Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

30 years gone. I'm sorry that the anniversary of your death sometimes sneaks up on me, but not this year. I think about you often and hope to see you again. Rest easy brother.

Lt. Rich Stahnke
Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD and friend

May 14, 2024

An amazing man!

Dean
Veteran

March 10, 2024

Troy,
I’ll never forget our experience together being new agents and attending new agent training! You were such a unique sweet guy, soft spoken with a pleasant demeanor. We had such good times! I’ll never forget you or our experience that we shared! You were taken too soon! I love your family and my heart breaks for them to this day! You may be gone but NEVER forgotten! We will meet again but until then please watch over all of our brave men and women wearing the badge! Love you man!!

Melissa Armstrong
NCALE 1993-2003

May 14, 2022

I met Troy in the law enforcement training at cape fear. He just had one of those magnetic personalities you couldn't resist being friends with. I was an outsider at that time being from New York, but Troy welcomed me with open arms and we became good friends immediately. When he became an ALE agent I was was happy for him, he was grinning ear to ear with that smile of his. Troy made such an impact in my life that from the day he was taken from us I made up my mind that my 1st born son would be named Troy.. I had my son on April 8th 2001 and proudly named him Troy.. I speak of Troy often to my son and remind him of where his name came from and the honor he should feel for carrying his name. Thank You Troy for your friendship and your bravery, you will NEVER be forgotten

Ed Collura
Friend

October 15, 2021

May Almighty God grant you eternal rest young Special Agent and may you now pray constantly for our Brethern in the presence of our Lord. As an old ALE Agent myself, I remember the risks that we routinely took on a daily basis as involved in executing our sworn duty to the people of North Carolina while we normally worked and made arrests while all alone. Your area of operations in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg was especially well known to be hazardous. I wish that you had not have been alone in making this arrest on that fateful night. It is so sad to see a young Agent pass so quickly; you should have had many more years to carry a badge. May our Lord grant your family every blessing.

Special Agent-in-Charge [Retired] Jerry W. Leonard US DOD ACI ODCS-I

November 7, 2019

Rest in peace ALE Agent I Carr.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2019

Agent Carr,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of North Carolina. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

May 14, 2019

A State Trooper was shot and killed on Oct 17th 2018 - I know its been a long long long time but I feel like it was just yesterday when you were making me laugh and sharing your Adventurous spirit! For some reason, this officers death brought back a flood af memories that literally have me in tears. I met you in 1988, and lost you on May 14th 1994.
There was always that feeling that I had not told you how special you were and are to me. I hope you can feel it, even in Heaven (Say Hello to Vance and my Dad for me). You are a TRUE hero and a real go getter!
Thank you for being you, even though we were young you tought me so much I could write a book!
Just know above all else that you are a True Hero and loved beyond words. Hopefully I'll see you on the other side...So long ago yet forever burned in my memory and heart!

Carrie Hope Patterson
Old Friend from UNCW

October 19, 2018

Unfortunately my brother, you were not given the time to spread your wings, but you will always be remembered for your courage and service. Rest in Peace my brother, and may the Lord always watch over and bless your family.

Sergeant Barton
Garden City PD

May 10, 2017

We live in troubled times, but times have always been tough for those who carry badges. It is always tough to see our comrades cut down in the line of duty. Each day we watch as law enforcement officers at every level make the ultimate sacrifice. We have made it through such times in the past and we will in the future. When I was with the NC ALE under the old ABC system of the 1970's it was just as dangerous since most of the time agents and officers at every level worked largely alone. In 1976 alone, I believe it was, we lost 7 SHP Troopers and 1 ALE Agent, not to mention officers lost at the local and federal levels in NC. Law enforcement is, and will always be, a dangerous way to make a living which noone does for the money you earn. Each fallen officer is but another sacrifice laid upon the alter of our nation since it is by their blood that our country and world are made just a little bit safer. COP killers should never be paroled. As a fourth generation COP I am convinced that the saddest thing a child can ever say are the words "... my Daddy was a policeman ... ."

Jerry W. Leonard, SAIC-Retired
US Military Intelligence-DOD

September 22, 2016

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

May 14, 2015

I was honored to send off my 'No Parole' letter today for you, my brother in blue. Thank you for your sacrifice and may you forever, rest in peace. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!

My prayers continue to be with your family, friends and co-workers.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

January 21, 2014

My Letter for "No Parole" will go out tomorrow, my brother of the badge. God Bless your family, friends and Department.

Retired Police Officer, Bob Reed
South Lake Tahoe Police Department

January 20, 2014

Although I never knew Troy personally, we attended UNCW together and took some of the same CRJ classes and I knew his girlfriend when this happened. Mary was devastated by her loss and I remember being unable to put this incident into perspective even though I was also in law enforcement at the time. It may be 19 years later, but I still haven't forgotten you Troy.

MPO III Parker Howey
High Point Police, NC

October 21, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 18th 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
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 15, 2012

My dear friend,

Oh how time does not heal the wound I have from losing a friend like you. I will always remember the years we spent together and the true friend that you really were. I think about you all the time and wish you were still here so my children could call you UNCLE TROY. Until later, love you brother.

Jerry Austin Jr
Dear friend

January 16, 2009

Rest in peace Troy. You touched many lives in your short stay here. You will never be forgotten. Give Vance a hug for me.

Gordon Hobbs
NC Game Warden

August 24, 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

HEY TROY,I DROVE OVER TO FAYETTEVILLE N.C. LAST NIGHT FOR MY WIFES AND I ANNIVERSARY,AND WE CROSSED YOUR BRIDGE WHICH WAS NAMED IN YOUR HONOR,WE BOTH SAID A PRAYER FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN RIP BROTHER MATTHEW 5:9

LIEUTENANT TOMMY BUTLER
SCOTLAND COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE N.C.

November 28, 2007

Today as your Dad drove through the line at chick fil a, i noticed a special blue ribbon. only special people have those ribbons so i immediately realized that your dad lost someone in the line of duty....troy, i too lost a son and now i know that my son is with you in the arms of the lord...you will always protect each and everyone one of us...that is your job.....protect and serve

chris roth
survivor of the shield 1997

July 17, 2007

HERO! God Bless you sir.

NC LEO
Winston-Salem PD

May 14, 2007

Thirteen years have passed and you have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case. Thank you for your dedicated service in fighting drunk driving and your attempt to educate others. Our police officer son was killed by a drunk driver while he was on patrol, so we know the senseless and horrible after affects of this crime that many people take for granted. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

May 14, 2007

G-d Bless.

May 14, 2007

Agent Carr,
As a fellow UNC-W Criminal Justice student, I want you to know that your sacrifice is not taken for granted, nor are you forgotten. God Bless and Thank You for your service, you serve as an inspiration to us all!

J.D. Kornegay

January 23, 2007

Troy,
I never got the chance to meet you, but I've heard great things about you. I joined the Agency 8 years after your death and never let a day go by without thinking about the sacrafice you made.

MPT
NCALE D-VIII

September 21, 2006