Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Farnsworth.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 26, 2022

Officer Farnsworth's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 10-09-16 to honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
RPPD (IL)

October 9, 2016

I visited the police/firefighter memorial and Dave's grave on August 6th. The memorial was really a beautiful way to pay tribute to Dave and the other fallen police officer and firefighter heroes. I ran cross-country and track with Dave at Danville High School. He was always upbeat, soft spoken and a great team mate. What a shame that he was cut down by such a senseless act in the prime of his life with so much potential as he was serving and protecting the citizens of Danville. Rest in peace, Dave.

Mark Gouty

Mark Gouty, patrolman, retired
Lombard P.D.

August 11, 2016

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

Officer 11169

May 1, 2012

24 years after receiving a memorial scholarship in your name I am still going strong. Thanks for looking over us.

Sgt. S.E. Flannery
Macon County Sheriff's Office

January 27, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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.

Time never diminishes respect, and your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today.

Rest In Peace

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

January 27, 2012

I was very sad when I heard of the assault on David. I didn't know him well but I know he was a quiet,respectable person. I hope GOD has lessened the grief and pain of his family and friends. I still get teary eyed when I remember this violent incident. Peace be with you.

Jerry G. Holden
1969 classmate at Danville,IL H.S.

September 20, 2011

My maternal family all hailed from Danville. In 1974 my parents, siblings and I moved to Indianapolis when I was 14. In 1976 I would've been about 16 years old, and of course I never knew nor heard of your death. After I had entered the army and later was discharged, in February of 1981 I became a law enforcement officer in Indiana. In August of 2009 I retired after 28 1/2 years in the Indianapolis area. I became aware of this site perhaps 3 to 4 years ago and was curious about the old family town (Danville) and to wit did come across your name. I've known of a lot of officers in the Indy area that lost their lives in the line of duty. In fact I started my career just a few months after a cop killer was convicted of murdering 2 Marion County Sheriff's deputies. I had that murderer in my cell block. It never gets any easier with the untimely passing of any of these brave men and women. But know that you died a hero to many. Rest in peace my brother. Your place is definetly in heaven.

Sgt. Clinton Geer, Sr.
Marion County Constable (Indianapolis)

April 3, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

January 26, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 23, 2008

This writer is so sorry that this happened to you, you are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

This writer is pleased with the verdict of your case and hope that for whatever reason, it never changes.

God Bless you and your family

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 26, 2007

OFFICER FARNSWORTH, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT AND COUNTRY. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL, NOW MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO STILL LOVE AND MISS YOU.

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

September 25, 2007

"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

August 1, 2007

I grew up in Danville in the Fair Oaks project. Had no great love for the police. But then moved to Massachusetts and became a police officer and have been one for28 years. My two sons are now police officers. I never met Officer Farnsworth, but as a past citizen of Danville I want Officer Farnsworth and his family to know that I wish to give my regards and respect to David for giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Timothy Cook Sr., Detective
Attleboro, Massachusetts Police

Timothy Cook Sr., Detective
Attleboro Police Department

April 24, 2006

David was my nephew. He was a quiet young man so I was amazed when we wrote back and forth while he was in Veitnam. He wrote very deep thinking letters which I certainly enjoyed. He is missed so much by all the family

Shirley Farnsworth
none

March 19, 2006

David, you are not forgotten. We worked together for a short time, but I think about you often and attend the Police Memorial every year. Rest in Peace and God Bless you and your family

Special Agent Dennis Haley
Florida Dept. Law Enforcement

January 31, 2006

You are gone, but not forgotten. Rest in peace, my brother.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 9, 2005

Rest in peace.

DE
St. Louis City Police

March 25, 2005

While I didn't know Ofc. Farnsworth, he had a big influence on me. As a rookie cop with about 1.5 years on the job, his was the first in the line of duty funeral I attended. Attending an officer's funeral has a big impact on a young officer and is never forgotten. Thank you David for looking down on me and all our brothers in uniform in our times of need. JR

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr. #54
Joliet IL PD

January 28, 2005

I can remember the day that my father came home from working as an auxillary officer for the Danville/Vermilion County Police Department ... I am so thankful that he made it home but will always remember the tears in his eyes that Officer Farnsworth did not.

Anonymous

I received a memorial scholarship in Officer Farnsworth name to a local junior college. In 1988, I didn't know what I wanted to do, but after reading the history of the slain officer and meeting his family who presented the award. I knew law enforcement was my career choice. After serving 10 years as a Military Policeman, I left to serve as an officer in Illinois thanks to Officer Farnsworth's memorial.

Officer Scott Flannery
Litchfield Police Department

I remember David when I was a young pre-teen. He would come to our house and wrestle with me. He always managed to eat Peacn Sandies cookies my Mother had on hand just for him. David was my cousin by marriage. I remember to this day the tears my Mother had in her eyes when she told me of David's death. David is one of the primary reasons I went into the Danville Police Dept. Explorer post and later became a police officer.

Trooper Stu Sanders
Indiana State Police