Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I met people in 1991, when I first became an officer, that share details of your loss with me. Clearly, they had personal knowledge and it touched me in a profound way. I have thought of the Sacrifice very regularly. Now I am retiring and still thinking of the extreme Sacrifice. It will never be forgotten by this Trooper.

Master Trooper Retired
Kentucky State Police

November 2, 2024

Thirty-eight years. It's hard to believe you have been gone longer than you were here. I'm sorry you were denied so much of life and I'm sorry we were denied so much of you. Thank you for your fidelity to service. Your life mattered.

NC Officer

April 9, 2023

Trooper Giles Arthur Harmon will always be remembered. RIP sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

August 18, 2022

I remember reading a book in college about the North Carolina Highway Patrol and I remember specifically Trooper Harmon and this incident. Your law enforcement family will never forget your service and sacrifice. God Speed sir.

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

April 9, 2022

I was driving that night from Brevard back to my home in Goldsboro. On 74 past Black Mountain, there was a multi car roadblock where Police checked every vehicle. I only learned later about Giles. We went through school together.

Kenneth B Ashworth

August 20, 2020

Rest in peace.

J.R.

April 10, 2020

I first met Giles Harmon when we started College at ETSU in 1976. We were both Criminal Justice majors and struck up a friendship. He talked about how much he loved his home town of Brevard and the North Carolina mountains. His goal in life was to be a North Carolina State Trooper which he achieved. Giles was always full of life and fun to be with. He loved being a Trooper and helping people. I am very proud to have known Trooper Giles Harmon and call him my friend.

Captain Bob Wooldridge - retired
Knoxville Police Department

March 28, 2018

I was a uniformed officer with the Henderson County Sheriffs department. I believe the day Giles was murdered I finished a course called man tracking which was taught by the Border Patrol in Henderson county.

Along with numerous other officers we pursued Giles murderer in the mountains, all of us could hear our heart beats the terrain was so bad. All of us wanted to catch this guy and to this day I wished we could have tracked him faster.

Thank you Giles for your contribution to the safety of the citizens on North Carolina.

William

William D Becker
Henderson county Sheriffs Department

November 12, 2017

I worked many wrecks with Giles, and had breakfast a time or two at the Swannanoa Restaurant with him. I walked up to his patrol car one night, and he not knowing who it was, had his 357 pointed right at me when I got to his window! After I caught my breath we had a good laugh about it. The song "Nightshift" was popular when Giles was killed. I always think of him when I hear it. "We all remember you, on the nightshift".

Clint Gorman, Paramedic
Buncombe County EMS (Retired)

June 19, 2017

I think about him every time I go to Tennessee. When I see Harmon's Den ..I think it some how seems fitting that it has that name. It has been over 30 years but he is not forgotten.

Jackie House/ rank none
Buncombe County Schools

August 20, 2016

Trooper Harmon I saw that your killer was trying to gain his release via a Parole hearing coming up in November 2014. I wrote a letter on your behalf and for your family. I stated the reasons why your killer should remain behind bars and why that the public would still be in danger if this idiot is released back into society. I never knew you, but like you I lost a close friend and partner to an idiot / killer. So I hope that justice will be served and this so called reformed idiot / killer stays where he belongs behind bars. Rest in Peace, Trooper Harmon we've got your back!

Former Sgt. Joe Covington M/C #4926
Corpus Christi Police Department

November 4, 2014

Giles was a fine man and a good friend. He and I attended the same basic patrol schoool in 1981. North Carolina lost a fine man and great public servant on that very sad day.

Captain Norman Goering, (Ret. NCSHP)
Captain, retired North Carolina State Highway Patrol

October 29, 2014

Thank you for your sacrifice - it was not in vain. Officers like yourself make me want to be the best man I can be. You are still impacting peoples lives today. I sent out the "No Parole" letter today. May your memory live on. "Blessed are the Peacemakers..."

Michael Smith
Criminal Justice Major at UNCW
Future Police Officer

October 21, 2014

My wife and I were honored to visit and remember my Brother at his roadside memorial on I-40 this past Thursday. We will never forget!

Rest in Peace Trooper Harmon (G-444)

Sergeant Ricky Parks
Rocky Mount Police Department, NC.

April 20, 2013

A Hero is honored today, RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

April 9, 2012

Mr.Harmon you never met me but we who served always reflect on how lucky we all are who have the courage to serve as you did!!!! Thanks,you are some of our inspiration!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Served from 1986 -2008 trained ......in NC..... Lucky,!!! we are to have made another 10-61!!!! You will be some other persons inspiration!!!!

JWS
former sgt.NC agency-several other DEpts..

October 8, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 9, 2010

There are so many things I could say but, the most important is that "EVERYDAY" of my life is filled with memories of you. I miss you as much today as any day that has passed. The memory of your smile always warms my heart. There are still days that missing you takes my breath away. My children know your name and your face. I loved you then and I love you today and without a doubt I will always love you.

Jonlyn

April 10, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 25th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and birthplace of my son. 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

April 9, 2009

I used to frequently travel from Knoxville, TN to Asheville, NC to see my father. I remember the I-40 rockslide and the temporary road the DOT had to build to allow cars to bypass the tunnels. I remember the Troopers working to keep the traffic moving. I will never forget hearing of the shooting and the Asheville paper's headline about Trooper Harmon's sacrifice and service. My family will never forget him and his service.

Carl Langston
Citizen

December 2, 2008

What a great friend he was. Always laughing, smiling and fun to be around. You and Bobby left me with WONDERFUL memories! I love to pull out your letters from ETSU...they make me smile. You will always be remembered!
Thanks for the joy you shared in your brief life.

Sue
high school friend

September 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 1, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

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

December 27, 2007

You were highlighted on the website today. Looking at
your picture it is hard to believe that you'd be 48 by now.
I just feel for your parents and wonder how they could
ever get over losing you. And your wife...we lost a deputy back in 2001 in his 20's who had been on the
job five years also and only married 2 years. It is sure
a tragedy that young lives are cut short.
Sometimes you get the bad guy and sometimes he
gets you.
The shot that killed you also killed a part of us.
It killed a part of your family, both at work and at home.
It killed your dreams, your hopes, your future.
But it must not kill our determination to make this
world a better place or our will to make a difference.
America's streets must be running red with blood with
all the deaths of leos. God bless your memory and
know that your life is still impacting others, even those
who didn't know you. I once visited Brevard, N.C. years
ago. With love from one coast of America to the other.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

April 20, 2007