Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I'm sorry to never had the chance to meet you, and my heart aches at the thought of your widowed wife raising your children alone. The struggles the family faced after your passing I cannot even imagine. I would have liked to have known you. Rest in peace Captain.

Rachael
grand daughter

December 14, 2021

Rest in peace Captain Kruse.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 21, 2019

Thinking about you today. Many thanks for your service to our country and my prayers be with your friends and family.

John Haseltine - Civilian

January 10, 2017

TO CAPTAIN KRUSE'S MEMORY AND TO HIS FAMILY A LONG TIME AGO ON THIS DATE IN 1972 JOSEPH WAS TAKEN FROM YOU IN A SENSELESS ACT BY A SAVAGE, CAPT KRUSE IS A HERO AND SERVED HIS STATE AND PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRAFICE TODAY WE REMEMBER JOE HE IS GONE BUT IS NEVER FORGOTTEN, GOD BLESS

C/O CHIRICHELLO L CERT/HONOR GUARD
LANCASTER PRISON PA

June 8, 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

June 8, 2015

Rest in Peace, Captain Kruse. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 3, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th 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 the solace of 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 15, 2012

"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

January 14, 2008

Our profession is sometimes overlooked when others seek heros to venerate. Officer Kruse, I offer my condolences to your family, friends and co-workers on this, the anniversary of your murder.

You have served with honor and will not be forgotten, may God grant you eternal rest.

Officer Frank Finch
Federal Bureau of Prisons

June 8, 2005

Officer Kruse,
On today the 33rd anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Iowa. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of a Corrections Officer.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

June 8, 2005