Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace

Nick mottola
None

August 11, 2020

Thank you for your service and rest in peace knowing that your memory and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven RizzoDelaware State Police (Retired)

August 11, 2020

I was a reporter for WHAL Radio and had a lot of admiration for Sam and all of our local Officers. Sam was a no-nonsense officer and I was able to ride with him many times. It was a very sad day for our community. We were blessed with an excellent group of troopers under his command they were all wise beyond their years and Sam was responsible for a lot of the maturity of the other guys. I was riding back to town with him from Longview Comunity from a wreck. We were in front of the old hospital and in the conversation he made the statment, "you only get to make one mistake in this business and about three weeks later it happened" He was integrity personafied...

Thomas C. McLean
News

August 1, 2019

My Uncle Sam was a big man with a big heart. Our family will forever keep him in our hearts and mind.

Barbara Isom
Niece

May 14, 2017

In1966 my Uncle Sam was killed in the line of duty. Many members of our family are or have been law enforcement officers. We have never forgotten the courage and dedication of our uncle. He was a real hero, as are many officers in law enforcement. We will never forget, and our love for our uncle will be forever. The thin Blue Line is real.

LTC James H. Isom (US Army Ret)
US Army Criminal Investagation Command

January 24, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 47th 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

February 12, 2013

Thank you for your service and sacrifice....You are not forgotten. You have a young Trooper named Calvin Jenks by your side for back up now. Trp. Jenks is the grandson of Lt. Hartsfield. Lt. Hartsfield was a young Trooper there the day you gave ultimate price. Take care of Calvin for us. Rest in peace Lt. Gibbs

Trooper
Tennessee Highway Patrol

January 14, 2007

In 1966 I was a trooper and stationed in Shelbyville. At 2:00 PM, Lt. Gibbs and I were in traffic court, when a call came in about a jail break. A cab driver informed Lt Gibbs and Policeman Wheeler, where he had dropped the two escapees, at a house. Policeman Wheeler was trying to handcuff Donald Hancock. Hancock grabbed Lt. Gibbs service revolver, and took it, and shot both officers. Policeman Wheeler was slightly wounded. After the shooting, Hancock came running out of the house, and took aim at another policeman and myself, firing a shot at us. we returned fire and hit him in the foot. He tried to hide in another house, where we arrested him. Sgt. Murray and I tranported him to the state penn. for safe keeping. Lt. Gibbs was very much respected in Shelbybille, and a great influence on my career with Highway Patrol. He was greatly respected by all officers under his supervision. Lt Wayne Hartsfield

Lieutenant Samual W Gibbs.
Tennessee Highway Patrol

December 14, 2006

Rest in peace Lt. Gibbs...You are not forgotten...

Trooper
Tennessee Highway Patrol

January 30, 2006

May God bless and keep you son of the South. We will not forget. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

P.S. Sam, CSA.

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

August 27, 2004

as a young Trooper in 1966 I was stationed with Sam. He was killed with his own gun in an arrest attempt on August 11, 1966. His killer, Donald Hancock, received a 55 year sentence for his murder. Sam was shot with his 38 special which was loaded with "wad cutter" bullets. He died at approxomately 9:00 PM that night. It was a terrible day in Shelbyville, TN on that day.

Ken Moore
Lynchburg, TN