Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Merle is free today. Free to spend Christmas with the family he cultivated while in prison. I endured the two last hearings wherein a young college professor uses this case as a study for her students and Merle's defense attorney justified your death.
The judge called your death "ancient history."
Tales of you are everywhere. People who knew you surround me and recall you fondly. I want my children to regard me as I regard you.

Stuart Broussard
Grandson

December 23, 2022

Your selfless and courageous actions are the true definition of heroism. Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

December 13, 2020

Thank you for protecting us.

Heidi Davis

April 23, 2020

To find information on family member who served on the Hagerstown, MD Police Department

Donald Smith
Motor Cycle officer hagerstown, MD

October 24, 2018

Dear brother Kline, and family,

I was born in Hagerstown and after completing my Freshman year at St. Maria Goretti High School, I moved with my parents to Orlando, Florida in 1959. After my four years in the USAF, I returned and ultimately joined the Orlando Police Department.
Now, here’s the “small world” part.... while on patrol one evening, I responded to a disturbance call at a local bar and confronted an individual who was involved. Turned out that I was in the company of “fugitive” Merle Unger, and it was my distinct pleasure to arrest him and hold him for the Hagerstown authorities.
A proud occasion that will always be remembered. We all share a brotherhood.

Lieutenant John R. Stum
Orlando Police Department (Retired)

May 15, 2018

Always remembered, never forgotten.

Senior Corporal Lev Ellian South Bethany Police
Det. Lev Ellian M-NCPPC Park Police Montgomery County
PO3 Lev Ellian Montgomery County Police

PO3 Lev Ellian
Montgomery County Police

August 27, 2016

I never met you and nor has your great granddaughter but we hear stories. I miss the man I could have met.

Rhiannon Moon
Granddaughter

January 4, 2016

Never good when a fellow officer dies. It will be 39 years this December 13 2014, I still remember the day. We lived on the 300 block of S Cannon ave I was walking back to my house from Aces Corner (where the robbery occurred) and I heard gun shots coming from what sounded like the old Washington County Hospital, after later hearing of the robbery and shooting incident I thought about how close I was to being involved in that incident. I was only 19 and just arrived home from training in San Diego California. Rest In Peace Officer Donald R. Kline.

Gunnery Sgt Douglas K. Rodeffer
United States Marine Corp. Retired (1974-1994

September 1, 2014

My father was a fellow Hagerstown Policeman along with you, Donnie...as my parents called you. I was just 6 years old when you died but I will never forget how sad I was to see my dad so sad to lose a comrade. And then came the fear of 'Merle Unger'. After that tragic day I lived in fear for years that Merle would come take my daddy away just like he took you away from your family. Your death will never be forgotten and your sacrifice is above reproach. I pray for your family....may God give them comfort and peace knowing you died doing what you were born to do and I thank you for that.

daughter of Phil Snyder HPD

November 19, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you.
Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 13, 2011

Another year. The time means nothing. The lives of myself and my step-sister and step-mother were forever changed. I have stopped wondering how much better my life would have been if you had just walked away and pretended to be unarmed. Why couldn't you have just pretended to be a private citizen? Don't bother trying to answer, Dad, because we both know that the private citizen in you disappeared when you were sworn in and never came back. You taught me as much as you could in our brief time together, and the shooting lessons were the greatest. I miss you. Your grandson Steven looks a lot like you, and we all have your smarts.
Thanks

Vienna Kline-Moon
Daughter

July 30, 2011

Rest in peace dear brother. Thanks for serving your community. Thanks for helping to make hagerstown a better place.

krissy

kristine wilton
Cousin of Christopher Nicholson/smithburg md EOW-12/19/2007

February 1, 2008

Here we are again one year later honoring and remembering you as always.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

December 13, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandneberghe
manchester, nh

December 7, 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

November 7, 2007

I am offering my suppport to the family of the Kline's as I read in this morning's paper of the possible appeal of the dirtbag that shot and killed a good brave man.
RIP Don
Craig

Officer First Class Craig Smith
Baltimore County Police Department

March 21, 2007

Thirty one years today that you left us a true hero, and we remember you today just as we did then. Never forgotten!

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

December 13, 2006

officer Kline,
I attended your funeral back in 1975. My father who was a deputy in Washington County, brought me to the funeral with him. As a young man this is my earliest memory of wanting to be a Police Officer, and the unbelievable sacrifice that you made. As a child I was struck by the fact that you were off duty going home and did not have to get involved. My father explained to me about the pride, honor and sense of committment to protect and serve, that comes with being a Police Officer. I thank you for being a hero and a roll model, instilling in me a desire to be like you. Even though I did not know you, then I remember how many people gathered that day. May you rest in peace Sir.

Captain Donald Frick
Prince George's County police Department

December 28, 2005

OFFICER KLINE, I AM SURE THAT 30 YEARS HAS NOT HEALED THE PAIN OF YOUR FAMILY; IN THAT RESPECT, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. THANK-YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.

DISPATCHER9520
SAUK COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT

December 13, 2005

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero.

September 28, 2004

God bless you, sir. You are not forgotten.

Anonymous