Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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 27, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 50th anniversary of your EOW.

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

August 27, 2018

Officer Gaskin,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 27, 2018

Rest in peace Officer Gaskin. Alabama's hero forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2018

After just finding this site with your Memorial, be it known that very few days goes by that you are not remembered. Your grave is visited as we discuss the times we had together. As you already know from looking down on us, I married that beautiful young lady we discussed many times and she has been as wonderful as we thought she would be. It hurts daily as I see the signs along US 231/431 North honoring those who have fallen in the line of duty only to see that your name was omitted from those listed but not from my heart. One of these day we will reunite to walk those street of gold, discussing old times together growing up as the best first cousins. Why you were taken from me, I don’t know but I’m sure God had His reasons and someday I’ll be told.

Aubrey W. Smith, JR

December 21, 2014

Rest In Peace Officer Gaskin, your service and sacrifice is remembered.

Sgt. Jarrod L. Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

August 27, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 45th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. 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.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 17, 2013

BILLY IS REMEMBERED TODAY AND EVERY DAY FOR HIS SACRIFICE AND SERVICE. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

Inv Harold Hutchison (Retired)
Huntsville Alabama Police Dept

August 28, 2009

On the 40th anniversary of Officer Gaskin’s death, we honored his service during roll call by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job.

Officer Gaskin may be gone, but is not forgotten.

Sergeant Jeffrey W. Timmons
First Responder Unit
United States Capitol Police
Washington, D.C.

Anonymous

August 27, 2008

You were so young to meet such a tragic end. Thank you for everything you did to help make this community safer. You lived and died a true hero.

MJM
furure HPD wife

March 4, 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

July 11, 2007

I just came across this officer's name randomly as it appeared in the window of this ODMP site.

I read the entries and while it was sad to read that he and his parents were called home after meeting tragic circumstances...I hope all those who knew this family can take some comfort in the fact that his mother, his father and this loving son are reunited once again.

Life is not fair...fortunately we are called to a peaceful eternity where all the wrongs of this world are righted by God and His reward is just.

May God's perpetual light shine upon the souls of Officer William T. Gaskin for having made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting and serving his community...as well as his parents...as they all rest in His eternal peace.

You are not forgotten.

Anita L. Culosi
sister of NYS Tpr. S.J. Embarrato eow 7/6/61

June 29, 2007

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

Officer 11169

October 23, 2006

William (Billy) was all I knew as a brother. my Mother raised him from age 18 mo's. This family has a disatrous ending. William's mother was burnt to death when he was a baby, his Father lost his life to Diabetes, then William met this terrible end. I still hold a special place in my heart for all officers, everyday they put their life on the line to protect all of us. William served his country in the Army also.

Nell Pierce

Nell Pierce

March 23, 2006

Officer Gaskin,
On today, the 37th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Huntsville. It took 3 more years but your murderer finally got the justice he deserved.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

August 27, 2005

If my memory serves me right you were discharged from the army after serving our country in the military. You were a rookie officer that had not even attended the police academy at the time of your death. I was a police officer working the second shift as a motor scout when i was nothified of this incident at 1:30 am in the morning. all off duty officers were out that night looking for this murderer. He was apprended at approx. 3:00am approx 4 blocks fron the scene of the incident. I met you a few times during shift change. I have never forgotten you are Officer Preston Butler my partner who was killed in the line of duty 1n 1966. I think of you and preston every time i pass the maple hill cemetary. Rest easy my brothers, you will never be FORGOTTON, I know that y'all are with our LORD . GOD BLESS!!!! Johnny Hall, Huntsville, Al

Deputy U.S. Marshal ( Retired )
United States Marshal's Service

December 20, 2004

Remembering officer Gaskin, who died on this day (Aug 27) 36 years ago. God's peace be with you; you are not forgotten.

Michigan

August 26, 2004

Thank you for caring Officer Matthews. Billy was my mom's cousin. She was only 12 when he died. I grew up with respect for all officers. I work in Huntsville now and whenever I see an officer making a traffic stop I know just how dangerous it really is because they never know who's going to be waiting in that car. Thanks to all of the officers who bring honor to the uniform. God bless you.

Jennifer Pitts

January 6, 2004

Rest in peace brother for we have not forgotten you and we continue to honor your sacrafice. You left this earth the same year I was born so I didn't know you, yet I strive each day to be the best police officer I can. To work hard in the memory for those officers who have given their all. God bless you and all of those who have fall before and after you.

Officer K. Matthews
Huntsville P.D.

December 14, 2003

No officer that gave his life should be without reflection……

“For those who pledge to uphold it, Freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know”

Anonymous