Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jesus Christ proclaimed, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

February 22, 2021

Semper Fi CHPY....May God bless you and your wonderful family. You will never be forgotten and you will always be in our hearts and minds. The entire Blue & Gold is so very proud of you.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol, South LA. US Marine

August 21, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

August 21, 2020

I miss you every day little Brother your son is grown up and is a great guy I’ve told him all about you. He wants to know about and it’s hard for me to talk because the pain of losing you even after all these years is still fresh. Mom talks about you every day as do we all sometimes I’m still so mad for losing you. Whoever said time heals all wounds must have never lost anyone that was close to them

Tony Esquible
Brother

November 23, 2019

We lost a good one in Dean. So young—life and career ahead of him. He never wanted to be anything else. He died doing his job.

Terry Davis
Visalia (CA) PD. (Former) Academy Brothers

November 22, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson(Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

August 21, 2018

Dean,

It has been over 31 years since we graduated from the CHP Academy together in August 1984. We were quad mates, sharing the same bathroom, etc. Your room was right next door to my room. Your room mate Dale Eller and you became best of friends. Dale and I became very close friends also. Dale and I worked grave yard shift together for 2 years. I can still remember just about everything about you. Your voice, your mannerisms. You always had a pencil or pen in your hand and you would tap it on any nearby surface. Your humor and you were a stand up man, excellent officer with a heart of gold. God bless you brother.

Richard Higinbotham, CHP Officer (Retire
CHP, Academy classmate.

March 16, 2016

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 24, 2015

Dean,

I worked with your mother for a number of summers. She spoke of you all the time. You were her perfect son. I loved her like a mother and consider you my brother. Because of her I will always remember you and think of you often.

Deputy Jeff Boyd
Fresno Coutny Sheriff's Office

October 30, 2012

Uncle Dean,

I was almost 4 when you where taken from us, my memories are a collection of stories and pictures of us (mostly from Grandma) but you left such an impression in my life. I miss you as do we all, I wish my kids could know you because I know they would love you. Im proud to be your nephew. I love you.

Correctional Officer Joshua Esquibel
Solano County Sheriff's Dept./Nephew

August 25, 2011

Uncle Dean,
You and my father are brothers I am your niece, I never got to meet you but I know I'll see someday. My mom tells me you and I are a lot alike. I know everyone misses you especially grandma and grandpa. And I know your son is sad that he didn't get a chance to grow up with you at his side. But I know your there anyway watching over him. And the rest of us. I love you uncle dean.

Rebecca Esquibel
Niece

May 31, 2011

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

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th 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.



Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

Anonymous

August 21, 2009

You have not been forgotten. You are a true hero. Continue to watch over and protect your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

August 21, 2008

I remember that first day at the academy as well. It was hard but brought people together as a team. The last time I saw you was on the scene of a homicide I was working down in Stratford. We didn't get a chance to talk long that night. You were a good guy and someone I remembered.
Rest in peace...we'll finish that conversation one day my friend

Rod Huckabay
Kings County Sheriff

April 16, 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

November 21, 2007

Your service was brief but it greatly appreciated. Your sacrifice is not forgotten. Rest in peace.

M. Walker
Widow, CHP Lt. Michael Walker EOW 12-31-05

August 20, 2006

Another young officer called before his time. I was interested in joining the CHP and recieved my testing dates, but I turned it down due to distance. From what I gathered, you were a great man and a fine Officer.

Rest in Peace, Brother,
we'll take care of things here.
MDSP Trooper Candidate Applicant Jameson Hughes
*Former MdTA Police Officer Candidate, Class 36

Trooper Candidate Applicant Jamie Hughes
Maryland State Police

February 18, 2006

Dean,

I still remember that cold wet day at the COS academy when you were standing in the inspection line shivering without a jacket because you couldn't afford one.

You earned my respect that day, son. Here you were not much past 19 years old, shivering, working as hard as you could to pass the academy, and standing tall in spite of all the obstacles.

I hope that old Tulare PD jacket I gave you did the job.

God Bless you young trooper, I'm glad we got to meet.

Chief Jim Taylor
Kingsburg Police Department

September 18, 2003