Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace.

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

February 3, 2021

Sir,
I remember you as a kid from when you and Dad worked together on cases. I remember well Dad's reaction when he learned of your death and when he later showed me where you and your partner were murdered. It was very sad and all so pointless. These criminals took away so much from so many. Rest in peace, Sir.

Special Agent-in-Charge [Retired] Jerry
Department of Defense

April 21, 2019

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

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

February 3, 2019

Ralph East was my grandfather. I loved him as much as he loved me. I stayed with my grandparents a lot. He took me for rides in his squad car many times, which was a very big deal to a little girl. This was such a tragedy, and even though I was young when this happened, the memories I have of that night in my home cross my mind randomly, and I feel the sadness. That's a phone call no family should have to get ...
The memorial walk held in Pilot Mtn. each year typically on the 1st Saturday of February is a great remembrance for 2 great men that made the greatest sacrifice.

Debbie Tucker Forkel
Granddaughter

January 25, 2017

I was a little girl in my dad's restaurant in Pilot Mtn. and you were the very first customer I ever waited on. You asked for coffee and when I asked you what you wanted in it, you said "Just coffee". I looked at you with a confused expression on my face and my mom said, "he'll put what he wants in it". You left me a dollar tip for that cup of coffee and I have never forgotten. You have always been in my thoughts and I will never forget the love and compassion you showed you fellow man. Rest in Peace and know that you will never be forgotten

Lu Ann Cox
Joe's Sandwich Shop, Pilot Mtn. NC

February 21, 2013

I never got the honor to meet you. My family never talks about where they come from or family history or anyhting like that. i started doing some research, and found this. Its simply amaing what God can lead you to. I just wanted you to know your daughter was the greatest woman alive, she loved to no end, im sure she learned that from you.
I thank you for all you did.
God bless.

Katiee Simpson
Great grand daughter

March 25, 2011

I hope your family knows that we remember you here on the ODMP.

Heroes are never forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 3, 2011

i was working the night you were killed,monroe boggs and i were looking for the same veh 10 miles north of pilot mtn,you and your partner glenn branscomb stopped the veh as it was leaving pilot mtn and both were murdered by the side of hwy 52....the officer i was with was monroe boggs who 2 yrs later was shot on hwy 52.rest in peace. pete gillespie.

patrolman cr gillespie
mt airy pd

May 1, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state.

Rest In Peace.

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

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 4, 2009

On the 40th anniversary of Patrolman East's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Patrolman East is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

February 3, 2009

Ralph East was my Greatgrandfather and even though I never got to meet him,(my dad was only 2 years old when he died) I know what a great man he was. ANY officer that gets killed or injured in the line of duty is a hero. In my class in school we're making a holiday about our hero. Mine is named and about him.

Kayla Simpson
Great Grand Daughter

December 15, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 29, 2008

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

I wasn't born when Patrolman East was killed, but I appreciate the service he performed for his community.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 5, 2004

MY BROTHER, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. NOR WILL YOU EVER BE. A HERO IS NOT FORGOTTEN. IT SADDENS ME THAT YOUR MURDERERS GETS A REDUCED SENTENCE WHILE TWO BROTHER OFFICERS ARE MURDERED WITHOUT ANY COMPASSION SHOWN. YOU SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. YOU DID NOT DIE IN VAIN.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

February 3, 2004