Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy birthday Andy.
Mom always wanted us to celebrate you on your birthday instead of June 5. So that's why I'm writing today. It's more or less for her. Maybe you can explain to her we were celebrating your honor and way of life, your bravery and unselfishness.

I'm sure you know I retired February 1 this year. Wish you were would have been there. I feel it was a good 35 years with the Wisconsin Rapids PD.

Thank you for helping me get through those years on duty. Hope you have other things to do now. You're luckier than Melissa, she still has to keep busy taking care of me. She's going to be even busier now that I'm retired. I'm so thankful for her too.

We all miss you.
You'll never be forgotten!!

Thanks for having my 6.

RODNEY KRAKOW
BROTHER

September 12, 2023

Never forgotten. Rest Easy sir.

officer
Park City PD (utah)

June 5, 2021

Warden Krakow,
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 the state of Wisconsin. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 5, 2020

You watched over your family when they traveled from Wisconsin to Castle Rock, Colorado and their lost dogs. Lost dogs don't chase down police cars and stand in front of them to prevent them from leaving. Loar dogs don't get into strange police cars without hesitation and without assistance. Your families dogs did. The dogs had no tags or chips, they could have been lost forever. I have no doubt you were responsible for their reunification. It was an honor to meet your family, good people.

Sergeant Tim Ratcliff
Castle Rock Police Department, Colorado

September 12, 2019

Rest in peace and Olav Hashalom Conservation Warden Krakow. Honorable and loyal in your public service.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 12, 2018

Andy and I served together on the AFSCME Wisconsin State Employees Union bargaining team. Ironically, he was killed soon after returning to his post after getting us a contract. The kid who shot him was a former student of his in a high school gun safety class (a commonplace in rural Wisconsin); so when the domestic disturbance call came in to the local sheriff's office, where he was making a courtesy visit ON HIS OWN TIME, he volunteered to go along with the deputies. He never even got a chance to get out of his truck before the fatal shots came.

Pres. Michael J. Lowrey
AFSCME Local 91

January 1, 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

June 6, 2015

25 years ago was the worse day of my life. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was at the WI State Patrol Academy taking a class on over-weight trucks. I got the phone call sometime around 11 AM that my oldest brother, my mentor, my hero was murdered. I let out a yell that I'm sure sent shivers down the spine of several recruits.

Over the years I have been involved in several hairy situations that I'm sure you had my back (don't know how else to explain the outcome) and I'm grateful. It would have been OK if you had stepped in a little sooner on a couple of them, but we weathered through it alright. I'm sure you were right there with us.

Haven't seen Jill or the kids in way too long. I'm sure you are watching over them. You'd be watching over them more if you didn't have to have my back so much. Again I thank you.

You would like Melissa. She's been a pillar of strength for me. You'd love giving Stephanie, Jennifer and Natalie a hard time. They would eat it up and give it right back. Though they never met you, they have done school papers on you. They have gone to the annual WLEOM services with us when they can. Jeremy, Ashley and Craig are doing good. We all could have benefited from your guidance. I'm sure others would have too.

I remember riding with you over the years. I would learn from watching you. You would be retired by now. I'd like to think you would be going on patrol rides with me. I'm sure you'd laugh at some of the things I'd do, but I'd learn again from listening to you.

A day doesn't go by that I don't think of you. Whether I'm on patrol, out hunting or fishing, or just being around with the family.

I will try to be more careful to give you the rest you deserve. Knowing you that won't matter, you will be there anyway. I hope I've done you proud. I hope I've honored you.

SYOTOS

Officer Rodney I. Krakow
WRPD/ Brother

June 5, 2015

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Retired Wisconsin L.E.O.

March 11, 2014

You were a hero, in your line of duty. You were a hero, in the eyes of your family. You are a hero, as you rest in peace. Always a hero, and never forgotten. love. <3

Barbi Kemper
sister

June 13, 2012

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 22nd 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace.

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

June 6, 2012

A Hero may fall but will aways be remembered, RIP Sir.

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

February 3, 2012

Remembering you today. I'm sorry your life was taken from you. May you find peaceful rest.

Chris
Wisconsin

June 5, 2009

You were honored on the website today. You made a difference!
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

November 16, 2008

May God bless your fellow brothers and sisters now serving and may you find peaceful rest.

Chris
Wisconsin

October 26, 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

February 24, 2008

Warden Krakow,

Thank you for your service. Our heart goes out to your family and your brother, Officer Rod Krakow. May God bless them and keep them safe.

You will not be forgotten.

Citizen
Adams County

June 22, 2007

Warden Krakow, you were the first line of Duty Death that ever caught my attention. Not only because I spent alot of time in the Montello area where he patroled, I was also in recruit school at the time. Now 16 years later I work with Rod. I'm guessing a spitting image of you. Please keep an eye over us all.

Deputy Wood County Sheriff

February 8, 2007

May you Rest in peace.

June 5, 2006

Warden Krakow,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Wisconsin. It sickens me that your murderer only served 13 years for murdering you.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

June 16, 2005

It's coming up on 15 years and not a day goes by when I don't think of you and that terrible day. Andy was a good partner and friend and his death has changed how I look at this job and life in general. Stay Safe

Captain Jack Frost
Marquette County Sheriffs Dept.

May 26, 2005

God bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

September 26, 2004

Brother, may God bless you and your family. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI, New York

September 10, 2003