Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My Daddy was the one who pulled Corky from his patrol car. My mother had heard Corky breath his last breath over the radio as she started my Daddy's patrol car for him. The day I had always feared hit so close to home that it hurt. Corky was a good friend. I was a sophomore in high school and I watch my Daddy and Mama change forever. Paul Berry Bush had said he came to town to kill 2 people and then named my parents. They would've been out patrolling that night but Corky told them to go home because it was Mama's birthday. They objected but finally went home. Who would've ever thought all our lives would change within hours. Corkys family and ours were all close. I, in a sense, lost my Daddy that day also, it took several years and grandkids for my Daddy to get out of Law enforcement and get back to himself.
Rest In Peace Corky you've never been forgotten. You and Daddy are now together in Heaven and I hope you are going fishing everyday.

Dau/Sheila Wright Helton
Ret/Hemphill Co Sheriff CH Wright

December 22, 2024

Thank you for service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

July 12, 2020

Rest In Peace Deputy Sheriff Marion Lee Guthrie. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Hemphill County, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw on the sorry soul of your murderer!

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

July 11, 2016

Your heroism and service is honored today, the one thirtieth 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 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 Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 12, 2010

"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

February 13, 2008

I knew Corky when I was he worked for Wheeler County Sheriff's Office when I was in high school at Wheeler. 5 years After his death I was working for Wheeler County as a Deputy. I was told the details of his death and it was used to help remind us all to be very careful when responding to alarms. I learned something that would help keep me safe and has so after 20+ years on the job. Corky's death was not in vain. Thank you for your service to the citizens of the Wheeeler and Hemphill Counties.

Sgt. F. Alexander
Former Deputy Wheeler Co. S.O.

May 28, 2006

I worked with Corky and he was a very caring Deputy and devoted to his department and family and paid the ultimate price. He is missed.

Dispatcher Kay Dickey
Hemphill County Sheriff's Office

December 17, 2005

Deputy Sheriff Guthrie,
As one officer wrote in another fallen officer's reflection-"No fallen officer should be without a reflection." I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of HempHill County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

June 14, 2005