Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper Jody S. Dye of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio, and the additional 74 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 5, 2024

Just drove by the tragic spot.... you left our great state of Ohio too soon, you left too soon completing your life's work, just as your family & friends...I too feel the pain.
Trooper Jody Dye you will always be remembered in our hearts & mind.

Michael Kidd
Ohio tax paying loving American

October 1, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper Jody S. Dye of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 73 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 5, 2022

Jody,
This morning, I had to drive past the spot where you died 37 years ago today.
Even after all of these years, I found myself with the tears streaming.
I will love you forever.
Sandy

Sandra Dye-Mohler
Widow

July 5, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper Jody S. Dye of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 5, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered and honored. Rest In Peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 5, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Dye.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 2, 2020

Jody was my first room mate at the Academy and fellow cadet of the 111th class. I also think of him and his family. God bless them and all troopers.

Larry Fox

April 22, 2016

I coached Jody on a youth league basketball team in Ravenswood. He was a great kid to coach, one of my favorite point guards. I still think of him often.

David Hoyt
friend

March 5, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 13, 2015

My sweet Jody,
Today is National Police Memorial Day. It's been nearly 30 years since I've seen your face, felt your embrace, or heard your voice. Even though I miss you, even now, my heart swells with pride at the man that you were, and the service that you provided to the great state of Ohio.
You live on in our hearts forever. And your legacy of integrity lives on in the lives of our children.
It gives me such joy, knowing that you gave your life to God in 1978, and I'll see you once again, when my time here is finished.
Thank you for the life you lived, and the joy you brought us.
Love you still.
Sandy

Sandy Dye-Mohler
Spouse

May 15, 2015

I miss you and love you brother. It has now been 28 years ago today that you paid the ultimate sacrifice for the Citizens of Ohio. You are a true hero. I am at peace that you are with our Lord and Savior. Your girls turned into beautiful and Ladies and now wonderful Mothers. You left an incredible Legacy to them.

Rich Dye, SA, FBI Retired
brother

July 5, 2013

Jody,

I miss you my friend... I have so many wonderful stories to tell of our many "adventures"! Off-duty as well as on!

You were, and will remain one of my best friends ever and truly are remembered every day as one of the most genuinely good, moral, and ethical people I have ever met. I always said of you..."he was too nice to be a Trooper" but you truly were everything the job, no life, was all about...

So many times I have wondered how life would have been... Be proud, your legacy is a great one...

Charlie

Lieutenant
Friend

July 3, 2013

Jody,
it's hard to believe that you've been gone for nearly 28 years now. I sit here at Betsy's house in New Mexico tonight, holding your 3rd grandchild on my lap. Her name is Jody and she was born on December 3rd, your birthday. I'm sure that makes you happy. I know it does me. She looks like Betsy and has a temper to match. She is a happy little giggle box.
Mandy has a baby too! Her name is Dylan Cassidy, and she is a happy little girl who loves her mommy very much. At 5 months old, she's already saying "mom mom mom!" I hope that you can see them together.
And Cougar is now a 3 year old little tiger. (Living up to his name) he is the joy of mine and Greg's life. We miss him so much that it hurts.
You would be very proud of the girls, and all that they've accomplished. We will miss you forever.
Love, Sandy

Sandy Dye-Mohler
Surviving spouse

April 12, 2013

As I was looking at a photo of myself and my new husband of January 2012 (a red headed fella retired from the NYPD and face full of freckles) I could not help but remember my first boyfriend in 5th grade. Yes, Jody Dye was my first little boyfriend and he was so cute and sweet to me. We lived two streets apart and he would walk me home and hold my hand. He would invite me over to hang out with the gang, Rick and Rod and Cyndi. We had a great time catching salamanders up at Ritchie's pond. For the longest time, I kept a stuffed dog that he won for me at the traveling carnival that use to come to Ravenswood. Now as I reflect back~~ I have my red-headed retired policeman. Others are not as fortunate. Praying that Jody's life will continue to be lifted up and that no one forgets how wonderful a person he was.

Brenda Head Foley
Childhood Friend

November 2, 2012

I was a childhood friend of the Dye family and I remember Jody when he was a little boy. His sister Jeanie and I use to baby sit him and his brothers! I will always remember him as a smiling happy red head with freckles and the BEST attitude when it came to doing things. He was the one who always gave us the least trouble. I had not seen him after his sister graduated in 1970 & when I heard of this terrible thing that happened to him, I could not believe it! I leave for his family my heartfelt sympthy and for Jody I hope to meet your family one day and maybe get to see that glimpse of you in them.

Sue Ann Ray Joslin
Friend of the family

February 4, 2012

Dear Daddy,

Like Mom said, I see you in my son, Cougar. He is such a boy. You would just love him. I'd like to think I see you in me, too. I'm okay with my green eyes and freckles and ugly feet because they're from you : ) I'm so so proud of you. I'm proud when I tell people about you. I pray that I make you proud. You left a legacy and you were able to take care of me even 25 years after you left us. Thank you so much. I pray I use wisdom and patience to be a good mother. I truly cannot wait for you to meet Cougar. We love you so much.

Love,
Betsy

Betsy Dye-Ericson
Daughter

May 23, 2011

After over 25 years I still think of you constantly. I love you and miss you and wonder what life would have been like with you here. I'm proud to call you my daddy and don't regret who you were for a second. Even though I was young when you were taken, I feel that I know you by the memories shared with me by your friends, the love given to me by your family and the photographs and letters preserved for me by mom. I can't wait to see you again in Heaven.

Amanda Dye
Daughter

November 16, 2010

Jody & I would have celebrated our 30th anniversary this month. It's hard to believe that he's been gone for 25 years. His first grandchild was born this year, & once in a while, I can see a glimpse of his grandpa in little Cougar.

Sandy Dye-Mohler
surviving spouse

November 11, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th 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

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

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 5, 2010

"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

January 8, 2008

I attended the Ohio State Highway Patrol's memorial service for the first time this past May and was moved by the dedication the Patrol has for remembering it's fallen officers. I was also greatly moved by the number of family members who come back year after year to honor their loved ones...some who have died over 50 years ago.

My boyfriend is a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I have always been proud of his job and his affiliation with the Patrol, but am even more so after attending the service. People always use the "words" "you will never be forgotten. The family of OSHP live by those words.

Becky Muncy, widow of Sgt. Marc Muncy
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Franklin County

September 21, 2007

You are a hero in every way and are missed a great deal by those who love you to this day. I look forward to a joyful reunion with you some day.

Richard Dye
brother

April 19, 2007

Fellow troop....I know some has time has pasted since your departure, but have have not been forgotten. You will always be in the prayers of the MSP. God bless ya Troop...........

Trooper Denis McGuckin
Michigan State Police

November 9, 2004

Words can not express the emptiness that your departure has left in our hearts. I look at your children and see you. I tell them you we proud of them. They have grown up with you in there hearts.
Love Your Bother
Donnie

Don Dye

November 3, 2004