Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt. Ward,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Montgomery. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

October 3, 2024

J R I was working at AUM PD on 3rd Shift I had Got Up and turned on the Channel 12 News I heard You had Been Murdered I was upset. We had chased that armed robbery suspects car down the Southern Boulevard at 110 mph and were wrecked when Cpl Bates tried to get in front of Us. I remember telling you "I think we are Dead after the Collison our car went through the gas station parking lot. "WE Both panicked because smoke was getting in the car. 2 Wimen stopped their car and came to the door and pulled on my door as i hit it with my shoulder. I had a strained neck, but you had grabbed the dash and your hand slipped under on impact and you had a dislocated Thumb. You had weeks of desk duty. JR you was one of the best Partners I Had ridden with

Patrolman
AUM PD Officer

January 7, 2024

As I sit and reflect upon my life, I will never forget you, Earl and Raymond through the Boy's Club. You were just young fellows back then. I watched as you played basketball, baseball, swam in the pool and went to summer camp. I traveled with the group sometimes when you played games out of town. I cooked the meals at camp several times and watched the games you played. I remember how happy and pleased we were to see these young men mature into great men, serving the very community they grew up in and with families of your own. It saddened me deeply to learn you had been killed. I have family buried near your grave site, and I visit where you were laid to rest often and it brings back those childhood years. It was a very sad time for us as a family and personally and as a community. You will always be missed, and your community lost a great human being due to crime. We loved you.

Ann Anderson
friend

July 6, 2022

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

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

October 3, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Ward.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 19, 2020

At the same moment, same day, same hospital on 10/3/94 my son was being born when Officer Ward was pronounced dead.

Mike Williams
Citizen

September 24, 2015

I never knew you personally, but you were a very dear friend of my fathers who was a fellow officer. I'll never forget the day the call went out that an officer was down. My father rushed out of the house and when he came back he was never the same. He cared for you so very much and was heartbroken upon hearing the news of your tragic passing. I remember finding a picture of you in a stack of photos. He had it framed and kept it on his dresser as a memory of what you stood for and what you meant to him. My father recently passed and it gives me comfort to know that he has a brother like you in heaven. Take care of each other and watch over us. Thank you both for your service and sacrifice.

G
D

November 27, 2014

JR I was Cadet in the Detective Division with you and you always would take me with you if you could. You treated me as if I was already an officer. I appreciated that. You are never forgotten

retired MPD

May 14, 2014

RUSTY I think of you often. I'm sorry we drifted apart but I always loved you. Rest in peace.

S

September 29, 2013

James Russell Ward, its been awhile (19 years) and I think of you everyday. We had our "run" together and you was always there when I needed help working a case. So much has happened since Oct. 3, 1994 and I will catch you up to speed when we meet again on the softball field in Heaven. Roll Tide my partner Roll Tide

Kenny KC Baldwin (Formerly MPD)
Robbery/Homicide partner Oct. 1994

June 18, 2013

Jr. I have gone by your grave many times just to sit and talk to you, that day that Gina called me at work and told me about what happened froze me in time! You became a great friend to me that not too many people know about! We had a special friendship that we could laugh about anything especially the things that Tony would say to me at the bank...You, Rabbit and Tony were very special. I think of you often and wish that you were still here, sometimes just to talk to and get your advice, but I know that you are in a much better place than we are now! Reading over the reflections, I am so glad to have known you! You will always have a special place in my heart! You are missed! By the way, Alabama has won several more championships since you left...and I have said Roll Tide... Love always!

Hollie Selfridge
Friend

April 25, 2013

I often think of the night we had a fight in a field with a skunk and our car smelled like that for a month. You always liked to goof off when we could. Rest in peace brother.

Gary Humphrey
Partner

October 27, 2011

I often think of the night we had a fight in a field with a skunk and our car smelled like that for a month. You always liked to goof off when we could. Rest in peace brother.

Gary Humphrey
Partner

October 27, 2011

Uncle Russell ..... I guess 16 years later I now know your purpose in being gone .... October 3 has always been a hard day and now it seems it'll only be harder. October 3 of this year 2010 Steadman, my brother...your nephew, is on his way to see you.... The only peace I can get in his death is knowing that he's coming to you and that you are standing there with open arms waiting on him....you know how much trouble he can get in so please watch out for him and take care of him...... for me it seems that oct 3rd will forever haunt me. I miss you now more than ever. Please tell my little brother how much I love and miss him!!!!!

Kandas
Neice

October 4, 2010

Uncle Russell. You are never forgotten. Thanks for all the police car rides and for letting me win so many video games! I always wonder if you let me win or if I actually beat you, because you would get so mad.

Steadman
Ward

November 1, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the fifteenth 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 3, 2009

I wish i could of gotten to know you bettter. The whole of the family misses you and you will not be forgotten. While, with time it is possible to move on, you wont ever leave our hearts.

Fn Ward
Son

September 19, 2009

Well Russell here I am at 3:12 in the morning on October 3, 2008.....it's been 15 years.....they say time heals everything and I'm just wondering how much time they mean cause instead of getting easier it seems like it gets harder every year & I feel like you got cheated out of so much life....I know you died doing what you loved but I can't help but want to be selfish and wish you never were a police officer and maybe we'd still have you. I wish the world knew what a wonderful man this world lost. I miss you more every year and I still love you so much and it still hurts so much .... it seems like yesterday. You know after you died MPD did a tribute to you and played The Dance by Garth Brooks in the background and I still cannot listen to that song the very first moment the song starts I see nothing but your smiling face cause you were always smiling. Anyways I could go on and on for days bottom line is I miss you and I love you and I'm still waiting for this to get easier.

KANDAS WARD DISMUKES
NIECE

October 3, 2008

even though i meet you one time it was very nice to meet you and just sit down and have a real nice talk i'm sorry that this happen to you you was a great officer and you will be missed

will heathcote
bats security

February 25, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

vandenberghe
nh

October 15, 2007

"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

July 23, 2007

YOU ARE REMEMBERED.

Jessica Buce
Wife of MPD Officer

May 7, 2007

It seems just like yesterday that all of us from the MPD were all loading in our rental vans and heading to the Talladega Races. It's Race time again at Talladega and it brings back memories. There are our memories of playing together on the MPD softball team that will always be in my thoughts also. There was never a dull moment.

Deputy Travis Hudson
Autauga Co. Sheriff's office

April 26, 2007

I will never forget the first time I saw you, chasing a suspect down Bell Street. Nobody could get away from you, you seemed like you could run forever. You were a good man, a good friend, and a good peace officer. The example you set for others will long be remembered; your family has much to be proud of. RIP my friend, 10-23.

Former Patrolman
MPD

February 10, 2007

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Ward. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 30, 2006