October 23, 2007

I was just looking through this sight after obtaining some information when I saw this part about officers that have been lost, and decided to read it. Through my tears now, I realize how dangerous it is out there for law enforcement officers. I have an uncle that is chief of police for my hometown, but it never dawned on me until just now, how much danger he faces everytime he puts on his uniform. Both of these officers paid the price that he risked everyday for the last 30 years. So I say thank you to the families of the Heroes we've lost and stay strong with your families. I say open your eyes to everyone else. It's not that hard to change lanes and slow down when you see an officer on the side of the road or to take other safety measures when necessary. For all that say they don't "like" police officers, just think of what our life would be like without them. Between police officers and firemen, I'd say they are just our unsung heroes in this day and age. We all focus on our soldiers, who we also need to keep in our hearts, but don't forget our protection here at home.

Mandi
niece of an officer

February 14, 2007

HEROES LIVE FOREVER! You will not be forgotten.

Officer Kyle R. Landgrebe

September 12, 2004

Deputy Dunigan....God bless, brother.....from a fellow Hoosier.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police

March 3, 2004

Rest easy, Hero, you are not forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.l

December 26, 2003

Grandpa,

Though I never met you, you have had a huge impact on my life. I grew up going to friends houses and hearing stories from their grandparents, but I could only hear stories about you. You are my hero because you gave your life for the safety of others. I know one day I will see you in heaven. I know you are watching over me now and I just pray that I am the grandson you always prayed for.

Ryan

Ryan Thomas Dunigan
Grandson

November 12, 2003

HERO!!!

Anonymous

October 15, 2003

I was just a Freshman in Martinsville HS when Tom Dunigan was killed. His death had a large impact on me. You see, my father (Charles Inabnitt) had been a Reserve Deputy and Reserve Officer for many years. Because of the snow, he couldn't get out of our drive that day without dragging the truck out with the tractor. I had never seen my father shed a tear, until that day. Shortly after Tommys death, Dad resigned his badge and duties for Morgan County and Martinsville.

God Bless the Dunigan and Starnes families

Deputy Ray Inabnitt
Marion County S.O.