Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Paul was and always will be my favorite uncle, but unfortunately, he was killed before I was born. My aunt lost her husband, my cousin lost her father, I lost my uncle, and our community lost a genuinely good officer. I have reviewed his life at least once a year sense as far back as I can remember. My heart still aches over it to the day. It is pathetic how ruthless these psycho cowards can be.

MICHAEL HERNANDEZ KCPM
Substance Abuse Center of Kansas

May 16, 2024

This one haunted me as kid. WPD used to come to our school and we admired them. It scared me that some subhuman would come to their patrol car and murder one of them in such a cowardly and senseless manner. I never personally met him, but I still remember the day I woke up for school and heard about Officer Garofalo’s murder. Hate to say it, but I’m glad that his killer burns in Hell.

L. Jones
Former Wichita resident

September 2, 2022

Thank you for your sacrifice, your bravery, and the example you set for us all.
You continued with your mission of safeguarding the life and property of all citizens.
The peace and security that you have brought into our lives can't be measured.
You will forever be remembered of as one who always thought of others first.
A friend and really a big brother to me for years.
Isaiah 6:8

Mike and Ruthy Perez

December 22, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

November 8, 2020

Paul, on the night you were murdered in such a cowardly, evil ambush, I was a rookie of 6 months. We happened to gas our patrol cars at the single island gas pumps just west of City Hall (pumps are no longer there). You were serious and didn't acknowledge me other than a quick head nod to my "Good evening sir" because you knew I was a rookie.

It was such a shock later to hear that you had been taken from us--and from your family--so suddenly. I remember being so nauseated when I heard (at 3am) the man who had been across from me at the City Hall gas pump around 10p was now gone. It could have been me (or anyone else) instead of you. Such are the mysteries of this world.

I attended your funeral in my Class A uniform, along with nearly every other WPD officer and civilian employee. The Sedgwick Co SO and KHP Troopers graciously took calls in the City so we could attend. I will never forget it, it was the 1st police funeral I ever attended as a member of the Thin Blue Line. Sadly, it wasnt the last--WPD Danny Laffey and KHP Ferdinand "Bud" Pribbenow would follow in quick succession. I will never forget seeing how distraught your parents and wife were. It ripped my heart into pieces. I'm not ashamed to admit I cried because I knew just what a loss we and your family sustained by your tragic death.

Now, it's almost 40 years later, and I still remember you. We worked the same 3rd shift, but you were assigned to Baker One and I was in the Adam Three (opposite quadrants of town). You may be gone but you certainly will never be forgotten.
RIP Paul.

Retired WPD
Wichita Police Department

September 26, 2019

As we get older, we have more time to reflect back on our life, good times and bad times.
You are not forgotten, I always remember you when I think about the good times I had with
you and other classmates as we trained to become Police graduates of the WPD Fall Class of 1979.
You were a smart and courageous officer who enjoyed serving and protecting our community.
You are one of my Heroes and are truly missed. Rest in peace my Brother.

Jesse L. Hill Jr., Retired Officer
Wichita Police Department
Wichita, Kansas

November 26, 2018

Rest in peace Officer Garofalo. Young and brave, a Kansas police o of integrity.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 8, 2018

Paul was a true gentleman officer who I was proud to call friend. He was so in love with his wife and family. He was proud of them and spoke of them often. I saw Paul the week before he was murdered. We were both working a game at the stadium at WSU. I attended his funeral, which was one of the hardest things I have ever done

WSU Police Officer Rebecca Reeves Harris
WSU Police Department

January 13, 2018

November 8th, 1980......November 8th, 2015
How can one make sense of such a senseless act? 35 years later, I still don't have the answer to that question.

Paul & I would attend Wichita East in the fall of '71, but did not know one another there. I hired on W.P.D. in the fall of '78; Paul was in the following Rookie class. I was assigned to Baker-1 / 3rd shift; when Paul graduated Rookie school, he was assigned to Baker-1 / 2nd shift. After a time on 2nd shift, he decided he wanted to come to 3rd, to "Do some serious Police work". Shootings, stabbings, agg assaults, burglaries, etc.

We hit it off pretty well....he was such a good kid. Serious when he needed to be; thoughtful MUCH of the time; HILLARIOUS MOST of the time; and committed & dedicated ALL of the time. Paul LOVED his motorcycle, and since he lived farther south than I, he'd ride to my house and we'd ride our bikes in to work together. Unfortunately, that ended 35 years ago tonight.

At work, we didn't patrol in 2-man cars very often, but on the occasions that we did, Paul was so much fun to be around. He'd come up with some useless piece of information about something that didn't actually matter...then, when I asked him where he got that from, he'd always say "Only the NOSE knows !!". One night riding together, he'd spotted Yolanda in a car with several girlfriends near 9th & Grove. Since I was driving, I was TOLD to pull them over and give 'em a hard time. After a few moments, he followed me up & let the girls off the hook. He laughed about that for days !!

Yolanda & Christy, Paul loved you so much !! He'd talk about things he was going to do with you the next day or the next weekend. Christy, I remember your Dad telling me how you both would watch boxing on television and eat peanut butter outta the jar with a spoon. It doesn't get any better than that !!

It was MY honor to know Paul Garofalo for the time that I did. It was an even GREATER honor to be one of his pallbearers.

May ALMIGHTY GOD Bless Yolanda & Christy, Frank & Anita, all of Paul's family and friends on this mournful anniversary. LOVE to you All.....especially Randy.

I don't think about Paul every day.....but almost every day.
Rest In Peace, buddy
Bill Moorhouse Nov.8, 2015

Off. W.A. Moorhouse *Baker-1 *3rd shift
W.P.D. '78 - '83

November 8, 2015

Paul is our son. We miss him every moment of every day even tthough 35 years have passed. We will love him forever in life and death when we will be with him again. We will always be proud of his sevice to his community and his nation as an Army veteran and a decorated police officer.

Anita and Frank Garofalo
Parents

November 6, 2015

Hi Paul, my note is really late but I know you will understand. I am new at this computer business and have just found out how to leave you a note. I think of you and the old Baker-1 crew often and always with a smile on my face. You and every member of my crew at that time were the best Wichita had to offer. What a joy it was for me to come to work every night just to see what you ornery guys were going to get into and how much fun we would have before quitting time. I don't think I can remember a time when you were anything but glad to be on duty. I always remember you as a happy guy with a smile and a little jab for everyone but always professional when it was time to get the work done. thanks Paul for all the good work you did and all the fun memories. I love you and miss you every day. RIP

Lt. Charles (Al) Lauffer
Wichita Police Dept.

July 24, 2015

I never knew Paul. I was working construction in the 1000 of N Washington close to where Paul was killed. I have never forgotten his name, I think of him when I am in town and near the area.

Anonymous
LEO Park Ranger Nationa Park Service

May 21, 2015

I have been a resident of Wichita since 1973. I have often thought of this Officer and always remembered his name. God Bless WPD.

Steve Stigall
Resident

December 22, 2014

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

Officer 11169

February 4, 2014

I remember riding with Paul up 144 in the early morning hours at Ft. Stewart as his partner while an MP at Ft. Stewart. As I began to doze off, Paul slammed on the brakes, slamming me into the windshield at 55 mph. I never dozed again with him, or at any time as a Police Officer for the next 20 + years. Paul left Ft. Stewart as I transferred to Germany, and I was a Deputy Sheriff in Maricopa County, Az when I heard the news of his death. I had met his family, and was deeply saddened. Since then, I've known 5 other Officer who were murdered as I continued my career in the Detroit area. To this day I think of Paul.

Former Sergeant, now Attorney

August 19, 2013

IN MEMORY OF OFFICER PAUL GAROFALO

In November of 1978 I had just completed Army Basic Training & the Military Police School. I was assigned as a Military Policeman (MP) at Ft. Stewart, GA.

Specialist Paul Garofalo was one of my Field Training Officers (FTO). He was about 3 years older than me, was a loud, funny Italian and we became best of friends. When you're 18 years old and you're away from home for the first time in your life you seem to really bond with others in the same situation.

Paul taught me a lot, he was always screaming at me but in a joking way. I remember my first traffic stop. I was completing the citation and Paul screamed, "What the hell are you doing, you're jumping all over the place as you fill it in; start at the top and fill in every box as you go down, that way you won't miss any boxes." I always remembered that and later, throughout my police career, taught my rookies the same thing.

Paul ended his tour of duty (ETS'd) in the Army late 1979. I was sad to see him go. I remember that day, I was asleep on my bunk when fellow MP Roy Case shook me awake, told me that Paul was outside and that I needed to say "goodbye." I was very sad to see him go, we hugged each other and promised to stay in touch. He immediately joined the Witchita Police Department in his home State of Kansas.

In August 1980, I transferred to Germany as a Military Police Investigator (MPI). Paul and I continued to write each other about once a month. He described working for the Witchita Police as being like "Starsky & Hutch," chasing rapists and murders down the street. I had not heard from Paul over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and just figured that it was a busy time for him.

In january 1981, I received a letter another old MP Buddy, Roy Case, informing me that Paul had been shot and killed in the line of duty on November 8, 1980. It was the first time that friend of mine and a cop who I knew personally had been killed on the job. I cried my eyes out. Paul had a wife and young daughter whom he loved......to death.

Paul and his partner where on patrol with Paul driving. Suddenly, a B/F teenager stepped from between 2 parked cars on their right and flagged them down. During their first few seconds of conversation with her, a B/M suspect armed with a shotgun, emerged from between parked cars across the street, walked up to Paul's driver's door and literally executed Paul and seriously wounded his partner. The B/M suspect dropped the shotgun in the street and fled. Neither Paul nor his partner ever saw the armed suspect approaching them. Both suspects were later apprehended and convicted of Paul's murder and the wounding of his partner. It had been a planned ambush, the B/M suspect just wanted to kill some cops that day.

To this day I still think of Paul........ I have never forgotten him.

Paul was the first cop who I knew personally to be killed in the line of duty; in the years that followed there would be several more.

Rest in Peace Paul

Lieutenant Pete Kusek
Orange County Sheriff's Office, Orlando, FL (Retired)

March 12, 2013

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

July 14, 2012

I first meet Paul at Ft Stewart, Georgia. He was serving in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman. We served in the 298th MP Company. As I remember Paul was senior to me. He was in the Traffic Unit. He was looked up to by all. His humor and character were well known. I do remember that he was a dedicated family man. I as well as the rest of the MP’s that served with him knew about his getting out of the Army. We heard he had gone to Witchita to be a policeman. The news of his ambush shocked us all. He was and always will be one of the best. His time as a son, husband, father, and friend was cut short. One day we will see him again. “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.”

Lieutenant Jimmie Turner
Glynn County Police Department Brunswick, Georgia

March 2, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th 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.

I pray for solace for those who love and miss you.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 8, 2009

I first met Paul in 1978 when we were MP's together in the 298th MP Company at Ft. Stewart, GA. He was senior to me and was my FTO in the traffic unit. Paul and I became good friends and shared many laughs together. Paul left the Army and became a Witchita police officer. I was still an MP in Germany when a friend wrote and broke the news to me that Paul had been shot and killed in the line of duty. I couldn't believe it. It has been almost 29 years since Paul's death and I've already retired from law enforcement. I have never forgotten Paul and have thought about him and his death quite regularly over the years. I will always remember him for his positive and upbeat outlook, his professionalism and the humor he brought to the job. A good man was taken from us much too early. He left a wife and a young daughter who, as I remember, were his entire world. Rest in peace Paul, I was able to finish my law enforcement career and retire, I only wish you had been able to. You have never been forgotten. Rest in Peace; I'm looking forward to seeing you again in heaven when my time comes. Pete Kusek

Lieutenant Pete Kusek
Orange County Sheriff's Office, Orlando, FL - Retired

October 20, 2009

It has been a long time but many of us still remember. RIP

Former Detective
Wichita PD

May 12, 2009

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
NH

November 3, 2007

I was so young when you were taken from me and I have spent many years avoiding the hurt and emptiness your death has brought me and our family. I will never forget all the years of crying and begging God to please send you back to me only to wake up and realize you were still gone. I want everyone to know that you were not only a brave officer but a wonderful son, loving husband and the best father that walked this earth. My sons and I talk about you always and your memory will never be forgoten.

Christy Garofalo-Hieatt
Daughter

December 21, 2006

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Wichita Police Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Officer Garofalo deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. No greater love has a man than the will to give his life for another. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Officer Garofalo is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas Doyle
Cary Police Department, North Carolina

June 15, 2006

Paul, two days before your death I last saw you stuck doing turnkey duty in the jail. You were laughing and joking just as you always did, and wanting to be out on the streets. I never pass Kellogg and Hillside without turning toward your grave and paying my respects. You have been gone a long time, but you are not forgotten in the memories of your fellow officers and the Department.

Capt. Darrell Haynes
Wichita Police Department

April 24, 2006