Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Gilliam.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 2, 2020

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

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 1, 2020

In looking at a previous reflection I left, I noticed I misspelled your first name. I am sorry for the error, but it prompted me to once again to write and honor your service.

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary year of your death. I am privileged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 9, 2013

Deputy Sheriff Russell E. Gilliam I serve in the same department as you did and I still hear awesome stories about the good old days with you being one of the main characters. It was a different time in policing and it is fun to hear about those days. We have your name/patch in the patrol room and I often think about you and how it would have been nice to have known you. Your son is a very nice man whom I had the pleasure of getting to know. I am sure you are proud of the man he has become. Thank-you for paving the way for all of us today at the Nash County Sheriff's Office. Your work, dedication to the community and sacrifice is not forgotten. RIP and job well done!

M.M. Strickland
nash county sheriff's office

May 14, 2013

You are remembered today by a Durham native and the mother of a fallen officer. My son, Larry Lasater who was also born in Durham, died when shot on April 23, 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers while serving with the Pittsburg, California Police Department. I have many fond childhood memories of Nash County as my grandparents (Murrays and Alfords) were born and raised in Sameria and Zebulon.

Rossell, your sacrifice is not forgotten. Rest in Peace. Your memory is honored and revered 34 years after your death and will continue to be.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Rossell gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 11, 1975.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 2, 2009

Heroes live forever. We have not forgotten your service Deputy Gilliam. Thank you for your service

Deputy Sheriff PB Ricks
Nash County Sheriff Office

November 27, 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

December 27, 2007

DEPUTY GILLIAM, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

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

October 11, 2007

On the upcoming anniversary of your death we remember you, and thank you Sir for your service.

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

October 9, 2007

I agree with the author of another reflection that I read. "No officer should be without a reflection." I am proud to be the first to write of Deputy Gilliam.

I was just 8 years old when he died. As the word of Deputy Gilliam's death spread I remember the grief in the words and on the faces of the adults in my life. His death was the first Law Enforcement Officer death I can recall in my lifetime. I'm now 37 years old and obviously, many more have met the same fate. I live in Nash County, NC near the small town of Middlesex. Within sight of the Middlesex city limit sign there is a bridge on NC 231 Highway. It spans the four lane, US 264 Highway. That bridge bears the name of Deputy Gilliam.

My uncle still tells stories about his childhood friend Kenny, who was Deputy Gilliam's son. Their childhood years were during a time when the world seemed less evil. In those stories I always visualized Deputy Gilliam as a "Sheriff Taylor" (Andy Griffith) type of man. To name a few, there are stories of firecracker pranks, spying on the local moonshiners, sneaking in the Middlesex High School gymnasium after hours to play basketball and riding in Deputy Gilliam's patrol. The end of each story usually required Deputy Gilliam being called in to save the day. Whatever happened to the days when an officer like Deputy Gilliam could take a kid home to his parents for a slight infraction? Those days are long gone and obviously, so are many more law enforcement officers.

Keith Wilder, Captain
City of Raleigh, Fire Department

March 29, 2004