Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Oklahoma Highway Patrol remembers trooper killed in line of duty 30 years ago

Posted: Apr 14, 2020 KFOR News

CRAIG COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is remembering a trooper who died in the line of duty 30 years ago.

On April 11, 1990, around 2:10 a.m., Trooper Duane Grundy was on routine patrol on the Will Rogers Turnpike in far northeastern Oklahoma, near the Craig-Ottawa County line.

Grundy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a burned out headlamp.

As Grundy exited his vehicle and walked up to the vehicle to write down its tag number, he was struck by a pickup driven by 82-year-old James A. Grundy, of Joplin, Missouri.

The two were not related.

OHP says the force of the impact knocked Duane Grundy into the vehicle he had stopped.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Duane Grundy joined the OHP in 1976.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

April 14, 2020

Sir I was never able to meet you. My dad always talked about you and how good of a person and friend to him you were. Dad would always tell stories about you and it was like I knew you. He speaks of you often and I know he misses you. Thank you for service sir!! You will never be forgotten!! Rest in peace big bird!

Deputy Brian "BR" Rutherford
Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department

September 28, 2013

Trooper Grundy you maybe gone but you are not forgotten. Thank you for your service. RIP Brother.

TFC Widener, Len
Connecticut State Police

April 11, 2012

Sir,
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. I am sure you would be proud to know that your son graduated from the Springfield Mo Police academy recently. I was proud to stand in the same group of officers as he was presented with a challenge coin commemorating your sacrifice.

Officer Kelby Dickensheet
Springfield, Mo PD

December 13, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the nineteenth 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 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.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 12, 2009

YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NHV

May 5, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NHV

May 5, 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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

January 9, 2008

I don't know if there is a relation between us, but if there is I hope to be the same type of hero you were in serving your community and state. RIP

Deputy Jeremy J. Grundy
Lyon County Sheriff's Office
Lyon County, Nevada

Deputy Jeremy Grundy
Lyon County Sheriff's Office (unknown if related

May 14, 2006

your death was not in vain sir you are a hero and will never be forgotten RIP hero

Reserve Deputy/D.O Doug Crisp
Lyon County sheriff dept kansas

April 29, 2005

Duane, you were truly the Best Friend that I have ever had. God blessed you in so many ways, your smile, your wit, the way you cared for people. You are gone but never forgotten. We will see you in heaven.

Former Undersheriff Steve Rutherford
Ottawa County Sheriff's Department

December 27, 2003