Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Just passed the memorial sign on the highway. I am grateful for the service, memories, reflections, and the sign as well. May he always be remembered and the woman who had been abducted as well.

LKP

February 24, 2024

I saw your Memorial as we drove by this afternoon 12/31/23. May you RIP.
Prayers for your family.

TFC Bill Burtis #654 (Ret)
Connecticut State Police

December 31, 2023

My husband and I were traveling north in I81 and saw your memorial. You were remembered today, September 24, 2022. I pray your family has found peace.

Tina L Holtz
Chautauqua Co SO (Ret.)

William A Makuch
NYSDOCCS (Ret.)

Tina L Holtz
Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office

September 24, 2022

I was a 17 year old private in the National Guard at the time and Trooper Hines was my 1st Sgt. In the short time I knew him he was larger than life and a role model to be admired. Rest in peace 1st Sgt.

James Welch
11C in the 29th.

April 12, 2022

2021 and still missing you my friend

Lt. Frank Pyanoe
Virginia State Police

May 7, 2021

I was the fulltime personnel E5 for Co A 3/116 Inf in Lexington when Jerry was the First Sergeant. We used to swap "cop stories" after drill was over (I had previously been a police officer in Winchester for 15 years). He was a great person and an outstanding First Sergeant and Trooper. He was well respected by everyone!!!

MSG (Ret) Woody Ramsey
Retired U.S. Army

January 9, 2020

Trooper Hines,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a LEO but for our Country as well when you served with the VAARNG. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

February 20, 2019

RIP in Heaven, Trooper Jerry Lynn Hines will never be forgotten.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired.
New York State Police

December 14, 2018

The terrible killing of the Dallas Police Officers caused me to remember Trooper Hines. While living in the Fairfield area, I taught U.S. Government at Buena Vista in the summer and had invited Trooper Hines to meet with the class. He was a great success with the students, probably the best class of the summer! Later, driving at night from Lexington, before cell phones, I hit a Deer and Trooper Hines happen to come along and called for a tow truck, etc. He jokingly asked me, “You can have the Deer if you want!” I told him, “Think I will pass tonight!” I was certainly saddened by his tragic death, a truly outstanding person, and I consider myself privileged to have known Trooper Hines, if even briefly.

Kenneth McBride
Virginia resident

July 9, 2016

Never forgotten. R.I.P. brother.

SGT. J.L. SLAUGHTER
RADFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 20, 2015

I was a young Trooper with 2 years service when Trooper Hines was murdered. I was assigned in an adjoining county, although we worked out of separate Division Headquarters.(Amherst/Rockbridge). I can recall his funeral service as if it were yesterday, with the cold rain/sleet falling on the mourners that traveled from all parts of the country.
My daddy who was also a Virginia State Trooper was a close friend of Jerry's, as he was hired in 1965 and Jerry in 1966. He has since retired in 2005. I continue to work in the Division Jerry was assigned too when he lost his life. I tell this trivia....for a purpose.
Today my youngest son had his first T-ball practice at the ripe old age of 5. As my wife (also former VSP-Trooper) and I was standing on a bank, freezing watching the little ones play, I noticed a Virginia Law Enforcement Memorial License Plate parked at the field. I immediately recalled the unit number of Jerry Hines, and knew it had to be associated with him. Well....as fate would have it, the vehicle belonged to Trooper Jerry Hines daughter (who was 13 when she lost her daddy), and her daughter (Jerry Lynn) was the only little girl on a team full of boys. I was able to meet her, and recount several stories about her daddy...as we both shed a tear. This all occurred some 75 miles away from where Jerry was assigned. Tomorrow is my dad's 70'th birthday, and we got pictures of the two little ones in front of the license plate to send to him. I know in my heart Trooper Jerry Hines would be awfully Proud!

First Sergeant Ken Keesee
Virginia State Police

March 23, 2013

I had nothing but respect for you as a man and as my !st Sgt in the Va National Guard. You were well respected as a police office as well. I thought of you when I served in Iraq and thought you would have liked serving in this war. I used the skills you taught me and they kept me alive.

Sgt U.S Army (Ret) Wounded Warrior
U.S. Army

January 28, 2013

Cousin (2nd) Jerry, I will never forget you, you have always been in my prayers and memories since I first climbed into your cruiser, you were in your 20's and I was around 12. My name is Pete Ciancione, son of Nancy W Malcum (daughter of Virginia Hines Malcum). We were on our way home from Bristol Va to Beckley WV when mom stopped by to see you, if I remember correctly you were in Princeton at the time. I'll never forget how great you looked in your uniform and your soft spoken voice, you were truly a great presence to behold.
Since your passing I have had the utmost respect for all law enforcement officers and their families, your lives are truly a memorial to us all.
I will try to attend the next memoriam in Richmond to honor your life and service. You will always be remembered in my heart and soul for your kindness and thoughtfulness on a warm afternnon in the late 60's when you showed what your life, and that of many other brave souls, is made of! Love you Jerry.

Peter Ciancione, CRNA, MS
2nd cousin

July 10, 2012

Trooper Jerry Hines, the first contact I had with you was during my 60th Basic Session at the Academy when you instructed classes for us. My last meeting with you was at Natural Bridge, Virginia when you picked me up at the Helicopter and took me to dinner, while I waited to fly the Governor back to Richmond. All my times in your presence, you were professional in your demeanor, as well as a True Virginia Gentleman! Jerry, you were a Trooper that not only the Virginia State Police could be proud of, but one that your fellow Troopers, as well as Troopers yet to come, could be very proud to follow!

Trooper Jerry Lynn Hines lived his life in the true meaning of a Gentleman, as defined by John Walter Wayland, but what I feel could also define a Virginia State Police Trooper, as "A Man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe."

Trooper-Pilot David Nichols, retired
Virginia State Police Aviation

February 17, 2012

Twenty-two years and it seems as if it was only yesterday, how time flies. Your legacy lives on my dear friend! You will always be my hero.

Kitty Hayes-Falls

February 21, 2011

As the 22nd anniversary of your tragic murder approaches, I salute you Sir! Thank you for your bravery, duty and ultimate sacrifice. You will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten.

Sergeant, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

February 16, 2011

Please know your sacrifice has not been forgotten and you and your loved ones are still being remembered and thought of.

Anonymous

February 20, 2009

To Trooper Jerry Hines, his loved ones, and his fellow troopers:

On this the twentieth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart is with all family members and friends who call you beloved. They are all in my thoughts and prayers today. I can see from the loving reflections left by your loyal friends that you were an amazing man who is loved and missed by all those whose lives you touched.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Jerry. I am so humbled by your valor and service.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Jerry gave to his community and the citizens of Virginia, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 20, 1989.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

February 20, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 8, 2008

Trooper Hines,
On today, the 19th anniversary of your murder, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your community but also for our Country when you served in the Army National Guard. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. It took another nine years, but your murderer finally got the justice that he deserved.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

February 20, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 12, 2008

Hey "Legiron", just dropped in to say "Hi" and to let you know you aren't forgotten. Hard to believe it's been over 18 years, seems like just yesterday sometimes. Even had a trucker ask about you the other week, just out of the blue on 19.

Anyway .... Thanks for all you did for us younger pups coming along.

Just another Trooper
Virginia State Police

October 30, 2007

Trooper Hines was the instructor that taught my basic school breathalyzer class.
One day during that week he had us assemble in the class during a break because he’d “just remembered” something important he had to tell us about operation of the breathalyzer instrument. “What do you do if you keep swinging the needle up and up and up and it hits the TOP of the scale?” he asked us. Perplexed, the class gave several possible answers and Jerry then proceeded to instruct us on the proper procedure to reset the needle and continue to measure a BAC that was “over scale.” This doesn’t sound like such a big deal however, months later, after his death, I was operating my very first breath test and sure enough, this person was way over the limit and I had to put that procedure into use. I conducted the test with tears forming in my eyes. He cared enough about our futures to make sure we were properly instructed. That’s the kind of person he was.

Special Agent Anthony Gattuso, Jr.
Virginia State Police

March 10, 2007

Heroes and the sacrifices they make will never be forgotten. Trooper hines, you are a true hero and you are not forgotten. Although I was still in school at the time of Trooper Hines sacrifice, I remember hearing about it from my uncle who served with the Sheriff's Office.

SPO
Salem, Va

February 20, 2007

I remember you from 1979, you were a great state trooper and a good fun person to talk to during the strike, I always liked to talk to you when there was a break in the action. You were a true southern gentlemen, and a credit to the Virginia State Police. I was saddened to see this happened to you. see you on the other side. (a steelworker)

September 13, 2006