Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Elkins.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 11, 2022

I was three houses away that awful New Year's Eve/Day. His fellow officers performed heroic acts to retrieve him from the front lawn of the scene. I wish all his family members best wishes. I think of Gary many times at the holiday season---seasons he never got to enjoy.

Bruce Tennant
None.

December 23, 2020

Uncle Gary, I was 17 when you lost your life. I remember my dad getting a call early in the morning from Keith or James. But it's not you death I remember most it was your humor and your willingness to help others. I loved coming to visit with family at your home. You were, are and will always be a hero, like those other officers that are willing to help and if need be lay their life down. May God bless you for all the days to come. Love Darren

Darren d Elkins
nephew

June 11, 2020

Rest in Peace Fellow officer and friend.

Long Beach Patrolman, Larry A. Carter
Long Beach Police Department

March 28, 2019

I was friends in elementary school with Officer Elkins son Gary. This was such a shock when it happened. I can't imagine how hard it was for Gary and his family. Unfortunately I lost track of Gary as they moved soon after.
This tragedy has never been far from my thoughts. I have had several friends and family in law enforcement and it has always worried me.
Gary, you probably don't remember me but I hope you have had a happy and successful life.

Donald Payne

March 19, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 42nd anniversary of your EOW. Thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 1, 2018

Gary was a good friend, he loved his family, friends and job. Most of us called him Go Go, (the first initials of his first and middle name). Go Go served on LBPD along with his brother Keith. There will always be a special place in my memory for Go Go!

Sgt. Fred Millemann
Long Beach PD

June 6, 2017

My name is Jay McAvay. A good friend and fishing buddy of Go Gos (our nickname for Gary) I still have nightmares of that fateful morning. I had a New Year's Eve party that evening and had called Gary and asked him to come. He told me he was assigned to work. I told him to call in sick and come. The last thing he said to me wasb"I just might" It was two or three in the morning when Kenny Albright called me and said "Jay, Go Gos gone" I still love you and miss you brother!

Jay (John) McAvay Patrolman
L.B.P.D. Badge#2978

January 2, 2017

Unfortunately, I never got to meet you, but I had often heard about you from my family, especially my uncle Ron, a senior Sergeant with the Anaheim Police Dept.

Like all Cops, we all are forced to attend too many funerals of our fallen brethren, even if the number attended is one.

I cannot imagine how tough your passing had to be on your young family. I have three sons and I am glad they never had to salute a flag-draped, coffin.

Sergeant Trent Good
Creston (IA) Police Dept., Bellevue (NE) Police Dept.

January 2, 2017

Go-Go. We met once, perhaps a few months before January 1, 1976. I was a new reserve officer with Signal Hill PD. Profoundly, in the very short moment in time we met, you left a mark on me. Perhaps your spirit, your kindness, your self, in some way and some form remains with me today. Yours was my first police officer KIA funeral. First of many over the years. But, you, your spirit, for some higher reason by some higher power still remains with me to this day. Emotionally, the pain of your loss is the same today as it was in January 1, 1976. God bless your soul and thanks for serving honorably as you did.

Don Craton (retired LT)
Signal Hill PD/Alhambra PD

August 21, 2014

We worked together several times on Graveyard Patrol, which was a unique grouping of very talented and dedicated officers. There were none, however, more dedicated than you. I remember having code 7 with you one morning and "pumping" you for information about how to handle certain kinds of calls. You were patient and very helpful to this young officer. I especially remember how you treated people. You were firm but caring; what all of us strived to be like. I apologize for the lateness of this reflection, but, I was doing some research and came across this page. I am wiping away tears as I write these words and just had to add this additional reflection about one of the best! You will not be forgotten.

Kimball Shelley, Commander (retired)
LBPD

July 21, 2014

When I was a reserve with LBPD in the early 70's Go Go was one of the first guys I met and got me involved in my first pursuit riding with Crazy Ray Nelson. Both of these guys were hard charging old school cops who I tried to emulate later when I went to Inglewood full time. I remember seeing the news report while I was completing a 180 at one of our tow companies. It lead off with Gary's id photo and I knew before any of the newscasters spoke, what had happened. The first thing I recalled was that Go Go had left day watch a while before so he could spend more time with his family. There have sadly, been more brothers and sisters lost since then, but because his passing was my first as a cop, it still strikes me harder than most. Gone but not (never) forgotten.

Gary Edwards - Policeman
Inglewood Police

May 10, 2013

Hey GoGo, Thirty seven years have disappeared so rapidly from that murderous morning on January 1, 1976. I think of you from time to time during the year and especially on New Year's Day. Sadly, many old timers and some old partners from your time are also gone. Time marches on for all of us still remaining. I believe history will confirm that there'll never be a "Graveyard" group like we had in the 60's and 70's. As retired cops we honor your spirit, your sacrifices and your law enforcement contributions.

Sergeant Bob Byington (Retired)
Long Beach Police Department

December 31, 2012

Police Officer Elkins, Tonight in a state a long way from where you were killed, a trooper was shot. He is alive and stable after surgery, and while looking at the information online, I saw your line of duty death page. The shooting tonight happened in "Elkins WV" and the search keyed in on your last name.

On the 3rd day of May 2012, I want to thank you for the heroic actions you took back in 1976. Walking into the unknown is dangerous and takes courage. Because of people like you, I too became a police officer and served honorably and bravely. I am out of law enforcement and in the process of being an attorney. I will always fight for justice. I will always remember you. Good Speed Brother

Fmr. K9/Sgt Wright
West Virginia

May 3, 2012

At the time officer elkins lost his life, I was 15 yrs old. As a kid who held police officers at a very high regard and I just felt really really bad and sorry for officer elkins. I didn't know officer elkins but I felt that whenever I could, I would literally go and put flowers down for him on his gravesite, and I finally had done it. And I will do it again because I love and respect police officers and the job they do. I offer my condolences.

none
pro police supporter

March 6, 2011

I worked in Pacific Hosp ER. All the policeman used to come by. "Cookie" was always sweet and nice to me. That night I stayed in the ER all night. And then we all went to this bar on LB Blvd.the next morning. I remember the nurse I worked with but not her name. Funny because she pierced my ears for me .She was so nice.I know it was over 30yrs ago, but I think about them every day. Sometimes I feel
time goes by and so do we, but you never forget. If anyone does read this, I was the little black woman with the new baby. Thank you for the LOVE

althea evans
friend

January 23, 2011

Gary was my very dear friend. We worked Day Patrol together. We fished and hung out frequently. Our trip to Lake Crowley will be ingrained in my mind forever. I remember calling Gary and not understanding why he would transfer from day shift to graveyard. He simply explained that he would be able to spend more time with his kids if he worked graveyard. That's what a special Dad Gary was. I had a New Year's party at my house that year and remember calling my dear friend up and asking him to come to that party. He told me that he was working. I tried to convince him to call in sick and come. I told him "that's what sick time is for" He laughed and he said "You know, I just might do that" We said our goodbyes. Little did i know, for the last time. It was about three or so in the morning when I got the call from Kenny Albright (Fellow L.B.P.D. Officer)He said in a crackly voice "GoGo's gone" I couldn't believe it. I called dispatch and Donna told me what I didn't want to hear. I went to the P.O.A. picnic this summer and thanked Jim Harmon. Those of you who know what happened that morning, know what I'm talking about. My e-mail is [email protected] I welcome anyone who knew and loved GoGo to write.

Jay McAvay
L.B.P.D. & Washoe Co.S.O.

December 2, 2010

Gary was my very dear friend. We worked Day Patrol together. We fished and hung out frequently. Our trip to Lake Crowley will be ingrained in my mind forever. I remember calling Gary and not understanding why he would transfer from day shift to graveyard. He simply explained that he would be able to spend more time with his kids if he worked graveyard. That's what a special Dad Gary was. I had a New Year's party at my house that year and remember calling my dear friend up and asking him to come to that party. He told me that he was working. I tried to convince him to call in sick and come. I told him "that's what sick time is for" He laughed and he said "You know, I just might do that" We said our goodbyes. Little did i know, for the last time. It was about three or so in the morning when I got the call from Kenny Albright (Fellow L.B.P.D. Officer)He said in a crackly voice "GoGo's gone" I couldn't believe it. I called dispatch and Donna told me what I didn't want to hear. I went to the P.O.A. picnic this summer and thanked Jim Harmon. Those of you who know what happened that morning, know what I'm talking about. My e-mail is [email protected] I welcome anyone who knew and loved GoGo to write.

Jay McAvay
L.B.P.D. & Washoe Co.S.O.

December 2, 2010

Gary was my very dear friend. We worked Day Patrol together. We fished and hung out frequently. Our trip to Lake Crowley will be ingrained in my mind forever. I remember calling Gary and not understanding why he would transfer from day shift to graveyard. He simply explained that he would be able to spend more time with his kids if he worked graveyard. That's what a special Dad Gary was. I had a New Year's party at my house that year and remember calling my dear friend up and asking him to come to that party. He told me that he was working. I tried to convince him to call in sick and come. I told him "that's what sick time is for" He laughed and he said "You know, I just might do that" We said our goodbyes. Little did i know, for the last time. It was about three or so in the morning when I got the call from Kenny Albright (Fellow L.B.P.D. Officer)He said in a crackly voice "GoGo's gone" I couldn't believe it. I called dispatch and Donna told me what I didn't want to hear. I went to the P.O.A. picnic this summer and thanked Jim Harmon. Those of you who know what happened that morning, know what I'm talking about. My e-mail is [email protected] I welcome anyone who knew and loved GoGo to write.

Jay McAvay
L.B.P.D. & Washoe Co.S.O.

December 2, 2010

I was living at 28th and Delta, around the corner, when the shotgun went off. Startled awake, I immediately turned on the scanner and my tape recorder. From time to time I get out that recording and am proud of all the efforts Officer Elkins' comrades made to come to his aid. You were, and are, a good group of guys. My condolences to the family even at this late time - as we approach the 35 years to the day, January 1, 2011. I hope you have all found some sort of peace.

Bruce Tennant

October 27, 2010

Each year on January 1st I begin to reflect on that crazy morning of 1976 at 2816 Easy Ave, Long Beach, Ca. I was present the night Officer Elkins was murdered. Officer Elkins and I came on the department the same year but were out of different classes. We were both working the graveyard shift on this fateful morning.

On December 31, 1976, several officers from graveyard got together after our shift for a little "relaxation" We shared some bonding time as we looked ahead to another crazy New Years night and the hundreds of rounds of ammunition that would be discharged as the New Year was ushered in.

We all had our favourite hiding places as the alcohol induced crazies fired their guns aimously into the dark Long Beach skies. What goes up must come down. None of wanted to be a victim of a downward bullet.

Unfortunately, a couple of the Westside crazies were still celebrating with alcohol and drugs as they phonied up a call and lured Officer Elkins and his partner to their home.

It's a very small consolation that the perpetrators of this murder would never see another New Years.

Officer Elkins gave his life for our city and his memory lives on in the history of the Long Beach Police Department.

Sergeant Bob Byington 1966 to 2001

Sergeant Bob Byington
Long Beach Police Department

January 16, 2010

I was in Anaheim California with my mother and uncle when this happened, I was 18 then. Four years later I joined the Corning Police Dept. and always remembered the name and date when Officer Elkins was murdered, I told other officrs throughout my tour, it never left my memory.

Ptlm.(Ret.) Gary A McCarty
Corning City Police, NY

January 10, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th anniversary year 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.

I pray for the solace of all who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 7, 2010

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

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 30, 2007