Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My husband and I passed your memorial near Fresno today. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Officer Graves. You are remembered.

Tina L Holtz
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, NY (Ret.)

Bill Makuch
NYSDOCCS (Ret.)

Deputy Tina L. Holtz
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office (Ret.)

March 10, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice.

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

November 5, 2017

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

November 5, 2009

Rest in Peace, Deputy Graves. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

Dave, you were and will always be a positive influence in my life.
As kids on trips to Mt. Herman, Santa Cruz and Hume Lake we were
in the moment. Such a sense of humor, what laughter and friendship.
As a husband and father you were an example and inspiration of how
gentle and involved a man can be in the lives of his girls. Although I
have lost contact with your family I replay in my mind your loving interaction with them.
When it was you dream to be a deputy I watched how dedicated you were
to the challenge. Your personality, fairness and compassion were an asset
in your job as well.
You made my life and this world a better place...what an accomplishment!

Randy Semple (civilian)
friend

May 16, 2009

DEPUTY GRAVES, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

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

April 9, 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

November 25, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

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

November 1, 2007

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Wisconsin L.E.O.

August 1, 2007

God Bless you Deputy Graves.

Deputy Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

August 2, 2004