Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

“Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is the hero; he is everything. He must be the complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor-by instinct, by inevitably, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world.”
“He will take no man’s money dishonestly and no man’s insolence without a due and dispassionate revenge. He is a lonely man and his pride is that you will treat him as a proud man or be very sorry you ever saw him.”
“The story is this man’s adventure in search of a hidden truth, and it would be no adventure if it did not happen to a man fit for adventure. If there were enough like him, the world would be a very safe place to live in, without becoming too dull to be worth living in.”
Raymond Chandler
I knew you, Greg, as a fearless nose tackle making running backs regret they touched a football.

Al Picard, retired GS-13 Specialist
Nat’l Park Service/ Homeland Security

February 15, 2021

Thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

June 19, 2020

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

June 19, 2015

I toured our new St. Louis Metro PD headquarters building and saw the memorial to fallen officers. Looked for your name and found it. I was polled for the jury to try one of the offenders involved in your murder. I was not chosen because of my strong death penalty convictions but did come the following week to sit in on the trial. So I will never forget your name and the tragic circumstances of your death. I have many friends in St.L MPD, including a cousin. God bless all of you for the heroic job you do protecting us.

Mary from St. Louis
friend and cousin of police from SLMPD

May 5, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd 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 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.

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

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

November 27, 2012

You are not forgotton by your Brothers and Sisters of the SLMPD. Thank you for your service sir and Rest in Peace.

Sgt. SG
St. Louis Metropolitan Police

June 19, 2012

Greg, You were not only respected as an Officer who set an example for other Police Officers to follow, but you were respected as a man who loved his family, treated others with respect and lived life to the fullest. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Tom Eckhard
SLMPD & Friend

March 28, 2009

Detective Erson - I will drive by your street every day and think of you and your sacrifice. I met your wife through our own tragedy, and she helped us. God bless you, you will never be forgotten.

Kathy McEntee
Sister of Sgt. Bill McEntee EOW 7/5/05

March 22, 2009

I remember the day I opned my door to the newspaper article reporting your death. I cried and my boyfriend at the time asked if I had dated you or ssomething. I said "no, he's a good man that I knew from work." You were 29, I was 25. Later, I assisted in prosecuting your murderers. I have never forgotten you, your family or your friends. Rest in peace.

anonymous

September 7, 2008

Greg old friend, I can't believe it's been so long. One of the saddest days of my career was the day you were killed. You were a good cop and a good man, and you are still remembered.
Mike Indelicato

Lt. Mike Indelicato (Retired)
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Dept.

June 27, 2008

TODAY, EXACTLY 28 YEARS AGO, YOU WERE TAKEN FROM US. YOUR PARTNERS AND FRIENDS HAVE HELPED TO SEE US THROUGH MANY TOUGH TIMES, YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN. YOU WOULD BE SO VERY PROUD OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. YOUR LIFE LIVES ON IN THEM. WE ALL MISS YOU DEEPLY.
AS ALWAYS
ALL MY LOVE

CHARLEENE
WIFE

June 19, 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

December 11, 2007

Detective Erson~I never had the pleasure of meeting you. I was only 6 years old at the time of your death. However, I felt the need to post a reflection because I had the pleasure of meeting your daughter today. I went to pick up my detective badge and your daughter did me a great favor. (Laurie~I guess you know who this is).

Just know that you will never be forgotten for the sacrifice you made. I realize our paths may not have crossed in the past or present, however two generations of police officer's in my family had crossed paths with you. One day in the future, all of our paths will cross.

So until then Detective Erson, keep smiling from above and know that your daughter has taken over for you down here.

Anonymous
Metropolitan Police Department-City of St. Louis, Missouri

February 13, 2007

I love you everyday!!
Now that I am a working part of the police family I feel you and the path you left behind everyday. The respect, love, and friendship that is still here for you after all the years is unmeasureable. I have always felt like I was part of the police family but now that I am working here the care I feel is awsome!!
I hope to keep your memory alive just by being here.
You are a true hero to many!

Laurie Erson
daughter

August 7, 2006

Detective Erson, we honor and thank you for helping to rid St. Louis of crime. We remember you and pray for your family.

Police Mom
Missouri

January 14, 2006

I was working that nite and saw you lying there. We stayed out for two straight days looking for your killers. I remember you every day that I go to work. You are missed.

Detective Sergeant Danny Slay
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

June 22, 2005

Greg,

You were taken from us before I came to this department but other officers talk about you all the time. I wish I had met you before your death. You are not forgotten by your friends at SLMPD. God bless you.

DE
St. Louis City Police

June 21, 2005

To my best friend and partner: You will always be missed but know that your memory lives on with us each and every day.
Love you like a brother and always will.

Bobby Z

Retired Major Robert M. Zambo, Jr.
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Dept

November 12, 2004

Heroes never die and are never forgotten. Thank you Sir.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Department, CA

July 14, 2004