Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Scott

Jerry Terrell
Brother Scott

October 25, 2023

Thank you for your service officer Hatch. Your sacrifice is forever appreciated and remembered.

Deputy Martinez
Orange County Sheriff’s Department, CA

December 23, 2022

Thank you for your Service, Officer Hatch. Taken too soon, RIP. Respect and prayers for all family.

Civilian, Virginia Fonseca

March 29, 2022

Thank you for your service, Officer Hatch

Civilian Adrian Perez
N/A

February 16, 2021

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

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

June 30, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Hatch.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 27, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 43rd anniversary of your EOW.

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

June 30, 2018

I met your brother on a traffic stop in Utah today and saw the challenge coin your department made in your memory. Over 42 years later, you're still remembered. We have the line brother, rest easy.

Officer S Jones
Woods Cross Police Department

October 9, 2017

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

Jerry, I am your cousin. I was too young to go to your funeral. I remember the exact day though. I have grown up hearing about you and always knowing what happened to you. I have loved you and respected you through family memories. I have been in the law enforcement family ever since I can remember. With my dad "Jerry" with LASD, my husband, two brothers, and now a son. Every time an officer is taken, I can't help but think of you. Today, three deputies were shot, two deputies were killed in NorCal. One in the same department my husband works. It's always hard to handle. Prayers.

Joy Melton Olsen
Cousin

October 24, 2014

Jerry and I were hired by the Fullerton Police Department on December 16, 1974. I noticed his memorial page does not have his badge number listed. Jerry and I had consecutive badge numbers, mine being 498 and his being 499. Jerry was a reseve police officer with the Southgate Police Department when he was hired by Fullerton. We both entered the police academy (The Fullerton Police Training School of North Orange County) on February 7 1975 and we graduated on April 18, 1975. Upon graduation from the academy Jerry was assigned to graveyard patrol and I was assigned to day shift. Jerry was on his way to briefing from his home when he stopped to extinguish a car fire on the 91 freeway at the Beach Blvd. exit in Buena Park. He was struck from behind by a drunk driver as he was placing his fire extinguisher in his trunk. Jerry died the next afternoon and was the first Fullerton Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Jerry, I think of you often and wonder where your career would have taken you. You were a fine officer and I know you would have gone far in your career. I spent 29 years with the Fullerton Police Department and left in December 2003. I continued my career with the Orange County District Attorney's Office as a District Attorney Investigator In February 2004. Jerry my friend, you are missed.

Mike Montgomery, D A Investigator
Orange County District Attorney's Office

July 31, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th anniversary year 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

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 17, 2012

Jerry and I were academy mates in the Fullerton Police Training School of North Orange County. We were hired at Fullerton PD together on December 16, 1974. My badge number was 498 and Jerry's was 499. Jerry, we had some good times in the academy and you thoroughly impressed and amused your training officer, Steve Johnson with some of your antics and humor. It has been over 36 years since we worked together and then that drunk driver stole your life and your career. As I recall we buried you on your 23rd birthday and your family was so strong and forgiving that day. I left Fullerton PD after 29 years and am now working for the OCDA. I miss you and think of you often and wonder what if?

D A Investigator Mike Montgomery
Orange County District Attorney's Office

August 15, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. RIP.

Special Agent
U.S Postal Service

April 20, 2011

Rest in Peace, Officer Hatch. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

"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 28, 2007

Someone just had to have another drink then had to drive..so yet another fine young man is taken from us as the result.May you Rest in Peace Office Hatch and may Our Lord continue to strengthen your loved ones as they journey to reunited with you again.

June 30, 2006

I was hired as a Fullerton Police Officer 2 years after your death. I like to think that we would have become close friends as we handled our calls together. Today, your memory is kept alive by a bronze plaque on the west side of the station. You are forever 10-98, my brother.

Senior Officer Wayne E. Dale
Fullerton, CA Police Department

March 25, 2006

Rest easy hero, you are not forgotten. We salute you!

melissa smock
friend of Jake Laird EOW 8/18/04

March 30, 2005

Rest in peace, and thanks for keeping the peace while you were here. It has been 29 years since Officer Hatch made the ultimate sacrifice, and he is not and will never be forgotten. I'm sorry to see that another hero was killed by a drunk driver. Police officers are our only protection from the large amount of people who threaten the lives of others so that they can have a good time by drinking and driving. Time will not dim the glory of your deed, Officer Hatch, rest well.

Pat
Baltimore, MD

March 16, 2004